"ID","Title","Fiscal Year(s)","Fiscal Year Funding Amount","Legal Citation / Subdivision","Appropriation Language","Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)","Measurable Outcome(s)","Proposed Outcomes Achieved","Other Funds Leveraged","Source of Additional Funds","Direct Expenses","Administration Costs","Recipient Board Members","Number of full time equivalents funded","Recipient","Recipient Type","Body","About the Issue","Project Details","Start Date","End Date","Source","Status","Updates","Details/Reports","First Name","Last Name","Organization Name","Street Address","City","State","Zip Code","Phone","Email","Activity Type","Administered by","Media","Counties Affected","LSOHC Section","Watershed","URL","Advisory Group Members and Qualifications","Board Members and Qualifications","Conflict of Interest Contact","Conflict of Interest Disclosed"
10006476,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase X",2019,5061000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(a)","$5,061,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Number of acres of wetlands and uplands protected and restored..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Number and acres of wetlands protected and restored. Number of acquisitions that provide additional access to existing public lands..Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Number of acres of wetlands and uplands protected and restored..",,,1500400,"Private, Federal, Private, PF",5051100,9900,,0.13,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the strategic permanent protection of 915 acres (220 wetlands and 695 grasslands) of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will strategically acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. ","The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. In the agricultural region of Minnesota over 90% of our wetlands and 99% our prairie grasslands have been converted for other uses. This proposal aims to slow or reverse this downward trend by strategically acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats to be permanently protected as WPAs. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This tenth phase of the WPA acceleration program builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous nine phases of this effort by strategically acquiring 915 acres (220 acres of wetlands and 695 acres of grassland habitat) for the benefit of upland species and recreational opportunities of the public. Strategic properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the USFWS’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)]. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres impacted by this grant application can produce. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties.Additional funding for restoration and development of the properties will be solicited from partners. If this funding is available, budgeted Outdoor Heritage restoration funds under this proposal would be able to accomplish additional fee title w/o PILT acquisition funds. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch “plugs"", breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Faribault, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-x,,,,
10006481,"Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection-Phase VII",2019,1490000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(f)","$1,490,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire permanent conservation easements to protect and restore native prairie according to Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Of this amount, up to $176,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - -Acres of native prairie protected from conversion insuring grassland habitat for upland birds -Acres of native prairie protected which house threatened, endangered and Species of Greatest Conservation Need -Acres protected within Prairie Plan Core and Corridor Areas -Average size of protected complex.Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - -Acres of native prairie protected from conversion insuring grassland habitat for upland birds -Acres of native prairie protected which house threatened, endangered and Species of Greatest Conservation Need -Acres protected within Prairie Plan Core and Corridor Areas -Average size of protected complex.",,,,,1471500,18500,,0.47,DNR,"Local/Regional Government","Native Prairie Bank will work with willing landowners to permanently protect 380 acres of native prairie and supporting habitat through perpetual conservation easements. Easement acquisition will focus on Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan identified landscapes and target Minnesota Biological Survey identified threatened and endangered plant and animal species, high quality plant communities, and key habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and other wildlife species. ","The loss of native prairie and associated grassland habitat is arguably the greatest conservation challenge facing western and southern Minnesota. Through accelerated acquisition of Native Prairie Bank conservation easements, this proposal aims to permanently protect 380 acres of native prairie habitat.Acceleration is necessary to address today's rapid loss of native prairie and associated grasslands. Today, only about 1.3% of Minnesota’s original 18 million acres of prairie remains. The few remaining acres of native prairie once were thought of as unsuitable for crop production, however with advancements in technology and equipment, in addition to growing competition for tillable acres, this is no longer the case. Unfortunately, grassland-to-cropland conversion is not the only impact to native prairie, significant degradation and loss is also occurring due to property development, mineral extraction and lack of prairie-oriented management. If the current trajectory of grassland and prairie loss continues it will be devastating to grassland dependent wildlife populations.Recognizing that protecting grassland and wetland habitat is one of the most critical conservation challenges facing Minnesota, over a dozen leading conservation organizations developed the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Several outcomes are identified in the plan, one being the protection of all remaining native prairie, largely through conservation easements. One of the primary easement tools for native prairie protection in Minnesota is the DNR administered Native Prairie Bank easement. Native Prairie Bank was established by the 1987 legislature to protect native prairie by authorizing the state to acquire conservation easements from willing landowners. To date 128 Native Prairie Banks protect over 11,000 acres. Native Prairie Bank targets the protection of native prairie tracts, but can also include adjoining lands as buffers and additional habitat. Eligible tracts are prioritized based on several scientific factors including:1) Size and quality of habitat, focusing on diverse native prairie communities identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey2) Occurrence of threatened and endangered species or suitability of habitat for Species in Greatest Conservation Need3) Lands that are part of a larger habitat complexNative Prairie Bank easements provide enduring, long-term protection by placing restrictions on future land use, including, but not limited to:1) No topographic changes or alterations to the natural landscape (plow, drain, fill, etc.)2) No dumping trash or garbage3) Motor vehicle use limited to management purposes (weed control, prescribed burning, etc.)4) No drawing of water for irrigation or other uses5) No building or placing structures on the protected property6) No subdivision of the parcel7) No introduction of invasive species8) No pesticide use without DNR approvalAdditionally, Native Prairie Bank easements grant the DNR the right to monitor and manage the prairie.Native Prairie Bank coordinates with Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan partners and utilizes the network of established Local Technical Teams (local staff from SWCDs, NRCS, DNR, USFWS, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, etc.) to reach out to landowners and increase enrollment. Currently, there is a waiting list of willing landowners wishing to enroll in Native Prairie Bank.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 E Bridge Street ","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) 637-6016",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-native-prairie-bank-protection-phase-vii,,,,
10006509,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase I",2019,2960000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(l)","$2,960,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with Pheasants Forever and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire permanent conservation “working land” easements and to restore wetlands and prairie grasslands. Of this amount, $2,000,000 is to Ducks Unlimited and $960,000 is to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve..Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - USFWS conservation easements will complement existing land protection options to help keep prairie grasslands with small wetlands on the landscape to buffer core areas of native prairie and oak savanna, thereby increasing the diversity of wetlands and plant communities and giving private landowners a working lands conservation option from which to choose, including lands under soon to expire CRP contracts. Wetlands and grasslands that are grazed will have an improved functional wildlife habitat benefit due to periodic disturbance of large animals, and is very compatible with oak savanna habitats..Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the sheer number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands..",,,300000,USFWS,2946200,13800,,1.1,"Ducks Unlimited; Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 1 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to restore and protect 720 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota. These ""working land"" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and protecting grassland and wetland habitat that also allows for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements fill an important prairie landscape conservation niche that complements other more restrictive easements and fee-title public lands, and adds grassland to buffer rare intact native prairie nearby.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will purchase wildlife habitat conservation easements on private land in west-central Minnesota using federally-approved conservation easement language and payment rates, restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland, and transfer the easements to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for long-term perpetual monitoring and enforcement. DU will purchase and hold easements through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU’s supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. By purchasing easements and restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements too. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options presented to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland and prairie conversion (along with land development and subdivision), but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this easement program funding request. DU/PF will rely on referrals and prioritization of parcels from USFWS, and will offer federally-approved easement payments, but will perform all other landowner negotiations, boundary survey, phase 1 environmental review, title review, and other legal tasks, and purchase the easement for USFWS. DU and PF will restore prairie and wetlands on lands eased using the same state OHF grant funds used to purchase easements as required by the LSOHC. DU/PF will also pay for the restoration of eased lands too in partnership with the USFWS, and with technical guidance from their private lands biologists. DU engineers will survey/design larger wetland restorations, and manage construction by private firms. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been used here for over two decades, and are designed to provide a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to preventing the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as pintail ducks, marbled godwits, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-i,,,,
10006510,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase X",2019,5740000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(b)","$5,740,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Number of acres of wetlands and uplands protected and restored..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Number and acres of wetlands protected and restored. Number of acquisitions that provide additional access to existing public lands..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Number of new parcels protected. Number of parcels added to existing habitat complexes and resulting percent increase in permanently protected acres of habitat complex..",,,412000,"PF, federal or private source",5730100,9900,,0.15,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection of 1,030 acres of strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be acquiring tracts that build onto or create a corridor between existing protected lands which will be transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA. All acquisitions will occur within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These areas have seen the greatest decline in upland and wetland habitat.","Pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota. In fact, despite our collective investments in conservation, many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat. This unfortunate reality is exacerbated by the conversion of lands expiring out of CRP. In the next four years, Minnesota's agricultural landscape is set to experience a loss of over 500,000 acres due to expiration out of CRP. This equates to roughly a 20% loss of our grassland habitat necessary for pheasants, ducks, and the suite of grassland species that call Minnesota home. Now, more than ever, it is time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high-quality habitat complexes that will protect, sustain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations. Providing public habitat for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs for Minnesota's growing citizenry. Access to the outdoors is fundamental to ensuring Minnesota’s outdoor heritage is passed on to future generations. In addition, these public areas help bolster the economy as hunters in Minnesota support over 12,400 jobs and spend $733 million annually.To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, PF and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,030 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as WMAs throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota. PF is striving to build landscape-level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations. Many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners.Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including: 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus on habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, lakeshore, local community support, etc.)?Providing high-quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat. Restorations will also consider the needs of the monarch butterfly and native prairie.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave South PO Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-x,,,,
10011391,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XI",2020,6060000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(b)","$6,060,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"".ds..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""..",,,215000,"PF, Federal, Private",6048600,11400,,0.154,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This programmatic proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 1,073 acres of strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be protecting parcels that build onto or create a corridor between existing protected lands which will be transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA. All acquisitions will occur within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These areas have seen the greatest decline in upland and wetland habitats.","Pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota. Despite our collective investments in conservation, many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat. This unfortunate reality is exacerbated by the conversion of lands expiring out of CRP. In the next five years, Minnesota's agricultural landscape is set to experience a loss of 549,185 acres due to expiration out of CRP. In 2018 alone MN will lose 201,294 acres of CRP that are set to expire. This equates to roughly a 20% loss of our grassland habitat necessary for pheasants, ducks, and the suite of grassland species that call Minnesota home. Now, more than ever, is the time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high-quality habitat complexes that will protect, sustain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations. Providing public habitat for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs for Minnesota's growing citizenry. Access to the outdoors is fundamental to ensuring Minnesota’s outdoor heritage is passed on to future generations.PF and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,073 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as WMAs throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota. PF is striving to protect strategic tracts that build landscape level habitat complexes. Many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including: 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)?Providing high-quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat. Restorations will also consider the needs of the monarch butterfly and native prairie.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S PO Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(3202367755) -",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Washington, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xi,,,,
10011418,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XI",2020,5631000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(a)","$5,631,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..",,,1650400,"Private, PF, Federal, Private",5619000,12000,,0.15,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the strategic permanent protection of 1,003 acres (241 wetlands and 762 grasslands) of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will strategically acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. ","The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. In the agricultural region of Minnesota over 90% of our wetlands and 99% our prairie grasslands have been converted for other uses. This proposal aims to slow or reverse this downward trend by strategically acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats to be permanently protected as WPAs. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This eleventh phase of the WPA acceleration program builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous ten phases of this effort by strategically acquiring 1,003 acres (241 acres of wetlands and 762 acres of grassland habitat) for the benefit of upland species and recreational opportunities of the public. Strategic properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the USFWS’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)]. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres impacted by this grant application can produce. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties.Additional funding for restoration and development of the properties will be solicited from partners. If this funding is available, budgeted Outdoor Heritage restoration funds under this proposal would be able to accomplish additional fee title w/o PILT acquisition funds. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch “plugs"", breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stevens, Swift, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xi,,,,
10000074,"Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection - Phase VI",2018,2481000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(f)","$2,481,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire permanent conservation easements to implement the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan to protect and restore native prairie. Of this amount, up to $140,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisitions of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.",,"Native Prairie Bank prioritizes protection of sites identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey and targets rare and endangered plant and animal species, high quality plant communities, and key habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). SWAP identifies 139 SGCNs alone in the Prairie Parkland Province. SWAP also identifies prairie as a key habitat in 11 different subsections within the State. Prairie, as a habitat type, contains more SGCNs than any other habitat in Minnesota. Native Prairie Bank protects these unique wildlife habitats, works with the landowners of these tracts to manage and enhance them, all in a way that is permanent and enduring.","A total of 402 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 402 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",,,986400,19300,,0.74,DNR,"State Government","The Native Prairie Bank Program perpetually protected via conservation easement 402 acres of native prairie and supporting habitat from willing landowners. Easement acquisition focused on Minnesota Prairie Plan identified landscapes and targeted high-quality prairies that provide valuable wildlife habitat.","The loss of native prairie and associated grassland habitat is arguably the greatest conservation challenge facing western and southern Minnesota. This appropriation aimed to protect 415 acres of native prairie and supporting habitat by accelerating the enrollment of Native Prairie Bank easements. Ultimately, 402 acres was protected through this appropriation, just shy of the originally 415-acre goal. Acceleration, such as this, is necessary to address the loss of native prairie and associated grasslands. Today, only about 1.3% of Minnesota?s original 18 million acres of prairie remains. The few remaining acres of native prairie once were thought of as unsuitable for crop production, however with advancements in technology and equipment, in addition to growing competition for tillable acres, this is no longer the case. Unfortunately, grassland-to-cropland conversion is not the only impact to native prairie, significant degradation and loss is also occurring due to property development, aggregate extraction, and lack of prairie-oriented management. If the current trajectory of grassland and prairie loss continues it will be devastating to grassland dependent wildlife populations. Recognizing that protecting grassland and wetland habitat is one of the most critical conservation challenges facing Minnesota, over a dozen leading conservation organizations have developed a road map for moving forward ? the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. This plan calls for several outcomes, one being the protection of all remaining native prairie, largely through conservation easements. One of the primary easement tools for native prairie protection in Minnesota is the DNR administered Native Prairie Bank easement. Native Prairie Bank was established by the 1987 legislature to protect private native prairie lands by authorizing the state to acquire conservation easements from willing landowners. Native Prairie Bank targets the protection of native prairie tracts but can also include adjoining lands as buffers and additional habitat. Eligible tracts were to be located within priority landscapes identified in the Minnesota Prairie Plan and prioritized based on several evaluation factors including: 1) Size and quality of habitat, focusing on diverse native prairie communities that have been identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey 2) The occurrence of rare species, or suitability habitat for rare species 3) Lands that are part of a larger habitat complex Ultimately, 7 parcels for a total of 402 acres were perpetually protected through this appropriation via Native Prairie Bank Easements. These now protected native prairies are unique natural resources that consist of thousands of different organisms, plants, animals, bacteria, and soil fungi. Their complex interactions provide the food, water and shelter required by many of Minnesota?s rare, threatened, and endangered species. These prairies house a wide variety of pollinator species, some of which often cannot survive in other habitats, including prairie restorations.",,2017-07-01,2022-10-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 E Bridge Street ","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) 637-6016",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Grant, Kittson, Pipestone, Swift, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-native-prairie-bank-protection-phase-vi,,,,
10000075,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase IX",2018,5500000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(a)","$5,500,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The majority of the acquisitions in this program are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which is not only the richest wetland system on earth but also produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. In addition to supporting waterfowl, this region supports numerous grassland and wetland dependent wildlife species, many of which are experiencing severe population declines due to habitat loss. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.","A total of 1,310 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,310 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",5793700,"Federal, Federal, Private, PF, PF and Private attorney",5463600,8200,,0.13,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goal of this phase of the WPA acquisition program was to protect a total of 760 acres of grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever purchased 11 parcels totaling 1,310 acres of wetlands and grasslands in Minnesota?s prairie region. In addition to exceeding our acre goals, $28,152.10 of grant funds will be returned.","Conversion of grasslands and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,310.61 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA?s managed by the USFWS. Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel?s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and/or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues.",,2017-07-01,2023-08-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE Box 91",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 236-7755",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Clay, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Renville, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-ix,,,,
10000076,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase IX",2018,5603000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(b)","$5,603,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A majority of the acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA habitat complexes which are strongholds for many species of wildlife including SGCN and T/E species. Increasing the size of these complexes improve the landscapes ability to support larger populations and provide connectivity between patches of habitat. All parcels are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which boasts the richest wetland system on earth and produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.","A total of 1,182 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,182 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",972200,"Federal, Private and PF",5574100,8200,,0.13,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This phase of WMA acquisition protected 1,182.25 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. With these 9 acquisition we have exceeded our planned acres of 1012 by more than 170 acres. All of the acquired properties had wildlife habitat restored to the highest quality possible.","Loss of wetland and grassland habitat has contributed tot he decline of native populations of flora and fauna, negatively impacted water quality, groundwater recharge and natural flood cycles. To reverse this trend, PF works to permanently protect and restore these wetland-grassland complexes. This eighth phase of the WMA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,182.25 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WMA's. Due to our ability to partner with other conservation groups and agencies such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, we are able to bring leverage to the program and far exceed the goals of this phase. Pheasants Forever and MN DNR staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel?s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among others. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues.",,2017-07-01,2023-01-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc."," ",,MN,,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chippewa, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, McLeod, Nobles, Sibley, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-ix,,,,
10019607,"Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection-Phase VIII",2022,884000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(f)","$884,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire permanent conservation easements to protect and restore native prairie according to the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Of this amount, up to $120,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - -Acres of native prairie protected insuring grassland habitat for upland birds -Acres protected within Prairie Plan Core and Corridor Areas -Average size of protected complex Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - -Acres of native prairie protected insuring grassland habitat for upland birds -Acres protected within Prairie Plan Core and Corridor Areas -Average size of protected comple",,,,,868700,15300,,0.31,DNR,"State Government","Native Prairie Bank will work with willing landowners to permanently protect 235 acres of native prairie and supporting habitat through perpetual conservation easements. Easement acquisition will focus on Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan identified landscapes and target Minnesota Biological Survey identified threatened and endangered plant and animal species, high quality plant communities, and key habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and other wildlife species.","The loss of native prairie and associated grassland habitat is arguably the greatest conservation challenge facing western and southern Minnesota. Through acquisition of Native Prairie Bank conservation easements, this proposal aims to permanently protect 200 acres of native prairie habitat. Native prairie is a fragile, unique natural ecosystem that consists of thousands of different organisms, plants, animals, bacteria and soil fungi. Their complex interactions provide the food, water and shelter required by many of Minnesota's rare, threatened and endangered species. Native prairie provides a multitude of benefits to the citizens of the state, such as water filtration and recharge, pollinator and wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, soil health, erosion control, outdoor recreation, etc. High quality native prairies provide the best available habitat for grassland dependent pollinators, birds and animals. Restoration efforts aim to meet the standards set by these original native prairies. The Minnesota Biological Survey has identified about 249,000 acres of remaining native prairie in Minnesota, approximately 1.3% of what once existed in the state. Of these 249,000 acres, approximately 118,000 acres still have no formal protection. Threats to native prairie continue to be widespread including cropland conversion, mining, development, invasive species, woody encroachment and non-prairie focused land use/management. Recognizing that protecting grassland and wetland habitat is one of the most critical conservation challenges facing Minnesota, over a dozen leading conservation organizations developed the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Several outcomes are identified in the plan, one being the protection of all remaining native prairie, largely through conservation easements. One of the primary easement tools for native prairie protection in Minnesota is the DNR administered Native Prairie Bank easement. Native Prairie Bank was established by the 1987 legislature as a tool to protect native prairie in a long-term ?bank? by authorizing the state to acquire conservation easements from willing landowners. To date 155 Native Prairie Banks protect close to 14,000 acres. Native Prairie Bank targets the protection of native prairie tracts, but can also include adjoining lands as buffers and additional habitat. Eligible tracts are prioritized based on several scientific factors including: 1) Size and quality of habitat, focusing on diverse native prairie communities identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey 2) Occurrence of threatened and endangered species or suitability of habitat for Species in Greatest Conservation Need 3) Lands that are part of a larger habitat complex Native Prairie Bank easements provide enduring, long-term protection by placing restrictions on future land use and grant the DNR the right to monitor and manage the prairie. Native Prairie Bank coordinates with Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan partners and utilizes the network of established Local Technical Teams (local staff from SWCDs, NRCS, DNR, USFWS, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, etc.) to reach out to landowners and increase enrollment.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 E Bridge Street ","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) 637-6016",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Redwood,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-native-prairie-bank-protection-phase-viii,,,,
10019608,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements Phase 13 (w/o Roving Habitat Crew)",2022,2589000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(f)","$2,589,000 the first 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, 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",,,,,2495000,94000,,3,DNR,"State Government","This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. Over 4,000 acres of wetland habitat will be impacted. The proposal is comprised of two components - (1) projects to engineer, construct and/or implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement activities, including cattail control, and (2) an expansion of the Wetland Management Program to increase its capacity to identify and implement needed management work for small wetlands in the prairie region. Small wetland work will be focused on wetland complexes most valuable to waterfowl.","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. This proposal will accomplish needed wetland habitat work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. SHALLOW LAKES / WETLAND PROJECTS - This proposal seeks to engineer and construct wetland infrastructure such as dikes and water control structures, and to implement management techniques. 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 and replacement/renovation of wetland infrastructure to bring about improved and expanded habitat enhancement. The parcel list includes 8 projects that will improve or replace infrastructure or provide direct management of shallow lake and wetlands. These 8 projects will provide 1,500 acres of wetland enhancement. Two projects are receiving funding for needed survey and engineering services to prepare for future implementation of wetland enhancement projects. Finally, requested funding will continue the DNR's efforts to spray dense stands of monotypic hybrid cattails for an additional field season. An estimated 2,300 acres of cattail-dominated habitat will be treated on parcels that will be identified by wildlife staff each season and listed in the Final Report. WETLAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (WMP) - Numerous plans pertaining to wetlands and shallow lakes call for effective management of existing habitat to provide maximum benefits for wildlife. The 2020 Minnesota Duck Action Plan notes the need to expand the WMP in Minnesota. The WMP assesses wetlands and brings about management required to produce quality wetland wildlife habitat. The WMP addresses management needed for smaller wetlands that are often overlooked on the landscape. The requested funding will allow the program to expand in the prairie region of Minnesota. Management work to be accomplished includes water levels manipulation, removal of undesirable fish and controlling invasive plants and fish, and will be focused in areas of wetland complexes. It is conservatively estimated that each Natural Resource Specialist working in the WMP impacts 225 acres of small wetlands annually. To improve efficiency and meet mutual goals, projects may be done in cooperation with Duck Unlimited. Note that parcels may be modified, added, or subtracted from the Parcel List as needed to address program needs. All changes shall be in keeping with the scope of the project and will be fully reported in the Final Report.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Murray, Roseau, Todd, Waseca","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancements-phase-13-wo-roving-habitat-crew,,,,
10019609,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase III",2022,4752000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$4,752,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with Pheasants Forever and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire permanent conservation working lands easements and to restore wetlands and prairie grasslands. Of this amount, $3,153,000 is to Ducks Unlimited and $1,599,000 is to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the sheer number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands",,,510400,"U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service",4722000,30000,,0.95,"DU with PF and USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 3 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to protect and restore 1,400 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore an additional 140 prairie-wetland acres. These ""working land"" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and protecting grassland and wetland habitat while allowing for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements fill an important prairie landscape conservation niche that complements other more restrictive easements and fee-title public lands, and buffers existing habitats.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will purchase, record, and transfer wildlife habitat conservation easements to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for long-term perpetual monitoring and enforcement in west-central Minnesota using federally-approved USFWS habitat conservation easement language and federal payment rates. DU and PF will restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland. DU will purchase and hold easements through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. By purchasing easements and restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options available to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland/prairie conversion and land development/subdivision, but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this OHF easement program. DU/PF will help USFWS conduct landowner outreach, prioritize offers of federally-approved easement payments, and conduct landowner negotiations, boundary survey, environmental review, title review, and other legal tasks, and purchase the easement for USFWS. DU/PF will protect prairie and wetlands via easements we purchase (and restore where needed), record, and transfer to USFWS. DU/PF will also use OHF grant funds to restore additional prairie and wetland acres on land eased directly by USFWS as leverage. DU/PF will restore eased lands in partnership with the USFWS with technical guidance from their private lands biologists. DU engineers will survey/design larger complex wetland restorations, and manage restoration contracts to private earth-moving firms. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been used here for over two decades, and are designed to provide a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to preventing the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as northern pintail, marbled godwit, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-iii,,,,
10019610,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XIII",2022,3869000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(a)","$3,869,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,2268700,", PF, Federal and Private",3854000,15000,,0.59,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase XIII proposal permanently protects and restores 659 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. Acquired properties will be restored to the highest extent possible with regard to time and budgets.","Wetland and grassland habitat in Minnesota have been declining for decades. Currently over 90% of wetland and 99% of grassland habitats have been converted to other uses. This proposal works to slow this decline by acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitat as permanently protected WPA's. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). Additionally, hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access. This thirteenth phase of the WPA acceleration program provides public access and builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous twelve phases of this effort. Properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools such as USFWS' Duck Breeding Density Maps, as well as MN DNR natural heritage data and numerous state level conservation plans. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ?plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xiii,,,,
10019611,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XIII",2022,4715000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 2(b)","$4,715,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""",,,987000,"PF, Federal and Private",4698700,16300,,0.16,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 792 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These acquired properties will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included into the WMA system.","This proposal represents the thirteenth phase in Pheasants Forever's Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area program. The partners involved in this effort are deploying their resources to build upon past investments in long-term upland and wetland conservation. The proposal will protect and restore 792 acres of lands that will be managed for wildlife. These accomplishments further the goals outlined in the MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan 2008, the MN Duck Action Plan 2020-2023, the MN Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023 and the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan 2010, among others. Lands acquired, from willing sellers, will be prioritized using criteria used by MN DNR (Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas ? The Next 50 Years) which include location on the landscape, breeding waterfowl density, restoration potential, native community protection (e.g. Minnesota Biological Survey site), proximity to other investments in perpetually protected habitats. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including: 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape-scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities, or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible. Completing high-quality, comprehensive restorations, utilizing native species and best management practices, results in fewer management concerns and lower long-term costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat, drained wetlands will be restored, and invasive trees will be removed when appropriate.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 250-6317",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xiii,,,,
10027637,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase IX",2018,1755000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(e)","$1,755,000 in the first 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. ",,"A statewide review of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) found that wetlands are one of the three habitat types (along with prairies and rivers) most used by these species. The 5,000 acres of wetland enhancement will provide wetland management actions identified to support SGCN, including reversal of wetland degradation and control of invasives. In the Minnesota County Biological Survey description of the marsh community, special attention is given to two issues faced in Minnesota marshes - stable high water levels that reduce species diversity, often to a point at which a monotypic system evolves, and the ""invasion of marshes by the non-native species narrow-leaved cattail"" and its hybrids. Both of these issues were directly addressed by the major cattail control activities involving the Roving Habitat Crew, along with water level management undertaken through channel cleanouts or that will now be possible through because of newly installed wetland infrastructure projects.","A total of 5,024 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 5,024 in Enhance.",60000,PPJV,1653600,44300,,2,DNR,"State Government","Funding provided through this appropriation enhanced 5,024 acres of wetland habitat. Eight wetland and shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,643 acres of wetland. Cattail spraying using a helicopter outfitted with an OHF-purchased spray unit and impacted impacted 1,762 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,619 acres of wetland. Finally, survey and design work was initiated on four projects to prepare for future construction.","ML2016 Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 8 entailed multiple components. * Engineering and Construction and Shallow Lake/Wetland Infrastructure Projects - Eight individual projects were undertaken with funding from this appropriation. One project, Moose/Willow in Aitkin County, entailed extensive cleanout of an outlet channels, plus a new water control structure leading to better water level management. Downstream channel work is necessary outlets become clogged with sediment and vegetation and water levels in shallow lakes become abnormally high. Specialized equipment known as a Cookie Cutter removed accumulated sediments and other obstructions to surveyed levels. The shallow lake returned to a lower levels with resulting habitat benefits. Seven projects - Plum Creek (Murray County), Gopher Ridge (Kandiyohi County), Sedan Pond (Pope County), Bradshaw Lake (Scott County), Rum River and Jones Pool (both at Mille Lacs WMA, Mille Lacs County), and Amiret WMA (Lyon County) - were completed and involved engineering and construction of wetland/shallow lake infrastructure such as dikes and water control structures. In all of these projects, engineering was done in-house (i.e. DNR engineers) and private contractors were used for the construction. Finally, four infrastructure projects were engineered only, with construction planned for the future. Doing this initial engineering allows us to determine project feasibility, identify construction obstacles, and obtain accurate cost estimates for materials and construction. These engineering-only projects were accomplished with in-house (i.e., DNR) engineers. *Cattail Spraying - A DNR helicopter has been equipped with an OHF-funded spray unit and avionics to allow it to spray invasive cattails - one of the most significant problems that impact wetlands statewide. Utilizing this helicopter, in conjunction with Roving Habitat Crew members working as ground support, significant acres of invasive cattail can be sprayed annually. Funding from this appropriation was used to purchase herbicide and pay helicopter expenses. 1,762 acres were enhanced. This operation is highly coordinated with project solicitation in late winter. Activities that have to occur before actual spraying occurs include landing site selection and mowing, ground crew (i.e. roving habitat crew members) training, herbicide purchase, coordination with DNR Law Enforcement (who have oversight of the helicopter and for whom the pilot works), permit applications, and public notice publication. * Roving Habitat Crews - Roving Habitat Crews are teams of DNR staff who are equipped and trained to perform habitat enhancement projects on public lands. Funding from this appropriation was provided to the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew to enable it to perform wetland enhancement activities through the addition of two roving crew members and their associated costs for three fiscal years (FY18-FY20). Typical wetland enhancement activities undertaken by Roving Habitat Crews include prescribed burns of wetlands, removal of invasive species and trees from wetlands, and support of shallow lake drawdowns.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Blue Earth, Cass, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pennington, Pine, Pope, Renville, Roseau, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-ix,,,,
10017796,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 12",2021,1676000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(d)","$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.",,,,,1620000,56000,,2,DNR,"State Government","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",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,,ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Big Stone","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-12,,,,
10017797,"Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota",2021,3044000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(e )","$3,044,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance high-quality wildlife habitat in southwest Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $144,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - This program will permanently protect 349 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 195 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,200000,"Landowner Donation of Easement Value",2980600,63400,,0.88,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Land Trust proposes to permanently protect 550 acres of high quality habitat in southwest Minnesota by securing conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes by filling key unmet gaps in the available land protection toolbox. Working with willing landowners the Land Trust will use its innovative bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in project selection. The Land Trust in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service will restore/enhance 195 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit SGCN and waterfowl populations. ","The plight of prairies and wetlands in southwest Minnesota is well-documented; less than 2% of native prairie remains and 90% of wetlands have been lost. Habitat loss and degradation threaten wildlife populations and contribute to the decline of the 116 SGCN that utilize the wetlands, streams and prairies across the region. Since the inception of Minnesota's Prairie Plan in 2010, targeted land protection and restoration action by a large number of conservation organizations and agencies has resulted in significant conservation gains across southwest Minnesota. Now nearly a decade into its implementation, the Land Trust engaged a broad cross-section of these organizations to identify what challenges remain to realizing that Plan. Through this conversation, several significant challenges were identified: 1) land protection tools currently available are not sufficiently broad to address the full spectrum of need; high priority easement projects at times don't align with the conservation easement programs currently available; 2) restoration and enhancement funding available has been a limiting factor to some key partners, and 3) high priority areas for conservation (identified in Minnesota's Wildlife Action Network [WAN]) do not always align with the Prairie Plan and are not being addressed. This proposal aims to address these gaps in the Southwest Minnesota conservation framework by marrying the Land Trust's unique set of tools and expertise with funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Working with willing landowners, the Land Trust will protect 660 acres of priority wetland, prairie and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Land Trust's conservation easements fill an important gap not addressed by easement programs currently available in Southwest Minnesota through USFWS, MN DNR and BWSR. The Land Trust's easement program has greater flexibility to address key conservation opportunities that otherwise would be left on the table. Land protection actions through this proposal will focus on: 1) priority areas within the Prairie Plan left orphaned by current conservation easement programs, and 2) conservation priorities identified in the WAN that are not encompassed by the Prairie Plan. The Land Trust will employ its criteria-based ranking system and market-based approach to the acquisition of conservation easements. This strategic approach targets projects that help fill gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the State's funding investment. The Land Trust will seek donated easements whenever possible but also may fully purchase easements that help complete key complexes as necessary. Restoration and enhancement activities will target priority permanently protected lands. The Land Trust in cooperation with USFWS will restore and enhance 195 acres of important wetland, riparian and prairie habitat on permanently protected lands. These projects will increase buffers and provide links to existing protected wetland and upland habitat complexes across the program area. This program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies (including MN DNR, BWSR, USFWS, and local SWCDs), and other non-profit organizations to ensure multi-agency conservation goals are being met. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Nobles, Pipestone","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-habitat-conservation-southwest-minnesota,,,,
10017798,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase II",2021,3187000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(k)","$3,187,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with Pheasants Forever and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire permanent conservation working lands easements and to restore wetlands and prairie grasslands. Of this amount, $2,248,000 is to Ducks Unlimited and $939,000 is to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the restored and protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands",,,264000,"DU Private & Federal USFWS and Federal USFWS",3172000,15000,,0.53,"Ducks Unlimited w/ PF and USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 2 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to restore and protect 775 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore 50 additional prairie-wetland acres too. These ""working land"" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and protecting grassland and wetland habitat while allowing for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements fill an important prairie landscape conservation niche that complements other more restrictive easements and fee-title public lands, and buffers existing habitats.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will purchase wildlife habitat conservation easements on private land in west-central Minnesota using federally-approved conservation easement language and federal payment rates, restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland, and transfer the easements to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for long-term perpetual monitoring and enforcement. DU will purchase and hold easements through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. By purchasing easements and restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements too. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options available to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland/prairie conversion and land development/subdivision, but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this OHF easement program. DU/PF will help USFWS conduct landowner outreach, prioritize offers of federally-approved easement payments, and conduct landowner negotiations, boundary survey, environmental review, title review, and other legal tasks, and purchase the easement for USFWS. DU/PF will protect via easement (and restore where needed) 775 acres of prairie and wetlands for USFWS. DU/PF will also use OHF grant funds to restore 50 additional prairie and wetland acres on land eased directly by USFWS as leverage too. DU/PF will restore eased lands in partnership with the USFWS with technical guidance from their private lands biologists. DU engineers will survey/design larger complex wetland restorations, and manage restoration contracts to private construction firms. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been used here for over two decades, and are designed to provide a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to preventing the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as pintail ducks, marbled godwits, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-ii,,,,
10017799,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XII",2021,3658000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(a)","$3,658,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,857000,"PF, Federal and Private",3647000,11000,,0.11,"Pheasants Forever w/USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the strategic permanent protection of 611 acres (122 acres of wetlands and 489 acres of grassland habitat) of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will strategically acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions.","The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. In the agricultural region of Minnesota, over 90% of our wetlands and 99% of our prairie grasslands have been converted for other uses. This proposal aims to slow or reverse this downward trend by strategically acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats to be permanently protected as WPAs. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and its partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This twelfth phase of the WPA acceleration program builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous eleven phases of this effort by strategically acquiring 611 acres (122 acres of wetlands and 489 acres of grassland habitat) for the benefit of upland species and recreational opportunities of the public. Strategic properties will be identified by using landscape-level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the USFWS's Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)]. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife impacted by this grant application. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access for hunting and fishing. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ?plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE Box 91",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 236-7755",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xii,,,,
10017800,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XII",2021,3322000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(b)","$3,322,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"".ds. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""",,,195000,"PF and Federal Private",3312100,9900,,0.11,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This is the twelfth phase to accelerate the protection and restoration of 540 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions which will be restored and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA. We continue to have more willing sellers of priority parcels which shows demand for continued phases of this program.","The purpose of this twelfth phase proposal is to accelerate the protection and restoration of prairie and prairie wetlands for associated wildlife. The partners involved in this effort are deploying their resources to build upon past investments in long-term upland and associated wetland conservation. The proposal focuses upon permanent habitat protection of 540 acres of land that will be managed for wildlife and waterfowl. These accomplishments further the goals outlined in the MN Wildlife Action Plan, the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, and the 2017 Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) Implementation Plan (including the Minnesota Tactical Plan within the PPJV Plan). Lands acquired from willing sellers will be prioritized using criteria used by MN DNR (Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas ? The Next 50 Years) which include location on the landscape, breeding waterfowl density, restoration potential, native community protection (e.g. Minnesota Biological Survey site), proximity to other investments in perpetually protected habitats. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape-scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities, or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing high-quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat, drained wetlands will be restored, and invasive trees will be removed when appropriate.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Washington, Watonwan, Watonwan","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xii,,,,
20696,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase 5",2014,7960000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$7,960,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Wetland and upland complexes consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Improved access to public lands. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting. Improved access to public lands. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Improved access to public lands. ",,550500,"PF, Private, Federal ",7907200,,,0.28,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The proposal was to accelerate the protection of 1,220 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired 11 parcels for a total of 1,484.05 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 1,220 acres by 264.05 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 876 acres in the metro, 152 acres in the forest/prairie, and 456 acres in the prairie.  We have a balance of $52,798 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received while using less personnel costs than proposed. ",,"The pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota.  In fact, despite our collective investments in conservation, it is believed that many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat.  This unfortunate reality is currently being exacerbated by conversion of lands expiring out of CRP.  Now, more than ever, is the time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high quality public habitat complexes that will protect, maintain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations.  In addition, being able to provide public areas for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs and is fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and appreciation of the outdoors is passed on to future generations. To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Pheasants Forever (PF) and our partners have protected (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,484.05 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota.  Striving to build landscape level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations, many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs or WPAs, many of which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff.  All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal.  In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria were used to develop the potential project list including: Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, lakeshore, local community support etc.)? All acquired lands will meet the minimum initial development standards for WMAs.  In addition, providing high quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs.  Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands to the fullest extent.  Enhancement work may include undesirable woody vegetation removal, water control structure installation, inter-seeding to increase diversity and structure, managed grazing, invasive species control, or any other activity that improves the diversity and health of the prairie-wetland habitat complex.  Pheasants Forever’s network of 76 Minnesota chapters and 26,000 members have been actively involved in protecting and restoring lands in partnership with the Minnesota DNR for 27 years and will continue to be a priority.  WMA’s are an integral component to the comprehensive conservation strategy within the prairie region of the state.  The WMAs within this proposal will not only protect, increase, and sustain wildlife habitat and populations; they will provide access and recreational opportunities, including hunting, to ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.  ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S.","South Haven",MN,55386,763-242-1273,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Jackson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Murray, Pipestone, Renville, Stearns, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-5,,,,
20699,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program, Phase 5",2014,6830000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$6,830,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Over the course of the appropriation, 14 parcels were acquired totaling 1,240.79 acres which exceeded the total acre goal of 1,230 acres by 10.79 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 160 acres in the forest/prairie and 1,080.79 acres in the prairie.  Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands.  Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Improved access to public lands. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting. Improved access to public lands. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Improved access to public lands. ",,3813300,"Federal Government, PF, Private ",6743500,,,.19,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The program was to accelerate the protection of 1,230 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired 14 parcels for a total of 1,240.79 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 1,230 acres by 10.79 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 160 acres in the forest/prairie and 1,080.79 acres in the prairie.  We have a balance that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received. ",,"The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented.  One of the primary ways to reverse this downward trend is to permanently acquire and restore previously converted wetland and grassland habitats on those properties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years with the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This acceleration program acquired and restored 205.77 acres of wetland and 1,035.02 acres of grassland habitats which are now permanently protected as Waterfowl Protection Areas managed by the Service. Using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the Service’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)], Pheasants Forever (PF) has acquired these strategically identified properties. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres affected by this grant application will produce.  Besides the obvious wildlife benefits the lands acquired through this grant will provide additional water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community here in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the Service and PF notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the Service will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located.  In addition, the Service will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective Counties.   ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Eran ",Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave","South Haven",MN,55382,763-242-1273,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clay, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Rice, Stearns, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-5,,,,
20716,"Accelerated Wetland and Shallow Lake Enhancement",2014,1790000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(f)","$1,790,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes, including $210,000 for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to help implement restorations and enhancements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands. ",,,"Ducks Unlimited ",1766600,62300,,0.7,DNR,"State Government","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. ","    ","Minnesota's ""Long Range Duck Recovery Plan,"" released in 2006, identified a strategic 50-year vision to"" restore, protect, and manage a landscape capable of supporting an average spring breeding population of one million ducks and restoring the historically abundant spring and fall migration of waterfowl.""  A key component of this plan is the restoration and enhancement of 2 million acres of habitat. With this specific appropriation, the DNR completed work on 6 valuable habitat projects: - Completion of a fish barrier and structure to enhance 10,000 of Swan Lake.  Ducks Unlimited (DU) designed and oversaw construction of this project.   Available funding also allowed for additional work on the outlet channel to facilitate water movement. - Construction of a water control structure and dike renovation for Pool 1 of Roseau River Wildlife Area enhanced 1,150 acres of wetland habitat. - Hartford WMA had a water control structure replaced and dike renovated to bring back water to 20 acres of wetland. - 166 acres of wetland are being enhanced through the replacement of two water control structures and dike renovation at Ereaux WMA in Morrison County. - Mille Lacs WMA is undergoing extensive work to replace failed water control structures and renovate associated dikes. This work involves funding from two OHF appropriation.  Half of the completed wetland habitat enhancement work - 2,475 - will be accounted for in this final report.  The remaining 2,475 acres will be reported in the ML14 OHF appropriation final report. - The State Line Lake project, in southern Freeborn County, involved construction at the shallow lake outlet and a rotenone treatment to remove unwanted fish.  Ducks Unlimited completed the construction and reported all the project acres in their final report for the DU appropriation that included funding for that portion of the project.  The rotenone treatment was completed with funding from this DNR appropriation.  NOTE: This final report will not report acres for State Line Lake, as they have already been reported by DU.  Also, State Line Lake became the first project to use the large pump purchased by DU and provided to the DNR.  Pictures are attached to this final report. ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Rd Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Freeborn, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Polk, Roseau, Todd, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-wetland-and-shallow-lake-enhancement,,,,
779,"Accelerate the Waterfowl Production Area Program in Minnesota, Phase 1",2010,5600000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$5,600,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever or successor to acquire and restore wetland and related upland habitats, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or successor to be managed as waterfowl production areas. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"1,924 acres",,,,5600000,,,,"Pheasants Forever with USFWS and Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will cooperate to permanently restore and conserve approximately 800 acres of grassland and 400 acres of wetland as Waterfowl Production Areas in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.","Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) are managed as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. However, land acquisition and restoration have not kept pace with habitat needs. This LSOHC project will add to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's acquisition of Minnesota's valuable wetland and grassland habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will immediately identify and prioritize lands to be acquired by Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. PF and DU will complete landowner contacts, appraisals, and purchase agreements. Lands will be deeded to and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as WPA's. Under this management, restoration of native grasslands and wetlands will be completed and protected in perpetuity. Approximately 800 acres of grasslands and 400 acres of wetlands will be protected. Acquisition will occur in 18 months and habitat restoration will occur over the next two years depending on funding and seedbed preparation needs. Waterfowl Production Areas will be open for public recreation according to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. This project will be part of the Waterfowl Production Area program that has successfully protected similar habitats in Minnesota for 50 years.","Accomplishment PlanPheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, acquired 12 parcels of land from willing sellers totaling 1,522 acres within priority wildlife habitat complexes throughout the prairie and metro regions of the state. Partners were highly successful at securing parcels as evidenced with a 86% acquisition completion rate (12 out of 14 projects closed) because appraisal values were competitive due to the fact most transactions were completed before the agricultural market boom in 2012. All of the acquired parcels are additions onto existing permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes creating an even larger benefit to waterfowl and the myriad of wildlife species that depend on these wetland / grassland habitats. All parcels have been donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are now protected and managed in perpetuity as Waterfowl Productions Areas (WPA) under the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each parcel is open for public recreation, including hunting, as defined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.Each acquired parcel has also been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable to ensure the maximum amount of benefits to migratory birds and other wildlife species. Wetlands restorations of various types, including seasonal wetlands, were restored by breaking drain tile lines, filling drainage ditches, constructing earthen dams, and installing water control structures. Invasive tree removal work was completed on many of these newly acquired lands and all agricultural fields restored to grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. In addition, 100 acres of wetland and grasslands were restored and 302 acres of prairie were enhanced on existing Waterfowl Production Areas in Pope and Traverse Counties, MN. These restored and permanently protected acres will provide critical habitat for breeding/migrating waterfowl as reproductive and winter habitat for grassland game and non game species.The work completed in this project has accelerated investment into permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes through the highly successful USFWS Waterfowl Production Area program. The outcomes of this project protects, maintains, and increases waterfowl and other wildlife populations within these areas. Furthermore, this work helps to improve water quality, reduces soil erosion, and provides public areas for Minnesotans to recreate in the outdoors, something so fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s future outdoor heritage.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Steele, Stevens, Traverse, Traverse",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerate-waterfowl-production-area-program-minnesota,,,,
780,"Accelerated Prairie Grassland Restoration and Enhancement Program on DNR Lands, Phase 2",2011,5833000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$5,833,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the protection, restoration, and enhancement of native prairie vegetation. A list of proposed land acquisitions,restorations, and enhancements, describing the types and locations of acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b)."," Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","Enhanced 22,823 acres, protected 1,577 acres and restored 211 acres of prairie. A total of 24,611 acres of prairie was restored, protected or enhanced.",,,,5646400,186600,,8.75,DNR,"State Government","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 will provide habitat for rare species, Species in Greatest Conservation Need as identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and provide habitat for other game and nongame wildlife species. All public SNA acquired through this project will be open to all forms of hunting and fishing. This program will also accelerate the restoration and enhancement of approximately 20,400 acres of native prairie vegetation on Wildlife Management Areas, Aquatic Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, and State Forests. This will provide much needed wildlife habitat for a host of grassland and farmland species. Prairie restoration efforts will center on site preparation, seeding of local ecotype seed, post-seed management to assure success, and seed harvest of local ecotype seed for prairie restoration at other public land sites. Prairie enhancement efforts will center on prescribed burning, managing woody cover encroachment, and interseeding. Goat prairie enhancements are a distinct target in the Southeast Forests. There is a very significant unmet need for prescribed burning on public lands. We will hire a roving burn crew for 3 years. The crew will be fully equipped and self sufficient and will therefore be capable of burning an additional 7,000 acres per year. Fifty-percent of their time will be spent on burning (this is the entire spring and fall burn season). During the non-burn season the crew will complete 1,000 acres woody encroachment management annually (25%) on WMAs. The remaining 25% will be spent on other WMA habitat management activities. This work is all supplemental to the existing DNR burning and woody cover management programs ","The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population. Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures. The Citizens Advisory Committee on WMA acquisitions recommended due to long-term rising land costs and continued habitat loss, acquisition efforts should be accelerated to 21,000 acres per year for 10 years completing 30% of the 50 year goal of 702,200 acres. This objective has not been met due to inadequate funding. Supplementing our existing program with accelerated WMA acquisition will require additional temporary staff to acquire and develop new lands. Temperate grasslands are considered to be one of the most altered ecosystems on the earth. Native prairie and associated species have been targeted as critical habitats by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS). Since 1987, MCBS has evaluated and mapped about 200,000 acres of remaining prairie in the state as compared to the nearly 18 million acres identified about 100 years ago based on the public land surveys. Only half of this remaining prairie habitat is currently under some form of permanent protection. Although Minnesota DNR has the training and know-how to restore high quality prairie vegetation, current funding is insufficient to meet all needs. Many sites on state lands are currently not being actively managed to realize full potential as plant communities or wildlife habitat. Re-establishing prairie on public lands requires periodic burning, inter-seeding grasslands with native species, and up to five years of post-seeding management and assessment. Some state-owned grasslands are ""problem"" sites consisting of monotypic fields of brome of low habitat value. Furthermore exotic and/or invasive plants are encroaching and woody plant encroachment are especially troublesome problems that must be addressed. Portions of newly acquired areas and state-owned marginal croplands also need to be seeded and treated. Use of high quality seed from established prairie sites to plant at other locations has proven to be highly cost-effective. ","We continue to use the Prairie Plan to guide our work in the western part of the state.  While we don't limit ourselves to the core areas from the Plan, core areas and native sites usually rise to the top when we are developing short-term priority lists such as which units to try to burn each spring.  Although Minnesota DNR has the training and know-how to restore and enhance high quality prairie vegetation, past funding was insufficient to meet all needs.  Often time, we'd just 'plant some grass'.  These funds have given us the ability to use much higher diversity seed mixes in our restoration work.  We aren't there yet, but we are getting much closer to restoring the full plant diversity to sites compared to what we were doing a few years ago.  That said, there is still much to learn in the area of seed harvest, seeding method, and post-seeding management.  In some cases we are buying local seed from vendors.  In other cases, we are contracting with neighbors to mechanically harvest seed from established prairies.  This is probably the most cost-effective way of collecting the volume of seed need to do larger restorations.  We are also getting better at using different seed mixes within a site.  A wetland margin should not have the same seed mix as a sandy hilltop.  Probably the most innovative and effective part of this request was the addition of a roving crew.  These crews were 100% additive to the work that was being done in the past.  They had the equipment, skills, and expertise, and were able to move around the entire region to do work that simply wasn't being done in the past.  They were able to do projects by themselves, team up with local DNR staff, and occasionally work with staff from USFWS or TNC to do larger projects such a large Rx fires that cover multiple ownerships.  The other major part we can report in this first full length (5 year) project is our work with contractors.  While DNR staff worked with some contractors in the past, with these funds we were able to scale up these projects.  Through trial and error in some cases we have also figured out who the best contractors are for different types of projects.  Habitat work was new to many contractors.  It sometimes takes significant amounts of time to supervise contractors to make sure they are doing what we need done in the way we need it done.  The more we work with these contractors, we learn their specialties and they become dialed in to what needs to be done and how to do it.  They are also making improvements as they learn.  This is making enhancement work more effective and efficient for both DNR staff and the contractors.  Many of the contractors are pleased to have this extra work, especially when it comes at a time of the year which is normally their 'down' time.  Contractors are telling us they are keeping busy, hiring more staff, and getting more work done as a direct result of OHF funds. ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Mike,Tenney,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5230",michael.tenney@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Wilkin","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-grassland-restoration-and-enhancement-program-dnr-lands,,,,
795,"Accelerated Forest Wildlife Habitat Program, Phase 1",2011,1791000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$1,791,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs to acquire, in fee, land for state forests and restore and enhance state forest habitat. A list of projects including proposed fee title acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Protected in fee 397 acres and enhanced 7,586 of forests",,,,1791000,,,3.65,DNR,"State Government","This program will increase populations of a variety of game and non-game wildlife species by protecting and enhancing forest habitats on which wildlife depends. This program of on-the-ground forest conservation projects will amplify the wildlife value of forest communities on DNR administered forestlands. Our forest enhancement will treat 4,472 ac. These activities are not conducted as part of the DNR's commercial timber operations. Additionally, our program will acquire 404 acres of forestland that contributes to habitat complexes and other high priorities. Acquisitions focus on forestland for public hunting, and compatible outdoor uses. At a reduced level of funding, we are focusing on management activities that will maximize wildlife habitat outcomes, especially prescribed burning, hand release, and shearing/mowing. Our program will enhance oak and create a mix of young hardwood forest with more open meadow/brush lands to benefit grouse, elk, and deer. Forest opening creation/enhancement will increase nut and berry production, provide roosting/display areas, and create feeding areas for moose, deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and bear. Shearing of trees and brush in large open landscape priority areas will benefit sharp-tailed grouse. Shearing and mowing of hardwoods and brush in smaller patches will benefit woodcock and deer.Our program will benefit a number of nongame species, including yellow rails, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, bobolinks, and upland sandpipers. Activities that create/enhance forest openings will provide habitat for nongame species, including least chipmunks, northern flickers, coopers hawks, and song sparrows. The less intensive timber management in our program will help protect rare native plant communities and a number of nongame species through retention and enhancement of plant species diversity and structure.","Narrative Forests face a formidable array of challenges: fragmentation, invasive species, climate change, disease, and changes in forest-based economics and recreation. While Minnesota's 16.2 million ac of forest are diverse, the acreage and composition of forests have changed significantly. The forest acreage is about half of what it was (31.5 million ac) in the mid 1800s. Just over half of the forestland in Minnesota is publicly owned; the State of Minnesota administers about 24%. Minnesota's forests help maintain the state's environmental and economic health. They are habitat for fish and wildlife, and a source of biodiversity, clean water, watershed protection, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, and many other benefits. Habitat loss and degradation are identified as the primary challenge facing wildlife. Almost one-third of the state's 292 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) inhabit forests. The management objectives in this program parallel the forest management options outlined in Minnesota's State Wildlife Action Plan, Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Tomorrow's Habitat Plan). Implementation of these objectives in key habitats identified in the Plan will maintain and enhance native forest communities supporting game and non-game wildlife populations. Tomorrow's Habitat Plan also calls for the purchase and protection of key habitats as another tool to address the conservation needs of these species. Protecting forests threatened by fragmentation or development provide important opportunities for collaborative conservation of larger scale areas of habitat. Restoration of newly acquired state forestlands is essential to assure that sites in state ownership are improved to increase or retain their value as wildlife habitat. The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population. Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures. Broad goals for this program are provided through the Subsection Forest Resources Management Planning process which does include a public participation process. No opposition is anticipated. County board approval is required for all acquisitions. Program managers may add, delete, and substitute projects on this parcel list based upon need, readiness, cost, opportunity, and/or urgency so long as the substitute parcel/project forwards the constitutional objectives of this program in the Project Scope table of this accomplishment plan. The final accomplishment plan report will include the final project parcel list.","Forests face a formidable array of challenges:  fragmentation, invasive species, climate change, disease, and changes in forest-based economics and recreation.  While Minnesota’s 16.2 million ac of forest are diverse, the acreage and composition of forests have changed significantly.  The forest acreage is about half of what it was (31.5 million ac) in the mid 1800s.  Just over half of the forestland in Minnesota is publicly owned; the State of Minnesota administers about 24%.  Minnesota’s forests help maintain the state’s environmental and economic health.  They are habitat for fish and wildlife, and a source of biodiversity, clean water, watershed protection, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, and many other benefits.  Habitat loss and degradation are identified as the primary challenge facing wildlife.  Almost one-third of the state’s 292 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) inhabit forests.  The management objectives in this program parallel the forest management options outlined in Minnesota’s State Wildlife Action Plan, Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Tomorrow’s Habitat Plan).  Implementation of these objectives in key habitats identified in the Plan will maintain and enhance native forest communities supporting game and non-game wildlife populations.  Tomorrow's Habitat Plan also calls for the purchase and protection of key habitats as another tool to address the conservation needs of these species.Protecting forests threatened by fragmentation or development provides important opportunities for collaborative conservation of larger scale areas of habitat.  Restoration of newly acquired state forestlands is essential to assure that sites in state ownership are improved to increase or retain their value as wildlife habitat.  The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population.  Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures.  Broad goals for this program are provided through the Subsection Forest Resources Management Planning process which includes a public participation process.  No opposition was anticipated.  County board approval was required for all acquisitions.Program managers were permitted to add, delete, and substitute projects on the parcel list based upon need, readiness, cost, opportunity, and/or urgency so long as the substitute parcel/project forwarded the constitutional objectives of this program in the Project Scope table of the accomplishment plan.  This final report includes the final project parcel list.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Cynthia,Osmundson,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",,55155,"(651) 259-5169",bob.welsh@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Benton, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, Roseau, St. Louis, St. Louis","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-forest-wildlife-habitat-program,,,,
797,"Accelerated Shallow Lake and Wetland Enhancement and Restoration Program, Phase 2",2011,6505000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$6,505,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to assess, enhance, and restore shallow lake and wetland habitats, to acquire land in fee or through permanent conservation easements for shallow lake program restoration, and to provide stewardship for acquired easements in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. of this appropriation, $1,463,000 is for the Department of Natural Resources agency program acceleration and $5,042,000 is for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. A list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of land acquisitions, restoration projects, and enhancement projects, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each acquisition, restoration project, and enhancement project. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b)",,"7603 acres",,,,6149500,355500,,,"Ducks Unlimited and DNR","State Government","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. Every statewide conservation plan recognizes the need for improving and protecting Minnesota's shallow lakes and wetlands for wildlife habitat. The MN DNR Duck Recovery Plan calls for the enhancement and active management of 1,800 shallow lakes while adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. DU,s Living Lakes conservation initiative supports this plan with a goal of improving 300 shallow lakes in Minnesota. DNR and DU will accelerate partnership efforts to enhance, restore, and protect shallow lakes and wetlands through increased assessment and engineering plus funding for water structure construction and land control. Enhancing and properly managing shallow lakes and wetlands will involve three components: assessment and feasibility analysis (Pre-design), engineering survey, design, review, easements and permits (Design), and ultimately water structure installation (Construction). DU will also work with private landowners to permanently protect lands adjacent to shallow lakes through purchase of lands in and adjacent to large drained basins in fee-title to allow for restoration and/or through permanent conservation easements (Protection). In total, DNR and DU will conduct 200 assessments, work on developing 50 new projects including engineering designs, restore 63 acres, structurally enhance 7,172 acres, and protect 750 acres in fee-title. In the process, DNR may purchase small easements for water flowage and/or water control structure placement, and DU may purchase permanent conservation easements on shallow lake shoreline if needed and grant funding is available. ","An estimated 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been lost, and those that remain are often larger basins that were more difficult to drain. Throughout the state, these shallow lakes and large wetlands provide critical habitat for wetland wildlife production and migration, especially for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent birds. High quality shallow lakes and wetlands have clear water and abundant rooted aquatic vegetation. Emergent aquatic plants such as rushes and wild rice provide protective cover from weather and predators and over-water nesting habitat, while submerged plants provide food in the form of seeds and tubers and critical habitat for aquatic invertebrates. An abundance of aquatic invertebrates such as insects, amphipods, and snails are critical for breeding ducks and for duckling growth and survival. Protein and carbohydrates from seeds and tubers are critical foods during both spring and fall migration. Seasonally flooded wetlands often fill these needs for shorebirds and dabbling ducks, particularly during spring. However, it is typically the larger, more permanent wetlands and shallow lakes that are important to diving ducks in spring and provide the most important fall habitat for all waterfowl. However, the quality of shallow lakes and wetlands providing wildlife habitat has declined markedly due to landscape drainage and intensive agricultural land use, shoreline development, increased runoff carrying sediment and nutrients, and invasive plant and fish species. Invasive fish, such as bullheads, carp, and fathead minnows reduce the invertebrates and aquatic plants necessary for quality habitat. Highly altered landscape hydrology now allows these invasive fish to access and sustain populations in most of our remaining wetlands. The worst damage has occurred within the prairie and transition portions of the state where conversion of habitat to other uses has degraded the watersheds of shallow lakes and associated wetlands. Restoration of wetland and grassland complexes restores habitat and reduces excessive runoff that can improve water quality. However, in-basin management is also needed to switch turbid shallow lakes back to their preferred clear water state. While watershed improvements benefit shallow lakes and wetlands, and both regulatory and voluntary programs to minimize and mitigate watershed degradation are ongoing by many conservation agencies, watershed work alone will not often switch turbid lakes to clear lakes and improve waterfowl habitat in them. It is only through active water level management that simulates periodic droughts and stimulates aquatic plant growth combined with the removal of invasive fish that the quality of this important aquatic habitat can be rejuvenated and sustained into the future. Similar to the effects of periodic fires in upland prairie systems, temporary droughts in wetlands are essential to maintaining wetland productivity and to rejuvenating turbid shallow lakes. Water level variation drives wetland ecology, and has long been a well-established, science-based wetland management technique employed throughout the world. 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. Central to our work will be the feasibility analysis, design, and installation of water control structures, pumps, and fish barriers that will provide state and federal conservation agency land managers with the ability to conduct temporary water level draw-downs that simulate the natural hydrologic regimes that drive wetland ecology. All projects will be constructed on public land or land under permanent easement by state or federal agencies, and all projects will be managed by Minnesota DNR field staff or by field staff of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Other agencies and tribal interests will be consulted and queried for input as projects are assessed, designed, and implemented. This proposal is based on the best available shallow lake and wetland management science coupled with over four decades of experience by Minnesota DNR and over two decades of wetland engineering expertise by DU. Specifically, at least 200 shallow lakes and wetlands will be assessed for their current condition and feasibility for needed improvement as determined by DNR and DU field staff. Meanwhile DNR and DU biologists and engineers will work on 50 shallow lake and wetland design projects to review and finalize engineering plans, obtain legal land rights and/or legal wildlife lake designation, obtain landowner and public support, and secure all necessary permits and approvals for future project implementation. DNR will develop shallow lake management plans with DU assistance and input. Landowner outreach will be conducted and public meetings held when needed to review, revise, and fully develop wetland structure projects for implementation, including wildlife lake designation public informational meetings and formal hearings. Finally, several wetland restoration projects will be implemented to restore 63 wetland acres, and 16 structural shallow lake and wetland enhancement projects will be constructed to allow managers to enhance over 7,000 wetland acres. To make future restoration of drained wetlands and shallow lakes legally feasible, DU will attempt to purchase 750 acres of land in fee-title in and adjacent to a drained shallow lake basin from willing private landowners (grant funds will not be used to purchase land from watershed districts or public agencies as per direction received from the Council). The land will eventually be transferred to the Minnesota DNR or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Initial contacts with landowners and local governmental representatives have been favorable to preliminary land proposals, and county board approval will be sought before any land acquired is transferred to Minnesota DNR or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. DNR may purchase easements for water flowage and/or structure placement rights, if needed. Also, to protect managed shallow lakes subject to development, DU may also work with private landowners to explore opportunities for conservation easements, and may purchase or obtain donated permanent conservation easements that will be held and monitored in perpetuity by DU. Finally, DU will use grant funds over three years to coordinate and administer this grant. Budget reallocations up to 10% do not require an amendment to the Accomplishment Plan. ","This grant was a programmatic partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) to accelerate enhancement, restoration, and protection of shallow lakes and wetlands important to waterfowl.  In partnership, DU and DNR assessed shallow lake conditions through the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife Shallow Lakes Program, and designed and implemented shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration projects using water level control structures and other means.  DU also implemented land protection projects via fee-title land acquisitions to improve and buffer wetland habitats used by waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife in Minnesota. Overall, DU and DNR completed 26 project affecting 7,603 acres.  These included three wetland restoration projects restoring 97 acres, 18 shallow lake enhancement projects enhancing 7,154 wetland acres, and five fee-title land acquisition projects protecting 352 acres.  DNR also completed 317 shallow lake assessment surveys to document current ecological conditions and help justify future shallow lake enhancement projects, while DU staff worked on 50 new shallow lake engineering enhancement projects to design water control structures for state DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), public waters, and wetlands on federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Financially, DU and DNR spent $6,439,871 of the $6,505,000 appropriated for this project.  DU spent the entire $5,042,000 portion appropriated to Ducks Unlimited while providing $1,205,381 in non-state financial leverage for a total expense of $6,247,381.  This non-state leverage provided by DU far surpassed the minimal leverage pledged, and was comprised of a combination of private funds donated to DU from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and federal grants such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).  Meanwhile, Minnesota DNR spent $$1,397,871 of the $1,463,000 appropriated to DNR, leaving $65,129 unspent to be returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund.  Although we fell short of our 750-acre land protection via fee-title acquisition goal, we exceeded all other original accomplishment plan goals of 200 shallow lake assessments, engineering work on 50 new enhancement projects, restoration of 63 wetland acres, and enhancement of 7,132 shallow lake wetland acres. The shortfall in total acres acquired was due to sharply rising cropland prices during this grant period, and uncooperative landowners in the drained Moonshine Lake basin in Big Stone County that made acquisition of those lands not feasible as previously planned.  The primary landowner there refused to sell his land for appraised fair market value, and DU did not anticipate the spike in agricultural land prices that made acquiring an equal number of acres elsewhere impossible.  Nonetheless, DU did acquire five smaller parcels totaling 352 acres in the Prairie Section, including 100 acres of wetlands and 252 acres of uplands.  These parcels have been transferred to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion into the state WMA system for long-term habitat management and public outdoor recreational use.Importantly, DU and DNR wetland projects were highly successful and surpassed our acreage goals.  DU and DNR completed three wetland restoration projects, one by DNR on Pelican Lake WMA in Wright County that restored hydrology to 25 wetland acres in the Metro Section, and two others by DU that involved restoring wetland hydrology to 45 acres on Fenmont WMA in Nobles County and 27 acres o Four Corners WMA in Martin County in the Prairie Section.  Moreover, DU and DNR each completed nine additional shallow lake and wetland enhancement projects that improved wetland ecological condition and management capability, for a total of 18 projects that enhanced 7,154 wetland acres in Prairie, Transition, and Metro Sections.  These were mostly structural enhancement projects where DU and DNR engineering installed water control structures to allow for temporary water level draw-downs to enhance the aquatic ecology of managed wetlands on state and federal areas (including four Waterfowl Production Areas).  Most of the acres enhanced were located on the Roseau state WMA, where DNR renovated an important dike used to control water levels in a large wetland. Elsewhere, DNR seeded wild rice into 40 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes in Wright and Stearns Counties in Metro, Transition, and Prairie Sections.All DU and DNR wetland restoration and shallow lake enhancement projects were in public waters or in basins on state DNR or federal land where DNR or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will manage and maintain them for both wildlife habitat and public benefit.  All lands acquired by DU were transferred to the Minnesota DNR for long-term wildlife habitat management and pubic outdoor recreational use.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Freeborn, Grant, Isanti, Kittson, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Polk, Pope, Rice, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lake-and-wetland-enhancement-and-restoration-program,,,,
