DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XIII

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,948,000
Fund Source
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient
DNR
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2021
End Date
June 2025
Activity Type
Land Acquisition
Counties Affected
Chisago
Crow Wing
Faribault
Kandiyohi
Lyon
Murray
Pipestone
Stearns
Watonwan
Wilkin
Yellow Medicine
Chisago
Crow Wing
Faribault
Kandiyohi
Lyon
Murray
Pipestone
Stearns
Watonwan
Wilkin
Yellow Medicine
Project Overview

Acquire approximately 325 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest Planning Sections emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan and Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan guidance, and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping).

About the Issue

Approximately 325 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have historically been enhanced through donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition).

Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking.

While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to
identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level.

Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing priorities. This ensures funds that are used to acquire lands align with DNR strategic priorities and support the 2002 Citizens' Committee report and the Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan for WMA acquisition.

Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication andidentify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners hasbeen successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels.

Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly.

Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners' written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and parcel initial development.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)
Appropriation Language

$1,948,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring 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.

2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,948,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$1,935,100
Administration costs
$12,900
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.2
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented.
Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented.
Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of grassland/wetland habitat complexes acquired that support upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and
special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented

Project Manager
First Name
Jay
Last Name
Johnson
Organization Name
MN Dept. of Natural Resources
Street Address
500 Lafayette Road
City
St. Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5248
Email
jay.johnson@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency