Upper Sioux Community Habitat Restoration Phase I

The Upper Sioux Community (USC) will focus removal, restoration, and enhancement activities on Tribal land where invasive species, with a special emphasis on buckthorn can be found in near-continuous stands throughout the understory of forest canopies dominated by native oaks, oak savanna, natural granite outcrops and springs. Locations along the river including where all the work proposed in this plan is located, are used by Tribal Members as a place to hold ceremonies and harvest cultural plants and wildlife.
If funded, the Tribe will utilize grant funds to focus on Phase I of a multi-phase project. Phase I includes the treatment and restoration of the Tribe's forested lands, primarily targeting common buckthorn as well as other invasive plant species such as honeysuckle and other established and pioneering invasive species, which have overtaken the forest's understory. Phase I will treat 50% of the Tribe's Community lands. Phase I of this project will be implemented over a 5-year period. During Phase I the Tribe will be treating invasive species utilizing cut/stump methods followed by subsequent years of spot spraying the restoration areas to target the regrowth of buckthorn and other target species.
Oak savanna has lost over 99% of its historic range in Minnesota, the Tribe would like to focus on restoring oak savanna, one of the most endangered habitats in the state. Oak savannas are dependent on a natural fire regiment and the Tribe would conduct prescribed burns to enhance and restore oak savanna and suppress re-growth of buckthorn. Buckthorn and other woody invasive species will be cut, treated with herbicide and where possible chipped or piled and burned by the BIA. Treated areas will also be seeded with Minnesota native and cultural significant plants to restore the natural habitat. Restoration and enhancement work is expected to be largely conducted by hand due to the sensitive habitat, significant native and cultural plant species present, and numerous cultural artifact sites present throughout the proposed treatment area. Phase I will be funded utilizing Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF funding) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grant funding.
Phase II will consist of applying for an additional 5-years of OHF and BIA grant funding. The second phase will include similar planning and implementation activities within Phase I but will be conducted on the final 50% of Tribal lands impacted by invasive species. The tribe has spent 15+ years dedicated to invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and a special focus on oak savanna restoration, if Phase II is not funded by OHF funding the Tribe will utilize funding from the (BIA) to maintain the work completed under Phase I.