799,"Accelerate the Waterfowl Production Area Program in Minnesota, Phase II",2011,3505000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$3,505,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire and restore wetland and related upland habitats, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited, Inc., to be managed as waterfowl production areas. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision, paragraph (b).",,"1398 acres",,,,3505000,,,,"Pheasants Forever with USFWS and Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Pheasants Forever (PF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cooperate to permanently restore and protect approximately 700 acres as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. ","Tremendous economic, agricultural, recreational, and developmental pressures including gravel mining, widely fluctuating commodity prices, withdrawal of CRP contracts, wind energy, ethanol and bio-mass production are squeezing Minnesota's habitat resources and the plants and animals that depend on them. WPAs are acquired with funds derived from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps and managed for wildlife and conservation benefits as part of the National Wildlife System. Land acquisition and restoration have not kept pace with habitat needs however. Funds will be utilized to permanently restore and protect approximately 500 acres of grasslands and 200 acres of wetland as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in western and southern Minnesota. The loss of wetland and grassland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. One of the primary ways to reverse this downward trend is to permanently acquire, then restore wetland and grassland habitats on those properties. The Service and our partners have been utilizing this strategy for over 50-years with the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). Utilizing the landscape level planning tools produced by our HAPET office in Fergus Fall, MN, the Service and our partners have strategically identified properties for acquisition. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community here in Minnesota. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) project will add to the Service's acquisition of Minnesota's valuable wetland and grassland habitats. Upon notification of project approval, Pheasants Forever & the Service will prioritize lands to be acquired. PF will complete landowner contacts, appraisals and purchase agreements. At closing PF will take ownership to allow for the required reversionary clause. The the lands will be donated to the Service as WPAs and all management actions including the prompt restoration of upland habitats and wetlands will be funded by the Service and protected in perpetuity. The Service will also be responsible for payment of PILT to the Counties. ","Accomplishment PlanPheasants Forever in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, acquired 11 parcels of land from willing sellers totaling 1,397.31 acres within priority wildlife habitat complexes throughout the prairie and forest prairie regions of the state. Partners were highly successful at securing parcels closing 11 out of 14 projects. All of the acquired parcels are additions onto existing permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes creating an even larger benefit to waterfowl and the myriad of wildlife species that depend on these wetland / grassland habitats. All parcels have been donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are now protected and managed in perpetuity as Waterfowl Productions Areas (WPA) under the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each parcel is open for public recreation, including hunting, as defined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. Further, we are happy to report that over $3.2 million in match was leveraged through this effort. This match came from a variety of federal sources as well as donations of land value. This exceeds our original match goal by over 10%.Each acquired parcel has also been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable to ensure the maximum amount of benefits to migratory birds and other wildlife species. Wetlands restorations of various types, including seasonal wetlands, were restored by breaking drain tile lines, filling drainage ditches, constructing earthen dams, and installing water control structures. Invasive tree removal work was completed on many of these newly acquired lands and all agricultural fields restored to grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species.These restored and permanently protected acres will provide critical habitat for breeding/migrating waterfowl and reproductive and winter habitat for grassland game and non game species.The work completed in this project has accelerated investment into permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes through the highly successful USFWS Waterfowl Production Area program. The outcome of this project protects, maintains, and increases waterfowl and other wildlife populations within these areas. Furthermore, this work helps to improve water quality, reduces soil erosion, and provides public areas for Minnesotans to recreate in the outdoors, something so fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s future outdoor heritage.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Meeker, Murray, Norman, Norman","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerate-waterfowl-production-area-program-minnesota-phase-2,,,,
805,"Accelerated Aquatic Management Area Acquisition, Phase II",2011,3416000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$3,416,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate land acquisition by fee title and easements to be added to the state aquatic management area system as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 86A, and to restore and enhance stream habitat and lake habitat. Land acquired in fee must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined in writing by the commissioner of natural resources. A list of proposed fee title and easement acquisitions, stream habitat restorations and enhancements, and lake habitat restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 18 acres, protected 286 acres and enhanced 242 acres of stream habitat.",,,,3416000,,,,DNR,"State Government","This program uses a multi-programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across Minnesota. We propose to: i) protect 7.8 miles of shoreline on lakes, rivers and trout streams; ii) effect structural repairs to 2 lake outlet control structures that will integrate fish passage; iii) restore and enhance river and stream functions that will benefit over 50.5 river miles; and iv) enhance 1.4 miles of shoreline habitat on publicly-owned lakeshore. The strategic approach and priority resources targeted in this proposal are supported by a number of internal and external conservation planning documents. The DNR will implement the objectives of this proposal through established and highly successful programs each having strong stakeholder support including: Aquatic Management Area Program, Shoreland Habitat Restoration Program, Stream Habitat Program, and Coldwater Streams Program.","What is the problem to be addressed? Minnesota's aquatic habitats have been degraded or threatened by a century or more of land, hydrology, and human settlement related alterations. The consequences to aquatic species have been reduced habitats for essential life history stages, lack of access to traditional spawning areas, and fragmentation of formerly continuous habitat that served as corridors to facilitate seasonal movements. Geographically, aquatic habitats are in various states of quality and experiencing differing levels of environmental stress with a general pattern of healthy habitats under low stress in the northeast and less healthy habitats under high stress in the southern and western portions of the state (see Figure H-15 in the State Conservation and Preservation Plan). But even within this generalized pattern there are many notable exceptions ? aquatic habitats exhibiting declining quality under high environmental stress in the northeast, and moderate to high quality habitats within high environmental stress landscapes to the west and south. This provides a meaningful framework for providing habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement through DNR's diverse habitat programs infrastructure. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting, or enhancing habitat? Why will this strategy work? Acquisition of priority habitats provides permanent protection backed by state and federal laws. The AMA designation unit within the Outdoor Recreation System was established by the Legislature in 1992 and has strong support from conservation groups and anglers. The AMA Program currently has an inventory of 830 miles of shoreline in over 330 AMAs, which provide permanent protection of critical riparian habitats, perpetuate fish and wildlife populations, safeguard water quality, and offer public recreational opportunities as an important additional benefit. Providing fish passage over in-stream barriers such as low-head dams and culverts by backfilling with rock reconnects fish and other aquatic species to upstream habitats essential for spawning, juvenile life stages, and overall abundance and genetic diversity of aquatic species. Stream restoration projects reconstruct the stream's natural pattern, profile, and dimension. Natural stream design favors hydrologic conditions that do not degrade the stream bank and bed and provides a diversity of microhabitats that are more favorable to fish and other aquatic species. Channel restoration, dam modification, and shoreline enhancement work is based on proven methods and DNR experience with multiple projects. The DNR has worked on large-scale river and stream restoration projects since 1998 and has completed or assisted in design elements of over 100 stream projects addressing restoration, fish passage, dam removal and dam modification to rapids. These are significant and durable accomplishments benefiting aquatic habitat. As examples of these successful strategies, DNR has conducted large-scale projects to restore the Whitewater River to its original channel; reconnected nearly the entire Minnesota portions of the Red River by direct dam removal or modification leaving only a few dams presently remaining that impede fish movements (primarily lake sturgeon); and enhanced 21 miles of shoreline on lakes across the state including many challenging high erosion sites. Also projects address other key components of a stream: wildlife and fish habitat, water quality, connectivity to the floodplain and upstream reaches, and hydrology. By drawing on the accumulated scientific knowledge on all components of the stream DNR strives to deliver the best possible restoration projects using the best science available. The DNR has conducted shoreline enhancement projects for over 10 years and during that time the program has grown in scope and popularity. The annual number of shoreland restoration projects completed has increased from 23 in 2002 to 60 in 2009. At the end of the L-SOHC grant period, 1.6 miles of public shoreline including AMAs and other state, county, township, and municipal lands will be enhanced to provide erosion protection, habitat diversity for multiple species of fish and wildlife (including game species and SGCNs), and enhanced aesthetics. Native plants and natural materials will be utilized to increase habitat complexity, provide protective cover, stabilize shorelines, and firmly anchor soils. Project habitat benefits will continue to accrue beyond the term of this grant as project sites mature and the shoreline assumes a more natural character. Describe the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project. The AMA Acquisition Planning Committee developed an acquisition plan in 2007 that recommended purchasing an additional 2,595 miles of riparian lands over 25 years to meet the habitat protection needs of a rapidly changing Minnesota. This stakeholder-developed plan guides DNR's AMA program implementation. Restoration and enhancement elements of this project are linked to various landscape or system-specific management plans (e.g., Lake Superior Management Plan) that have been developed through extensive internal and external coordination. These elements represent shared priorities with multiple partners and stakeholders. For land acquisitions, indicate local government support and approval Township and County support are usually obtained as part of the acquisition process. County Boards are typically notified after AMA parcels have been optioned and consistent with DNR policy.","We completed six fish passage projects, benefiting 1,311 acres of habitat that will now be accessible to migrating fish and mussels. These projects were modifications to dams that will allow fish to bypass these former barriers. One fish passage project on Chester Creek planned for this appropriation was not completed due to delays in contracting for construction by our project partner, the city of Duluth. They have been very busy contracting stream projects due to the flood of 2012, and this unexpected development kept us from completing the project on time. A design for the project was paid for with this appropriation. The project will be built in 2016 using flood damage money from the State of Minnesota.An instream habitat project was completed on West Beaver Creek. The project narrowed the stream channel to improve instream habitat and better transport fine sediment. Instream habitat was also enhanced, and bank stability improved to reduce erosion.Riparian habitat was enhanced at fourteen coldwater streams and two warmwater streams. These projects will enhance native prairie plants that will improve bank stability and instream cover. Prairie species also encourage narrow and deep stream channels that better move fine sediment, improving habitat for fish and invertebrates. Habitat practices included brush removal, prescribed burns, control of invasive plants, and planting of native species.Lake riparian habitat was enhanced at nine locations. These projects were done cooperatively through grants to local organizations. Mowed turf grass was replaced with native plants with deep roots that are better at stabilizing the shoreline and provide habitat for species such as frogs and other aquatic animals. These parcels are also open to public fishing.We permanently protected lakeshore habitat at eight locations, covering 276 acres. These parcels will protect intact lake shoreline that has been shown to be critical to fish reproduction, and to preventing shoreland erosion. We also protected one parcel on a trout stream through a conservation easement. This will protect coldwater conditions and habitat in the stream through the preservation of riparian vegetation. This parcel will also be open to public fishing.We fell short of our planned output acreage for this appropriation due to a number of factors. First, our protection acreage can vary depending on the relative amount of upland land that is purchased with adjoining waterfront. Sometimes parcels are a narrow strip of lakeshore, while at other times a parcel may be quite deep and have considerable upland that is purchased. For this appropriation, our acquisitions leaned toward primarily waterfront land resulting in a shortfall of 98 acres. Second, when this accomplishment plan was written we planned to be able to account for benefitted upstream acres for fish passage projects. During a plan amendment for a different appropriation we were given direction by the council that we should only count footprint acres for these types of projects. We did not go back and do plan amendments for other appropriations to reflect this guidance, but did follow that direction in our reporting. As a result we reported 1260 acres less than was planned. Third, our trout stream riparian enhancement work over-estimated the amount that we could complete, resulting in a shortfall of 424 acres. The work for this part of the appropriation was completed during the last 6 months that the money was available, preventing a plan amendment to reflect the change in acreage output. We will know better in the future how to estimate acres for this type of work. The fourth reason for our shortfall was an amendment from a fish passage project on the Mississippi River at Little Falls to a channel restoration project on the Buffalo River. As previously mentioned, when the plan was written we expected to report the full benefitted acreage for the fish passage project. When we amended to plan to spend that money on the Buffalo River, there was no corresponding change to our planned output acres as reflected in table 1. This was not changed mainly because the original version of ML2010 accomplishment plan does not include a “Table 1” as shown in the online version. Instead there are a series of less organized tables that allow for a more narrative description of the work. The resulting shortfall in acres from this change was 564 acres.In total, these differences from the accomplishment plan account for 2346 acres, which would explain the difference between the original plan and what we have reported for output. We have learned several lessons regarding output acres since this early appropriation. We will work hard to have our outputs better match the accomplishment plan in future reporting.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Michael,Duval,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",,55155,"(218) 833-8612",michael.duval@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Murray, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Wadena","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-aquatic-management-area-acquisition,,,,
9801,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program , Phase 4",2013,3300000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$3,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 73 acres of wetlands and 565 acres of prairies",,534100,"Pheasants Forever private funding and Federal monies",3300000,,,.09,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The program accelerated the protection of 550 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. However, over the course of the appropriation, we acquired seven parcels for a total of 638 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 550 acres by 88 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceed our 440 acre goal for the prairie region by 171 acres.  We have a balance of $62,300 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals and demonstrating the high level of efficiency Pheasants Forever operates at.  In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received while using less personnel costs than proposed.One tract of significance worth mentioning is Mel Roehrl WMA which was one of the largest permanent protection projects in this proposal at 110 acres.  The Mel Roehrl WMA Addition builds on the existing 197 acre Mel Roehl WMA.  Within three miles of this tract there are four WPAs totaling 491 acres, two SNAs totaling 226 acres and one 197 acre WMA.  In addition there are numerous perpetual FWS conservation easements in this area.  This habitat complex is a mere 22 miles from Alexandria in western Stearns County, has outstanding grassland, wetland and winter habitat and is located in an area of the county with large numbers of existing CRP tracts. Opportunities for public hunting and trapping is very high. This area is a notable pheasant and deer hunting area of the county.  This tract, like many of the other tracts purchased in this proposal, are within identified priority areas by MN DNR, USFWS, and other partners.  Some of the factors we use to prioritize acquisitions are Grassland Bird Conservation Areas, Fish and Wildlife habitat rankings (e.g. HAPET scores, duck nesting pair density), and stateside plans (e.g. Pheasant Action Plan, Wildlife Action Plan).  In addition we use site specific factors such as rare species, native prairie, and restoration potential to decide which tracts will best benefit fish, game, and wildlife.",,"Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/2f.pdf Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 638 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife. All lands acquired have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the seven parcels which will now be celebrated as new WMAs. These new additions to existing WMAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species. The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals. The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers. We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics. We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan to name a few. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, McLeod, Renville, Stearns, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-4,,,,
9803,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands, Phase 4",2013,4300000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$4,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 123 acres and enhanced 59,373 acres of prairie ",,,"n/a ",4282900,105100,,14,DNR,"State Government","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",,"In the table above, grassland conversion is generally converting old brome or early low diversity CRP-like plantings (grass only) to a diverse native grass and forb mix. These projects are good examples of the benefits of OHF. Low diversity grasslands provide some habitat for wildlife. These funds allow us to enhance and improve these habitats, going above and beyond what we could do without these funds. By far our most effective management tool is prescribed fire and we were able to burn over 48,000 acres, just over 75 square miles, with these funds.Our acre estimate is probably a low number, especially for woody removal. Trees in grasslands affect both the immediate area as well as the surrounding area. Generally we remove trees to increase nest success in the surrounding areas. While we may only record one acre of tree removal, we’re enhancing nest success for an entire WMA.This was the fourth appropriation for the DNR's programmatic Grassland Enhancement efforts. The primary focus for the Wildlife Section of this appropriation was the use of two Roving Crews, in Region One (located in Polk County) and Region 3 (located in Dakota County). Roving Crews are self-contained habitat enhancement programs. One hundred percent of their time is dedicated to habitat enhancement. In addition, we worked with local contractors to do additional habitat work on WMAs and SNAs.Division of Ecological and Water Resource staff funded on this appropriation did a variety of tasks, including writing contracts for woody removal projects and prescribed burns, firebreak installation, prescribed burn planning and execution, prairie reconstruction, and smaller invasive removal projects. CCM crews were contracted for many projects to add additional abilities. Specifically noteworthy, southern region EWR hires a CCM crew for several weeks in the spring each year to build support into the DNR burn crew (there would not be enough staff for a crew without CCM).In addition to these data, we also provide the following narratives showing the outputs and outcomes of several of the projects on the parcel list.The Cuka WMA project involved the removal of scattered invasive volunteer trees from 130 acres of native and restored prairie. A DNR survey on June 11, 2013 revealed the presence of at least 508 individual clusters of Small White Lady Slipper orchids. The orchid is abundant on Cuka WMA and this tree removal was management that is a direct positive for the preservation of this species. The removal of predator perches and den trees was one objective that appears to have been successfully met based upon the pheasant production that has been observed on this unit in recent years. One hunter has harvested a 2 bird limit on every pheasant opener for the last four years.A large portion of Benson WMA was already a quality restored grassland and wetland complex when acquired, but had thousands of trees covering the WMA. Without treatment, the site would have soon lost its open nature and grassland wildlife. The site includes a very high quality remnant prairie that we use to harvest local ecotype seed for nearby WMA restorations.Two Rivers Aspen Parkland SNA is a 1400 acre high quality brush prairie that was being invaded by aspen. This transition can be devastating to many wildlife species, particularly sharp tailed grouse as they tend to abandon these areas once they transition. After the prescribed burn and woody removal projects, there was a significant increase in sharp tailed grouse observations.Sweetwater WMA has two tracts totaling 430 acres. These tracts are part of a contiguous complex of public lands, including roughly 1,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas and 500 acres of WMA in the heart of Lac qui Parle County – an area with a rich history of waterfowl and upland bird hunting. The tree removal work on Sweetwater WMA compliments ongoing habitat acquisitions, restorations and enhancements being done in this area through partnerships among USFWS, MNDNR, TNC, PF and DU.Cooperative Farming Agreement fields totaling nineteen acres on four WMAs in the south Metro were retired. The fields were planted to a diverse mix native grasses and forbs. This will benefit pollinators as well as providing additional nesting cover. These WMAs are relatively close to the Metro Area, proving both wildlife habitat as well as hunting and other recreational opportunities for Twin Cities residents.Because this is a programmatic appropriation, it’s difficult to assign a dollar amount to a specific project. Because of this and the large number of projects, we simply assigned dollars to projects proportional to acres completed in that project. In the same way, we proportionally assigned dollars to personnel based on FTEs.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Meeker, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Roseau, Statewide, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Washington, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-4,,,,
9813,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program , Phase 4",2013,5400000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$5,400,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be managed and designated as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 185 acres of wetlands and 816 acres of prairies",,3794200,"USFWS - $2.5 million and Pheasants Forever - $335,500",5400000,,,.12,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program accelerated the permanent protection of 1,001 acres of wetlands (185 acres) and grasslands (816 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota.  Over the course of the appropriation, PF acquired 5 parcels for a total of 1,001 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 935 acres by 66 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceeded our acre goal in the prairie area by 346 acres.  We are also happy to bring in $3,794,200 of non-state match dollars to this effort, exceeding our match goal of $3,320,000 by $474,200.  We have a balance of $61,800 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals which demonstrates the high level of efficiency which Pheasants Forever operates at.  In total, we under-spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals and over delivered on match while using less personal costs than proposed.",,"Final ReportWorking in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,001 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife.  These USFWS Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the 5 parcels which will be celebrated as new WPAs.  These new additions to existing WPAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species.  The offers to the landowners were based on fair market values and appraisals.  The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota.  Parcels were identified jointly with the USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility.  Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers.  We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics.  We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan.  Hanson WPA Addition and John Giese WPA were the two largest permanent protection projects in this proposal making up over half of the total 1,001 acquired acres.  The 282 acre Hanson WPA Addition builds on the existing 80 acre Hanson WPA.  Within 2 miles of this tract there are 2 WPAs totaling 724 acres and 2 WMAs totaling 1,597 acres.  In addition there are numerous perpetual RIM and FWS conservation easements in this area.  All these tracts build around Lake Simon which is the focus area of a lot of conservation efforts including the MN Prairie Conservation plan (this area has the highest designation within this plan as a core area), Chippewa 10% Simon Lake Challenge focus area, in a Grassland Bird Conservation Area, is in a priority area for the MN Wildlife Action Plan, and scores a 20 HAPET score (which is the highest USFWS Habitat and Population and Evaluation team designation).  The 320 acre John Giese WPA is an addition to the 5,000+ acre Talcot Lake WMA and 155 acre Talcot Lake WPA.  In addition to being a priority area for many of the same plans above, this Talcot Lake area is a Southwest MN hot spot for all outdoor enthusiasts being comprised of marshes, bottomlands and adjacent grassland and cropland. Talcot Lake is historically important for migrating waterfowl and other species including canada geese, common yellowthroats, northern cardinals, indigo buntings, and ring-necked pheasants. Mammals include beavers, muskrats, white-tailed deer, red foxes, and minks.  With the help of the LSOHC’s recommendations we were able to permanently protect these two high priority tracts helping fulfill the mission of the council and provide recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans. All parcels acquired were restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. The grassland restoration included using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetland restorations included using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Lac qui Parle, Murray, Stevens, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-4,,,,
9816,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement , Phase 4",2013,3870000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$3,870,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to develop engineering designs and complete construction to enhance shallow lakes and wetlands. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Work must be completed within three years of the effective date of this article.",,"Enhanced 10,085 acres of wetlands ",,,"n/a ",3644000,125300,,10,DNR,"State Government","This proposal impacts shallow lakes and wetlands in Minnesota through the design and construction of projects, enhancement work done by DNR roving habitat crews, and shallow lakes work identified and initiated through the DNR Shallow Lakes program.  Ten thousand acres of wetlands were enhanced by these activities.",,"This OHF-funded project utilized three components - individual project design and construction of wetland and shallow lake infrastructure, habitat enhancement work by DNR Roving Habitat Crews, and an expansion of the DNR Shallow Lakes program.Design and Construction - Twenty-one projects were designed or designed and constructed. Design only projects are surveyed and receive preliminary design plans and support from Minnesota DNR engineers. This initial work is critical to identify project issues, determine realistic cost estimates, and ensure that future construction can proceed with minimal delays. No acres are reported for design-only projects; that occurs only after construction. Eight projects were design-only. Thirteen projects were design and construct. These 13 projects involved the construction or renovation of water control structures, fish barriers and/or dikes. This work enhanced almost 1200 acres, 913 of which were in the Prairie Ecological Section.Roving Habitat Crews - Minnesota DNR Roving Habitat Crews are highly trained, equipped and motivated staff working together to enhance Wildlife Mangement Areas. Begun in 2010, 2 6-person crews were established to work on prairie grasslands, with one crew based in Mentor, MN and one based at Lac Qui Parle. Beginning with this Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements, Phase IV, OHF appropriation, funding was provided to the 2 crews to allow to them expand to do wetland enhancement work. Each crew was provided 2 additional staff and they were able to spend 25% of their time and resources on wetland and shallow lake activities. This work included wetland prescribed burns, removal of woody vegetation from wetlands, the ability to work on wetland drawdowns, cattail spraying and mowing, and other wetland activities. The wetland acreage impacted by these crews has exceeded expectations, with 8,900 wetland acres enhanced. Three thousand-four hundred of these acres were enhanced in the Prairie Ecological Section. The most wetland acres were enhanced in Forest/Prairie Ecological Section, which is a function of the large habitat blocks that are available to manage in northwest Minnesota.Shallow Lakes Program - The Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program consists of a supervisor and 8 shallow lakes specialists. Three of these shallow lake specialist positions were created and funded with the Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements, Phase IV, OHF appropriation. Interns are used to augment shallow lake assessment work done during the summer field season. The Shallow Lakes Program can be described as having two major goals - assessment of shallow lakes through a standardized set of measures and initiating management of shallow lakes to enhance their value to wildlife. Management actions may include drawdowns, removal of unwanted fish, control of invasive species, and placement of major infrastructure. Acres are not reported for this component of the grant, though the work done by the Shallow Lakes Program is critical to acres subsequently reported by the DNR or Ducks Unlimited when OHF funds are used to implement management. A measure of the work accomplished by OHF-funded shallow lakes specialists is the number of number of shallow lake assessments the undertake during the grant period. For the period during which funding was provided by this OHF grant, the three funded specialists and interns accomplished 491 assessments on shallow lakes covering 160,268 acres.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR Div. of Fish and Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5227,ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Carver, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Itasca, Jackson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Roseau, Todd, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-enhancement-phase-4,,,,
2546,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Restoration and Enhancement , Phase 3",2012,936000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$936,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to develop engineering designs for shallow lakes and wetlands and restore and enhance shallow lakes.",,"Enhanced 7,262 acres of Wetlands",,,,808800,11800,,,"MN DNR","State Government","Water control structures and dikes were designed and constructed on six Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the counties of Becker, Clearwater, Itasca, Lincoln, Roseau, and Yellow Medicine. Dike work at Roseau River WMA protects and enhances 3200 acres of wetlands wetlands in Pool 2 of the WMA. Roseau River WMA has 10 large water control structures, seven moist soil cells, and four large pools covering 11,800 acres. Cells for a moist soil unit were constructed at Lac Qui Parle WMA in Lac Qui Parle County. Engineering design work was initiated at Staples WMA in Todd County, but as is our policy for 'design-only' projects, no acres will be claimed until construction is initiated and completed in a future OHF grant.",,"Minnesota DNR wetland and shallow lake projects are identified by area wildlife managers and shallow lake specialists. Project identification often comes from either failing wetland infrastructure or shallow lake assessments. Potential projects are submitted by area wildlife managers into a project database with subsequent regional and central office review. Priority projects are selected based on available funding. Project survey, engineering design work, contract bid documents, and construction oversight are provided by regional DNR engineering staff. Needed permits are obtained by area wildlife or shallow lakes staff. Completed projects provide habitat for wetland dependent species, especially for all stages of waterfowl life needs - spring and fall migration, breeding, and brood rearing. The completed projects additionally provide the benefits that result from managed and enhanced wetlands: hunting locations, clean water, floodwater retention, etc.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd.","St. Paul",MN,55155,"651 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clearwater, Itasca, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Roseau, Todd, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-3,,,,
2548,"Accelerated Aquatic Management Area Habitat Program, Phase 3",2012,6500000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$6,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed acquisitions and stream and lake habitat restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protect in fee 504 acres, easement 585 acres and Restore/Enhance 537 acres of Habitats",,752500,"value/cash donation",6464000,34900,,1.5,"MN DNR","State Government","We protected 22.3 miles of trout streams and 1.3 miles of lakeshore via easements (585 acres in total), and 7.4 miles (504 acres) of lakeshore through fee-title purchase. We enhanced shoreline habitat on 524 acres of riparian land, and instream habitat on 3.1 miles of trout streams and 0.5 miles of warmwater rivers. ",,"Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2012/accomp_plan/5a.pdf Protection of streams through conservation easements was enabled by the hiring of two easement specialists to work on acquisition. One position was funded through OHF, while the other leveraged funds from a Great Lakes Restoration grant. These positions contacted riparian landowners in targeted locations we prioritized for additional easement protection. We chose to target streams with high-quality habitat and fish populations, and along those streams we prioritized parcels that were adjacent to existing easements or protected public land, as well as landowners who owned parcels with longer lengths of stream. We also prioritized parcels with important features such as springs that are important to maintaining the cold water required by trout. All easements also needed to be accessible to the angling public, either from a public road, adjacent easement, or access path. Contacts with landowners were very fruitful; we found more potential parcels that we had money available for easements. This allowed us to prioritize the best parcels for easement purchase based on our criteria, but also created a list of potential parcels for acquisition using other funding sources, including OHF rounds from future years. We protected a total of 21.3 miles of trout streams using easements. One lakeshore parcel was also protected via conservation easement using this appropriation. The landowners (a scout camp) wanted the parcel protected, but also wanted to continue their passive use of the parcel. A conservation easement was a better tool than fee title acquisition in this case, which allowed us to protect 200 acres along 1.3 miles of lakeshore. The total amount of lake and stream shore acres protected by easements was just short of our goal (585 vs. 609), but we believe in the case of lake and stream riparian protection the length of shoreline is the more important measure. Fee title acquisition protected a total of 7.4 miles of lakeshore (504 acres) under this appropriation. We selected parcels for acquisition where the ratio of lakeshore to total acres was high in order to maximize riparian area protected, and where we protected critical and sensitive habitat such as emergent vegetation and natural shorelines that are critical for aquatic fish and wildlife. We were able to exceed our goal for acres protected in fee (504 vs. 427), in part due to over $550,000 in landowner donations of value that leveraged OHF money. We completed four stream habitat projects: two were on trout streams (Eagle and Rush Creeks), and two were on a warmwater rivers (Buffalo and Pomme de Terre Rivers). Eagle Creek had been degraded by years of cattle grazing, along with numerous beaver dams that had created a wide, shallow stream uninhabited by trout, unlike downstream reaches with better habitat. Using a combination of coir logs, rootwads and other woody debris, and grading and revegetating of the streambanks, the stream was narrowed to less than half of its former width. This created a much deeper stream channel with better habitat for fish, as well as the ability for the stream to better move the over-abundance of sand that comprised the stream bottom. Trout are now found in the restored half-mile of stream. The local watershed district contributed matching funds that helped to complete the project. Rush Creek habitat work has enhanced 2.5 miles of this trout stream. Steep eroding banks have been graded back, creating a floodplain that reduces the erosive energy of the stream during high water. Habitat structures of wood and rock have been placed in strategic locations on outside bends, providing stability to streambanks as well as cover for fish. All riparian areas have been seeded with a native mix of deep-rooted prairie grasses and forbs, providing enhanced stability for streambanks and habitat for terrestrial wildlife. Restoration of a reach of the Buffalo River was done on property owned by the City of Hawley. A formerly straightened reach of the river, the stream had eroding banks and lacked diverse depths, velocities, and cover required by most fish species. 2,700 feet of new meandering stream channel was constructed to restore the stream to a more natural condition, and outside bends were stabilized with woody material buried into the banks which not only provides stability while planted native vegetation becomes established, but also provides habitat for fish and aquatic insects. Enhancement work on the Pomme de Terre River was done on a relatively small area, but was critical to habitat in that reach. Due to bank erosion, the stream was in the process of cutting around a riffle that controls the grade of the streambed in that reach. That could have eventually lead to a downcutting of the stream channel that would have sent tons of sediment downstream. Instead, the streambank was stabilized using rootwads, and additional gravel and cobbles were added to the riffle to enhance its stability, as well as local habitat.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5205,brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lake, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Redwood, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Swift, Wabasha, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-aquatic-management-area-habitat-program-phase-3,,,,
23902,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase VI",2015,877700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 19,365 acres. ",,,,820100,86500,,,DNR,"State Government","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. ",,"Approximately 30 species of waterfowl are regular migrants through Minnesota. More than a dozen breed and nest in Minnesota. While each of these species has its own particular habitat needs the common bond is a dependence on wetland habitat for survival. Meeting the needs of these waterfowl requires a complex of wetland sizes and types ranging from temporary and seasonal wetlands to large permanent shallow lakes.  Habitat work accomplished with this OHF appropriation contributes to the needs of these waterfowl and other wetland-associated wildlife. Five wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were designed and completed (Carlos Avery WMA, Anoka County; Joe River WMA, Kittson County; Cornish Flowage, Aitkin County; Mille Lacs WMA, Mille Lacs County; and Dry Sand WMA, Cass County).  These projects improved or replaced dikes and water level control structures.  These projects enhanced 3,079 acres of wetland habitat.  In addition to these design and construct projects, another four projects were design only.  Because of the complexity of many shallow lake and wetland infrastructure projects, we sometimes begin by bringing in engineers to survey and design potential projects.  We can use this initial information to develop cost estimates, obtain permits, and determine if and when to move ahead with construction.  Because design-only projects do not entail construction, no acres are claimed for these projects, as is consistent with our past reports. These four design-only projects were at Spohn WMA, Quistorff WMA, Aurzada WMA, and Ruff-Nik WMA, all in Todd County. 6,068 acres of invasive cattails were sprayed statewide.  This work was done in both 2015 and 2018.  The work in 2015 was done using private contractors, but in 2018 we were able to do the work using a state-owned helicopter outfitted with an OHF-funded spray unit and using the OHF-funded Roving Habitat Crews as ground support personnel. The acreage of cattails sprayed includes 13.3 acres of a new invasive grass that was discovered at McCarthy Lake WMA.  We were able to effectively deal with this potential threat thanks to the equipment and personnel we now have available.  While aerial spraying of monotypic stands of cattails can't resolve the problem statewide due to the extent of their coverage, property managers are excited to have aerial spraying as a means to improve wetland habitat at select sites.   Finally, a major prescribed wetland burn was funded out of this appropriation which enhanced 10,200 acres.  This was one of the largest prescribed burns ever done in Minnesota.  The effectiveness of this burn and it's relatively low cost have property managers considering future large wetland burns. In total, 19,365 wetland acres were enhanced by this appropriation, well above the Accomplishment Plan goal. ",2014-07-01,2019-10-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR Div. of Fish and Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Cass, Chippewa, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Isanti, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-vi,,,,
23903,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase VI",2015,6332700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$7,280,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 1554 acres (in fee without state PILT liability) ",,3673900,"Federal, PF, Private, Federal, Federal Federal, ",6332700,,,0.36,"Pheasants Forever with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goal of this program was to accelerate the protection of 887 acres as Waterfowl Production Area's. Pheasants Forever successfully protected eight parcels totaling 1,554.39 acres of prairie wetland and grasslands providing excellent habitat for numerous wildlife. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received. ",,"The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented.  One of the primary ways to reverse this downward trend is to permanently acquire and restore previously converted wetland and grassland habitats on those properties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years with the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This sixth phase of the acceleration program acquires AND restores 335 acres of wetland and 505 acres of grassland habitats which will be permanently protected as Waterfowl Protection Areas managed by the Service. Using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the Service’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)], Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire strategically identified properties. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres affected by this grant application will produce.  Besides the obvious wildlife benefits, once restored, the lands acquired through this grant will provide additional water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community here in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the Service and PF will notify counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the Service will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located.  In addition, the Service will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective Counties. Funding for restoration of the properties will be solicited from partners. If this funding is available, budgeted Outdoor Heritage restoration funds under this proposal would be able to accomplish additional fee title w/o PILT acquisition funds. Wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch “plugs” or breaking sub-surface tile lines. Grasslands will be restored by planting appropriate native grasses and forbs to converted grassland habitats. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years and involve one to two years of post acquisition farming to prepare the seed base, one year for seeding and one to two years to establish. ",2014-07-01,2020-12-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Stevens Road SE",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 250-6317",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Pope, Sibley, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-vi,,,,
23930,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase VI",2015,10143900,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$10,350,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 1803 acres (in fee with state PILT liability) ",,1329600,"PFPrivateFederal ",10143900,,,0.36,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This phase of WMA acquisition protected 1802.55 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. With these 16 acquisition we have exceeded our planned acres of 1362 by more than 400 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 282 acres in the metro and 1520 acres in the prairie.  We have a balance of $52,798 of grant funds and $81,837.48 in program income that will be returned despite exceeding our acre goals. ",,"The pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota.  In fact, despite our collective investments in conservation, it is believed that many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat.  This unfortunate reality is currently being exacerbated by conversion of lands expiring out of CRP.  Now, more than ever, is the time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high quality public habitat complexes that will protect, maintain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations.  In addition, being able to provide public areas for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs and is fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and appreciation of the outdoors is passed on to future generations. To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Pheasants Forever (PF) and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,362 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota.  Striving to build landscape level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations, many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs or WPAs, many of which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff.  All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal.  In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria were used to develop the potential project list including: Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, lakeshore, local community support etc.)? All acquired lands will meet the minimum initial development standards for WMAs.  In addition, providing high quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs.  Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands to the fullest extent.  Enhancement work may include undesirable woody vegetation removal, water control structure installation, inter-seeding to increase diversity and structure, managed grazing, invasive species control, or any other activity that improves the diversity and health of the prairie-wetland habitat complex.  Pheasants Forever’s network of 76 Minnesota chapters and 26,000 members have been actively involved in protecting and restoring lands in partnership with the Minnesota DNR for 27 years and will continue to be a priority.  WMA’s are an integral component to the comprehensive conservation strategy within the prairie region of the state.  The WMAs within this proposal will not only protect, increase, and sustain wildlife habitat and populations; they will provide access and recreational opportunities, including hunting, to ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage. ",2014-07-01,2020-10-13,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Stevens Road SE",Osakis,MN,56360,(320)250-6317,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Martin, Sibley, Waseca, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-vi,,,,
2530,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands, Phase 3",2012,1652000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$1,652,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements.",,"Enhance 20,600 acres of prairie",,,n/a,1567500,39800,,8.80,"MN DNR","State Government","This appropriation funded 283 projects totaling 21,953 acres. The two largest types of enhancement were 112 woody removal projects totaling 10,160 acres and 134 prescribed burns totaling 10,082 acres. Additionally, we seeded 30 sites totaling 1386 acres, put in infrastructure for conservation grazing of 236 acres on 3 sites, conducted 3 oak savanna enhancements totaling 42 acres, and treated 47 acres of invasive species on 2 sites.",,"Final ReportThis was a shared appropriation between the Fish & Wildlife (FAW) and the Ecological & Water Resources (EWR) Divisions within the DNR.  Both Divisions requested priority grassland projects from field staff across the state.  When this appropriation was funded, the Prairie Plan and other large-scale prairie-focused strategic plans were still in their infancy.  Parcels on the initial parcel list included in the funding request were developed primarily using priorities developed at the regional and areas levels by Area Wildlife Managers and SNA field staff. The parcel list changed substantially from the time of the request as the project went on because of several factors, including: 1) one of the core strengths of the Roving Crew is their flexibility to move quickly on a priority habitat enhancement opportunity, and this often meant addressing parcels that met the appropriation’s purpose, but not on the parcel list; 2) given the nature and purpose of the Roving Crew, parcels/projects done by them were not on the original list, but were added upon completion; and 3) site condition and weather help determine whether we can work on a given project on a given day, and we do our best to find alternate parcels of similar value/priority, even if not on the original parcel list, to maximize efficiency.  Especially when it comes to weather issues (usually ‘too wet’), often large areas affected.  The flexibility of the Roving Crew allowed them to do same enhancement work, but on WMAs in nearby counties not as affected by the weather. For all these reasons, we added a number of sites in counties not originally included in the parcel list.  Although it can make reporting challenging, we feel this dynamic flexibility is one of the strengths of our Roving Crews and our contracting process.  While many appropriations highlight specific projects, “what” they did, we feel the strength of this appropriation is in the cumulative effect of many small projects and “how” we did it.  Specifically, we did a lot of this work by developing the Region 4 (Southern) DNR Roving Crew.  This crew is located at Lac Qui Parle.  As part of developing a new crew, office and shop space had to be developed, crews hired, and those crews needed to be equipped.  That was followed by a steep learning curve as the crew coalesced and began working on projects.  These crews only do habitat work.  We try to minimize the time spent with paperwork, office work, budgets, etc, so that they can fully devote their time to ‘boots on the ground’ habitat enhancement projects.  At the same time, there were some inclement weather patterns during these years that limited the activities of the crews during some periods.  Even given those unavoidable issues, the appropriation exceeded its target acres.  It is our assessment that these initial years are the slowest and therefore least productive.  This crew, as well as the other two, are all functioning as highly efficient teams.  The rest of the work was done with contractors, which stimulates local rural economies.  According to the research literature, we actually underestimating the acres enhanced, especially as it relates to woody removal projects.  Numerous studies show it’s not just the area ‘under the trees’ that impact grassland birds, but the area around the woody vegetation.  Some species simply won’t nest near woody cover and other studies show high nest predation (gamebird) or brood parasitism (songbirds) rates near woody cover.  By removing even a few trees from the center of a grassland, we are actually enhancing the entire area.  Snyder (1984) found that pheasant nest success double greater than 600 meters from a tree.  That means for every tree, or clump of trees, removed we are effectively enhancing nesting success in the surrounding 280 acres of grassland.Although this appropriation focused on the Roving Crew, we can highlight a couple projects as small examples of all the work that we are proud of.  Glenflur WMA – Cottonwood County.  This 165 acre tree removal project substantially opened up this tract.  This WMA is part of the Cottonwood River Prairie Core Area and contains areas of unbroken prairie.  This site had not experienced significance disturbance, other than heavy grazing, in several decades.  A lack of disturbance had allowed tree succession to begin to invade. Prairie Bush Clover and Loggerhead Shrike are SGCN noted in this area.Lac qui Parle WMA-Nygard Tract – Swift County.  This tract is part of the larger Chippewa Prairie on the Lac qui Parle WMA and is part of a Prairie Plan Core Area.  This remnant prairie had been moderately grazed and had not seen disturbance by fire in decades.  Woody encroachment was beginning to take hold prior to this project.  Through a combination of tree removal, prescribed burning and grazing this site is now in good condition with sightings of several native prairie species that were suppressed due to lack of disturbance from fire.  This area has recent sightings of Marbled Godwits, Slender Milk Vetch, Loggerhead Shrike and Upland Sandpipers.The SNA Program was able to start a series of contracted woody removal projects at Swede’s Forest SNA.  Swede’s Forest is home to a large population of the rare five-lined skink.  The management being completed here is focused on removal of encroaching red cedar and invasive buckthorn, improving habitat not only for the five-lined skink but also for the multiple other wildlife species that call this site home.Additionally, SNA staff, with support of CCM, were able to conduct a 109 acre prescribed burn at Prairie Coteau SNA.  Prairie Coteau SNA is one of the most important and stunning prairies in southwestern Minnesota.  This prescribed burn helped improve habitat for grassland gamebird species found on the site in addition to the rare non-game species.It was difficult to assign an exact dollar figure to each person and each project.  What I did was take the total personnel budget, identify the ratio of FTE/years, and scale the personnel budget to that ratio.  I used the same approach on the parcel list.  I took the total budget and total acres, identified percentage of acres for each project relative to the acre total, and assigned the ratio of funds to that project. ",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-3,,,,
2535,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase 3",2012,5500000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$5,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire prairie and other habitat areas for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 278 acres of wetlands and 1,220 acres of prairies",,684900,"Pheasants Forever",5439700,,,0.34,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The proposal was to accelerate the protection of 1,275 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. However, over the course of the appropriation, we acquired 10 parcels for a total of 1,498 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 1,275 acres by 223 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceed our acre goal for the metropolitan area by 97 acres. We have a balance of $60,000 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals and demonstrating the high level of efficiency Pheasants Forever operates at. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received. ",,"Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,498 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife.  All land acquired has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the 10 parcels which will now be celebrated as new WMAs.  These new WMAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species.  The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals.  The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota.  Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility.  Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers.  We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics.  We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan.  All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable.  All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2011-07-11,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S, Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Redwood","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-3,,,,
2536,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program, Phase 3",2012,9815000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$9,815,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to accelerate the acquisition of wetlands and grasslands to be added to the waterfowl production area system in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 465 acres of wetland and 1,802 acres of prairies",,5896500,"PF, FWS, Federal Operation Funds",9815000,,,9.37,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program accelerated the permanent protection of 2,267 acres of wetlands (465 acres) and grasslands (1,802 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. Over the course of the appropriation, PF acquired 18 parcels for a total of 2,267 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 2,250 acres by 17 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceeded our acre goal for both the metropolitan area by 61 acres and in the prairie area by 346 acres. We have exceeded anticipated match of $5,125,000 by $771,500. We have a balance of $88,200 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals which demonstrates the high level of efficiency which Pheasants Forever operates at. In total, we under-spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received.",,"Final ReportWorking in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 2,267 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife.  All lands acquired have been enrolled into the Federal Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the 18 parcels which will now be celebrated as new WPAs.  These new WPAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species.  The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals.  The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota.  Parcels were identified jointly with the USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility.  Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers.  We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics.  We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan.  All parcels acquired were restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. The grassland restoration included using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetland restorations included using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,612-532-3800,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Clay, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope, Rice, Sibley, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-3,,,,
2540,"Accelerated Forest Habitat Enhancement, Phase 2",2012,826000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$826,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance lands in state forests, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 89.021.",,"Restored 24 acres and Enhanced 11,066 acres of Forest",,,,824400,10400,,0.03,"MN DNR","State Government","This program of on-the-ground conservation projects increased the wildlife and ecological values of forest communities on Minnesota's public forestlands. Restoration and enhancement projects in this program enhanced more than 10,000 acres of forest.",,"The projects in this program were designed to address the following management objectives:1.  Enhance forest communities by altering the plant species composition and/or structure.  These projects were accomplished by, for example, conducting hand release to enhance the growth of Northern red oak saplings and trees to increase mast available for wildlife, and meet the Forest Planning goal to FRMP goal of ""improving  the regeneration and increasing the presence of oak and pine across the landscape.""2.  Enhance brushland habitat by altering the plant species structure and/or composition.  Shearing projects were performed on lowland brush to set back succession in mature willow stands to improve cover and forage for deer and moose, and to enhance nesting and brood rearing habitat for a variety of game and non-game brushland dependent avian species. Perpetuation of the brushland component of the Aspen Parklands landscape helped to predispose these stands to future management with prescribed fire.This program worked to enhance oak regeneration and create a mix of young hardwood forest with more open meadow/brush lands to benefit grouse, elk, and deer.  Enhancement of conifer stands and mixed hardwood/conifer forests provided habitat for fisher and marten, and thermal cover for deer and moose. Shearing of trees and brush in large open landscape priority areas enhanced habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Shearing and mowing of hardwoods and brush in smaller patches enhanced habitat for woodcock and deer.The program also enhanced habitat for a number of nongame species, including yellow rails, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, bobolinks, and sandpipers.  Activities that created/enhanced forest openings provided habitat for nongame species, including least chipmunks, northern flickers, coopers hawks, and song sparrows. Some of the less intensive timber management in our program helped protect rare native plant communities and a number of nongame species through retention and enhancement of plant species diversity and structure.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,Welsh,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5169,bob.welsh@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Wadena, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-forest-habitat-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
35018,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition - Phase VII",2016,7620000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$7,620,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"263 Wetland acres, 1,221 Prairie acres, and 24 Forest acres (for a total of 1,508 acres) Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability. ",,4998400,"Federal, Private, PF  ",7589900,13100,,0.27,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the permanent protection of 900 acres of wetlands (225 acres) and grasslands (675 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. ",,"Conversion of grassland and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This seventh phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,506.35 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA’s managed by the USFWS. Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel’s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the UFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Douglas, Faribault, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Murray, Otter Tail, Stearns, Stevens, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-acquisition-phase-vii,,,,
35026,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase VII",2016,7452000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$7,452,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"749 Wetland acres, 1,318 Prairie acres, and 40 Forest acres (for a total of 2,107 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability,  ",,1518500,"Federal, PF, Private ",7440000,12000,,0.28,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection of 900 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. ",,"Conversion of grassland and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This seventh phase of the WMA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 2,100.19 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WMA's. Due to our ability to partner with other conservation groups and agencies such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, we are able to bring leverage to the program and far exceed the goals of this phase. Pheasants Forever and MN DNR staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel’s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among others. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Nobles, Pope, Rock, Stearns, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-vii-0,,,,
35033,"Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection - Phase IV",2016,2957700,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e )","$3,740,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to implement the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan through the acquisition of permanent conservation easements to protect native prairie and grasslands. Up to $165,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"Protected 1,342 acres (in easement) ",,,,2937400,34500,,0.40,DNR,"State Government","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. ",,"The loss of native prairie and associated grassland habitat is arguably the greatest conservation challenge facing western and southern Minnesota. This appropriation aimed to protect 760 acres of native prairie habitat by accelerating the enrollment of Native Prairie Bank easements. Not only were the prairie protection outcomes met but they were exceeded by 582 acres.  Acceleration, such as this, is necessary to address the loss of native prairie and associated grasslands. Today, only about 1.3% of Minnesota’s original 18 million acres of prairie remains. The few remaining acres of native prairie once were thought of as unsuitable for crop production, however with advancements in technology and equipment, in addition to growing competition for tillable acres, this is no longer the case.  Unfortunately, grassland-to-cropland conversion is not the only impact to native prairie, significant degradation and loss is also occurring due to property development, mineral extraction and lack of prairie-oriented management. If the current trajectory of grassland and prairie loss continues it will be devastating to grassland dependent wildlife populations. Recognizing that protecting grassland and wetland habitat is one of the most critical conservation challenges facing Minnesota, over a dozen leading conservation organizations have developed a road map for moving forward – the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. This plan calls for several outcomes, one being the protection of all remaining native prairie, largely through conservation easements. One of the primary easement tools for native prairie protection in Minnesota is the DNR administered Native Prairie Bank easement. Native Prairie Bank was established by the 1987 legislature to protect private native prairie lands by authorizing the state to acquire conservation easements from willing landowners. Native Prairie Bank targets the protection of native prairie tracts, but can also include adjoining lands as buffers and additional habitat.  Originally, this appropriation aimed to protect 760 acres of native prairie through Native Prairie Bank easements. Eligible tracts were to be located within priority landscapes identified in the Minnesota Prairie Plan and prioritized based on several evaluation factors including:     1) Size and quality of habitat, focusing on diverse native prairie communities that have been identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey    2) The occurrence of rare species, or suitability habitat for rare species    3) Lands that are part of a larger habitat complex Ultimately, 10 native prairie parcels for a total of 1,342 acres (582 acres more than initial 760 acre goal) were perpetually protected through this appropriation via Native Prairie Bank Easements.  These now protected native prairies are unique natural resources that consist of thousands of different organisms, plants, animals, bacteria and soil fungi.  Their complex interactions provide the food, water and shelter required by many of Minnesota’s rare, threatened and endangered species. These prairies house a wide variety of pollinator species, some of which often cannot survive in other habitats, including prairie restorations.  ",2015-07-01,2019-10-23,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 E Bridge Street ","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) -637-6016",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Clay, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Polk, Redwood, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-native-prairie-bank-protection-phase-iv,,,,
35038,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase VII",2016,2130000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$2,130,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"28,101 Wetland acres Enhanced. ",,,,1889400,77000,,4,DNR,"State Government","This proposal will address a backlog of shallow lake and wetland habitat work that will otherwise go unfunded. These projects will address work called for in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, Long Range Duck Recovery Plan, and Shallow Lakes plan. ",,"Engineering and construction of major shallow lake and wetland infrastructure includes work on water control structures, dikes, and fish barriers to improve wetland habitat management. Five major infrastructure projects were constructed with funding from this appropriation. The five (Carex Slough/Freeborn County, Mahlke Marsh/Lyon County, Hovland/Mahnomen County, Roseau River WMA Pool 2/Roseau County, and Staples/Todd County) all began with property manager submission of the projects into an annual Section of Wildlife project solicitation process. All projects undergo Regional and Central Office review, with wetland and shallow lake projects receiving additional review by Wetland Habitat Team members. Suitable projects are selected for inclusion in OHF proposals. Given the complexity of major wetland infrastructure projects, OHF project lists in Accomplishment Plans undergo continual adjustments based on engineering assessments, budget projections, and to seek efficient use of appropriation funds. Reflective of the expense often incurred in major wetland infrastructure projects, expenditures for these five projects accounted for 43% of the total expenditures for this appropriation. Four major shallow lake/wetland management actions were implemented to enhance habitat - Simon Lake Drawdown and Fish Treatment/Pope County, Raguet WMA Wetland Tree Removal/Carver County, a major wetland prescribed burn at Roseau River WMA/Roseau County, and a channel cleanout at Moose-Willow Flowage/Aitkin County. Both projects were initiated, reviewed and selected for inclusion in an OHF appropriation by the aforementioned process and both projects presented unique challenges that are typical of complex wetland projects. Water levels at Simon Lake were reduced by gravity drawdown as much as possible, then was supplemented by pumps. When reduced as much as practical, a private company was hired to apply rotenone to remove unwanted fish. Unfortunately, the private company quit only hours after beginning the rotenone application. In an amazing move, the DNR Shallow Lakes Program immediately began work to undertake the rotenone application in-house. One year after the private company quit the treatment, a highly coordinated operation involving DNR Shallow Lakes and Roving Habitat Crew staff successfully implemented the treatment. Follow up assessments reported a successful fish treatment and a subsequent improvement in habitat quality at Simon Lake. Tree removal at Raguet WMA in Carver proved challenging as well. Existence of a high quality fen in the project area prohibited the use of large equipment. Instead, cut trees were removed by pulling them offsite with cables and winches to protect the fen. The prescribed burn of a wetland occurred in August 2019 at Roseau River WMA and involved 7,350 acres. The project ""burn boss"" said the burn was done to set back brush encroachment and cattails in a sedge meadow. One month after the burn, significant rainfall at the site raised water levels and flooded the burned cattails. Thick beds of wild rice were reported in areas in which cattails had previously been dominant. Finally, a channel cleanout was conducted in the downsteam channel of the Moose- Willow Flowage in Aitkin County. Channels often become shallower as sediment is deposited. The shallow channels can be more conducive to growth of cattails. The double-whammy of shallower channels and cattails can result in higher water levels in upstream basins. The Moose-Willow Flowage had declined as habitat due to the described sedimentation and cattail growth. A specialized piece of equipment known as a Cookiecutter was utilized to cleanout the channel is what will be a two phase plan to improve Moose-Willow. Phase I was the channel cleanout. Phase II will see installation of a new water control structure. An exciting activity undertaken with this appropriation is the outfitting of a DNR helicopter with equipment to all annual spraying of invasive cattails. Credit for initiating this goes to DNR Pilot Brad Maas, who saw the potential to add spray equipment to an existing under-utilized helicopter. OHF funding was used for a capital equipment purchase of both a aerial spray unit and new avionics for the helicopter. This new equipment allows for annual spraying of approximately 2500 acres of invasive hybrid cattails. A standardized process has developed for the annual work. Early in the calendar year, the supervisor of all DNR Roving Habitat Crews puts out a call for potential cattail spray sites. The combined list of projects is mapped and projects to be treated are selected based on property manager ranking of needs and proximity of projects to each other and their statewide location. Helicopter landing sites are chosen and property managers are responsible for mowing the landing sites and proving proper public notice. Specially trained staff from Roving Habitat Crews are utilized as ground support for the helicopter. Thirty-five individual parcels were treated in the first year of utilizing the DNR helicopter. Prior to obtaining the ability to use the DNR helicopter to spray cattails, three parcels were sprayed by contracted companies, also with this appropriation. Direct comparison of these two spray methods (private company vs. DNR helicopter) shows that the DNR helicopter allows us to get this work done at less cost and with more control over the timing of the treatment and size of the treated areas. Funding from this appropriation was utilized for wetland enhancement work by two Roving Habitat Crews, the Region 3 crew based out of Vermillion and the Region 4 crew based out of Lac qui Parle. Wetland habitat enhancement conducted by Roving Habitat Crews can include tree removal from wetlands, small scale spraying of cattails and other invasive vegetation, seeding wild rice, conducting drawdowns, sediment removal from small wetland basins, and actual construction of small wetland infrastructure projects. Roving Habitat Crew Leaders are constantly receiving submissions from DNR property managers for potential habitat projects and develop priorities based on Department priorities and the need to address requirement imposed by funding rules. Thirty- two individual wetland enhancement projects were reported by the two Roving Habitat Crews. Of the 28,101 wetland acres impacted by this appropriation, the reported wetland enhancement work done by Roving Habitat Crews accounted for 11,056 acres at a cost of just over $35/acre. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Big Stone, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Freeborn, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-vii,,,,
35045,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VII",2016,4880000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(k)","$4,880,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairie communities on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, state forest land, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",," 1,152 Prairie acres Restored.  22,195 Prairie acres Enhanced.  Total of 23,347 Prairie acres affected. ",,,,4534500,297400,,19.95,DNR,"State Government","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. ",,"We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR was spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Project Type # sites Total Acres Interseeding 32 416 Invasive Species Control 33 1,058 Prescribed Fire 196 13,382 Prescribed Grazing 5 531 Woody Removal 166 6,808 Prairie Restoration 46 1,152 This appropriation involved the Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. Typically, we burn in the spring before the nesting season. However, this can stimulate the warm-season grasses and begin to crowd out forbs, lowering plant diversity. Burning in the late summer, after birds have fledged but with enough time for some late summer regrowth, has shown to increase both plant diversity as well as structural diversity in the habitat. Just as important, it can knock back the dominant grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass just enough for forbs to express themselves the following year. Although 23,247 acres appears to be a large number, we feel the actual acres benefitted may be much larger. For instance, we know nest predation of grassland birds is higher near woody vegetation and some birds just won't nest near woody veg. By removing trees, we are impacting both the footprint of where those trees were but also the surrounding grassland where nest success should now be higher. Esthetically, it creates a more open landscape visually which is usually appreciated by grassland enthusiasts. Especially when near ungrazed grassland, grazing can have larger benefits. Birds used grazed areas primarily during the summer when birds are young. Having ungrazed grassland, good nesting cover, next to grazed grassland, good brood rearing cover, should increase overall number of birds that survive into the fall. I have personally visited a number of public lands grazing sites in western Minnesota and have always been impressed with what I've seen. Although grazing is a summer activity, I've flushed a number of birds, both pheasants and songbirds, from these areas in the fall. Often the biggest benefit to grazing comes in the first couple years after grazing as the habitat is regrowing. Although there is still much to learn, we have learned a lot in recent years about restoration techniques. We still use several methods for restoring prairie and there's probably no one perfect way of doing it. It's very clear to even someone without botanical training when they are walking through a recent restoration and an older restoration. Even if they can't identify every plant, the diversity people see is striking. This in comparison to older restorations which are strongly dominated by only a couple species of grasses. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. While they are good habitat projects, they will probably increase in costs over time. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-08,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-vii,,,,
35079,"Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection",2017,2541000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$2,541,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to implement the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan through the acquisition of permanent conservation easements to protect and restore native prairie. Of this amount, up to $120,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"519 Prairie acres were Enhanced. ",,,,1028700,18000,,0.18,DNR,"State Government","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. ",,"The loss of native prairie and associated grassland habitat is arguably the greatest conservation challenge facing western and southern Minnesota. This appropriation aimed to protect 420 acres of native prairie habitat by accelerating the enrollment of Native Prairie Bank easements. Not only were the prairie protection outcomes met but they were exceeded by 99 acres. Acceleration, such as this, is necessary to address the loss of native prairie and associated grasslands. Today, only about 1.3% of Minnesota’s original 18 million acres of prairie remains. The few remaining acres of native prairie once were thought of as unsuitable for crop production, however with advancements in technology and equipment, in addition to growing competition for tillable acres, this is no longer the case. Unfortunately, grassland-to-cropland conversion is not the only impact to native prairie, significant degradation and loss is also occurring due to property development, aggregate extraction, and lack of prairie-oriented management. If the current trajectory of grassland and prairie loss continues it will be devastating to grassland dependent wildlife populations. Recognizing that protecting grassland and wetland habitat is one of the most critical conservation challenges facing Minnesota, over a dozen leading conservation organizations have developed a road map for moving forward – the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. This plan calls for several outcomes, one being the protection of all remaining native prairie, largely through conservation easements. One of the primary easement tools for native prairie protection in Minnesota is the DNR administered Native Prairie Bank easement. Native Prairie Bank was established by the 1987 legislature to protect private native prairie lands by authorizing the state to acquire conservation easements from willing landowners. Native Prairie Bank targets the protection of native prairie tracts but can also include adjoining lands as buffers and additional habitat. Originally, this appropriation aimed to protect 420 acres of native prairie through Native Prairie Bank easements. Eligible tracts were to be located within priority landscapes identified in the Minnesota Prairie Plan and prioritized based on several evaluation factors including: 1) Size and quality of habitat, focusing on diverse native prairie communities that have been identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey 2) The occurrence of rare species, or suitability habitat for rare species 3) Lands that are part of a larger habitat complex Ultimately, 7 native prairie parcels for a total of 519 acres (99 acres more than initial 420-acre goal) were perpetually protected through this appropriation via Native Prairie Bank Easements. These now protected native prairies are unique natural resources that consist of thousands of different organisms, plants, animals, bacteria, and soil fungi. Their complex interactions provide the food, water and shelter required by many of Minnesota’s rare, threatened, and endangered species. These prairies house a wide variety of pollinator species, some of which often cannot survive in other habitats, including prairie restorations. ",,2022-04-26,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 E Bridge Street ","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) 637-6016",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Lyon, Martin, Polk, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-native-prairie-bank-protection,,,,
35080,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase VIII",2017,2167000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e )","$2,167,000 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. ",,"22,142 enhanced wetland acres ",,,,1918400,109200,,"7 ",DNR,"State Government","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. ",,"ML2016 Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 8 entailed three components. * Engineering, Construction, and/or Management of Individual Shallow Lake/Wetland Projects - Fourteen individual projects were undertaken with funding from this appropriation. Two of these projects, Swamp Lake (Aitkin County) and Puposky Lake (Beltrami County), entailed extensive cleanout of outlet channels leading to better water level management. These projects are necessary when downstream outlets become clogged with sediment and vegetation and water levels in shallow lakes become abnormally high. Specialized (and expensive) equipment such as Swamp Devils, Cookie Cutters, or extended-reach excavators, removed accumulated sediments and other obstructions to surveyed levels. The resulting water elevations return to lower levels and habitat benefits are often dramatic. Five projects - Clear Lake (Murray County) Eckvoll WMA (Marshall County), Typhoon WMA (Cottonwood County), Sterle Pool/Sawyer WMA (Carlton County), and Buena Vista (Beltrami County) - were completed and involved engineering and construction of wetland/shallow lake infrastructure such as dikes and water control structures. In all of these projects, engineering was done in-house (i.e. DNR engineers) and private contractors were used for the construction. Finally, seven infrastructure projects were engineered only, with construction planned for the future. Doing this initial engineering allows us to determine project feasibility, identify construction obstacles, and obtain accurate cost estimates for materials and construction. While five of these engineering-only projects were accomplished with in-house engineers, the other two projects were completed with private engineering consultants, as in-house engineering is becoming more difficult to obtain. Obtaining needed engineering support is an issue we continue to look at. *Shallow Lakes Program - The Shallow Lakes Program is a high-visibility program within the DNR Section of Wildlife that uses single-focused Shallow Lakes Specialists to (1) perform standardized assessments of shallow lakes and (2) to bring about needed management or infrastructure changes where needed to enhance shallow lake habitat. Work by these Specialists guides Shallow Lakes work by both DNR Wildlife staff and NGOs. Funding from this appropriation allowed the addition of three Shallow Lake Specialists who are stationed at Detroit Lakes, Tower, and Brainerd and provided their funding for three fiscal years - Fy17-FY19. During this time the Specialists reported doing 183 shallow lake assessments covering 76,602 acres. This assessment work directly leads to shallow lake project initiation by the DNR and DU to address needed management and infrastructure issues that lead to enhanced habitat. * Roving Habitat Crews - Roving Habitat Crews are teams of DNR staff who are equipped and trained to performP a g e 3 | 12 habitat enhancement projects on public lands. Funding from this appropriation was provided to the Region 1 Roving Habitat Crew to enable it to perform wetland enhancement activities through the addition of two roving crew members and their associated costs for three fiscal years (FY17-FY19). Typical wetland enhancement activities undertaken by Roving Habitat Crews include prescribed burns of wetlands, removal of invasive species and trees from wetlands, support of shallow lake drawdowns, and seeding wild rice. The Region 1 Roving Habitat Crew notably was involved in recent wetland management actions for which acres were reported in other appropriations and will not be reported in this report to avoid double-counting. Examples include the 7,000+ acre prescribed wetland burn that was done at Roseau River WMA. The Reg. 1 Roving Habitat Crew initiated, planned, and led the large effort to do this burn, but the acres were reported in the ML2015 Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements Phase 7 Final Report, which provided the funding the helicopter that performed the aerial ignition using a helitorch. Likewise, cattail spraying done with the OHF-funded spray unit on a DNR helicopter used Reg. 1. Roving Habitat Crew members as ground support staff to load herbicide and refuel the helicopter between spray flights, a job liked to being an Indy pit crew, but with a running helicopter. Acres for this activity are reported in the OHF appropriations that fund the helicopter and chemical costs. Finally, the Reg. 1 Roving Habitat Crew stepped in when Covid-19 hiring restrictions prevented the DNR from hiring season technicians to run the OHF-purchased airboat on Rice Lake. Reg. 1 crew members volunteered to get the needed airboat training, then worked in shifts to operate the airboat during the field season. As an added bonus, innovative and mechanically adept Reg. 1 crew members decided they could improve the airboat cutting attachment. They crafted their own cutters which have proven more effective than the original equipment. ",,2021-11-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Norman, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-viii,,,,
35081,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase VIII",2017,5650000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$5,650,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"111 acres of wetland and 950 acres of prairie for a total of 1061 acres protected in Fee without State PILT Liability  ",,5100000,"Federal, Private, PF ",5600800,14800,,0.22,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the permanent protection of 760 acres of wetlands (175 acres) and grasslands (585 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. ",,"Conversion of grasslands and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This seventh phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,061.97 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA’s managed by the USFWS. Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel’s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and/or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues. ",,2021-08-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Nobles, Otter Tail","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-viii,,,,
35082,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase VIII",2017,5229000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(b)","$5,229,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"A majority of the acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA habitat complexes which are strongholds for many species of wildlife including SGCN and T/E species. Increasing the size of these complexes improve the landscapes ability to support larger populations and provide connectivity between patches of habitat. All parcels are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which boasts the richest wetland system on earth and produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.","A total of 1,102 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,102 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",1442600,"Federal, Private, PF and PF",5166300,13500,,0.20,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This phase of WMA acquisition protected 1,102 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. With these 5 acquisition we have exceeded our planned acres of 680 by more than 400 acres. All of the acquired properties had wildlife habitat restored to the highest quality possible.","Loss of wetland and grassland habitat has contributed tot he decline of native populations of flora and fauna, negatively impacted water quality, groundwater recharge and natural flood cycles. To reverse this trend, PF works to permanently protect and restore these wetland-grassland complexes. This eighth phase of the WMA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,102 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WMA's. Due to our ability to partner with other conservation groups and agencies such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, we are able to bring leverage to the program and far exceed the goals of this phase. Pheasants Forever and MN DNR staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel?s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among others. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues.",,2016-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave South PO Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Kandiyohi, Murray, Nobles","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-viii,,,,
769,"Accelerated Prairie and Grassland Management, Phase 1",2010,1700000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$1,700,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of native prairie vegetation on public lands, including roadsides. A list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. To the extent possible, prairie restorations conducted with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.",,"Enhanced 5785 acres of Prairies",,,,1700000,,,.50,DNR,"State Government","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. Prairie restoration efforts include site preparation, seeding of local ecotype seed, post-seeding management to assure success, and seed harvest of local ecotype seed for prairie restoration at other public land sites. Prairie management efforts will include prescribed burning, managing woody cover encroachment, mowing and interseeding of diverse grass and forb species.","Native grasslands are a rarity of MN, less than 1 percent remains.? Prairie ecosystems have evolved with fire disturbance, and much of the prairie vegetation and prairie obligated wildlife species depend upon it.? Grassland birds, for example, have had a steeper more consistent and widespread poplation declines than any other group of North American avifauna.? Prairie ecosystem are also threatened by the encroachment and dominance of woody species and exotic plants.? Since settlement, most prairie sited in the targeted area have not been exposed to natural ecological processes (such as fire and grazing) needed for sustaining or enhancing prairire plant communities.? Furthermore, many existing grassland sites on state-owned public lands need to be restore to native prairie vegetation to imrove wildlife habitat and reduce long-term maintenance costs.? Creation of accelerated prairie management teams woudl address a long-standing ""back log"" of managemenr need by implementing intensive prairie stewardship practices.? Although MN DNR has the traiing and know-how to restor and mange high quality prairie vegetation currently fundign has been insufficient to meet all needs.? MN DNR manager over 450,000 acres of grasslands and many sites on publci lands are currently not being actively managed to realixe full poltntial as a plant community or wildlife habitat.? Re-establishing prairie on public lands requires periodic burning, inter-seeding grasslands with native species, and up to 5 years or brome that have low habitat values.? Furthermore, exotic and/or invasive plants are encroaching into them.? Newly acquired areas and state-owned marginal croplands also need to be seeded and treated.? Using hight quality seed from established prairie sites to plant at other locatons has proven to be highly cost-effective.? Managing and enhancing existing prairie vegetation on public lands requires periodic burning, grazing, and/or mowing.? Woody cover encroachment is an especially troublesome problem that must be addressed.? Removing tress and brush will be a major emphasis of this program at a cost of between $5 and $8 per tree - larger trees cost significantly more to remove than smaller trees.? Prairie enhancment work is done during primarily early spring, fall and winter.? The Roadsides for Wildlf eProgram has been improving grassland habitat along MN roadsides since 1984.? On average, the DNR seeds native prairie on 50-300 acres of roadsides a year at 5-20 sites, typically on county and township roads.? In contrast, Iowa seeds approximately 3,000 acres a year.? The DNR will continue to work with counties and townships but will also accelerate seeing on state-owned highway right-of-ways (ROW).? Most of MN roadsides are resently dominated by smooth brome (a non-native grass) and are vectors of invasive species and disease.? Native grasses and wildflowers are mor beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.? New WMA Initial Site Development - 1,500 acres - $300,000 New lands acquired through this program will require initial site development to make them functional WMA's.? This initial development will include restoring base ground to diverse mix of native grasses and planst, surveying and signing the coundaries and developing user facilities to protect them from encroachment and incontrolled intrusion, removing building and refuse sites and restoring to native vegetation, and closing all wells and septic systems to protect groundwater integrity. Roadsides for Wildlife - 150 acres - $225,000 DNR will partner with MnDOT to place native prairie along I-35 begining at the Iowa border and extending the full width of the road corridor for 5 miles.? MnDOT will do soe site prep in 2009 and then a contractor will finish up site prep and do the planing next spring.? The contractor wil also perform mowing and spot spraying as needed throughout the 2010 growing season.? This are is on state owned MnDOT ROW and will showcase a diverse roadside planting.? This five-mile stretch of road is highly visible as a major entry point to the state of MN and the southern end of MN portion of the National Prairie Passage.? Prairie Restoration and Management - 5,029 acres - $1,411,000 The primary focus of this program encompases 157 projects on 5,029 acres benefitting over 11,500 acres of planted and native grasslands.? The parcels include 157 projects that will be eompleted in 2 years or less with a total projected cost of $1.14 millin.? An additional 53 projects that will require 3 years or more to compolete have been identified as reserve sites.? The one and two year projects will be first priority.? Should budgets allow additional work, we would move down the list and begin implementation of longer duration projects.? In these instances, DNR will mst likely submit subsequent phases in future years for additional funding so the poejcts can be completed.? Conservation Delivery Grassland restoration work will be primarily through seeding either bare ground (e.g. newly acquired agricultural fields) or old-field habitat (e.g. smooth brome).? Techniques for thsi work incldue site preparation such as mowing, spraying, or burning when necessary; direct seeding and aerial seeding (along some roadsides).? Seed will be obtained from vendors of local seed and harvested from native or restored prairie to supplement when needed.? Projects will be designed and managed by DNR personnel (except ROW project which will be managed by DOT).? Contract vendors will be used to the greatest extent possible although DNR staff may perform some work when suitable contractors are not available.? Grassland management and enhancement work uses a number of techniques to reinvigorate or increase diversity of existing prairie type grasslands.? Without periodic disturbance such as burning, mowing, or grazing, grasslands decline in vigor and species diversity over time.? This portion of the project is designe to mimic natural disturbances, supplement species diversity when necessary and increase statnd vigor.? Techniques that will e employed include brush removal, chemical treatment, mowing, inter-seeding and burning.? Again contractors will beused to the greatest extent possible except in the case of burning.? ?","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Bill,Penning,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5230",bill.penning@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona, Winona","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-and-grassland-management,,,,
772,"Accelerated Prairie Grassland Wildlife Management Area Acquisition, Phase 1",2010,3913000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$3,913,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land for wildlife management areas with native prairie or grassland habitats. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 145 acres of wetlands and protect 665 acres of prairies.",,,,3913000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This program will protect 800 acres of new wildlife habitat in the Prairie, Deciduous Transition, and Southeast Bluffland ecological sections of Minnesota through fee title acquisition. Title of all lands acquired will be held by the State and designated as Wildlife Management Area open to hunting, trapping, fishing and compatible outdoor recreation uses.","Minnesota has lost 99% of the original prairie landscape resulting in drastic declines in grassland dependent wildlife. Examples of species in greatest conservation need in the prairie include American Badger, Grasshopper Sparrow, Northern Pintail, Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. Prairie grasslands support populations of upland game birds such as pheasants, prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse and a variety of dabbling ducks when associated with prairie wetland complexes. These game populations drive local and statewide hunting recreation and economy. The DNR will acquire converted and degraded lands in the prairie, transition moraine, and bluffland ecological sections over the next two years and restore the grassland complexes by planting native prairie. DNR will prioritize acquisitions at sites where there is an existing habitat base in prairie grassland complexes to address habitat fragmentation and to maximize habitat benefits. Project lists will change, as new parcels become available and as previously included projects become unavailable. Collaborative partnerships will be promoted in order to acquire key lands. DNR will work with and seek a resolution from the County Board of Commissioners approving all WMA acquisitions.","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Pat,Rivers,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cottonwood, Dakota, Martin, Meeker, Nicollet, Nicollet","Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-grassland-wildlife-management-area-acquisition,,,,
777,"Accelerated Wildlife Management Area Acquisition, Phase 1",2010,2900000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$2,900,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land for wildlife management areas. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicators Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and huntin","Protect in fee 320 acres of wetlands and 414 acres of prairie",,,,2900000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This program will protect and restore 700 acres of new wetland wildlife habitat in wetland complexes in Minnesota through fee title acquisition. Title of all lands acquired will be held by the State and designated as Wildlife Management Area open to hunting, trapping, fishing and compatible outdoor recreation uses. ","The Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan states that ""Habitat fragmentation, degradation and loss are arguably the most important issues facing the conservation and preservation of Minnesota resources. Over 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been drained or filled, including 1,500 shallow wildlife lakes. Remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are in a degraded state and upland grass buffers have been largely converted to cropland. DNR will acquire remaining and restorable wetlands and surrounding uplands in high priority wetland complexes as Wildlife Management Areas. Uplands will be restored to native grassland buffers, wetlands will be enhanced where possible and acquisitions will be developed to make them functional units in the outdoor recreation system. Project lists will change, as new parcels become available and as previously included projects become unavailable. Collaborative partnerships will be promoted in order to acquire key lands. DNR will work with and seek a resolution from the County Board of Commissioners approving WMA acquisitions. ","Final Report    ",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Pat,Rivers,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Isanti, Isanti","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-wildlife-management-area-acquisition,,,,
778,"Accelerated Shallow Lake Restorations and Enhancements, Phase 1",2010,2528000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$2,528,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or successor to restore and enhance shallow lake habitats. Up to $400,000 of this appropriation may be used for permanent easements related to shallow lake restorations and enhancements. A list of proposed easements and projects, describing the types and locations of easements, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each easement, restoration, and enhancement.",,"Protect in easement 76 acres of wetlands, 103 acres of prairie and enhance 6,882 acres of wetlands",,,,2528000,,,,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will accelerate the improvement and protection of shallow lakes and large wetland habitat critical to migratory waterfowl and other wildlife in Minnesota by improving water quality and rejuvenating aquatic ecology in turbid shallow lake basins. DU will enhance eight (8) or more strategically-selected shallow lakes that have been legally designated by for wildlife management purposes by Minnesota DNR that total 6,000 wetland acres by engineering and implementing construction of water control structures, pumps, and fish barriers on their outlets. These structures will provide the Minnesota DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service with water level control capability to conduct temporary, periodic draw-downs that will improve wetland habitat quality. DU will also engineer two or more additional shallow lake improvement projects for future implementation 2010 and 2011. As approved by the Council, DU will also use up to $400,000 in grant funding to secure permanent conservation easement(s) on 180 acres on one or more shallow lake to protect shoreland and help buffer basins important to waterfowl.","Shallow lakes and large wetlands throughout Minnesota have become degraded due to high, stable water levels, altered natural hydrology, lack of natural fish winterkill, and invasive animal and plant species. Through our Living Lakes Initiative, DU provides wetland bio-engineering assistance to help the Minnesota DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service structurally improve shallow lakes outlets and enhance the habitat quality of wetlands throughout Minnesota. DU will implement 8 shallow lake projects previously engineered that will enhance nearly 6,000 acres of wetland habitat, and will complete final engineering plans of several additional projects for future implementation. The implementation of these 8 projects constitute the immediate backlog of complex shallow lake and large wetland water control structure and/or fish barrier projects previously engineered by DU for DNR and the Service. Structures will be constructed by private contractors hired by DU in fall 2009 (throughout competitive bid process) on public land or on private land under permanent easement with DNR or the Service, and structures will be subsequently used in 2010 by state or federal land management staff to conduct temporary draw-downs to improve shallow lake ecology and habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds by reducing invasive fish and rejuvenating aquatic plants and invertebrates. DU staff will provide final engineering and construction management oversight throughout the construction process, and will solicit competitive bids and award construction contracts to private firms to implement the projects. Basins will be slowly reflooded in 2011 or 2012 once aquatic plants become reestablished. This periodic, temporary water level ""draw-down"" management process simulates natural drought conditions that are vital to rejuvenating aquatic ecology in wetlands, and is routinely used by DNR and the Service. Support from private landowners and other stakeholders such as local sportsmen groups is secured in advance of project implementation through the DNR's wildlife lake designation process and lake management plan development process.    This grant will also fund DU bio-engineering staff that will assess turbid shallow lakes and develop new engineering plans for additional projects that can be implemented in the future. This will include all aspects of engineering (survey, design, plans and specifications), assisting state and federal agencies in assessing basins and securing structure or flowage easements from private landowners, permits, and assisting the legal ""wildlife lake"" designation process required to allow active water level management of additional shallow lakes. Funds to construct these additional shallow lake projects engineered through this grant will be subsequently requested from the LOHC in the future.   Du will also use up to $400,000 in grant funds to secure permanent conservation easements on 180 acres along a managed shallow lake to protect it's shoreland, including making 80 acres of restored prairie habitat now in CRP permanent. These easements will be held and annually monitored by DU. Long-term conservation easement stewardship funding will be provided by these grant funds, through donation from the private landowner to ensure future monitoring and management of lands protected under permanent easement.  Conservation easements will protect sensitive shallow lake shoreland buffers, and limit future development and subdivision activities that can disrupt shallow lakes and complicate shallow lake water level management by agencies.","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,None,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Faribault, Grant, Lac qui Parle, Murray, Stearns, Stearns",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lake-restorations-and-enhancements,,,,
20697,"Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure",2015,700000,"ML 2014, Chapter 256, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 5(l)"," (l) Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure - Supplement $700,000 in the second year is added to the appropriation contained in Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to construct structural deterrents and lake level controls. ",,,,,,,,,,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Albert Lea Lake Management project replaced the previous Albert Lea Lake fix-crest dam with a 3-in-1 structure that included a rock riffle dam, a lake level management structure, and an electric fish barrier. The benefits from this project include improved aquatic and waterfowl habitat, invasive species management, and improved desirable fish populations.","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) encompasses 246-square miles in Freeborn County. The District includes 11 lakes that drain to the Shell Rock River, which flows into the Cedar River. Among the District’s lakes are Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake, located within the City of Albert Lea. These lakes are central to Albert Lea’s tourism industry and its identity.The previous Albert Lea Lake outlet structure and access bridge, installed in 1922, was in need of repair. The Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Project replaced the fixed-crest dam with a rock-arch rapids feature to control water levels. A lake level management structure was also constructed, as well as an electric fish barrier to prevent silver, bighead, and common carp and other benthic feeding fish from entering the lake.The project is expected to result in improved aquatic habitat, improved waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, an increase in desirable fish populations, and improved water quality and clarity for years to come. Specific benefits are outlined below.1. Rock-Arch Water-Level Control: The SRRWD replaced the old fixed-crest dam with a series of rock arches to provide a naturalized outlet to Albert Lea Lake. The upper-most rock arch is controlling the normal water level with the help of metal sheeting. There are two more rock arches behind the first, totaling 3 rock arches. 2.  Lake Level Management Structure: The installation of the structure to facilitate lake-level management gives the SRRWD flexibility to take action benefiting the health of the lake. Periodic lowering of lake elevations allows maximum in-lake sediment compaction, improvement of water clarity due to reduction in wind-generated turbidity, and time for plant colonization of shoreline and shallow-water areas. The resulting improvement in aquatic plant health benefits the entire lake system.3.  Electric fish barrier:  An electric fish barrier was installed and is used to reduce the population of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Albert Lea Lake and to prevent the introduction of Bighead and Silver (Asian) Carp. Common carp uproot and consume aquatic vegetation, disturb and re-suspend phosphorous-rich sediments. The resulting increase in turbidity reduces light penetration—discouraging rooted plant growth—and contributes to algal blooms responsible for oxygen depletion. The destruction of aquatic vegetation by large populations of foraging fish also impacts waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, shoreline and littoral habitat, and game fish spawning habitat.Design and engineering of the project started in late 2013. Contracts and associated agreements for the dam were made in early 2014. The order of operations for the construction of the project includes:•    Installation of the cofferdam•    Construction of the water diversion channel•    Removal of the old dam and bridge•    Installation of the metal sheeting that holds the lake level•    Placement of the first rock arch along the sheeting•    Installation of the footings for the concrete work•    Concrete work for the fish barrier•    Concrete work for the draw down structure•    Finalize/seal all concrete•    Placement of remaining rock arches•    Removal of the cofferdam and water diversion channel•    Installation and fine tuning of the fish barrier componentThe main construction of the projects where completed in the spring of 2015. At the end of 2015, some calibrations of the electric components were needed on the electric fish barrier. After the ice melt in the spring of 2016, those changes were made to fine tune the barrier. The Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure is now fully complete. The outlet, fish passage, and fish barrier worked in harmonization as part of the District’s overall management plan. Similar to the Wedge Creek, White Lake, and Mud Lake efforts, the anticipated outcome for Albert Lea Lake is restoration of rooted aquatic vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and enhanced water quality—all of which will serve to increase community use of this important recreational resource.   The existing Albert Lea Lake outlet structure and access bridge, installed in 1922, are in need of repair.The proposed project would replace the fixed-crest dam with a rock-arch rapids feature to control water levels and allow fish passage (see concept drawing). A lake level management structure would also be constructed, as well as an electric barrier to prevent silver, bighead, and common carp and other benthic feeding fish from entering the lake. This project is expected to result in improved aquatic habitat, improved waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, an increase in desirable fish populations, and improved water quality and clarity. It has been identified as a high priority in the SRRWD Management Plan, developed with public participation, and subject to public review and approval by the SRRWD Board. Specific benefits are outlined below. 1.  Rock-Arch Water-Level Control and Fish Passage: Replacing the existing fixed-crest dam with a series of rock arches will provide a naturalized outlet to Albert Lea Lake, with the upper-most rock arch controlling the normal water level. The arches will also provide fish passage, allowing northern pike to move upstream from the Shell Rock River to spawn in the lake. Northern Pike typically spawn in March and April, while carp spawning/movement typically does not start until May. A fish passage—in combination with an electric fish barrier activated in May to preclude carp—will increase the population of Northern Pike, natural predators of carp. Albert Lea Lake populations of Northern Pike and Bluegill (also a carp egg predator) are currently below Minnesota DNR norms for similar lakes. 2.  Lake Level Management Structure: Installation of a structure to facilitate lake-level management gives the SRRWD flexibility to take action benefiting the health of the lake. Periodic lowering of lake elevations allows maximum in-lake sediment compaction, improvement of water clarity due to reduction in wind-generated turbidity, and time for plant colonization of shoreline and shallow-water areas. The resulting improvement in aquatic plant health benefits the entire lake system. 3.  Electric fish barrier: An electric fish barrier will be used to reduce the population of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Albert Lea Lake and to prevent the introduction of Bighead and Silver (Asian) Carp. Common carp uproot and consume aquatic vegetation, disturb and re-suspend phosphorous-rich sediments. The resulting increase in turbidity reduces light penetration—discouraging rooted plant growth—and contributes to algal blooms responsible for oxygen depletion. The destruction of aquatic vegetation by large populations of foraging fish also impacts waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, shoreline and littoral habitat, and game fish spawning habitat. Asian Carp multiply rapidly and are voracious eaters, depleting food resources. The leaping ability of the Silver Carp also poses a danger to boaters and skiers. According to a 2010 news story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Asian carp have migrated past the 5-in-1 Dam in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, moving up the Cedar River to Black Hawk County—where the Cedar and the Shell Rock River join. The distance from this point to Albert Lea Lake is only about 100 miles. While there is not general agreement about the threat posed by Asian carp in lake waters, if this does become a concern the barrier could be used year-round and an alternative fish management plan developed. The SRRWD has a proven track record of success with fish barriers. The fish barriers upstream of Albert Lea Lake—at Wedge Creek and White Lake (partially funded by 2009 Outdoor Heritage Funds) and Mud Lake—have improved habitat and water clarity in the upstream areas. Improved habitat is demonstrated by increased sightings of aquatic fur bearers and waterfowl, with 15 waterfowl species sighted during the fall migration. Improvements in water clarity are demonstrated by secchi disk readings on Fountain Lake (connected to these water bodies), which were the best on record in 2010. The proposed outlet, fish passage, and fish barrier will work as part of the District’s overall management plan. Similar to the Wedge Creek, White Lake, and Mud Lake efforts, the anticipated outcome for Albert Lea Lake is restoration of rooted aquatic vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and enhanced water quality—all of which will serve to increase community use of this important recreational resource. The strategy of carp/rough fish control and exclusion is known to be effective. This program is endorsed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishery and Wildlife Divisions and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and conducted with their technical assistance and cooperation. This project is consistent with recommendations of the 2004 Shell Rock River Watershed Management Plan (Appendix B & J). It is also noted in the Albert Lea Lake Management Plan, as part of the Freeborn County Comprehensive Water Plan 2006-2015. Other applicable plans include the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan Phase II provisions that address the control of invasive species, restoration of shallow lakes, water quality improvements in impaired waters, and  protection and enhancement of fish and waterfowl breeding habitat (pg. 30-96); and the 2009 Minnesota State Management Plan for Invasive Species. Activities are also within the goals of the Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota (BALMM). This project is a component of the 2011 Restoring Native Habitat/Water Quality to the Shell Rock River Project funded by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund for the fee-title acquisition of the headwaters of the Shell Rock River. The land has been acquired and will be turned over to the DNR to be operated under an Aquatic Management Area Management Plan. There are no known opponents or anticipated barriers to project completion. These efforts will be highly visible and seen as a benefit to the entire region. They are endorsed by the local Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Freeborn County, City of Albert Lea, DNR and Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club.  ",,2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","411 S Broadway ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/albert-lea-lake-management-and-invasive-species-control-structure,,,,
20697,"Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure",2014,1127000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$1,127,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to construct structural deterrents and lake level controls to enhance aquatic habitat on Albert Lea Lake in Freeborn County. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Enhanced 3,100 acres of wetlands. Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetland habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Provided a permanent solution for preclusion of common carp from accessing a shallow lake basin.",,438800,"Local Option Sales Tax, In-kind Services",1827000,,,0.55,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Albert Lea Lake Management project replaced the previous Albert Lea Lake fix-crest dam with a 3-in-1 structure that included a rock riffle dam, a lake level management structure, and an electric fish barrier. The benefits from this project include improved aquatic and waterfowl habitat, invasive species management, and improved desirable fish populations.","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) encompasses 246-square miles in Freeborn County. The District includes 11 lakes that drain to the Shell Rock River, which flows into the Cedar River. Among the District’s lakes are Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake, located within the City of Albert Lea. These lakes are central to Albert Lea’s tourism industry and its identity.The previous Albert Lea Lake outlet structure and access bridge, installed in 1922, was in need of repair. The Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Project replaced the fixed-crest dam with a rock-arch rapids feature to control water levels. A lake level management structure was also constructed, as well as an electric fish barrier to prevent silver, bighead, and common carp and other benthic feeding fish from entering the lake.The project is expected to result in improved aquatic habitat, improved waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, an increase in desirable fish populations, and improved water quality and clarity for years to come. Specific benefits are outlined below.1. Rock-Arch Water-Level Control: The SRRWD replaced the old fixed-crest dam with a series of rock arches to provide a naturalized outlet to Albert Lea Lake. The upper-most rock arch is controlling the normal water level with the help of metal sheeting. There are two more rock arches behind the first, totaling 3 rock arches. 2.  Lake Level Management Structure: The installation of the structure to facilitate lake-level management gives the SRRWD flexibility to take action benefiting the health of the lake. Periodic lowering of lake elevations allows maximum in-lake sediment compaction, improvement of water clarity due to reduction in wind-generated turbidity, and time for plant colonization of shoreline and shallow-water areas. The resulting improvement in aquatic plant health benefits the entire lake system.3.  Electric fish barrier:  An electric fish barrier was installed and is used to reduce the population of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Albert Lea Lake and to prevent the introduction of Bighead and Silver (Asian) Carp. Common carp uproot and consume aquatic vegetation, disturb and re-suspend phosphorous-rich sediments. The resulting increase in turbidity reduces light penetration—discouraging rooted plant growth—and contributes to algal blooms responsible for oxygen depletion. The destruction of aquatic vegetation by large populations of foraging fish also impacts waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, shoreline and littoral habitat, and game fish spawning habitat.Design and engineering of the project started in late 2013. Contracts and associated agreements for the dam were made in early 2014. The order of operations for the construction of the project includes:•    Installation of the cofferdam•    Construction of the water diversion channel•    Removal of the old dam and bridge•    Installation of the metal sheeting that holds the lake level•    Placement of the first rock arch along the sheeting•    Installation of the footings for the concrete work•    Concrete work for the fish barrier•    Concrete work for the draw down structure•    Finalize/seal all concrete•    Placement of remaining rock arches•    Removal of the cofferdam and water diversion channel•    Installation and fine tuning of the fish barrier componentThe main construction of the projects where completed in the spring of 2015. At the end of 2015, some calibrations of the electric components were needed on the electric fish barrier. After the ice melt in the spring of 2016, those changes were made to fine tune the barrier. The Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure is now fully complete. The outlet, fish passage, and fish barrier worked in harmonization as part of the District’s overall management plan. Similar to the Wedge Creek, White Lake, and Mud Lake efforts, the anticipated outcome for Albert Lea Lake is restoration of rooted aquatic vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and enhanced water quality—all of which will serve to increase community use of this important recreational resource.   The existing Albert Lea Lake outlet structure and access bridge, installed in 1922, are in need of repair.The proposed project would replace the fixed-crest dam with a rock-arch rapids feature to control water levels and allow fish passage (see concept drawing). A lake level management structure would also be constructed, as well as an electric barrier to prevent silver, bighead, and common carp and other benthic feeding fish from entering the lake. This project is expected to result in improved aquatic habitat, improved waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, an increase in desirable fish populations, and improved water quality and clarity. It has been identified as a high priority in the SRRWD Management Plan, developed with public participation, and subject to public review and approval by the SRRWD Board. Specific benefits are outlined below. 1.  Rock-Arch Water-Level Control and Fish Passage: Replacing the existing fixed-crest dam with a series of rock arches will provide a naturalized outlet to Albert Lea Lake, with the upper-most rock arch controlling the normal water level. The arches will also provide fish passage, allowing northern pike to move upstream from the Shell Rock River to spawn in the lake. Northern Pike typically spawn in March and April, while carp spawning/movement typically does not start until May. A fish passage—in combination with an electric fish barrier activated in May to preclude carp—will increase the population of Northern Pike, natural predators of carp. Albert Lea Lake populations of Northern Pike and Bluegill (also a carp egg predator) are currently below Minnesota DNR norms for similar lakes. 2.  Lake Level Management Structure: Installation of a structure to facilitate lake-level management gives the SRRWD flexibility to take action benefiting the health of the lake. Periodic lowering of lake elevations allows maximum in-lake sediment compaction, improvement of water clarity due to reduction in wind-generated turbidity, and time for plant colonization of shoreline and shallow-water areas. The resulting improvement in aquatic plant health benefits the entire lake system. 3.  Electric fish barrier: An electric fish barrier will be used to reduce the population of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Albert Lea Lake and to prevent the introduction of Bighead and Silver (Asian) Carp. Common carp uproot and consume aquatic vegetation, disturb and re-suspend phosphorous-rich sediments. The resulting increase in turbidity reduces light penetration—discouraging rooted plant growth—and contributes to algal blooms responsible for oxygen depletion. The destruction of aquatic vegetation by large populations of foraging fish also impacts waterfowl nesting, breeding, and feeding habitat, shoreline and littoral habitat, and game fish spawning habitat. Asian Carp multiply rapidly and are voracious eaters, depleting food resources. The leaping ability of the Silver Carp also poses a danger to boaters and skiers. According to a 2010 news story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Asian carp have migrated past the 5-in-1 Dam in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, moving up the Cedar River to Black Hawk County—where the Cedar and the Shell Rock River join. The distance from this point to Albert Lea Lake is only about 100 miles. While there is not general agreement about the threat posed by Asian carp in lake waters, if this does become a concern the barrier could be used year-round and an alternative fish management plan developed. The SRRWD has a proven track record of success with fish barriers. The fish barriers upstream of Albert Lea Lake—at Wedge Creek and White Lake (partially funded by 2009 Outdoor Heritage Funds) and Mud Lake—have improved habitat and water clarity in the upstream areas. Improved habitat is demonstrated by increased sightings of aquatic fur bearers and waterfowl, with 15 waterfowl species sighted during the fall migration. Improvements in water clarity are demonstrated by secchi disk readings on Fountain Lake (connected to these water bodies), which were the best on record in 2010. The proposed outlet, fish passage, and fish barrier will work as part of the District’s overall management plan. Similar to the Wedge Creek, White Lake, and Mud Lake efforts, the anticipated outcome for Albert Lea Lake is restoration of rooted aquatic vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and enhanced water quality—all of which will serve to increase community use of this important recreational resource. The strategy of carp/rough fish control and exclusion is known to be effective. This program is endorsed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishery and Wildlife Divisions and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and conducted with their technical assistance and cooperation. This project is consistent with recommendations of the 2004 Shell Rock River Watershed Management Plan (Appendix B & J). It is also noted in the Albert Lea Lake Management Plan, as part of the Freeborn County Comprehensive Water Plan 2006-2015. Other applicable plans include the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan Phase II provisions that address the control of invasive species, restoration of shallow lakes, water quality improvements in impaired waters, and  protection and enhancement of fish and waterfowl breeding habitat (pg. 30-96); and the 2009 Minnesota State Management Plan for Invasive Species. Activities are also within the goals of the Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota (BALMM). This project is a component of the 2011 Restoring Native Habitat/Water Quality to the Shell Rock River Project funded by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund for the fee-title acquisition of the headwaters of the Shell Rock River. The land has been acquired and will be turned over to the DNR to be operated under an Aquatic Management Area Management Plan. There are no known opponents or anticipated barriers to project completion. These efforts will be highly visible and seen as a benefit to the entire region. They are endorsed by the local Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Freeborn County, City of Albert Lea, DNR and Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club.  ",,2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","411 S Broadway ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/albert-lea-lake-management-and-invasive-species-control-structure,,,,
10011425,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase VI",2020,2573000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(j)","$2,573,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $156,000 is to the Anoka Conservation District; $699,000 is to Great River Greening; $269,000 is to the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District; $182,000 is to the National Wild Turkey Federation; and $1,267,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes..A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat cores and corridors..",,,269900,"Sherburne SWCD, NWTF, Sherburne County Parks, waived indirect, Land owners, ACD, NWTF , City of Blaine, GRG, NWTF",2530000,43000,,1.32,"ACD, GRG, Sherburne SWCD, Wild Turkey Fed, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Five partner organizations of the >25-member Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will protect 210 acres of habitat through conservation easement, and restore/enhance 850 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Shallow Basin Wetland, and fire-dependent Woodland/Forest habitats on public and protected private sites, within the Anoka Sand Plain Ecological Region and intersecting watersheds. These actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, and landscape resilience within the ASP Ecoregion, and address the ASP Partnership goals, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and OHF priorities for the Metropolitan Urbanizing and Forest-Prairie Transition sections. ","Urgency and Opportunity:The amount of high quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable especially given its proximity to Twin Cities Metropolitan and St. Cloud areas. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for many Minnesotans, the associated stressors threaten the ASP’s sustainability: The ecological diversity of the ASP is threatened by invasive species and development and the best window for response is now.Partnership:The ASP Partnership is determined to protect, restore and enhance functioning ecosystems, habitat cores and corridors in strategic locations so these functioning landscapes can provide ecological services and high quality recreational opportunities. Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Great River Greening (GRG), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Sherburne SWCD (ShSWCD), will secure and hold conservation easements on 210 acres, and complete restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 850 acres on protected private parcels and 10 public sites. ASP Partners will enhance habitat by conducting invasive species removal, prescribed burning, thinning, mowing, and seeding and planting with locally sourced native seed and plants to increase biological diversity and landscape resilience. Conservation easements that permanently protect private lands for future generations will be secured and held by MLT, protecting additional parcels and acreage to expand habitat cores and corridors in the ASP; where needed, R/E will also be completed on a portion of these newly protected acres. Priorities:The ASP Partnership 10 - Year Strategic Conservation Action Plan utilizes multiple-criteria GIS analyses to identify and prioritize critical areas for habitat connectivity, SGCN, biodiversity, and native plant communities; the next steps of the Action Plan will determine target acreage goals for the ASP based on these criteria. The ASP Partners’ local knowledge have also been used to identify and prioritize ecologically significant projects and parcels with engaged stakeholders.Scope of Work:Anticipated R/E PROJECTS on parcels with existing protection, by priority habitat, are:PRAIRIE/SAVANNA (339 acres; $719,000)1.1 Crane Meadows NWR Phase I2.1 Freemont WMA 3. Oak Savanna Park4. Quarry Park SNA Phase I5.1 Robert and Marilyn Burman WMA 6. Santiago WMA B. SHALLOW BASIN NON-FORESTED WETLAND (135 acres; $211,000)5.2 Robert and Marilyn Burman WMA7. Blaine Preserve SNA 8. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary South, Phase II C. WOODLAND/FOREST (326 acres; $376,000)1.2 Crane Meadows NWR Phase I2.2 Freemont WMA 9. McDougall WMA 10. Sartell WMA Anticipated PROTECTION PROJECTS, with a portion of same acreage undergoing R/E, are:A. HABITATS (210 acres protected; of these, 40 acres enhanced and 10 acres restored; $1,267,000)11-16 . A range of 1 to 6 Conservation easements will be secured on private parcels, adding protected acreage to the priority habitats. With the both protection and R/E activities, this partnership work proposed here will significantly advance conservation goals in the ASP Ecoregion.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street STE 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 272-3981",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-vi,,,,
10000077,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase V",2018,1130000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(j)","$1,130,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, and Stearns Counties as follows: $41,000 is to Anoka Conservation District; $231,000 is to Isanti County Soil and Water Conservation District; $345,000 is to Great River Greening; and $163,000 is to Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District; and $350,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust of which up to $40,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Many of our completed sites are ranked highly for having examples of high quality natural communities and concentrations of rare species, as mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS). The ASP project boundary is known to provide home to some 115 state-listed plants and animals, the most diverse ecological subsection (in terms of rare species) in the state, and we are compelled to ensure the long-term viability of habitat for SGCN. This work provided a major step in that direction. Completed projects by category are: PRISTINE HABITATS 1. Gordie Mikkelson WMA (ACD): Enhanced 82 acres of wetland and forest of high biodiversity significance as mapped by MBS. 2. Medvecky Woods 1 (ISWCD). Enhanced 10 acres of MBS ranked wetland with high concentration of rare species, on Cedar Creek. MINNESOTA WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (WAP) PRIORITY HABITATS (PRAIRIE, SAVANNA, NON-FORESTED WETLAND) 3. Carlos Avery WMA (GRG): Enhanced 33 acres of oak savanna. 4. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary South (GRG): Enhanced 132 acres of shallow peat basin wetland, with state-listed Threatened and Endangered species. 5. Robert and Marilyn Burman WMA (MLT). Enhanced an additional nine acres of habitat core. 6. Vegsund Family County Park (ISWCD): Enhanced 10 acres of wetland. 7. Becklin Homestead County Park (ISWCD): Enhanced six acres of prairie in the Rum River corridor. THREATENED WILD & SCENIC RIVER STREAMBANK 8. High Meadows Rum River Re-Meander (ISWCD): Reconnected main channel aquatic and shoreline habitat by blocking man-made shortcut. 9. Mississippi River Streambank (StSWCD): Restored 600 feet of major river streambank using high habitat value toe-wood design. PRIORITY HABITATS 10. Conservation Easement (MLT): A total of 267 acres and 1.27 shoreland miles were permanently protected through conservation easement: a)Tamarack Lake (Hanon Trust): A 101-acre project consisting of low-lying wetland complex surrounding 5,500 feet of shoreland. b)Barrett Hill (Barrett Farm LLC): A150-acre woodland (86 acres with ASP5) and 1,202 feet of shoreline project located within a Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance. c)Sunrise River (Great River Energy, fully donated): An 80-acre property consisting of a diverse wetland complex, within a Site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance, adjacent to Carlos Avery WMA","A total of 606 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 267 in Easements, 339 in Enhance.",186200,"ACD, ACD, NWTF, City of Blaine, DNR, Volunteers, ENRTF, Isanti County, DNR, Landowners, NWTF and Stearns County",1111700,17200,,0.48,"Anoka Conservation District; Isanti County SWCD; Great River Greening;Stearns County SWCD; Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Isanti SWCD (ISWCD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Stearns SWCD (StSWCD) enhanced 339 acres, equaling 137% of the stated goal of 247 acres, and 0.12 miles of shoreline. Further, MLT permanently protected 86 forest and 181 wetland acres, equaling 334% of the stated goal of 80 acres, and 1.67 miles of shoreline through conservation easement. Enhancement and protection were completed across three LSOHC subsections on mapped sites ranked highly by Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), on Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) priority habitats, threatened habitat, and in habitat cores and corridors.","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership includes government units and non-profit organizations working to protect, enhance, and restore lands and waters within the Anoka Sand Plain Project Habitat Conservation boundary, which includes the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Anoka Sand Plain Ecoregion plus intersecting minor watersheds. Our work is guided by the processes and goals outlined in the partnership's 10-year strategic plan at www.greatrivergreening.org/anoka-sand-plain-details. With this appropriation, five ASP Partnership organizations were direct recipients and worked closely together and with input from additonal ASP partner organizations to protect, restore, and enhance priority habitats on state and local government land, public water, and private holdings. A sixth ASP partner, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), contributed cash match. Problems Addressed Wildlife and rare plant habitat in the ASP is impacted by numerous threats, resulting in an urgent need for action: 1. Native habitats have become rare and continue to be lost. Oak savanna and prairie - the characteristic habitat of the Anoka Sand Plain - now persist over ",,2017-07-01,2022-12-06,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street, Suite 2200 Suite 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Isanti, Stearns","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-v,,,,
10019612,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase 7",2022,2651000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(n)","$2,651,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $418,000 is to the Anoka Conservation District; $700,000 is to Great River Greening; $233,000 is to The Nature Conservancy; and $1,300,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed.Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed.Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat cores and corridors",,,270300,"ACD, Great River Greening, Landowner donation of easement value, Morrison County, UMLA, CCES, USFWS and USFWS in-kind",2550900,100100,,1.09,"Anoka County Conservation District; NTC; Great River Greening; MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will protect 240 acres of habitat through conservation easement, and restore/enhance 452 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, and fire-dependent Woodland/Forest habitats within the ASP Ecological Region program boundary, including rescue of 48,000 rare plants to protected areas. These actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience, which align with the ASP Partnership's strategic plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and LSOHC Section priorities. GRG, ACD, MLT, and TNC are the four direct recipient organizations, with significant match from USFWS, Morrison County, and landowner donation of easement value.","The Anoka Sand Plain Ecoregion watershed, capturing portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest sections, is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, designated wild and scenic rivers, and a high concentration of rare species. The amount of high quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable given its proximity to Twin Cities Metropolitan area. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for many Minnesotans, the associated stressors threaten the ASP's sustainability. The ecological diversity of the ASP is threatened by invasive species and development pressure. The diversity in this rich and important mosaic, complemented by its close proximity to most Minnesotans, is reflected in the number and diversity of organizations that identify the area as a priority, combining our specific knowledge and stakeholder engagement to join forces for its conservation. The robust ASP Partnership is committed to protecting, restoring and enhancing this spectacular region so it can continue to provide vital habitat, invaluable ecological services, and high-quality recreational and engagement opportunities. Bringing clarity and focus to our Phase 7 and all of our work in this complex area is the ASP Partnership's 10-year strategic plan, which aligns with other important plans to identify priority habitats, opportunities, and centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals. With this funding, Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Great River Greening (GRG), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with support from other partners, will secure conservation easements on 240 acres to expand habitat cores and corridors, and complete restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 452 acres of public and protected private sites. Habitats including prairie/savanna grasslands, woodland, and non-forested peat wetlands . Results will be achieved by restoring historic hydrology, conducting invasive species removal, prescribed burning, thinning, seeding, and planting including the launch of a Rare Plant Rescue program to transplant up to 48,000 rare plants that would otherwise be destroyed by development. Our program will create and improve critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience. It will also benefit water quality and quantity, improve community resiliency, and increase recreational opportunities.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street Ste 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 272-3981",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Chisago, Morrison, Sherburne","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-7,,,,
811,"Anoka Sand Plain Restoration and Enhancement",2011,747000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$747,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to restore and enhance habitat on public property in the Anoka Sand Plain in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Benton, Washington, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Restored and Enhanced 4,179 acres of prairie and Forest",,,,747000,,,0.25,"Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will harness the expertise, resources, and connections of a broad community of committed conservation stakeholders to significantly elevate restoration and enhancement of oak savannas (Minnesota's most critically imperiled habitat), woodlands and forests on public lands across the region. Through funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and an array of other sources (real and in-kind) we will restore and enhance over 1700 acres of oak savanna, prairie, and oak woodland habitat across 11 priority sites, including: ? State WMAs (5 sites; 485 acres): Carlos Avery, Lamprey Pass, Rice Area Sportsman Club, Sand Prairie, and Becklin Homestead WMA ? State SNAs (3 sites; 135 acres): Clear Lake, Uncas Dunes, and Harry W. Cater ? Cedar Creek Ecological Science Reserve, University of Minnesota (600 acres) ? Sherburne NWR (500 acres) ? Isanti County Parks (1 site; 20 acres): Springvale County Park ","What is the problem or opportunity being addressed? The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) has been home to an array of storied conservation successes over the past century; however, the future of wildlife in the region is far from assured. Major challenges to long-term conservation success exist and there is a pronounced urgency to act now: While there has been a tremendous loss of native habitat in the ASP, there are also major opportunities to benefit wildlife through expedited restoration and enhancement of existing public lands. Public land managers over the past decades have made good investments of time and resources, but all are facing serious funding shortages. None of our partners have reached their restoration and enhancement goals despite the range of efforts over many years. As the Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership (ASP Habitat Partnership or Partnership), we acknowledge this habitat work has to be an ongoing effort, one that is far more integrated and collaborative than what has been done in the past. Principle problems being addressed through this proposal are: Critical Imperilment of Habitat and Associated Species - Wildlife habitats of the Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) are critically imperiled, with oak savanna being the single most imperiled ecological system in Minnesota. These habitats are identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (CWCP) and Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan as conservation priorities. Habitat loss and degradation has had profound impacts on the wildlife of the ASP; some 97 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the state are known or predicted to occur within the ASP. This decline in habitat has had major impacts on game species. Major Threats & Pressures Requiring Urgent Action - Invasive species, coupled with lack of prescribed fire and other basic management/restoration practices have resulted in declines in value of public lands as wildlife habitat over time. Minnesota's CWCP identifies maintenance, enhancement and protection of oak savannas as its first priority for this ecological subsection. The ASP is among the fastest growing areas in the state. Urban sprawl is placing immense pressure on remaining natural resources and threatening existing protected areas. As the Metro grows, wildlife habitat in the ASP will face elevated pressures, accentuating the importance of enhanced habitat management on existing public lands. Increased Cost of Management Actions as Habitats Decline - Inadequate funding for restoration/management activities on public lands has resulted in general declines in the condition of Minnesota's most imperiled habitats, and their value as wildlife habitat. Costs to restore these habitats rise every year that management is delayed. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting, or enhancing habitat? Beginning in FY2011 and over 3-year duration, the Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership will restore and enhance over 1700 acres of oak savanna, oak woodland and prairie habitat occurring on public lands in the project area. Activities will take place principally on State WMAs and SNAs, but also on other public lands as detailed below. Our actions will result in: ? elimination of invasive plants (trees, shrubs and forbs) over 549 acres of oak savanna and oak woodland habitats; ? seeding/planting of 635 acres of oak savanna habitat; ? seeding of 16 acres of oak woodland habitat; and ? prescribed fire over 1,135 acres of oak savanna habitat. These actions will benefit a broad suite of native species that require high-quality oak savanna, prairie, and oak woodland habitats: ? SGCN (direct impact on 35 species): bobolink, gopher snake, American badger, etc. ? Native song birds, mammals, herps and others ? Game species: white-tailed deer, pheasant, turkey, ruffed grouse, and small-game animals (squirrel, rabbits, fur-bearers, etc.) and waterfowl (upland nesting habitat). Due to funding limitations, several sites initially proposed for funding were dropped from consideration. Decisions as to which proposed sites would be funded were based on the following criteria: 1. Land Ownership ? We gave high preference to state-owned lands over federal and county lands in the following order: ? State (highest) ? University or Other Semi-State ? County ? Federal (lowest) 2. Other Mitigating Factors ? Several additional important factors were considered when refining the action list, including: ? Presence of MCBS quality ecological system(s); SGCN/T&E species ? Size of habitat block/managed area ? Presence within habitat corridors ? Adjacency (i.e., location relative to other public lands or large habitat blocks) ? Immediacy of need/action as determined by MCBS. Weight = High; These mitigating factors had the result of elevating a site like Sherburne NWR (although federal) above state-owned, isolated and lower quality sites. The impact of this large federal land-holding on maintaining large, viable populations of wildlife on adjacent state-owned lands like Uncas Dunes SNA, Rice Lake SNA and Sand Dunes State Forest strongly influenced our decision to retain funding for this project. 3. Funding the Whole Package of Proposed Activities at a Site ? The final list of sites reflects our keen desire to fully complete all proposed activities at a given site rather than working at a broader suite of sites but completing partial restorations or enhancements. Biologically this made most sense. In addition, we felt this would be far less confusing to the LSOHC when we return for a subsequent proposal. Because of this, several high-quality sites that otherwise ranked highly in factors 1 and 2 above were moved off of the active project list. Tier 1 Action Sites Listed below are each of the sites proposed for action in this accomplishment plan, along with a short summary of their ecological importance, proposed activities, and timeline. We also include a list of Tier 2 sites (those initially proposed for action but pulled due to insufficient funding). As additional funds become available, we propose to expand the list of Tier 1 sites through the inclusion of current Tier 2 sites along with a reallocation of LSOHC funds as appropriate. Uncas Dunes SNA (Sherburne County) ? Uncas Dunes SNA contains a relict dunefield and includes oak savanna, oak forest, and wetland habitats. The rare Uncas skipper gives this site its name; this is one of only two sites in the state where this species has been found. Actions: Restoration of 70 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs and regenerating pine, planting of old fields and disturbed areas with native seed collected onsite (followed by post-seeding management over two years), and prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program and DNR Forestry. Portions of the work (harvesting of pine plantation, etc.) will be subcontracted to a private consultant specializing in that area of work. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in FY 2011 and continue through 2013. Clear Lake SNA (Sherburne County) ? Clear Lake SNA has the distinction of being the first land parcel acquired under the State Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. It contains a mosaic of oak forest, floodplain forest, and old field sumac thicket, along with a small population of the very rare Hill's thistle. Actions: A first phase of oak savanna restoration on 50 acres through woody invasive species control and prescribed fire (to be followed upon by seeding and restoration management in a future proposal). The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program. Portions of the work may be subcontracted to MCC or a private contractor. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Harry W. Cater Homestead SNA (Sherburne County) ? Located on a sandy terrace of the Elk River, this SNA is dominated by dry, upland oak savanna, mesic and wet-mesic prairie openings in aspen groves, floodplain forest along the Elk River, wet meadow and marsh on peat. Actions: Restoration of 15 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs and use of prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program. Portions of the work may be subcontracted to MCC or a private contractor. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in 2010 and continue into 2013. Lamprey Pass WMA (Anoka and Washington counties) ? Lamprey Pass is the largest WMA outside of Carlos Avery in the North Metro area. Originally owned by Uri Lamprey, it was managed as a hunt club from 1881 until the 1970s. The acquisition of Lamprey pass marked the first time money was used from the Nongame Wildlife Tax Check-off revenue. The unit is identified as a DNR Regionally Significant Ecological Area. Actions: Restoration of 16 acres of old field to oak woodland through direct seeding and follow-up management. DNR Wildlife will lead and implement all phases of this enhancement project. The project will commence in FY2011 and continue into FY2012. Carlos Avery WMA (Anoka and Chisago counties) ? This 25,000-acre WMA is the largest in the Twin Cities Metro Area and is one of the iconic WMAs in the state of Minnesota. The site is composed principally of wetlands and oak woodland and savanna. Actions: Enhancement of 22 acres of native and semi-native grassland through removal of invasive trees and shrubs, followed by prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR Wildlife. Great River Greening will oversee removal of red cedar and other woody invasive trees by a contractor; DNR Wildlife will follow with a prescribed burn. Enhancement will begin in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Sand Prairie WMA (Sherburne County) ? This 700-acre WMA is situated in the glacial flood plain of the Mississippi River, with mesic to wet remnant prairie, dry prairie, and aspen occurring at the site. In addition to its status as a WMA, Sand Prairie is the first WMA also designated as an Environmental Education Area, providing a strong connection to local school and college students. Actions: Restoration of 159 acres of partially restored oak savanna through the planting of oak trees. The site has one of the most diverse prairie species assemblages in a Minnesota restored prairie. This restoration project will be led by DNR Wildlife in collaboration with Great River Greening. Volunteers will be used in the planting of trees as a way to connect the local community to this important site. The project will begin in FY2011 and conclude in FY2012. Becklin Homestead WMA & County Park (Isanti County) ? This WMA is located along the Rum River and consists of partially restored oak savanna and other habitats. The WMA is also jointly managed as an Isanti County Park and is dedicated to hunting use by Physically Challenged hunters only. Actions: Restoration of 25 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding and planting of trees. Isanti County Parks and DNR Wildlife will collaborate on this restoration project. The project will begin in FY2012 and conclude in FY2013. Rice Area Sportsman Club WMA (Morrison County) ? This WMA (580 acres) consists of extensive oak savanna/woodland along its east border, merging with restored native grass fields and wetlands. Actions: Restoration of 163 acres of deciduous woodland, dry oak woodland and dry oak savanna; enhancement of 29 acres of grassland. Oversight of this project will be provided by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR Wildlife. Aside from project oversight, much of the proposed work will be subcontracted through MCC and/or private vendor. The project will begin in FY2011 and will conclude in FY2013. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (Sherburne County) ? This 30,700-acre refuge was in 1965 to protect and restore the habitats associated with the St. Francis River Valley for migratory birds and other wildlife, the focus of the Refuge is on the restoration of oak savanna, wetland and Big Woods habitat. Actions: Restoration of 350 acres through prescribed fire and oak seeding of prairie habitats. Great River Greening will hire a contract forester to complement existing USFWS staff engaged in the large-scale oak savanna restoration efforts underway at Sherburne NWR. The forester will flag trees for thinning in line with savanna restoration plans. Springvale County Park (Isanti County) ? This 211-acre park is situated on Johnny's Lake and lies on eskers and wetlands left by the last glaciers. The park includes rolling prairies, oak savanna, northern hardwood forest and wetlands. Actions: Restoration of 20 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding of acorns and planting of oak trees into restored ground layer of restored tallgrass prairie. Isanti County Parks will implement all phases of this restoration project with assistance from volunteers. Restoration will commence in FY2012 and continue into FY2013. Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (Anoka & Isanti counties) ? Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a large ecological research site in central Minnesota with natural habitats that represent the entire state. The Minnesota County Biological Survey ranks Cedar Creek a site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance, its highest rating, and the Nature Conservancy has named Cedar Creek an Ecologically Significant Area. Actions: Restoration of 1000 acres of oak savanna and 800 acres of oak woodland habitat through prescribed fire and invasive exotic species control. CCESR will hire temporary staff, managed by seasoned employees, to perform most activities related to this restoration. Components (prescribed fire, invasive species control, etc.) may include staff from Great River Greening, MCC and/or the DNR. Restoration will commence in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Tier 2 Projects: These projects (which were part of the initial proposal) may be pursued if additional funds are procured through other sources to expand the amount available for restoration and enhancement. At present, these projects, despite their merits are not included in the project action plan. Rice Lake SNA (Sherburne County) ? Glacial meltwaters deposited their outwash sands across this large plain, providing the basis for an open, grassy landscape dotted with bur and pin oak--a classic savanna. Rice Lake Savanna SNA contains examples of oak savanna and oak woodland communities. Actions: Restoration of 80 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs, planting of old fields and disturbed areas with native seed collected onsite, and prescribed fire. Mississippi River Islands SNA (Sherburne County) ? This SNA includes five islands formed of outwash and alluvium deposited by the Mississippi River, rising as high as 30 feet above river level. Flooding, erosion, and sedimentation have resulted in various stages of succession, creating a mosaic of wet floodplain forest, drier floodplain forest, and sandbar plant communities. Actions: Restoration of 5 acres of hardwood forest through invasive species removal. Sartell WMA (Benton County) ? This 368-acre WMA is featured by Little Rock Creek (which flows through the site), along with significant oak savanna, oak woodland and prairie in various stages of restoration. Actions: Restoration of 91 acres of oak savanna/woodland habitat, and enhancement of 21 acres of grassland and woodland through exotic and native woody species control. Michaelson Farm WMA (Benton County) ? This 276-acre WMA occurs on the Mississippi River floodplain forest, lowland grass and brush, and oak woodland on higher grounds. Management of the unit focuses on maintaining and improving habitat for a diversity of native plants and wildlife. Actions: Enhancement of 120 acres of oak woodland, woodland and grassland through control of exotic and native woody invasive plants. McDougall WMA (Morrison County) ? This 228-acre WMA occurs along the Mississippi River and is characterized by floodplain forest, oak woodland and deciduous woodland, with some crop field. The WMA borders a preserve of The Nature Conservancy along its south edge. Actions: Enhancement of 54 acres of oak woodland, deciduous woodland and grassland through control of exotic and native woody invasive species. Anderson County Park (Isanti County) ? The 174-acre park lies within the Typo Chain of Lakes watershed, and consists of open fields (in the process of prairie and oak savanna restoration), woods, and wetlands adjacent to both Horseshoe and Horse Leg Lakes. Actions: Restoration of 20 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding of acorns and planting of oak trees into restored understory of tallgrass prairie. Why will this strategy work? The strength of the proposal lies with the ASP Habitat Partnership and the diverse skill sets, expertise and resources of its committed partners. Each partner has a long-term demonstrable track record of achievement in conserving the natural resources of the ASP. Collectively, this expertise is deep, and the resources and skill sets each brings to the table can be used more efficiently, effectively, and with greater impact than each acting alone Across the Partnership there exists a broad cross-section of expertise, skill sets, and missions that reach to all corners of the conservation arena: ? Deep expertise in areas of protection, restoration and enhancement ? Strong science ? both pure and applied ? Public and private partners ? Outreach to private landowners ? Sophisticated educational programs woven throughout partner curricula ? Strong volunteer programs ? Solid grant-writing and fundraising capabilities As a Partnership, we acknowledge this habitat work has to be an ongoing effort, one that is far more integrated and collaborative than what has been done in the past. We will collaborate on projects, share resources and expertise, broaden the existing funding base for this work, and outreach to public/private partners and the local community in efficient and effective ways ? all supported foundationally by a world class ecological research center. The ASP Habitat Partnership has already produced over 2000 hours of in-kind time to form as a coalition and develop these projects. This same kind of energy will be the foundation to our new broad collaborative approach to managing public sites throughout the ASP. By supporting this proposal, the LSOHC will gain far more than the basic investment of wildlife habitat improvements on public lands; it will produce major lasting commitments on the part of local conservation managers to ensure the on-going collaborative nature of this Partnership. Funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will be used to leverage further funding and in-kind support on all sites where we work. The Partnership will increase involvement by the public through the combining and integrating of the volunteer programs led by Great River Greening, SWCDs, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, USFWS, MFRC, Isanti County Parks and others. These groups have wide recognition for volunteer development, yet to date there has not been a connecting and sharing of these programs to the degree needed. This project will embark on that next generation of collaboration. All restoration and enhancement actions will be rooted in sound science and adaptive management. Already a hallmark of its partners, the Partnership is committed to using the most effective practices and restoration/management techniques and monitoring/evaluate results for the benefit of the broader conservation community. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, we can ensure that our proposed actions are rooted in the best science. Finally, through the ASP Habitat Partnership, this funding will spearhead the future investment for wildlife habitat on private lands through a systematic and ongoing public awareness process created and implemented by the Partnership. Describe the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project. The Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership aims, through a coordinated approach, to: 1) elevate and capitalize on resources available for protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural resources in the ASP, 2) share and disseminate management and restoration expertise to public and private landowners, 3) tackle emerging research issues and use findings to guide management actions across public and private lands and waters, and 4) build strong connections to local communities through education, outreach and opportunities for volunteerism. This Partnership, at present, includes the following stakeholders: Anoka County Parks Morrison SWCD Mid-Minnesota Mississippi River RC&D National Wild Turkey Federation Onanegozie RC&D Stearns SWCD The Nature Conservancy US Fish & Wildlife Service University of Minnesota Wright SWCD Audubon Minnesota Benton SWCD BWSR Chisago SWCD Friends of the Rum River Great River Greening Isanti County Parks Minnesota DNR Minnesota Forest Resources Council The concept behind the ASP Habitat Partnership - integrated public and private land management ? is a strategic direction of the Minnesota DNR (as stated in A Strategic Conservation Agenda 2009-2013). The ability of the DNR to administer state forests, parks, wildlife management areas, aquatic management areas, and scientific and natural areas is strongly influenced by the management of surrounding lands and waters. Through engagement in partnerships like the ASP Habitat Partnership, the DNR is pursuing integrated management for extensive interspersed public and private lands in order to build its capacity to work across ownership boundaries. Backed by a slate of seasoned resource professionals (wildlife managers, ecologists, restoration experts, scientists) within an array of established conservation agencies and organizations, the Partnership is poised to begin making immediate impacts across 3904 acres of habitat. ","Final Report ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Great River Greening","35 W Water Street ","St. Paul",None,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wostlie@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Isanti","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
9804,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement , Phase 2",2013,1050000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance habitat on public lands in the Anoka Sand Plain and along the Rum River as follows: $558,750 to Great River Greening; $99,400 to the Anoka Conservation District; and $391,850 to the National Wild Turkey Federation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Enhance 139 acres of wetlands, 1,150 acres of prairies and 577 acres of forest ",,,208800,"Morrison County, Great River Greening and National Wild Turkey Federation ",1050000,,,.66,"Great River Greening, Anoka Conservation District and National Wild Turkey Federation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","With funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and other leveraged sources, the Anoka Sand Plain Partnership restored/enhanced 1,866 acres of priority wildlife habitat within the Anoka Sand Plain and in the Rum River watershed in east-central Minnesota. ",,"The participating members of the Anoka Sand Plain Partnership, Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Great River Greening (GRG), and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), harnessed the expertise, resources, and connections of a broad community of committed conservation stakeholders to significantly elevate restoration and enhancement of oak savannas (Minnesota’s most critically imperiled habitat), prairies, oak woodlands, grasslands, forests, and wetlands on public lands across the Anoka Sand Plain ecological region of east-central Minnesota.The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership exceeded output targets, restoring/enhancing 1,866 acres of critical habitat on public lands in the project area. This exceeded output target of 1,355 acres restored/enhanced by 511 acres or 138%.Acres R/E by habitat type: • 139 acres of wetland habitat • 1,150 acres of prairie/oak savanna habitat • 577 acres of forest habitatAcres R/E by restoration activity: • 2,431 acres of woody invasive species management • 292 acres of prescribed burning • 4 acres of prairie seeding • 139 acres of wetland restoration • 19 acres of riverbank restoration Note: acres by activity may be greater than output acres/project footprint when multiple restoration activities were performed on the same acre (such as invasive species removal and prescribed burning).R/E work was completed across 11 public lands (see a full summary detailed in the final parcel list) including the following:1. Allemansrätt Wilderness Park (Chisago County, GRG): Forest enhancement occurred on 40 acres of high diversity forest, through two stage invasive shrub control. Funds were used for subcontracted work, while ENRTF and local match were used for volunteer engagement and habitat enhancement of adjacent acres. 2. Anoka Nature Preserve (Anoka County, ACD): Habitat enhancement occurred on 148 acres of Anoka Nature Preserve through herbicide application of common buckthorn, prickly ash, and tartarian honeysuckle; prescribed burning of treated acres; and planting of native bare root trees and shrubs. Monitoring and chemical and mechanical control of invasive woody species continued after initial treatment, including mowing, stump spraying, and spot basal bark spraying to further reduce invasive regrowth and encourage desirable species. 3. Belle Prairie County Park (Morrison County, GRG): A total of 35 acres of oak savanna/woodland habitat was enhanced through sustained removal of woody invasive species including removal, stump treatment, and a prescribed burn; and a 4 acre old field was seeded into prairie.4. Carlos Avery WMA (Anoka County, GRG): A total of 339 acres of high quality (MCBS) forest were enhanced with invasive woody removal, primarily invasive shrubs and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), with multiple treatments using subcontracted work and Greening crews. 5. Ereaux WMA (Morrison County, NWTF): A total of 288 oak woodland acres were enhanced by woody invasive species management through cutting, herbicide stump treatment, and burning of debris piles. Emergent invasive sprouts were later spot sprayed with herbicide. A portion of the site was also burned.6. McDougall WMA (Morrison County, NWTF): A total 111 acres of Mississippi River high quality floodplain and terrace forest were treated for invasive buckthorn. 7. Rice Lake SNA (Sherburne County, GRG): A total of 23 acres of high quality oak savanna enhancement was completed with the removal of invasive shrubs using a two stage treatment of winter forestry mowing, followed by spring prescribed burning. 8. Rum River Wild Rice (Isanti County, GRG): This project included successful aerial spray of overabundant water lily and invasive cattail on Marget and Krone Lakes, two historic wild rice shallow lakes, to release viable wild rice seed bed and improve the success of supplemental seeding. This project also included wild rice seeding in Rum River backwaters, oxbows, and main channel. This project enhanced a total of 139 wetland acres. 9. Sartell WMA (Benton County, NWTF): A total of 170 oak woodland acres were enhanced through woody invasive species removal of buckthorn, honeysuckle, and overabundant red cedar, through cutting, herbicide stump treatment, and burning of debris piles. Emergent invasive sprouts were later spot sprayed with herbicide. A portion of the site was also burned. 10. Sherburne NWR (Sherburne County, GRG): A total of 519 acres of oak savanna enhancement work was completed as part of the large-scale restoration of refuge lands. Enhancement consisted of woody invasive species control and other activities, through both subcontract work and USFWS in-kind match.11. Twin Lakes SNA (Isanti County, GRG): A total of 47 acres of forest were enhanced through the removal and treatment of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and other invasive species. In addition, a forest gap of 3 acres of old field was planted with oak seedlings grown from acorns collected on site.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Great River Greening","35 West Water Street, Suite 201","St. Paul",MN,55082,"(651) 894-3870",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
23918,"Anoka Sandplain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase III",2015,1047100,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,190,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties as follows: $155,000 is to Anoka Conservation District; $79,000 is to Isanti County Parks Department; $901,000 is to Great River Greening; and $55,000 is to Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"2 acres restored, 3,712 acres enhanced for a total of 3,714 acres ",,126300,"Isanti County Parks; City of Cambridge, Anoka County; Anoka SWCD, Anoka PF; Anoka SWCD, Great River Greening, USFWS, NWTF, Mn NPEAP, City of Anoka; Anoka County ",1047100,,,0.82,"Anoka Conservation District, Isanti County, Great River Greening, Stearns County SWCD","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership restored / enhanced 3,714 acres of priority prairie, savanna, forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat on public lands and waters within the Anoka Sand Plain EcoRegion within the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest-Prairie, and Northern Forest regions. Total R/E acreage achieved over the course of the appropriation is 126% of our stated acreage goals, and was accomplished through a robust partnership of four direct recipients improving a total of 16 priority sites including WMAs, state forest, national wildlife refuges, city and county lands.  ",,"The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership includes government agencies and organizations working to protect, enhance and restore the lands and waters of the Anoka Sand Plain.  Problems Addressed Wildlife habitat in the ASP is impacted by numerous threats, resulting in an urgent need for action:  1. Native habitats have become rare and continue to be lost. Oak savanna and prairie - the characteristic habitat of the Anoka Sandplain - now persist over <1% of their historic range. Due to its proximity to the Twin Cities, the ASP is realizing immense development pressure on what native habitat remains. 2. Degradation of habitats on public lands and waters threatens associated wildlife populations. Reduction in habitat quality has had profound impacts on wildlife in the ASP. Minnesota’s CWCP identifies maintenance, enhancement and protection of oak savannas as its first priority in addressing the 97 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) occurring in this ecological subsection. 3. Government agencies often lack sufficient resources/capacity to manage important lands. Inadequate funding/capacity for restoration activities on public lands has resulted in declines in the condition of Minnesota’s most important wildlife habitats. Scope of Work The following outcomes were realized: 1. Expansion of ongoing restoration/enhancement to 16 new project areas; 2. Restoration/enhancement of 3,714 acres, 126% of our 2,952 acres goal, of habitat across priority lands and waters.  Direct recipients and their project sites in this program were: 1. Anoka Conservation District  a. Beach Conservation Easement - 51 acres were restored by control of non-native invasive herbaceous and shrub species, and interseeding with pollinator species.  b. Rum River Riparian Restoration (Cedar Creek Conservation Area, Rum River Central Regional Park) – One mile of eroding riverbank has been identified along the Rum River on public lands, impacting habitat for fish species. Actions: Enhancement of 970 feet of riparian and adjacent instream habitat through installation of weirs, cedar revetments, and willow staking.   c. Martin-Island-Linwood Regional Park – Anoka County supports over 3,000 acres of high quality (MCBS mapped) natural forest habitat on public lands, Actions: Enhancement of 79 acres of MCBS forest habitat, treated at the very effective early detection / low density phase of infestation.  c. Linwood Community Forest – Anoka County supports over 3,000 acres of high quality (MCBS mapped) natural forest habitat on public lands, Actions: Enhancement of 72 acres of MCBS forest habitat through buckthorn control treated at the very effective early detection / low density phase of infestation. 2. Great River Greening  a.Sand Dunes State Forest – The MnDNR's SDSF Operational Plan (2013), developed to bring balance between economic and ecological assets of the Forest, identifies 630 acres of the 5,700-acre forest for immediate action to address imperiled native plant communities and rare species; an unanticipated public process was then initiated during this appropriation. Actions: Enhancement of 178 acres of priority habitat through invasive species control.  b. Sherburne NWR, Phase 3 – This 30,700-acre refuge was created to protect/restore habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, with a focus on oak savanna, wetlands and Big Woods habitat. Actions: Construction of 19 miles of fence, encompassing 9600 acres, and initiation of conservation grazing on 2134 acres (527 wetland, 1607 oak savanna).   c. Crane Meadows NWR – Crane Meadows was established to preserve the state’s largest sedge meadow wetland complex and associated breeding sandhill crane population, and includes a diverse mix of native prairie, savanna, and wetlands. Actions: Enhancement of 480 acres of habitat through woody thinning/control, seeding, and tree planting.  d. BenLacs WMA – This 569-acre WMA includes forest interspersed with wetlands, offering diverse recreational opportunities ranging from hunting/fishing to skiing. Actions: Enhancement of 322 acres of mixed forest and wetland habitat through woody invasive species control.  e. McDougall Homestead WMA – This 228-acre WMA of high-quality floodplain forest, oak woodland and restored prairie, lies along the Mississippi River and is home to more than 30 SGCN. Actions: Enhancement of 83 acres of oak woodland and forest, through woody invasive species control, plus enhancement of 35 acres of prairie with inter-plugging of pollinator forbs.   f. Sand Prairie WMA, Phase 2 – This 700-acre WMA is characterized by prairie and aspen/oak woodland, and is the first designated Environmental Education Area in the state, providing strong connections to local schools/colleges. Actions: Enhancement of 134 acres of oak woodland and prairiee through invasive species control.  g. Kelsey Round Lake Park – Situated on Round Lake, the park’s woodlands and restored prairies provide habitat for many species ranging from waterfowl and songbirds to Blanding’s turtles. Actions: Enhancement of 28 acres of Big Woods forest through invasive species control and planting. 3. Isanti County Parks  a. Vegsund County Park – This 80-acre park consists of oak woodland, restored prairies, wetlands, along 1/2 mile of Lake Seventeen’s undeveloped shoreline, an attractive fishery. Actions: Enhancement of 15 acres of woodland through removal of woody invasive species and prescribed burning  b. Irving and John Anderson County Park – The 174-acre park lies adjacent to Horseshoe and Horse Leg lakes, and consists of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna/woodland in the process of restoration. Actions: Enhancement of 18 acres of oak woodland through removal of woody invasive control and prescribed fire.  c. Springvale County Park, Phase 2 – This 211-acre park is situated on Johnny’s Lake and lies on rolling eskers of prairie, woodlands and wetlands. Actions: Enhancement of 34 acres of oak woodland through removal of woody invasive control and prescribed burning.   d. Cambridge City Park – This 151-acre park protects floodplain forest situated along 1.5 miles of the Wild & Scenic Rum River. Actions: Enhancement of 39 acres of floodplain forest through woody invasive control.  4. Stearns SWCD  a. Mississippi River County Park – This 340-acre park contains 1.3 miles of 80 acres of upland forest and restored prairie. Actions:Enhancement of forest through invasive species control; restoration of 155 feet of river shoreline. ",2014-07-01,2019-12-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Suite 2200","St. Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sandplain-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-iii,,,,
35052,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase IV",2017,1208000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(k)","$1,208,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Anoka, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, and Todd Counties as follows: $93,000 to Anoka Conservation District; $25,000 to Isanti County Parks and Recreation Department; $813,000 to Great River Greening; and $277,000 to the National Wild Turkey Federation. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Many of our completed sites are ranked highly for having examples of high quality natural communities and concentrations of rare species, as mapped by DNR's Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) and Element Occurrence Records (EORs) as mapped by DNR's Natural Heritage Information Service (NHIS). The ASP ecoregion is known to provide home to some 115 state-listed plants and animals, the most diverse ecological subsection (in terms of rare species) in the state. We are compelled to ensure the long-term viability of listed species and wildlife deemed Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) is ensured. This work provided a major step in that direction. We completed ecological resotration and/or enhancement (R/E) on 13 parcels that were mapped as sites of significant biodiversity by MBS. GRG - Crane Meadows NWR GRG - Belle Prairie County Park GRG - Carlos Avery WMA Phase 4 GRG - Wild Rice Phase 2 GRG - Sherburne NWR Phase 3 GRG - Sand Dunes State Forest Phase 2 GRG - Talahi Woods GRG - Bridgeview Park Reserve ACD - Boot Lake SNA ACD - Rum River Revetments ICP - Becklin Homestead WMA NWTF - Buckhorn Lake WMA NWTF - Ruff-Nik WMA We completed R/E on SGCN priority habitats identified for the ASP ecoregion in the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP), on 10 parcels: GRG - Bridgeview Park Reserve GRG - Blaine Wetland Sanctuary South Phase 2 GRG - Crane Meadows NWR GRG - Sherburne NWR Phase 3 GRG -Sand Dunes State Forest Phase 2 ACD - Kern Conservation Easement ICP - Becklin Homestead WMA and County Park NWTF - Buckhorn Lake WMA NWTF - Sponsa WMA NWTF - Ruff-Nik WMA A total of 10 sites had at least one mapped NHIS EOR record. Three sites had EORs for more than 10 different species, and one site had mapped EORs for more than 20 different species. A total of 43 different species were mapped as EORs over our full suite of 17 sites.","A total of 1,896 acres were affected: 7 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 1,889 in Enhance.",265200,"ACD, Kern Conservation Easement Fund, Private Landowners, City of Blaine, Federal, Great River Greening, Kern Conservation Easement Fund, Out Back Nursery, Outdoor Recreation Grant, Isanti County, Capable Partners, Isanti County Sportsman's Club, Isanti County MDHA, USFWS, Sherburne County, Morrison County and Volunteers",1182800,21800,,6.55,"Anoka County Conservation District; Isanti County Parks Department; Great River Greening; National Wild Turkey Federation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Isanti County Parks (ICP) and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) completed restoration and enhancement (R/E) activities on 1,896, equal to 147% of the planned 1,286 acres, and on 1.2 miles of shoreland, over 17 parcels. Through the process, we improved habitat for listed species, improved priority habitats for Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) as identified in the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP), through R/E on both large habitat complexes and habitat corridors, including multiple sites of significant biodiversity and rare species records.","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership includes government units and non-profit organizations working to protect, enhance, and restore lands and waters centered around the DNR's ASP ecoregion boundary. Our work was guided by the processes and goals outlined in the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP). During this appropriation, the ASP Partnership developed the Anoka Sand Plain 10-Year Strategic Plan to guide our activities going forward. Problems Addressed Wildlife and rare plant habitat in the ASP is impacted by numerous threats, resulting in an urgent need for action: 1. Native habitats have become rare and continue to be lost. Oak savanna and prairie - the characteristic habitat of the ASP ecoregion - now persist over ",,2016-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","215 Starkey Street Suite 2200","St. Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-iv,,,,
785,"Aquatic Management Area Acquisition, Phase 1",2010,5748000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$5,748,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire and in fee title and easement to be added to he state aquatic management area system. Acquired land must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. A list of proposed fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicator","1,026 acres",,6220900,"RIM and Private Source",5748000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This program will permanently protect approximately 1,246 acres (8.9-miles) of lake and warm water stream shoreline through fee title and permanent easement acquisition. Our program will also secure 54 Acres (3.1-miles) of permanent habitat management easements that include angler access on designated trout streams.","Aquatic Management Areas were established to protect, develop, and manage lakes, rivers, streams, and adjacent wetlands and lands that are critical for fish and other aquatic life, for water quality, and for the intrinsic biological value, public fishing, or other compatible outdoor recreational uses. AMAs provide angler or management access; protect fish spawning, rearing, or other unique habitat; protect aquatic wildlife feeding and nesting areas; and protect critical shoreline habitat, among other purposes authorized by Minnesota Statures 86A.05, Subdivision 14. Guiding Principles >Conserve critical shoreline habitat for all fish and wildlife species >Conserve vital fish spawning and rearing areas >Provide angling and management access corridors on trout and warmwater streams >Provide non-motorized angler access on lakes and streams >Preserve examples of healthy shoreline habitats as maps for future restoration of disturbed sites. Project dollars will secure fee title or permanent easements on approximately 921 acres (6.6 miles) of lake and warmwater stream shoreline, and leverage about 325 acres (2.3 miles) of similar acquisition through partner funds. Project dollars will also secure 54 acres (3.1 miles) of permanent habitat management easements that include angler access on designated trout streams, primarily in the Southeast and Northeast areas of the state. Overall priority will be given to acquiring regionally significant fish and wildlife habitat that will build on existing shoreline habitat and provide angler and hunter access. Projects may occur anywhere within the state, and depending on priorities, risk of development, and potential partners. Project lists will change, as new parcels become available and as previously included projects become unavailable. Collaborative partnerships will be promoted in order to acquire key lands. Project money is expected to generate additional non-state funded acres and shoreline miles, for a grand total of 1,300 acres (12 miles) of critical shoreline habitat. Department policy is to notify County and Township governments when acquiring AMA's. Local support for AMA acquisition is usually substantial, and local groups commonly offer to help raise funds.","Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/5b.pdfAquatic Management Areas were established to protect, develop, and manage lakes, rivers, streams, and adjacent wetlands and lands that are critical for fish and other aquatic life, for water quality, and for the intrinsic biological value, public fishing, or other compatible outdoor recreational uses. AMAs provide angler or management access; protect fish spawning, rearing, or other unique habitat; protect aquatic wildlife feeding and nesting areas; and protect critical shoreline habitat, among other purposes authorized by Minnesota Statures 86A.05, Subdivision 14.Guiding Principles>Conserve critical shoreline habitat for all fish and wildlife species>Conserve vital fish spawning and rearing areas>Provide angling and management access corridors on trout and warm-water streams>Provide non-motorized angler access on lakes and streams>Preserve examples of healthy shoreline habitats as maps for future restoration of disturbed sites.Project dollars secured fee title or permanent easements on approximately 525 acres (5.2 miles) of lake warmwater stream shoreline, and leveraged about 427 acres (5.3 miles) of similar acquisition through partner funds. Project dollars also secured 73 acres (4.8 miles) of permanent habitat management easements that include angler access on designated trout streams, primarily in the Southeast and Northeast areas of the state. Overall priority was given to acquiring regionally significant fish and wildlife habitat that will build on existing shoreline habitat and provide angler and hunter access. Acquisitions occurred throughout the state, and depending on priorities, risk of development, and potential partners. Collaborative partnerships were promoted in order to acquire key lands.County and Township governments were notified by the DNR when acquiring AMA's in their locale. Local support for AMA acquisition is usually substantial, and local groups commonly offer to help raise funds.Note: Land acquisition for this appropriation incurred professional service expenses that exceeded the approved budget.  During this appropriation, the state of Minnesota changed its billing software system.  The change resulted in significant delays (9 months, July 2011- March 2012) in receiving bills and overspending the professional service budget line without prior authorization.  We have created individual accounting budgets for each line item in approved budgets.  This step and the now operational accounting system will prevent similar issues in the future.Sources outside of OHF were also used to pay for professional service expenses.  These leveraged dollars are noted in the budget table.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Pat,Rivers,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Lake, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, St. Louis, St. Louis","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/aquatic-management-area-acquisition,,,,
10011390,"Big Rice Lake Wild Rice Enhancement",2020,845000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(g)","$845,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore wild rice wetland habitat in Big Rice Lake in St. Louis County.","Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - As noted in a 2008 report to the Minnesota legislature, ""The future of natural wild rice in Minnesota will depend in large part on its protection and management by state and tribal natural resource agencies."" Big Rice Lake has serious, but fixable issues. The proposed work for this lake will reestablish wild rice in a large, historically important wild rice lake. Success of the project will be readily apparent based on one measure - does wild rice become abundant in the project area. DNR and tribal biologists will monitor Big Rice Lake to evaluate wild rice abundance over time..",,,,,791000,54000,,2,DNR,"State Government","Wild rice abundance has greatly declined across Big Rice Lake, while other competitive vegetation has drastically increased. This proposal will utilize knowledge gained from small-scale vegetation work as well as hydrological alterations and apply it to a lake-wide scale to enhance conditions for wild rice success. A total of 2,072 acres of wild rice habitat will be enhanced as a result of the OHF lake outlet work that will impact water levels. 850 acres of the existing 1,000 pickerel weed will be treated to allow wild rice to regenerate.","Big Rice Lake historically was one of the best producing wild rice lakes in northeastern Minnesota for wild rice harvesters and migratory waterfowl use. Today, due to hydrologic alterations, stabilization of water level, and other variables, like changes in climatic conditions and impacts from wildlife herbivory, wild rice has declined across the lake and pickerelweed has become the dominant vegetation. This proposal will accomplish 2,072 acres of wild rice habitat enhancement work on Big Rice Lake. A multi-agency effort will assist in the completion of the project and long-term success. The agencies involved include the US Forest Service, 1854 Treaty Authority, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Minnesota DNR Wildlife and Shallow Lakes Program. In addition to these key players, Big Rice Lake has a large recreational user group and concerned citizen following. Due to the extent of the issue and importance of the enhancement to all entities involved, it is critical that this project be completed as soon as possible. The project will include three sections to address issues of concern. One section will address the outlet control structure that is inefficient and impacting hydrology. The structure is a rock weir which will be removed and the outlet will be restored to the pre-weir conditions to promote natural flow dynamics. The second section will address the public access to ensure large equipment can be launched. The third section will address the pickerelweed dominance and enhance wild rice abundance. Pickerelweed will be reduced by utilizing a combination of Fond du Lac Band’s airboats and harvester barge, Bois Forte Band’s harvester barge, and a DNR airboat and boat with a mudmotor. Once pickerelweed is removed, wild rice will be more likely to re-establish. If wild rice does not re-establish naturally from the resident seed in the substrate, seed from another location will be evaluated and used to reseed Big Rice Lake. 850 acres of the current 1000-acre area of pickerel weed infestation will be removed.The equipment needs will be essential to the long-term success since this project, specifically vegetation control, is predicted to require some small-scale maintenance until pickerelweed is no longer the dominant species. Based on small-scale vegetation work already completed at Big Rice Lake and the information gathered from sources that have completed similar vegetation enhancement projects, there is a high level of confidence that this project will be successful and will enhance 2,072 acres of wild rice habitat for waterfowl, as well as the recreational users, wild rice harvesters, and waterfowl hunters.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/big-rice-lake-wild-rice-enhancement,,,,
774,"Bluffland Prairie Protection Initiative",2010,500000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$500,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust or successor to acquire permanent easements protecting critical prairie and grassland habitats in the blufflands in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed fee title and permanent easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in easement 548 acres of prairies, ",,,,500000,,,0.2,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect 300-500 acres of land in the blufflands region of southeastern Minnesota--an area that contains unique and ecologically important prairie, oak savanna and grassland habitat along with outstanding forested bluffs, woodlands, wetlands and cold water trout streams along the Mississippi River. In order to protect these rare habitats from destruction by development or incompatible land use, we will work with willing sellers to complete 3-5 perpetual conservation easements on private lands. These easements prohibit those land uses or development that harm or negatively affect important habitat values and will require habitat management plans as appropriate, ensuring that long term land management will maximize habitat values. The Minnesota Land Trust works with donated easements whenever possible and purchases easements where necessary, typically at a bargain sale price. Through conservation easements, the Land Trust is able to protect land at a fraction of what it would cost to purchase the land outright in fee. ","The Mississippi River Blufflands ecological subsection is identified in Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy as having the highest concentration of species in greatest conservation need in the entire State. This includes a high concentration of neo-tropical migrant birds and waterfowl, as well as reptiles, mammals, mollusks and insects. Many of these game and non-game species exist in part because of the rich tapestry of habitat types in the region-hardwood forests, floodplain wetlands, cold water streams-and the unique presence of bluff prairie, oak savanna and re-established grasslands. This rich tapestry is threatened today by the destructive impacts of land fragmentation, bluff-top development and changes in agricultural practices. The Minnesota Land Trust has been engaged in the protection of the Blufflands for more than a decade, having preserved more than 6,000 acres of land through 42 projects, making it one of the organization's highest priorities. The Land Trust has already secured the interest of 8 landowners in the area. These landowners collectively own more than 2,000 acres of land, including 300 acres of prairies or grassland habitat. In addition, the Land Trust has now information on an additional 20 other landowners that DNR has identified and ranked as having outstanding prairie property. Specific activities proposed for funding under this grant include: further identifying and negotiating with these interested landowners, drafting and completing easements, documenting property conditions, and creating plans for and dedicating funds for the perpetual monitoring, management and enforcement of those easements. The conservation easements the Land Trust will negotiate with each landowner will be specifically designed to protect the natural features and habitat values of that landowner's particular tract of land. The easement will limit commercial, industrial and residential development and division of the property, restrict inappropriate agricultural practices and require an approved land management plan to encourage proper management of the resource. In this working landscape, the Land Trust anticipated that it will need to purchase some easements to meet our goals. However, we have had great success with donated easements, particularly with availability of expanded income tax benefits which are now in place but due to expire at the end of the calendar year. The use of conservation easements to protect critical habitat is a widely-accepted practice which has demonstrated great results both in Minnesota and around the country. The Minnesota Land Trust has an effective track record of using easements in a similar capacity for almost 20 years, holding more conservation easements than any other private conservation organization in the state--making it one of the most experienced organizations working with the unique conservation tool. The success of conservation easements requires an effective partnership with the private landowners. As such, the Land Trust has developed an effective conservation easement stewardship program to both prevent future impacts through encouraging voluntary compliance with the terms of the easement and to enforce and defend the easement in the unlikely case of an easement violation. The Minnesota Land Trust and conservation organizations around the country have recognized the great importance of substantially investing in stewardship activity. Our successful history of easement stewardship is one of the important factors which led to the Minnesota Land Trust being one of the first accredited land trusts in the country. Our proposal requests the funds necessary to make sure we can continue to meet our obligations with respect to easement acquired through this grant. Though not required when working with private landowners on private land, the Minnesota Land Trust has a history of working closely with the local governments in the Blufflands. We have worked extensively with the City of Red Wing to help that community implement its own conservation plans. Many of our bluffland projects have been initiated at the City's request. Similarly, we have worked with the City of La Crescent to help the City establish local natural parks. We expect this pattern to continue and have established an office in Red Wing to cement our local? presence and commitment to local issues. ","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Kris,Larson,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. ","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 647-9590",klarson@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Goodhue","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/bluffland-prairie-protection-initiative,,,,
10006482,"Buffalo River Watershed Stream Habitat Program – Phase 1",2019,1195000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(n)","$1,195,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District to restore and enhance aquatic and upland habitat associated with the south branch of the Buffalo River and Whisky Creek in the Buffalo River watershed. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - The outcome of the Buffalo River Watershed Stream Restoration Program will be up to 4.6 miles of restoration (currently estimated at 3 miles based on reduced funding) of the South Branch of the Buffalo River into a stable prairie stream with expanded and enhanced permanently protected habitat corridor. This will provide significantly improved terrestrial and aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife, such as prairie chickens, using the stream corridor. Improvements in water quality are also expected. .",,,355000,"CREP, RIM, Local Tax Levy, Local Tax Levy",1195000,,,,"Buffalo-Red River Watershed District ","Local/Regional Government","Over a century ago, the construction of Judicial Ditch No. 3 resulted in the rerouting of the South Branch of the Buffalo River, completely changing its flow characteristics. In the first phase of this multi-phase project, the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District (BRRWD) in partnership with landowners, federal, state, and local agencies, will put much of the rerouted channel back restoring up to 4.6 miles of the South Branch with up to 100 acres of associated riparian habitat corridor. Additional restorations of straightened stream and river channels along the South Branch and Whisky Creek will be completed as funding permits.","The construction of several legal ditch systems and other channel straightening efforts eliminated hundreds of acres of quality of stream habitat within the BRRWD. In some cases, the channelization simply straightened the stream channel and in others the constructed ditch diverted water away from the natural stream. Straightened channels create homogenous habitats, they no longer have the shallow riffles and deeper pools that are required by fish at various stages in their life cycle. The straightened reaches also tend to lose access to their floodplains which increases erosion in the channel and causes downstream flooding. In addition, aggradation of the downstream channel due to increased sediment loading reduces habitat quality and makes flooding worse. Over the last several years, the BRRWD, with input and in partnership with landowners, federal, state, and local agencies, designed comprehensive subwatershed restoration plans and intends to implement these plans over the next several years. A component of these plans includes the restoration of numerous reaches of straightened and abandoned creek and river channels throughout the Watershed District. Prioritization of projects is largely based on ecological benefits, being shovel-ready and having landowner and other stakeholder support. In the first phase of this multi-phase project, the BRRWD plans to restore up to 4.6 miles of perennial stream with up to 100 plus acres of associated riparian corridor habitat along the South Branch of the Buffalo River. The project will divert water from Wilkin County Ditch No. 44 (formerly called Judicial Ditch 3) back into the abandoned South Branch channel. The South Branch will be restored using natural channel design principles. The river restoration has been designed with direct input from the MN DNR Stream Habitat Program as well as the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR). A sinuous riffle-pool natural channel design is proposed to recreate the aquatic habitat diversity that was lost in the straightened ditch. The naturally stable restored channel will not only recreate lost habitat, but will reduce the current erosion that is overloading downstream reaches of the South Branch. This project is being completed in conjunction with a Reinvest in Minnesota project being implemented by the MN BWSR. As part of their comprehensive subwatershed planning process, the District has completed planning and design on three additional stream reaches which are included as part of this application package. These include the restoration of Whisky Creek, its tributary, and the South Branch of the Buffalo River and their associated riparian corridors. Additional stream restoration enhancement along the South Branch of the Buffalo River and Whisky Creek will be completed as funding permits when and if additional sources of match funding become available. Combined, these comprehensive projects have the potential to restore and enhance more than 38 miles of natural prairie stream. Ultimately, over 1400 acres of floodplain wetland and grassland habitat along these restoration reaches will be protected and restored. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Bruce,Albright,"Buffalo-Red River Watershed District","1303 4th Avenue NE PO Box 341",Barnesville,MN,56514,"(218) 354-7710",balbright@brrwd.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Wilkin","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/buffalo-river-watershed-stream-habitat-program-phase-1,,,,
10000078,"Bushmen Lake",2018,18300,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(g)","$4,600,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Conservation Fund in cooperation with the United States Forest Service to acquire lands in fee adjacent to Bushman Lake in St. Louis County to be managed for wildlife habitat purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","The money was returned and no acres were affected.  Please see Project Details (above). ",,,,,17300,15000,,0.6,"The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The property was not able to be acquired and protected for reasons not known to project managers and partners at the outset of the project in 2017. ",,"The Conservation Fund was able to secure the property under contract and appraise the project to yellow book federal standards at the outset of the project, and was unable to continue with the acquisition due to US Forest Service's being unable to accept a donation of property with the LSOHC Notice of Funding Restrictions. ",2017-07-01,2020-10-23,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Emilee,Nelson,"The Conservation Fund","1000 County Road E West, Suite 220",Shoreview,MN,55126,(952)595-5768,enelson@conservationfund.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/bushmen-lake,,,,
