Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase III

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,908,000
Fund Source
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient
Pheasants Forever / MN Prairie Chicken Society
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2017
End Date
September 2022
Activity Type
Land Acquisition
Counties Affected
Clay
Norman
Clay
Norman
Project Overview

Phase 3 of the PCHP sought to acquire parcels as State Wildlife Management Areas or Waterfowl Production Areas in the Southern Red River Valley. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired one 64.1 acre tract as a waterfowl production area and two tracts totaling 555.7 acres as wildlife management areas. Upland prairie and wetland habitat were restored on all tracts to provide the highest quality wildlife habitat possible.

About the Issue

Working in close collaboration with the MN Prairie Chicken Society, Pheasants Forever acquired 619.85 acres of strategic habitat that will benefit Greater Prairie Chicken populations in MN. All land acquired have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program or the Waterfowl Production Area Program (WPA) and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota DNR or USFWS. These properties not only provide access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but also helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for prairie chickens near existing leks.
Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR and USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever and agency staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. These parcels ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such as the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among other. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation.
Offers to landowners were based on fair market value as indicated in an independent appraisal. Once acquired, drained wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(h)
Appropriation Language

$1,908,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society to acquire land in fee, and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8 or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisitions of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,908,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$161,800
Direct expenses
$1,615,000
Administration costs
$4,500
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.08
Measurable Outcome(s)

SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with identified species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail. Additionally the acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA or WPA habitat complexes. Many of these complexes are the strongholds for species of wildlife including SGCN and T/E species. By increasing the size and connectivity of these complexes many species are benefited. Additionally many of the parcels are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which is not only the richest wetland system on earth but also produces approximately one third of the continents waterfowl population. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
A total of 619 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 619 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.
Source of Additional Funds

Federal, Private, PF and MPCS

Project Manager
First Name
Eran
Last Name
Sandquist
Organization Name
MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.
Street Address
410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91
City
South Haven
State
MN
Zip Code
55382
Phone
(320) 236-7755
Email
esandquist@pheasantsforever.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency