MNDNR Trout Stream Conservation Easements

Trout fishing in Minnesota is enjoyed by thousands of anglers. The MNDNR Section of Fisheries administers a conservation easement program that has strong stakeholder support, and protects the habitat that is
the foundation of our successful trout management program. Over 90% of our conservation easements protect trout streams. In addition to protecting the riparian corridor of trout streams, easements provide access for the angling public, and also provide access for restoration and enhancement projects. We propose a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection for trout streams across Minnesota. Most trout streams are found in Southeast and Northeast Minnesota, but conservation opportunities in other areas of the state will be evaluated by scoring and ranking candidate parcels as they become available.
We propose to protect 3.75 miles of trout streams and approximately 75 acres with permanent conservation easements on private land. Protected lands will be designated as Aquatic Management Areas (AMA's) administered by the Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The dollar value of trout stream conservation easements is set by formula described in M.S.84.0272 subd. 2. The formula uses the length of stream being placed under easement and the area of the easement footprint. The length of the stream easement in feet (length is measured in GIS from a current aerial photo) is multiplied by $5 per foot. The area of the easement foot print is also measured in GIS. The area in acres is multiplied by the average per acre estimated market value of Agricultural, Rural Vacant, and Managed Forest Land within the township where the easement lies. Estimated market value and total
acres by land type for every township in the state are supplied by the Department of Revenue and revised annually. So, easement price is calculated as (feet of stream under easement x $5) + (acres of easement foot print x average market value/acre within that township). Dollar estimates in this proposal are based on current estimated market value, and are subject to change.

Scoring and ranking candidate parcels for trout stream conservation easement acquisition is based on multiple criteria as described in the proposal attachment. Criteria include fishery quality, rare natural features and other ecological attributes, potential to link with existing easements to increase protected corridors, and the need for access to conduct habitat restoration and enhancement projects with potential to improve the fishery. Please refer to the attachments for details.

The current parcel list is based on parcels meeting a minimum scoring threshold and with landowners expressing an interest in selling an easement. The proposal includes the cost of easements, professional services to complete the transactions, and a deposit to the Easement Stewardship Account to cover future costs of stewardship. The proposal can be scaled by dropping lower scoring parcels.