10006483,"Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape ACUB Protection Program - Phase VII",2019,1229000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(a)","$1,229,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District and The Conservation Fund, to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore forest wildlife habitat within the boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape and Army Compatible Use Buffer. Of this amount, $39,000 is to the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, $207,000 is to The Conservation Fund, and $983,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Up to $45,500 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"The Camp Ripley partnership completed conservation easements along the Mississippi, Crow Wing, and Nokasippi Rivers. Additionally, Crow Wing and Morrison SWCDs worked with landowners to assist with forest management and cost-share forestry programs. The partnership protects high quality riparian habitat before it is developed or converted to agricultural uses targeting landowners who are interested in conservation easements. The river corridors are vulnerable to habitat degradation through development and forest to cropland conversion. The Hwy 371 Little Falls to Brainerd corridor has some of the highest growth rates outside the metropolitan area. The City of Baxter?s population increased over 51 percent and Cass County?s population increased by over 12 percent from 2000 to 2020. The majority of the lakes have been developed leaving major rivers vulnerable to new development. The majority of the project area falls within the Anoka Sand Plain and the Hardwood Hills Ecological Subsections. Currently much of the Hardwood Hills subsection is farmed. Important areas of forest and prairie exist, but they are small and fragmented. Urban development and agriculture occur in 1/3 of the Anoka Sand Plain.","A total of 598 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 598 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",,"Department of Defense",1001800,500,,0.37,"BWSR; Morrison County SWCD; The Conservation Fund","State Government","The Camp Ripley ACUB Phase VII project protected 598.2 acres of high quality habitat along the Crow Wing, Gull, Nokasippi, and Mississippi River corridors through nine conservation easements.","The project protected 598.2 acres of fish, game, migratory bird, and forest habitat along the Crow Wing, Gull, Nokasippi, and Mississippi River corridors through nine conservation easements. This project utilized the longstanding partnership between Camp Ripley, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to implement natural resource management. These river corridors are critical to the general public for fishing, hunting, and recreational opportunities. In addition, the corridors are a high priority for protection locally and to the State of Minnesota, MN National Guard (MN NG) and National Guard Bureau (NGB), MN DNR fish surveys on the Crow Wing River (Staples to confluence of Mississippi) and Mississippi River (Brainerd to Little Falls) indicate high quality fish communities of walleye, muskellunge, and small-mouth bass. Camp Ripley is also home to one of the southern-most wolf populations in Minnesota and 65 species of Greatest Conservation Need including the state?s highest population of red-shouldered hawks. The river corridors contain wildlife habitat and provide public recreation opportunities. Camp Ripley, along with the MN DNR, hosts the largest public archery hunt in the United States with over 5,000 participants. Additionally, Camp Ripley hosts other deer hunts, i.e. Disabled American Veterans (DAV), youth hunt, Deployed Soldier Archery, and Deployed Soldier Muzzleloader. A Deployed Soldier and DAV turkey hunt are also hosted along with a Trolling for the Troops fishing event. More than 13,000 hunting/angling person-days occur on Camp Ripley annually. Camp Ripley also makes available to the general public access to over 1,800 acres for walk-in recreational activities to include hunting on Camp lands. The Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers contain over 15 public access points from Staples to the confluence of Mississippi and from Brainerd to Little Falls respectively. This project will protect the current habitat along existing public access areas. Development along these corridors will have adverse effects to existing high quality wildlife habitat, local economies, and to the MN NG training program. Camp Ripley is located immediately adjacent to the confluence of the Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers. Camp Ripley contains 18 miles of Mississippi River frontage and 8 miles of Crow Wing River frontage. Development adjacent to military training sites has limited the facilities? ability to maintain their military mission. For example, the east shore of the Mississippi River has experienced high decibel levels due to weapon firing, and is also near the flight path of the Camp Ripley airfield. For that reason, the MN NG asked the partnership to focus on parcels directly adjacent to the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers to help reduce potential conflicts with homeowners. Camp Ripley is the largest employer in Morrison County. The project built on the Camp Ripley partnership's success with the Army Compatible Use Buffer program (ACUB). This federal program provides funds to protect adjacent lands from encroaching development and in the process protects the training center.",,2018-07-01,2023-08-15,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Shannon,Wettstein,"Morrison SWCD","16776 Heron Rd ","Little Falls",MN,56345,"(320) 631-3553",shannon.wettstein@morrisonswcd.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/camp-ripley-sentinel-landscape-acub-protection-program-phase-vii,,,,
10006485,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase VIII",2019,1345000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(e )","$1,345,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with Great River Greening, to acquire lands in fee in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire lands in fee for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and to restore lands in the Cannon River watershed. Of this amount, $945,000 is to The Trust for Public Land and $400,000 is to Great River Greening. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and restored, and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) identified in regional planning. Success within each COA will be determined based on the percentage of area protected restored and/or enhanced..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and restored, and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed..",,,70200,"TPL Private Funds, Greening Private Funds",1327100,17900,,0.64,"Trust for Public Land; Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex Phase VIII program will protect approximately 160 acres in fee, and restore and enhance approximately 188 acres of high priority wildlife habitat within the Cannon River Watershed, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river/shallow lake shoreline. Its goal is to reverse habitat loss, prevent degradation of water quality, improve watershed function, and provide public access.","Phase VIII of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex program will continue to prevent degradation and loss of quality habitat in the Prairie section of the State, specifically the Cannon River Watershed. It will increase the amount of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities within an easy drive for over half of the State’s population. In addition, increased restoration activities will occur in this phase to improve the habitat conditions of currently protected public lands.Located south of the Twin Cities, the Cannon River Watershed has seen increased development pressure due to the I-35 corridor and the Cannon Lakes, and much of this area has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams. The DNR’s Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of interdivisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level.This conservation effort is part of a multi-year, multi-partner strategy that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline.Acquisitions are targeted toward existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing protected areas. There is an effort underway which involves several partners (including Great River Greening, Cannon River Watershed Partnership, The Nature Conservancy and MN DNR) for landscape planning in the Cannon River watershed. This effort is expected to help the partnership further identify priority conservation opportunities and protection strategies for high biodiversity areas.Protecting and restoring vegetative cover within basins and the riparian areas of the lakes, rivers and streams in this focus area will also help protect water quality by reducing surface water runoff and by providing ecological services such as infiltration through natural buffers to our waterways. Parcels targeted for restoration will be evaluated by Great River Greening, and in collaboration with MN DNR and county SWCD personnel, to determine existing and desired conditions for each site. Information gathered will be used to develop a site specific scope of work plans for restoring ecologically desired habitats. Project management plans will detail the methods and practices to be used and a time line for successful completion of each site/project. Restoration practices could include; invasive species removal via controlled burning, chemical treatment, physical removal of individual plants, reseeding and/or plug planting, and shoreline revetments using native materials. All restoration efforts are aimed at improving habitat and protecting and water quality for the benefit of all wildlife and human communities.Work will be completed in phases depending on funding availability and landowner willingness to sell. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration can be found in the parcel list below.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,DJ,Forbes,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave. #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5325",dj.forbes@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Rice","Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-complex-phase-viii,,,,
10000079,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase VII",2018,1436000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(e)","$1,436,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire in fee and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected, and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed..",,,76500,Private,1405900,30100,,0.28,"The Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex Phase VII program will protect in fee and restore approximately 220 acres of high priority wildlife habitat within and near the Cannon River Watershed, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river/shallow lake shoreline. Its goal is to reverse habitat loss, prevent degradation of water quality, improve watershed function, and provide public access.","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex Phase VII program will prevent degradation and loss of quality habitat in the Prairie section of the State, specifically the Cannon River Watershed. In addition, it will increase the amount of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities within an easy drive for over half of the State's population.Located south of the Twin Cities, the Cannon River Watershed has seen increased development pressure due to the I-35 corridor and the Cannon Lakes, and much of this area has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams. The DNR's Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of interdivisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level.This conservation effort is part of a multi-year strategy that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline.Acquisitions are targeted toward existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing protected areas. There is an effort underway which involves several partners (including The Cannon River Watershed Partnership, The Nature Conservancy and MN DNR) for landscape planning in the Cannon River watershed. This effort is expected to help the partnership further identify priority conservation opportunities and protection strategies for high biodiversity areas.Protecting and restoring vegetative cover within basins and the riparian areas of the lakes, rivers and streams in this focus area will also help protect water quality by reducing surface water runoff and by providing ecological services such as infiltration through natural buffers to our waterways. All wildlife, and humans, will benefit from improved water quality.Work will be completed in phases depending on funding availability and landowner willingness to sell. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration as part of this Phase VII request to LSOHC (FY18) can be found in the parcel list below. With the transactions scheduled to close in June 2016, this program has created five new WMAs, and an addition to an existing WMA, in the Cannon River Watershed. This has resulted in 1,692 new acres of publicly accessible, permanently protected habitat.The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex effort is supported by the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, the Dark House Anglers Southern Chapter, the Izaak Walton League Owatonna Chapter, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association South Central Prairieland Bucks Chapter (Le Sueur, Rice, Waseca, and Steele Counties), Minnesota Waterfowl Association – Scott-Le Sueur Chapter, Montgomery Sportsmen's Club, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever – Le Sueur County Chapter, the Tri-Lake Sports Club, Waterville Sportsman's Club, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Robert,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave. #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5307",rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Le Sueur, Rice","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-complex-phase-vii,,,,
10019614,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 10",2022,2623000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(e )","$2,623,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with Great River Greening and the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, to acquire land in fee in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land in fee for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire land in fee for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7, and county forests; and to restore and enhance lands in the Cannon River watershed. Of this amount, $1,784,000 is to The Trust for Public Land; $687,000 is to Great River Greening; and $152,000 is to the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Habitat Protection and Restoration Program. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed",,,148600,"Private Sourced",2532100,90900,,0.69,"Trust for Public Land; Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will protect approximately 275 acres in fee, and restore and enhance approximately 181 acres of high priority wildlife habitat within the Cannon River Watershed, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river/shallow lake shoreline. Its goal is to protect existing high quality habitat, restore degraded habitat, prevent degradation of water quality, and provide public access.","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 10 will prevent degradation and quality habitat loss in the Cannon River Watershed. It will increase the amount of restored habitat on public lands available for hunting and angling opportunities within an easy drive for over half of Minnesota's population. Located south of the Twin Cities, the 1,460 square mile Cannon River Watershed includes over 800 linear miles of streams and rivers that drain a diverse landscape. This area has seen increased development pressure due to the transportation ease of the I-35 corridor and the attraction of the Cannon Lakes, and much of this area has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically comprised of Big Woods habitat, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, urban development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams. Part of a multi-year, multi-partner strategy, this program will include coordination, acquisition, protection and restoration of core parcels of land that contribute to large complexes of forests, restored prairies, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. Now in its 30th year, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) is the local expert of the watershed and will coordinate this program, providing program administration and landowner outreach. Acquisitions by The Trust for Public Land (TPL) will be targeted toward large wetland/upland complexes, rare biomes (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing public land. TPL will convey lands to the DNR except when County ownership is appropriate. Ongoing partnerships will be critical to identify priority conservation opportunities and protection strategies for the existing high biodiversity areas. Parcels targeted for restoration and enhancement will be evaluated by Great River Greening (GRG) in collaboration with MN DNR, County and SWCD personnel to determine existing and desired conditions for each site. Information gathered will be used to develop site specific work plans for restoring ecologically desired habitats. Project management plans will detail the methods, practices and a time line for successful completion of each site/project. Practices could include; invasive species removal, controlled burning, chemical treatment, individual plant removal, reseeding and/or plug planting, tree stand thinning, and shoreline revetments using native materials. Restorations and enhancements will be aimed at improving habitat and protecting water quality for the benefit of all wildlife and human communities. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration can be found in the parcel list below. In recent years, collaboration among CRWP, TPL and GRG has accelerated awareness of and created growing interest in land protection and habitat restoration opportunities available to landowners. Using this approach and building upon momentum, we seek to increase capacity to deliver permanent land protection and habitat improvement opportunities to landowners to protect well-connected functional forests, prairies, wetlands, lakeshores, and river shorelines that sustain and enhance native species.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kristi,Pursell,"Cannon River Watershed Partnership","710 Division Street ",Northfield,MN,55057,"(507) 786-3913",kristi@crwp.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, Waseca","Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-10,,,,
10017802,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase IX",2021,1148000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(j)","$1,148,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with Great River Greening, to acquire lands in fee in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire lands in fee for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; to acquire lands in fee for 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire lands in fee section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and to restore and enhance lands in the Cannon River watershed. Of this amount, $887,000 is to The Trust for Public Land and $261,000 is to Great River Greening. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and restored, and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Core parcels are identified in partnership with the DNR as well as the partners of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex. Success will be determined based on the acreage of lands protected and restored, and the percentage of protected lands in the watershed",,,75800,"GRG and Private TPL Funds",1108300,39700,,0.25,"TPL, GRG","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex Phase IX program will protect approximately 150 acres in fee, and restore and enhance approximately 93 acres of high priority wildlife habitat within the Cannon River Watershed, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river/shallow lake shoreline. Its goal is to reverse habitat loss, prevent degradation of water quality, improve watershed function, and provide public access.","Phase IX of the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex program will continue to prevent degradation and loss of quality habitat in the Cannon River Watershed. It will increase the amount of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities within an easy drive for over half of the State's population. In addition, increased restoration activities will occur in this phase to improve the habitat conditions of currently protected public lands. Located south of the Twin Cities, the 1,460 square mile Cannon River Watershed includes over 800 linear miles of streams and rivers that drain a diverse landscape. This area has seen increased development pressure due to the transportation ease of the I-35 corridor and the attraction of the Cannon Lakes, and much of this area has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams. The DNR's Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of interdivisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level. This conservation effort is part of a multi-year, multi-partner strategy that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. Acquisitions are targeted toward existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing protected areas. Ongoing partnerships with the MN DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and the Cannon River Watershed Partnership are critical in further identifying priority conservation opportunities and protection strategies for the existing high biodiversity areas. Protecting and restoring vegetative cover within basins and the riparian areas of the lakes, rivers and streams in this focus area will also help protect water quality by reducing surface water runoff and by providing ecological services such as infiltration through natural buffers to our waterways. Parcels targeted for restoration will be evaluated by Great River Greening in collaboration with MN DNR and county SWCD personnel, to determine existing and desired conditions for each site. Information gathered will be used to develop a site specific scope of work plans for restoring ecologically desired habitats. Project management plans will detail the methods and practices to be used and a time line for successful completion of each site/project. Restoration practices could include; invasive species removal via controlled burning, chemical treatment, physical removal of individual plants, reseeding and/or plug planting, and shoreline revetments using native materials. All restoration efforts are aimed at improving habitat and protecting water quality for the benefit of all wildlife and human communities. Work will be completed in phases depending on funding availability and landowner willingness to sell. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration can be found in the parcel list below.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,DJ,Forbes,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave. #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5325",dj.forbes@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Le Sueur, Rice, Rice","Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-complex-phase-ix,,,,
20709,"Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase III",2014,1780000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$1,780,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna.Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected.Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands.Improved condition of habitat on public lands.Water is kept on the land.Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need.",,,15000,"Private Source",2500000,,,,"Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Permanently protected 496 acres (142% of our protect goal) within the Cannon River watershed; areas include wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and shallow lake shoreline. This has reversed habitat loss, improved watershed function, and increased access to public lands. ",,"The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase III program acquired 496 acres of high-quality wetland, remnant Big Woods forest, and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife in the Cannon River watershed located within Rice County. Protection of four large complexes - Koester Prairie (Prairie Creek WMA), Circle Lake (Circle Lake WMA), Erin Township (Big Woods Heritage WMA), and Wells Township (Sunktokeca WMA) provide new opportunities for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. Located just south of the Twin Cities metro in an area that has seen development pressure due to the close proximity of the Twin Cities, I-35 and the Upper Cannon Lakes, the Cannon River watershed has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are also the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase III program was designed to address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State, degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour's drive for over half of the state's population. The Phase III program is a part of a multi-year conservation effort, focusing on the Cannon River watershed, that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. The Phase III acquisitions were prioritized toward protecting existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, oak savanna, tamarack swamp), and shallow lakes. In addition, landowner willingness to sell and the threat of conversion were also taken into consideration. Protection of these lands provides critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallards, canvasback, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, pintails, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock), white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, bullheads and walleye). Protection will also provide access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting, lake fishing, and wildlife observation. In addition, restoration work conducted by the MN DNR has been focused on the degraded portions of the lands acquired and has included restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands and lakes back to native habitat. Four acquisitions were completed with Phase III funding: 1. Koester Prairie (Prairie Creek WMA)  (Rice County) The Trust for Public Land acquired Koester Prairie and conveyed this 460 acre property to the DNR on December 20, 2013 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. This property contains approximately 327 acres of rolling grassland, prairie, and oak savanna that are associated with Prairie Creek and its tributaries and that directly buffer approximately 133 acres of rare and highly significant native prairie. Over forty native upland prairie species have been documented here as well as a number of sedge meadow and wet prairie species. The dry oak savanna found on the property is also extremely rare, with only 13 occurrences of this type documented in the state. The site is known to locals as being the biggest and best birding area in the county. Bird Species in Greatest Conservation Need utilizing this site include: Swainson’s Hawk, Upland Sandpiper, Red-headed Woodpecker, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink.  The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $1,885,000 using $1,032,507 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase II (ML 2012 OHF; allocated acreage 200), and also $652,493 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 127), and RIM funding of $200,000 (133 acres). 2. Circle Lake (Circle Lake WMA) (Rice County) The Trust for Public Land acquired the Circle Lake property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 166 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located directly on the north shore of Circle Lake in Rice County, this new WMA consists of high quality emergent marsh habitat as well as upland grass knolls. This site protects habitat for a wide varietly of waterfowl and wildlife, specifically including colonial waterbirds and Blanding's turtles. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $711,000 using $339,316 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 79), and also $371,684 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 87). 3. Erin Township (Big Woods Heritage WMA (Rice County) The Trust for Public Land acquired the Big Woods Heritage property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 130 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located north of Shields Lake, the headwaters of the Cannon River, this new WMA comprises both rolling upland mixed forest and wetland habitat. The native plant community of Southern Mesic Maple-Basswood Forest is found on this property and it will provide new publicly accessible outdoor experiences including ample hunting opportunities for waterfowl, deer, pheasant and turkeys. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $520,000 using $248,164 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 62), and also $271,836 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 68). 4. Wells Township (Sunktokeca Creek WMA) (Rice County)  The Trust for Public Land acquired the Sunktokeca Creek property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 199 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located just northwest of Faribault, this new WMA protects diverse, high quality emergent marsh habitat, supports a wide variety of waterfowl and wildlife, and provides new publically accessible outdoor experiences within an hour of the Twin Cities including quality hunting opportunities’ for waterfowl, deer, pheasant and turkeys.  The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $1,040,000 using $496,327 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 95), and also $543,673 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 104). ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Robert ",McGillvray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Avenue West Suite 300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5307",rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Rice,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-headwaters-habitat-complex-phase-iii,,,,
9798,"Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex, Phase 2",2013,1760000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$1,760,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 322 acres of prairies.",,305500,RIM,1760000,,,,"The Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect +/- 428 and restore +/- 175 acres near Cannon River Headwaters including wetlands, Big Woods forest, and river & shallow lake shoreline to reverse habitat loss, improve watershed function, and provide access.",,"The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase II project will acquire approximately 428 and restore approximately 175 acres of high-quality wetland, remnant Big Woods forest, and Cannon River- and shallow lake- shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife in the Cannon River watershed located within Rice and LeSueur Counties. Protection of this large complex will provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation.The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase II effort will address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State; degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour’s drive for over half of the state’s population.Located just south of the Twin Cities metro in an area that has seen development pressure due to the close proximity of the Twin Cities, I-35 and the Upper Cannon Lakes, much of this part of the state has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are also the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams.This conservation effort is part of a multi-year effort that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. The complex is encircled by the Upper Cannon River, starting at its headwaters at Shields Lake where it flows west, then as it flows south and east through the towns of Waterville and Morristown, and then as it heads northeast before reaching the city of Faribault.The initial acquisitions are prioritized toward existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing protected areas. Landowner willingness to sell and the threat of development are also taken into consideration. Restoration work will be focused on the degraded portions of the lands acquired (approximately 175 acres) and will include restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands, lakes, rivers and existing protected areas to native habitat.Protection and restoration of these significant parcels will provide critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallards, canvasback, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, pintails, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock) white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, bullheads and walleye). Protection will also provide access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting as well as river, stream, and lake fishing. Non-game wildlife, including Species in Greatest Conservation Need, likely to benefit from this protection and restoration work includes Bald Eagle, Bell’s Vireo, Cerulean Warbler, Loggerhead Shrike, Sandhill Crane, Red-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellowlegs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Blanding’s Turtle, Mudpuppies, and the Giant Floater, a species of freshwater mussel.Protecting and restoring vegetative cover within basins and the riparian areas of the lakes, rivers, and streams in this focus area will also help protect water quality by reducing surface water runoff and by providing ecological services such as infiltration through natural buffers to our waterways. All wildlife—and humans—will benefit from improved water quality.The DNR’s Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of inter-divisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level (score= 6).Work will be completed in phases depending on funding availability. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration as part of this Phase II request to LSOHC (FY13) include the following:Tamaracque WMA (addition)- tract 28 (Rice County)These 200 acres of rolling terrain with grasslands, forest, and wetlands riparian to the Cannon River are located within a 1000-acre complex of MCBS-identified habitat with high biodiversity significance. Rare communities include Big Woods, some of the southern- most occurrence of Tamarack Swamp in the state, and mixed emergent marsh & prairie. The diversity of marshes and lowland brush is important for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. The mix of wetland and upland habitats provide nesting areas for waterfowl. Restoration would include minimal tree and shrub plantings to provide nesting cover and minimal wetland restoration. This property also provides easy road access for excellent hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.Lake WMA (new)- tracts 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (Rice County) These 260 acres of rolling croplands, grasslands, forest, and wetlands include lands riparian to the shallow Caron Lake and an unditched tributary, Devil’s Creek, which is very rare in this area of the state. Due to limited funding, protection will be targeted toward a portion of this property. The property is adjacent to the Caron Lake Aquatic Management Area and contains approximately half mile of frontage on Caron Lake. The area is within a complex of shallow lakes that drain into the Cannon River. Protecting shoreline vegetation on Caron Lake is important for spawning and nursery habitat for northern pike and other native fishes; protecting natural buffers/water quality is critical for walleye downstream in Cedar Lake. This area is known to host both divers and puddle ducks during the fall migration. This is a great production area for turkey, deer, and other forest species, and extensive hunting opportunities would be available with direct and easy access provided by this acquisition. These tracts provide the opportunity to restore some farmed land in this sensitive water quality area to wetlands, grasslands, and either Oak Savannah or Big Woods habitat. Restoration will provide substantial payback for waterfowl and other marsh denizens given the complex of habitats within a biologically meaningful proximity.The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex effort is supported by the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, the Tri-Lake Sports Club, the Dark House Anglers Southern Chapter, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association South Central Prairieland Bucks Chapter (Le Sueur, Rice, Waseca, and Steele Counties), Waterville Sportsman’s Club, Montgomery Sportsmen’s Club, Minnesota Waterfowl Association Scott- LeSueur Chapter, the Izaak Walton League Owatonna Chapter, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Groups listed have already or will be providing a letter of support.PlanningAcquisition of high quality habitat and restoration of degraded habitat within the Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex furthers the goals and strategies of numerous resource management plans including:Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (MSCPP)L-SOHC Prairie Section VisionCannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) Strategic Plan 2009-2012Minnesota Forest Resources Council (MFRC) and Minnesota Forest Resources Partnership’s (MFRP) Recommended 25-year LSOHC Forest Priorities Vision: Prairie SectionMN DNR Long Range Duck Recovery PlanMN DNR Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked PheasantRice County Water Resource Management PlanLe Sueur County Local Water Management Plan 2006-2015DNR’s AMA and WMA Acquisition PlansThe MSCPP states “habitat issues are arguably the most important issues facing the conservation and preservation of natural resources throughout Minnesota” (p 31). The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project addresses multiple habitat issues by furthering the listed Habitat Recommendations. The project will “restore ecoregion-appropriate, landscape-scale complexes of habitat centered on concentrations of existing remnant habitats with a broader goal of developing/maintaining conservation corridors between existing and restored habitats” (p 66). It will “ critical shorelands of streams and lakes”, by focusing on “shoreline buffers…[which] protect water quality by trapping, filtering and impeding runoff laden with nutrients, sediments and other pollutants” (p 67). The project will also “improve connectivity and access to outdoor recreation” (p 74), by protecting “contiguous land areas suitable for: natural resource–based outdoor recreation; shorelands; threatened habitat areas with opportunities to improve connectivity of underserved areas; and rapidly growing areas or areas where land use changes may limit future outdoor recreation opportunities” (p 76). The project also addresses the habitat recommendation to “restore land, wetlands and wetland-associated watersheds” which is “especially imperative in the prairie and prairie-forest transition zones of the state” (p 80).The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project fits nearly all of the Priority Actions listed in the L-SOHC Prairie Section Vision. The project will “protect, enhance, or restore existing wetland/upland complexes, or convert agricultural lands to new wetland/upland habitat complexes” and “protect, enhance and restore remnant native prairie, Big Woods forests and oak savannah”. By protecting and restoring lands containing large habitat complexes and those adjacent to and near existing AMA’s, WMA’s, and WPA’s, the project will convert agricultural land to wetland/upland to protect, enhance, or restore existing habitat complexes, and restore or enhance habitat on public lands, while providing fantastic opportunities for public recreation proximate to the Twin Cities urban area and outstate MN. Protecting and restoring the wetlands, uplands and riparian areas especially located around Caron Lake meet the priority actions to “protect, restore and enhance shallow lakes” and “protect, enhance and restore migratory habitat for waterfowl and related species, so as to increase migratory and breeding success”.The CRWP Strategic Plan lists their mission and the vision for the Cannon River Headwaters. This project furthers their vision of a “healthy watershed with clean water that is fishable, swimmable, and drinkable” and contributes to their mission of “protecting and improving the water quality and natural systems of the Cannon River watershed” (p 2).The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project furthers the vision and goals of the MFRC and MFRP’s Recommendations for the Prairie Section of the state: the area of Rice and Le Sueur County included in this effort is specifically shown in their recommendation as a “Forest and Wildlife Habitat Priority Area” (Big Woods).The MN DNR Long Range Duck Recovery Plan states “Minnesota has lost more than 90% of its prairie wetlands” (p 8). The project employs the primary breeding strategy of the plan: “to [restore and protect] two million additional acres (30% wetland, 70% grassland) of habitat in wetland/grassland habitat complexes,” especially in seasonal basins and including shallow lakes (p 3). The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project also furthers the recreation strategy by “improving the quantity and quality of duck hunting and viewing opportunities” (p 5).The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex effort helps accomplish MN DNR’s Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant by restoring grassland habitat as well as protecting shrub-scrub wetlands and other dense woody habitat in close proximity: “Because most pheasants move <2 miles between summer and winter range, both reproductive habitat and at least 1 winter area must be available within a 9-square mile landscape to sustain a population over the long term” (p 6).The project also meets the following overall water resource management goals from the Rice County Water Resource Management Plan: “Protect, preserve, and manage natural surface and groundwater storage systems”, “prevent erosion of soil into surface water systems”, and “protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities” (iii). The plan also lists wetlands as one of the County’s priority issues. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project meets the management goal to “restore pre-settlement wetlands that provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, that act as recharge areas for groundwater to filter pollutants” (p vi)The LeSueur County Local Water Management Plan lists their priority concerns and goals to address the concerns. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex project will create: “protected, restored and improved surface water quality in lakes, rivers and streams” and “minimized impacts from runoff of development areas and agricultural land that alter surface water hydrology” by addressing Objective 7: “Increase the number of wetland restoration acreage in the county” (p 3).Lastly, the effort helps fulfill the strategies of the DNR’s AMA and WMA acquisition plans: “[lake and warm water stream and river acquisitions] should be concentrated in the north central lakes and transition area between the prairie/grassland and forested portions of the state where development and land use pressures, habitat fragmentation, and increased demand for water-based outdoor recreation will continue to expand” (the Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex is located in the latter for purposes of AMA; p 20). The effort follows guidance in the WMA plan that “emphasis should be placed on habitat in larger complexes of grassland/wetland…including core wintering areas for resident wildlife species, and needed nesting habitat” (p 11).All parcels have been scored through DNR Division of Wildlife’s scientific SWAAT WMA scoring tool and have been ranked as priority acquisitions with a score of 12 or above. Additionally, the DNR’s Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of inter-divisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level (score= 6).",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave West, Suite 300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5307",rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Rice,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-headwaters-habitat-complex-phase-2,,,,
23908,"Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase IV",2015,1430000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$1,430,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"67 Wetland acres, 103 Prairie acres, 80 Forest acres, and 37 Habitat acres (for a total of 287 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.   ",,,,1429600,,,,"Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect approximately 270 acres and restore approximately 50 acres near the Cannon River headwaters, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river & shallow lake shoreline to reverse habitat loss, improve watershed function and provide access. ",,"The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase IV program acquired 287 acres of high-quality wetland, prairie, remnant Big Woods forest, and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife in the Cannon River Watershed. The protection and creation of four large complexes - Circle Lake WMA, Big Woods Heritage WMA (Erin Township), Sunktokeca Creek WMA (Wells Township), and Trout Lily WMA provide new opportunities for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase IV program was designed to address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State, degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour's drive for over half of the state's population. The Phase IV program is a part of a multi-year conservation effort, focusing on the Cannon River Watershed, that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. The Phase IV acquisitions were prioritized toward protecting existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, oak savanna, tamarack swamp), and shallow lakes. In addition, landowner willingness to sell and the threat of conversion were also taken into consideration. Protection of these lands provides critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallards, canvasback, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, pintails, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock), white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, bullheads and walleye). Protection will also provide access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting, lake fishing, and wildlife observation. In addition, restoration work conducted by the MN DNR has been focused on the degraded portions of the lands acquired and has included restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands and lakes back to native habitat. Specifically, four acquisitions were completed with Phase IV funding: 1. Circle Lake WMA - Rice County: The Trust for Public Land acquired the Circle Lake WMA property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 166 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located directly on the north shore of Circle Lake in Rice County, this new WMA consists of high quality emergent marsh habitat as well as upland grass knolls. This site protects habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl and wildlife, specifically including colonial waterbirds and Blanding's turtles. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $711,000 using $371,684 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 87), and also $339,316 from the Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III grant (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 79). 2. Big Woods Heritage WMA - Rice County: The Trust for Public Land acquired the Big Woods Heritage property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 130 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located just north of Shields Lake, the headwaters of the Cannon River, this new WMA comprises both rolling upland mixed forest and wetland habitat. The native plant community of Southern Mesic Maple-Basswood Forest is found on this property and it will provide new publicly accessible outdoor experiences including ample hunting opportunities for waterfowl, deer, pheasant and turkeys. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $520,000 using $271,836 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 68), and also $248,164 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 62). 3. Sunktokeca Creek WMA - Rice County: The Trust for Public Land acquired the Sunktokeca Creek property on June 23, 2016 and conveyed the 199 acre property to the DNR on March 10, 2017 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located just northwest of Faribault, this new WMA protects diverse, high quality emergent marsh habitat, supports a wide variety of waterfowl and wildlife, and provides new publically accessible outdoor experiences within an hour of the Twin Cities including quality hunting opportunities’ for waterfowl, deer, pheasant and turkeys. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $1,040,000 using $543,673 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase IV (ML 2014 OHF; allocated acreage 104), and also $496,327 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase III (ML 2013 OHF; allocated acreage 95). 4. Trout Lily WMA - Rice County: On August 9, 2017, The Trust for Public Land acquired the 112 acre Phase I property and conveyed both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 properties to the Minnesota DNR on November 6, 2018 to create the new Cannon River Trout Lily WMA in Rice County. This new WMA is located directly on the Cannon River just northeast of Faribault, it currently consists of agricultural cropland and maple-basswood “Big Woods” remnants, and will be restored to prairie while conserving the federally-endangered dwarf trout lily habitat. Directly adjacent to The Nature Conservancy’s Trout Lily preserve and the DNR Trout Lily Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), this acquisition adds protection to this federally-endangered species that is only found on Earth in approximately 600 acres in this area of Minnesota. In addition to protecting the dwarf trout lily and other rare animals such as wood turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and red- shouldered hawks, this area is home to a major deer wintering complex. Cannon River Trout Lily WMA will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hunting, fishing, trapping, bird- watching, general nature observation, and to provide a natural environment for the study of wildlife and their habitats. This acquisition used the remaining $148,679 of the Cannon River Phase IV acquisition funds and $453,321 of the Cannon River Phase V acquisition funds. ",2014-07-01,2021-10-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,McGillvray,"Trust for Public Land","2610 University Avenue","Saint Paul",MN,55127,"(651) 999-5307",bob.mcgillvray@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Rice,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-headwaters-habitat-complex-phase-iv,,,,
2534,"Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex, Phase 1",2012,1533000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$1,533,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an greement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 380 acres.",,699500,"Clean Water Fund, ENRTF, Schmidt Foundation, Turkey Stamps and private",1533000,,,,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect ~510 acres and restore ~200 acres near Cannon River Headwaters including wetlands, Big Woods forest, and river & shallow lake shoreline to reverse habitat loss, improve watershed function, and provide access ",,"Program NarrativeThe Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase I project will acquire ~510 acres of high-quality wetland, remnant Big Woods forest, and Cannon River shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife in the Cannon River watershed located within Rice and LeSueur Counties. Protection of this large complex will provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase I project will also restore ~200 acres of the protected lands.The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex effort will address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State; degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour’s drive for over half of the state’s population.Located just south of the Twin Cities metro in an area that has seen development pressure due to the close proximity of the Twin Cities, I-35 and the Upper Cannon Lakes, much of this part of the state has already suffered fragmentation and habitat loss. Historically inhabited by Big Woods, the landscape is now dominated by agricultural fields and, to a lesser extent, development. Agricultural practices and shoreline development are also the major contributors to the impaired status of stretches of the Cannon River and its associated lakes and streams.This conservation effort is part of a long-term effort that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. The complex is encircled by the Upper Cannon River, starting at its headwaters at Shields Lake where it flows west, then as it flows south and east through the towns of Waterville and Morristown, and then as it heads northeast before reaching the city of Faribault.The initial acquisitions of the overall effort are prioritized toward existing large wetland/upland complexes, rare communities (Big Woods forest, tamarack swamp), shallow lakes, river shoreline, and lands adjacent to existing protected areas. Landowner willingness to sell and the threat of development are also taken into consideration. Restoration work will be focused on the degraded portions of the lands acquired and will include conversion of agricultural fields near wetlands, lakes, rivers and existing protected areas back into native habitat.Protection and restoration of these significant parcels will provide critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallards, canvasback, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, pintails, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock) white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, bullheads and walleye). Protection will also provide access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting as well as river, stream, and lake fishing. Non-game wildlife, including Species in Greatest Conservation Need, likely to benefit from this protection and restoration work includes Bald Eagle, Bell’s Vireo, Cerulean Warbler, Loggerhead Shrike, Sandhill Crane, Red-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellowlegs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Blanding’s Turtle, Mudpuppies, and the Giant Floater, a species of freshwater mussel.Protecting and restoring vegetative cover within basins and the riparian areas of the lakes, rivers, and streams in this focus area will also help protect water quality by reducing surface water runoff and by providing ecological services such as infiltration through natural buffers to our waterways. All wildlife—and humans—will benefit from improved water quality.All parcels have been scored through the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, Section of Wildlife’s SWAAT scoring tool. Additionally, the DNR’s Southern Region Conservation Focus Area assessment tool ranked the Cannon River area as having the highest level of inter-divisional conservation priority when examined at the landscape level (score= 6).Work will be completed in phases depending on funding availability. Properties targeted for acquisition and restoration as part of this Phase I request to LSOHC (FY12) include the following:Dora Lake WMA (new)- tracts 1 and 2 (LeSueur County) This is a large (510-acre) upland-wetland complex with a mosaic of native plant types. It is near the Velishek, Diamond Lake, and the proposed LeTamaraque WMAs and the Delehanty Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). The parcel contains Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS)- identified native habitat including a portion of remnant Big Woods, some southern-most occurrence of tamarack swamp in the state, and 1.64 miles of naturally flowing Cannon River, directly upstream from a concentration of rare freshwater mussels. The Cannon is a large river basin that along with its associated uplands accomplishes Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (MSCPP) habitat goals #1,2,5, and 7 by maintaining & enhancing water quality of a vital river. These tracts also provide an opportunity to retire approximately 200 acres of tilled land in a sensitive water quality area and restore them to wetlands, grassland and eventual guided succession to Big Woods. This tract would provide excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreating within a reasonable drive of the Twin Cities and many southwestern MN communities.Le Tamaracque WMA (addition)- tract 28 (Rice County) These 200 acres of rolling terrain with grasslands, forest, and wetlands riparian to the Cannon River are located within a 1000-acre complex of MCBS-identified habitat with high biodiversity significance. Rare communities include Big Woods, some of the southern- most occurrence of Tamarack Swamp in the state, and mixed emergent marsh & prairie. The diversity of marshes and lowland brush is important for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. The mix of wetland and upland habitats provide nesting areas for waterfowl. Restoration would include minimal tree and shrub plantings to provide nesting cover and minimal wetland restoration. This property also provides easy road access for excellent hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.Caron Lake WMA (new) Tracts 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 (Rice County) These 260 acres of rolling croplands, grasslands, forest, and wetlands include lands riparian to the shallow Caron Lake and an unditched tributary, Devil’s Creek, which is very rare in this area of the state. The property is adjacent to the Caron Lake Aquatic Management Area and contains approximately half mile of frontage on Caron Lake. The area is within a complex of shallow lakes that drain into the Cannon River. Protecting shoreline vegetation on Caron Lake is important for spawning and nursery habitat for northern pike and other native fishes; protecting natural buffers/water quality is critical for walleye downstream in Cedar Lake. This area is known to host both divers and puddle ducks during the fall migration. This is a great production area for turkey, deer, and other forest species, and extensive hunting opportunities would be available with direct and easy access provided by this acquisition. These tracts provide the opportunity to convert approximately 180 acres of farmed land in this sensitive water quality area and restore them to wetlands, grasslands, and either Oak Savannah or Big Woods habitat. Restoration will provide substantial payback for waterfowl and other marsh denizens given the complex of habitats within a biologically meaningful proximity.Boyd Sartell WMA tract 3 (Rice County) This tract contains diverse marsh habitats and about 14 acres of uplands consisting of oak islands and grassy knolls along the headwaters of the Cannon River. Acquisition will conserve a high quality emergent marsh complex (as characterized by MCBS) associated with General Shields Lake and Little Mud Lake. The acquisition will protect seasonally flooded wetlands and other key habitats for waterfowl and wetland wildlife ranging from sedge wrens and ring-necked ducks to sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans. The area also provides habitat for rare animals and species of conservation need, including colonial waterbirds and Blanding’s turtles. The tract would expand the Boyd Sartell and protect a part of a large, relatively unfragmented habitat area and corridor – a rare entity in south-central Minnesota.Dora Lake WMA tracts 3 & 4 (LeSueur County) Please see above description for Dora Lake WMAThe Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex effort is highly supported by the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, the Tri-Lake Sports Club, the Dark House Anglers Southern Chapter, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association South Central Prairieland Bucks Chapter (Le Sueur, Rice, Waseca, and Steele Counties), Waterville Sportsman’s Club, Montgomery Sportsmen’s Club, Minnesota Waterfowl Association Scott- LeSueur Chapter, the Izaak Walton League Owatonna Chapter, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Groups listed have already or will be providing a letter of support. Many will also be pledging privately raised funds to the effort.",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave. W #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-999-5325,bob.mcgillivray@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Le Sueur, Rice","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-headwaters-habitat-complex-phase-1,,,,
35021,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase V",2016,1380000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$1,380,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"All of the areas targeted by the Trust for Public Land have been identified and prioritized through state, regional and local natural resource plans due to their high biodiversity and connectivity. The Cannon River watershed includes Big Woods, oak savannas, wetlands and sensitive shorelines, which provide habitat for a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Specifically, the shoreline zones protected are one of the most essential and threatened habitat resources in the state. They provide a range of benefits for fisheries, migratory waterfowl and upland game species.","A total of 242 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 242 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",138000,"Landowner Donation and RIM matching funds",1329800,,,None,"Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through fee-title acquisition, the Trust for Public Land permanently protected 242 acres (88% of our goal) in the Cannon River Watershed. This resulted in one new Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and four additions to existing WMAs. Now publicly accessible, these protected areas include wetland, prairie, and ""Big Woods"" forest habitat. The permanent preservation of these places has reversed habitat loss, allowed for habitat restoration, and increased access to public lands for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.","The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase V program acquired 242 acres of high-quality wetland, prairie, remnant Big Woods forest, and shoreline habitat for wildlife in the Cannon River Watershed. The protection, creation (Trout Lily WMA), and expansion (Gray Fox, Factor, and Warsaw WMAs) of three large complexes provide new opportunities for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase V program was designed to address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State, degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour drive for over half of the State's population. The Phase V program is a part of a multi-year conservation effort, focusing on the Cannon River Watershed, that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lake shore, and river shoreline. The Phase V acquisitions were prioritized toward protecting existing large wetland/upland complexes and rare communities (Big Woods forest, oak savanna, tamarack swamp). In addition, landowner willingness to sell and the threat of conversion were also taken into consideration. Protection of these lands provides critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallard, canvasback, wood duck, hooded merganser, pintail, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock), white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and walleye). Protection provided access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting, lake fishing, and wildlife observation. In addition, restoration work conducted by the MN DNR has been focused on degraded portions of the lands acquired, including restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands and lakes back to native habitat. Specifically, five acquisitions were completed with Phase V funding: 1. Gray Fox WMA - Rice County The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired the Gray Fox WMA property on October 19, 2018 and conveyed the 78-acre parcel to the DNR on April 23, 2019 managed as a new WMA. This property has rolling topography of wetland and grassland habitat located in the upper reaches of the Cannon River Watershed just west of Shields Lake (the headwaters of the Cannon River). It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and it will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. TPL purchased this property for a total of $406,000 using $336,979 of the Cannon River Phase V acquisition funds (ML2015 OHF; allocated acreage 65), and also $69,021 from Cannon River Phase VI (ML2016 OHF; allocated acreage 13). 2. Warsaw WMA - Goodhue County TPL acquired the parcel on July 31, 2018 and conveyed 18 acres to the MN DNR on August 1, 2018 to be managed as an addition to the Warsaw WMA. Identified as a priority by the Wildlife Action Network this acquisition is adjacent to Hwy 56 and expands the existing WMA, squaring up boundaries, and provides improved public access for quality outdoor recreation and hunting opportunities within an hour drive of the Twin Cities. TPL purchased this property for a total of $61,900. Several rare features were identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey within one mile of the acquisition which is located within a Site of High Biodiversity Significance. 3. Factor WMA - Le Sueur County TPL acquired tracts 4 and 6 of the Factor WMA property on July 30, 2018 and conveyed the 54-acre parcel to the DNR on August 28, 2018 to be managed as an addition to the Factor WMA. TPL purchased this parcel for $272,200, the acquisition helped to square off boundaries and provide an additional access point to the WMA. This property has a significant amount of wetlands which provide high quality habitat for wildlife and help to buffer the adjacent Cannon River near its headwaters. It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and it will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. 4. Trout Lily WMA (Phase I) - Rice County TPL acquired the first phase of the Trout Lily WMA property on August 9, 2017 and conveyed the 112-acre parcel to the DNR on November 6, 2018 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. This property was identified as a high priority for protection by both the State Wildlife Action Plan and SNA Strategic Land Acquisition Plan. The property has deeply dissected wooded ravines and upland which drain to the adjacent Cannon River just upstream of The Nature Conservancy?s Trout Lily preserve and the DNR Trout Lily Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), both of which abut this property. It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and will provide a much needed buffer to the Dwarf Trout Lily Preserve, public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. TPL purchased this property for a total of $602,000 using $453,321 (ML15 OHF; allocated acreage 84), and $148,679 (ML14 OHF; allocated acreage 28). 5. Trout Lily WMA (Phase II) - Rice County TPL acquired the second phase of the Trout Lily WMA property on September 17, 2018 and conveyed the 21-acre parcel to the DNR on November 6, 2018 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. Located within a portion of a Site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance this property was identified as a high priority for protection by both the SWAP and SNA Strategic Land Acquisition Plan. TPL purchased this property for a total of $120,600. The property has deeply dissected wooded ravines and upland which drain to the adjacent Cannon River just upstream of The Nature Conservancy?s Trout Lily preserve and the Trout Lily SNA, both of which abut this property.",,2015-07-01,2022-11-09,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,McGillivray,"Trust for Public Land","2610 University Avenue, W Suite 300","Saint Paul",MN,55127,"(651) 999-5307",bob.mcgillivray@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Le Sueur, Rice","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-complex-phase-v,,,,
35086,"Cannon River Watershed Habitat Complex - Phase VI",2017,583000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e )","$583,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire land in fee and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","    ","27 Wetland acres, 23 Prairie acres, 19 Forest acres (total of 69 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,65500,"Various state, local and private funds, Private ",561500,21500,,0.3,"Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect and restore approximately 80 acres in and near the Cannon River watershed, including wetlands, prairies, Big Woods forest, and river and shallow lake shoreline to reverse habitat loss, improve watershed function and provide access. ",,"The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase VI program acquired 69 acres of high-quality wetland, prairie, remnant Big Woods forest, and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife in the Cannon River Watershed. The protection and creation/expansion of two large complexes (Gray Fox WMA and Murphy WMA) provides new opportunities for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex Phase VI program was designed to address the following problems: degradation and loss of quality and diversity of habitat in the prairie section of the State, degradation of water quality in the Cannon River Watershed; and lack of available public lands for hunting and angling opportunities, especially within an hour's drive for over half of the state's population. The Phase VI program is a part of a multi-year conservation effort, focusing on the Cannon River Watershed, that includes acquisition, protection, and restoration of core parcels of land that will contribute to a large complex of restored prairies, grasslands, wetlands, lakeshore, and river shoreline. The Phase VI acquisitions were prioritized toward protecting existing large wetland/upland complexes and rare communities (Big Woods forest, oak savanna, tamarack swamp). In addition, landowner willingness to sell and the threat of conversion were also taken into consideration. Protection of these lands provides critical habitat for game species, including migratory waterfowl (mallards, canvasback, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, pintails, lesser scaup), upland birds (dove, turkey, pheasant, and woodcock), white tail deer, and fish (northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, bullheads and walleye). Protection will also provide access for a diversity of recreational experiences including duck, pheasant, turkey and deer hunting, lake fishing, and wildlife observation. In addition, restoration work conducted by the MN DNR has been focused on the degraded portions of the lands acquired and has included restoration of agricultural fields near wetlands and lakes back to native habitat. Specifically, two acquisitions were completed with Phase VI funding: 1. Gray Fox WMA - Rice County: The Trust for Public Land acquired the Gray Fox WMA property on October 19, 2018 and conveyed the 78 acre property to the DNR on April 23, 2019 to be managed as a new Wildlife Management Area. This property has rolling topography of wetland and grassland habitat located in the upper reaches of the Cannon River Watershed just west of Shields Lake (the headwaters of the Cannon River). It has great scenic views and natural beauty, and it will provide much needed public access for dispersed wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, trapping, bird-watching, and general nature observation. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $406,000 using $69,021 of the Cannon River Phase VI acquisition funds (ML2016 OHF; allocated acreage 13), and also $336,979 from Cannon River Phase V (ML2015 OHF; allocated acreage 65). 2. Murphy WMA Addition - Le Sueur County: The Trust for Public Land acquired and conveyed 72 acres to the MN DNR on August 16, 2019 to be managed as an addition to the Murphy Wildlife Management Area. Located directly on the Cannon River just north of Waterville, this acquisition connects the two units of Murphy WMA, squares up boundaries, and provides improved public access for quality outdoor recreation and hunting opportunities within an hour’s drive of the Twin Cities. The Trust for Public Land purchased this property for a total of $375,000 using $292,407 in funds from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase VI (ML 2016 OHF; allocated acreage 56), and also $82,593 from Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Phase VII (ML 2017 OHF; allocated acreage 16). ",,2022-03-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave. #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5307",rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Le Sueur, Rice","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cannon-river-watershed-habitat-complex-phase-vi,,,,
10000080,"Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor",2018,2458000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(a)","$2,458,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements in Washington County. Of this amount, up to $30,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The focal project area is captured within the Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor and intersects with the Tanglewood Conservation Corridor, both of which are priority conservation targets for Washington County. Conservation plans for both corridors have been developed and are being used to target conservation action. The outcomes of this action to protect this core area will be measured and evaluated relative to the encompassing goals of those corridor plans..",,,2366000,"Washington County; Landowner, MLT",2451800,6200,,0.15,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Washington County's Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor contains one of the largest unprotected wildlife habitat complexes within the metropolitan area and has been identified as one of the County's top conservation priorities. The Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County will protect 369 acres of the Corridor's most threatened, high quality forest and aquatic habitat in this first phase of the project. This project represents a unique opportunity to conserve intact habitat of this magnitude within the LSOHC's Metropolitan Urbanizing Area, and includes nearly 5 miles of shoreline and supports 70 species in greatest conservation need.","The Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor has long been a conservation target of Washington County, DNR, Minnesota Land Trust and other conservation organizations due to its rich forest habitat and its abundant clear lakes which are currently completely undeveloped—a rare feature in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County have formed a partnership to complete this first phase of the Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor Project by securing a perpetual conservation easement on 369 acres which forms the critical core of the larger 2,700 acre Corridor. We intend to complete the full 735-acre project as initially proposed through additional leverage from program partners and existing OHF grants to the Land Trust (Metro Big Rivers 5, 6 and 7), with outcomes split proportionately among this (369 acres) and these other associated grants (366 acres).This first phase of the Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor Project, known as the “Terrapin Lakes Site”, will cover 369 acres of high quality habitat and more than 5 miles of shoreline that Warner Nature Center will own at the time of the easement. This project will ensure that the core wildlife habitat area of the Corridor will be protected forever from development, fragmentation and poor land management. This project represents a unique window in time due to having a motivated landowner in Warner Nature Center and to Washington County's commitment to dedicate funds from its Land and Water Legacy Fund. There is nothing that currently legally protects the property from development. The terms of the conservation easement will ensure the property's protection for generations to come. This first phase of the project at the Terrapin Lakes Site is specifically noted as having: • Oak and maple-basswood forest habitat identified as having high-quality biodiversity by the DNR due to its undisturbed canopy and significant age;• High biodiversity for species in greatest conservation need such as Blanding's Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle and Eastern Fox Snake, the Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and American Woodcock;• Nearly 5 miles of shoreline and riparian habitat on North and South Terrapin, Mays and Clear Lakes;• High quality water discharge and recharge areas which help maintain aquatic habitat and water quality; and• High quality undeveloped shallow (Upper Terrapin) and deep (Mays and Lower Terrapin) lakes.This project represents an urgent and important protection opportunity due to the landowner's current interest in conservation and to the commitment of Washington County to participate in funding the project through its Land and Water Legacy Program. We anticipate >50% of the easement's acquisition costs to be funded by non-state sources, making this a very high leverage project for the Outdoor Heritage Fund. And while the project will not specifically require public access, more than 15,000 children and adults experience the site's unique and abundant wildlife habitat each year through Warner Nature Center's programs. ",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Washington,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/carnelian-creek-conservation-corridor,,,,
787,"Cold Water River and Stream Restoration, Protection, and Enhancement, Phase I",2010,2050000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$2,050,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited or successor to restore, enhance, and protect cold water river and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition, restoration, and enhancement.",,"Total acres restored or enhanced: 277",,,,2050000,,,0.125,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will restore and enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in 11 watersheds across the state of Minnesota. The proposed projects will improve habitat for both game and non-game fish and wildlife species uniquely associated with cold water trout streams and provide expanded recreational opportunities for Minnesota anglers. ","As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited (""MNTU"") has identified the priority conservation projects listed below. MNTU proposes to restore or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along the following Minnesota waters (counties) between July 2009 and June 201, with most projects completed by October 2010: 1. Hay Creek (Goodhue); 2. Kabekona Creek (Hubbard); 3. Lawndale Creek (Wilkin); 4. Little Rock Creek (Benton); 5. Middle Branch of Whitewater River (Olmsted); 6. Mill Creek (Fillmore); 7. Pickwick Creek (Winona); 8. Trout Run Creek (Fillmore); 9. Straight River (Becker & Hubbard); 10. Sucker River (St. Louis); 11. Vermillion River (Dakota). Degraded cold water habitat is an important statewide conservation issue that requires immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecologically distinct region of Minnesota, together with the variation in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices in different watersheds, require that fish habitat restoration methods vary around the state. MNTU understands this and tailors our projects accordingly. In the Lake Superior basin, this may mean restoring in-stream cover which was removed decades ago to facilitate log drives. In Southwest Minnesota this may mean restoring overhead bank cover, while drastically sloping soil back to remove thick sediment deposited from the uplands and restore streams' access to their floodplains. The projects to be undertaken by MNTU as part of this program will be designed to accomplish a number of the following purposes: a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access. The results of the projects will be evaluated not only in measures of habitat restored and/or enhanced, but also through trout population assessments. ","As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited (""MNTU"") has identified the priority conservation projects listed below. MNTU proposes to restore or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along the following Minnesota waters (counties) between July 2009 and June 201, with most projects completed by October 2010:1. Hay Creek (Goodhue);2. Kabekona Creek (Hubbard);3. Lawndale Creek (Wilkin);4. Little Rock Creek (Benton);5. Middle Branch of Whitewater River (Olmsted);6. Mill Creek (Fillmore);7. Pickwick Creek (Winona);8. Trout Run Creek (Fillmore);9. Straight River (Becker & Hubbard);10. Sucker River (St. Louis);11. Vermillion River (Dakota).Degraded cold water habitat is an important statewide conservation issue that requires immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecologically distinct region of Minnesota, together with the variation in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices in different watersheds, require that fish habitat restoration methods vary around the state. MNTU understands this and tailors our projects accordingly. In the Lake Superior basin, this may mean restoring in-stream cover which was removed decades ago to facilitate log drives. In Southwest Minnesota this may mean restoring overhead bank cover, while drastically sloping soil back to remove thick sediment deposited from the uplands and restore streams' access to their floodplains.The projects to be undertaken by MNTU as part of this program will be designed to accomplish a number of the following purposes: a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access.The results of the projects will be evaluated not only in measures of habitat restored and/or enhanced, but also through trout population assessments.",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,None,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Benton, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hubbard, Olmsted, St. Louis, St. Louis",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cold-water-river-and-stream-restoration-protection-and-enhancement,,,,
808,"Cold Water River and Stream Restoration, Protection, and Enhancement, Phase II",2011,1269000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$1,269,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore, enhance, and protect cold water river and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition, restoration, and enhancement. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).","Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicator","Restored 22 acres of prairie; Restored and Enhanced habitat along 4.4 miles of trout stream, approximately 52 acres of riparian corridor.",,,,1269000,,,,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will restore and/or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in six coldwater streams located in existing Aquatic Management Areas and one Minnesota State Park. The proposed projects will improve habitat for both game and non-game fish and wildlife species uniquely associated with coldwater trout streams and provide expanded recreational opportunities for Minnesota anglers.","Seriously degraded coldwater habitat is an important statewide conservation issue requiring immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council has declared the restoration and enhancement of coldwater fish habitat a priority action in the L-SOHC Sections in which these projects are located. As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited (?MNTU?) has identified several priority projects for Fiscal Year 2011 funding. MNTU proposes to directly restore or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along the following Minnesota waters (counties) between July 2010 and June 2012:1. Hay Creek (Goodhue);2. Lost Creek (Fillmore);3. North Branch of Whitewater River (Wabasha);4. Pine Creek (Winona);5. Vermillion River (Dakota);6. West Indian Creek (Wabasha) Five of the projects will restore or enhance habitat on existing state-owned Aquatic Management Areas. The sixth project will restore or enhance habitat on state-owned land within Carly State Park. These projects will employ the same successful strategy used in the projects done by MNTU chapters and the MNDNR in the past several years. Each project involves the installation of in-stream fish habitat structures, in addition to measures which reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, and reconnect streams to their flood plains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding. The specific fish habitat restoration or enhancement methods used on each stream will vary depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecological region, as well as variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watersheds. Each project will be tailored to the site after close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota DNR. The projects to be undertaken by MNTU will be designed to accomplish a number of the following purposes: a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their flood plains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access. Additional project descriptions can be found in MNTU's Request for Funding dated November 2, 2009. Project partners include the MNDNR, Carly State park, Plainview Lions Club, Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota citizens. The MNDNR is a key partner on every project MNTU does, from identifying priority projects for MNTU to consider, to offering professional input on project design, providing permitting review and project support. Depending upon the project they may contribute materials, labor and/or some supervision. The project proposed for the North Branch of the Whitewater River involves partnerships with both Carley State Park and the Plainview Lions Club. The Park will provide technical support and the Lions Club will provide volunteers and a cash contribution. On the Vermillion River, Pheasants Forever will partner on the upland portion of the parcel. We anticipate strong support from local communities, local businesses, community clubs, sporting groups, anglers, the MNDNR and the general public. We do not anticipate any opposition to the projects or impediments to successfully achieving the intended habitat outcomes. Restoration and enhancement are used interchangeably throughout this document as the precise dividing line between them is not always clear. Acreage calculations are based upon 16 acres per mile.","Seriously degraded coldwater habitat is an important statewide conservation issue requiring immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects.  The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council identified the restoration and enhancement of coldwater fish habitat a priority action in the L-SOHC Sections in which these projects are located.  As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, Minnesota Trout Unlimited (“MNTU”) has identified several priority projects for Fiscal Year 2011 funding.  MNTU directly restored or enhanced in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along these Minnesota waters (counties), all of which are in existing state-owned Aquatic Management Areas:      1.    Hay Creek (Goodhue);    2.    Lost Creek (Fillmore);        3.    Pine Creek, reach 1 (Winona);    4.    Pine Creek, reach 2 (Winona);     5.    Vermilion River (Dakota);    6.    West Indian Creek (Wabasha).Another project, on the North Branch of the Whitewater River, was designed but implementation postponed by DNR Parks so it can rework the design to make the site appear more closely like pre European settlement conditions. Rather than delay the expenditure of OHF funds on the ground, remaining funds budgeted for construction were used to enhance another reach of Pine Creek.  This 1,800 foot long reach of enhanced habitat on Pine Creek will support greater numbers of adult trout and likely receive far heavier use than Whitewater River reach would have.These projects employed the same successful strategy used in the projects done by MNTU chapters and the MNDNR in the past decade.  Each project involved the installation of in-stream fish habitat structures, in addition to measures which have reduced stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, and reconnected streams to their flood plains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding.  The specific fish habitat restoration or enhancement methods used on each stream varied slightly depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecological region, as well as variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watershed.  Each project was tailored to the site after close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota DNR.  The projects were designed and implemented to accomplish a number of these purposes:  a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their flood plains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access.  Project partners included the MNDNR, Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota citizens.  The MNDNR was a key partner on every project, helping to identifying priority project sites, offering professional input on designs, providing permitting review, and other support.  Dedicated members of Pheasants Forever accomplished an excellent prairie restoration on the upland areas of the Vermilion River site.  We encountered strong support from local communities, local businesses, community clubs, sporting groups, anglers, the MNDNR and the general public.  ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,None,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Goodhue","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cold-water-river-and-stream-restoration-protection-and-enhancement-0,,,,
9822,"Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement , Phase 4",2013,2120000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e)","$2,120,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance coldwater fish lake, river, and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Enhanced 347 acres of habitats ",,,"n/a ",2080000,,,.70,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited enhanced in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along coldwater streams and lakes located on public lands and Aquatic Management Areas.  We originally proposed 11 projects, yet completed 13 projects. Contracting efficiencies and leveraging of other funding allowed us to add three more habitat enhancement projects in northeast Minnesota and to lengthen others.  One small budget project was dropped when a partner changed the scope from 144 acres to less than 15 and proposed costs outweighed the potential benefit. Despite dropping that project we finished with 89% of the proposed acres being achieved (347 acres completed versus 388 acres proposed).",,"The projects completed with Fy2013 funding used methods similar to those used on projects completed by MNTU chapters in the past several years and also incorporated new research to improve project designs and fish and wildlife benefits. The specific fish habitat enhancement methods used on each stream varied depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each watershed and ecological region, the limiting factors identified for each stream, and the variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watershed. MNTU tailored each project accordingly, using the best available science, in close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“MNDNR”). Purposes: Each project was designed and completed using techniques selected to accomplish one or more of the following purposes: (a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream; (b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative resource impacts from severe flooding; (c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms; (d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance; (e) increase habitat and biodiversity for both invertebrates and other non-game species; (f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required; (g) improve angler access and participation; (h) improve lake productivity for trout species; and (i) protect productive trout waters from undesirable invasive species. Habitat enhancement methods: Methods used on each project included one or more of the following techniques: (1) sloping back stream banks to both remove accumulated sediments eroded from uplands areas and better reconnect the stream to its floodplain; (2) removing undesirable woody vegetation (invasive box elder, buckthorn, etc.) from riparian corridors to enable removal of accumulated sediments, reduce competition with desirable plant and grass species, and allow beneficial energy inputs (sunlight) to reach the streams; (3) stabilizing eroding stream banks using vegetation and/or rock; (4) selectively installing overhead and other in-stream cover for trout; (5) installing soil erosion prevention measures; (6) mulching and seeding exposed stream banks (including with native prairie plant species where appropriate and feasible); (7) improving or maintaining stream access roads and stream crossings to reduce erosion; (8) fencing grassy riparian corridors, including in such a way as to facilitate managed grazing, in order to prevent damage from over grazing; (9) placing large logs in northern forested streams to restore cover logs removed a half century or more ago; and (10) in northern forested watersheds with little cold groundwater, planting desirable trees in riparian areas to provide shade for the stream channel and help cool the water. Agricultural area example: Many streams in the agricultural areas of southern and central Minnesota have been negatively impacted by many decades of poor land management practices. The projects in southeast Minnesota used the following approach to address this: Erosion has led to wider, shallower and warmer streams, as well as excessive streamside sediments which regularly erode, covering food production and trout reproduction areas. In many cases shallow rooted invasive trees have taken over the riparian corridors, out competing native vegetation which better secures soils, and reducing energy inputs to the stream ecosystem. To remedy this, a typical enhancement project will involve several steps. First, invasive trees are removed from the riparian zone and steep, eroding banks are graded by machinery to remove excess sediments deposited here from upland areas. Importantly, this reconnects the stream to its floodplain. Since many of these agricultural watersheds still experience periodic severe flooding, select portions of the stream banks are then reinforced with indigenous rock. In lower gradient watersheds, or watersheds where flows are more stable, little or no rock is used. After enhancement work is completed the streams flow faster and become deeper, keeping them cooler and providing natural overhead cover through depth and the scouring of sediments deposited by decades of erosion. Second, overhead cover habitat is created. Bank degradation and the removal of native prairie have dramatically decreased protective overhead cover in the riparian zone. Two methods are used to remedy this situation: increasing the stream’s depth, which alone provides natural cover to trout, and installing overhead cover structures in select stream banks. Wooden structures are often installed into banks in hydraulically suitable locations and reinforced with rock as a way to restore or recreate the undercut banks which had existed before settlement and agricultural land use altered the more stable flows which had gradually created and maintained them. Finally, vegetation is reestablished in the re-graded riparian corridor to further stabilize banks and act as buffer strips to improve water quality. Depending upon the specific site conditions, landowner cooperation, and agricultural use, native prairie grasses may be planted along the stream corridors, although often mixed with fast sprouting annual grains to anchor soils the first year. Taken together, these actions directly enhance physical habitat, and typically increase overall trout abundance, population structure, the number of larger trout, and levels of successful natural reproduction. In addition to the benefits to anglers of increased trout habitat and trout abundance, project benefits extending well downstream include reduced erosion and sedimentation, cooler water temperatures, improved water quality and numerous benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations. ",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P.O. Box 845",Chanhassen,MN,55346,"(612) 670-1629",jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Fillmore, Goodhue, Lake, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-phase-4,,,,
2549,"Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement Program, Phase 3",2012,1533000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$1,533,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited. A list of proposed projects, describing types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhance 91 acres of Habitat ",,301700,"various federal ",1533000,,,,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited enhanced in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along coldwater streams located on public lands and Aquatic Management Areas. We completed all 9 projects originally proposed and three additional. Contracting efficiencies and leveraging of other funding allowed us to add two habitat enhancement projects in southeast Minnesota and another segment on the Sucker River in northeast Minnesota. We enhanced 10 more acres of habitat than originally proposed and increased leverage by $121,700 (67%). ",,"The projects completed with Fy2012 funding used methods similar to those used on projects completed by MNTU chapters in the past several years and also incorporated new research to improve project designs and fish and wildlife benefits.   The specific fish habitat enhancement methods used on each stream varied depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each watershed and ecological region, the limiting factors identified for each stream, and the variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watershed.  MNTU tailored each project accordingly, using the best available science, in close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“MNDNR”).    Purposes:  Each project was designed and completed using techniques selected to accomplish one or more of the following purposes:  (a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream; (b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative resource impacts from severe flooding; (c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms; (d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance; (e) increase habitat and biodiversity for both invertebrates and other non-game species; (f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required; and (g) improve angler access and participation.   Habitat enhancement methods:  Methods used on each project included one or more of the following techniques: (1) sloping back stream banks to both remove accumulated sediments eroded from uplands areas and better reconnect the stream to its floodplain; (2) removing undesirable woody vegetation (invasive box elder, buckthorn, etc.) from riparian corridors to enable removal of accumulated sediments, reduce competition with desirable plant and grass species, and allow beneficial energy inputs (sunlight) to reach the streams; (3) stabilizing eroding stream banks using vegetation and/or rock; (4) selectively installing overhead and other in-stream cover for trout; (5) installing soil erosion prevention measures; (6) mulching and seeding exposed stream banks (including with native prairie plant species where appropriate and feasible); (7) improving or maintaining stream access roads and stream crossings to reduce erosion; (8) fencing grassy riparian corridors, including in such a way as to facilitate managed grazing, in order to prevent damage from over grazing; (9) placing large logs in northern forested streams to restore cover logs removed a half century or more ago; and (10) in northern forested watersheds with little cold groundwater, planting desirable trees in riparian areas to provide shade for the stream channel and help cool the water. Agricultural area example:  Many streams in the agricultural areas of southern and central Minnesota have been negatively impacted by many decades of poor land management practices.  The projects in southeast Minnesota used the following approach to address this: Erosion has led to wider, shallower and warmer streams, as well as excessive streamside sediments which regularly erode, covering food production and trout reproduction areas.  In many cases shallow rooted invasive trees have taken over the riparian corridors, out competing native vegetation which better secures soils, and reducing energy inputs to the stream ecosystem.  To remedy this, a typical enhancement project will involve several steps.  First, invasive trees are removed from the riparian zone and steep, eroding banks are graded by machinery to remove excess sediments deposited here from upland areas.  Importantly, this reconnects the stream to its floodplain.  Since many of these agricultural watersheds still experience periodic severe flooding, select portions of the stream banks are then reinforced with indigenous rock.  In lower gradient watersheds, or watersheds where flows are more stable, little or no rock is used.  After enhancement work is completed the streams flow faster and become deeper, keeping them cooler and providing natural overhead cover through depth and the scouring of sediments deposited by decades of erosion. Second, overhead cover habitat is created.  Bank degradation and the removal of native prairie have dramatically decreased protective overhead cover in the riparian zone.  Two methods are used to remedy this situation:  increasing the stream’s depth, which alone provides natural cover to trout, and installing overhead cover structures in select stream banks.  Wooden structures are often installed into banks in hydraulically suitable locations and reinforced with rock as a way to restore or recreate the undercut banks which had existed before settlement and agricultural land use altered the more stable flows which had gradually created and maintained them. Finally, vegetation is reestablished in the re-graded riparian corridor to further stabilize banks and act as buffer strips to improve water quality.  Depending upon the specific site conditions, landowner cooperation, and agricultural use, native prairie grasses may be planted along the stream corridors, although often mixed with fast sprouting annual grains to anchor soils the first year.  Taken together, these actions directly enhance physical habitat, and typically increase overall trout abundance, population structure, the number of larger trout, and levels of successful natural reproduction.  In addition to the benefits to anglers of increased trout habitat and trout abundance, project benefits extending well downstream include reduced erosion and sedimentation, cooler water temperatures, improved water quality and numerous benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations. The following projects, totaling more than 7.5 miles of stream and 91 acres, were completed with FY2012 funds: 1. Garvin Brook (Winona); 2. Hay Creek (Goodhue); 3. Seven Mile Creek (Nicollet); 4. Little Isabella River (Lake); 5. Manitou River (Lake); 6. Sucker River (St. Louis) - Ryan Road section; 7. Sucker River (St. Louis) - Old North Shore Road section; 8. Cold Spring Brook (Wabasha); 9. Mill Creek (Olmsted); 10. Pine Creek (Winona); 11. Blagsvedt Creek (Fillmore); and 12. South Fork Root River. ",2011-07-20,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"MN Council of Trout Unlimited","PO Box 845",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"612 670-1629",jlenczewski@mntu.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Lake, Nicollet, Olmsted, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-program-phase-3,,,,
9814,"Columbus Lake Conservation Area",2013,940000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$940,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to acquire land in fee for conservation purposes that connect wetlands and shallow lakes to the Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 238 acres of wetlands, 3 acres of prairie and 17 acres of forest",,317000,"Anoka County and Trust for Public Land",940000,,,,"Anoka County","Local/Regional Government","Acquisition of Columbus Lake Conservation Area will protect 258 acres of quality habitat for game and waterfowl hunters, creating a wildlife corridor connecting Lamprey Pass WMA to other protected habitat.","This project acquired 258 acres of wetland and creek corridor just south of the Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It protects nearly all of the shoreline of Columbus Lake, a 20-acre shallow lake, and nearly complete public ownership of a 20+ mile conservation corridor, extending from the WMA and along Rice Creek to the Mississippi River. Previously there was no connection between the WMA and the other tracts of publicly owned habitat. The new parcels have a rich mixture of habitat types, including emergent marsh, cattail marsh, mixed hardwood swamp, shrub swamp, maple/basswood islands, poor fen and rich fen. Most of the area is identified within the state's County Biological Survey as some of the last remaining high quality natural communities in the metro area. The property further provides important habitat for many species in the greatest conservation need, including Blanding’s Turtles, Snapping Turtles, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Black Crowned Night Herons, American Bitterns, and Water Willow. The land provides excellent habitat with hunting opportunities for not only waterfowl, but also for pheasant, turkey and deer. Rice Creek also offers opportunities for bow-fishing and angling for northern pike. This was a rare opportunity to obtain high quality habitat that is available to present and future generations of metropolitan area sportsmen and women. The property is within one half hour from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The conservation of Columbus Lake and Rice Creek provides many water quality benefits, including sustaining drinking water quality by preserving an important headwaters area and source of water into the Mississippi River. The acquisition was a priority for Anoka County not only because of the habitat, biological, and recreational attributes discussed above; but also because it is a priority in the County’s Natural Resources Management Plan. The project had broad local support and was a priority for many local sportsmen’s groups. Letters of support for this project were submitted from the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association and Pheasants Forever. The City of Columbus and local citizens further supported this acquisition. The parcels were selected based on their native habitat quality and the need for protection. The previous landowner had development plans drawn up for this land and intended to develop it had this conservation effort not been successful. Such development would have eliminated the connection between the WMA, this conservation area and the large tract of public land to the south. The County asked The Trust for Public Land (TPL) for assistance in completing this acquisition. TPL then purchased the property from the landowners for its appraised fair market value of $1,207,000. The County in turn, purchased the land from TPL and contributed $250,000 towards this project; $200,000 in capital towards the acquisition itself and $50,000 for initial site development costs including signing, parking and restoration of a field area to native prairie. The purchase price of the property was $1,207,000. With the Lessard Sam's Outdoor Heritage Council funding of $940,000, and the County's $250,000 contribution, there still was a funding gap of $67,000, which TPL generously filled. The land is open to public hunting and fishing. The County worked with the Commissioner of Natural Resources to set the appropriate regulations for the resource in the same manner as was done for the Cedar Creek Conservation Area previously funded by the LSOHC. The County also coordinated with the DNR on management of this land so that it is consistent with that of the neighboring WMA. The Columbus Lake property is of such high quality that it meets numerous goals and priorities in statewide resource management plans, including the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (SCPP) and LSOHC’s Metro Urbanizing Section Vision. As noted, the Columbus Lake acquisition has also been identified in the County’s Natural Resources Management Plan, which establishes a comprehensive and prioritized approach to resource conservation across the County. Participants in the development of this plan included the DNR, the University of Minnesota, the Anoka Conservation District, Rice Creek Watershed District and the City of Columbus. The City has further incorporated the Rice Creek corridor into its comprehensive land use plan for permanent protection.","Final Report",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,VonDeLinde,"Anoka County Parks and Recreation","550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW",Andover,MN,55304,"(763) 767-2860",john.vondelinde@co.anoka.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/columbus-lake-conservation-area,,,,
