Eden Valley WPA Enhancement

The primary purpose of the project is to enhance an existing 19 acre wetland complex and structure on the Eden Valley WPA. An earthen berm was constructed by the United State Fish & Wildlife Service(USFWS)when the property was obtained, but the existing structure is in poor condition and does not function as intended. Annual maintenance and repair is becoming less effective in maintaining the function of the structure and the USFWS does not have the funds to rebuild this structure adequately. Secondarily there is a need to remove volunteer invasive trees on the grassland area of this WPA. This work addresses the limiting factor for pheasants and other game and non-game grassland species; quality nesting and brood rearing cover. In the pheasant range of Minnesota, quality grassland habitat is the limiting factor for higher pheasant populations. In addition to creating and enhancing wetland & grassland habitat, this proposal also addresses a perception that Minnesotans need to manage the public land we have more effectively. It is well documented that wildlife responds better to well managed habitat. Wetland complex enhancement and scattered tree removal will significantly enhance the complex on Eden Valley WPA and maximize production of pheasant, waterfowl and other wildlife. In addition this work will improve surface and ground water quality by collecting and filtering sediment, nutrients, pesticides and bacteria in runoff, reduce negative impacts to adjacent township road, reduce soil erosion and downstream flooding by slowing overland flow and storing runoff water, promote carbon sequestration, enable the recovery of rare or threatened plant communities,connect fragmented habitat as part of a larger complex of wetlands, provide temporary water storage to help reduce flood damage and provide habitat for important pollinator species.