Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 12
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. Almost 4,200 acres of wetland habitat will be impacted. The proposal is comprised of two components - (1) projects to engineer and implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement activities; (2) funding to continue the existing Roving Habitat Crew in Region 3 to conduct habitat management work on public lands.
Minnesota wetlands, besides being invaluable for waterfowl, also provide other desirable functions and values - habitat for a wide range of species, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood water storage, shoreline protection, and economic benefits. An estimated 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been lost, more than 50% of our statewide wetland resource. In remaining wetlands, benefits are too often compromised by degraded habitat quality due to excessive runoff and invasive plants and fish. This proposal will accomplish needed wetland habitat work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region.
ROVING HABITAT CREW - Numerous plans pertaining to wetlands and shallow lakes call for effective management of existing habitat to provide maximum benefits for wildlife. Past Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) monies were used to establish regional Roving Habitat Crews to address needed upland and wetland habitat management work on public lands. We have seen remarkable recoveries of both habitat quality and subsequent wildlife use of wetlands when we have invested in active management. The funding requested in this proposal will be targeted to continuing the wetland habitat work accomplished by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew. Work will include, but not be limited to, managing water levels, maintaining fish barriers and other wetland infrastructure, inducing winterkill of fish, and and controlling invasive plants and fish.
SHALLOW LAKES / WETLAND PROJECTS -The habitat quality of the shallow lakes/wetlands still on the landscape can be markedly improved by implementing active management to bring about habitat objectives. This proposal seeks to engineer and construct wetland infrastructure such as dikes, water control structures, and fish barriers, and to implement management techniques such as prescribed burns, rough fish control and water level manipulation. The shallow lake and wetland projects identified in this proposal for enhancement were proposed and reviewed by DNR Area and Regional supervisors. Projects, as shown in the accompanying parcel list, include engineering feasibility and design work, replacement/renovation of wetland infrastructure to bring about habitat enhancement, and direct wetland management activities. Aerial cattail spraying is included. Additionally, a capital equipment purchase of a Trimble Survey Unit will be made to staff to evaluate and survey potential projects.
Parcels may be added, modified, or deleted from the proposal's parcel list to accommodate engineering feasibility results, provide resources to new opportunities, or to address the challenges associated with complex shallow lake and wetland projects.
To improve efficiency and meet mutual goals, projects may be done in cooperation with Duck
$1,676,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - Intensive wetland management and habitat infrastructure maintenance will provide the wetland base called for in numerous prairie, shallow lake and waterfowl plans. Area wildlife staff and/or shallow lakes staff will monitor completed projects to determine success of implementation and to assess the need for future management and/or maintenance.
Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - Intensive wetland management and habitat infrastructure maintenance will provide the wetland base called for in numerous prairie, shallow lake and waterfowl plans. Area wildlife staff and/or shallow lakes staff will monitor completed projects to determine success of implementation and to assess the need for future management and/or maintenance.
Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Intensive wetland management and habitat infrastructure maintenance will provide the wetland base called for in numerous prairie, shallow lake and waterfowl plans. Area wildlife staff and/or shallow lakes staff will monitor completed projects to determine success of implementation and to assess the need for future management and/or maintenance.
Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - Intensive wetland management and habitat infrastructure maintenance will provide the wetland base called for in numerous prairie, shallow lake and waterfowl plans. Area wildlife staff and/or shallow lakes staff will monitor completed projects to determine success of implementation and to assess the need for future management and/or maintenance.
Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Intensive wetland management and habitat infrastructure maintenance will provide the wetland base called for in numerous prairie, shallow lake and waterfowl plans. Area wildlife staff and/or shallow lakes staff will monitor completed projects to determine success of implementation and to assess the need for future management and/or maintenance.