MeCC VI - Restore and Enhance Significant Watershed Habitat (2.1)

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
Friends of the Mississippi River
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2011
End Date
June 2014
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Washington
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Washington
Project Overview

Friends of the Mississippi is using this appropriation to restore and enhance approximately 163 acres of permanently protected prairie and forest lands in Dakota, Washington, Ramsey, and Hennepin counties in order increase the amount of high quality habitat within designated conservation corridors. Specific activities will include updating management plans, soil preparation, prescribed burning, native vegetation installation, woody encroachment removal, and invasive species control.

Project Outcome and Results
High quality habitat within the Metro area is important for both resident and migratory species. The Metro Conservation Corridors partnership is working to establish a system of habitat corridors that also provide open space and water quality benefits for the residents of the area. One goal of this project was to increase the amount of high quality habitat within designated conservation corridors. During this project, FMR installed 86 acres of prairie, besting the projected amount by 31 acres. This prairie restoration took place at the Emrick property, Gores Pool WMA, Heritage Village Park, Pine Bend Bluffs SNA, and Mississippi River Gorge sites. FMR conducted woodland restoration activities on 2 acres at Mounds Park and Heritage Village Park, falling short by 3 acres of the proposed goal. Uncommon flooding at Gores Pool WMA prevented woodland restoration at the site. Activities associated with this restoration included updating management plans, soil preparation, seed/plant installation, mowing, and weed control. These additional acres of natural communities will provide critical habitat for many species that rely on prairie and woodland, some of which are rare or in decline.

A second goal was to enhance the quality of existing habitat areas. We conducted enhancement activities, mostly exotic invasive plant control and burning, on 275.8 acres, exceeding the number of acres committed to in the work program by 172.8.

The third goal achieved was to develop a list of potential future restoration and acquisition projects within the corridors by reaching out to 27 landowners. This outreach has lead to meetings and site visits with landowners interested in learning more about the natural resources on their property. In other cases, the follow up contact is still taking place. This outreach centered around existing conservation areas, including Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi River riparian area, Sand Coulee SNA, Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area & the Vermillion River.

PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
FMR organizes many tours and stewardship events at the sites where we conduct restoration activities. We share information about this project with the participants of these events. FMR also occasionally publishes articles in its paper and electronic newsletters regarding restoration projects that it is involved in.

Project Details
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04i2.1
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
$100,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$100,000
Direct expenses
$100,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.14
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. 04i2.1
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
$100,000
Direct expenses
$100,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.14
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
Tom
Last Name
Lewanski
Organization Name
Friends of the Mississippi River
Street Address
360 N Robert St, Ste 400
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55101
Phone
(651) 222-2193 x1
Email
tlewanski@fmr.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency