Restoration Evaluations
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations.
In 2011 an interagency team of BWSR and DNR staff developed recommendations for consistent and effective implementation of the program across the three Legacy Funds that call for restoration evaluations; Parks and Trails, Clean Water and Outdoor Heritage Funds. In 2012 the DNR hired a full time Restoration Evaluation Coordinator to manage implementation of the program. The restoration evaluation Panel was also seated. During 2012 and 2013 the Panel consisted of:
Chris Weir-Koetter – DNR, Parks and Trails
Greg Larson – BWSR
Sue Galatowitsch – University of Minnesota
Greg Berg – Stearns County SWCD
Greg Hoch - DNR, Wildlife
Mark Oja – MN NRCS
The first set of restoration evaluations and recommendations is available in the Fiscal Year 2012 report: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2012/mandated/121281.pdf.
The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations.
This request supports a portion of the interagency Legacy Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S. 97A.056), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50) as required by state law. Up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund projects will be evaluated and reported on in the Fiscal Year 2015 report.
$100,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.