The DRAFT Clearwater River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) identifies the Lower Clearwater Planning Region as having a current sediment loading from overland sources of 18,491 tons/year at the planning region outlet. The 10-year Plan goal is to reduce loading to the outlet by 4% (767 tons/year). The targeted implementation schedule includes structural agricultural practices with a 10-year measurable outcome of 1,271 tons/year (catchment outlet) to meet the 10-year Plan goal.
The Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed is divided into four planning regions including the Headwaters, Lower Tamarac, Lower Middle, and the Snake River regions. In all four regions, concerns for sediment, stream stability, drainage system instability, groundwater pollution, and excess phosphorus have been identified as either high or medium priority resource concerns in The Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
Provide contract management to ENRTF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 115 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans.
The Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed is divided into four planning regions including the Headwaters, Lower Tamarac,
Lower Middle, and the Snake River regions. In all four regions, concerns for sediment, stream stability, drainage system
instability, groundwater pollution, and excess phosphorus have been identified as either high or medium priority resource
The Red Lake Watershed District, Clearwater, East Polk, Pennington, Red Lake County SWCD's have agreed to work Collectively via MOA to implement water quality projects throughout the Clearwater River Watershed. Implementation efforts are priorities following the guidance of the Comprehensive watershed plan completed in spring of 2023. FY25 funds will be used to continue the implementation of projects identified and/or developed over the FY23 timeframe to continue to meet the goals highlighted in the comprehensive watershed plan.
Many of Minnesota's wetlands have been lost and the remainder degraded. The original proposal planned for 15,000 acres of wetland/shallow lake enhancement to provide critical habitat for each life stage of waterfowl and wetland wildlife. The six projects subsequently completed with this appropriation enhanced 13,800 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes in the Prarie and Forest/Prairie Ecosections of Minnestoa.
This program will complete the initial WMA site development on 1,500 acres of land acquired in the Accelerated Prairie Grassland WMA and Accelerated Wetland WMA Acquisition programs to meet standards for inclusion in the Outdoor Recreation System. This program will also accelerate the restoration, enhancement and management of at least 5,180 acres of native prairie vegetation on existing public lands.
The Accelerated Water Quality Project Implementation Program will increase the connection between landowners, local government units and the landscape to accelerate efforts addressing non-point source loading to surface waters throughout the Red River Valley Conservation Service Area.
This program will acquire and develop approximately 730, acres of new Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lands. New WMA acquisition acre targets by LSOHC Sections will be consistent with the recommendations of The Citizens Advisory Committee report of 2002? Wildlife Management Area Acquisition The Next 50 Years. Additionally, this program will protect 275 acres of native prairie as state Scientific & Natural Areas (SNAs) and perpetual Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements.
This programmatic partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) will accelerate enhancement, restoration, and protection of shallow lakes and wetlands important to waterfowl. This partnership will assess, design, and implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement, restoration, and protection projects to address the most important wetland issues facing waterfowl and other wetland wildlife in Minnesota.
The table below provides a short summary of the acres and sites accomplished. We enhanced or restored 59,495 acres in 458 separate habitat projects.Project Type # Sites # AcresFencing for conserv grazing 6 721grassland conversion 33 1,124Invasive Species Control 43 1,599mowing 3 104Prescribed burn 214 48,368Restoration 13 123Woody Removal 146 7,457
Many of Minnesota's wetlands have been lost and the remainder degraded. Recent tiling and ditching have accelerated this situation. Through this program, shallow lakes and wetlands were designed, constructed, and intensively managed to benefit wetland wildlife and Minnesota residents. Habitat accomplishments from this proposal have enhanced 19,365 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes to benefit waterfowl and wetland wildlife. Work was accomplish through constructed infrastructure, cattail control, and a significant prescribed wetland burn.
The Native Prairie Bank Program perpetually protected via conservation easement 1,342 acres of native prairie from willing landowners. This exceeds the original outcome goal of 760 acres by 582 acres. Easement acquisition focused on Minnesota Prairie Plan identified landscapes and targeted high quality prairies that provide valuable wildlife habitat.
We propose restoration and enhancement of prairie and savanna on WMA’s, SNA’s, and Native Prairie Banks in Minnesota and restoration and enhancement of bluff prairies on State Forest Land in southeast Minnesota.
The Native Prairie Bank Program will work with willing landowners to enroll 420 acres of native prairie in perpetual conservation easements. Enrollment will focus on Minnesota Prairie Plan identified landscapes and target high quality prairies that provide valuable wildlife habitat.
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland habitat work that will otherwise go unfunded. This work is called for in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, Long Range Duck Recovery Plan, and Shallow Lakes plan.
As Minnesota’s state Zoo, we are committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to all our citizens – regardless of age, geographic location, disability or background. “Zoo Unlimited” is our community outreach and access initiative that unites a wide range of programs and policies designed to ensure every Minnesotan has unlimited opportunities to form stronger connections with the natural world. Legacy funds help us implement this program bridge barriers that keep people from connecting with all the Zoo has to offer.
