Rollie Johnson Islands Restoration

The Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area consists of three islands (Big Island, Little Island, and Steamboat Island) on Upper Whitefish Lake in Crow Wing County. Big Island is a 51.41 acre island, 5.75 acres belonging to the MNDNR and 45.66 acres belonging to Crow Wing County. Little Island is a 1.84 acre island belonging to the MNDNR. Steamboat Island is a 3.82 acre island belonging to the MNDNR. The islands are governed by a Joint Powers Board consisting of one individual each from Ideal Township, Crow Wing County, MN DNR and a public representative. Because of shoreline erosion caused by ice damage in the spring and wind and wave action during open water season, the banks of the islands are slumping and the vegetative cover is threatened. Since 2009 restoration work has been done on the major problem areas. Grant funds are now needed to complete restoration work on smaller areas and to repair damage done in areas previously worked on. Maintenance on areas will be ongoing until vegetation is established and the toe of the islands is stabilized. Information above notes that there are three sites involved in this project. I have included all three sites on one site map as the islands are in close proximity to each other.