10006486,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase 10: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2019,11589000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(r )","$11,589,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $2,567,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $536,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota statutes, the commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement or by public ownership, or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",,"All CPL project requests included a Natural Heritage Database Review, which addresses wildlife species of greatest conservation need, the MN County Biological Survey data, and/or rare, threatened and endangered species inventories.","A total of 18,010 acres were affected: 9,145 Restored, 1,121 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 7,744 in Enhance.",1666600,"local match",9238100,10100,,2.5,DNR,"State Government","As of 11/1/2022, the CPL program has provided over 900 grants totaling $109 million to over 200 different grantee organizations, improving or protecting over 339,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new applicants hear about the program and successful grantees return. In ML 2018 there were 107 grants awarded- 18 metro grants, 20 traditional grants, and 69 Expedited Conservation Partners grants. Through these 107 grants, over 18,000 acres were restored, enhanced, or protected. Over $11M was awarded to organizations for projects.","The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner?s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $11,053,000 was available for grants. Of this amount, up to $2,567,000 was used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities included enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants, and may be in-kind or cash. Applicants described the project, location, activity, habitat, benefit, etc. For acquisition projects, applicants described the parcel selection process. CPL Staff developed an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw grant selection, prepared/executed grant documents, reviewed expenditures, approved payments/reports, monitored work, and assisted recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP). The Traditional and Metro cycles had one grant round beginning August 2017. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle had two rounds of funding. CPL staff reviewed applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state and approved by the DNR Commissioner, reviewed and scored Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry reviewed the committee?s recommendations and provide a final ranking to the Commissioner. Funding decisions were made by the Commissioner?s office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife made final funding decisions for ECP. Grantees were required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or ?for services rendered? basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to staff before additional payments are made. Funds were advanced for acquisitions to accommodate cash flow needs. CPL Administration Budget: Administration costs of $137,400 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, supplies, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services.",,2018-07-01,2022-11-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Carlton, Carver, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Le Sueur, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Todd, Washington, Winona, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-10-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10011423,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase 11: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2020,10760000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(p)","$10,760,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, at least $3,000,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $445,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota statutes, the commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.","All of the above program outcomes in the northern forest region have been achieved through the CPL program, and are expected to continue to be achieved through CPL restoration, enhancement and protection projects..All of the above program outcomes in the forest-prairie transition region have been achieved through the CPL program, and are expected to continue to be achieved through CPL restoration, enhancement and protection projects. .All of the above program outcomes in the metropolitan urbanizing region have been achieved through the Metro CPL program, and are expected to continue to be achieved through CPL restoration, enhancement and protection projects. .All of the above program outcomes in the southeast forest region have been achieved through the CPL program, and are expected to continue to be achieved through CPL restoration, enhancement and protection projects. .All of the above program outcomes in the prairie region have been achieved through the CPL program, and are expected to continue to be achieved through CPL restoration, enhancement and protection projects. .",,,1031500,,10730000,30000,,2.0,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 9 years of funding, the CPL program provided 560 grants totaling $54 million to 175 different grantee organizations, enhancing, restoring, or protecting over 280,000 acres of habitat. Project site monitoring has confirmed that grantees are achieving project goals, and demand continues to grow as word spreads to new applicants and successful applicants return for additional grants for local habitat improvement.","The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $10,315,000 of the $10,760,000 will be available for grants. Of this amount, at least $3,000,000 will be used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. If funds remain from this $3,000,000 after two grant rounds, they may be used for projects statewide. Statewide funds may be used in the metro area. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities include enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants, and may be in-kind or cash. Applicants must describe the project goals, methods, location, activity, habitat, urgency, and overall benefit. For acquisition projects, applicants describe the parcel selection process. CPL staff develops an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff works with applicants to submit applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditures, approves payments/reports, monitor work, and assist recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. Grantees are required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports.The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP). The Traditional and Metro cycles will have one grant round beginning August 2019 and a second round if funds remain. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle will be open continuously for eligible projects under $50,000 beginning August 2019, and applications will be awarded up to 5 times through May 2020, depending on available funds. DNR may choose to make additional awards, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available.CPL staff provides an administrative review of all applications. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state, then review and score Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry review the committee’s recommendations and provide a ranking to the Commissioner. Final funding decisions are made by the Commissioner’s office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife makes final funding decisions for ECP. CPL staff conducts site visits for most projects over $50,000, and smaller projects if needed. For projects over $250,000, staff may conduct site visits annually for the duration of the grant to ensure that project objectives are being met.Administration costs of $445,000 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services. 2 FTEs are needed to manage and promote the program, monitor grants, and meet state requirements.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5216",kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-11-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10000081,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase IX: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2018,9294000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(j)","$9,294,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $2,660,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $634,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from non-state sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,"1,379 Wetland acres, 942 Prairie acres, 1,758 Forest acres, 268 Habitat acres (for a total of 4,347 acres) Restored. 185 Prairie acres, 175 Forest acres, 317 Habitat acres (for a total of 677 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. 181 Forest acres and 23 Habitat acres (for a total of 204 acres) Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability. 603 Wetland acres, 13,179 Prairie acres, 18,148 Forest acres, 3,034 Habitat acres (for a total of 34,964 acres) Enhanced. ",,1557500,"grantees and partners ",7557200,11400,,1,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 7 years of funding, the CPL program has provided 410 grants totaling $37 million to 133 different grantee organizations, positively affecting over 220,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new grantees hear about the program and successful grantees return. ",,"The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $8,660,000 was available for grants. Of this amount, up to $2,660,000 was used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities included enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants, and may be in- kind or cash. Applicants described the project, location, activity, habitat, benefit, etc. For acquisition projects, applicants described the parcel selection process. CPL Staff developed an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw grant selection, prepared/executed grant documents, reviewed expenditures, approved payments/reports, monitored work, and assisted recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP). The Traditional and Metro cycles had one grant round beginning August 2017. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle had two rounds of funding. CPL staff reviewed applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state and approved by the DNR Commissioner, reviewed and scored Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry reviewed the committee’s recommendations and provide a final ranking to the Commissioner. Funding decisions were made by the Commissioner’s office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife made final funding decisions for ECP. Grantees were required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to staff before additional payments are made. Funds were advanced for acquisitions to accommodate cash flow needs. CPL Administration Budget: Administration costs of $101,300 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, supplies, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services. ",2017-07-01,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-ix-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10019615,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase 13: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2022,10450000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(q)","$10,450,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, at least $2,400,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $475,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. For grant requests to acquire land in fee or a conservation easement, the commissioner must give priority to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement or public ownership, or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2."," ",,,1000000,"required 10% match from grantees/community partnerships",10418000,32000,,2,DNR,"State Government","Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 10 years of funding, the CPL program provided 760 grants, totaling $74.5 million to over 200 different grantee organizations, enhancing, restoring, or protecting over 350,000 acres of habitat. Project site monitoring has confirmed that grantees are achieving project goals, and demand continues to grow as word spreads to new applicants and successful applicants return for additional grants for local habitat improvement.","The CPL Program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner's grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $10,000,000 of the requested $10.450.000 will be available for grants. Of this amount, at least $3,000,000 will be used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. If funds remain from this $3,000,000 after two grant rounds, they may be used for projects statewide. Statewide funds may be used in the metro area. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities include enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants and may be in-kind or cash. Applicants must describe the project goals, methods, location, activity, habitat, urgency, and overall benefit. For acquisition projects, applicants describe the parcel selection process. CPL staff develops an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff works with applicants to submit applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditures, approves payments/reports, monitor work, and assist recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. Grantees are required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP) The Traditional and Metro cycles will have one grant round beginning August 2021 and a second round if funds remain. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle will be open continuously for eligible projects under $50,000 beginning August 2021, and applications will be awarded up to 5 times through May 2022, depending on available funds. DNR may choose to make additional awards, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. CPL staff provides an administrative review of all applications. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state, then review and score Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry review the committee's recommendations and provide a ranking to the Commissioner. Final funding decisions are made by the Commissioner's office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife makes final funding decisions for ECP. CPL staff conducts site visits for most projects over $50,000 and smaller projects if needed. For projects over $250,000, staff may conduct site visits annually for the duration of the grant to ensure that project objectives are being met. Administration costs of $450,000 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services. 2 FTEs are needed to manage and promote the program, monitor grants, and meet state requirements.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5216",lscplgrants.dnr@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-13-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10017803,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase 12: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2021,10424000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(r )","$10,424,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, at least $3,250,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or more. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $475,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. For grant requests to acquire land in fee or a conservation easement, the commissioner must give priority to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. "," ",,,995000,,10392000,32000,,2,"various - TBD","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 10 years of funding, the CPL program provided 650 grants, totaling $67 million to 195 different grantee organizations, enhancing, restoring, or protecting over 350,000 acres of habitat. Project site monitoring has confirmed that grantees are achieving project goals, and demand continues to grow as word spreads to new applicants and successful applicants return for additional grants for local habitat improvement.","The CPL Program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner's grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $9,952,000 of the requested $10,424,000 will be available for grants. Of this amount, at least $3,250,000 will be used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. If funds remain from this $3,250,000 after two grant rounds, they may be used for projects statewide. Statewide funds may be used in the metro area. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities include enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants and may be in-kind or cash. Applicants must describe the project goals, methods, location, activity, habitat, urgency, and overall benefit. For acquisition projects, applicants describe the parcel selection process. CPL staff develops an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff works with applicants to submit applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditures, approves payments/reports, monitor work, and assist recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. Grantees are required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP) The Traditional and Metro cycles will have one grant round beginning August 2020 and a second round if funds remain. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle will be open continuously for eligible projects under $50,000 beginning August 2020, and applications will be awarded up to 5 times through May 2021, depending on available funds. DNR may choose to make additional awards, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. CPL staff provides an administrative review of all applications. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state, then review and score Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry review the committee's recommendations and provide a ranking to the Commissioner. Final funding decisions are made by the Commissioner's office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife makes final funding decisions for ECP. CPL staff conducts site visits for most projects over $50,000 and smaller projects if needed. For projects over $250,000, staff may conduct site visits annually for the duration of the grant to ensure that project objectives are being met. Administration costs of $472,000 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services. 2 FTEs are needed to manage and promote the program, monitor grants, and meet state requirements. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,CPL,Grants,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5238",lscplgrants.dnr@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-12-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
20700,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grants Program",2014,3860000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(j)","$6,860,000 is for the outdoor heritage conservation partners program. Of this amount, $3,860,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from this appropriation for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation, $366,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summaries that are prepared underMinnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.Of this amount, $3,000,000 is for aquatic invasive species grants to tribal and local governments with a delegation agreement under Minnesota Statutes, section 84D.105, subdivision 2, paragraph (g), for education, inspection, and decontamination activities at public water access, and other sites.* Up to four percent of this appropriation may be used to administer the grants. * (The preceding text beginning ""Of this amount, $3,000,000"" and ending ""and other sites."" was indicated as vetoed by the governor.)",,"Outcomes are dependent on grantees' project choices. ",,710300,Match,3324500,30100,,3,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program  (CPL) is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations, including governments. ",,"The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts.  $3,494,000 of the appropriated $3,860,000 was available for grants.  This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and  support staff.   Grant activities: enhancement, restoration, protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.  A 10% match from nonstate sources is required for all grants.  Match: Cash or in-kind, identified at time of application. CPL Program Staff develop a Request for Proposal/Program Manual incorporating LSOHC  priorities, solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation, ensure financial integrity, make payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports.   Applicants describe: location of work, activity type and habitat; benefit to habitat, fish, game and wildlife; and duration of benefits.  Acquisition projects: applicants describe parcel selection process.   CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration-Office of Grants Management policies.  Stakeholders involved in this program are applicants, reviewers, land managers.  No opposition is known.  Application Process A Request for Proposal/Program Manual was posted on the CPL website in August, 2013.  Document contains all grant program information. Applications are submitted using CPL’s Online Grant Application System (OLGA).  Applicants use OLGA’s mapping tool to map project sites.  Applications accepted beginning in August, 2013, until round one deadline in mid-September, 2013.  Applications requesting grants up to $25,000 or Preapproved Project Grants have a shorter application form. The application system will accept Preapproved Project Grant applications year-round.  Examples of Preapproved Projects and criteria for each will be on the website. Grants over or under $25,000 were selected for funding once.  Preapproved (ECP) Project Grants were awarded 4 times during the year. DNR were able to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding became available or if a grantee could not complete a project as planned.  Grant Selection Process CPL Grant Program Staff review applications for completeness.  Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, evaluate applications based on criteria listed below.  A final score is given to all applications. Committee(s) include representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, state universities or private colleges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or other appropriate members from government, non-profit and business organizations.  A final ranking committee of Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry consider TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments, and recommend projects/funding levels to the Commissioner.  Preapproved Project Grants are reviewed by CPL staff, using criteria established for each type of project, and make recommendations. The Commissioner makes final decisions.  CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork.  Work may not begin until grant is executed. Application Criteria Applications is evaluated on these criteria:         Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local support        Degree of collaboration        Urgency        Multiple benefits        Habitat benefits        Consistency with current conservation science        Adjacent to protected lands        Full funding of project       Budget/ cost effectiveness       Public access for hunting/fishing       Use of native plant materials       Applicants’ capacity to successfully complete, sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on L-SOHC report forms.  Reports account for the use of grant/match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected.  The report must include an evaluation of these results.  A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion.  CPL Grant staff submits accomplishment reports to L-SOHC as required.   CPL Administration Budget Grant administration costs total $366,000, include salary/fringe for grants staff, direct and necessary costs, travel, supplies, and expense.  An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) is developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update/manage the online grant application system.  DNR Land Acquisition Costs Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR.  These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis. DNR Technical Support The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands.  Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions.   Grantee Payment Grantees are paid on reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee.  Grantees provide proof that work is completed or a purchase made to receive payment.  Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made.  Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs, match federal share, or for acquisitions.  Advances must be specified in final grant agreement.  Partial payments are allowed.  Funds are built into grants for required Legacy logo signage and forms of acknowledgement/notification including, but not limited to, local news advertisements announcing completion of grantees' projects. Since the creation of the CPL program, grantees have restored, protected or enhanced nearly 9982 acres of habitat in Minnesota. ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd N ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,"Grants/Contracts, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grants-program,,,,
9826,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, Phase 4",2013,4990000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$4,990,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from = appropriations in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. $366,000 of this appropriation may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summaries that are prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",,"Restored 4,933 acres, Protected 665 Acres, and Enhanced 44,797 acres for a total of 50,395 acres.",,915500,"Grantee match",4571600,6000,,3,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, managed by the Department of Natural Resources, provided 56 competitive matching grants to non-profit organizations and governments, appropriating all the available ML12 funds.",,"The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (CPL) is managed by the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations, including governments. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. CPL Program Staff solicited applications and worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw the grant selection process, prepared and executed grant documents, reviewed expenditure documentation, made reimbursement payments, monitored grant work, assisted recipients with closing out their agreements, and prepared reports as required by LSOHC. Applicants describe the location of the work (county and ecological subsection), activity type, and habitat in their application. They also describe how their actions will benefit habitat and fish, game and wildlife. For acquisition projects, applicants describe their parcel selection process. Funds for projects under this appropriation were available until June 30, 2016. In administering this program, the DNR complied with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies. Stakeholders were involved in this proposal as applicants or reviewers (if no conflict of interest exists). There is no known stakeholder opposition to this program. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in August, 2012. This document contained grant program information, application requirements and scoring criteria, grant reporting requirements, and state agency contacts. A list of ECP Projects and criteria for each was developed by conservation biologists so grant applicants could easily apply and receive funding for commonly-accepted restoration and enhancement conservation projects. The RFP and grant agreements incorporated appropriate principles and criteria from LSOHC’s FY13 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation. Simplified application processes were in place for applicants requesting up to $25,000 or ECP grants. Grants were selected for funding once in the full for the Traditional cycle, and ECP applications were approved continuously throughout the year by CPL staff. CPL staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, reviewed and scored applications based on established criteria. These committees included representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, state universities or private colleges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from government, non-profit organizations, and private businesses. A final ranking committee made up of the Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry considered TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments, and recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decisions on all projects funded and funding levels. Efforts were made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location and activity. CPL staff worked with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork was completed. Grantees submitted annual accomplishment reports, accounting for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report also included an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees. CPL staff submitted accomplishment reports to LSOHC. Accomplishment information was also posted on the CPL website. Grant administration costs were billed using actual costs. These costs included salary and fringe for grants staff, direct support services, travel, supplies, and expense. An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) was developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update and manage the online grant application system. (This budget item is included in the Contracts line in the attached Budget Table.) Applicants were required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. The Division of Fish and Wildlife staff provided ongoing technical guidance. This technical guidance helped applicants prepare grant proposals, and helped grantees meet requirements for working on state lands. Additional technical guidance was provided for land acquisitions, program planning and management, accounting and grantee payment. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis. Grantees must provide proof that the work was completed or a purchase made in order to receive payment. Grantees were required to provide a 10% match from nonstate sources. All match was verified before final grant payment were made.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,651-259-5233,jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Brown, Carlton, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Faribault, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Nobles, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rock, Sherburne, St. Louis, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-4,,,,
23901,"Conservation Partners Legacy Metro Grant Program ML2014",2015,4000000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(n)","$4,000,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation, $70,000 may be spent for direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. Lands acquired or lands with easements acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,,,1277600,"Local partner provide at least 10% match ",3493200,11000,,1.41,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. ",,"The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $3,930,000 of the requested $4,000,000 will be available for grants.  The CPL metro grant program will depend on support and technical advice from public land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and support staff. Stakeholders involved in this program include applicants, reviewers, and land managers. No opposition is known.  Grant activities include enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota's municipalities and metro areas. Applicants will describe the project location, activity type and habitat, benefit to habitat, fish, game and wildlife, and duration of benefits. A 10% match from nonstate sources is required for all grants. Match may be cash or in-kind, and must be identified at time of application. The metro grant program will be managed alongside the traditional Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program. All personnel costs will be provided through the traditional CPL admin budget. CPL Program Staff will develop a Request for Proposal (RFP)/ Program Manual incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff will also solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scoreable applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation ensuring financial integrity, make payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports. CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration-Office of Grants Management policies.  Application Process The RFP/Program Manual will be posted on the CPL website in August 2014. The metro CPL grant cycle will have one guaranteed grant round and a second round if more than $500,000 remains. Applications will be accepted online through mid-September for Round 1. The traditional CPL grant application system will be modified to include the metro cycle. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. After two grant rounds, the Council may recommend the transfer of remaining funds to the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program ML2014. DNR may choose to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available or if a grantee cannot complete a project as planned. Grant Selection Process Metro CPL applications will be scored and ranked using a revised evaluation criteria based on the list below. CPL Grant Program Staff will review applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, will evaluate applications and a final score will be given to all applications. Committees may include representatives from local or county park districts, DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, state universities or private colleges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or other appropriate members from government, non-profit and business organizations. A final ranking committee comprised of directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological and Water Resources, and Forestry will consider the TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments and recommend projects to the Commissioner. The Commissioner will make final funding decisions. CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork. Work may not begin until grant is executed. Application Criteria  Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:  Amount/quality of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local support  Degree of collaboration  Urgency  Multiple benefits  Habitat benefits  Consistency with current conservation science  Adjacent to protected lands  Full funding of project  Budget/cost effectiveness  Public access  Use of native plant materials  Applicants’ capacity to successfully complete, sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on L-SOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant/match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion.  CPL Grant staff will submit accomplishment reports to L-SOHC as required and post reports on CPL website.  CPL Administration Budget Grant administration costs of $70,000 will be billed using actual costs. Costs include travel, equipment, supplies, and professional services for outreach, monitoring, application and database maintenance, and advertising. An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) will be developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update/manage the online grant application system. Direct Support Services costs will be minimal as all salary costs for this program will come out of the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program ML2014 admin funds. The admin budget from the traditional CPL grant program will fund the three FTEs necessary to run this new program along with the ongoing CPL grant program with a cumulative budget of over $20 million. As of May 2013, there are 148 active CPL grants, and an additional 42 grants have recently been completed and closed. Having 3 FTEs will ensure that the CPL program is able to effectively promote the program, monitor grants, and meet all program requirements. DNR Land Acquisition Costs Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis. DNR Technical Support The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands. Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions.  Grantee Payment Grantees are paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials have been purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee. Grantees must provide proof that work has been completed or a purchase has been made in order to receive payment. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made. Funds may be advanced to acquisition projects to accommodate cash flow. ",2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5216,kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-metro-grant-program-ml2014,,,,
23931,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program ML2014",2015,4550000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(m)","$4,550,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation, $460,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. Lands acquired or lands with easements acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,,,859200,"Local partners provide at least 10% match ",3961300,19600,,1.59,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. ","   ","The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $4,090,000 of the requested $4,550,000 will be available for grants. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and support staff. Grant activities include enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from nonstate sources is required for all grants. Match may be cash or in-kind, and must be identified at time of application. CPL Program Staff will develop a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Program Manual incorporating LSOHC  priorities. Staff will solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee grant selection, and prepare/execute grant documents. Staff will also review expenditure documentation ensuring financial integrity, process payment requests, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports. Applicants will describe the project location, activity type, and benefit to habitat, fish, game and wildlife. The CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration-Office of Grants Management policies. Stakeholders involved in this program include applicants, reviewers, and land managers. No opposition is known.  Application Process The RFP/Program Manual will be posted on the CPL website in August 2014. The traditional Over $25K/Under $25K grant cycle will have one guaranteed grant round and a second round if sufficient funds remain. Applications will be accepted online through mid-September for Round 1. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The Expedited Conservation Projects grant cycle will be open continuously beginning in August, and applications will be awarded up to 5 times through May 2015, depending on available funds. DNR may choose to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with DNR and OHF policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available or if a grantee cannot complete a project as planned. Grant Selection Process CPL Grant Program Staff will review applications for eligibility. Technical Review Committees, selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, evaluate applications based on criteria listed below. A final score will be given to all applications. Committees include representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, state universities or private colleges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, or other appropriate members from government, non-profit and business organizations. A final ranking committee comprised of Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry consider TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments, and recommend projects/funding levels to the Commissioner. ECP Grants will be reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using criteria established for each type of project. The Commissioner will make final funding decisions. CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork.  Work may not begin until grant is executed. Application Criteria Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:         Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local support        Degree of collaboration        Urgency        Multiple benefits        Habitat benefits        Consistency with current conservation science        Adjacent to protected lands        Full funding of project       Budget/ cost effectiveness       Public access for hunting/fishing       Use of native plant materials       Applicants’ capacity to successfully complete, sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on L-SOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant/match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Grant staff will submit accomplishment reports to L-SOHC as required. CPL Administration Budget Grant administration costs of $460,000 will be billed using actual costs. Costs include salary/fringe for CPL grants staff, direct support services, travel, supplies, and outreach. An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) will be developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update/manage the online grant application system. CPL grants staff will also manage the Conservation Partners Legacy Metro Grant Program ML2014 using the salary administration funds from this program.  Three FTEs are necessary to run an ongoing grant program with a cumulative budget of over $20 million. As of May 2013, there are 148 active grants, and an additional 42 grants have recently been completed and closed. Having 3 FTEs will ensure that the CPL program is able to effectively promote the program, monitor grants, and meet all program requirements. These same three FTEs will manage the Conservation Partners Legacy Metro Grant Program ML2014 using no additional salary costs.  DNR Land Acquisition Costs Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR.  These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis. DNR Technical Support The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands. Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions. Grantee Payment Grantees are paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials have been purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee. Grantees must provide proof that work has been completed or a purchase has been made in order to receive payment. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made. Funds may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs for acquisitions. Funds are built into grants for required Legacy signage and acknowledgement/notification of completed projects (such as local news advertisements).   ",2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5216,kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-ml2014,,,,
35036,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - Phase VII",2016,6690000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$8,440,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, $3,692,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation, $596,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or a charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,"Restored 2,549 acres, protected (in fee with state PILT liability) 352 acres, protected 34 acres (without state PILT), and enhanced 24,265 acres for a total of 27,200 acres ",,1731500,"Grantees/local support ",6672200,59000,,2,DNR,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","With the ML 2015 appropriation The Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program awarded 70 grants, 22 of these grants were the metropolitan area. Over 24,000 acres were enhanced, 2,500 acres were restored, and 386 acres protected through these 70 projects. Thirty-eight counties had CPL projects completed in them through 47 unique organizations. The average project for the ML 2015 grants was $96,000, with few exceptions most projects were completed on time and many were under budget. Additionally, the awarded grant partners contributed over $1.7 million in in-kind or cash match, far exceeding the 10% requirement.  ",,"The CPL Program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partners' grant program, encouraging and supporting local conservation efforts. $7,844,000 of the appropriated funds was available for grants. This is a stand along program but depends on the support and technical advice of local land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and support staff.  Grant activities include: enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. CPL staff develop a Request for Proposal and Program Manual incorporating LSOHC priorities, solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation, ensure financial integrity, make payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports. CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration- Office of Grants Management policies. Application process:  A Request for Proposal/Program Manual was posted on the CPL website in August 2015. Document contains all grant program information.  Applications are submitted on the online grant application system. Applicants use the mapping tool in the application to map project sites. Applications are accepted until September 2015 for round 1 of all grant cycles. Expedited Conservation Project (ECP) applications and applications for less than $25,000 have a shorter application form. The application system accepts ECP applications until funding runs out, but is designed for 5 rounds of applications. Traditional (statewide) applications were accepted once, Metro applications were accepted twice, and ECP applications were accepted three times.  Grant Selection Process:  Cpl Grant Program Staff review applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, evaluate applications based on criteria below. A final score is given to all applications. Committees include representatives from the DNR, BWSR, UMN, USFWS, USFS, counties, and other local government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee of Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry consider the technical review committee, division and regional DNR comments, and recommend projects and funding to the Commissioner. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff, using criteria established for each type of project, and make recommendations. Division of Fish and Wildlife leadership make final decisions. CPL Grant Program Staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork. Work may not begin until grant contract is executed. Applications are evaluated on these criteria:  Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local Support Degree of collaboration Urgency Multiple benefits Consistency with current conservation science Adjacent to protected lands Full funding of project Budget/cost effectiveness Public access for hunting and fishing Use of native plant materials Applicants' capacity to successfully complete and sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting:  Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on LSOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Administration Budget: Grant administration costs total $144,000, include salary/fringe for grants staff, direct and necessary costs, travel, supplies, and expenses. An Internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) is developed with MNIT to update/manage the online grant application system.  DNR Land Acquisition Costs:  Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis DNR Technical Support:  The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands. Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions.  Grantee Payment:  Grantees are paid on reimbursement basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee. Grantees provide proof that work is completed or a purchase made to receive payment. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made. Payment advances may be made for acquisitions with a signed purchase agreement. Partial payments are allowed. Funds are built into grants for required Legacy logo signage and forms of acknowledgement/notification including, but not limited to, local news advertisements announcing completion of grantees projects.   ",2015-07-01,2019-11-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Kathy ",Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5216",kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Rock, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stevens, Washington, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-statewide-and-metro-habitat-phase-vii,,,,
35055,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase VIII: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2017,7438000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(k)","$7,438,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $2,500,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $588,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or a charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, by public ownership, or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,"7 wetland acres restored.  431 prairie acres restored. 5,165 forest acres restored. 149 habitat acres restored, for a total of 5,752 acres restored. 152 prairie acres and 13 habitat acres (for a total of 165 prairie acres) protected in fee with state PILT liability. 42 forest acres protected in fee without state PILT liability. 2,147 wetland acres enhanced.  21,451 prairie acres enhanced. 2,366 forest acres enhanced.  2,006 habitat acres enhanced for a total of $27,970 enhanced acres.   ",,1313800,"Local match ",6291200,11700,,1,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. ",,"The CPL Program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partners' grant program, encouraging and supporting local conservation efforts. $6,850,000 of the appropriated funds was available for grants. This is a stand alone program but depends on the support and technical advice of local land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and support staff. Grant activities include: enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. CPL staff develop a Request for Proposal and Program Manual incorporating LSOHC priorities, solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation, ensure financial integrity, make payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports. CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration- Office of Grants Management policies. Application process: A Request for Proposal/Program Manual was posted on the CPL website in August 2016. Document contains all grant program information. Applications are submitted on the online grant application system. Applicants use the mapping tool in the application to map project sites. Applications are accepted until September 2016 for round 1 of all grant cycles. Expedited Conservation Project (ECP) applications and applications for less than $25,000 have a shorter application form. The application system accepts ECP applications until funding runs out, but is designed for 5 rounds of applications. Traditional (statewide) applications were accepted once, Metro applications were accepted twice, and ECP applications were accepted one time. Grant Selection Process: CPL Grant Program Staff review applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, evaluate applications based on criteria below. A final score is given to all applications. Committees include representatives from the DNR, BWSR, UMN, USFWS, USFS, counties, and other local government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee of Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry consider the technical review committee, division and regional DNR comments, and recommend projects and funding to the Commissioner. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff, using criteria established for each type of project, and make recommendations. Division of Fish and Wildlife leadership make final decisions. CPL Grant Program Staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork. Work may not begin until grant contract is executed. Applications are evaluated on these criteria: Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local Support Degree of collaboration Urgency Multiple benefits Consistency with current conservation science Adjacent to protected lands Full funding of project Budget/cost effectiveness Public access for hunting and fishing Use of native plant materials Applicants' capacity to successfully complete and sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting: Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on LSOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Administration Budget: Grant administration costs total $112,200, include salary/fringe for grants staff, direct and necessary costs, travel, supplies, and expenses. An Internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) is developed with MNIT to update/manage the online grant application system. DNR Land Acquisition Costs: Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis. DNR Technical Support: The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands. Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions. Grantee Payment: Grantees are paid on reimbursement basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee. Grantees provide proof that work is completed or a purchase made to receive payment. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made. Payment advances may be made for acquisitions with a signed purchase agreement. Partial payments are allowed. Funds are built into grants for required Legacy logo signage and forms of acknowledgement/notification including, but not limited to, local news advertisements announcing completion of grantees projects. ",,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5216",kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Stevens, Washington, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-viii-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10006487,"Contract Management 2018",2019,210000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 6(a)"," $210,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner must provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan.","OHF funds will be spent appropriately and reimbursed expediently so that project work continues..",,,,,210000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Continue and enhance contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 130 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to continue and enhance contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The goal of contract management is to ensure that grantees are properly reimbursed and that organizations operate in compliance with OHF pass-through appropriation procedures, policies from the Department of Administration’s Grants Management, OHF statute, and the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. Contract management includes: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical assistance, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request processing, and close-out of grants. The DNR is currently the administrative agent for this program. The DNR’s Office of Management and Budget (OMBS) Grants Unit is applying to continue to provide contract management services to pass-through grant recipients. The OMBS Grants Unit’s goal is to provide pass-through recipients with the contract management, technical assistance, and grant monitoring they need to successfully complete their conservation work. The Grants Unit provides grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and delivers timely, responsive, customer service. There are approximately 130 active OHF grants in FY2018. Ninety-two percent of these grants require annual monitoring. In order to maintain effective, timely service and monitoring as the number of grants grows, the Grants Unit plans to devote 3.53 FTE to contract management in FY19. This will also allow the Grants Unit to provide more technical assistance to pass-through recipients and expand our ability to address monitoring and reimbursement topics that require technical expertise by consulting with appropriate DNR division staff.Contract management services are billed using a professional services rate. This rate includes salary and fringe for grants management staff, supervisory time, travel costs, supplies, and allocated administrative costs including rent and printing as well as other related costs necessary to carry out the pass-through grant management program. Multiple staff with a variety of grants, financial or other responsibilities provide contract management services to OHF as well as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Cost coding is used to record and differentiate time spent on ENRTF and OHF pass-through grant management. Services not received or provided will not be billed. The rate for FY18 is $63.00/hr and is re-calculated annually. If the rate changes, we will inform LSOHC staff.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(6512595533) -",katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2018,,,,
10011417,"Contract Management 2019",2020,210000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 6(a)","$210,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner must provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan.","OHF funds will be spent appropriately and reimbursed expediently so that project work continues..",,,,,210000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Continue and enhance contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 145 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to continue and enhance contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The goal of contract management is to ensure that grantees are properly reimbursed and that organizations operate in compliance with OHF pass-through appropriation procedures, policies from the Department of Administration’s Grants Management, OHF statute, and the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. Contract management includes: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical assistance, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request processing, and close-out of grants.The DNR is currently the administrative agent for this program. The DNR’s Office of Management and Budget (OMBS) Grants Unit is applying to continue to provide contract management services to pass-through grant recipients. The OMBS Grants Unit’s goal is to provide pass-through recipients with the contract management, technical assistance, and grant monitoring they need to successfully complete their conservation work. The Grants Unit provides grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and delivers timely, responsive, customer service.Contract management services are billed using a professional services rate. In FY19, 3.53 FTE will be dedicated to contract management. The professional services hourly rate includes salary and fringe for grants management staff, supervisory time, travel costs, supplies, and allocated administrative costs including rent and printing as well as other related costs necessary to carry out the pass-through grant management program. Multiple staff with a variety of grants, financial or other responsibilities provide contract management services to OHF as well as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The Grants Unit consults with Lands and Minerals and Fish and Wildlife staff as necessary on technical issues. Cost coding is used to record and differentiate time spent on ENRTF and OHF pass-through grant management. Services not received or provided will not be billed. The rate for FY19 is $64.00/hr and is re-calculated annually. If the rate changes, LSOHC staff will be informed immediately.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(6512595533) -",katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2019,,,,
10000082,"Contract Management 2017",2018,150000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 6(a)","$150,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended prior to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Councils approval of the accomplishment plan. ","Ensure that OHF funds are spent appropriately and funds are reimbursed expediently so project work continues..",,,,,150000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Provide continued contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans. ","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The major components of contract management include: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical support, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request review and processing, and grant close-out. The goal of the DNR Grants Unit is to provide grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and excellent customer service. The DNR is currently the administrative agent for this program and would continue to provide contract management services to pass-through grant recipients in FY18. This appropriation would fund contract management services billed using a professional services rate (rate for FY17 is $62). Multiple staff with a variety of grant financial and/or audit responsibilities provide contract management services to OHF pass-through recipients.",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,(651)259-5533,katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2017,,,,
10019616,"Contract Management 2021",2022,210000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 6(a)","$210,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner must provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan.","Pass-through grants are managed appropriately and grantee expenditures are reimbursed efficiently and correctly",,,,,210000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Provide contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 160 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to continue and enhance contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The goal of contract management is to ensure that grantees are properly reimbursed and that organizations operate in compliance with OHF pass-through appropriation procedures, policies from the Department of Administration's Grants Management, OHF statute, and the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. Contract management includes: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical assistance, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request processing, and close-out of grants. The DNR is currently the administrative agent for this program. The DNR's Office of Management and Budget (OMBS) Grants Unit is applying to continue to provide contract management services to pass-through grant recipients. The OMBS Grants Unit's goal is to provide pass-through recipients with the contract management, technical assistance, and grant monitoring they need to successfully complete their conservation work. The Grants Unit provides grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and delivers timely, responsive, customer service. Contract management services are billed using a professional services rate. In FY21, 3.53 FTE will be dedicated to contract management. The professional services hourly rate includes salary and fringe for grants management staff, supervisory time, travel costs, supplies, and allocated administrative costs including rent and printing as well as other related costs necessary to carry out the pass-through grant management program. Multiple staff with a variety of grants, financial or other responsibilities provide contract management services to OHF as well as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The Grants Unit consults with Lands and Minerals and Fish and Wildlife staff as necessary on technical issues. Cost coding is used to record and differentiate time spent on ENRTF and OHF pass-through grant management. Services not received or provided will not be billed. The rate for FY20 is $66.00/hr and is re-calculated annually. If the rate changes, LSOHC staff will be informed immediately.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,6512595533,katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2021,,,,
10017804,"Contract Management 2020",2021,210000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 6(a)","$210,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner must provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan. ",,,,,,210000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","Provide contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 160 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to continue and enhance contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The goal of contract management is to ensure that grantees are properly reimbursed and that organizations operate in compliance with OHF pass-through appropriation procedures, policies from the Department of Administration's Grants Management, OHF statute, and the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. Contract management includes: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical assistance, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request processing, and close-out of grants. The DNR is currently the administrative agent for this program. The DNR's Office of Management and Budget (OMBS) Grants Unit is applying to continue to provide contract management services to pass-through grant recipients. The OMBS Grants Unit's goal is to provide pass-through recipients with the contract management, technical assistance, and grant monitoring they need to successfully complete their conservation work. The Grants Unit provides grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and delivers timely, responsive, customer service. Contract management services are billed using a professional services rate. In FY20, 3.53 FTE will be dedicated to contract management. The professional services hourly rate includes salary and fringe for grants management staff, supervisory time, travel costs, supplies, and allocated administrative costs including rent and printing as well as other related costs necessary to carry out the pass-through grant management program. Multiple staff with a variety of grants, financial or other responsibilities provide contract management services to OHF as well as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The Grants Unit consults with Lands and Minerals and Fish and Wildlife staff as necessary on technical issues. Cost coding is used to record and differentiate time spent on ENRTF and OHF pass-through grant management. Services not received or provided will not be billed. The rate for FY20 is $66.00/hr and is re-calculated annually. If the rate changes, LSOHC staff will be informed immediately. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,6512595533,katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2020,,,,
20688,"Contract Management",2014,175000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$175,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the accomplishment plan.",,,,,,175000,,,,DNR,"State Government","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the commissioner of natural resources.","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the commissioner of natural resources. DNR provides this fiduciary service to ensure funds are expended in compliance with state law, session law, and approved work plans.  Contract management ensures oversight of reimbursement for project deliverables and meets the requirements of the Department of Administration’s Grants Management procedures as well as the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. It aids recipients with financial compliance and ensures project consistency with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies and approved work plans.",,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kristel,Lynch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155-4010,"(651) 259-5533",kristel.lynch@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-1,,,,
806,"Contract Management - FY 2010",2010,275000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$175,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management, in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, for duties assigned in this section.",,,,,,275000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This summary will manage appropriations to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be passed through to third party recipients via pass-through agreements. Funding will come from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature. For each of these appropriations, DNR will conduct financial reviews, prepare and execute agreement  documents, review expenditure documentation, ensure recipients are only reimbursed for allowable expenses, and assist recipients with closing out their agreements.","Specific accomplishment plans have been recommended by the LSOHC to the Legislature, and were approved under Minnesota 2009 Session Laws, Chapter 172. Section 2, Subdivision 6 of this chapter provides funding ""to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management, in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, for duties assigned in this section"". DNR grants program staff will work with recipients to ensure financial reviews, pass-through agreements, and any other necessary paperwork is completed. General Program Requirements Recipients must follow their accomplishment plans, as submitted to and approved by the LSOHC. In administering this program the DNR will comply with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies. Funds for restoration or enhancement work are available until June 30, 2011, at which time all projects must be completed and final products delivered. Funds for acquisition of real property are available until June 30, 2012. If a project is also receiving federal funds, the length of the appropriation will be extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Payments Payments will be administered on a reimbursement basis unless approved in the accomplishment plan. Expenditures directly related to each appropriation's purpose made on or after July 1, 2009, or the date the accomplishment plan was approved by the LSOHC, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in the agreement. Periodic payments will be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved accomplishment plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Reimbursements may not be made before November 1, 2009. Recipients must verify that they have met all requirements specified in Minnesota 2009 Session Laws, Chapter 172, and by the LSOHC, prior to receiving final reimbursement. Payments will not be made on agreements with past due progress reports unless a written extension has been provided. Capital equipment expenditures in excess of $10,000 must be approved as part of the accomplishment plan. Capital equipment expenditures under $10,000 must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources and must be used for the appropriation purposes for their reasonable useful life or other term as agreed upon. Recipients must report on the status of any capital equipment purchased on an annual basis to the LSOHC and DNR. Accomplishment Status Report DNR Grant Program staff will submit an annual accomplishment status report on the pass-through program to the LSOHC, Legislative Coordinating Commission, and Minnesota Management and Budget by February 12 of each year. This report will contain information on the number of agreements made, number and amount of reimbursements paid to recipients, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. The LSOHC may request interim accomplishment status reports. ","Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/6a.pdf",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Amanda,Graeber,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",None,55155-4010,"(651) 259-5533",amanda.graeber@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-fy-2010,,,,
815,"Contract Management - FY 2011",2011,175000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$175,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section.",,,,,,175000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This summary will manage appropriations to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be passed through to third party recipients via pass-through agreements. Funding will come from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature. For each of these appropriations, DNR will prepare and execute agreement documents; analyze expenditure documentation in light of approved accomplishment plans, ensure compliance with conflict of interested policies, ensuring that reimbursements are only provided for allowable expenses; provide technical support in interpreting agreements, creating standard agreement amendments and revisions and ensuring that files contain appropriate documentation; and assist recipients with closing out their grant agreements, resulting in audit-ready files. ","Additional pass-through appropriations are expected as a result of actions by the 2010 legislature. DNR grants program staff will work with recipients to ensure financial reviews, pass-through grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork is completed. General Program Requirements Recipients must follow their accomplishment plans, as submitted to and approved by the LSOHC. In administering this program the DNR will comply with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies, including those explicitly applicable to legislatively-named grants, and Laws of Minnesota, Chapter 361, Article 1, Subdivisions 8 and 10. It is expected that funds for restoration or enhancement work are available until June 30, 2015, at which time all projects must be completed and final products delivered. Funds for acquisition of real property are available until June 30, 2013. Plans that include restoration on acquired land could conceivably extend the term of such agreement until 2017. If a project is also receiving federal funds, the length of the appropriation will be extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. DNR grants staff will continue working on the previously funded L-SOHC projects from the 2009 appropriation, which are still active, in addition to the new ones funded by the 2010 legislature covered by this appropriation. They will also presumably have added overlapping project work load as a result of projects funded in the following years. It is likely that the workload will include amendments to some agreements and support of any subcontracting or approved redirection of funds to the DNR to ensure compliance with legislation. Reimbursement requests will be processed. In some cases this will involve numerous partial reimbursements related to a particular project, administrative review of appraisals or similar activities. In addition, specific requirements must be tracked for each parcel of land that is replaced by an approved similar project. While not requiring grant amendments, this requires substantial monitoring and follow-up. Currently 95 parcels are listed and it is expected that the actual number will drop but still remain substantial. Some projects may involve resolution of unforeseen problems or issues that may require significant staff time. Additional work load is related to final project closeouts. Payments Payments will be administered on a reimbursement basis unless approved in the accomplishment plan. Expenditures directly related to each appropriation's purpose made on or after July 1, 2010, or the date the accomplishment plan was approved by the LSOHC, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in the agreement. Periodic payments will be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved accomplishment plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Recipients must verify that they have met all requirements specified in Minnesota 2010 Session Laws and by the LSOHC prior to receiving final reimbursement. Payments will not be made on agreements with past due progress reports unless a written extension has been provided. Capital equipment expenditures in excess of $10,000 must be approved as part of the accomplishment plan. Capital equipment expenditures under $10,000 must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources and must be used for the appropriation purposes for their reasonable useful life or other term as agreed upon. Recipients must report on the status of any capital equipment purchased on an annual basis to the LSOHC and DNR. Accomplishment Status Report DNR Grant Program staff will submit a biannual accomplishment status report on the pass-through program to the LSOHC. This report will contain information on the number of agreements made, number and amount of reimbursements paid to recipients, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. ","Accomplishment Plan",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Amanda,Graeber,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155-4010,"(651) 259-5533",amanda.graeber@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-fy-2011,,,,
9827,"Contract Management - FY 2013",2013,175000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$175,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide a work program in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. No money may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the work program",,,,,,,175000,,"not reported",DNR,"State Government",,,,2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kristel,Lynch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd.","St. Paul",MN,55155,651/259-5533,kristel.lynch@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-fy-2013,,,,
2555,"Contract Management - FY2012",2012,175000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$175,000 the first year is appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission to contract with the commissioner of natural resources for expenses incurred for contract fiscal services for the agreements specified in this section.  The contract management services must be done on a reimbursement basis.",,"no measurable outcomes, this is an administrative appropriation",,,,,175000,,"not reported","MN DNR","State Government","Manage appropriations to DNR to pass through to recipients in compliance with accomplishment plans and state grant management policies. Coordinate the Technical Evaluation Panel responsible for evaluating habitat restoration projects.",,,2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Amanda,Graeber,"MN Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,,651-259-5533,amanda.graeber@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-fy2012,,,,
23911,"Contract Management",2015,150000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$150,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the accomplishment plan.","Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans. .",,,,,150000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Provide continued contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The major components of contract management include: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical support, reporting, auditing, reimbursement request review and processing, and grant close-out.Contract management ensures oversight of reimbursement for project deliverables and meets the requirements of the Department of Administration’s Office of Grants Management procedures as well as the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. It aids recipients with financial compliance and ensures project consistency with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans.The goal of the DNR Grants Unit is to provide grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and excellent customer service.",,2014-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Amanda,Graeber,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5533",amanda.graeber@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2,,,,
35032,"Contract Management",2016,150000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$150,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended prior to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Councils approval of the accomplishment plan.",,,,,,150000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Provide continued contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans.","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The major components of contract management include: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical support, reporting, auditing, reimbursement request review and processing, and grant close-out. The goal of the DNR Grants Unit is to provide grantees with one consistent point of contract for their agreements and excellent customer service.",,2015-07-01,2020-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Amanda,Graeber,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(6512595533) -",amanda.graeber@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-3,,,,
35078,"Contract Management 2016",2017,150000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(a)","$150,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in this section. The commissioner shall provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council on the expenditure of this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the accomplishment plan.","Ensures that OHF funds are spent appropriately and funds are reimbursed expediently so project work continues..",,,,,150000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Provide continued contract management and customer service to OHF pass-through appropriation recipients. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved accomplishment plans.","This appropriation will be used to provide continued contract management services to pass-through recipients of Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars appropriated to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The major components of contract management include: grant agreements and amendments, training, technical support, reporting, fiscal monitoring, reimbursement request review and processing, and grant close-out. The goal of the DNR Grants Unit is to provide grantees with one consistent point of contact for their agreements and excellent customer service. ",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5533",katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/contract-management-2016,,,,
10006484,"Critical Shoreland Habitat Program - Phase V",2019,1094000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(e )"," $1,094,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements along rivers and lakes in the northern forest region. Of this amount, up to $120,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - This program will permanently protect 1,100 acres of strategic northern forest region habitats and approximately 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Measure: Acres protected..",,,165000,"Private landowner donation of easement value",1072100,21900,,0.3,"MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 5 of the Minnesota Land Trust's Critical Shoreland Habitat Program will protect approximately 0.6 miles of critical shoreland and 225 acres of associated high-quality habitat in Minnesota’s Northeast region by securing permanent conservation easements. This phase will build off major successes of previous phases which have protected approximately 2,500 acres and 75,500 feet of shoreland, leveraging $5.4M in landowner donation in the process. Easements will be secured in strategic locations along priority lakes and rivers, creating larger protected habitat complexes benefitting our state's fish, game and wildlife species that depend on these aquatic habitats.","The natural shoreland around northeast Minnesota’s celebrated lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife. It is also one of its most threatened. In order to preserve this important component of Minnesota’s natural heritage, the Minnesota Land Trust proposes to implement Phase 5 of its Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program to protect through conservation easement important lakeshore and stream-side habitat. This proposed work will build on the success demonstrated in Phases 1-3 of this program and help fulfill the goals of the DNR’s Aquatic Management Area program, the State Wildlife Action Plan, and many other state priorities. In this fifth phase of the program, the Minnesota Land Trust will strategically concentrate its activities on important aquatic resources and associated forest habitat within northeast Minnesota, including DNR-designated high priority trout streams along the North Shore, sensitive shoreland along the deep-water border lakes and other high-quality aquatic habitats in the region. The Land Trust will protect 0.6 miles and 225 acres of threatened shoreland habitat by acquiring permanent conservation easements from willing landowners. The program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing protected land, contain the highest-quality habitat, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase easements that help complete key complexes as necessary. The development and disturbance of the state’s remaining sensitive shoreland habitat continues to be a threat identified in many of the State’s resource protection plans. Science conducted by the DNR and others indicate that the shoreland zone is one of the most biologically diverse and important habitat types for a variety of wildlife species. It is also one of Minnesota’s most threatened resources due to the intensity of shoreland development and non-compatible management. Fortunately, there is an opportunity to address this threat. Outreach conducted under Phases 1 -3 of this program has generated significant landowner interest that will be met through Phases 4 (beginning in FY2018) and 5 (FY2019). Conservation easements secured under this program will be perpetual and drafted to further prevent the fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat. These easements will ensure that the sensitive shoreland habitat will remain ecologically viable and productive for fish, game and wildlife by prohibiting land uses that negatively impact the important habitat values and requiring habitat management plans to maximize the benefits of shoreland and associated forested uplands. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy populations of trout and other fish species, waterfowl, and other species in greatest conservation need; 2) maintaining water quality of aquatic resources; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects; and 4) enhancement of prior state and local investments made in shoreland and forest conservation in the region. The Land Trust will strategically target complexes of protect lands in which these outcomes are maximized.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carlton, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/critical-shoreland-habitat-program-phase-v,,,,
10000083,"Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program - Phase IV",2018,1700000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(f)","$1,700,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements along rivers and lakes in the northern forest region. Of this amount, up to $120,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The natural shoreline around Minnesota?s celebrated lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife and is also one of its most threatened. Phase 4 of the Land Trust's Critical Shoreland program preserved critical shoreland habitats in northeast Minnesota - an important component of the state's natural heritage. These habitats are essential to maintaining healthy populations of the region's fish and wildlife populations (trout and other fish, waterfowl, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need) and maintaining water quality of associated aquatic resources. The protection of these habitats has been identified in numerous plans as a conservation priority for Minnesota, including the Minnesota Biological Survey, the DNR?s Aquatic Management Area program, the State Conservation and Preservation Plan, Minnesota DNR Strategic Conservation Agenda, and the Outdoor Heritage Fund: A 25 Year Framework. The central goal of our Critical Shoreland program is to protect high-quality critical shoreland habitat by securing permanent conservation easements in strategic locations along priority lakes and rivers, leaving a lasting legacy of protected habitat complexes.","A total of 1,094 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 1,094 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",303900,"MLT and Private Landowners",1283500,34400,,0.28,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through this grant, the Minnesota Land Trust protected approximately 8.25 miles of critical shoreland and 1,095 acres of high-quality fish and wildlife habitat in northeast Minnesota by securing four permanent conservation easements in strategic locations along priority lakes and rivers, exceeding our land protection goals by 332% and shoreland protection goals by 825%. Conservation easements secured under this program are perpetual and will prevent fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat. These easements ensure that sensitive habitat will remain ecologically viable and productive for fish, game, and other wildlife by prohibiting land uses that negatively impact important habitat values.","The natural shoreland around Minnesota?s lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife; due to the intensity of shoreland development and non-compatible management, it is also one of its most threatened. In order to preserve this important component of Minnesota?s natural heritage, the Minnesota Land Trust implemented Phase 4 of its Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program to protect important lakeshore and stream-side habitat. This project built on the success of Phases 1-3 of this program and helped fulfill the goals of the DNR?s Aquatic Management Area program, the State Wildlife Action Plan, and many other state priorities. Development and disturbance of the state?s remaining sensitive shoreland habitat is a priority threat identified in many of the State?s resource protection plans. Science conducted by the DNR and others indicate that the shoreland zone is one of the most biologically diverse and important habitat types for a variety of wildlife species. Landowner outreach conducted under Phases 1-3 of this program generated significant landowner interest; this Phase 4 provided additional resources to meet this demand. In Phase 4 of the program, the Land Trust strategically concentrated its activity on important aquatic resources and associated forest habitat within northeast Minnesota, including DNR-designated high priority trout streams along the North Shore, sensitive shoreline along the deep-water border lakes and other high-quality aquatic habitats in the region. Through the grant, the Land Trust protected 8.25 miles and 1,095 acres of threatened shoreline habitat through permanent conservation easements. Conservation easements secured under this program are perpetual and were drafted to further prevent the fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat. These easements will ensure that the sensitive shoreline habitat will remain ecologically viable and productive for fish, game and wildlife by prohibiting land uses that negatively impacts the important habitat values and requiring habitat management plans to maximize the benefits of the shoreland and associated forested uplands. Outcomes from this project included: 1) healthy populations of trout and other fish species, waterfowl, and other Species in Greatest Conservation Need; 2) maintained water quality of aquatic resources; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects; and 4) enhancement of prior state and local investments made in shoreland and forest conservation in the region.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-09,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/critical-shoreland-habitat-protection-program-phase-iv,,,,
20714,"Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program: Phase 2",2014,820000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$820,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements along rivers and lakes in the northern forest region. Up to $160,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in Easement 911 acres of habitat",,948500,"Private Landowners",742200,,,0.63,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Seven conservation easements were completed by this program resulting in the protection of 911 acres of high quality wildlife habitat and 28,181 feet (approximately 5.38 miles) of critical shoreline along priority lakes and rivers of northeast Minnesota.  This project outcome exceeded by 211 acres that proposed for the grant.  Total leverage through donated easements by landowners is estimated at $948,500, all in excess of proposed.",,"The natural shoreline around Minnesota’s celebrated lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife. It is also one of its most threatened. In order to preserve this important component of Minnesota’s natural heritage, the Minnesota Land Trust implemented Phase 2 of its Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program to protect important lakeshore and stream-side habitat. This project built on the success of Phase 1 of this program and helped fulfill the goals of the DNR’s Aquatic Management Area program, the State Conservation and Preservation Plan, and many other state priorities. In this second phase of the program, the Minnesota Land Trust concentrated its activity on important aquatic resources and associated forest habitat within northeast Minnesota, including DNR-designated high priority trout streams along the North Shore, sensitive shoreline along the deep-water border lakes and other high-quality aquatic habitats in the region. The Land Trust protected more than five miles of threatened shoreline habitat by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners that permanently protected a rich mosaic of naturally vegetated shoreline, forest habitat and wetlands on approximately 911 acres. The program targeted projects that help fill gaps in existing public ownership, contain the highest-quality habitat, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust accepted three fully donated easements, negotiated bargain sale purchases for three easements and purchased one easement at the full appraised value. Total leverage from donated value of the easements is placed at $948,500, all in excess of what was proposed. This value was substantiated in 5 easements through appraisal; in the remaining two (full value donations) where we don not have appraisals, an estimate of value (62% of assessed land value) was attained through a comparison of appraised fee value to easement value, and adjusted to account for deviation between appraised and assessed land value across two years of Land Trust activity. The development and disturbance of the state’s remaining sensitive shoreland habitat continues to be a threat identified in many of the State’s resource protection plans. Investigations conducted by the DNR and others indicate that the shoreland zone—from high ground through the water’s edge and into the shallow submerged areas—is one of the most biologically diverse and important habitat types for a variety of wildlife species, including fish and waterfowl. Because so much shoreline habitat is on private land, it is also one of Minnesota’s most threatened resources due to the intensity of shoreline development and non-compatible management. Fortunately, private landowners in northeast Minnesota have proven to be ready and willing to grant conservation easements on exceptional shoreline habitat, thus providing high-leverage, immediately-tangible protection for these diminishing habitat types. Outreach efforts from this and the previous phase of this program have generated a robust and growing pool of interested landowners seeking assistance in voluntary private land conservation through permanent easements. It is important to note that the Phase 3 of this program received funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to continue to build on the successes of earlier phases and to secure and additional 1,000 acres of natural shoreline, forest habitat and wetlands in northeastern Minnesota.",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave W, Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis, Lake, Carlton","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/critical-shoreland-habitat-protection-program-phase-2,,,,
792,"Critical Shoreline Habitat Protection Program, Phase 1",2011,816000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(a)","$816,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements protecting critical shoreline habitats in Koochiching, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis County portions of the northern forest area in northern Minnesota and provide stewardship for those easements. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan.",,"Protect 30,700 of shoreline and 1,330 acres of habitat",,,,816000,,,,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The natural shoreline around Minnesota's celebrated lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife. It is also one of the most threatened. In order to preserve this important component of Minnesota's natural heritage, the Minnesota Land Trust proposes to implement the a Critical Shoreline Habitat Protection Program. This program will protect essential lakeshore and stream-side habitat and help fulfill the goals of the DNR's Aquatic Management Area program, the State Conservation and Preservation Plan and many others. In this phase of the program, the Minnesota Land Trust will strategically concentrate its activity on important aquatic resources within northeast Minnesota's Arrowhead region, including DNR-designated high priority trout streams and lakes. The Land Trust will protect more than 50,000 feet of threatened shoreline habitat by acquiring 9-12 conservation easements which will permanently protect a rich mosaic of naturally vegetated shoreline, forest habitat and wetlands on more than 1,000 acres. The program will target projects which will help fill the gaps in existing public ownership, contain the highest-quality habitat, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Arrowhead region is prioritized in this phase of the program because it has immensely important shoreline habitat and aquatic resources for fish, game and wildlife (including the highest concentration of trout streams in the state) and because it has a high concentration of landowners interested in placing conservation easements on their properties. ","The problem being addressed by this program is one identified in most state and local conservation plans, including the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan: the development and disturbance of the state's remaining sensitive shoreline habitat. Science conducted by the DNR and others indicate that the shoreline zone-from high ground through the water's edge and into the shallow submerged areas-is one of the most biologically diverse and important habitat types for a variety of wildlife species, including fish and waterfowl. Because so much shoreline habitat is on private land, it is also one of Minnesota's most threatened landscapes due to the intensity of lakeshore development. This opportunity being addressed is one of having multiple landowners in the Arrowhead region who are ready and willing to grant conservation easements on exceptional shoreline habitat, thus providing high-leverage, immediately-tangible protection on these diminishing habitat types. The lull in the real-estate market has given many landowners an opportunity to reflect on the future of their lands, thus providing a narrow window of time to invest in these shoreline protection projects at a fraction of the cost of full fair market acquisition. In addition, another benefit of this project is that while it is focused on the habitat benefits of the shoreline, more than 1,000 acres of family forest and substantial acres of wetlands will be protected, thus providing additional conservation benefits for the state's modest investment. These conservation easements secured under this program will be perpetual and drafted to further prevent the fragmentation and destruction of exisiting habitat. These easements will ensure that the sensitive shoreline habitat under easement will remain ecologically viable and productive for fish, game and wildlife. The conservation easements acquired will prohibit land use and development that negatively impacts the important habitat values and will require habitat management plans to ensure that long-term management will maximize the benefits of the shoreline and associated forested uplands. Furthermore, the Land Trust will seek opportunities to work with the landowners and other organizations to conduct restoration activities and secure angler access if appropriate. The budget outlined below covers expenses necessary to complete the goals of the program, including funding for personnel to negotiate and manage the conservation easement transactions; funding for a limited number of easements acquisitions; project-related expenses such as title work, mapping and appraisals; conservation easement stewardship funding for monitoring and defending the easements, and a very small amount of funding for travel. It is anticipated that this funding will be very highly leveraged through the landowner donations of conservation easements and the Minnesota Land Trusts' own fundraising efforts. To date more than 40 families have confirmed their desire to work with the Land Trust on protecting their properties and related shoreline habitat within the target areas.These 40+ potential properties represent more than 130,000 linear feet (25 miles) of shoreline habitat and more than 4,600 acres of forest land. These projects include the following targeted lakes and rivers: 1) 2 properties on DNR high-priority trout lakes, including Kemo and Moosehorn lakes; 2) 25 properties on signature Border Lakes, including Lake Vermillion, Burntside Lake and Rainy Lake; 3) 8 on North Shore trout streams such as the Knife, French, Flute Reed and Stewart Rivers; 4) 3 on Lake Superior; and 5) the remainder on other important water bodies in the region. Under this program, the Land Trust will prioritize these existing potential projects and seek additional opportunities for the protection of high-quality shoreline habitat. It is anticipated that the projects will be completed in FY 2011 and FY 2012, with the highest priority projects moving forward as soon as possible upon funding. Finally, with the assistance of stewardship funding, the Land Trust will monitor its easements annually and enforce them as necessary into the future. As part of its long-term stewardship obligations, the Land Trust will work to educate the landowners to use best management practices for their shoreline and connect the landowners with other partners such as the DNR, Trout Unlimited or others who may be able to improve the habitat quality. The Minnesota Land Trust will also work with these partners in identifying other potential projects which would have multiple public benefits. ","Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2011/accomp_plan/3a.pdf",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Kris,Larson,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. ","St. Paul",None,55114,"(651) 647-9590",klarson@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Cook","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/critical-shoreline-habitat-protection-program,,,,
35047,"Critical Shoreland Protection Program - Phase III",2016,1690000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$1,690,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements along rivers and lakes in the northern forest region. Up to $220,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - This program will permanently protected 641 acres and 39,415 feet (7.46 miles) of critical shoreland and high-quality wildlife habitats in Minnesota’s Northeast region through permanent conservation easements, thereby preventing habitat fragmentation and associated degradation of near-shore aquatic and terrestrial habitats. ",,2100500,"Landowner donation of easement value ",1612500,,,1,"MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through this grant, the Minnesota Land Trust protected 641 acres and 39,415 feet (7.46 miles) of critical shoreland and high-quality wildlife habitats in Minnesota’s Northeast region through permanent conservation easements. Landowners donated $2,100,500 in easement value through this grant, greatly leveraging by 131% the $1,609,000 in grant funding provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The amount of shoreland protected exceeded that proposed for the grant by 299%. ",,"The natural shoreline around Minnesota’s celebrated lakes and rivers comprises one of the most biologically important systems in the state for fish, game and wildlife. It is also one of its most threatened. In order to preserve this important component of Minnesota’s natural heritage, the Minnesota Land Trust proposed to implement Phase 3 of its Critical Shoreland Habitat Protection Program to protect important lakeshore and stream-side habitat in northeast Minnesota. Building on the success of Phases 1 and 2 of this program, this grant helped fulfill the goals of the DNR’s Aquatic Management Area program, the State Conservation and Preservation Plan, and many other state priorities. In this third phase of the program, the Minnesota Land Trust strategically concentrated its activity on important aquatic resources and associated forest habitat within northeast Minnesota, including DNR-designated high priority trout streams along the North Shore, sensitive shoreline along the deep-water border lakes and other high-quality aquatic habitats in the region. The Land Trust proposed to protect 2.5 miles of threatened shoreline habitat by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners to permanently protect a rich mosaic of naturally vegetated shoreline, forest habitat and wetlands on approximately 1,000 acres. The program targeted projects that would help complete gaps in existing public ownership, contain the highest-quality habitat, and provide the greatest leverage to the state.  The Land Trust sought donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also purchased easements to complete key complexes. Key outcomes from this project included: 1) healthy populations of trout and other fish species, waterfowl, and other species in greatest conservation need; 2) maintaining water quality of aquatic resources; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects; and 4) enhancement of prior state and local investments made in shoreland and forest conservation in the region.  Through this grant, the Land Trust protected 39,415 feet (7.46 miles) of critical shoreland habitat, exceeding the primary protection deliverable by 299%. We fell short on our target acres, achieving 64% of our secondary protection goal. In addition, the Land Trust exceeded its leverage goals by 131%, realizing $2,100,500 in landowner donations of easement value. Seven conservation easements were procured through this grant, as described in brief below and in larger context as uploaded project sheets: 1. Ann Lake (Killeen) - The 132-acre project protects nearly 1 mile of shoreland on Ann and Link lakes, and wetlands and mesic hardwood forests on rolling terrain between them. The property extends to the floodplain of the West Fork of the Prairie River, and borders George Washington State Forest on two sides. 2. Burntside Lake (YMCA 1) - This scenic property is located on the North Arm of Burntside Lake.  Burntside Lake is a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the area contains much of the same rugged character and scenery of that iconic wilderness.  This densely-forested property rises over 100-feet from the shoreline of Burntside Lake to a high ridgeline overlooking the lake. The property forms an important linkage with Burntside State Forest to the east and an additional Minnesota Land Trust conservation easement to the north.   3. Burntstde Lake (YMCA 2) - This unique project protects three forested islands in the North Arm of Burntside Lake near Ely.  Islands in Burntside Lake face significant development pressure from lakeside cabins that can impact scenery and negatively affect water quality. 4. King Lake (Guckenberg) - King Lake contains extensive stands of wild rice, one of Minnesota’s most important cultural and economic native plant species.  This conservation easement protects over 1.5 miles of shoreland on Kookoosh Lake and perennial streams that are tributary to it, in addition to the adjacent rice stands. The easement protects bogs, mesic forests, and wet meadows. Several parcels of state-owned property managed by St. Louis County as well as a public stream access easement associated with Spring Creek Aquatic Management Area are adjacent to the property.  5. Lake Superior (Johannson) - Lake Superior’s North Shore is one of Minnesota’s most iconic cultural and ecological resources, but also one of its most vulnerable. This property protects over 2,300 feet of craggy Lake Superior shoreline approximately two and a half miles south of the City of Two Harbors.  The property is located within a site of high biodiversity significance and the South-Central North Shore Important Bird Area.  6. Snake River (Giles) - Situated on a bend of the Snake River in northeastern Kanabec County, this 66-acre property protects scenic hardwood forests and over 2,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline along the Snake River. The river is popular with recreationists and is notable for its remote and wild character, and its diverse freshwater mussel and fish populations.  This property provides outstanding habitat connectivity, bordering the Snake River State Forest to its north.  These state forest lands form the core of a larger area of protected private and public lands along the Snake River that now totals close to 10,000 acres.  7. Tucker Lake (Johannson) - This spectacular property protects a scenic lake adjacent to the iconic Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Cook County.  Located on the south edge of Tucker Lake, the property features over 2 miles of rugged shoreline characterized by craggy cliffs and bedrock outcrops.  Boreal forest and low-lying wetlands cover much of the property, which is located within a site of high biodiversity significance.  ",2015-07-01,2020-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue West Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/critical-shoreland-protection-program-phase-iii-1,,,,
10011428,"St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Phase I",2020,3751000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(a)","$3,751,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: (1) $2,209,000 to The Trust for Public Land to acquire land in fee and to acquire permanent conservation stream easements in the St. Croix River watershed using the payment method prescribed in Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0272, subdivision 2; (2) $1,377,000 to Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems in the St. Croix River watershed. Of this amount, up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17; and (3) $165,000 to the St. Croix River Association to coordinate and administer the program under this paragraph. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Forestland protection from development and fragmentation will be measured based on the acreage of land protected by fee acquisition and permanent conservation easements obtained through this program. .A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - With a priority on trout streams and adjacency to already protected lands, program success will be measured based on the acres of land protected via fee acquisition and permanent conservation easements adjacent to protected lands, as well as miles of riparian and trout stream habitat protected. .",,,227900,"Landowner, Private",3681100,69900,,1.37,"TPL, MLT, St. Croix River Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will permanently protect approximately 750 acres of critical habitat through fee-title acquisition and conservation easements, and restore and enhance up to 50 acres of habitat for species of greatest conservation need in strategically targeted protected land assets of biodiversity significance in the St. Croix Watershed. Its goals are to protect habitat, improve conservation connectivity, and provide public access for outdoor recreation opportunities. ","Spanning the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the St. Croix River is one of the nation’s first federally designated “Wild and Scenic” Rivers and is home to a diverse abundance of native flora and fauna, rivaling any other location within the greater Upper Mississippi River Basin. The landscape of the St. Croix River contains large swaths of unspoiled ecosystems. It is home to rolling barrens and brushlands containing a plethora of wildlife including threatened populations of sharp-tailed grouse and endangered Karner blue butterflies. The pineries of the north thrive, providing forest products that sustain many communities along with seasonal economic boosts from visitors who come for an array of outdoor activities – from hunting and fishing, to hiking, biking and boating. Although the status of the St. Croix as a Wild and Scenic River comes with federal protections, it applies only to a thin ribbon of land adjacent to the Riverway. Beyond the Riverway boundary, more than 75% of the St. Croix’s forestlands remain in private holdings and the threat of development, fragmentation and conversion to agriculture is substantial. Through the “My St. Croix Woods” program, the St. Croix River Association (SCRA) is growing the demand for forest stewardship and protection by increasing collaboration with partners. Building upon years of momentum, we seek to increase permanent protection options to landowners that result in the conservation of well connected, functional forests and rivers that sustain and enhance native species. In partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), we seek to protect large intact forest patches that are managed for complexity; sustain riparian forests that are managed for connectivity; and restore lands that are important to the 128 listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that are known to occur within this landscape.TPL will protect approximately 415 acres in fee focusing on lands that have been identified as high priority in statewide and regional plans as immediate opportunities for protection. TPL will convey lands to the DNR except when LGU ownership is appropriate. TPL will also acquire trout stream easements along section of Lawrence Creek and Sand Creek which are high priorities for DNR Fisheries in this watershed. Trout stream easements will be conveyed to MN DNR who will hold them in perpetuity. MLT will acquire approximately 310 acres of conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. Projects within targeted priority areas will be identified through a competitive RFP process and subsequently ranked based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will also restore and enhance 50 acres of habitat on existing and new easements. Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with landowners and hired subcontractors. MLT will negotiate and close all conservation easements, and serve as project manager for all R/E projects.The St. Croix River Association will provide program administration, and landowner outreach and engagement in priority areas.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Monica,Zachay,"St. Croix River Association","PO Box 655 ","St. Croix Falls ",WI,54024,"(715) 483-3300",monicaz@scramail.com,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Chisago, Kanabec, Pine, Washington","Northern Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-croix-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration-phase-i,,,,
10019649,"St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Phase 2",2022,3112000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(a)","$3,112,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: (1) $1,494,000 to The Trust for Public Land to acquire land in fee; (2) $1,493,000 to Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems in the St. Croix River watershed. Of this amount, up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17; and (3) $125,000 to the St. Croix River Association to coordinate and administer the program under this paragraph. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - This project will be measured by the acres of high quality forestlands that are permanently protected from development and fragmentation. Protected land will also be evaluated by its proximity to existing public lands as well as connectivity to other protected forestlands. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - This project will be measured by the acres of wildlife corridors protected and evaluated based on the observed use by wildlife populations and evidence of SGCN",,,232500,"Private and Private Landowner",3055500,56500,,0.85,"TPL, MLT, St. Croix River Watershed, ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The St. Croix River Association, Minnesota Land Trust, and The Trust for Public Land will work in partnership to permanently protect approximately 544 acres of critical wildlife habitat on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River watershed through fee-title acquisition and conservation easements. The goals of the program are to protect high quality wildlife habitat, improve conservation connectivity, and provide public access for outdoor recreation opportunities.","The St. Croix River is one of the nation's first federally designated ?Wild and Scenic? rivers and is home to a diverse abundance of native flora and fauna, rivaling any other location within the greater Upper Mississippi River basin. It contains large swaths of unspoiled brushland and forest habitat, critical for the survival of game species, non-game species, and threatened populations of wildlife including populations of sharp-tailed grouse and endangered Karner blue butterflies. To the north, pineries provide an abundance of forest products that sustain rural communities, along with seasonal economic boosts from visitors who come for an array of outdoor activities ? from hunting and fishing, to hiking, biking and boating. Despite its federal protections as a ""Wild and Scenic"" river, the watershed beyond the Riverway boundary is quite vulnerable. With more than 75% of the watershed's brushland and forest habitat in private holdings, the threat of development, fragmentation, and conversion to agriculture is substantial. Building upon years of woodland owner outreach and increased interest in private forest stewardship, we seek to increase permanent protection options for landowners that result in the conservation of well connected, functional forests and rivers that sustain and enhance wildlife habitat. In partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), we seek to protect large intact forest patches that are managed for complexity; sustain riparian forests that are managed for connectivity; and restore lands that are important to the 128 listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that are known to occur within this landscape. Funding allocated through Phase I of the St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration program has largely been committed to projects that will be completed within the next year. The partnership is requesting ML 2021 funding for Phase II of the program to continue the important work of permanently protecting some of Minnesota's highest quality habitat. TPL will protect approximately 244 acres in fee focusing on lands that have been identified as high priority in statewide and regional plans as immediate opportunities for protection. TPL will convey lands to the DNR, except when LGU ownership is appropriate, for permanent ownership, management, and stewardship. MLT will acquire approximately 300 acres of conservation easements and develop habitat management plans for eased acres. Projects within targeted priority areas will be identified through a competitive RFP process and subsequently ranked based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will negotiate and close all conservation easements. The St. Croix River Association will provide overall program administration and landowner outreach and engagement.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Monica,Zachay,"St. Croix River Association","PO Box 655 ","St. Croix Falls",WI,54024,"(715) 483-3300",monicaz@scramail.com,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chisago, Pine","Northern Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-croix-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration-phase-2,,,,
23905,"Crow-Hassan Prairie Complex Restoration and Enhancement",2015,370000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(j)","$370,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Three Rivers Park District to restore and enhance prairie habitat within the Crow-Hassen Park Reserve. A restoration and enhancement plan and a list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The core area size, # of connections to other habitats will be mapped, # of SGCN, overall plant diversity.Game lakes are significant contributors of waterfowl, due to efforts to protect uplands adjacent to game lakes - # of waterfowl broods on the 11 basins within the prairie complex will be counted.Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - # of plant species in prairie will be counted and monitored.",,,,,370000,,,,"Three Rivers Park District","Local/Regional Government","The Crow-Hassan Prairie Complex Restoration and Enhancement restored 246 acres of prairie, 28 acres of forest and enhanced 500 acres of prairie within a larger prairie complex totalling 1200 acres.  This is the largest prairie complex in the metro area.  It will provide excellent breeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife. ",,"The Crow-Hassan Prairie, where restoration was initiated in 1969, is the oldest, largest, and best restored grassland in the Metro region.  It currently covers approximately 850 acres of prairie, fire managed woodlands, and wetlands.  This project will convert an additional 246 acres of old field into prairie and tie in 28 more acres of woodlands into the burn plan.  When completed the project will create a fire managed habitat complex in excess of 1200 acres, which includes over 200 acres of shallow lakes and wetlands.  The complex will provide excellent nesting habitat for waterfowl,  sandhill cranes, Trumpeter Swans, grassland birds, many of which are SGCNs, as well as, numerous species of mammals and reptiles, including state T&E species.  The forb diversity on the existing and proposed restorations will provide excellent habitat for native pollinators. While the site is not open for general hunting, it does host special permit archery hunts and the adjacent Crow River provides a variety of fishing opportunities.  There are also several  lakes open for waterfowl hunting within 1 mile of the Crow Hassan Prairie. The project included planting 246 acres of prairie that required site prep (burn, spray, brush removal, plowing), seeding, and maintenance spraying and mowing.  We also added selected forb and grass species to 500 acres of existing prairie.  The 28 acres of woodlands were brushed and burned to stimulate savanna habitat.   ",2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Moriarty,"Three Rivers Park District","12615 Co. Rd. 9 ",Plymouth,MN,55441,"(763) 694-7842",jmoriarty@threeriversparkdistrict.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hennepin,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/crow-hassan-prairie-complex-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
10006512,"Dakota County Habitat Protection/Restoration Phase VI",2019,2288000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(f)","$2,288,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County to acquire permanent conservation easements and lands in fee and to restore and enhance riparian and other habitats in Dakota County. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The County has developed an integrated, long-term habitat protection system involving public and private land to provide multiple public benefits. Enlarging and improving existing protected habitat complexes and providing key connections will continue to be a focus. The County will prioritize its land protection and improvement efforts, based in part, on wildlife species by devoting staff time and resources to create baseline wildlife and habitat quality information, and monitor indicator and other species seasonally/annually to determine if County efforts are producing the desired results over time and to adapt or re-prioritize as appropriate..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - A small portion of the County is included in this region. The County will prioritize its land protection and improvement efforts, based in part, on priority wildlife species. The County will devote staff time and resources to create baseline wildlife and habitat quality information, and monitor indicator and other species seasonally/annually to determine if County efforts are producing the desired results over time and to adapt or re-prioritize as appropriate. .",,,1040100,"Dakota County",2288000,,,3,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","This project will emphasize restoring and enhancing approximately 260 acres of various permanently protected habitats, and acquiring approximately 154 acres of permanent conservation easements or fee title. Project sites include Lake Byllesby Regional Park, land adjacent to Regional Park Reserves and Regional Greenways, Chub and Marcott Lakes, rivers and streams, and hydric soil areas. Habitats will include forest, grassland, wetland, and riparian areas throughout the County. This initiative will provide initial targeted and anticipated projects, and also provide flexibility for opportunities that cannot be anticipated at the time of submittal.","Historic settlement, modern-day suburban development, and modern agriculture have replaced, degraded and fragmented natural resource systems throughout Dakota County. Nearly every monitored waterbody in the County is impaired, and many larger scale habitats have been reduced to small remnants. These large-scale impacts and trends require a comprehensive, collaborative, long-term approach to maintain and improve the County’s natural resource heritage and associated benefits. Approved County plans have identified the a two-year, self-funded highest quality natural areas and key connections, integrated sound fiscal and ecological approaches that attempts to balance the interests, rights and responsibilities of private landowners, to address the public’s concerns about water and habitat.The County has effectively worked with a variety of agencies, jurisdictions, organizations, and private landowners to implement comprehensive habitat protection since 2003 when it began implementing its Farmland and Natural Areas Protection Plan. The 2008 Vermillion River Corridor Plan provided a basis for riparian system land protection. These and other programs are now blended into a comprehensive Land Conservation Program that includes regional parks and multi-purpose greenways, natural areas, shoreland, and agricultural lands. The County developed conservation policy, increased staff, and refined project evaluation criteria and practices. The County has provided funding to assist the DNR in establishing new Wildlife Management Areas, Aquatic Management Areas and Scientific and Natural Areas and has acquired 112 conservation easements. Excluding additional habit in newly acquired park and greenway land, the County has now protected over 11,282 acres.All easements require Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) that reflect existing ecosystem health and recommend potential restoration management strategies, including work plans and budgets. A Management Agreement is signed by the landowner and County, identifying NRMP priorities, activities, responsibilities, costs and schedules. The proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects in this funding request are based on these these and new work plans. On May 23, 2017, the County Board approved a two-year, self-funded, Natural Resource Management System Plan for significantly investing additional County funds to increase management within all park, greenways and easements. The NRMSP will have direct and indirect benefits to fish, game and wildlife, beyond the increased and interconnected terrestrial habitat.The acquisition projects proposed and anticipated within this funding request involve riparian areas along the Mississippi River, Cannon River (including Dutch, Mud, Chub, Darden and Pine Creeks, and Trout Brook) and Vermillion River (including North, Middle and South Creeks, the South Branch and their tributaries). Additional habitat focuses include Marcott and Chub lakes, Hampton and McMenomy Woods, hydric soil areas, and other high quality habitat areas.Environmental Audits and/or Phase I Assessments are completed for all projects. Each easement is annually monitored with information is entered into a temporary land management data base that is in the process of being updated.Restoration and enhancement activities would occur immediately on existing protected land; and for new acquisitions, would begin appropriately in the spring or fall following acquisition.The Dakota County Board approved this proposal submission by Resolution No. 17-287 on May 23, 2017. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Lisa,West,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7018",lisa.west@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-habitat-protectionrestoration-phase-vi,,,,
10011402,"Dakota County Habitat Protection/Restoration Phase VII",2020,3516000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(c)","$3,516,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County to acquire permanent conservation easements and land in fee and to restore and enhance riparian and other habitats in Dakota County. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The County developed an integrated, long-term habitat protection system involving public and private lands to provide multiple public benefits. Enlarging and improving existing protected habitat complexes and providing key connections will continue to be a focus, with protected acres and shoreline as success indicators. The County will prioritize land protection and improvement efforts, in part, based on wildlife species by devoting staff time and resources to create baseline wildlife and habitat quality information and monitoring indicator and other species seasonally/annually to determine if our efforts are producing the desired results over time and to adapt or re-prioritize as appropriate..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - A small portion of the County is included in this region. Enlarging and improving existing protected habitat complexes and providing key connections will continue to be a focus, with protected acres and shoreline as success indicators. The County will prioritize its land protection and improvement efforts, in part, based on priority wildlife species. It will devote staff time and resources to create baseline wildlife and habitat quality information and monitoring indicator and other species seasonally/annually to determine if our efforts are producing the desired results over time and to adapt or re-prioritize as appropriate..",,,879000,"Dakota County",3516000,,,,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","This project will restore approximately 474 acres of permanently protected habitats, and acquire approximately 420 acres of permanent conservation easements and/or fee title lands. Project sites include converting cultivated areas to wetlands in the southern two-thirds of the County, and various habitats, including forest, grassland, riparian areas, and other wetlands throughout the County. This initiative includes identified sites and flexibility for opportunities that will arise. This project will allow the County to continue its integrated comprehensive and successful land conservation efforts through its partnership with the LSOHC and others.","Historic settlement, modern-day development, and agriculture have replaced, degraded and fragmented natural resource systems throughout Dakota County. Nearly every monitored waterbody in the County is impaired, and many habitats have been reduced to small pocket remnants. The County encompasses a wealth of high-quality soils and a vibrant agricultural economy. And even with conservative, the potential changes that could result from climate change should be considered. These large-scale impacts and trends require a comprehensive, collaborative, long-term approach to maintain and improve the County’s natural resource heritage and associated benefits. Sound plans have been adopted that collectively focus on protecting and improving the natural infrastructure.The project scope and scale encompass some of the best natural resource features found in the metropolitan region, across urban, suburban and rural landscapes. A sound fiscal and prescriptive ecological systems approach to conservation, attempts to balance the interests, rights and responsibilities of private landowners, with the public’s concerns about water and habitat quality and protection.The County effectively works with a variety of agencies, jurisdictions and organizations to implement land protection. Beginning in 2003, the County implemented its Farmland and Natural Areas Program, following two years of LCMR-funded plan development. This and other programs are now blended into a comprehensive Land Conservation Program; through which, the County developed conservation policy project evaluation criteria, and practices to acquire, monitor and administer 112 conservation easements, totaling 9,534 acres, and to assist other public entities in acquiring 20 properties totaling 1,989 acres. In 2017, the County Board approved a Natural Resource Management System Plan to restore, enhance and maintain the majority of natural resources within its parks, greenways, and conservation easements. In 2018, the County began developing a next generation, Land Conservation Plan to identify, coordinate, and prioritize future land protection and management needs on public and private properties throughout the County. All permanent easements require Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) that reflect existing ecosystem health and recommend potential restoration management strategies, including workplans and budgets. A Natural Resource Management Agreement (MA) is signed by the landowner and County, identifying NRMP priorities, activities, responsibilities, shared costs, and schedules. The proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects in this funding request are based on these workplans. This project has direct benefits to fish, game, and wildlife, beyond the increased and interconnected terrestrial habitat.The proposed and anticipated acquisition projects involve riparian areas along the Minnesota, Mississippi, and Cannon rivers (including Dutch, Mud, Chub, Darden and Pine Creeks, and Trout Brook) and Vermillion River (including North, Middle and South Creeks, the South Branch and tributaries), and shoreland along Chub and Marcott lakes. Additional habitat focuses include woodlands, wetlands, hydric soil areas, and unique landscape features and ecosystems.Environmental Audits and/or Phase I Assessments are completed for all projects, resulting in waste removal, well sealing, and septic system upgrades, if needed, as program participation conditions. Baseline Property Reports are prepared; and each permanent easement is annually monitored. Project information is entered into a data base.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Lisa,West,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7018",lisa.west@co.dakota.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-habitat-protectionrestoration-phase-vii,,,,
20707,"Dakota County Habitat Protection/Restoration Phase 4",2014,4100000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$4,100,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County to acquire, restore, and enhance lands in Dakota County for fish and wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance habitats in rivers and lake watersheds in Dakota County. Up to $60,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 392 acres, protected 197 acres (in fee with state PILT liability), protected 214 acres (in easement) for a total of 803 Acres ",,2222200,"County ",4100000,,,1.3,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","During this grant time frame, Dakota County was able to protect habitat through acquisition of seven parcels, totaling 409 acres.  The fee title ownership of three of the parcels, totaling 197 acres, was transferred to the Minnesota DNR as part of establishing the new Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area in Hampton and Castle Rock townships. Another notable acquisition was that of a 109-acre easement on a portion of the Grannis property in Inver Grove Heights, which when added to the original 17-acre easement, totals 126 acres that includes the southernmost and highest quality lake of the Marcott Lakes Chain. Additionally, when combined with the adjacent 103-acre Lindberg easement, provides a total protected area of 229 acres in Inver Grove Heights. As is typical for a voluntary land protection program, landowners don't always move forward with their projects for a variety of reasons; and eight projects that staff worked on were either withdrawn by the landowner, or the County completed them with Outdoor Heritage funding from another grant. Dakota County also completed a significant amount of restoration work within a variety of habitats, totaling 392 acres.  Restoration work was completed in areas including: the new Hampton Woods WMA; on the Grannis easement; and at three locations along the Vermillion River, among other locations.  This restoration work is ongoing. Dakota County's commitment to land conservation is reflected in one of four County Board Strategic Plan Goals: A healthy environment with quality natural areas. This commitment is recognized through annual County Board support (e.g., funding and staff resources) for land conservation programs, other environmental health and protection programs and initiatives, as well as the County Board's commitment to not only establish regional parks and County park preserves, but its commitment to restoring habitat within its park system. Through this commitment, County Land Conservation staff work with confidence and were able to achieve greater grant match support than anticipated, providing County grant-match funding and in-kind staff time totaling $732,300, $444,300 more than the original estimate of $288,000.  The extended length of time afforded to expend grant funding, per Section 2.1 of the grant agreement contributed greatly to this level of County grant-match. ",,"Through the Dakota County Land Conservation Program, the County has been protecting high-quality natural areas for wildlife habitat and improved water quality, outside its regional park system, since 2003. As with many conservation acquisition efforts during the term of this grant, modifications were made to accommodate evolving circumstances. As a result, Dakota County acquired four conservation easements that protected 212 acres of: wetlands (5 acres); Forest/Woodland (49 acres); Grasslands (24 acres); Cultivated land that was restored to natural vegetation (100 acres); Habitat (12 acres); and Open Water (22 acres). The County's voluntary program can be unpredictable. An application round is held each year to accept submittals for potential conservation easement projects. Project Prioritization Criteria are used to score and rank project applications. Some projects move through the process to closing, and some stall-out or are withdrawn by the landowner for a variety of reasons. The common, uncertain nature of a voluntary conservation program is why in future grants, the County extended the window of time to complete acquisitions, because sometimes it just takes more time to get to the closing. An extended acquisition timeframe will provide greater flexibility in completing projects. The County also successfully completed three natural area fee title acquisitions totaling 197 acres, establishing the first protected land within the new Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area in Hampton and Castle Rock townships.  This historic woodland has stood for centuries and was used by settlers as a woodlot as surrounding areas were cultivated.  The County transferred ownership and management of the 197 acres of land to the Minnesota DNR.  More acquisitions are planned, with subsequent ownership transfer to the DNR within this new WMA. Regarding restoration efforts, the County successfully restored 390 acres, involving 16 parcels. The County requires not only Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) for each natural area easement, but requires that landowners sign a Management Agreement (MA) that outlines restoration and maintenance activities, who is responsible for the work, and how each activity will be funded, using cost estimates from accepted contractor proposals. Restoration work involved parcels that include over 1 mile of shoreline. Restoration activities included: restoring agricultural land to natural vegetation; removing invasive species, like buckthorn; establishing test areas to determine the most effective way(s) to remove invasive species; and forest and prairie seeding to re-establish or enhance native species diversity.  The parcels restored supports populations of eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, eastern cottontail, wild fur-bearing game (fox, coyote, mink, and beaver), wild turkey, pheasant, wood duck, and other waterfowl. Restoration activities anticipate an increase in the populations of these and many other species, which will augment populations on the adjacent land. In addition, these restoration efforts anticipate more diverse populations of non-game species. Baseline populations will be monitored into the future. ",2013-07-01,2021-01-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Al,Singer,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7001",al.singer@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-habitat-protectionrestoration-phase-4,,,,
789,"Dakota County Habitat Protection, Phase I",2010,1000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County for acquisition of permanent easements. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savann","Protect in easement 568 acres of habitat",,,,1000000,,,None,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","The Dakota County?Farmland and Natural Areas?Program will protect over 350 acres of high quality wildlife habitat including 1.7 miles of Cannon River shoreline, 2.0 miles of Chub Creek and .70 miles of shoreline along Marcott Lake in Dakota County. Permanent conservation easements from willing landowners will be acquired and landowners will be required to complete natural resource management plans. ","Dakota County has experienced significant residential growth over the last two decades and the most highly desirable location in suburban and rural areas are near rivers, lakes and relatively few remaining natural areas. In addition, the price of agricultural crops is placing intense pressure to reduce vegetated buffers, CRP land, etc. Though there may be a lull due to the economic downturn, there will be increased stresses placed on these areas in the future. Dakota County, through the Farmland and Natural Areas Program (FNAP), has been protecting natural areas for wildlife habitat and water quality improvements outside of the regional park system since 2004. The County anticipates completing each of the easement acquisition projects, totaling a minimum of 350 acres, by June 30, 2011. As a condition of funding, a detailed natural resource management plan will be completed with County funds used to begin implementation. Activities will be prioritized based upon respective sites, with some habitat improvement such as the removal of invasive species or the planting of native grasses taking place as early as 2010. => FNAP has had a? very successful track record or working with landowners, multiple agencies and non-profit organizations and all levels of government in completing 50 projects since the program's inception. => Townships are involved in the initial support of rural land protection projects with formal resolutions and The City of Inver Grove Heights is supportive of both? projects located there. => All funding decisions are reviewed by a Citizen Advisory Committee and approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. ","Final Report  ",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Al,Singer,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7001",al.singer@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-habitat-protection,,,,
809,"Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection and Restoration, Phase II",2011,2097000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$2,097,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County for acquisition of permanent easements and enhancement and restoration of aquatic and associated upland habitat. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Restore 385 acres, Protect in easement 704 acres, and Enhance 153 acres of habitat",,2478000,"City of Lakeville, Dakota County (cash), Dakota County Iin-kind), Landowner Donation and Vermillion River JPO",2097000,,,,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","This program initiates a comprehensive approach to protecting, restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat and water quality by working with willing landowners to establish permanent conservation easements totaling 620 acres along the Vermillion River and including North, Middle and South Creeks, the South Branch and their tributaries; the Cannon River and its primary tributaries within Dakota County (Dutch, Mud, Chub, Darden and Pine Creeks, and Trout Brook); and to acquire permanent easements on 84 acres along Marcott Lake in Inver Grove Heights, Lake Marion in Lakeville, and Chub Lake in Eureka Township. ","The long history of settlement and long-accepted agricultural land use practices have resulted in the loss, degradation and fragmentation of our natural resource systems. In Dakota County, only three percent of the pre-settlement plant communities remain. Despite increased public awareness of water quality issues and improvement methods, as well as multi-agency efforts to assist landowners in protecting the environment, nearly every river, stream and lake in the County that has been monitored is officially impaired in some fashion. According to Metropolitan Council data, between 1970 and 2005, Dakota County lost more than 7,500 acres of non-urbanized land (undeveloped, agricultural, steeply sloped or wetland); added 3,592 acres for major four-lane highways and nearly tripled its residential acreage from 20,150 to 58,455. Not coincidentally, this new development is attracted to the remaining natural features - especially lakes and rivers. Yet, most of this land is privately owned and does not provide close-to-home public access for most residents to hunt, fish or enjoy other outdoor recreational activities. The county has a wealth of high quality soils and a vibrant agricultural economy, and with recently high commodity prices, the pressure to plant corn and soybeans from fence row to fence row has never been greater. Under even conservative scenarios, the potential changes that could be wrought by climate change need to be considered. This combination of large-scale impacts and trends must be approached comprehensively, long-term and collaboratively if we are to maintain and improve our natural resource heritage and its many associated benefits. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to proactively and successfully address these challenges. The downturn in the economy has halted residential development for now and significantly lowered land prices. Sound plans have been developed and adopted which collectively focus on protecting and improving our natural infrastructure. The county has a wealth of high quality soils and a vibrant agricultural economy, and with recently high commodity prices, the pressure to plant corn and soybeans from fence row to fence row has never been greater. Under even conservative scenarios, the potential changes that could be wrought by climate change need to be considered. This combination of large-scale impacts and trends must be approached comprehensively, long-term and collaboratively if we are to maintain and improve our natural resource heritage and its many associated benefits. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to proactively and successfully address these challenges. The downturn in the economy has halted residential development for now and significantly lowered land prices. Sound plans have been developed and adopted which collectively focus on protecting and improving our natural infrastructure. All proposed easements include a Natural Resource Management Plan. For some riparian easements, it will mean restoring currently cultivated areas using a variety of native species depending upon site conditions, habitat potential, strategic corridor interconnectivity, and opportunities to increase ecological resiliency. For other easements, it will be a combination of protecting and managing the current vegetation and restoring cultivated portions of the site with native species. In still other sites, the project will permanently protect and enhance the shoreline, riparian zone and associated uplands and wetlands. This project has direct benefits to fish, game and wildlife beyond the increased and interconnected terrestrial habitat. Working with landowners to increase and improve buffers and better manage drain tile will reduce runoff containing excess nutrients, chemicals and warm water. The resulting water quality improvements will enhance the entire aquatic ecosystem. The scale and scope of this project is both doable and significant. It encompasses some of the best natural resource features found in the metropolitan region across a combination of urban, suburban and rural landscapes. It takes a sound fiscal and ecological systems approach to conservation, while attempting to balance the interests, rights and responsibilities of private landowners with the public's concerns about water and habitat quality, outdoor recreation and climate change. The County has an excellent track record of working effectively with a wide variety of agencies, jurisdictions and organizations including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, MN Department of Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation District, Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization, Cannon River Watershed Partners, Friends of the Mississippi River, Trout Unlimited and others. Through the successful Farmland and Natural Areas Program, the County has developed program policy and practices to acquire, monitor and administer 37 current conservation easements with many new easement projects underway. In association with these easements, the County implements short- and long-term natural resource management and restoration. The County has been implementing the Farmland and Natural Areas Program for six years with two years of planning, public outreach and participation prior to its inception. The recent approval of township, city and county comprehensive and local water plans was the culmination of significant involvement by stakeholders and the general public. The LCCMR-funded Vermillion River Corridor Project has involved over 220 people in a series of public workshops over the past six months. The results of all of these efforts have led to wide-spread alignment and support for riparian easements that can accomplish multiple benefits while compensating and protecting private landowners. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the submission of this proposal by Resolution No. 09-549 on October 20, 2010. The proposed acquisitions will take place in as many as eight cities and twelve townships. While these local jurisdictions have been very supportive of previous County easement acquisitions from willing landowners and for projects that match approved local plans, they have not formally approved any specific acquisition at this point. Our intention is to discuss this project at the Dakota Township Officers meeting in March 2010 to elicit comments and concerns. This proposal will also be discussed during an early 2010 meeting with all city managers within the county. Any project involving current or future city land will be approved by the respective city staff or council prior to any expenditure within those jurisdictions. ","Final Report",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Al,Singer,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",None,55124,"(952) 891-7001",al.singer@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-riparian-and-lakeshore-protection-and-restoration,,,,
9820,"Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection and Management , Phase 3",2013,480000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance habitats along the Mississippi, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $20,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.",,"Restored 220 acres and protected in easement 84 acres of habitat. ",,153400,"Dakota County and watershed district ",306400,,,.25,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","This project acquired 84 acres of conservation easements along the Mississippi, Cannon and Vermillion Rivers.  Through amendments, the acquisition acreage was decreased from the original proposal, due to landowner changes and project withdrawals.  This project also restored/enhanced 220 acres within associated habitat corridors.  Through amendments, the restoration/enhancement acres were increased from the original proposal by adding specific restoration projects.",,"Through the County Farmland and Natural Areas Program, the ShoreHolders Program, and now combined Land Conservation Program, Dakota County has been protecting high-quality natural areas for wildlife habitat and improved water quality, outside its regional park system, since 2003.As with many conservation acquisition efforts, during the term of this grant, modifications were made to accommodate evolving circumstances. As a result of this Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) grant, Dakota County focused on five conservation easements that protected 84 acres of wooded and grassland riparian areas, 26 acres of which surrounds ponds, wetlands and small lakes in the City of Rosemount, 19 acres of which are along Chub Creek in Waterford Township, and 39 acres of which are along the Vermillion River in Empire and Vermillion Townships. Through these easements, over three miles of shoreline was protected, including over 1.5 miles of the Vermillion River, over one mile of which is part of the designated trout stream portion of the river. Approximately $128,200 of landowner donations of easement value helped fund the protection of these areas. Conservation easements are a valuable tool to achieve permanent land protection, while not removing the land areas from the local tax base.Regarding restoration efforts, the County was successful in getting restoration projects at least started and completed on several properties. The County requires not only Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) for each natural area easement, but is now requiring that landowners sign a Management Agreement (MA) that outlines restoration and maintenance activities, who is responsible, and how each activity will be funded, using cost estimates. Getting these agreements in place, while simultaneously executing consultant contracts for some of them proved to be too much; and although all were completed prior to the June 30 funding deadline, much of the proposed restoration work was not completed. That said, the County was able to get significant amounts of restoration work completed by the funding deadline. Restoration work involved enhancement of 235 acres of properties that include almost eight miles of shoreline.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Alan,Singer,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7001",al.singer@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dakota-county-riparian-and-lakeshore-protection-and-management-phase-3,,,,
9644,"Dalbo WMA 'Richardson 80' Acquisition",2010,150500,"M.L. 2009 Ch. 37 Sec. 2","$4000000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for a pilot program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400000 to local regional state and national organizations including government for enhancement restoration or protection of forests wetlands prairies and habitat for fish game or wildlife in Minnesota. Up to 6-1/2 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grant.",,,,,,,,,,,,"The acqusition of this 80 acre parcel is a very nice fit to the Dalbo WMA. It allows for expanded habitat management and hunting opportunities for a myirad of wildlife species. This is a wonderful additon/round-out to this expansive and heavily used WMA. Which currently is 2610 acres in size. This MDHA chapter provided significant dollars to help DNR acquire 460 tract with in the past two years.",,,2010-04-19,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Isanti,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dalbo-wma-richardson-80-acquisition,,,,
10006513,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement",2019,2834000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(q)","$2,834,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Fisheries monitoring programs through the DNR and PCA are designed to assess the relative health of aquatic systems through the use of tools such as indices of biotic integrity (IBI), the MN Stream Habitat Assessment, and Score-Your-Shore. These can all be used to assess tour success in achieving outcomes for these projects..Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - All restoration and enhancement projects on rivers include restoration of the riparian area into native vegetation. We will monitor the success of plant establishment and conduct maintenance as needed during the 2-3 year establishment period to insure that sites are part of a healthy riparian corridor..A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Our work in the metro region will involve enhancement on AMA parcels. These lands are located in complexes of habitat, with corridors of riparian habitat connecting larger blocks of land in native vegetation. We will monitor enhancement projects to insure that they are successful in their goals of creating quality habitat based on the mix of native plant species present as compared to pre-project..Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - All restoration and enhancement projects on rivers include restoration of the riparian area into native vegetation. We will monitor the success of plant establishment and conduct maintenance as needed during the 2-3 year establishment period to insure that sites are part of a healthy riparian corridor..Improved condition of habitat on public lands - Our AMA enhancement program will monitor all projects to insure that outcome goals are being met by looking at the diversity and abundance of native plant species that are supported by project sites as compared to pre-project. .",,,,,2743200,90800,,5.0,DNR,"State Government","Good habitat is critical to sustaining quality fish populations in both lakes and rivers. DNR proposes to restore or enhance aquatic habitat under two programs: stream restoration, and Aquatic Management Area (AMA) enhancement. Stream restoration includes major channel restorations and fish passage projects such as dam removals intended to improve or provide access to critical aquatic habitats. AMA enhancement will improve habitat on shorelines and their associated uplands, providing critical spawning habitat for fish, and riparian habitat critical for many species of amphibians, turtles, and birds.","Projects planned through this appropriation fall into two categories: stream restoration, and Aquatic Management Area enhancement. Through these programs, DNR will complete habitat projects on both lakes and rivers for the benefit of fish and other aquatic species.MN DNR is a national leader in stream restoration, having innovated and refined restoration techniques of the past 30+ years. An example is the removal or modification of dams on the Red River to allow fish passage, which has resulted in native fish (e.g., channel catfish and walleye) returning or increasing in reaches upstream of former barriers. Projects in our plan are prioritized based on factors such as the scale of benefiting waters, local support, rare species, and project urgency. Quite often dam removal/modification projects are done on old dams in need of repair. If removal/modification funds are not available, it is possible that partners may seek funds elsewhere to repair or replace the dam, which represents a potential missed opportunity to address fish passage. Our prioritized list includes submissions from several partners including watershed districts, local governments, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). Partners are often able to handle local logistics and provide some in-kind or financial match. In this accomplishment plan we have included 12 stream restoration projects, which includes 5 channel restorations and 7 fish passage projects. This plan also continues support of a position previously funded LSOHF that coordinates stream restoration projects, providing surveying, design, permitting, and contracting support to enable DNR to complete these additional projects. The amount of funding recommended by the Lessard Council is not sufficient to complete all of the projects on our parcel table. We will select projects based on our prioritized list (included in attachments), completing our top projects as funding allows. We currently expect to complete the North Fork Zumbro River and Miller Creek channel restorations, and the Shell River fish passage project. If we are successful in securing additional funds from other grants, we may be able to complete additional projects. All stream projects will utilize Natural Channel Design methods in order to create long-lasting projects with appropriate habitat.DNR owns almost 1,400 AMA parcels totaling over 34,000 acres of lake and river shoreline and associated uplands. These parcels encompass critical habitat for fish, turtles, frogs, and birds that depend on shoreline habitat. Quality habitat often requires ongoing maintenance such as invasive plant removal, prescribed burns, and planting of native species. The DNR's Section of Fisheries manages AMAs but has limited capacity and expertise to manage these lands. This proposal requests continued funding for positions previously funded by LSOHF who are tasked with designing, contracting, and overseeing AMA enhancement work. Also included are project dollars that will be used to enhance 265 acres of AMA habitat.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Brian,Nerbonne,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Houston, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Kandiyohi, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, St. Louis, St. Louis, Todd, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
10006514,"DNR Grassland Enhancement Ph X",2019,4007000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(m)","$4,007,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. .Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This proposal will be primarily focused on enhancing grasslands. Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We are working with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. .Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes..Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period. .",,,,,3803700,203300,,8.04,DNR,"State Government","This programmatic request will build on the DNR’s previous efforts to enhance and restore grasslands, prairies, and savannas. We will use the Prairie Conservation Plan and Pheasant Summit Action Plan to guide these efforts in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will work on a number of types of permanently protected habitats, most of which are open to public hunting, including; DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Prairie Bank Easements, State Forests, as well as USFWS WPAs and Refuges. ","Almost by definition, the prairie is a disturbance-dependent habitat or ecosystem. The diversity and productivity of grasslands is structured by three factors; fire, periodic grazing, and weather extremes especially periodic droughts. While we have no direct control over short-term weather patterns, one of the primary goals of enhancement / management work is replicating the historic fire and grazing patterns that maintained the diversity and productivity of the prairies. In recent years, Minnesota has lost large amounts of grasslands. CRP acres are down 770,000 acres since their peak in 2007. We continue to lose native prairie to the plow, housing development, and gravel quarry. Because of these losses of grassland and wetland habitat across western Minnesota, it is that much more important that the public grasslands in this region are as productive as possible for wildlife and pollinators. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland become less diverse and less productive. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. In earlier grassland appropriations from the DNR and partners, there was some confusion on Initial Development Plans (IDP) for newly acquired WMAs and that initial development wasn’t completed. This proposal requests funded under the first budget item to complete this backlog. More recent protection appropriations have included full IDP in the proposal. Contract work for prescribed fire, woody species removal, invasive species control, grassland restoration, and other enhancement efforts. Requests includes a contract coordinator.WMA Habitat Enhancement and restoration (7,400 acres) over five years – $1,876,500This request seeks to enhance grassland habitat by continuing funding a DNR Region 4 (Southern) Roving Crew. DNR Region 4 Roving Crews (13,000) acres over 3 yrs - $1,440,000This request will restore and enhance native prairies on SNAs and Prairie Bank easements as described above for WMAs.SNA/PB Enhancement and restoration (700 acres) – $690,500",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette RD ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-enhancement-ph-x,,,,
10006515,"DNR Trout Stream Conservation Easements",2019,642000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(d)","$642,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in permanent conservation easements to protect trout stream aquatic habitat. Up to $52,500 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Criteria used to score and rank candidate parcels for the AMA system include MCBS sites of biodiversity significance, and any occurrences of rare species in the Natural History Information System.","A total of 115 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 115 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",233600,"RIM Interest and SRI and Trout Stamp and SRI",637800,,,None,DNR,"State Government","Through this appropriation MN DNR was able to acquire 115 aces of permanent trout stream conservation easements, nearly doubling the AP goal of 62 acres. This amounts to over seven miles of protected shoreline. We were able to nearly fully send the appropriation. All the acquired easements are now open to public angling and are locate in SE and NE Minnesota. This appropriation also included a contribution to the Conservation Stewardship Account.","We take a programmatic approach to acquisition, with scoring systems specific to trout stream conservation easements to determine priority of candidate parcels. Candidate parcels for trout stream conservation easements are scored and ranked with relevant criteria specific to trout streams. DNR Central Office program staff work with the Fish and Wildlife Acquisition unit and field staff to identify candidate parcels with landowners willing to sell conservation easements, and prioritize candidates based on scores. Trout stream easements are valued using the formula in statute, so the landowner knows the maximum value from the start of the acquisition process.",,2018-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Martin,Jennings,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5176",martin.jennings@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carlton, Fillmore, Houston, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-trout-stream-conservation-easements,,,,
10006516,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase X",2019,2786000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(a)"," $2,786,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota satutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of prairie acquired. Acres of habitat acquired that support upland gamebirds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..",,,,,2773900,12100,,0.24,DNR,"State Government","Acquire 470 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area (Prairie Planning Section) or Scientific and Natural Area (Prairie, and Northern Forest Planning Sections) emphasizing Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA’s are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping). Accomplishments are based on $5,000 per acre average and should be considered a minimum estimate. ","Approximately 470 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs, 350 acres) and Scientific & Natural Areas (SNAs, 120 acres). While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been matched by donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition) at approximately 25% (1 dollar of match to 4 dollars of OHF).Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the Prairie Ecological planning section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level.Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing conditions and priorities. This ensures that funds are used to acquire available lands consistent with the statutory purpose of WMAs. The WMA acquisition program is guided by the 2002 Citizens' Committee report developed with a diverse group of eleven major stakeholder groups. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly.Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners’ written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and restoration of agricultural fields and minimal parking area development.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Cook, Cottonwood, Hubbard, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Murray, Norman, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-x,,,,
10011392,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase 2",2020,3208000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(g)","$3,208,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Sucker River and Fredenberg Creek projects, we will evaluate instream habitat as well as brook trout populations to assess success..Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - Our AMA work will enhance riparian areas in this region. Will will assess the amount of native plant cover and the control of invasive plant species as measures of our success..Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Our AMA work will enhance riparian areas in this region. Will will assess the amount of native plant cover and the control of invasive plant species as measures of our success..Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - We will evaluate instream and riparian habitat measures to evaluate the success of the North Branch Whitewater River restoration..Two stream channel restorations in this region will improve in-channel and riparian habitat. We will use metrics that evaluate instream and floodplain habitat to assess our success..",,,279000,"US Fish and Wildlife Service and Buffalo/Red River Watershed District",3200400,7600,,,DNR,"State Government","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) will complete a fish passage project on the Otter Tail River to reconnect eight miles of stream habitat and 96 acres of lake habitat for fish and other aquatic life. We will also restore four miles of stream habitat on a previously straightened portion of Stony Creek. Stream projects were selected from a statewide list, prioritized by factors such as ecological benefit, scale of impact, urgency of completion, and local support. On Aquatic Management Areas, MNDNR will enhance over 900 acres of riparian and terrestrial habitat.","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) annually updates a statewide list of stream habitat projects. Submittals come both from MNDNR staff and from partner organizations. Projects are prioritized based on scale-of-impact, urgency, local support, and critical habitat for rare species. Based on this list, MNDNR and our partners originally proposed three fish passage projects and four channel restorations. Based on allocated funds, we plan to complete our two highest priority projects in need of funding. These projects are modifying the dam on the Otter Tail River at Phelps Mill to allow fish passage, and restoring the stream channel on Stony Creek. Projects will benefit fish such as walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike present in these rivers, as well as five mussel species classified as threatened or special concern. If cost savings or other circumstances allow, we will use available funds for our next highest achievable project on the priority list.The modification of the Phelps Mill Dam was previously funded by the Outdoor Heritage in the ML2016 appropriation. However, the dam owner (Otter Tail County) is now willing to adopt our preferred option of a full modification of the dam rather than the previous option of a partial fishway. The bigger project will make for better fish passage, and will create additional spawning habitat within the created rapids. However, the cost of such a project is higher. An additional $800,000 from this appropriation will be used to complete the project, allowing us to take full advantage of a $300,000 US Fish and Wildlife Service grant. The project will create access to eight miles of upstream habitat, and 96 acres of lake habitat. We will not claim those acres as outputs, but instead will claim only 1 acre of direct habitat created.Stony Brook was straightened over four miles prior to the 1930s to facilitate drainage. We will partner with the Buffalo/Red River Watershed District to restore this reach back into a meandering stream, providing diverse habitats for fish and other aquatic species. The restored stream will be protected within Reinvest In Minnesota easements with surrounding landowners. Easements will be funded by the Bureau of Soil and Water Resources.We propose to enhance over 900 acres of riparian habitat and associated uplands on 70 Aquatic Management Areas (AMA), costing approximately $450,000. The DNR manages these lands to protect critical shoreline habitat used by fish spawning, waterfowl, wading birds, reptiles and amphibians. Uplands in these parcels provide a buffer to protect water quality, and habitat for more terrestrial species. Our enhancement work includes shoreline plantings, invasive species control, and prescribed burns. Projects are selected based on management guidance documents that have been written for each AMA.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jamison,Wendel,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hubbard, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Marshall, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
10011393,"DNR Grasslands - Phase XI",2020,8861000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(i)","$8,861,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. .Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This proposal will be primarily focused on enhancing grasslands. Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We are working with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. .Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes..Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period. .",,,,,8508600,352400,,14.28,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR’s history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts and ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs. ","A drive through northern Minnesota takes you through forests or oak or aspen or pine of different age structures, bogs, sedge meadows, and brushland. Each of these is habitat for a wide range of species. A drive through southern Minnesota, especially in the winter finds mowed ditches and disced fields. There is little food and less cover. In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. Since 2007, Minnesota has lost nearly a million acres of CRP. This fall, another 203,000 acres will expire from the program. The nine county area of southwest Minnesota has lost 52 square miles of CRP since 2007. They will lose another 50 square miles in the next three years. Minnesota is scheduled to lose another 865 square miles of CRP enrollments over the five year period of this request. Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Because of the losses of grassland and wetland habitat across western Minnesota both historically and in recent years, it is that much more important that the public grasslands in Minnesota are as productive as possible for wildlife and pollinators. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. Contract work for prescribed fire, woody species removal, invasive species control, grassland restoration, and other enhancement efforts. Requests includes a contract coordinator.WMA Habitat Enhancement and restoration (33,400 acres) over five years – $3,331,000This request seeks to enhance grassland habitat by continuing funding a DNR Region 1 (northwestern) Roving Crew. Building on this successful model, this year we are proposing a new Roving Crew for the south-central part of the state. Two DNR Roving Crews (31,000 acres) over 5 years - $3,661,200This request will restore and enhance native prairies on SNAs and Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements as described above for WMAs.SNA/NPB Enhancement and restoration (1,900 acres) over five years– $1,128,800We are partnering with the USFWS to increase their capacity for prescribed fire in WPAs and National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). USFWS Prescribed Fire Enhancements (22,000 acres) over two years – $740,000We realize this is a large request. However, we also feel like we have the capacity to have a large return in habitat enhancement and restoration for this investment. ",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grasslands-phase-xi,,,,
10011394,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XI",2020,2519000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(a)","$2,519,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of prairie acquired. Acres of habitat acquired that support upland gamebirds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..",,,,,2486600,32400,,1.115,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 400 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area (Prairie Planning Section) or Scientific and Natural Area (Prairie, and Forest/Prairie Planning Sections) emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA’s are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping). ","Approximately 400 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been matched by donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition) at approximately 20%.Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the Prairie Ecological planning section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level.Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing conditions and priorities. This ensures that funds are used to acquire available lands consistent with the statutory purpose of WMAs. The WMA acquisition program is guided by the 2002 Citizens' Committee report developed with a diverse group of eleven major stakeholder groups. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly.Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners’ written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and restoration of agricultural fields and minimal parking area development.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Murray, Norman, Pipestone, Polk, Stearns, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-xi,,,,
10000084,"DNR Stream Habitat - Phase II",2018,2166000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(e)","$2,166,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance habitat in degraded streams, critical aquatic species habitat, and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The Crane Lake project was known to have rare mussel species in the vicinity. This project has the potential to benefit those species by allowing their upstream movement past the barriers. Restoration of fish passage will help to return fish and mussel diversity that was present upstream of dams prior to their construction. Projects with the potential to benefit rare species was one of the criteria by which stream projects are ranked. All projects were searched with the MNDNR's Natural Heritage Database that tracks known locations of rare species or plant communities. Project plans incorporated that information into design so that impacts to rare species were minimized to the greatest extent possible.","A total of 25 acres were affected: 22 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 3 in Enhance.",1063000,"FEMA and US Fish and Wildlife",2116300,48000,,2,DNR,"State Government","This DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriation used a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement of lakes and streams. DNR modified two dams and replaced five culverts to restore fish passage on six streams. Twenty acres of habitat were restored on two streams and three acres of stream habitat were enhanced with this appropriation. All of these projects will provide excellent opportunities to educate the public on the importance of lake and stream habitat restoration and enhancement.","Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects are ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded seven stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. Hallock Riffles ? Construction of the project was finished in fall 2021. A total of 2 riffles were installed to stabilize the grade near the Hallock Dam project. Forty-three fish species will benefit from riffle habitat that is important for spawning. Funding was split between M16 and ML17. Mound Creek Dam Removal and Channel Restoration ? Construction of the project was completed at the end of 2019. After a dam failure in 2016, the Mound Creek dam was removed and replaced with a rock arch rapids. Additionally, the reservoir was restored to a naturally flowing river with a connected floodplain. This is critical habitat for Topeka Shiner and 27 other species of other fish that will benefit not only from passage upstream but from 4200 feet of restored high quality river channel. This project is within the Blue Mounds State Park and is an easily visible example for the public to see the type of restoration efforts going on in the State of Minnesota. Fredenberg Culverts ? Construction finished in spring 2022. Two undersized culverts were identified on Fredenberg Creek as barriers to fish passage. The culverts were replaced to improve fish passage and restore more natural sediment transport. Twenty species of fish have benefited from added passage in the watershed by accessing additional, high-quality habitat. Project partners included the Cook County SWCD. Matching funds for the project included $100,000 from Save our Great Lakes grant and $20,000 from Cliffs Foundation. Hockamin Culverts ? Construction on the first Hockamin culvert was completed in 2022; construction on the second culvert is anticipated for 2023. Two undersized culverts were identified as fish barriers on Hockamin Creek. Improving fish passage at the culverts will open up 23 miles of stream for 26 species of fish including brook trout. This project was done in partnership with the Lake County SWCD. Matching funds were provided by Save Our Great Lakes $337,318 and Crystal Bay Township $10,000 Carlos Dam Modification ? The Lake Carlos project finished construction at the end of 2020. After the dam failed multiple times, a rock arch rapids design was implemented to allow fish passage at the site. There are 38 species of fish that benefit from passage at this site. This project reconnected about 3 miles of stream and 4407 acres of lake habitat. The Glacial Lake Partnership contributed $30,000 towards the project. Funding was split between ML16 and ML17. Fish Creek Culvert - This project was completed in fall 2019. DNR worked with Todd County Highway Department to replace a culvert that acted as a fish barrier on CR 47. Crane Lake Culvert - This project was completed in fall 2018. A culvert immediately downstream of Crane Lake was replaced to restore fish passage.",,2017-07-01,2022-10-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jamison,Wendel,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Otter Tail, Rock, Todd","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-stream-habitat-phase-ii,,,,
10000085,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition - Phase IX",2018,4437000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)","$3,064,000 in the first year and $1,373,000 in the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8 and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Potential acquisitions for WMAs and SNAs are objectively scored for their habitat value. The DNR uses weighted criteria and prioritizes high scoring parcels for acquisition. For example, candidates for WMAs score higher with a prairie grouse lek, presence of shallow lakes, and occurrence of species in greatest conservation need; and candidates for SNAs score higher with high quality native plant communities and habitat for rare species. Both programs also give priority to parcels that adjoin existing units or other conservation lands.","A total of 964 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 964 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",227900,"Surcharge and RIM",4228000,20000,,0.33,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 964 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system by way of five acquisitions. The acres acquired met the accomplishment plan goals of 960 acres, and spent 96% of the budget. The acquired acres compliment the WMA program by adding habitat function and natural resource ecosystem services.","Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie ecological section. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Five WMA parcels totaling 964 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This met our Accomplishment Plan goal.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jay,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Lincoln, Murray, Redwood","Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-ix,,,,
10019617,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement - Phase 4",2022,2790000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(k)","$2,790,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Kingsbury Creek project, we will evaluate instream habitat as well as brook trout populations to assess success. For the Grindstone Dam project, we will use routine fish surveys to gauge changes to the fish community and compare to pre-project data. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - Both MNDNR and PCA conduct periodic surveys of the Otter Tail River watershed. For the Otter Tail Lakes Dams project, we will compare warmwater fish communities before and after project completion. We will also compare catch rates for critical species before and after project completion as indicators of population density changes. Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Beven's Creek dam project, we will use routine fish surveys to gauge changes to the fish community, and compare with pre-project data. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - We will evaluate instream and riparian habitat measures to evaluate the success of the North Branch Whitewater River restoration. Changes in fish populations will also be evaluated. The Whiskey Creek channel restoration project in this region will improve in-channel and riparian habitat. We will use metrics that evaluate instream and floodplain habitat to assess our success",,,929600,"NRCS, EPA, BWSR and Carver County WMO",2777800,12200,,,DNR,"State Government","Diverse habitat is critical to sustaining quality fish populations in lakes and rivers. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) will complete six fish passage projects to restore habitat connectivity for fish and other aquatic life, and restore reaches of four different rivers, creating 24.4 miles of diverse aquatic habitat. Though the actual footprint of fish passage projects is relatively small, these projects will reconnect over 27,000 acres of lake and river habitat. Stream projects were selected from a statewide list, prioritized by factors such as ecological benefit, scale of impact, urgency of completion, and local support.","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) annually updates a statewide list of stream habitat projects. Project submittals come both from MNDNR staff and from partner organizations. Projects are prioritized based on scale-of-impact, urgency, local support, and critical habitat for rare species. Based on this list, MNDNR and our partners are proposing six fish passage projects and four channel restorations, leveraging a confirmed $3,225,000 and an additional $980,000 requested from other sources. Access to diverse habitats is critical for fish and other aquatic organisms to complete various life stages. The habitats they use at different life stages may all vary widely. These habitats can be fairly unique, such as high-gradient riffles favored by many spawning fish, and may be miles apart. When dams or other obstructions prevent aquatic life from reaching ideal habitat, they are forced to use less optimal locations that can reduce their success. In some cases this leads to the complete loss of sensitive species upstream of a barrier. Research by MNDNR River Ecologist Luther Aadland found that on average, species richness declined by 37% upstream of near complete barriers to fish passage. Subsequent removal of 11 barriers in this study resulted in upstream recolonization of an average of 66% of the species that had been absent. Modifying or removing the barriers through our two proposed fish passage projects would have a total footprint of 6 acres, but create upstream access to over 27,000 acres of lake and river habitat. This will benefit fish such as Walleye and Brook Trout present in these rivers, as well as five mussel species classified as threatened or special concern. Restoring connectivity also expands fishing opportunities by acting as a conduit for recolonization should something catastrophic such as drought happen in one portion of a watershed. Streams naturally form habitat through the meandering of the river. Deeper, slower habitat is created by scour into the bed of the river around the outside of bends, while faster water and a rockier bottom is found in the straight sections in between. Wood, overhanging vegetation, and boulders serve as cover and current breaks for fish. In degraded sections of river, these natural processes are disrupted. Some reaches have been artificially straightened, preventing the meandering that forms diverse habitat. In other places, streams have become surrounded by tall banks that prevent high flows from spilling out onto a floodplain. When floods are trapped within the stream channel, the river erodes the banks. This not only mobilizes tons of sediment that degrades downstream habitat, but results in a wide, shallow channel during low-flow periods that is avoided by adult fish. Channel restoration projects will utilize reference locations with high-quality habitat to improve habitat. Working with partners, we will restore 24.4 miles of habitat on four streams.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jamison,Wendel,"Minnesota DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Clay, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, St. Louis","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-4,,,,
10019618,"DNR Forest Enhancement",2022,1338000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(d)","$1,338,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the northern forest region on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, and state forests. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - The DNR and partner agencies conduct a number of wildlife surveys, including moose, deer, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, and songbird surveys. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - A number of species are tied to brushland and young aspen forests in these region, including moose, elk, golden-winged warblers, and sharp-tailed grouse. Ongoing surveys and research on these species will allow the DNR to track local and regional responses to these and related efforts. A forest land base that contributes to the habitat picture - These efforts will help manage forests in this region to benefit a range of wildlife species, both game and non-game. Ongoing surveys, especially among songbirds, will track long-term changes in bird populations in this region. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - The non-game program is very active in this region with projects assessing timber rattlesnake and other wildlife populations. And there are the same ongoing wildlife surveys as in the other regions of the state",,,,,1311200,26800,,0.41,DNR,"State Government","Minnesota's iconic northern forests, wetlands, and brushland habitats require management beyond basic forestry practices or at smaller scales than commercial operations work. Other enhancements, such as brushland shearing or mowing have low commercial value but high wildlife value. These additional habitat enhancements improve the quality of the forests for both wildlife and outdoor recreation. DNR's Conservation Agenda, Wildlife Action, Forest Action, SNA Strategic Land Protection and SFRMP Plans, will guide habitat enhancements in this proposal to see that all activities meet these objectives.","Northern Minnesota's forest habitats include pines, maple and basswood, aspen, oak forests and savannas, as well as different age classes of forests. The region also includes rivers, lakes, sedge meadows, bogs, and brushland. Each of these habitats are home to a wide array with game and non-game species, and multiple Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). They provide outdoor recreation, timber products, and support local communities. They also clean and absorb water and sequester carbon. However, these forests face increasing stress from invasive species, climate change, forest loss, and fragmentation. While forest harvest is an important tool in management of our forests, we can do additional or different enhancements to maximize the diversity and productivity of these habitats for both wildlife and people. For example, timber harvest can create a wildlife opening. However other management such as periodic mowing is needed to maintain he opening. We will accomplish strategic and targeted enhancements through contractors to conduct activities which support healthy, diverse and resilient habitats. Activities may include 1) invasive species control, 2) firebreak development and maintenance as well as prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests, brushlands and wetlands, 3) maintaining wildlife openings 4) tree removal, girdling, brush mowing/shearing, 5) infrastructure for conservation grazing in openland and brushland habitats, 6) tree release, such as enhancing oak management for mast production, 7) forest regeneration site prep, 8) seed and acorn collection followed by broadcasting and/or drilling of seed, and 8) tree planting and protection to reforest and restore habitats, add conifer to the landscape, provide thermal cover, diversify forests, and address ash stand management. Forest managers in Minnesota regularly work across agencies and NGOs to take a landscape view of forests. For instance, there is currently an NRCS RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program) that promotes young forests for golden-winged warblers and other species that use these habitats. The people involved with this program regularly talk to DNR staff and those working for other agencies in northern Minnesota to coordinate efforts. This request seeks funding to enhance over 4,800 acres of habitat on public lands open to hunting, primarily but not limited to, WMA, AMA, SNA and State Forest. Strategic and targeted work will be accomplished through the added capacity of contractors hired to conduct activities that support healthy, diverse and resilient habitats.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55055,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Todd, Wadena, Winona","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-forest-enhancement,,,,
10019619,"DNR Grassland Phase XIII",2022,3534000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(l)","$3,534,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,3448800,85200,,1.5,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and oak savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts to ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting, including DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. We continue to lose about 200 acres of native prairie per year. While Minnesota does have acres enrolled in CRP as well as state programs such as RIM and CREP, there is still very little grassland left in many counties of the state. As such, we need to make sure the remaining grasslands, especially those open to public recreation are as diverse and productive as possible. These lands provide wildlife habitat as well as Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Grassland and wetland restoration and enhancement, carefully guided by planning, is one of the best ways to address many of these issues. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. This request is part of larger efforts among the grassland community. For instance, in July 2020, multiple partners worked together to submit a SAFE (State Acre For wildlife Enhancement) to FSA to boost CRP acres in Minnesota.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Big Stone, Brown, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Roseau, Sherburne, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-xiii,,,,
10019620,"DNR Roving Crews",2022,4500000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(r )","$4,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands statewide using the roving crew program of the Department of Natural Resources. A list of restoration and enhancement projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as moose, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period. They recently published the first results of this project",,,,,4255500,244500,,34,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands and wetlands in western Minnesota continues to be the most threatened habitat in the state. At the same time, the DNR continues to work to make the state's forests more productive for wildlife, timber, and other compatible uses. This request will realign and streamline previous funding requests by placing all DNR Roving Crews under a single proposal and appropriation. This proposal will enhance wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands, most of which are open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, NPB easements, State and National Forests, as well as WPAs and NWRs","Roving Crews are fully equipped to conduct a range of habitat projects. The staff on these crews are solely dedicated to habitat enhancement and restoration. They do not work on infrastructure or non-habitat projects. In the prairies and western prairie pothole wetlands, they focus on prescribed burns, tree removal, grassland restorations, removal of old fencing, installing fenceposts for conservation grazing. In wetlands the focus is on wild rice collection and seeding, water control structure repair, wetland restorations with earth moving equipment, invasive species control, cattail spraying, and sediment removal. Forest projects include prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests and brushlands; tree seeding, planting, protection, and/or release of species such as oak and winter cover such as conifer; mowing and shearing of brushlands; maintenance of wildlife openings; and control of invasive species. While forest harvest is a valuable tool for many types of forest habitat enhancement, there are some habitat enhancements that harvests don't do or enhancements that can be done post-harvest to quickly improve habitat quality for wildlife. This can be especially true for practices such as shearing brushlands, where there isn't a strong economic incentive but numerous species of wildlife require these habitats for all or some stages of life. Prescribed fire can be used more to stimulate oak/acorn production for wildlife and improve pine forests as well as set back invasives. Making these habitat productive and diverse benefits wildlife as well as benefits native pollinators and commercial beekeepers. Enhancing all of these habitats maximizes the ecosystem services these habitats provide such as nitrate filtration, floodwater capture, and groundwater recharge, all in addition to the wildlife benefits. In the farmland region, we continue to lose ground on wetlands and grasslands. Therefore, its critical that the remaining public and protected habitats are in as high a quality as possible to both produce resident wildlife, such as pheasants, and be attractive to migratory wildlife, waterfowl that breed to our north. This proposal will fund the three existing 8 person grassland/wetland Roving Crews located east of Crookston (DNR Region 1), Lac Qui Parle (Region 4), and Rosemount (Region 3). This will also fund the newly established (ML19/FY20 appropriation) 6 person crew south of Fergus Falls and northeast forest crew (ML20/FY21 appropriation). We estimate that on a good to average year the crews will enhance over 28,000 acres of habitat annually across the state.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55055,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Redwood, Roseau, Stearns, Washington","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-roving-crews,,,,
10019621,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XIII",2022,1948000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)","$1,948,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of grassland/wetland habitat complexes acquired that support upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented",,,,,1935100,12900,,0.2,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 325 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest Planning Sections emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan and Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan guidance, and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping).","Approximately 325 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have historically been enhanced through donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition). Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level. Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing priorities. This ensures funds that are used to acquire lands align with DNR strategic priorities and support the 2002 Citizens' Committee report and the Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan for WMA acquisition. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication andidentify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners hasbeen successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly. Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners' written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and parcel initial development.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chisago, Crow Wing, Faribault, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Stearns, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-xiii,,,,
10027638,"DNR Grasslands - Phase IX",2018,3950000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$3,950,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, Native Prairie Bank land, bluff prairies on State Forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl production area and refuge lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. While these appropriation only added 2,085 acres of grassland acres to the state through restoration, these funds enhanced a much larger area. Put in another fashion, we restored and enhanced 69.5 square miles with these funds. That's an area 8.3 by 8.3 miles in area. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accomodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 40,539 acres were affected: 1,191 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 39,348 in Enhance.",,,3586000,190400,,7.5,DNR,"State Government","We restored and enhanced a total of 40,539 grassland acres with 446 activities on Wildlife Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, Native Prairie Bank easements, Waterfowl Production Areas, and National Wildlife Refuges.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR and our federal partners, the USFWS, were spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Brome conversion 76 Interseeding 51 Grassland restoration 1,191 Prescribed Fire 36,079 Herbaceous Invasive Control 1,503 Goat Browsing - woody removal281 Woody Removal 1,358 TOTAL 40,539 This appropriation involved the Southeast Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. The DNR will be hosting a workshop later this fall to discuss the science and management behind seasonal burns so that all staff and partners can continue to learn new applications for old tools. This appropriation included a partnership with the USFWS. They were able to bring in 'detailers', federal crews from outside MN to dramatically enhance their capacity and ability to enhance wildlife habitat on WPAs and Refuges. The final acres reported here are reduced from our recent Status Updates. In further conversations with the USFWS, we calculated the number of detailers, number of in-state fire staff, and pro-rated the acres to account for this ratio. We were also able to experiment with goat browsing in the SE to control buckthorn. SNA staff will monitor these sites over the coming years. This may provide a way to reduce chemical use and integrate some new and emerging agricultural practices, goats, into habitat management for the benefit of wildlife and the agricultural economy. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grasslands-phase-ix,,,,
10017805,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement - Phase 3",2021,3790000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(j)","$3,790,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Hockamin Creek project, brook trout catch rates will be compared before and after project completion to evaluate the success of restoring fish passage upstream of these barriers. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - Both MNDNR and PCA conduct periodic surveys of the Pelican River. For the Pelican Rapids Dam project, we will compare warmwater fish communities before and after project completion. We will also compare catch rates for critical species before and after project completion as indicators of population density changes. Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected",,,463400,"Sustain Our Great Lakes grant and Buffalo Red River Watershed District",3722100,67900,,3.6,DNR,"State Government","Diverse habitat is critical to sustaining quality fish populations in lakes and rivers. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) will complete two fish passage projects to restore habitat connectivity for fish and other aquatic life, and restore reaches of two different rivers, creating 1.8 miles of diverse aquatic habitat. Though the actual footprint of fish passage projects is relatively small, these projects will reconnect over 600 acres of lake and river habitat. Stream projects were selected from a statewide list, prioritized by factors such as ecological benefit, scale of impact, urgency of completion, and local support.","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) annually updates a statewide list of stream habitat projects. Project submittals come both from MNDNR staff and from partner organizations. Projects are prioritized based on scale-of-impact, urgency, local support, and critical habitat for rare species. Based on this list, MNDNR and our partners are proposing two fish passage projects and two channel restorations, leveraging a confirmed $463,400 and an additional $1,000,000 requested from other sources. Access to diverse habitats is critical for fish and other aquatic organisms to complete various life stages. The habitats they use at different life stages may all vary widely. These habitats can be fairly unique, such as high-gradient riffles favored by many spawning fish, and may be miles apart. When dams or other obstructions prevent aquatic life from reaching ideal habitat, they are forced to use less optimal locations that can reduce their success. In some cases this leads to the complete loss of sensitive species upstream of a barrier. Modifying or removing the barriers through our two proposed fish passage projects would have a total footprint of 2 acres, but create upstream access to over 600 acres of lake and river habitat. This will benefit fish such as walleye and brook trout present in these rivers, as well as five mussel species classified as threatened or special concern. Streams naturally form habitat through the meandering of the river. Deeper, slower habitat is created by scour into the bed of the river around the outside of bends, while faster water and a rockier bottom is found in the straight sections in between. Wood, overhanging vegetation, and boulders serve as cover and current breaks for fish. In degraded sections of river, these natural processes are disrupted. Some reaches have been artificially straightened, preventing the meandering that forms diverse habitat. In other places, streams have become surrounded by tall banks that prevent high flows from spilling out onto a floodplain. When floods are trapped within the stream channel, the river erodes the banks. This not only mobilizes tons of sediment that degrades downstream habitat, but results in a wide, shallow channel during low-flow periods that is avoided by adult fish. Channel restoration projects will utilize reference locations with high-quality habitat to improve habitat. Working with partners, we will restore 1.8 miles of habitat on two streams. Department resources for stream habitat work falls far short of the need; funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) has been critical to an acceleration of stream habitat work by the department and partners such as Trout Unlimited, as well as smaller groups such as lake associations. We propose to continue funding for one stream habitat coordinator and two stream habitat specialist positions to enable this increased effort. They provide technical assistance and oversight on Legacy-funded projects by MNDNR and partners, improve efficiency of coordination by providing single points of contact, and enhance outcomes of aquatic habitat projects through technical guidance.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jamison,Wendel,"Minnesota DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Lake, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Otter Tail","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-3,,,,
10017806,"DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement",2021,1773000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(d)","$1,773,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the northern forest region in wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, and state forests. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Northern Minnesota forests will be enhanced to provide biologically diverse wildlife habitat for both desirable game species and endangered, threatened, special concern, and species of greatest conservation need, providing multiple conservation benefits in the face of climate change, invasive species, and other major stressors, and increased satisfaction from hunters and other recreational users. Wildlife populations and hunter satisfaction will be monitored",,,6500,"Ruffed Grouse Society",1683900,89100,,4,DNR,"State Government","Minnesota's iconic northern forest habitats, along with their interlaced wetlands and brushlands, are in need of management for the future due to stressors such as invasive species and climate change. This request will enhance and restore up to 3,250 acres of habitat in the Northern Forest Region on WMAs, AMAs, State Forests, and SNAs to increase forest health and resilience, and ultimately wildlife populations, through activities of a roving crew over three years. DNR's conservation Agenda, and Wildlife Action, Forest Action, SNA Strategic Land Protection and SFRMP Plans, will guide operations to ensure strategic, targeted work.","Northern Minnesota's forest habitats include towering pines, dense aspen, spruce bogs, and oak with broad arching branches, with rivers, lakes, sedge meadows, and brushlands intermixed. These habitats are home to a wide array of wildlife, including species in greatest conservation need such as moose, sharp-tailed grouse, American woodcock, and the black-throated blue warbler. They also provide clean water, outdoor recreation and products, sequester carbon, and support local communities. However, our forests face increasing stress from invasive species, climate change, lack of management, conversion, and fragmentation. If we are to address these stressors, and sustain the health of forest habitats on state lands which DNR is entrusted to steward for Minnesota citizens and the multiple benefits they provide, we must begin now to support management activities that are above and beyond normal timber harvest. For example, timber harvest can create a wildlife opening, however other management such as periodic mowing is needed to maintain it. This request seeks funding to enhance and restore up to 3,250 acres of habitat over three years on WMAs, AMAs, State Forests, and SNAs in the Northern Forest Region. Strategic and targeted work will be accomplished through the added capacity of a roving habitat crew modeled after the successful crews in the remainder of Minnesota. The crew will conduct activities which support healthy, diverse and resilient habitats, allowing the habitats to better withstand stressors, and address the need to complete small or unique projects for which vendors are lacking. Activities may include invasive species control; firebreak development and maintenance, and prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests, brushlands and wetlands which have lacked management; wildlife opening maintenance; tree removal, girdling, brush mowing/shearing, and support of conservation grazing in openland and brushland habitats; tree planting and protection to reforest and restore habitats, add conifer to the landscape, provide thermal cover, diversify forests, and address ash stand management; tree release, such as enhancing oak management for mast production; forest regeneration site prep; seed and acorn collection; restoration site prep; broadcasting and drilling of seed; stream bank stabilization; ditch closure; and dike removal to enhance forest wetlands. A majority of the projects will occur on State Forests and WMAs which are all open to public access for a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including hunting. Enhancement and restoration activities will be guided by DNR's Conservation Agenda, Wildlife Action Plan, Forest Action Plan, SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan, and Section Forest Resource Management Plans. A DNR team of Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, and Ecological and Water Resources staff will request projects that meet plan and program priorities from state land managers, prioritize and select projects, develop a schedule, annually evaluate accomplishments and the budget, adapt, and seek additional projects as needed. The Ruffed Grouse Society will provide financial support of $6,500 over the three year period. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd, Box 20 ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, St. Louis, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-forest-habitat-enhancement,,,,
10017807,"DNR Grassland Phase XII",2021,4432000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(l)","$4,432,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,4241300,190700,,7.22,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts and ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. Since 2007, Minnesota has lost nearly a million acres of CRP. Last fall, another 203,000 acres expired from the program. Under the new Farm Bill, it's unclear how many of those lost habitat acres the state will recover. Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Because of the losses of grassland and wetland habitat across western Minnesota both historically and in recent years, it is that much more important that the public grasslands in Minnesota are as productive as possible for wildlife and pollinators. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. Contract work for prescribed fire, woody species removal, invasive species control, grassland restoration, and other enhancement efforts. WMA Habitat Enhancement and restoration (9,5000 acres) over five years ? $2,409,400 Continuing funding for DNR Region 3 (Southeast) Rover Crew (35600 acres) over five years - $1,213,700 This request will restore and enhance native prairies on SNAs and Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements as described above for WMAs. SNA/NPB Enhancement and restoration (800 acres) over five years? $812,300",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Wilkin","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-xii,,,,
10017808,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XII",2021,2066000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(a)","$2,066,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of prairie acquired. Acres of grassland/wetland habitat complexes acquired that support upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented",,,,,2048100,17900,,0.443,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 325 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan and soon to be finalized Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan guidance, and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping). ","Approximately 325 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have historically been enhanced through donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition). Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level. Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing priorities. This ensures funds that are used to acquire lands align with DNR strategic priorities and support the 2002 Citizens' Committee report and soon to be finalized Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan for WMA acquisition. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly. Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners' written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and parcel initial development.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Pipestone, Pipestone","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-xii,,,,
20692,"DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase V",2014,5250000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$5,250,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat. Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat. Improved aquatic habitat indicators. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. ",,2502900,"CPL (city of Barnesville), US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, City of Oronoco, Olmsted County, DNR Dam Safety bonding money ",5249800,192600,,7.5,DNR,"State Government","DNR completed nine stream habitat projects with this appropriation. Four fish passage projects opened up access to 180 miles of river and 13,521 acres of lake and wetland habitat. We enhanced habitat on 39 Aquatic Management Areas, totalling 1440 acres, through the efforts of four positions funded by this appropriation. It also funded two stream habitat positions that oversaw the completion of 23 DNR projects and over 50 partner-lead projects funded by various OHF sources. ",,"Stream projects were chosen based on the DNR's Stream Habitat Priority List, where projects are ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded nine stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are listed below. - Solid Bottom Creek: This project addressed a steep, eroding stream bank along 500 feet of a designated trout stream.  The stream bank was a primary source of sedimentation within the stream, and likely contributed to a delta that is forming at the outlet of the stream in Elbow Lake.  Construction was completed in the spring of 2016, relocating the stream away from the tall eroding bank, stabilizing the toe of that bank by installing toe-wood structures, and enhancing pool habitat for trout that are stocked into the stream. - Whisky Creek: OHF funding from DNR was combined with a CPL grant to the City of Barnesville to fund the project.  Bids for the work came in under projected costs, which allowed the City to also remove another dam within city limits on Whisky Creek that was underneath a railroad bridge.  Work has been completed in 2015 on the modification of the dam at Blue Eagle Lake and the removal of the dam underneath the railroad bridge. This project restored fish passage to 31 miles of upstream habitat. -Minnesota River at Granite Falls: Construction of a riffle in the Minnesota River at Granite Falls was completed in December 2017. The project modified the remnants of an old dam made of rock into a riffle, enhancing spawning habitat that will be used by numerous fish species including lake sturgeon, walleye, and sauger. -Red Sand Lake outlet: The outlet structure on Red Sand Lake was modified to allow fish passage, with construction completed in June of 2018. The former drop structure within a culvert was replaced by a larger culvert with an arch-rapids upstream and downstream, and with natural substrate within the culvert. Fish passage between White Sand Lake, which lies downstream, Red Sand Lake, and wetlands in between will benefit Red Sand Lake, especially in the occasional year that it experiences a partial fish-kill due to low oxygen conditions. -South Branch Root River: This project was funded by the ML2013 and ML2014 DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriation. A 450 foot reach of the river was experiencing severe erosion, with the streambank losing over 10 feet per year. A riffle was constructed at the upstream end of the reach to direct flow, and a bankfull bench was constructed along the eroding bank using toe wood to enhance stability and fish habitat. The bench was vegetated with a native seed mix and willow live stakes. Construction was completed in August of 2018, with ML2013 funds only used for work completed prior to July 1, 2018. -Turtle River: DNR partnered with the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Beltrami County to replaced an undersized culvert that blocked fish passage. The project opened up 13,000 acres of lake and wetland habitat and 30 miles of river that was formerly inaccessible to fish downstream of the project. -Mississippi River at Weaver Bottoms: Former deepwater habitat in Goose Lake, a former floodplain lake on the Mississippi River had been filled with silt over several decades. This project dredged 9 acres back into deepwater habitat, and was completed in the fall of 2017. Dredge spoils from project excavation were stockpiled on land for drying and eventual spreading and revegetation on private land. The deepwater habitat is becoming rare on the river due to sedimentation, and is critical for over-wintering habitat for bluegill, crappies, and other fish species. This project was split between the ML2012 and ML2013 DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriations, and accomplished acres split proportional to the total cost contributed by each. -Middle Fork Zumbro River/Lake Shady: This appropriation funded a portion (along with the DNR's ML2013 Aquatic Habitat) of the restoration of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River through a former impoundment known as Lake Shady. The dam had washed out in a 2011 flood, leaving behind an eroding mud flat that threatened to harm downstream reaches as it eroded, and contained poor habitat in the channels that had cut through the mud. The former dam site's grade was stabilized by creating a rapids of stable rock material, and within the former reservoir new stream channels with appropriate dimensions were constructed. Habitat in the new channels was restored to include woody material as well as rocky riffles. Re-vegetation of the surrounding reservoir sediments with native plant species will provide quality riparian and upland habitat as well. The project was completed in partnership with Olmsted County ($125,736), the city of Oronco ($83,824) and DNR Dam Safety bonding funds ($1,000,000) all contributing funding. An additional $236,540 of in-kind staff time was contributed by Olmsted County.  In addition to the 147 acres of habitat restored, the project opened up access to 119 miles of stream. Accomplished acres are split between the two OHF appropriations proportional to funds contributed. -Middle Branch Whitewater River: Construction began on this project in September of 2016. At that time, the new channel and floodplain were shaped prior to the end of the construction season. However, this project has run into issues with design that have prevented its completion to date. An outside consultant has been hired by DNR to provide a final design, with a new construction period in the summer of 2019 to complete the project. DNR received approval for an amendment that added this project to our ML2015 Aquatic Habitat appropriation, which will be used to pay for the remaining design and construction of this project. -Aquatic Management Area enhancement: Enhancement work on 39 different AMAs such as prescribed burns, riparian plantings, and invasive species control were done on 1440 acres of habitat. Locations were in all four LSOHC planning regions. This work was made possible by the four AMA habitat positions funded by this appropriation. AMA staff assessed habitat needs at 106 AMAs, and developed management guidance that identifies enhancement needs for those parcels. In addition to the 39 projects done using this appropriation, AMA staff were involved with 106 other Outdoor Heritage-funded AMA enhancement projects, and provided guidance for 23 similar projects being lead by external partners who were using OHF money. -Stream Habitat Specialist positions: Two specialists were hired to coordinate statewide stream habitat worked that was funded by OHF. These positions were responsible for both DNR projects, and assisting partner organizations with their projects. These positions upped the capacity for DNR to undertake multiple larger stream habitat projects, and to increase the quality of projects being done by partners. During the life of this appropriation, specialists participated in the design and construction oversight of 23 DNR stream projects, and provided assistance to over a dozen local partners on over 50 stream habitat projects funded by various OHF appropriations.   ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,"Mn Dept of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5205,brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Otter Tail, Polk, Renville, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-phase-v,,,,
20694,"DNR Wildlife Management Area, Scientific and Natural Area and Native Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition",2014,4783400,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$4,940,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; and acquire native prairie bank easements under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96. Up to $42,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17, for native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected (in fee with state PILT liability) 2169 acres and protected (in easement) 387 acres for a total of  2556 acres ",,593400,"Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), Small Game Surcharge ",4738100,45300,,.31,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 2,095 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system, 74 acres into the the state Scientific and Natural Area system, and through easement acquisition added 387 acres to the state Native Prairie Bank. ",,"Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, forest prairie transition, northern forest, and metro urbanizing ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS based tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Ten WMA parcels and one SNA totaling 2,169 are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 561 acres. In addition we protected 387 acres through easement in Native Prairie Bank. ",2013-07-01,2019-11-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Clearwater, Hubbard, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Pennington, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wadena, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wildlife-management-area-scientific-and-natural-area-and-native-prairie-bank-easement-a,,,,
20717,"DNR Grassland Phase 5",2014,2220000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$2,220,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Wetland and upland complexes  consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. ",,,,2201900,178400,,8.25,DNR,"State Government","The following table provides a short summary of the accomplishments under this appropriation.  In total, the DNR enhanced and restored 283 sites for a total of 17,087 acres.   Activity                     Sites             Acres Diversity Seeding      42               1,031 Prescribed Burn        148            10,365 Restorations               4                    144 Woody Removal       92                 5,666 ",,"This report begins with a few specific examples of the outcomes of these projects.  I also include a larger overview of how these funds in general benefit the conservation community.   Tree removal on Popular WMA essentially “reclaimed” an open prairie wetland being overtaken by an overgrown fringe of black willow and cottonwood.  The wetland basin saw very little in the way of waterfowl usage prior to the project, but has been used to a much greater degree by dabbler ducks since the project.  The Area Wildlife Manager has directed several inquiring parties to this wetland for waterfowl hunting opportunity since the project was completed.  The elimination of the trees likely increased nesting success as those clumps of trees are no longer harboring skunks, raccoon, opossum, and avian predators.  Perhaps most importantly, the project eliminated the seed source of cottonwoods from being broadcast into the adjacent prairie reconstruction area. The prescribed burn on Benderberg WMA triggered an excellent response in the native wet prairie remnant.  It was largely an after-thought at this was former pasture, but the presence of fire really benefitted the native plant community.  There was even some hand- harvest opportunity for species like wood lily.  Without the roving crew and the MarshTracker, an Rx burn on this site would not have been possible.  This was the first time much of this ground had seen a fire in over 4 decades.  The plan is to periodically maintain this WMA with fire going forward and to maintain/enhance the wet prairie community that so wonderfully responded to it the first time around. These funds were used to complete more than 50 acres of woody control projects on the Lake Bronson and Two Rivers Aspen Parkland Scientific and Natural Areas.  These projects were part of an ongoing multi-year strategy to combat the encroachment of woody vegetation into high quality native prairies.  In addition to setting back encroaching willows and aspen, the Lake Bronson SNA project appeared to have positive impacts on the sites population of western prairie fringed orchids (a Federally threatened species) as the second highest number of orchids ever recorded on the site were counted the spring following the project.   One untold stories is the cooperation between conservation agencies and NGOs in Minnesota.  In some states, feds don’t like the state, and the NGOs fight among themselves.  In Minnesota, we all get along really well.  This is evidenced in partnership efforts that developed the Prairie Plan and Pheasant Plan.  One early fear with OHF is that this would cause these groups to start bickering over the resource.  In fact, the exact opposite has happened.  It has pulled us together and increased cooperation.  One example of that is our collective seed harvest and grassland restoration efforts.  In at least two areas, most notably Detroit Lakes and the Glacial Lakes area, multiple agencies/NGOs are coordinating their seed harvest and restoration efforts.    Partners are looking 1 to 3 years ahead on restoration efforts.  Seed production is best on burned sites.  Partners are determining what units and what soil types they want to restore each year.  Then they find native tracts or high diversity restorations with similar soil types.  These sites are prioritized for burning in the spring.   Once the site is burned, partners again work together to harvest and store the seed in the fall.  The seed is then distributed to the DNR, USFWS, TNC or other partners.  The seed is spread on the sites in the late winter or early spring.  In some cases, agency/NGO staff are harvesting the seed.  In other cases, they work with local contractors to harvest the seed.   Harvesting local seed is both cost-effective and when harvesting native tracts ensures we, collectively, are using a diverse mix of local ecotype seed.   Again, the OHF has helped developed new partnerships and projects that would not have happened or that would have happened at a much smaller scale with these critical funds.   Because this is a programmatic appropriation, it’s difficult to assign a dollar amount to a specific project.  Because of this and the large number of projects, we simply assigned dollars to projects proportional to acres completed in that project.  In the same way, we proportionally assigned dollars to personnel based on FTEs.     ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-5,,,,
9818,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Program, Phase 4",2013,3480000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$3,480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $25,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.",,"Restored 66 acres, protected in fee 58 acres and protected in easement 93 acres of habitat ",,2736400,"Mix of cash and in-kind time from Olmsted County, City of Orononco, and Dam Safety bonding money contributed towards the Zumbro River project, Landowner donation, RIM, Game and Fish Fund, and Fish and Wildlife Acquisition Account. ",3480000,,,1,DNR,"State Government","We used a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across all LSOHC planning regions of Minnesota.",,"This appropriation funded a mixture of restoration, enhancement, and protection of aquatic habitat by the DNR. We were successful in completing our proposed projects, and in meeting may of the goals included in our accomplishment plan. The different projects accomplished from this appropriation are summarized below.Habitat protection was accomplished using a mixture of fee title and easement acquisition. For easements we purchased 11 parcels on trout streams located on either the North Shore or in southeast Minnesota. Easements will protect 5.3 miles of stream and 94 acres of habitat. Fee title acquisition protected 5 parcels of lakeshore, including one parcel that was purchased with funds from both ML2011 and ML2012 funding. Acreage and shoreline feet protected have been pro-rated between appropriations based in their respective contribution to the purchase price. A total of 2.6 miles of shoreline and 58 acres of habitat are protected by these parcels. The amount of habitat protected in easement and fee title falls short of our proposed outcomes for this appropriation. Because land values vary across the state it is difficult to anticipate how much habitat can be protected for a given amount of money. It is also hard to anticipate the amount of landowner donation we will receive. We were successful in leveraging an additional $1.3 million toward protection work from a mixture of sources, including landowner donation.The Mille Lacs Lake shoreland enhancement involved the removal of breakwall from a former marina that is now a DNR Aquatic Management Area. Breakwall was removed along 455 feet of shore and returned to a natural shoreline, with native riparian vegetation planted in all areas. This habitat will benefit fish species using the nearshore area of the lake as well as other wildlife such as birds, reptiles and amphibians that use a mixture of nearshore and riparian habitat.The Kingsbury Creek stream restoration project removed masonry walls that had been built along the banks through that reach and were limiting habitat. The project also included constructed a new stream channel through a reach that had previously been impounded by a dam. The stream channel was resized to appropriate dimensions, and habitat structures such as toe wood, rootwads, and cross vanes were installed. The project will benefit resident brook trout as well as steelhead that spawn and rear juveniles in Kingsbury Creek.A fish passage project at Shell Lake converted a dam into an arch-rapids, allowing fish to migrate in and out of the lake freely. Fish passage is especially important at Shell Lake, which is subject to occasional partial winter-kills. Recolonization from the Shell River will help the lake to recover from these events. This project was added to our original accomplishment plan and completed using surplus funds realized due to cost savings from other projects.A second stream habitat enhancement project was done using surplus funds. This one was located on the Pomme de Terre River, where a riffle and adjoining streambank was enhanced to provide better habitat in a former reservoir where the dam had been removed several years previous.Backwater habitat on the Mississippi River within Weaver Bottoms was enhanced to create critical backwater habitat that had been lost due to decades of sedimentation. The deepwater habitat is critical for many fish species such as bluegill and black crappie that over-winter there. The nine acres of newly enhanced habitat has shown high use by Mississippi River fish, and anglers have taken notice and are using the area as well.This appropriation funded a portion (along with the DNR's ML2013 Aquatic Habitat) of the restoration of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River through a former impoundment known as Lake Shady. The dam had washed out in a 2011 flood, leaving behind an eroding mud flat that threatened to harm downstream reaches as it eroded, and contained poor habitat in the channels that had cut through the mud. The former dam site's grade was stabilized by creating a rapids of stable rock material, and within the former reservoir new stream channels with appropriate dimensions were constructed. Habitat in the new channels was restored to include woody material as well as rocky riffles. Re-vegetation of the surrounding reservoir sediments with native plant species will provide quality riparian and upland habitat as well. The project was completed in partnership with Olmsted County ($125,736), the city of Oronco ($83,824) and DNR Dam Safety bonding funds ($1,000,000) all contributing funding. An additional $236,540 of in-kind staff time was contributed by Olmsted County. In addition to the 147 acres of habitat restored, the project opened up access to 119 miles of stream.Stream habitat work for this appropriation and other LSOH-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and intern. These positions aided in survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects. The coordinator also worked on assessing other potential projects for future LSOHC proposals.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,"Mn Dept of Natural Resources","1601 Minnesota Drive",Brainerd,MN,56401,651-259-5205,brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Redwood, Renville, Rice, St. Louis, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-program-phase-4,,,,
23917,"DNR Grassland Phase VI",2015,1458800,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$1,530,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairie communities in wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, state forest land, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 113 acres and enhanced 11,594 acres for a total of 11,707 acres. ",,,,1380000,126400,,1.5,DNR,"State Government","With this appropriation, the DNR enhanced and restored over 11,700 acres of public lands or permanently protected private lands under easement.  Projects under this appropriation included prescribed fire, prescribed or conservation grazing, woody removal, and enhancing plant diversity.  With this appropriation we were able to exceed our target acreage by 38 percent.   ",,"This project was a little different from the typical DNR grassland enhancement appropriations in that it did not include a Roving Crew and it was a little more focused on the south east part of the state than other DNR grassland enhancement appropriations have been.  That said, the types of projects are similar to what we've done in the past.  What makes this appropriation different, perhaps, is not the few large showcase projects we do, but the collective impact and benefits of many smaller projects on the landscape.   With this funds we were able to conduct prescribed fires on over 6000 acres and remove woody vegetation from almost 2000 acres of grassland.  Both of these types of projects are critical to grassland wildlife, especially birds.  Multiple studies have shown that nesting success of both game birds and songbirds is significantly impacted by woody vegetation.  Some species won't nest near tall trees and these trees also provide habitat for several types of nest predators.   There were several efforts to increase grassland diversity in brome or bluestem monocultures totaling 250 acres as well as restoration of over 100 acres.  This should increase habitat quality for pollinating insects as well as increase the abundance of insects that serve as a critical high protein food resource, especially for egg-laying birds and fast-growing young chicks.   We also completed invasive species control on over 2700 acres of grassland. This should in turn increase native plant diversity and increase pollinator habitat.   One area new for this appropriation is conservation grazing, although in this case much of it could be referred to as conservation browsing.  Goats were used in some cases for grazing prairie, especially on steep slopes.  These areas are often dangerous for equipment and the goats reduce reliance on chemicals.  Below is one description from DNR staff of this type of project.   ""At Mound Prairie SNA, west of Hokah, MN, goats have spent multiple seasons grazing two bluff prairies cleared of eastern red cedar trees and invasive brush, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle.  The goats were able to reduce the vigor of the woody vegetation, allowing native grasses and forbs an opportunity to grow.  Using goats reduced the amount of chemical needed to control the invasive woody brush! There is now a sufficient grass component to facilitate prescribed burning.""       A similar project in central Minnesota shows the benefits of cedar removal to prairie plants and wildlife.    ""Starting in 2016 and continuing into 2019 invading trees and brush were removed from about 25 acres of rock outcrop and wet prairie at Cedar Rock SNA in Redwood County.  The work was done in two phases; first large trees (mostly cedar) were cut, treated, piled and burned.  Two years later a follow-up pass was made to control buckthorn which had grown after the removal of the taller trees.  Although formal post-treatment surveys have not been conducted; previously undocumented rare plants are apparent and the area appears to harbor a broad array of both plant and animal species."" One area that gets little attention in habitat work is the ecosystem benefits of that work.  Again, numerous studies have shown that grassland restoration is a very good way to remove carbon from the air, helping to mitigate climate change.  Even prescribed burning, because it stimulates root growth will help remove carbon from the air and store the carbon in the soil.   As always, monitoring continues to be an issue with all these projects, both at the individual site and the larger landscape.  The conservation partners in the state, including DNR, FWS, TNC, and others, continue to work to develop statistically rigorous ways of addressing these questions.   Attached are a series of images from Mound Prairie SNA (word doc) and Cedar Rock SNA (indiv jpgs).  The Mound Prairie images show the impacts of cedar removal in the SE.  The Cedar Rock aerial images show how cedars were only scattered over the site in the 1930s, covered the site before this project, and how these funds help open up a large area to prairie.   For this final report, dollars for each project are pro-rated based on the acre percentage for each project relative to the budget.   ",2014-07-01,2019-10-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Greg ",Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-vi,,,,
23924,"DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific & Natural Area Acquisition",2015,8145000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$8,145,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Of this amount, $4,250,000 is for the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area addition in Dakota County. Money appropriated in this paragraph may not be used to acquire any portion of the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area Addition that is or will be subject to the removal of gravel or other mining activities. Any funds not spent on the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area addition must be used for acquisition of land in the seven-county metropolitan area. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 1,733 acres in fee with State PILT Liability. ","achieved proposed outcomes",2884600,"RIM ",8014600,38000,,0.74,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 1,733 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system.  We exceeded the projected acres by 56% and exceeded leverage by nearly 20%. ",,"Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, and metro ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS based tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Ten WMA parcels totaling 1,733 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 620 acres! ",2014-07-01,2021-10-29,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Lyon, Murray, Norman, Rice, Stearns, Swift, Wright","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wildlife-management-area-and-scientific-natural-area-acquisition,,,,
23935,"MN DNR Aquatic Habitat Program - Phase VI",2015,2483200,"ML 2014, Ch.256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$2,560,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","I ","Restored 131 acres, protected in fee with state PILT liability 62 acres, protected in easement 132 acres, and enhanced 2,182 acres for a total of 2,507 acres. ",,660000,"US Forest Service, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi Headwater Restoration Fund, Chippewa Stewardship Fund, Otter Tail Wetland Mitigation, and Otter Tail Transmission Line Tribal Gathering Mitigation ",2425600,111000,,3.4,DNR,"State Government","DNR modified six dams to allow fish passage and enhanced in stream habitat on two rivers with this appropriation. Also, habitat enhancement project were completed on 28 Aquatic Management Areas and three metro parks, totaling 1,002 acres. Stream habitat work for this appropriation and LSOHC-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and interns. These positions aided in public outreach, survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects. The coordinator moved seven additional projects forward and assessed ten potential projects for future LSOHC proposals. ",,"Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects are ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded five stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. - Sand Hill River Fish Passage Project: This project partnered with the Sand Hill River Watershed District and Army Corps of Engineers to restore fish passage on the Sand Hill River. The in channel portion of the project was essentially completed in 2017. Initial fish surveys have already documented restored fish passage upstream of the modified dams. Both this grant and an ML 2015 grant to the Sand Hill River Watershed District contributed to the local share of this project and were matched 3:1 by federal funds. Credits for habitat benefits were divided up between the two grants based on overall contribution to the project. - Knutson Dam fish passage- Construction of the project was finished in the spring of 2016. The dam, at the outlet of Cass Lake in Beltrami County, was modified into a rapids to allow fish movement upstream from the Mississippi River. This will allow free movement between habitats in the lakes upstream and the river downstream, facilitating access for fish to key habitats such those used for spawning. The project was done in conjunction with the US Forest Service, who owns the dam. The initial LSOHC grant spurred multiple other parties to invest in the project, totaling $660,000 in match. Partners included the US Forest Service, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi Headwater Restoration Fund, Chippewa Stewardship Fund, Otter Tail Wetland Mitigation, and Otter Tail Transmission Line Tribal Gathering Mitigation. - Long Lake fish passage- We worked with Itasca County to modify a small dam at the outlet to Long Lake into a rapids in January, 2016 in order to facilitate fish passage. - Straight River habitat enhancement: Several DNR divisions teamed up to improve aquatic habitat by installing 32 new tree structures on the Straight River, one of Minnesota’s premier trophy brown trout streams. DNR fisheries staff selected three sections of the river to place the structures to address an over-wide stream channel with little cover for fish. Due to the inaccessibility of this reach of stream for heavy equipment due to surrounding wetlands, a helicopter was used to lower about 150 trees into position to create the structures. A total of 4,180 feet of stream was enhanced by this project. - South Branch Root River: This project was funded by the ML2013 and ML2014 DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriation. A 450 foot reach of the river was experiencing severe erosion, with the streambank losing over 10 feet per year. A riffle was constructed at the upstream end of the reach to direct flow, and a bankfull bench was constructed along the eroding bank using toe wood to enhance stability and fish habitat. The bench was vegetated with a native seed mix and willow live stakes. Construction was completed in August of 2018. - AMA Enhancement: This appropriation includes funding for personnel tasked with assessing habitat needs on Aquatic Management Areas (AMAs), writing management guidance documents that outline projects, and overseeing project implementation. AMA Specialists completed nine new site assessments, bringing the total number of AMAs assessed since June 2014 to 138. To date, 109 Management Guidance Documents have been completed. An additional 29 Management Guidance Documents are in various stages of review. Staff also planned or oversaw enhancement project on 48 AMAs. These accomplished acres are reflected in the status updates for individual OHF appropriations that funded contracts and/or materials for the project. Site visits for specific habitat project planning purposes or habitat enhancement work completed: •    Jennie Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Minniebelle Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Hutchinson FMA (Prairie) •    Miller Creek AMA (SE Forest) •    Gemini AMA (Prairie) •    Eagle Creek AMA (Metro) •    Lotus Lake AMA (Metro) •    Silver Creek AMA (Metro) •    Elizabeth Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Games Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Norway Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Francis Lake AMA (Prairie) •    St Peter AMA (Prairie) •    Cannon River (Morristown) AMA (Prairie) •    Middle Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Kasota Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Cedar River AMA (Prairie) •    Sanborn AMA (Prairie) •    Whispering Ridge AMA (Prairie)  •    Etna Creek AMA (SE Forest)  •    Sakatah Lake AMA (Prairie)  •    St. Catherine Lake AMA (Metro) •    Glacier Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Pierz Fish Lake AMA- Forest/Prairie Transition •    Quamba Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Cross Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Bertha Moody Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Hubert Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Agate Rearing Pond AMA- Northern Forest •    Sunrise Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Cedar Creek AMA- Northern Forest •    Larson Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    North Long Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Buetow AMA- Northern Forest •    Island Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Roosevelt Lake AMA- Northern Forest •    Little Knife AMA- Northern Forest •    Barnes Springs AMA- Northern Forest •    Frank Rose AMA- Prairie •    Glacier Lake AMA (N. Forest) •    Little Otter Creek AMA (N. Forest) •    North Long Lake AMA (N. Forest) •    Little Knife AMA (N. Forest) •    Barnes Springs AMA (N. Forest) •    Bertha Moody AMA (N. Forest) AMA staff worked with R3 and R4 Roving Crews to write burn plans for: •    Stephen AMA (Prairie) •    Minniebelle Lake AMA (Prairie) •    Miller Creek AMA (SE Forest) - Stream habitat work for this appropriation and other LSOHC-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and interns. These positions aided in public outreach, survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects.  Five projects were completed during this appropriation. The coordinator was also responsible for moving 7 additional projects forward and assessing 10 potential projects for future LSOHC proposals.  The coordinator has collected monitoring data on two completed LSOHC projects.   The coordinator (with interns) collected culvert data on 4 watersheds, identified barriers and determined which barriers are among the highest priority. ",2014-07-01,2019-10-22,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jamison,Wendel,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Carver, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lake, Lincoln, Mower, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-dnr-aquatic-habitat-program-phase-vi,,,,
35017,"DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII",2016,4540000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$4,540,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee and permanent conservation easements for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to acquire interests in land in permanent conservation easements for fish and wildlife habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. Up to $130,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"22 Habitat acres Restored.  52 Habitat acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  347 Forest acres and 132 Habitat acres (for a total of 479 acres) Protected in Easement. 330 Prairie acres and 535 Habitat acres (for a total of 865 acres) Enhanced.  1,418 total acres impacted. ",,405100,"Sustain our Great Lakes and BWSR Flood Assistance - South St. Louis SWCD general fund ",4415700,65700,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","We will use a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes and streams across all the LSOHC planning regions of Minnesota. ","   ","Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects were ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded five stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. Stewart River Restoration: The Stewart River channel restoration project used Natural Channel Design to restore 4,500 of premier trout stream in Northeastern Minnesota. Historic logging and a berm located in the floodplain had significantly impacted the stream. The project was designed and implemented to create trout habitat including deep pools, overhead cover and abundant spawning gravels. The project also removed the confines of the berm and reconnected the stream with the floodplain. A 100 year flood affected the project just a few years after implementation. Some damage was caused, but the objectives of the projects were still met once repairs were made in 2019 using DNR FAW funding. Mission Creek Restoration: DNR partnered with South St. Louis SWCD to compete this project on Mission Creek. The Mission Creek channel restoration project restored 3150 feet of stream near Duluth, Minnesota. This stream was historically altered and had an in-stream trash rack which affected fish passage and the stability of the stream. The 2012 flood caused the stream to blowout around the trash rack resulting in a highly aggraded and unstable stream. The trash rack was removed and the dimension, pattern and profile of the stream was restored. Additionally, 8.4 miles of the stream was reconnected with the removal of the trash rack. During design, a historic native burial site was discovered just downstream of the project site. This slowed down design as we needed to sort through the risks to artifacts and find a tribal inspector to be onsite during construction. In the end we were able to do the project with oversight from the tribe. No artifacts were discovered during construction. Construction finished in June of 2020. North Branch of Whitewater River Restoration: This channel restoration project took place within Whitewater State Park in a location that previously had riprap installed on the bank for stabilization. This riprap failed at least two times so a stream restoration was implemented to better address the issues causing the bank erosion. The project utilized toe-wood sodmat to protect the bank and reshaped the channel dimension, pattern and profile based on a nearby stable reference reach. During construction it was found that the bed and bank material were particularly difficult for toe-wood sodmat installation. A unique technique using a trenching bucket was employed to get the toe-wood sod mat installed correctly. Another impact of the bed and bank materials was that it was difficult to get vegetation established. This project had to have additional work done after the original construction was finished. Due to lack of vegetation, a large flood and being in a flashy watershed, some of the stream features were impacted after the flood. Following the damages, the natural pattern that the river laid out was utilized to improve the overall project. The project was replanted with additional straw protection. Since the adjustments were made, the project has been stable and the vegetation is getting established. Cottonwood River Restoration: DNR partnered with Redwood County to complete this restoration. This project was originally funded to provide fish passage at three dams by modifying the dams to rock arch rapids structures. However during the course of project development, at two of the dam sites, the grantee opted to install riffles along the river corridor to slowly step the river down and to provide more habitat than originally anticipated. Two of the dam sites now have 6-7 riffles and deep pool associated with those riffles. Fish use these pools as is evident by the anglers seen at various riffles. Fish have also been seen passing through the riffles to get upstream. Construction of this project started in February of 2020; that spring construction was put on hold due to high flows and the COVID pandemic. However, as the flows were rising the contractor continued to work. This proved to be an issue when the contractor was unable to finish installing that riffle. As a result, the unfinished structure caused some significant erosion; this lead to additional work at that riffle site for the contractor once flows receded. The COVID- 19 pandemic significantly limited the ability of Department staff to provide construction oversight which would likely have avoided the contractor working in rising flows. Construction of the projects were finished in fall of 2020. Overall the project accomplished the goals of fish passage and has the added benefit of additional habitat along the river corridor. Driftless Area Habitat Enhancement: The DNR's Fisheries Construction crew used this appropriation to purchase rock and equipment rental to enhance 15 acres of stream habitat in the Driftless Area of Minnesota. Shoreline protection accomplished with this appropriation consisted of two fee-title acquisitions, nine trout stream easement acquisitions, and three Forest for the Future conservation easements. The two fee-title acquisitions protected 52 acres and 4,825 feet of undeveloped shoreline . All nine trout stream easement acquisitions were in the SE Forest Ecological Section. Two easement acquisitions were initiated in the Northern Forest Section, but neither was successfully concluded. The nine trout stream easements protect a total of 132 acres and 31,150 feet of stream. The Forest for the Future project prioritized protecting forests in high priority cisco lake watersheds. With this project, one 32 acre easement was purchased in the Kabekona watershed (Hubbard County), 122 acres in the Ten Mile lake watershed (Cass County), and 193 acres in the Pelican watershed in Crow Wing County. Two large easement acquisitions were not completed when the landowners chose not to accept the DNR offer. These acquisitions were scheduled to be completed close to the end of the appropriation availability and we did not have enough time to move on to other parcels. Therefore, we did not meet goals for easement acquisition and funds were returned to the Council. ",2015-07-01,2021-10-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Martin,Jennings,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5176",martin.jennings@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Clay, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Meeker, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Redwood, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-phase-vii,,,,
35031,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition - Phase VII",2016,4570000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$4,570,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"1,253 Prairie acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  671 Forest acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  Total of 1,924 cares protected.  ",,507300,"Wildlife Surcharge, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program, Landowner donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program ",4239200,14100,,0.29,DNR,"State Government","Acquire 910 acres of high priority habitats for designation as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas emphasizing Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordinating with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting, fishing and trapping. ",," Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie and northern forest ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Eleven WMA parcels and two SNA totaling 1,924 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 1,014 acres! ",2015-07-01,2021-11-09,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Murray, Norman, Pine, Polk, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-vii-0,,,,
35057,"DNR Grassland - Phase 8",2017,3983000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(j)","$3,983,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, native prairie bank land, and bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. While these appropriation only added 2,085 acres of grassland acres to the state through restoration, these funds enhanced a much larger area. Put in another fashion, we restored and enhanced 69.5 square miles with these funds. That's an area 8.3 by 8.3 miles in area. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accomodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 44,506 acres were affected: 2,081 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 42,425 in Enhance.",,,3762900,172000,,7.11,DNR,"State Government","We restored 2,081 acres of grassland and enhanced 42,425 acres of grassland for a total of 44,506 acres of wildlife habitat across 329 sites with these funds.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR was spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Project Type Acres # Sites Grassland Restoration 2,085 63 Prescribed Fire 36,896 159 Woody removal 4,461 60 interseed / diversity enhancement 500 27 Conservation grazing infrastructure 120 1 Prescribed Browsing-woody control (goats) 299 9 Herbaceous Invasive Control 145 10 Sum 44,506 329 This appropriation involved the Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. Typically, we burn in the spring before the nesting season. However, this can stimulate the warm-season grasses and begin to crowd out forbs, lowering plant diversity. Burning in the late summer, after birds have fledged but with enough time for some late summer regrowth, has shown to increase both plant diversity as well as structural diversity in the habitat. Just as important, it can knock back the dominant grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass just enough for forbs to express themselves the following year. Although 44,506 acres appears to be a large number, we feel the actual acres benefitted may be much larger. We know nest predation of grassland birds is higher near woody vegetation and some birds just won't nest near woody veg. By removing trees, we are impacting both the footprint of where those trees were but also the surrounding grassland, up to a half mile from the project, where nest success should now be higher. We installed grazing infrastructure on one site and used goats to browse undesirable and invasive woody plants. This will accomplish two goals. FIrst, we will get good habitat work on our public lands. Second, its a way to further develop a working lands approach to land management and incorporate conservation work into the state's agricultural economy. I have personally visited a number of public lands grazing sites in western Minnesota and have always been impressed with what I've seen. Although grazing is a summer activity, I've flushed a number of birds, both pheasants and songbirds, from these areas in the fall. Often the biggest benefit to grazing comes in the first couple years after grazing as the habitat is regrowing. Although there is still much to learn, we have learned a lot in recent years about restoration techniques. We still use several methods for restoring prairie and there's probably no one perfect way of doing it. It's very clear to someone when they are walking through a recent restoration and an older restoration. Even if they can't identify every plant, the diversity people see is striking. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. While they are good habitat projects, they will probably increase in costs over time. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge.",,2016-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Morrison, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Roseau, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-8,,,,
35058,"DNR Stream Habitat",2017,2074000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$2,074,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance habitat to facilitate fish passage, degraded streams, and critical aquatic species habitat. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 8 Habitat acres and enhanced 7 Habitat acres for a total of 15 acres. ",,104400,"USFWS, Pomme de Terre River Assoc. ",2039900,33200,,2,DNR,"State Government","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will restore or enhance habitat to facilitate fish passage, restore degraded streams, and enhance habitat critical to fish and other aquatic life. Projects are prioritized based on ecological benefit, urgency, feasibility, and stakeholder support. ",,"Lake Carlos Dam Modification During the winter and spring of 2021, the Lake Carlos Dam was replaced with a rock arch-shaped rapids to restore upstream fish passage. We expect that migratory species from Lake Carlos and upstream Lake Le Homme Dieu will benefit from improved access to 121 miles of river that could be used for spawning and rearing habitat. Rare mussel species such as creek heelsplitter and black sandshell are found downstream of the outlet, and may also find suitable habitat in tributary streams to Lake Carlos. The rock arch rapids structure is located within Lake Carlos State Park, and will provide an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of lake and stream connectivity. Cottonwood Dam Modifications – Soldier’s and Sailor’s Park, Kuhar and Sanborn Golf Course Dams This project was originally funded to provide fish passage at three dams by modifying the dams to rock arch rapids structures. However during the course of project development, at two of the dam sites, the grantee opted to install riffles along the river corridor to slowly step the river down and to provide more habitat than originally anticipated. Two of the dam sites now have 6-7 riffles and deep pool associated with those riffles. Fish use these pools as is evident by the fishermen seen at various riffles. Fish have also been seen passing through the riffles to get upstream. Construction of this project started in February of 2020; that spring construction was put on hold due to high flows and the COVID pandemic. However, as the flows were rising the contractor continued to work. This proved to be an issue when the contractor was unable to finish installing that riffle. As a result, the unfinished structure caused some significant erosion; this lead to additional work at that riffle site for the contractor once flows receded. For the most part this project was constructed during the COVID pandemic which significantly limited the availability of Department oversight during construction. Additional oversight by the Department would have been beneficial in implementation and would likely have avoided the contractor working in rising flows. Construction of the projects were finished in fall of 2020. Overall the project accomplished the goals of fish passage and has the added benefit of additional habitat along the river corridor. Prairie/Lizzie Dam Modifications The Prairie Lake and Lizzie Lake dam outlets were modified to rock arch rapids to improve fish passage. Construction finished in summer of 2019 and reconnected 2 consecutive dams, which when combined reconnected 20 stream miles. Recently, there has been some momentum in the Otter Tail watershed to improve fish passage. Because of this support, the timeline went really quickly for Lizzie and Prairie and the construction was very efficient. This was due, in part, to local DNR, the consultant and contractors’ experience working on prior dam modifications. The Prairie Dam was unique in that we needed to do the modification on both sides of the road/bridge. Since construction was completed the vegetation has reestablished and fish have been seen using the rapids.P a g e 3 | 10 Hallock Dam Modification Construction on the Hallock dam finished spring of 2021. This project has a unique river setting with the dam immediately upstream of a meander bend and an incised reach of stream. This led to a unique design of modifying the dam by installing two sections of rock arch rapids upstream and downstream of the meander. There were also some riffles downstream of the rapids to partially address the incision and provide additional habitat. Fish passage was achieved at the site by modifying the dam into a rock arch rapids; channel catfish movement has already occurred and a variety of sizes were sampled earlier in the summer. Due to the drought this year, the vegetation has been struggling to get established. The project partner (City of Hallock) has responded by setting up a pump and watering the newly seeded area. Drywood Creek Dam Removal and Channel Restoration The Drywood Creek project removed the dam and restored the stream to a stable dimension, pattern and profile. Toe-wood sod mat was used to protect the banks while vegetation establishes and 2 rock riffles were installed to account for the grade change from the dam. After construction was finished, it was determine that one of the riffles was built too narrow and not according to plan specifications. Construction of this project was consistently up against high flows; which is likely why it wasn’t clear that the riffle didn’t meet specifications. DNR funding was used to adjust the riffle to the correct width. Coolridge Creek Restoration Construction for the Coolridge Creek restoration project was completed in May 2019. The project removed 18 culverts from the stream channel and three additional culverts from side channels. Removing the culverts restored 1,800 feet of stream channel. Shell River Culvert Replacement Three culverts on the Shell River were replaced in fall 2020. The previously undersized culverts were replaced with larger culverts to restore fish passage and improve stream conditions. One culvert replacement was funded through ML 18 and two replacements were funded through ML 16. Stream habitat work for this appropriation and other LSOHC-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and interns. Here are some of the highlighted work of these positions using funding from this appropriation: • Project development and public outreach. • Management of project funding. • Analyze and prioritize culverts for replacement – Buffalo River, Cottonwood River and Otter Tail River watersheds. • Annual updates of the Stream Restoration Priority List • Geomorphic monitoring of Buffalo River and Lake Shady • Collected culvert data in Lake Pepin and Chippewa watersheds. • Assisted with geomorphic monitoring of stream restoration projects. ",,2021-10-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5205",brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Douglas, Kittson, Otter Tail, Redwood, Swift, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-stream-habitat,,,,
35059,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase VIII",2017,3250000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$3,250,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of native prairie protected, acres of Prairie Core/Corridor areas protected.",,,,,3240000,10000,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","Acquire 600 acres of high priority habitats for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area emphasizing Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordinating with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting, fishing and trapping.","This proposal will protect approximately 600 acres of wildlife habitat through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas and/or Scientific & Natural Areas. Lands will be acquired and developed within the Prairie Planning Section with an emphasis on Prairie Conservation Plan core and corridor areas, working toward the long-term goal of a minimum 40% grassland and 20% wetland in core prairie areas. Lands outside core and corridor areas will be evaluated on their habitat potential and contribution to existing units.Historically, Outdoor Heritage appropriations for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been matched by donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition) at approximately 25% (1 dollar of match to 4 dollars of OHF).Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs are established to protect those lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and to develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all of the present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife populations management, hunter access and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the Prairie Ecological planning section where public ownership in some counties is less than 2 percent. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a geospatial analytical (GIS) based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This approach uses a quantitative approach to score and rank acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level. Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing conditions and priorities. This ensures that funds are used to acquire available lands consistent with the statutory purpose of WMAs. The WMA acquisition program is guided by the 2002 Citizens' Committee report. The committee was comprised of a diverse group of eleven major stakeholder groups.A list of potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers is coordinated with interested stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels.Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural resource value. Protection will be targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system is used to score and rank acquisition proposals at a statewide level based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance, sites recommended for protection by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for rare species. Parcels which are larger, adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and that are partially donated are also rated higher.Properties acquired through this appropriation require approval of the County Board of Commissioners in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and restoration of agricultural fields and minimal parking area development.",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Lac qui Parle, Murray, Norman, Redwood, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-viii,,,,
10006517,"Enhanced Public Land ? Grasslands - Phase III",2019,2160000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(n)"," $2,160,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Value to T&E species is one of our project ranking criteria as part of our RFP. Projects that directly benefitted T&E species were more likely to be funded. In addition, all projects were carefully planned and monitored to mitigate any negative impact to T&E or SGCN.","A total of 10,781 acres were affected: 198 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 10,583 in Enhance.",45800,"Federal and PF",2129500,29700,,0.39,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program enhanced 10,583 and restored 198 acres for a total impact of 10,781 acres by restoring wetlands, removing invasive trees, seeding prairies, prescribed burning, and installing infrastructure for conservation grazing. These practices took place on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's), and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) in the prairie, metro and the forest/prairie transition regions of Minnesota. We exceeded our acre goals in every category, brought $45,768.51 in match funds, and are returning $833.50 in funds.","Pheasants Forever sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to wildlife managers within the MN DNR (managing WMA's), and USFWS (managing WPA's), giving them the opportunity to submit projects to be funded under this phase. Eligible practices included wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, upland enhancement/restoration, prescribed fire, and conservation grazing. Projects were ranked based on cost and priorities such as the impact on threatened & endangered species, project location within Conservation Plan Focus Areas, size of the complex, and potential benefit to water quality. For selected projects, PF restoration staff worked with area wildlife managers to develop restoration/enhancement plans and translate those into statements of work (SOW). The SOW was sent along with the Request for Bid to local contractors as part of the solicitation process that is laid out in PF's Procurement Policy. Once awarded, PF and agency staff monitored construction to ensure work was completed to quoted specifications, in time, and on budget.",,2018-07-01,2023-09-07,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-iii,,,,
10011395,"Enhanced Public Land – Open Landscapes",2020,955000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 3(e)","$955,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society, to enhance and restore early successional open landscape habitat on public lands. A list of proposed restoration and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Sharp tail Leks are monitored annually in the northern forest region by the MN DNR. The number of leks identified is a good measure of quality open landscape habitat. .Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. .",,,12100,"Federal, Private, PF, MSGS",941000,14000,,0.20,"PF / MN Prairie Chicken Society",,"This proposal will enhance 2,910 acres of open landscape habitat in the Northern Forest Region to create early successional habitat that benefits sharp-tailed grouse and other wildlife species. Habitat will be enhanced through tree removal, prescribed fire, diversity seeding, conservation grazing, brush mowing, and shearing. Enhancements will take place on permanently protected lands open to public hunting including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), state forest lands, and county-owned lands.","The sharp-tailed grouse was once common on Minnesota’s open and brushland habitats. However, the loss of habitat to cropland, tree plantations and natural succession, have significantly decreased the acreage of suitable habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and other early successional habitat dependent species. A long-term decline in sharp-tailed grouse populations has caused them to be listed as a Minnesota species of greatest conservation need. In the Northern Forest Region of Minnesota, activities that enhance and restore open landscapes such as prescribed fire, mowing and shearing, tree removal, diversity seeding, and conservation grazing will be implemented to ensure our public lands are reaching their full potential for wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire is the primary management tool for managing or creating early successional habitat where conditions are appropriate. Prescribed fire increases vigor, sets back natural succession of woody species, and removes built up residue.In some cases where fire is not possible due to site conditions or type of vegetation, mowing and shearing of small diameter brush and trees will be used. In areas with larger trees that cannot be burned or mowed, tree removal will be done. Tree removal will not occur in areas where timber harvest would be marketable because most projects are too small to make them profitable for logging and/or are removing smaller undesirable trees and brush. We will use a site-specific combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation, tree removal, herbicide, and prescribed fire) to bring back productivity to these public lands. A diverse mixture of native grasses and forbs is ideal for nesting and brood rearing of upland nesting birds such as sharp-tailed grouse. In close collaboration with the land managers we are ensuring only native species to the region are planted. We will seed a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs that are well adapted to site conditions. Mowing will be used as needed to manage annual weed pressure and to ensure establishment. Conservation grazing is an important enhancement tool for sites that are difficult to conduct prescribed fire or need to target specific enhancement needs (e.g. cool season grass, brush, and tree suppression). Permanent infrastructure with a lifespan of 30+ years will be installed to conduct conservation grazing plans written to benefit wildlife on WMAs only with appropriate site conditions where livestock producers are currently nearby. The primary objective of these activities is to create early successional habitat, set back tree encroachment, and reestablish open landscapes. As a secondary outcome we will be making future management and preservation of this habitat more practical. These enhancement activities will be prioritized around areas with existing and historic sharp-tailed grouse leks, as well as open landscape areas that will benefit species such as ring-necked pheasants, bobolinks, Henslow’s sparrow, and eastern meadowlarks.A request for proposal will be sent to land managers within the work area. A ranking process has been developed that allows us to identify, rank, and deliver the projects that have the most impact for wildlife.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society/Pheasants Forever, Inc.","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,"() -",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Carlton, Lake of the Woods, Pine, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-open-landscapes,,,,
10019622,"Enhanced Public Land ? Grasslands - Phase V",2022,1951000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(m)","$1,951,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Improved condition of habitat on public lands - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers",,,125000,"Federal, Private and PF",1903400,47600,,0.45,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","5000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat will be enhanced or restored through this proposal to benefit upland dependent species on Minnesota lands open to public hunting. These include Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), and National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). We will accomplish this by working with our partners to follow best practices to conduct wetland restorations, conservation grazing, invasive tree removal, prescribed fire, and diversity seeding in the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and metro regions.","Restoration and enhancement of prairie and wetland habitat remains as one of the core strategies of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Many native and restored prairies are degraded from lack of disturbance, low diversity and spread of invasive trees. There are wetlands in these landscapes that need be to restored and many previously restored basins that are in need of repair. This proposal aims to build on past investments to improve habitat on WPAs, WMAs, and NWRs so they can reach their full potential for wildlife production. Activities include the following: 1) Wetlands will be restored/enhanced by removing drain tile, constructing/repairing earthen dams and/or water control structures, and invasive narrow leaf cattail control. Wetlands targeted for enhancement are vital to providing food, cover, and space required for breeding waterfowl and are essential to water quality and aquifer recharge. 2) A diverse mixture of native grasses and forbs is ideal for nesting and brood rearing of upland nesting birds and essential for pollinator species. Many WMAs, WPAs, or NWRs were purchased in sub-optimal habitat condition (e.g. monotype of brome grass). We will use a site-specific combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation, tree removal, herbicide, and prescribed fire) to bring back productivity to these public lands. In close collaboration with the land managers, we will seed a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs that are well adapted to site conditions. Mowing will be used as needed to manage annual weed pressure to ensure establishment. 3) Prescribed burning is the primary tool for managing grassland habitat. It increases vigor, sets back invasive woody species, and removes built up residue. 4) Conservation grazing is an important enhancement tool for sites that are difficult to conduct prescribed fires or need to target specific enhancement needs (e.g. cool season grass suppression, tree invasion, etc.). Permanent infrastructure with a lifespan of 30+ years will be installed to conduct conservation grazing plans written to benefit wildlife. 5) Research has shown that invasive trees are detrimental to prairie/grassland wildlife and thus will be removed with this proposal. These trees reduce nesting success and provide perches and dens for predators. These predators are highly effective at predating both nests and nesting birds, especially in fragmented low quality habitat. By creating the best possible habitat on WPAs, NWRs and WMAs, we will strive to help our public land management entities by reducing future investments for management. A RFP and ranking process has been developed in previous phases that allows us to identify, rank and deliver the projects that have the most impact for grassland and wetland wildlife.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Alexander,Nelson,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","1000 150th ave NW ",Spicer,MN,56288,"(320) 292-6678",anelson@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-v,,,,
10017809,"Enhanced Public Land ? Grasslands - Phase IV",2021,2280000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(m)","$2,280,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Improved condition of habitat on public lands - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers",,,67700,"Federal, Private and PF",2235300,44700,,0.49,"Pheasants Forever ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","6289 acres of grassland and wetland habitat will be enhanced through this proposal to increase the productivity of game and non-game upland species on Minnesota lands open to public hunting including Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), and National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). We will accomplish this by working with our partners to follow best practices to conduct wetland restorations, conservation grazing, invasive tree removal, prescribed fire, and diversity seeding in the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and metro regions.","According to the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, less than 2% of Minnesota's native prairie remains. Many of the remaining acres of native and restored prairie are degraded from lack of fire, low diversity and spread of invasive trees. There are wetlands in these landscapes that need be to restored and many previously restored basins that are in need of repair. This proposal aims to build on past investments to increase productivity on WPAs, WMAs, and NWRs that are open to hunting so they can reach their full potential for wildlife production. Activities could include the following: 1) Wetlands will be restored/enhanced by removing drain tile, constructing/repairing earthen dams and/or water control structures, and invasive narrow leaf cattail control. Wetlands targeted for enhancement are vital to providing food, cover, and space required for breeding waterfowl and are essential to water quality and aquifer recharge. 2) A diverse mixture of native grasses and forbs is ideal for nesting and brood rearing of upland nesting birds and also essential for pollinator species. Many WMAs, WPAs, or NWRs were purchased in sub-optimal habitat condition (e.g. monotype of brome grass) or were restored using low diversity seed mixes that are less productive for wildlife. We will use a site-specific combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation, tree removal, herbicide, and prescribed fire) to bring back productivity to these public lands. In close collaboration with the land managers, we will seed a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs that are well adapted to site conditions. Mowing will be used as needed to manage annual weed pressure to ensure establishment. 3) Prescribed burning is the primary tool for managing grassland habitat. It increases vigor, sets back invasive woody species, and removes built up residue. 4) Conservation grazing is an important enhancement tool for sites that are difficult to conduct prescribed fires or need to target specific enhancement needs (e.g. cool season grass suppression, tree invasion, etc.). Permanent infrastructure with a lifespan of 30+ years will be installed to conduct conservation grazing plans written to benefit wildlife. 5) Research has shown that invasive trees are detrimental to prairie/grassland wildlife and will be removed with this proposal. These trees reduce nesting success and provide perches and dens for predators. These predators are highly effective at predating both nests and nesting birds, especially in fragmented low quality habitat. By creating the best possible habitat on WPAs, NWRs and WMAs, we will strive to help our public land management entities by reducing future investments for management. A RFP and ranking process has been developed in previous phases that allow us to identify, rank and deliver the projects that have the most impact for grassland and wetland wildlife.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Alexander,Nelson,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","1000 150th ave NW ",Spicer,MN,56288,"(320) 292-6678",anelson@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Mower, Murray, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-iv,,,,
9805,"Enhanced Public Grasslands",2013,1320000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(j)","$1,320,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society to restore and enhance habitat on public lands. The criteria for selection of projects must be included in the accomplishment plan. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the final report.",,"Enhanced 21,553 acres of prairie ",,700,"Pheasants Forever ",1320000,,,.35,"Pheasants Forever with the MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project used a combination of invasive tree removal, seeding, and prescribed fire to improve habitat quality, diversity, and productivity on public lands in Minnesota. As we lose habitat to conversion and encroachment, it is increasingly important to maximize wildlife production on existing permanently protected lands. Today's public lands are expected to function at the highest level for not only wildlife usability but now also for other non game rare and threatened species, pollinators, and for water quality efforts in the state. To meet today's expectations, public lands need to be enhanced from their original cover type which could have been planted with different priorities then today's. This program was developed in cooperation with the MNDNR and USFWS with the goals of developing higher quality biologically significant habitat that provide maximum usability by wildlife, pollinators, and non game species alike. PF, in cooperation with the MNDNR and USFWS, was able to contract out and enhance 21,553 acres of permanently protected public lands within this grant, which exceeded the proposed acres by 3,053 acres. PF was able to exceed the acre goal with less money than anticipated, spending only $1,308,000 of the allocated $1,320,000. Additionally PF came in under budget for personnel costs only spending $40,300. Because of the efficiency and high level of collaboration at which PF operates we are able to deliver high quality habitat enhancements at a lower than anticipated cost.This completed program enhanced 21,553 acres of permanently protected habitat and 1,148 acres of native prairie.",,"Greater than 95% of Minnesota’s prairies have been lost to the plow and development. Many of the remaining acres of native and restored grasslands have been degraded from lack of fire and the spread of invasive volunteer trees. Many of these acres have low plant diversity and are not reaching their potential for wildlife production. Many older public hunting areas were purchased as brome fields or were restored using low diversity seed mixes. As mentioned above, today's expectations of habitat cover on public lands have changed. We are demanding public lands function at a higher level for many reasons. In 1972 a Wildlife Biologist, Barnet Schranck, once said “The days for setting lands aside to be left idle for wildlife are past, and management techniques are needed to keep habitat in the more vigorous, earlier stages of ecological succession”. Here 45 years later we are facing the exact same problems, however, we have significantly less ‘idle’ lands putting more pressure on permanently protected lands to be as productive as possible. As biology advances, we understand that we need to attempt to replicate the diversity as seen in native prairies when feasible to be able to have a chance to sustain wildlife that depend on this diversity. For the sites needing a higher diversity of forbs and grasses, we used a mix of cultivation, herbicide and prescribed fire to prep the site and plant with a high diversity native grass and forb mix. Other sites may have had a good grass and forb base already but needed a prescribed fire to remove the duff layer, set back non-native grasses and to promote forb expression. Prescribed burning is a great tool for enhancing grassland habitat for waterfowl, gamebirds, and songbirds. Prescribed fire usually was conducted in the spring after the non-native grasses started growing which would set back these undesirable species giving native species a leg up. Invasive tree removal was done mechanically by using heavy equipment to cut, treat, and pile woody debris to be burned at a later date. Special considerations were taken to reduce rutting and the spread of invasive species from different sites. Tree removal was often done in the winter months when the ground is frozen. This appropriation has allowed the DNR and USFWS to enhance public lands (i.e. DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and USFWS Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA)) to the new expectation the public desires. All sites were enhanced following recommendations and by working in close collaboration with the area wildlife managers. As you will see in the attachment labeled 'project list', projects were bundled together based on activity type and location in order to get the lowest possible price. For this reason most projects in bundles do not have a per tract cost, but instead a total cost for all projects in that specific bundle. To calculate the per project cost in the parcel tab we took the total bundle price and averaged it by the number of projects in that bid bundle. A few projects in the attached 'project list' show 0 acres because these same project acres were already counted within this proposal within another activity category. It is also apparent in our attached project list that some per project costs are much lower than others within the same enhancement category. These project costs differ for various reasons. One reason being that the number of woody species on the tree removal sites can vary greatly. For example, on a tract enhanced through tree removal there can be scattered removal of encroaching trees or there could be the removal of heavily wooded areas such as old building sites or larger cottonwoods surrounding a wetland. Costs vary on diversity seedings because in some cases we were able to get match from the USFWS to help lower project costs. Our goal was to get good work done at the most economical price. The average cost of enhancement in this appropriation was approximately $61.00 per acre which we feel is a great price and provides a lot of value for the money. Swan Lake Waterfowl Production Area is a good example of how funds were used to help achieve management goals. Funds were used to remove undesirable woody vegetation from grassland habitat for migratory birds. Tree removal simulates conditions that existed here before European settlement. At that time, the land was predominantly treeless due to landscape scale prairie fires, so the goal is to recreate those conditions. Swan Lake WPA was infested with undesirable woody vegetation which diminishes the habitat value of the surrounding restored and native grasslands. This tree removal project targeted the undesirable trees invading these grasslands and wetlands. Funds were spent to hire a contractor to remove and chemically treat undesired deciduous and coniferous trees and to pile trees within selected locations on the WPA. The purpose of clearing trees and understory of brush is to restore the original grassland plants and the threatened grassland dependent fauna. Trees were removed by pulling or cutting, cut stumps were treated with an herbicide. 1,148 acres of native prairie was enhanced using prescribed fire in this appropriation. Fire is critical to maintain diversity and disturbance regimes on native prairie sites to keep these ares from becoming overtaken by non-native, more aggressive grass and weed species. Native prairie was identified using MNDNR MCBS native plant communities geospatial layer and historic areal imagery. It is important to continue to periodically enhance native prairie by prescribed fire to keep these areas functioning at the highest level possible as they often support rare, threatened and endangered species that depend on high quality native prairie. PF used the approved Request for Proposal (RFP) process to solicit contractors and CCM crews to conduct enhancements on lands open to public hunting owned and managed by the DNR and USFWS. PF in collaboration with our local chapter network requested projects from every USFWS and MNDNR office within the priority area. Projects were considered based on location, type of enhancement, and other geospatial factors such as proximity to rare species, native prairie, wellhead protection areas, etc. Consideration was also given to projects within core areas of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. We were able to “bundle” many projects into one contract (as shown in attached project list) which added to our efficiency and effectiveness. The effectiveness of PF's RFP process can be measured by the fact that PF over delivered on acres while coming in under budget as broken out in the output tables. ",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Eran ",Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Statewide,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-grasslands,,,,
35025,"Enhanced Public Land Grasslands - Phase II",2016,1120000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(l)","$1,120,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"698 Wetland acres Restored.  7,529 Prairie acres Enhanced.  Total of 8,227 acres impacted. ",,156000,"Federal ",1048600,8600,,0.35,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will utilize a combination of wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, seeding, and prescribed fire, to improve habitat quality, diversity, and productivity on Wildlife Management Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas within the prairie and metro regions of Minnesota. ",,"Working with area managers at both MN DNR and USFWS, Pheasants Forever requested proposals to complete wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, prairie seeding, and prescribed fire on existing WMA's and WPA's in the Prairie zone. Projects were then ranked based on priorities including, T&E species, Conservation Plan Focus Areas (e.g. the MN Prairie Plan), size of the complex area, water quality benefits, and overall cost to complete. Once projects were selected for funding, Pheasants Forever restoration staff worked closely with area managers in order to develop restoration/enhancement plans. Once those plans were developed they were written into a statement of work that was sent to numerous contractors in order to solicit competitive bids following PF's procurement policy. Once a contractor has been awarded the contract, PF and agency staff monitored the restoration/enhancement work to ensure it was completed adequately. Pheasants Forever had proposed to enhance 7,800 acres of uplands and restore 45 acres of wetlands. We did fall short of our upland goal by enhancing 7,275 acres, as we gave priority to wetland restoration projects. This, however, caused us to far exceed our goal and restore 952 wetland acres, thus over-achieving our total acre goal by 382 acres. Additionally, due to the value of these wetland restoration projects, PF was able to bring more than $156,000 of federal match, specifically from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, to this proposal. There were no significant issues that occurred during the proposal period. As with any work of this kind we anticipated there would be challenges due to weather, contractor difficulties, agency staff changes, etc. but by working closely with our partners we were able to be very successful on our delivery of this important wildlife habitat work. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(7632421273) -",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-ii,,,,
23928,"Evaluate Effectiveness of AIS Prevention Strategies",2015,2873000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(k)","$4,040,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund to develop a series of pilot projects to enhance aquatic habitat by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including pilot projects conducting education and outreach, inspection and decontamination, enforcement, and other activities. All pilot projects must be conducted on a reimbursement basis and require a match of nonoutdoor heritage fund dollars. A required evaluation of results must be funded with nonoutdoor heritage fund dollars. The required evaluation must evaluate the efficacy of inspection and decontamination activities utilized in any of the pilot projects in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. A list of pilot projects must be included in the required final report. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019. The accomplishment plan must accelerate the start of the pilot project. ",,"Please refer to Project Details (above) for specific outcomes.   ",,3202000,"Private Source ",2873000,,,0.7,"Central Minnesota Initiative Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Innovative AIS control and education programs have been widely acknowledged as far removed from the traditional stable of conservation easement and high priority land acquisition programs that the LSOHC generally espouses.  However, these projects, though not permanent in nature, address the significant impacts to land and water resources that AIS pose.   Left untreated, AIS severely impacts the habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities that LSOHC is committed to preserving. ",,"Projects supported by LSOHC surfaced many innovative strategies for engaging citizens that have either historically been considered “disengaged” with traditional AIS prevention messaging (wakeboarders), are potentially “influencers” (teenagers that are both future recreationalists, and also highly effective at bugging their parents to engage in best AIS prevention practices), and users that recognize and value AIS prevention messages but have been too busy or cognizant of counter-veiling economic pressures (resort owners and tourism boosters). In the first two examples, we have no doubt that the videos produced by the Mississippi Headwaters Board to reach wakeboarders or the “Wipe Out Invasive Species” toilet paper (developed using private funds) which was part of the CROW programming were clever, reached new audiences, and changed knowledge, even if changes in behavior are difficult to document.  In contrast, the partnership on Lake Vermillion, Cass and Itasca Counties linked education (to resort owners and their guests) with direct action (sponsoring resort staff to help with inspections, etc.) and not only changed knowledge and behavior, but also forged lasting relationships between constituencies that have not always seen common interest.  The two “CD3” projects (hosted by Wildlife Forever) were somewhere between these examples – they explored innovative ideas (use of geo-fencing to deliver location specific information on fishing conditions and AIS risk or best practices; Wi-Fi stations to support videos at points of access or decontamination) and identified barriers. The self-contained boat cleaning stations now reflect designs most likely to be used, most resistant to vandalism and damage, and at a cost that local units of government and/or private resorts could consider deploying them without future state support.  Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District addressed a recent and unpopular caveat of Minnesota law requiring the dumping of bait and prohibition on the transport of water on exit from a lake. They incentivized bait shops and fishermen by providing clean water in bags to save bait. In Cass County, AIS inspectors received “enhanced training” to equip them with knowledge and context for why inspections and decontamination are required, and in de-escalation techniques to manage conflicts with public access users. In addition to improving the quality of interactions inspectors had with access users, the County also found that they retained veteran, skilled inspectors that received enhanced training at a much greater rate, saving time and money. Five projects involved direct treatment of known aquatic invasive species (as a strategy to prevent spread to other waters), and each contributed significantly to greater knowledge and should inform future work or investments in this type of approach.  The Marine-Carnelian Watershed District has struggled with cost, ecological impact, and efficacy of treating Eurasian watermilfoil. Their pilot project (developed in close coordination with DNR Fisheries staff) resulted in several years of data that suggest that they have identified that split application of aquatic herbicide is highly effective at reducing EWM reproduction or spread and has fewer non-target impacts.  Two other treatment examples (of invasive cattails in Voyageurs National Park and Starry Stonewort in Lake Koronis) were pilot efforts to control species not previously successfully managed in the upper Midwest. The Koronis effort (as the first confirmed location of Starry Stonewort in Minnesota) has resulted in refined treatment of this invasive filamentous algae (even more important now that it has spread to over a dozen additional lakes within our state). Like the Vermillion/Cass/Itasca project, the Voyageurs project helped create or deepen relationships (with an adjacent Tribal nation).  The fourth effort of treatment was intense mechanical treatment at public landings in Carver County (in lakes with known infestations of invasive species) with the goal of reducing export of viable AIS. This program provided “inconclusive results” -- reducing vegetation near public accesses did not seem to impact the amount of vegetation (whether native or invasive) on boats exiting the lake.  An effort by the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District to trap rusty crawfish in areas immediately adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness proved less successful as weather conditions, existing crawfish populations, and staff availability hindered ability to trap sufficient crustaceans to impact overall populations. Their crawfish boils, however, were very popular and an excellent educational vehicle. Efforts to improve the convenience or ease, cost, or efficacy of inspection and decontamination programs were the most difficult to assess. The Carver County effort to “tag” clean boats was intended to expedite re-entry, but DNR staff quickly expressed concerns about the quality of inspections and requested suspension of the effort.  Kandiyohi County sought to improve the speed and convenience of inspection by allowing for “reservations” (similar to a restaurant) so that recreationalists could be “in and out” quickly. Although this idea continues to hold appeal, limited marketing of the service, greater cost than anticipated, and turnover of paid county staff and of the County Board resulted in early termination without ever fully testing the concept.  At Lake Vermillion an effort was made to improve the accuracy of boat traffic prediction as a strategy to most cost-effectively allocate AIS inspection resources, but a primary conclusion was that boat traffic patterns vary so much (based on multiple variables) that a single algorithm or model is of limited value. Wright County attempted to explore the benefits and concerns associated with the first-in-Minnesota mandatory inspection program (similar to those in many western states), but found that the project experienced both regulatory barriers (particularly to scale the project so that is was cost-effective) and political opposition created a climate where the project proponents felt the idea was never given an opportunity to succeed. The Initiative Foundation recognized this strategy would generate controversy but hoped it would identify conditions in which it could be successful, even if modifications were required over time. The Citizens League’s Civic Governance Project’s project to increase coordination and collaboration between state/local governments and stakeholder groups revealed that a focus on Civic Leadership Development, while slow, is more sustainable than a simple civic engagement strategy. An organizing approach to water quality improvements shows some promise.   ",2014-07-01,2020-08-13,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Don,Hickman,"Initiative Foundation","405 1st Street SE ","Little Falls",MN,56345,"(320) 632-9255",dhickman@ifound.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/evaluate-effectiveness-ais-prevention-strategies,,,,
10011396,"Fairmont Chain of Lakes Habitat Restoration Plan, Phase 1",2020,1390000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(k)","$1,390,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Fairmont to restore and enhance grassland, wetland, and stream habitats in the Dutch Creek watershed. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This project was used to create open water/wetland spawning areas for the northern pike. The project will provide the largest, highest quality spawning habitat within the Fairmont Chain of Lakes Watershed. DNR fish surveys have shown very low counts of this top(apex) predator in the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes are typical Southern Minnesota lakes that struggle to maintain shoreline vegetation due to development, water clarity, and fluctuating water levels. This lack of appropriate vegetated/wetland areas limits the ability of the northern pike to naturally reproduce and has allowed the Invasive Carp and Yellow Bass populations to grow rapidly. The newly developed area was specifically designed to create habitat preferred by the pike species. In addition, restored floodplain wetlands and improved upland habitat will benefit Blanding?s Turtles, a State of Minnesota Threatened Species. While no Blanding?s Turtles have been identified at the Dutch Creek site, this species has been found on the north part of the lake chain habitat corridor and the south part of the lake chain habitat corridor. This site will provide suitable habitat for the introduction of listed plant species and has the potential to support species like the Monarch, pollinator species and other insects in need of habitat.","A total of 35 acres were affected: 21 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 14 in Enhance.",,"City of Fairmont",1121600,,,0.4,"City of Fairmont","Local/Regional Government","The Fairmont Chain of Lakes habitat restoration project converted almost 35 acres of existing undeveloped and row crop lands into prime habitat. The open water areas were designed to promote northern pike spawning areas to benefit that fish species within the Chain of Lakes. This was accomplished by connecting to the existing Dutch Creek channel that flows adjacent to the project and outlets into the downstream lakes. The restoration included native prairie plantings, removal of invasive species along the Dutch Creek corridor, and restoration of a highly eroded portion of the creek channel utilizing natural vegetation.","A consultant was hired to complete the final design after the city procured the grant funding. During design several partner agencies were consulted to ensure we met as many outcomes of those groups as were financially feasible. The consultant created the final plans and bids were requested. The low-bid contractor was hired to complete the grading and site establishment on the project. They began by excavating several thousand yards of material for the habitat basins. Much of this excavation was intended to be wasted on-site, but the city had another project that required fill so much of the excavated material was repurposed to a city lime pond closure project. This improved habitat included approximately 6 acres of newly created wetland and open water areas. The contractor then addressed a highly eroded bank of Dutch Creek adjacent to the project. This process involved excavation and installation of a significant toe-wood erosion control system. Following the establishment of the toe-wood, the contractor made the connection from Dutch Creek to the newly excavated habitat pond to supply water to the pond and allow fish passage in higher flows. Topsoil was spread back on the site and the subcontractor began establishing the site and installing trees, shrubs and plugs and 29 acres of native prairie plantings. The project included 42 trees, 135 shrubs, 500 live stakes, and 2000 herbaceous plugs. The restoration contractor has been maintaining the plantings through much of 2022. The project will be handed over to a restoration specialist to implement a 3-year vegetation management plan.",,2019-07-01,2022-11-21,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Troy,Nemmers,"City of Fairmont","100 Downtown Plaza ",Fairmont,MN,56031,"(507) 238-3942",tnemmers@fairmont.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Martin,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fairmont-chain-lakes-habitat-restoration-plan-phase-1,,,,
10006490,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase IV",2019,2801000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(c )","$2,801,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements to sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties. Of this amount, $1,005,000 is to the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and $1,796,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Private shoreline habitat and forested parcels totaling 400 acres will be permanently protected from development and fragmentation through conservation easements. 45 acres acres will protect sensitive shoreland and spawn area for muskellunge and walleye on Leech Lake and Cedar Lake that will maintain high biological integrity. Riparian forest lands under easement will maintain healthy habitat complexes for upland and aquatic species; forest cover will enhance water quality habitat for tullibee lakes. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation will be attained through Fee-Title acquisition open to public for hunting and fishing. Conservation easement properties will protect fish habitat to insure high quality fishing opportunities. .",,,417500,"Landowner donation, Cedar Lake Conservancy",2746000,55000,,0.66,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land Trust","State Government","The Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust will protect high priority critical fish habitat and the surrounding watersheds on 30 tullibee ""refuge"" lakes by securing conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. We will permanently protect approximately 445 acres and 1 miles of shoreland in total. If a lake's watershed has less than 25% land disturbance, the lake has a high probability to maintain clean water and healthy lake ecosystem. State reports indicate this region could experience significant water quality and fisheries degradation in the coming decades without direct conservation action. ","Sustaining a strong angling heritage revolves largely around protecting fisheries habitat. Resurging shoreland development pressures and looming climate change are direct threats to Minnesota lakes’ ecology. This project will focus on fisheries habitat protection on lakes that have the best biological integrity for a sustained sport fishery. Our protection efforts are focused on tullibee (aka cisco) a preferred forage fish of walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout. They require cold, well oxygenated waters, a condition most common in lakes with deep water and healthy watersheds. Minnesota DNR Fisheries researchers studied tullibee lakes and designated 68 lakes in Minnesota as the primary ""refuge lakes"" for tullibee that need protection. We are targeting thirty (30) of these lakes located in Hubbard, Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin counties. Many are Minnesota's premier recreational lakes. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to good fish habitat. Due to the high level of interest in the program and its great success to date, we are applying for a Phase IV of this effort. In this phase we will protect strategically important lands with both conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. We will protect 400 acres with conservation easements. The conservation easement partners will include County Soil & Water Districts, MNDNR Fisheries, Minnesota Land Trust and LLAWF, with the Minnesota Land Trust holding the easements. This team will conduct outreach to potential landowners and help evaluate the projects to assure we are prioritizing those projects with the greatest conservation outcomes. In addition, to ensure the best conservation return on the state's investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value will be a key component of the parcel’s evaluation. We also propose to secure a fee-title acquisitions totaling 45 acres. The acquisition on Cedar Lake is in Aitkin County. The Cedar Lake 45 acre proposed fee tile acquisition includes 3,500 ft of sensitive shoreland, including an intact bulrush bed and heavily vegetated wild rice. MN DNR internal score for this WMA expansion effort was 41, the highest score with this prioritization system. This parcel is surrounded by two MNDNR parcels ( Cedar Lake WMA). The acquisition would result in an an expand (100 acre) of the Cedar Lake WMA that includes a public landing.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Lindsey,Ketchel,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation","P.O. Box 455 ",Hackensack,MN,56452,"(218) 675-5773",Lindsey@leechlakewatershed.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-iv,,,,
