HCP VI Supplemental - Working Lands Partnership - 2o
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS
This project funded the restoration of thirty-three wetlands totaling approximately seventeen acres on two Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in Becker County. These areas are managed by the USFWS's Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District office. The primary objective was to restore small seasonal wetlands on WPAs. These small wetlands are important because they are the first to melt in the spring, providing critical habitat to early arriving migrating birds. Research has also shown that these types of wetlands have some of the highest invertebrate densities, a critical food source for egg-laying hens and fast-growing ducklings. These wetlands also play a role in flood protection in the Red River Valley. Because they are temporary or seasonal wetlands, they are often dry during the late fall. During snow melt the following spring, they are able to capture their full volume of water. Wetland restoration in western Minnesota is becoming increasingly important under several climate change models. First, these models predict increased flooding in the future. Second, the models predict that the climate of central Dakotas, the duck factory, will shift to western Minnesota. Wetland restoration in Minnesota buffers us against current and future flooding as well as the possible future waterfowl and songbird production in the Central Flyway.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
We are currently drafting a press release for local television and newspapers to discuss all of the grant funded projects in this area, including both ENRTF and LSOHC-CPL funded projects. However, due to the business of the pre-Xmas season, we will probably wait until mid-January before contacting these media. We have had informal conversations with newspapers in the area and they are interested in doing a story on the habitat restoration work in this area.s.
$1,344,000 is added to Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), from the trust fund for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $308,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $1,036,000 is for agreements as follows: $425,000 with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $50,000 with National Wild Turkey Federation; $164,000 with the Nature Conservancy; $102,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 with the Trust for Public Land; $45,000 with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; and $50,000 to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service is an authorized cooperating partner in the appropriation. Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. All funding for conservation easements must include a long-term stewardship plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the agreement.
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".