Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase V

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,380,000
Fund Source
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient
Trust for Public Land
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2015
End Date
November 2022
Activity Type
Land Acquisition
Counties Affected
Goodhue
Le Sueur
Rice
Goodhue
Le Sueur
Rice
Project Overview

Through fee-title acquisition, the Trust for Public Land permanently protected 242 acres (88% of our goal) in the Cannon River Watershed. This resulted in one new Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and four additions to existing WMAs. Now publicly accessible, these protected areas include wetland, prairie, and "Big Woods" forest habitat. The permanent preservation of these places has reversed habitat loss, allowed for habitat restoration, and increased access to public lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

About the Issue

The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase V program acquired 242 acres of high-quality wetland, prairie, remnant Big Woods forest, and shoreline habitat for wildlife in the Cannon River Watershed. The protection, creation (Trout Lily WMA), and expansion (Gray Fox, Factor, and Warsaw WMAs) of three large complexes provide new opportunities for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.

The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase V program was designed to address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State, degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour drive for over half of the State's population.

The Phase V program is a part of a multi-year conservation effort, focusing on the Cannon River Watershed, that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lake shore, and river shoreline. The Phase V acquisitions were prioritized toward protecting existing large wetland/upland complexes and rare communities (Big Woods forest, oak savanna, tamarack swamp). In addition, landowner willingness to sell and the threat of conversion were also taken into consideration. Protection of these lands provides critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallard, canvasback, wood duck, hooded merganser, pintail, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock), white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and walleye). Protection provided access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting, lake fishing, and wildlife observation. In addition, restoration work conducted by the MN DNR has been focused on degraded portions of the lands acquired, including restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands and lakes back to native habitat.

Specifically, five acquisitions were completed with Phase V funding:
1. Gray Fox WMA - Rice County
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired the Gray Fox WMA property on October 19, 2018 and conveyed the 78-acre parcel to the DNR on April 23, 2019 managed as a new WMA. This property has rolling topography of wetland and grassland habitat located in the upper reaches of the Cannon River Watershed just west of Shields Lake (the headwaters of the Cannon River). It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and it will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. TPL purchased this property for a total of $406,000 using $336,979 of the Cannon River Phase V acquisition funds (ML2015 OHF; allocated acreage 65), and also $69,021 from Cannon River Phase VI (ML2016 OHF; allocated acreage 13).

2. Warsaw WMA - Goodhue County
TPL acquired the parcel on July 31, 2018 and conveyed 18 acres to the MN DNR on August 1, 2018 to be managed as an addition to the Warsaw WMA. Identified as a priority by the Wildlife Action Network this acquisition is adjacent to Hwy 56 and expands the existing WMA, squaring up boundaries, and provides improved public access for quality outdoor recreation and hunting opportunities within an hour drive of the Twin Cities. TPL purchased this property for a total of $61,900. Several rare features were identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey within one mile of the acquisition which is located within a Site of High Biodiversity Significance.

3. Factor WMA - Le Sueur County
TPL acquired tracts 4 and 6 of the Factor WMA property on July 30, 2018 and conveyed the 54-acre parcel to the DNR on August 28, 2018 to be managed as an addition to the Factor WMA. TPL purchased this parcel for $272,200, the acquisition helped to square off boundaries and provide an additional access point to the WMA. This property has a significant amount of wetlands which provide high quality habitat for wildlife and help to buffer the adjacent Cannon River near its headwaters. It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and it will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation.

4. Trout Lily WMA (Phase I) - Rice County
TPL acquired the first phase of the Trout Lily WMA property on August 9, 2017 and conveyed the 112-acre parcel to the DNR on November 6, 2018 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. This property was identified as a high priority for protection by both the State Wildlife Action Plan and SNA Strategic Land Acquisition Plan. The property has deeply dissected wooded ravines and upland which drain to the adjacent Cannon River just upstream of The Nature Conservancy?s Trout Lily preserve and the DNR Trout Lily Scientific and Natural Area
(SNA), both of which abut this property. It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and will provide a much needed buffer to the Dwarf Trout Lily Preserve, public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. TPL purchased this property for a total of $602,000 using $453,321 (ML15 OHF; allocated acreage 84), and $148,679 (ML14 OHF; allocated acreage 28).

5. Trout Lily WMA (Phase II) - Rice County
TPL acquired the second phase of the Trout Lily WMA property on September 17, 2018 and conveyed the 21-acre parcel to the DNR on November 6, 2018 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located within a portion of a Site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance this property was identified as a high priority for protection by both the SWAP and SNA Strategic Land Acquisition Plan. TPL purchased this property for a total of $120,600. The property has deeply dissected wooded ravines and upland which drain to the adjacent Cannon River just upstream of The Nature Conservancy?s Trout Lily preserve and the Trout Lily SNA, both of which abut this property.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)
Appropriation Language

$1,380,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,380,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$138,000
Direct expenses
$1,329,800
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
None
Measurable Outcome(s)

All of the areas targeted by the Trust for Public Land have been identified and prioritized through state, regional and local natural resource plans due to their high biodiversity and connectivity. The Cannon River watershed includes Big Woods, oak savannas, wetlands and sensitive shorelines, which provide habitat for a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Specifically, the shoreline zones protected are one of the most essential and threatened habitat resources in the state. They provide a range of benefits for fisheries, migratory waterfowl and upland game species.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
A total of 242 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 242 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.
Source of Additional Funds

Landowner Donation and RIM matching funds

Project Manager
First Name
Bob
Last Name
McGillivray
Organization Name
Trust for Public Land
Street Address
2610 University Avenue, W Suite 300
City
Saint Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55127
Phone
(651) 999-5307
Email
bob.mcgillivray@tpl.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency