MeCC VI - Aquatic Management Area Acquisition (3.5)

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
MN DNR
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2011
End Date
June 2014
Activity Type
Land Acquisition
Counties Affected
Dakota
Washington
Dakota
Washington
Project Overview

Project Overview

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using this appropriation to purchase 35 acres, with 0.6 miles of shoreline, along the Vermillion River in Dakota County to be managed as Aquatic Management Areas. Priority will be given to lands that have a high risk of development, provide protection to shoreline and riparian zones, and allow access for anglers and habitat improvement projects.

Project Outcome and Results
This appropriation provided funding to acquire land in fee title within the Metro Conservation Corridors Partnership (MeCC) areas. It focused on habitat linkage projects along the Vermillion River in southern Dakota County that have the following characteristics: high risk of development, angler access, environmental protection of the shoreline and riparian zone, and access for DNR personnel and constituent cooperators to do habitat improvement projects. Parcels acquired will be managed as Aquatic Management Areas (AMA). This funding also supported the finalization of three parcels acquired with a previous MeCC appropriation, but for which professional services bills were still needed. A total of $8,080 was spent on completion of the three previously acquired parcels. The remaining $292,000 was spent on acquisition of two additional parcels for the Vermillion River AMA. These two parcels closed in late 2013 and added 114 acres of land which provide permanent protection and public hunting, fishing, and trapping along almost 11,000 feet of stream. The AMA now consists of 450 acres and 27,650 feet (over 5 miles) of stream. The Vermillion River is known for production of large brown trout and is a popular anger destination. The acquisition of these two parcels relied on other public funding in addition to this appropriation. Dakota County contributed $40,000 and another $108,600 came largely from a 2011 Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriation to DNR. Both of the new sites have been surveyed and the boundaries posted in time for the 2014 trout opener. Costs for boundary posting and other initial development were paid from other DNR budgets.

PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
A press release announcing the two new parcels was issued in early April 2014: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2014/04/08/dnr-adds-2-miles-metro-trout-fishing-opportunities-along-vermillion-2/. The story was picked up by at least two local media outlets - CBS Minnesota (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/04/09/dnr-expands-trout-fishing-along-vermilion-river/) and Pioneer Press (http://blogs.twincities.com/outdoors/2014/04/10/minnesota-stream-trout-fishing-new-vermillion-river-properties-acquired/). In addition to this news release and subsequent stories, information about these and other AMA recreation opportunities is published on the DNR Recreation Compass (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/compass.html) on DNR's website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Project Details
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04i3.5
Appropriation Language

$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,175,000 is for the agreements as follows: $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year with Friends of the Mississippi River; $517,000 the first year and $518,000 the second year with Dakota County; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Great River Greening; $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land for planning, restoring, and protecting priority natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable 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. An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Direct expenses
$150,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.22
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04i3.5
Appropriation Language

$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,175,000 is for the agreements as follows: $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year with Friends of the Mississippi River; $517,000 the first year and $518,000 the second year with Dakota County; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Great River Greening; $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land for planning, restoring, and protecting priority natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable 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. An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Direct expenses
$150,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.22
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Project Manager
First Name
Rick
Last Name
Walsh
Organization Name
MN DNR
Street Address
500 Lafayette Rd, Box 20
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5233
Email
rick.walsh@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency