Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 12
Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance and restore habitat for fish and wildlife in and along priority coldwater streams located on existing conservation easements and public lands around the state. Trout streams are a relatively scarce resource and increasing threats to them require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches. Outcomes will be maximized by improving the connectivity of habitat and fish and wildlife populations. Timely maintenance on old projects will ensure habitat outcomes continue for many years.
Just six percent of Minnesota's streams are capable of supporting any trout, and many have degraded habitat which severely limits their productivity. Even where riparian corridors protect streams from future harm, past habitat degradation cannot be reversed without active enhancement or restoration. Minnesota Trout Unlimited (?MNTU?) proposes to directly enhance or restore degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or public ownership. We propose to restore or enhance habitat in and along these public waters (and counties):
1. Split Rock River (Lake);
2. Baptism River (Lake);
3. Manitou River (Lake);
4. Cook County Trout Stream Pilot (Cook);
5. Southeast MN streams (numerous counties);
6. Numerous streams on prioritized maintenance list (statewide).
If contracting efficiencies or leveraged funding permits us to we will extend project lengths or work on additional streams.
Individual project descriptions and other detail is provided in an attachment.
Goals and scope of work.
The goals of projects are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality and provide other benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forests as appropriate, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in the attachment.
How priorities were set.
MNTU focuses on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout and steelhead fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined using MNTU members' knowledge of watersheds, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, consultations with MNDNR professionals, and science based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects.
Stakeholder support.
We continue receiving strong support from landowners, rural communities, and local civic and sporting organizations. We will continue gathering local input and developing partnerships in the planning and implementation stages. Landowners typically become very enthusiastic partners.
$1,474,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered.
Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered.
Trout Unlimited, USFS, USFWS and and other partners