10011420,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase V",2020,3365000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(d)","$3,365,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties. Of this amount, $841,000 is to Northern Waters Land Trust and $2,524,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Private shoreline habitat and forested parcels totaling 1505 acres will be permanently protected from development and fragmentation through conservation easements. Riparian forest lands under easement will maintain healthy habitat complexes for upland and aquatic species; forest cover will enhance water quality habitat for tullibee lakes. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation will be attained through Fee-Title acquisition open to public for hunting and fishing. Conservation easement properties will protect fish habitat to insure high quality fishing opportunities. .",,,510500,"Landowner donation of easement value, Lake Assoc., Sellers, COLAs and Community Fundraising",3296000,69000,,0.76,"Northern Waters Land Trust, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Land Trust and the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation will protect 603 acres of high priority critical fish habitat and 0.5 mile of shoreline on 16 priority tullibee ""refuge"" lakes and their associated watersheds through conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. We will restore and enhance 60 acres of associated habitat. A lake's ecosystem and water quality have a high probability of being maintained if less than 25% of its watershed is disturbed. State reports indicate this region could experience significant water quality and fisheries degradation in the coming decades without direct conservation.","Sustaining a strong angling heritage revolves largely around protecting fisheries habitat. Resurging shoreland development pressures and looming climate change are direct threats to the ecology of Minnesota's lakes. This project will focus on fisheries habitat protection on lakes that have the best biological integrity for a sustained sport fishery. Our protection efforts are focused on tullibee (aka cisco), a preferred forage fish of walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout. They require cold, well-oxygenated waters, a condition most common in deep water lakes with healthy watersheds. Minnesota DNR Fisheries researchers studied tullibee lakes and designated 68 lakes in Minnesota as the primary ""refuge lakes"" for tullibee that need protection. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to good fish habitat. The Clean Water Critical Habitat (CWCH) Technical Committee evaluated all tullibee lakes in our project area and prioritized 16 lakes for action. In assigning priorities, the CWCH considered: (1) the ecological value of the lake, (2) the percent of the minor watershed currently protected, (3) the number of parcels in the watershed greater than 20 acres in size, (4) partner organizations available for advising on outreach efforts, and (5) investment by other agencies and organizations to protect lands and watersheds. Due to the high level of interest in the program and its great success to date, we are applying for a Phase V of this effort. In this phase we will protect strategically important lands with both conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. We will protect approximately 520 acres with conservation easements. The conservation easement partners will include County Soil & Water Districts, MNDNR Fisheries, Minnesota Land Trust and LLAWF, with the Minnesota Land Trust holding the easements. This team will conduct outreach to potential landowners and help evaluate the projects to assure we are prioritizing those projects with the greatest conservation outcomes. In addition, to ensure the best conservation return on the state's investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value will be a key component of the parcel’s evaluation. We also propose to secure one fee-title acquisition totaling 83 acres. The parcel is on Ten Mile Lake and includes approximately 1,300 feet of sensitive shoreland and 70 acres of northern hardwoods with Freshwater Emergent, Freshwater Forest/shrub and Freshwater Pond wetlands.Finally, we propose to restore and enhance 60 acres of priority shoreland and upland habitat on protected easement and fee title properties to the benefit of the 16 targeted tullibee lakes. Program partners will identify those projects where restoration and enhancement activities will have the greatest impact on impacting the health of these priority lakes.In this phase, LLAWF will conduct landowner outreach to identify landowners interested in participating in the easement program, and oversee the review of applications; LLAWF will also negotiate and bring the fee title acquisition to conclusion. MLT will manage the grant, negotiate and close all associated conservation easements, and serve as project manager for all R/E projects.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust ","2356 University Ave W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(6519176292) -",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-v,,,,
10000086,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase III",2018,1716000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(b)","$1,716,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in permanent conservation easements to sustain healthy fish habitat on cold water lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties for agreements as follows: $113,000 to Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation; and $1,603,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"708 Habitat acres Protected in Easement. ",,310400,"Landowner Donations, Minnesota Land Trust ",1657900,38600,,0.33,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust will protect high priority critical fish habitat and the surrounding watersheds on 38 tullibee ""refuge"" lakes by securing conservation easements. We will permanently protect approximately 400 acres. If a lake's watershed has less than 25% land disturbance the lake has a high probability to maintain clean water and healthy lake ecosystem. State of Minnesota reports indicate this region could see 64% population growth by 2030. Protecting key parcels will help sustain both recreational and sport fisheries in North Central Minnesota. ",,"This project focused on fisheries habitat protection of “tullibee refuge lakes.” Tullibee require cold, well- oxygenated waters—a condition most common in lakes with deep water and healthy watersheds. Thirty-eight (38) of these refuge lakes are located in Hubbard, Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin counties. Minnesota DNR Fisheries research recommends that 75% of a lake’s watershed be in permanent protection to ensure sustained water quality. Tullibee refuge lakes near this threshold were the highest priority for protection. In addition, the DNR’s Sensitive Shoreland data were used to help identify priority lakes where conservation investments could be maximized. Landowner recruitment focused on parcels close to protected land and which had a high potential to expand upland and aquatic habitat complexes. Landowner applications were evaluated based on criteria established by the project’s technical team. To ensure the best conservation return on the state’s investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value was a key component of the parcel evaluation. Best available data (state and county) was used to prioritize projects and maximize outcomes. The 2013 Minnesota DNR Fish Habitat Plan provided strategic guidance. NWLT’s role in the program was focused on targeted landowner recruitment, creation of an interactive online GIS- based Clean Water Critical Habitat map, facilitating the technical team, and administering the grant. MLT provided technical support and worked with landowners to secure conservation easements. Three properties were protected through conservation easements by MLT during this grant. The three are described below. Each is more thoroughly described and illustrated in the Project Summary Sheets uploaded into the final report: Star Lake (United Methodist Church) – Crow Wing County: This spectacular 383-acre property protects over 4.5 miles of shoreline on Star Lake (a lake of outstanding biological significance and tullibee refuge lake), Little Star Lake, Henry Lake, Duck Lake and a perennial stream. Uplands on the property contain high-quality Oak-Aspen Forest, a native plant community considered “vulnerable to extirpation” in Minnesota. Numerous rare wildlife, fish, and plant species have been observed on the property, including least darter, a Minnesota Species of Special Concern. Three Island Lake (Vogel-Knittle) – Cass County: This 347-acre property protects a sweeping landscape of including mesic hardwood forest, pine and hardwood forest, several types of swamp (ash, alder, and tamarack), wet meadow, and 1,214 feet of shoreline on Three Island Lake, a lake of high biological significance. These natural communities provide habitat for a variety of SGCN. Surrounded by Cass County, Chippewa National Forest, and tribal-administered lands, this property provides significant connectivity with surrounding natural lands. The property protects a mosaic of native plant communities. Cooper Lake (YMCA) – Cass County: This 39-acre property is part of a large complex of lands totaling 869 acres that are protected by permanent conservation easements held by MLT and Cass County. This property protects over 2,000 feet of natural shoreline on Cooper Lake, a lake of moderate biological significance and a tullibee refuge lake. The property features a variety of native plant communities. ",2017-07-01,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Annie,Knight,"Northern Waters Land Trust","P.O. Box 124",Walker,MN,56484,"(218) 547-4510",anniek@nwlt-mn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Crow Wing","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-iii,,,,
10019623,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase VII",2022,2838000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(d)","$2,838,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and in permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard counties as follows: $975,000 to Northern Waters Land Trust; and $1,863,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Private shoreline habitat and forested parcels totaling 334 acres will be permanently protected from development and fragmentation through conservation easements. Riparian forest lands under easement will maintain healthy habitat complexes for upland and aquatic species; forest cover will enhance water quality habitat for tullibee lakes. Conservation easement properties will protect fish habitat to ensure high quality fishing opportunities. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation will be attained through Fee-Title acquisition of properties to be conveyed to either Cass County as forest management lands or to the DNR as AMA's and open to public for hunting",,,213100,"County, lake associations, landowner, Lake associations, landowners and Landowner donation of easement value",2781000,57000,,0.76,"Northern Waters Land Trust; MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Northern Waters Land Trust (NWLT) and Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) will protect critical fish habitat within 48 tullibee ""refuge"" lakes and their minor watersheds by securing conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. These efforts are prioritized toward the 15 highest priority tullibee refuge lakes. Through this Fisheries Habitat Protection program, NWLT and MLT are working to protect 75% of each targeted watershed, a measure that provides a high probability of maintaining clean water and healthy lake ecosystems. We will permanently protect approximately 615 acres and 0.6 miles of shoreline through this grant.","Sustaining a strong angling heritage in North Central Minnesota (along with the local economy it drives) revolves largely around protecting fisheries habitat. Resurging shoreland development pressures and looming climate change are direct threats to the ecology of Minnesota's lakes. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to sustaining good fish habitat over the long term; achieving a 75% protection goal for a lake's watershed ensures a highly resilient and healthy lake ecosystem. Our protection efforts are focused on tullibee (aka cisco), a preferred forage fish of walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout. They require cold, well oxygenated waters, a condition most common in lakes with deep water and healthy watersheds. Minnesota DNR Fisheries researchers studied tullibee lakes and designated 68 lakes in Minnesota as the primary ""refuge lakes"" for tullibee that need protection. Our four county area (Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard) includes 48 of these tullibee refuges. We are prioritizing fifteen of these lakes and their minor watersheds. Many are Minnesota's premier recreational lakes. The Clean Water Critical Habitat Technical Committee evaluated all tullibee lakes in our project area and prioritized 15 lakes and their minor watersheds for action. In assigning priorities, the committee considered: (1) ecological value of the lake, (2) percent of the minor watershed currently protected, (3) number of parcels in the watershed greater than 20 acres in size, (4) partner organizations available for advising on outreach efforts, and (5) investment by other agencies and organizations to protect lands and watersheds. Due to the high level of interest in the program and its great success to date, we are applying for a Phase VII of this effort. In this phase, we will protect 615 strategically important acres of land through conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. Program partners will include County Soil & Water Districts, MNDNR Fisheries, Minnesota Land Trust and NWLT. This team will conduct outreach to potential landowners and help evaluate the projects to assure we are prioritizing those projects with the greatest conservation outcomes. In addition, to ensure the best conservation return on the state's investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value will be a key component of the parcel's evaluation. MLT will hold the easements. The proposed fee-title acquisition totals 281 acres. Potential parcels include properties on or within the watersheds of Wabedo Lake, Wabedo/Little Boy/Louise Lakes (which are targeted as a part of a complex to protect for this minor watershed), Washburn Lake, Girl/Woman Lake, and Roosevelt Lake all in Cass County. The parcels would be conveyed to either Cass County as managed forest lands or DNR as Aquatic Management Areas.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kathy,DonCarlos,"Northern Waters Land Trust","800 Minnesota Ave W PO Box 124",Walker,MN,56484,"(218) 547-4510",kathyd@northernwaterslandtrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-vii,,,,
10017810,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase VI (2020)",2021,2814000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(d)","$2,814,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties. Of this amount, $883,000 is to Northern Waters Land Trust and $1,931,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - Private shoreline habitat and forested parcels totaling 341 acres will be permanently protected from development and fragmentation through conservation easements. Riparian forest lands under easement will maintain healthy habitat complexes for upland and aquatic species; forest cover will enhance water quality habitat for tullibee lakes. Conservation easement properties will protect fish habitat to insure high quality fishing opportunities. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation will be attained through a 659 acre Fee-Title acquisition project, to be conveyed to MNDNR Forestry as managed forest lands",,,228700,"Landowner Donation of Easement Value, Landowner, Lake Association and Individuals",2740000,74000,,0.92,"Northern Waters Land Trust, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Northern Waters Land Trust (NWLT), in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), will protect high priority critical fish habitat within 15 tullibee ""refuge"" lakes and their minor watersheds by securing conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. Through this Fisheries Habitat Protection program, NWLT and MLT are working to protect 75% of each targeted watershed, a measure that provides a high probability of maintaining clean water and healthy lake ecosystems. We will permanently protect approximately 1,000 acres through this proposal.","Sustaining a strong angling heritage in North Central Minnesota (along with the local economy it drives) revolves largely around protecting fisheries habitat. Resurging shoreland development pressures and looming climate change are direct threats to the ecology of Minnesota's lakes. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to sustaining good fish habitat over the long term; achieving a 75% protection goal for a lake's watershed ensures a highly resilient and healthy lake ecosystem. Our protection efforts are focused on tullibee (aka cisco), a preferred forage fish of walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout. They require cold, well oxygenated waters, a condition most common in lakes with deep water and healthy watersheds. Minnesota DNR Fisheries researchers studied tullibee lakes and designated 68 lakes in Minnesota as the primary ""refuge lakes"" for tullibee that need protection. We are targeting fifteen (15) of these lakes and their minor watershed located in Hubbard, Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin counties. Many are Minnesota's premier recreational lakes. The Clean Water Critical Habitat (CWCH) Technical Committee evaluated all tullibee lakes in our project area and prioritized 16 lakes and their minor watersheds for action. In assigning priorities, the CWCH considered: (1) the ecological value of the lake, (2) the percent of the minor watershed currently protected, (3) the number of parcels in the watershed greater than 20 acres in size, (4) partner organizations available for advising on outreach efforts, and (5) investment by other agencies and organizations to protect lands and watersheds. Due to the high level of interest in the program and its great success to date, we are applying for a Phase VI of this effort. In this phase, we will protect 1,000 strategically important acres of land 341 acres through conservation easement and 659 acres through fee title acquisition. Program partners will include County Soil & Water Districts, MNDNR Fisheries, MNDNR Forestry, Minnesota Land Trust and NWLT. This team will conduct outreach to potential landowners and help evaluate the projects to assure we are prioritizing those projects with the greatest conservation outcomes. In addition, to ensure the best conservation return on the state's investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value will be a key component of the parcel's evaluation. MLT will hold the easements. NWLT proposes securing a fee-title acquisition totaling 659 acres of The Conservation Fund/former Potlatch properties along Kabekona River in the Kabekona Lake watershed. This parcel adjoins Hubbard County land and would be conveyed to the MN DNR Forestry as managed forest land.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Annie,Johnson,"Northern Waters Land Trust","215 Minnesota Ave PO Box 124",Walker,MN,56484,"(218) 547-4510",AnnieJ@northernwaterslandtrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Cass","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-vi-2020,,,,
23921,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes",2015,2130000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$2,130,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements with the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land Trust to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements to sustain healthy fish habitat on lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties as follows: $1,150,300 to Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation; and $979,700 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A total of 765 acres and 8.9 miles of critical shoreland and forest habitat in the watersheds of strategic North Central Minnesota lakes have been protected through the completion of 5 conservation easements and 1 fee title acquisition. The grant leveraged $1,119,000 through landowner donation of easement and fee value and other sources.  ",,1119000,"Private Source ",1786200,,,0.63,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and the Minnesota Land Trust collectively protected 765 acres and 8.9 miles of critical shoreland and forest habitat in the watersheds of strategic North Central Minnesota lakes through the completion of 5 conservation easements and 1 fee title acquisition. Acreage protection outcomes exceeded that proposed by 151%; shoreland protected exceeded that proposed by 297%. The grant leveraged $1,119,000 through landowner donation of easement and fee value and other sources, exceeding goals by 134%. ","   ","The primary goal of this program was to ensure protection of coldwater fisheries associated with tullibee refuge lakes in north-central Minnesota. These lakes have the best biological integrity necessary for sustaining a sport fishery in the face of development and a changing climate.    Tullibee (also known as cisco) is the preferred forage fish for the production of quality walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, and lake trout. They require cold, well-oxygenated waters, conditions most common in lakes with deep water and functioning watersheds. Tullibee populations are the “canary in the coalmine” for three significant collective threats to Minnesota’s sport fishery: shoreline development, watershed health, and climate warming. As average summer temperatures have increased, tullibee declines have been observed in some lakes. Deep, cold water tullibee lakes that have high quality, well-oxygenated waters and natural, undisturbed land cover along the shorelines and within their watersheds will have the best chance to sustain tullibee populations in the face of these threats and will serve as a “refuge” for the tullibee if annual temperatures increase.    The program focused on land protection via fee title and conservation easement acquisition within the watersheds of 38 tullibee refuge lakes in Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing, and Aitkin counties. A project team, including the MN DNR Fisheries Habitat Coordinator and county SWCDs, prioritized projects to maximize outcomes.   Through the Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase I grant, project partners Northern Waters Land Trust (formerly Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation) and Minnesota Land Trust exceeded proposed goals, including: •    Protection of 765 acres of high quality habitat within priority Tullibee watersheds including both in fee (1 property of 105 acres) and via conservation easements (5 properties over 662 acres). Together, these properties protected 8.9 miles of shoreland. Project sheets summarizing each of these projects have been uploaded as part of this final report. •    Grant outcomes exceed by 151% the total acres and by 297% the total amount of shoreland proposed for protection under this grant.  •    The $2,130,000 grant leveraged $1,014,000 in easement value and $105,000 in fee value donated by landowners participating in the program, and raised through other sources. This amount exceeds that proposed by 127%. Protected Properties include: 1.    Woods Bay, Lake Roosevelt – a 105-acre fee purchase on Woods Bay in Lake Roosevelt (a tullibee refuge lake) that protects high quality habitat including intact old growth forest and the adjacent prime muskie spawning area. The property has been transferred to the MN DNR and is managed as the Roosevelt Lake State Aquatic Management Area. 2.    Whitefish Lake (Haddorff) – a 215-acre easement protecting a stunning stretch of natural habitat and 3,200 feet of shoreline along Whitefish Lake. The property also encompasses nearly all of Kutil Lake and its outflow into Whitefish Lake. 3.    Washburn Lake (Gouze) – a 23-acre easement protecting an important natural habitat corridor between Washburn Lake and Lake George. The easement protects extensive shoreland on both lakes and along Saggett Brook. Washburn Lake is a tullibee refuge lake. 4.    Leech Lake (Arnold) – a 45-acre easement protecting the southern tip of Minnesota Island in Leech Lake’s Steamboat Bay. The property contains abundant wetlands interspersed with small sandy and often forested ridges; wild rice beds are common. 5.    Borden Lake (Lavender Springs) – a 105-acre easement protecting heavily forested land with scattered wetlands at the headwaters of Black Bear Creek, a state-designated trout stream and tributary to Borden Lake (a tulibee refuge lake). 6.    Ten Mile Lake (Deer Lodge, LLC) – A 61-acre easement protecting forests and extensive shoreland wetlands adjacent to Ten Mile Lake, a tulibee refuge lake. In addition, project partners established important supporting procedures and practices that have played an essential part in sustaining the Fisheries Habitat Protection program through this and subsequent phases of funding. These included:  •    NWLT created its Clean Water, Critical Habitat program. This program was used to promote and educate landowners on the benefits of conservation easements and acquisitions, greatly facilitating the success achieved through our Phase 1 grant. •    NWLT engaged a University of Minnesota GIS graduate student through the CURA-CAP program to create priority parcel maps for all tullibee refuge lakes in Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, and Aitkin counties. The associated information was used to develop a mailing list used to promote the program to over 1100 landowners and to seek applicants interested in protecting their lands through conservation easements.  •    NWLT and MLT developed and launched an RFP process (modeled after a “reverse bid” approach pioneered by St. John’s University and MLT in the Avon Hills) to seek applications from interested landowners and encourage competition for limited funds.  •    Criteria for prioritizing parcels (including parcel size, shoreline length, sensitive shoreline designation, wetland area, known aquatic and wildlife habit areas, lake inlets and outlets, and adjacency to public and conservation lands) were established to evaluate prospective projects submitted by interested landowners. An interagency technical team was created to review and score applications to make final project selections. Technical team members represent staff from pertinent SWCD’s, Counties, DNR Fisheries and Wildlife, MLT, and NWLT. •    A scoresheet to assist in project selection was developed, along with associated criteria for scoring projects. GIS analyses using existing data, coupled with information stemming from field visits to potential projects, were used to score the projects. This scoring framework has evolved over time as more data has become available and the methodologies tweaked to better fit local circumstances, resulting in a more sophisticated and inclusive system. •    Outreach to landowners through a local organization has proven invaluable in building landowner recognition of the program and overall success. NWLT maintained contact with landowners—answering questions, publishing email newsletters, making site visits, and, if our program didn’t fit their needs, directing them to other conservation programs sponsored by DNR or SWCD’s. ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Kathy ","DonCarlos ","Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation","PO Box 124",Walker,MN,56484,"(218) 547-4510",kathyd@leechlakewatershed.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes,,,,
35060,"Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes: Phase II",2017,1425000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$1,425,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements with the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land Trust to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements to sustain healthy fish habitat on cold water lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties as follows: $480,000 to Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation; and $945,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $180,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"29 acres Habitat protected in Fee with State PILT Liability and 132 acres Wetland, 378 acres Forest, and 91 acres Habitat for a total of 601 acres Protected in Easement. ",,965000,"Landowner Donation and Local Fundrasing, Landowner Donation and local fundraising ",1220600,39700,,"0.53 ","Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, MN Land Trust and DNR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","600 acres of critical shorelands and diverse forest habitat will be permanently protected in strategic North Central Minnesota watersheds through targeted conservation easements and fee title acquisitions. This program will help sustain high-quality fish habitat. ",,"A recent survey of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported 32 percent of Minnesotans participated in sport fishing, contributing $2.4 billion to the state economy in 2011. Sport fishing is a powerful economic engine in Minnesota and important to its residents’ quality of life. Sustaining a strong angling heritage revolves largely around protecting fisheries habitat necessary for healthy sport fish populations in the near- and long-term future with resurging shoreland development pressures and looming climate changes. This project focused on fisheries habitat protection on lakes that have the best biological integrity for a sustained sport fishery in light of these changes. These lakes are known collectively as “tullibee refuge lakes.” Tullibee (aka cisco) is the preferred forage fish for walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, and lake trout. They require cold, well-oxygenated waters—a condition most common in lakes with deep water and healthy watersheds. Tullibee populations are the “canary in the coalmine” for three significant collective threats to Minnesota’s sport fishery: shoreline development, watershed health, and climate warming. Deep, cold water tullibee lakes with high quality, well-oxygenated waters and natural, undisturbed land cover along the shorelines and within their watersheds will have the best chance to sustain tullibee populations in the face of these threats and will serve as a “refuge” for the tullibee if annual temperatures increase. Minnesota DNR Fisheries researchers studied tullibee lakes and designated 68 lakes in Minnesota as the primary “refuge lakes” for tullibee that need protection. Thirty-eight (38) of these refuge lakes—58 percent—are located in Hubbard, Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin counties. Many are also Minnesota’s premier recreation lakes. Scope of Project: Minnesota DNR Fisheries research recommends that 75% of a lake’s watershed be in permanent protection to ensure sustained water quality. Tullibee refuge lakes near this threshold were the highest priority for protection. In addition, the DNR’s Sensitive Shoreland data were used to help identify priority lakes where conservation investments could be maximized. Landowner recruitment was focus on parcels in close proximity to protected land and which also had a high potential to expand upland and aquatic habitat complexes. Landowner applications were evaluated based on criteria established by the project’s technical team. To ensure the best conservation return on the state’s investment, landowner willingness to donate a portion of the easement value was a key component of the parcel evaluation. Best available data (state and county) was used to prioritize projects andP a g e 3 | 14 maximize outcomes. The 2013 Minnesota DNR Fish Habitat Plan provided strategic guidance. Per the Fish Habitat Plan, nearshore fish habitat in lakes is largely affected by shoreline disturbance and the water quality habitat is determined by the water’s oxygen level and nutrient content. Lakeshore development decreases a lake’s ability to function as a healthy ecosystem for sport fish and their forage, not only by allowing increased runoff, but also through physical fish habitat alteration by lakeshore owners. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to good fish habitat. If 75% or more of its watershed remains forested and permanently protected, a lake has a high probability of sustaining a healthy lake ecosystem. The 38 tullibee refuge lakes in North Central Minnesota all have less than 25% land disturbance in their watersheds and already have some degree of watershed protection. While fisheries habitat protection was the primary focus of this project, creating strategic conservation complexes was an added benefit of permanent protection of forested, non-riparian lands within a tullibee refuge lake’s watershed. A conservation easement or fee title acquisition added adjacent to other protected land will increase the overall conservation impact by creating larger permanently protected complexes of diverse habitat that benefit many species. Fee acquisition and conservation easements were used to achieve permanent conservation of fisheries habitat on strategic parcels primarily in the watersheds of the 38 tullibee refuge lakes in Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing, and Aitkin counties. Protection was targeted to shoreland parcels and key private forested parcels within these lake watersheds. NWLT’s role in the program was focused on targeted landowner recruitment, facilitating the technical team, grant administration, and acquisition of fee projects. MLT provided technical support and worked with landowners to secure conservation easements. Five properties were protected through this grant - one in fee (via NWLT) and four through conservation easements (via MLT). The five completed projects listed below are: NWLT: Woman Lake Aquatic Management Area, Tract 11 – Cass County. The 28.9 acre Lockman Family property was purchased by NWLT and conveyed to the State of Minnesota as part of the Woman Lake Aquatic Management Area. Woman Lake is within the Girl Lake watershed, which is categorized as a cold water tullibee refuge lake. The property has wetlands and sensitive lakeshore with diverse aquatic plants, birds, and other species. MLT: Sucker Brook (Roerick Trust) – Hubbard County. This 76-acre conservation easement is dominated by white cedar swamp and lies adjacent to the 321-acre Lester Lake SNA, Lester Lake AMA and the 100,000+ acre Paul Bunyan State Forest. The centerpiece of the property is the nearly one-mile riparian corridor of Sucker Brook, an important tributary to Kabekona Lake, a designated Tullibee Refuge Lake. MLT: Kabakona River (Hunke) – Hubbard County. The conservation easement protects >7,000 feet of the shoreline along the Kabekona River, a state-designated trout stream, and jack pine woodland communities on the uplands. The river is an important cold-water tributary to Kabekona Lake, an Outstanding Water Resource and a designated Tullibee Refuge Lake. MLT: Eleventh Crow Wing Lake (Olander) – Hubbard. County. This 400-acre property is part of a large landscape of protected natural lands, lying adjacent to the Paul Bunyan State Forest. The property’s rolling terrain supports mixed hardwood-conifer forest, restored grasslands, wetlands, and ponds. Six SGCN have been observed here.P a g e 4 | 14 MLT: Thunder Lake (Steiner) – Cass County. The 49-acre conservation easement contains over one-half mile of shoreline on Thunder Lake, a designated Tullibee Refuge Lake, Lake of Outstanding Biological Significance, and a wild rice lake. ",,2021-08-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Annie,Knight,"Northern Waters Land Trust","P.O. Box 124",Walker,MN,56484,"(218) 547-4510",anniek@nwlt-mn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fisheries-habitat-protection-strategic-north-central-minnesota-lakes-phase-ii,,,,
10019624,"Floodplain Forest Enhancement-Mississippi River, Phase 4",2022,1247000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(e )","$1,247,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society to restore and enhance floodplain forest habitat for wildlife on public lands along the Mississippi River and Mississippi River tributaries. A list of restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - Existing forests within the Mississippi River floodplain have been mapped, including location and tract size. Over time, forested land cover can be re-mapped to determine if forested locations and/or tract size has changed. In addition, forest inventory is being completed by Minnesota DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers to document forest cover, tree species, and size, regeneration, etc. These can be re-surveyed over time to document changes in these parameters",,,179200,Audubon,1213900,33100,,1.28,"National Audubon Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Reed canary grass and other invasive plants are preventing natural tree regeneration and threatening floodplain forests, upland forests, and wildlife alike. The Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries provide a critical habitat corridor for hundreds of species of birds from waterfowl and other game birds to warblers of special concern. This proposal builds on three previous and successful projects and will expand Audubon's work on State and Federal Lands as well as introduce projects on permanently protected private lands. Project work will serve to conserve and maintain forest habitat within State Important Bird Areas and two Conservation Focus Areas.","The forests of Southeast Minnesota are currently poised to experience a shift in species cover and composition. Oak dominated upland forests are slowly converting to shade tolerant maple and invasive species. Floodplain forests are shifting away from native tree cover and towards invasive grass. While forests are never stagnant, these forests require intervention to ensure they remain a healthy and sustainable resource for the state of Minnesota. From Hastings, Minnesota to the Iowa border, the Mississippi River and its major tributaries contain some of the largest and most significant tracts of floodplain and river bluff forest along the entire Upper Mississippi River. These forests and mixed wetlands cover thousands of acres and are especially critical to many species of birds and other wildlife, including Wood Ducks, Bald Eagles and multiple songbird species of conservation concern which use these areas for nesting and feeding. The upland forest adjacent to the Mississippi River and its tributaries provide excellent wildlife habitat and help support the greater river corridor migratory pathway. Special concern species such as the Cerulean Warbler are well known to use both floodplain forest and upland forest, even preferring habitats where they have access to both. While historically diverse in the number, age, and size of tree species, much of the floodplain forest now consists of silver maple aged 50 - 70+ years old. These trees are expected to live another 50-70 years, after which they will die naturally. Unfortunately, when trees are lost, reed canary grass and other invasive species move in and prevent natural regeneration. This is occurring at a number of locations within the project area, and without aggressive, long-term management these floodplain forests will be greatly reduced or in some cases disappear completely. Adjacent upland forests are beginning to shift away from their historical oak dominance and are becoming infested with invasive species. A lack of fire and increased maple dominance threatens wildlife and timber value within these upland forests. Without management both forest communities will continue to decline along with their ability to support wildlife. Project locations and habitats were selected based on state level Conservation Focus Areas and Important Bird Areas. Project work will include selectively controlling invasive plants like buckthorn and reed canary grass across the habitat gradient. Forest stand improvements will be used to improve wildlife tree structure. Site preparations will create the appropriate conditions for natural and artificial tree regeneration. Trees will be planted underneath poor forest canopies and in open areas where forest previously existed. Understory treatments like mowing and fire will be used to control unwanted vegetation and release desirable trees. As a result of this management floodplain forest habitat will expand while the adjacent upland forests will offer more resources to wildlife. Sites were collaboratively identified with MN DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Projects will be accomplished using a variety of contractors, Conservation Corps Minnesota Crews and in house labor. In total 3,445 acres will be enhanced.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Andrew,Beebe,"Audubon Minnesota","1 West Water Street ","St Paul",MN,55107,"(608 8819707",abeebe@audubon.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/floodplain-forest-enhancement-mississippi-river-phase-4,,,,
23927,"Floodplain Forest Enhancement - Mississippi River",2015,300000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(h)","$300,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with National Audubon Society to enhance floodplain forest habitat for wildlife on public lands along the Mississippi River. A list of restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected. ",,18000,"Private grants ",300000,,,0.15,"National Audubon Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Floodplain forest enhancement projects were implemented at 10 sites covering 292 acres along the Mississippi River from Red Wing to the Iowa border.  We completed site preparation; controlled invasive species; planted trees and shrubs using a combination of direct seeding, bare root seedlings and large, potted trees; protected trees from deer and voles; completed post tree planting weed control; and installed willow and cottonwood cuttings.  Outcomes varied by site, ranging from poor to excellent tree seedling survival.    ",,"Audubon’s floodplain forest enhancement program was designed to sustain floodplain forest along the Mississippi River and the lower ends of major tributaries. These forests, which provide critical habitat for forest dependent birds, are under threat from invasive species like reed canary grass. Without active management these forests will continue to decline over time. Our program focused on controlling invasive species and regenerating a variety of tree and shrub species. We prepared sites for planting or natural regeneration using herbicide, disking, or mowing; planted tree seedlings, cottonwood cuttings, or direct seeded; protected trees from deer and voles; improved tree vigor and growth through selective thinning; and controlled weeds (herbicide, mowing) after planting. Our geographic scope included the Mississippi River from Hastings to the Iowa border, and the lower ends of major tributaries. Much of this area included state forest, Wildlife Management Areas, or National Wildlife and Fish Refuge lands. Our priorities were determined in cooperation with MN DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers. All projects were on public lands owned and managed by these agencies. Priorities were based on forest condition and threats, habitat needs, logistics, and access. Our goal was to prevent or control invasive species long enough to establish forest canopy and maintain a diverse forest structure that benefits birds and other wildlife. Our objectives were designed to utilize a variety of enhancement tools, monitor results, and apply that information to designing new projects. A description of each project is provided below. For several sites additional work will be completed with Phase 2 of our floodplain forest enhancement program. At Gores WMA, a 20-acre site north of Red Wing, we completed site preparation, planted bare root seedlings on 10 acres, and completed post planting weed control following tree planting on 10 additional acres that had been previously planted by US Army Corps of Engineers. At the Cannon River Collischan Road Willow Project, a 10-acre site near Red Wing, we treated reed canary grass and cut willow trees along strips to encourage aggressive expansion of willows to prevent reed canary grass encroachment into adjacent high quality floodplain forest. At Dukes Pond, a 22-acre site near Red Wing, we completed site preparation on 15 acres along the edge of existing high quality floodplain forest. Our intention was to plant trees the next fall on the treated area, but unusually high water prevented this from occurring. Bare root seedlings and potted trees had been purchased, so instead of planting the treated areas we planted 7 adjacent acres where DNR Forestry was planning a timber harvest. The planted trees will regenerate when the canopy opens up following harvest, and before reed canary grass can become established. At North Clear Lake, a 9-acre site north of Red Wing, bare root seedlings were planted in the understory of existing floodplain forest scheduled for harvest by DNR Forestry. The planted trees will give a head start to regeneration when the canopy opens up following harvest, and before reed canary grass can become established. At East Indian Creek Delta, a 55-acre site north of Weaver, site preparation was completed and tree and shrub seedlings were planted in an area dominated by ash trees. Shade tolerant seedlings will grow when the canopy opens up due to the death and decline of older trees. At Whitewater Delta, a 51-acre site near Weaver, buckthorn was removed and bare root seedlings and potted trees were planted in an area dominated by ash trees with pockets of reed canary grass. The seedlings will grow when the canopy opens up due to emerald ash borer impacts on the exiting trees. At Whalen Tract, a 55-acre site just north of the Iowa border, a variety of activities were completed including site preparation, tree planting, cottonwood cuttings, and post planting weed control. At Whitewater DNR, a 16-acre site approximately 5 miles upstream of the mouth of the Whitewater River, site preparation and direct seeding were completed. At Cannon River Bottoms State Forest, a 30-acre site near Red Wing, site preparation was completed and tree seedlings and potted trees were planted in open pockets of reed canary grass within existing forest scheduled for harvest. At Root River, a 93-acre site near La Crescent, a variety of activities were completed including site preparation, tree planting, cottonwood cuttings, direct seeding, and post planting weed control. At four of the above sites (Cannon River Collischan Road Willow project, Whitewater DNR, Root River, Whalen Tract) up to 8 acres within or near each site was also treated for reed canary grass and planted with different tree species and stock types. This was part of a LCCMR study evaluating reed canary grass control, and tree survival and growth. Evaluating success will take time. Because trees are slow growing, it can take a decade or longer for them to grow large enough to form a canopy, which will ultimately determine the success of these projects. Preliminary findings indicate initial survival of seedlings was variable. At some sites, post planting observations suggest low survival, however, small seedlings are difficult to locate in the forest understory. First year survival of bare root seedlings at the LCCMR study sites was 80-90%. Survival of potted trees at many sites was good, however there was some damage from deer. Other findings resulting from this grant included: post tree planting weed control and maintenance is essential for tree seedling survival; tree guards and deer repellent are effective at protecting trees from deer and voles; cottonwood cuttings were relatively easy to install and effective at establishing trees; swamp white oak were resilient, relatively fast growing, and resistant to deer browse making them a good choice for these sites; plantings on drier sites, with proper maintenance, take less time to establish than wetter sites; good natural regeneration can occur on some sites after exposing mineral soils; and back-up sites are needed to adjust to flooding situations which may prevent scheduled tree plantings. These findings have been incorporated into project management prescriptions. ",2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Schlagenhaft,"The National Audubon Society","2000 W. Main","Red Wing",MN,55066,"(651) 764-4242",tschlagenhaft@audubon.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Goodhue,"Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/floodplain-forest-enhancement-mississippi-river,,,,
35050,"Floodplain Forest Enhancement - Mississippi River, Phase 2",2017,412000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(i)","$412,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society to restore and enhance floodplain forest habitat for wildlife on public lands along the Mississippi River. A list of restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"460 acres Forest enhancement . ",,86000,"USFWS, private donors, foundation grants, private donors, foundation grants ",412000,,,0.40,"National Audubon Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Reed canary grass is preventing natural regeneration of trees and threatening floodplain forests and wildlife along the Mississippi. This effort builds on previous LSOHC funding to control reed canary grass and plant trees as part of a long-term effort. ",,"Audubon’s floodplain forest enhancement program was designed to help sustain and enhance floodplain forest along the Mississippi River and the lower ends of major tributaries. The existing forest is dominated by mature silver maple (Acer saccharinum) trees which are starting to die back and there are not enough young trees in the forest to replace them. The forest lacks young trees largely because of the regular flooding and the presence of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), an invasive grass that grows in thick mats and inhibits the germination and growth of tree seedlings. In addition to the loss of mature trees and the lack of young trees, forest diversity is also declining because of dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) which kill the older elm and ash that were once more common in these stands. These forests provide critical habitat for forest dependent birds but without active management they will continue to decline in quality and quantity over time. Our program is focused on managing invasive species and regenerating a variety of tree and shrub species to improve bottomland forest habitat for birds. We prepared sites for planting or natural regeneration using herbicide, disking, or mowing. We planted bare root tree seedlings, cottonwood cuttings, or direct seeded trees including oaks and walnuts. We used tree tubes to protect trees from deer and voles; improved tree vigor and growth through selective thinning; and controlled weeds through herbicide treatments and mowing after planting. Our geographic scope included the Mississippi River from Hastings, MN to the Iowa border and the lower ends of major tributaries. Much of this land in SE Minnesota includes state forests, Wildlife Management Areas, or National Wildlife and Fish Refuge lands. Our priorities were determined in cooperation with MN Department of Natural Resources, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers. All projects were on public lands owned and managed by these agencies. Priorities were based on forest condition and threats, habitat needs, logistics, and access. Our goal was to manage invasive species long enough to establish young trees that will be the future forest canopy and maintain a diverse forest structure that benefits birds and other wildlife. Our objectives were designed to utilize a variety of enhancement tools, monitor the results, and apply that information to designing new projects. A description of each project is provided below. For some sites additional work may be continued with Phase 3 and Phase 4 of our floodplain forest enhancement program. Cannon River Bottoms / Collischan South (30 acres) This project was postponed in 2016 due to high water. A contractor treated 30 acres with herbicide during late summer 2017, and then planted 5000 bare root (BR) silver maple seedlings and 2400 Root Production Method (RPM) seedlings of silver maple, Ohio buckeye, river birch, Kentucky coffee tree, tulip tree, black gum, and sycamore during fall 2017. The contractor planted an additional 4600 BR seedlings during spring 2018. Reno Bottoms (60 acres) At the north end of Reno Bottoms, a contractor girdled 162 trees and treated the cuts with herbicide. Patches of reed canary grass were treated with herbicide and re-seeded with Virginia and Canada wild rye. Hardwood treesP a g e 3 | 11 were planted to maintain existing quality forest. In November 2018 a contractor planted RPM 50 Swamp White Oak, 50 Kentucky Coffee Trees, and hand seeded 5 lbs. of button bush. Richmond Island (10 acres) At Richmond Island we reduced black locust density, and treated buckthorn and honeysuckle with herbicide in late 2017 and early 2018. Root River (150 acres) This project has multiple phases including herbicide treatments, site preparation, direct seeding, planting bare root seedlings, planting RPM trees, planting cottonwood cuttings, timber stand improvement and post treatment weed control. In fall of 2018 we planted 200 swamp white oak bare root seedlings into mounds 1 ft. high and 2 ft. wide. We also planted 700 cottonwood cuttings, 550 swamp white oak RPM, an additional 1300 swamp white oak BR, 100 southern pin oak BR, and 50 bur oak BR. We also direct seeded 120 lbs. of swamp white oak acorns. In 2019 we planted 500 swamp white oak RPM trees. We also direct seeded silky dogwood, red dogwood, grey dogwood, nannyberry, and button bush. The Root River site will receive continued management in phase 3 and 4. Wabasha Bottoms (100 acres) We conducted a timber sale to enlarge gaps for tree planting. The harvest technique was used intentionally to create openings for tree planting and natural regeneration. In the fall of 2018, the openings were treated with herbicide. The gaps were planted with 2000 swamp white oak BR, 50 swamp white oak RPM, and 50 Kentucky coffee tree RPM. Unfortunately, spring flooding in 2019 killed the bare root seedlings and the Kentucky coffee trees. Within the southernmost harvested gaps, great silver maple regeneration was present, but did not persist. Whalen (8 acres) We completed multiple herbicide applications around trees planted in 2014 and 2015 to reduce competition with reed canary grass. We conducted site preparation for future plantings including mowing and disking. We collected cottonwood cuttings and planted 100 cottonwood spears. Unfortunately only 20% of the cottonwood planting survived, but the trees that did survive are 20 feet tall healthy Cottonwood. We speculated that our source population might not have been vigorous. By taking cuttings off the surviving cottonwood we hope to build a good source of strong trees thatwe can continue harvesting from in the future. Whitewater DNR (16 acres) We applied an herbicide treatment during the summer of 2016 but the fall of 2016 was too wet to do second herbicide treatment or to complete direct seeding. Herbicide was applied again during the summer/fall 2017. The area was direct seeded in spring 2018 with 6 bushels of Swamp white oak, 6 bushels bur oak, 3 bushel red oak, 3 bushel white oak, 3 bushels bitternut hickory, and 3 bushels of shagbark hickory. ",,2021-11-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Jeffrey ",Butler,"Audubon Minnesota","N5727 County Road Z",Onalaska,WI,54650,"(419) -270-9142",jeffrey.butler@audubon.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/floodplain-forest-enhancement-mississippi-river-phase-2,,,,
35088,"Forest Habitat Protection Revolving Account",2017,1000000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(h)","$1,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements for wildlife habitat purposes, for forest consolidation and connective corridor purposes, or to prevent forest fragmentation under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. Proceeds from any subsequent sale of lands acquired with this appropriation must be used for the purposes of this appropriation. Any sale proceeds remaining unused upon close of the appropriation availability must be returned to the outdoor heritage fund. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Unless otherwise provided, this appropriation is available until June 30, 2022. For acquisition of real property, this appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, if a binding agreement with a landowner or purchase agreement is entered into by June 30, 2022, and closed no later than June 30, 2023. Of this amount, up to $50,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation. This project will permanently protect approximately 379 acres of private forestland with conservation easements that will prevent fragmentation and conversion of forestlands and protect habitat from destructive uses..A forest land base that contributes to the habitat picture.",,,,,996000,4000,,0.05,DNR,"State Government","This proposal would acquire forest lands of significant natural resource and strategic location values and then resell those same lands previously acquired with this grant, subject to a Conservation Easement. Process would be repeated with land sale proceeds.","Discussion of the Problem: There are many privately owned, forested parcels across the state that contain important habitat and other conservation values that make them desirable for either fee or conservation easement protection. Their value as conservation lands are many: These lands provide: 1) Access to state lands for resource management and for the recreating public; 2) Critical habitat for species of concern; 3) Connecting corridors between habitat blocks; 4) Key in holdings in larger blocks of forestland; or 5) Productive working forest that support local timber jobs. For some parcels, full fee ownership may be the most desirable option but for others, an easement interest may be sufficient to address our conservation goals and generally result in more efficient, cost-effective protection for selected parcels. These parcels may become available for sale by the owners who may only consider a sale in fee, but not an easement sale. In those cases, we either have to buy in fee or pass on the parcel. This proposal is an attempt to expand the toolbox for those parcels where fee sales are the only option. Under this proposal the state would: 1. Identify lands of interest and interested sellers. Year 1 and ongoing. Several potential parcels of interest have been identified in the parcel list. Other parcels will be considered for the final selection.2. Acquire the forest land in fee. Years 1-4. Up to 16 parcels will be targeted.3. Develop the conservation easement appropriate to the parcel. Years 1-5.4. Resell the lands subject to the conservation easement. Years 2-5. Estimated cost to sell parcels is approximately $13,600/parcel. 5. Dedicate funds for conservation stewardship. Years 2-5.6. Repeat the process with the sale proceeds as time allows or return the remaining funds. Years 2-5. We estimate that parcels will resell for between 40-60% of initial purchase price depending on final easement terms.Easements secured under this program would be perpetual and would be drafted to protect the essential habitat, access, and other conservation values of the individual tracts. Forests would be protected from conversion to non-forest uses. Depending on the site, limited public assess through the property to other public lands may be secured, but for most parcels public access for hunting and fishing would not be provided. The conservation easement would limit those developments and activities that negatively impact habitat values and would require forest stewardship plans that guide the landowners' use of the property. Hunting camps and possibly cabins, appropriately located, may be allowed to encourage those traditional forest uses such as hunting and fishing.Outcomes for this project include: 1. Increased management access and public access to public lands; 2. Habitat protection; 3. Connectivity of habitats and the prevention of forest fragmentation; 4. Stewardship planning provides opportunities to involve private landowners in habitat protection; 5. Lands remain in private ownership and provide local property taxes; 6. Encourages traditional forest uses.",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,F.,"MN DNR Forestry","1810 - 30th St. NW ",Faribault,MN,55021,"(5073332012) -",richard.f.peterson@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, St. Louis, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forest-habitat-protection-revolving-account,,,,
776,"MN Forests for the Future / Upper Mississippi Project, Phase 1 & 2",2010,36000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3","$18,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $18,000,000 in fiscal year 2011 are to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land or permanent working forest easements on private forests in areas identified through the Minnesota forests for the future program under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. Priority must be given to acquiring land or interests in private lands within existing Minnesota state forest boundaries. Any easements acquired must have a forest management plan as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 290C.02, subdivision 7. A list of proposed fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The fiscal year 2011 appropriation is available only for acquisitions that, by August 15, 2009, are: (1) subject to a binding agreement with the commissioner; and (2) matched by at least $9,000,000 in private donations.",,"190,622",,,,36000000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Our program/project will protect and maintain intact forest ecosystems through the use of perpetual conservation easements and other tools. This program/project will directly protect approximately 187, 277 acres of forest and wetlands with permanent conservation easements and 1,344 acres with fee acquisition.","This proposal will protect nearly 190,000 acres of private forest through the use of working forest conservation easements and fee acquisition that will prevent forestland conversion and parcelization. The highest priority blocks of forest within Minnesota's forested subsections will be targeted for permanent protection. Acquisitions will prevent development, assure traditional public access for hunting and fishing, and allow for sustainable forest management. The sale of large timber company holdings in Minnesota is part of a national trend. These large blocks of forest provide critical connectivity with public conservation lands. Private and public forest lands interact to create a working forest across the landscape that provides essential benefits Minnesotans deeply care about. The vision of the MFF is to protect up to 530,000 acres of private forests over the next 25 years (see Minnesota Forests for the Future: Strategic Report. April 2008). The current request reflects an accelerated acquisition program over the next 3-4 years in order to take advantage of a short window of opportunity to protect some of the largest, remaining blocks of private forestland in the state. Projects funded under this program will protect forests, prevent forest fragmentation and encourage forest consolidation - outcomes consistent with Minnesota Statutes 97A.056. The state faces a major challenge today and in the future due to the thousands of acres of privately owned forest being sold across Minnesota. These forestland sales can impact the state's ability to sustain its forests for multiple public benefits including fish and wildlife habitat, public recreation, and forest products production. Forest conversion from development and parcelization can lead to forest fragmentation, or the creation of many small forest ""islands"" separated by nonforested areas. Forest conversion and fragmentation erodes the functioning of the remaining natural system, reducing the forest's resilience to disturbances such as windstorms, fire, climate change and invasive species. Conversion and fragmentation also endangers habitat for native wildlife species, especially for larger mammals such as bears and wolves, which require large tracts of undeveloped land. Additionally, development and parcelization is a threat to public access of forests. In cooperation with partners and stakeholders, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will identify and protect the most critical large blocks of forestland in Minnesota. Prioritized projects will: provide permanent protection to forests and associated habitats; continue traditional public access and uses including hunting and fishing; and allow for the sustainable harvest of timber and other forest products. This proposal can have a significant impact at a landscape scale due to the immediate opportunities presented by several high priority projects within the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Pre-acquisition activities including conservation easement negotiations and appraisals are either completed or underway on these key projects. Additional project identification, prioritization and protection will be completed during 2010 through 2013. This project/program has been recommended and supported by local governments including Itasca County. Specific conservation values protected by this project proposal include: significant forest resources that are intended to be used for commercial timber production and which are an important element of the local, state, and regional economy; ?economically and environmentally important private forestlands that are threatened by fragmentation, parcelization and conversion to non-forest uses; the adjacency of the Protected Property to numerous parcels of public lands under forest management where coordination of harvests and related activities is important for the management of public lands; and ?water features, including 30 miles of state-designated trout streams and 121 miles of other streams, 133 miles of lake and pond shoreline, and over 60,000 acres of wetlands, which features provide value to water quality, habitat for species and natural communities, and enhance the public?s recreational experience; significant cultural areas and native plant communities and wildlife species habitat as identified by the Minnesota Natural Heritage Program and other sources; native forests and natural ecosystems and unique geologic features including an intact esker; views of the Protected Property from 36 miles of publicly-recognized scenic roadways; the adjacency of the Protected Property to numerous parcels of public land thereby providing a buffer to the habitat and other values provided on said public parcels; the adjacency of the Protected Property to numerous public parcels of land which provides access to said public lands; 82 miles of snowmobile trails and 262 miles of off-highway vehicle routes including 32 miles of state-designated off-highway vehicle trails; Over 187,000 acres for the public for other, non-motorized uses including hunting, fishing, trapping, cross-country skiing, birdwatching, berry picking, hiking, snow shoeing; and A corridor established for hiking and cross-country skiing trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail, which trail has been recognized by the United States Congress and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as providing state and nationally significant scenic, recreational, historic, natural, and cultural qualities. ","Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/3.pdfThis proposal will protect over 190,000 acres of private forest through the use of working forest conservation easements and fee acquisition that prevents forestland conversion and parcelization. The highest priority blocks of forest within Minnesota’s forested subsections will be targeted for permanent protection. Acquisitions will prevent development, assure traditional public access for hunting and fishing, and allow for sustainable forest management. The sale of large timber company holdings in Minnesota is part of a national trend. These large blocks of forest provide critical connectivity with public conservation lands. Private and public forest lands interact to create a working forest across the landscape that provides essential benefits Minnesotans care deeply about. The vision of the Minnesota Forests for the Future Program is to protect up to 530,000 acres of private forests over the next 25 years (see Minnesota Forests for the Future: A Strategic Report. April 2008). The current request reflects an accelerated acquisition program over the next 3-4 years in order to take advantage of a short window of opportunity to protect some of the largest, remaining blocks of private forestland in the state. Projects funded under this program will protect forests, prevent forest fragmentation and encourage forest consolidation –outcomes consistent with Minnesota Statutes 97A.056.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Richard,F.,DNR,"1810 - 30th St. NW ",Faribault,None,55021,5073332012,richard.f.peterson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Itasca, Kanabec, Kanabec","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-forests-future-upper-mississippi-project,,,,
802,"Fountain Lake Fish Barriers, Phase 1",2010,655000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$655,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to construct fish barriers at three locations on Fountain Lake. Land acquisition necessary for fish barrier construction is permitted. A list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of barriers, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed barrier.",,"Restored 3 shallow lakes, protect 20 miles of habitat buffers along streams",,295000,"local option 2009 sales tax ",655000,,,1,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This program will install fish barriers at (3) three locations on in the Watershed District to exclude carp and other rough fish that destroy fish habits and aquatic vegetation and stir-up phosphorous rich sediments that cause algal blooms and cause water quality impairments. The project will allow for effective carp control in an effort to improve fish habitat, fish spawning and habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Improving the fish habitat has a clear and measurable residual value in improving water quality and aquatic vegetation. These projects are provided for in the Districts Ten year plan and complement the work completed on the Edgewater Land-fill project and provide a crucial step in the overall lake management of Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake. ","The Districts Chain of Lakes are highly visible, heavily used urban lake that forms the center of the City of Albert Lea.? The Chain of Lakes in these project forms the upper headwater area of the Shell Rock River Watershed.? The District is the headwater for the impaired waters of the Shell Rock River, which eventually drains into the Mississippi River.? The Shell Rock River Watershed District Clean Water Initiative encompasses 246 square miles in Freeborn ounty and includes 11 lakes that drain to the Shell Rock River which flows into the Cedar River.? Water Qaulity in mahy of the Lakes and waterways is poor due to high turbidity largely caused by carp. Water quality in this Chain of Lakes has been assessed to be poor due to high turbidity, excessive nutrients and the lack of rooted aquatic vegetation resulting in algai blooms, oxygen depletion and water quality impairments.? Studies conducted in similar shallow lakes and fish population assessments in these lakes have shown that high populations of Common Carp, other species and bottom feeding rough fish consume rooted aquatic vegetation, stir up phosphorous ruch sediments and increases turbidity, reduce light penetratio and cause algae blooms responsible for oxygen delpetion.? Assessments of these lakes's carp population has determined that the large population of foraging rough fish is detrimental to the ecolocy of the lake having adverse affects on shoreline and littoral habitat for destroying hydrophytic vegetation, game fish, spawning habitat, waterfowl nesting, breeding and feeding habitat and is adversely affecting fish, migratory bird and waterfowl, mammal and invertebrate populations in the entore area.? The project proposed to control carp by preventing upstream and downstream migration of the fish by installing fish barriers.? The SRRWD project would install electrical fish barriers at the two inlets for Fountain Lake located at the Wedge Creek inlet and White Lake inlet.? Installing mechanical fish barrier at the utlet of Fountain Lake in Downtown Alber Lea. Controling the carp population will also enhance the fisheries of the lakes.? The increase in nutrients and algai growth caused by the actions of carp can cause the bottom waters of lakes to lose oxygem during both the sumer and winter months.? Thsi can cause stress in native fish species and even fish kills where entire populations are destroyed.? Controlling the carp population can help reduce the stress on the naive fish species.? Upon installation of the barriers, a treatment will be applied and water clarity will increase from a few inches to meters.? The lake will then be stocked with fame fish.? The Fountain Lake fish barriers will complement similar fish barriers installed in 2008 on Mud Lake, up-gradient of Fountain Lake. The anticipated outcomes will restore and enhance the water quality, rooted aquatic vegetation, fish and widlife habitat and will increase and enhance the community use of this important recreational resource in the center of Albert Lea.? The strategy of carp/rough fish control and exclusion is know to be effective and is a program endorsed and being conducted with technical assistance and cooperation with DNR Fisherie and Wildlife Divisions and the MN PCA.? he fish barriers will be installed in cooperation with the City of Albert Lea and MN DNR efforst to eradicate the existig carp population and re-indroduce game fish (sunfish, crappie, bass, and northerns).? Water quality improvements and habitat restoration and enhancements are anticipated as soon as the carp are eradicated and prevented from re-entering Fountain Lake.? Visible and measurable effects are anticipated within 2-3 years. Fountain Lake has public access and is open to public fishing, hunting and trapping during the regular open season.? The fish barrier project has been identified as a high priority in the SRRWD Management Plan, a plan developed with public participation nod subject to public review and approval by the SRRWD Board.? There are no known opponents or anticipated barriers to completion of the project.? The project will be highly visible and is seen as a benefit to the entire community. ? ","Final Accomplishment Plan Report ",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Brett,Behnke,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","411 S. Broadway ","Albert Lea",None,56007,"(507) 377-5785",brett.behnke@co.freeborn.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/fountain-lake-fish-barriers,,,,
10000087,"Goose Prairie",2018,600000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(c)","$600,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed District, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, to enhance aquatic and upland habitat within and adjacent to the Goose prairie Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Clay County. A list of proposed land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The Goose Prairie Marsh is almost entirely contained within Goose Prairie WMA. The WMA is 490 acres and consists of approximately 318 acres of wetlands and 172 acres of upland grassland and forest. Native northern dry prairie has been identified on 23.5 acres of the WMA by MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. In addition, the Goose Prairie WMA is part of a large habitat complex in the general area. Within five miles of the Goose Prairie WMA, there are approximately 1,420 acres of WMA, 5,520 acres of WPA, and 120 acres of Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easements. This project will protect approximately an additional 270 acres of wetland and upland habitats adjacent to the WMA. Goose Prairie WMA is rated a moderate biodiversity significance rating by the Minnesota Biological Survey meaning that the site contains occurrences of rare species and/or moderately disturbed native plant communities, and/or landscapes that have a strong potential for recovery.","A total of 490 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 490 in Enhance.",227000,"Wild Rice Watershed District",600000,,,None,"Wild Rice Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Goose Prairie Marsh Enhancement Project was completed to allow resource mangers the capacity to manage water levels in Goose Prairie Marsh through installation of a water control structure and a new outlet channel from the marsh to the control structure. The primary purpose of the project was to improve habitat conditions within the shallow lake and the associated upland habitats within and adjacent to the existing WMA. Secondary benefits included additional protections of lands adjacent to the WMA, improved water quality, and spring flood risk reduction downstream.","The Goose Prairie Marsh Enhancement project is located approximately 2 miles northeast of Hitterdal, MN in Goose Prairie Township, Clay County. The marsh is part of the Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Clay County Ditch 18 (CD 18) was constructed through this area in about 1915. As a result, prior the project, water levels in Goose Prairie Marsh could not be managed to improve wildlife habitat using the lake's natural outlet. Since the early 1990's the lake had been at historically high levels due to above average precipitation and constricted flow through the historic outlet channel due to a buildup of sediment and cattails. These high-water levels resulted in substantially degraded habitat conditions in the marsh. The Goose Prairie Marsh Enhancement project consisted of three primary components: installation of a water control structure, realignment of the outlet channel from the marsh to the water control structure, and land acquisition adjacent to the existing WMA. Each are described in more detail in the following sections. 1) Water control structure ? The water control structure was constructed of reinforced concrete with six, 5-foot stoplog bays to allow water level manipulation between from 1203.6 and 1208.5 feet (NAVD 88). The water control structure is located near the center of Section 22, T141, R44W adjacent to 115th Avenue North. A reinforced concrete outlet pipe was installed to convey water leaving the structure under the road. 2) Realignment of the existing outlet channel - The project constructed a new channel between the Goose Prairie Marsh and the water control structure. The new channel effectively conveys water from the marsh to the new outlet and will avoids future wetland impacts and habitat loss associated with cleaning out the previous channel (CD18).",,2017-07-01,2023-07-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tara,Jensen,"Wild Rice Watershed District","11 5th Ave E ",Ada,MN,56510,"(218) 784-5501",tara@wildricewatershed.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Clay,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/goose-prairie,,,,
9823,"Grand Marais Creek Outlet Restoration",2013,2320000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$2,320,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Red Lake Watershed District to restore and enhance stream and related habitat in Grand Marais Creek. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 117 acres of wetlands, 193 acres of prairies, and 72 acres of habitats.",,3863100,"State and other governmental units",2320000,,,,"Red Lake Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","Directly restore six miles of stream habitat, the hydrologic conditions needed to support 400 acres of habitat corridor, and effectively reconnect more than 20 miles of the Grand Marais Creek.",,"The project design and scope included the restoration of six miles of natural channel based on sound scientific principles of natural channel design, hydrology, and fluvial geomorphology, restoration of stream hydrology managing a range of stream flows through the design and construction of a flow diversion structure that will operate in a manner to sustain aquatic habitat conditions in the channel, reestablishment of nearly 400 acres of riparian corridor habitat and generally serving as a 50 yr. frequency channel floodplain, and restoration of adjacent upland upland which was abandoned and mostly farmed for the past 50+ years, and providing for public roadway and recreational/agricultural channel crossings as fish passage friendly. The project restored permanent and seasonal spawning and juvenile habitat to a variety of fish species, including northern pike and channel catfish. Additional project benefits included restoration of permanent and seasonal habitats for many aquatic and terrestrial plant and upland animal species that depend on healthy riparian corridor habitat (already acquired through RIM). The restored channel corridor provides a more functional, reliable connection between the Red River and more than 20 miles of upstream riverine and wetland habitats in Grand Marais Creek. The watershed district initiates projects based on priority problems identified in the watershed district plan (http://www.redlakewatershed.org/planupdate.html). This project addressed and fulfilled a much larger scope of work in the entire Grand Marais Creek sub-watershed. The entire scope of work will result in reduced flood damages, enhancement of natural resources and improvement of water quality. This stream habitat restoration project has completed a comprehensive watershed-based approach to managing water and habitat in the Grand Marais Creek watershed that has included strategic storage of 5,400 ac-feet and almost 1,100 acres of wetland and grassland restoration. Throughout the sub-watershed, targeted channel stabilization projects, buffer strip installation and erosion reduction projects at the outlet have now been completed. The Red Lake Watershed District and their partners secured CWLF through the BWSR to stabilize the existing Grand Marais Outlet Channel corridor/legal drainage system. This project was substantially completed in late 2013. Due to short timeframe for seeding native prairie grass and inclimate weather in 2014 final seeding was completed in 2015 . The completion of the Grand Marais Creek Outlet Restoration and Stabilization Projects is the result of careful planning and engineering by an interdisciplinary project team of resource professionals and local landowners dedicated to reducing flood damages and enhancing natural resources in the Grand Marais Creek sub-watershed within Red River watershed. ",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Myron,Jesme,"Red Lake Watershed District","1000 Pennington Avenue South","Thief River Falls",MN,56701,"(218) 681-5800",jesme@wiktel.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Polk,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/grand-marais-creek-outlet-restoration,,,,
10006491,"Grassland Conservation Partnership, Phase III",2019,1468000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(k)","$1,468,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Conservation Fund, in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance high-priority grassland, prairie, and wetland habitats. Of this amount, $69,000 is to The Conservation Fund and $1,399,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $72,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - Grasslands, vital to the conservation of many grassland dependent bird species, will be conserved and enhanced through thoughtful conservation grazing. Stable presence of grassland birds dependent upon edge habitat, such as Golden-winged Warblers, will be a measure of success..Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - Grasslands, vital to the conservation of many grassland dependent bird species, will be conserved and enhanced through thoughtful conservation grazing. Stable presence of grassland birds dependent upon edge habitat, such as Golden-winged Warblers, will be a measure of success..A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Grasslands, vital to the conservation of many grassland dependent bird and pollinator species, will be conserved and enhanced through thoughtful conservation grazing. Grassland plant species diversity and relative health will be the measure of success..Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Grasslands, vital to the conservation of many grassland dependent bird and pollinator species, will be conserved and enhanced through thoughtful conservation grazing. Grassland plant species diversity and relative health will be the measure of success..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Grasslands, vital to the conservation of many grassland dependent bird and pollinator species, will be conserved and enhanced through thoughtful conservation grazing. Grassland plant species diversity and relative health will be the measure of success. Pheasant counts, using annual roadside surveys, will be a measure of success..",,,510000,"Private, EQIP RCPP Award",1442700,25300,,0.47,"The Nature Conservancy; Mn Land Trust ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Conservation Fund and Minnesota Land Trust will protect 380 acres of high-priority grassland, prairie, and wetland wildlife habitat with working lands conservation easements in western, central, and southeastern Minnesota. Grasslands represent one of Minnesota’s most threatened habitat types. Privately-held and well-managed grasslands in strategic habitat complexes have provided lasting benefits for Minnesota’s wildlife. This project will permanently prevent the conversion of grasslands to row crops.","The Grasslands Conservation Partnership project builds upon the success The Conservation Fund (TCF) and the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) have had in protecting more than 2,000-acres of important wildlife habitats in the two previous phases of this project through privately-held conservation easements that use innovative managed grazing and grassland management as an important conservation tool for Minnesota. These previous projects were completed in the Prairie Region, and more opportunities exist in the central and southeastern parts of the state, where private grasslands complete connectivity between wildlife complexes.Conservation Easements: As one of the founding partners in the development of the Prairie Plan, TCF has been working with other non-profits, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to protect more than 4,000 acres of habitat in the prairie region over the past four years. Part of this effort was working with BWSR, MLT, and DNR to develop strategies to protect working grasslands that are vital for wildlife in the prairie region. This joint effort enabled MLT to establish two privately-held working-grassland conservation easements in the prairie region of Minnesota protecting over 2,000 acres of grasslands.Science has proven that proper application of haying and grazing techniques can be used to mimic natural processes necessary for healthy natural grassland communities. Our colleagues at The Nature Conservancy and the USFWS have proven these techniques successful in Minnesota over a significant period of time. Working with these partners, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, DNR, the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, the McKnight Foundation, private agriculture corporations and co-ops, we are confident that the time is right to expand our previous efforts to protect even more grassland. All easements will be held and monitored by MLT. TCF will perform the initial landowner contact and negotiations, in full coordination with MLT, leading to the establishment of a conservation easement. Lands targeted for conservation easement protection will meet the following criteria: • Lands with significant existing prairie or grassland habitat.• Lands adjacent to or in close proximity to permanently protected land (e.g. WMA, WPA, CREP, TNC preserves, etc.).• Lands which will help establish connections to permanently protected land wherever possible and create larger habitat complexes.• Lands which may also include low-production cropland that can be converted back into grasslands, thereby increasing overall grassland habitat.MLT and TCF will use the above criteria to generate a systematic ranking system to vet potential projects and ensure maximum conservation values. We will also screen for producers with a proven ability to successfully implement best management practices for conservation grazing. Project priorities will be those that provide the greatest conservation benefits at the lowest cost to the State. Capacity: TCF and MLT are two of only four land trusts operating in Minnesota accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Commission awards accreditation to land trusts that meet national standards for excellence. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Emilee,Nelson,"The Conservation Fund","7101 York Avenue South Suite 340 ",Edina,MN,55435,"(9525955768) -",enelson@conservationfund.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Morrison, Wadena, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/grassland-conservation-partnership-phase-iii,,,,
35062,"Grassland Conservation Partnership Phase II",2017,1475000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,475,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Conservation Fund, in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore high priority grassland, prairie, and wetland habitats as follows: $64,000 to The Conservation Fund; and $1,411,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $100,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"This project protected 1,778 acres of grassland, wetland, and prairie habitat as identified as a priority in the Outdoor Heritage Fund?s 25-Year Framework, and more specifically identified in the Prairie Plan. This project focused on lands identified by DNR, USFWS, and our partners as necessary for the conservation of habitat for wildlife and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Minnesota County Biological Survey data as well as USFWS data were used to identify and prioritize sites of highest value for grassland birds and other prairie species such as the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling, both recently listed as threatened by USFWS. Because the majority of prairie and grassland habitat is found on private lands, this project helped protect those habitats and establish important connections to other protected lands, thereby creating larger complexes of protected grassland habitats.","A total of 1,778 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 1,778 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",33200,"Private and Private-landowner donations",1040500,29500,,0.66,"The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Grassland Conservation Partnership Phase II grant resulted in the protection via conservation easement of 1,778 acres of grassland habitat and 3 miles of shoreline associated with 2 working grasslands projects in western Minnesota. Land protected through conservation easement exceeded the proposed outputs for this grant by 445% (1,778 versus 400 proposed acres). In addition, 140 acres of grasslands habitat was enhanced through the grant.","Native grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem in Minnesota and one of the most threatened in the world. The Prairie Section as defined by LSOHC has suffered the greatest habitat loss of any of the five sections examined by the Council. Furthermore, only a third of the remaining habitat in the Prairie Section is permanently protected. To compound the problem, significant amounts of Minnesota?s conservation lands enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have expired over the past half decade and have been removed from the program. Science has proven that proper application of haying and grazing techniques can be used to mimic natural processes necessary for healthy grass natural communities. Our colleagues at The Nature Conservancy and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have proven these techniques successful in Minnesota over a significant period of time. TCF performed the initial landowner outreach and identified potential projects; MLT negotiated the terms of the conservation easements with the landowners. All easements are held and monitored by MLT in perpetuity. Lands targeted for conservation easement protection through this project met the following criteria: 1. Lands with significant existing prairie or grassland habitat 2. Lands near or within the Core Areas and Corridors identified in the Prairie Plan 3. Lands adjacent to or in close proximity to permanently protected land (e.g., WMAs, WPAs, CREP easements, TNC preserves, etc.) 4. Lands which will help establish connections between existing permanently protected lands, and those creating larger habitat complexes 5. Lands which may also include low production cropland that can be converted back into grasslands, thereby increasing overall grassland habitat MLT and TCF used these criteria to systematically vet and rank potential projects to ensure projects selected possessed the maximum conservation value for the state's investment. Projects were also screened to identify producers with a proven ability to successfully implement the best management practices for conservation grazing. MLT used the proven ?reverse-bid? model to incentivize landowners to donate a portion of easement value and allow for the most efficient use of conservation funds. This reverse bid model first ranks the projects according to their habitat values and then ranks them according to the landowner's bid on what they are willing to get paid for the conservation easements. Projects selected provided the greatest conservation benefits at the lowest cost to the State. Two conservation easement projects were completed through this grant, totaling 1,778 acres and protecting 3 miles of shoreline: Caribou Parklands (Finney) - This massive 1,510-acre conservation easement embodies the innovative protection strategy championed by the Grasslands Conservation Partnership program. Located in Kittson County in Minnesota?s unique Tallgrass Aspen Parklands biome, this property is part of a conservation grazing operation that is sustained by rotational grazing and selective haying. Strategically located in an approximately 10-square mile area of private land that is surrounded by three WMAs, this property provides a critical link between vast stretches of public lands. Ten native plant communities have been identified on the property, including rare prairie and wetland communities. Approximately 220 acres of native prairie is present. The property is home to numerous state-listed wildlife species, including moose, elk, and marbled godwit, as well as many other species that are considered Species in Greatest Conservation Need, such as sharptailed grouse and northern harrier. Perch Lake (Samuelson) - Nearly two miles of shoreline on Perch Lake and an additional unnamed lake in Otter Tail County are protected through this impressive 267-acre conservation easement. Located six miles northwest of Parkers Prairie, this property is situated in the scenic Leaf Hills, a rugged glacial moraine that is part of the larger Alexandria Moraine. The property contains extensive rolling pasture, grazed through a Conservation Grazing Plan, as well as a narrow isthmus located between Perch Lake and an additional unnamed lake. The isthmus is pockmarked with wetland basins and contains large stands of Pin Oak ? Bur Oak Woodland, a community that is considered ?vulnerable to extirpation? in Minnesota. This portion of the property is also part of a Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance and is located less than a mile west of Folden Woods Marsh Wildlife Management Area. A large 140-acre enhancement project also occurred on the Perch Lake (Samuelson) property after the easement closed. Portions of this easement had a long history of grazing and the Land Trust worked with the landowners to develop a rotational grazing system to improve and maintain the important habitats found on this portion of the property. The Land Trust also installed fencing to operationalize the rotational grazing system. These initial investments will allow for season-long habitat across the property, providing varied grass heights, and allowing for grassland plant species to complete their lifecycles on portions of the property every year. This will, in turn, provide valuable foraging and nesting habitat for grasslands birds, as well as floral resources and shelter for prairie pollinators.",,2016-07-01,2023-05-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Emilee,Nelson,"The Conservation Fund","1000 County Road E W Suite 220",Shoreview,MN,55126,"(952) 595-5768",enelson@conservationfund.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Kittson, Otter Tail","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/grassland-conservation-partnership-phase-ii,,,,
9802,"Green Corridor Legacy Program, Phase 4",2013,1730000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$1,730,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Development Corporation to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5.1 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 100 acres and protected in fee 270 acres of prairie ",,,"n/a ",1564300,,,,"Redwood Area Development Corporation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program helped to create a legacy of habitat connectivity, public access, and economic vitality based on increased outdoor recreational opportunities in the mid-Minnesota River Watershed.  ",,"Final Report: This program acquired two properties at total of 227 acres in our planned area corridor that meets the above mentioned concepts and activities that produced multiple conservation benefits. 1) The Delhi WMA project acquired 67 acres. This property expands an existing Wildlife Management Area in Redwood County. 2) Lamberton WMA 6 is a 160 acre site.The Green Corridor received amazing support from our willing landowners. We also received strong support from the DNR area wildlife manager and the regional DNR office in the planning/evaluation of potential sites. We had the support of local units of government and several local wildlife conservation groups.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Pat,Dingles,"Redwood Area Development Corporation","200 S. Mill St., PO Box 481","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(320) 493-4695",pat@radc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Cottonwood, Murray, Redwood, Renville, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/green-corridor-legacy-program-phase-4,,,,
2537,"Green Corridor Legacy Program, Phase 3",2012,1771000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,771,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Development Corporation to acquire land for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in fee 313 acres of Prairies ",,,"n/a ",1770600,,,,"Redwood Area Development Corporation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program helped to create a legacy of habitat connectivity, public access, and economic vitality based on increased outdoor recreational opportunities in the mid-Minnesota River Watershed. ",,"This program incorporates the basic concepts of sustainability and ecosystem management. Minnesota has lost 99% of the original prairie and has seen dramatic declines in grassland dependent wildlife. Examples of the species showing the greatest conservation need in the Program area; the American Badger, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink to name just a few. Traditional game species are also affected by the decline in habitat such as pheasants, deer, wild turkey, and a variety of dabbling ducks which are associated to prairie wetland complexes.Publicly owned natural resource infrastructures (WMA, AMA, SNA, parks/trails, waterways) invigorates local and regional economies by providing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities supported by hunting, fishing, wildlife observation areas, and other forms of outdoor recreation. New business concepts are likely to arise as a direct result of the recreational and tourism opportunities that will be advanced by this Green Corridor Legacy Program. Because of this concept there is wide support from many stakeholders who will assist the Program activities to achieve the desired outcomes.The Glacial River Warren created the Minnesota River Valley as it drained Lake Agassiz 10,000+ years ago. The bluff to bluff wall of water carved out one of Minnesota’s most scenic landscapes, creating unique geological features, and unique plant communities along the valley and its primary tributaries.Efforts to restore, protect, and enhance our wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife are timely as escalating development pressures threaten remaining natural lands and water resources on both public and private lands. The Green Corridor Legacy Program approach will be based on sound science concepts of plan development, setting conservation priorities, developing short and long term strategies to achieve conservation priorities, implement the strategies, and then continue monitoring the outcomes. All of these concepts and practices will follow existing state wildlife and conservation plans and natural resource management practices in conjunction with agency partners.The primary work area of the Green Corridor Legacy Program will be Redwood, Renville, Yellow Medicine, Chippewa, Brown, Nicollet, Murray, Lyon, and Cottonwood Counties with an emphasis along the Minnesota River, its tributaries, associated watersheds, and creating/expanding corridor or complexes of habitat. Connecting existing fragments of habitat along and near the Minnesota River and tributaries in the Program area will generate an ecological synergism that will allow game, wildlife, and aquatic species to flourish, while creating multiple recreational opportunities and improving public access through a series (phases) of funded activities within the nine (9) county Program area.This Program is directly consistent with the uses of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as specified in Article XI of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota Statute 97A.056: to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. Furthermore, it will produce multiple conservation benefits across a large targeted and planned geographic area.Final Report: This program acquired 3 properties at total of 315 acres in our planned Lamberton area corridor that meets the above mentioned concepts and activities that produced multiple conservation benefits. 1) The Dutch Charleys Creek WMA project acquired 79 acres of which 39 acres where donated by the landowner at a value of $51,960. The property borders the eastern side of Dutch Charleys Creek and is a well documented wintering area for wildlife like deer, turkey, and pheasants. This property also connects to a FY10 OHF Green Corridor project of 83 acres. 2) Gora Praire WMA is 154 acre site that protected an expiring CRP contract and also protected small remnants of native prairie. 3) The Lamberton WMA #23 project of 80 acres of which 12 acres where donated by the landowner at a value of $16,000. This tract also protected an expiring CRP contract. This project also connects to a 90 acre FY11 OHF project by Green Corridor.This program year marked a time when land values were escalating and when many CRP contracts in the area were expiring. One high valued site of nearly 200 acres was pursued as part of this appropriation and after a tremendous amount of time/effort to work out details with the property owner no deal was reached. Overall, the Green Corridor Program received amazing support from our willing landowners as noted by their land donations, We also received strong support/encouragement from the DNR area wildlife manager and the regional DNR office in the planning/evaluation of potential sites and we also had the support of local units of government and several local wildlife conservation groups.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brad,Cobb,"Redwood Area Communities Foundation (RACF)","200 S. Mill Street","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,320-493-4695,pat@radc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Redwood,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/green-corridor-legacy-program-phase-3,,,,
770,"Green Corridor Legacy Program, Phase 1",2010,1617000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(b)","$1,617,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Southwest Initiative Foundation or successor to acquire land for purposes allowed under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15, in Redwood County to be added to the state outdoor recreation system as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 86A. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition. No more than five percent of this appropriation may be spent on professional services directly related to this appropriations purposes.",,"Protected in Fee 378 acres of Prairies",,45500,"MDHA, SWIF in-kind and Green Corridor in-kind",1617000,,,0.55,"Southwest Initiative Foundation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Green Corridor Legacy Program (GCLP) will protect new and/or expansion fish, game, and wildlife habitats in the Prairie Eco Region. The DNR will provide the restoration and/or enhancement funds for converting croplands into high quality habitat cover. Local wildlife conservation clubs will be encouraged to submit L-SOHC Small Grants proposals for additional restoration and/or enhancement activities on these tracts. Fee title of all lands acquired will be held by the State and designated as WMA and/or AMA open to hunting, trapping, fishing, and compatible outdoor recreation uses. These proposed tracts of land do not have permanent conservation easements. ","The initial phase of the program proposal will allow the citizens of MN to have more access to public hunting lands by acquiring 350 (or more) acres of land which would e developed and protected as WMA and/or AMA.? The program proposal will succeed because numerous partnerships have developed from a wide variety of disciplines (e.g. U of M, DNR, local SWCD, USFWS, PF, MDHA, NWTF, community/civic groups, regional business leaders, and supportive landowners) that will assist in monitoring outcomes, provide long range management of the qcquired lands, provide technical support and ensure that program activities will advance the goals, objectives, and strategies of the various state-wide conservtion plans (e.g. Duck Recovery Plan, the PHeasants Plan, the Wild Turkey Plan, the WMA Acquisition Plan and numerous strategies associated to the MN Conservation and Preservation Plan.) Other program activities outside of OHF will include: short and long range program development to ensure continuring community.citizen.regialnl support of the program public relations and outreach partnerships involvement in program development and local/state government cooperation fiduciary responsibility for the program including the land transactions financial oversight, transparency and accountability to all rpogram activities and outcomes development of strategy to continue the investment for possible furuture OHF as long range program activity leadership development for those seeing the vision and opportunity of the GCLP Through the GCLP Board of Directors, there is suport fo this project from local government agencies like the SWCD Board and the MN DNR, and cooperation from the local county officials.? Once purchased agreements are secured, fromal request to the Board of County Commissioner will be completed as is the normal protocol.? Once appropriations and/or agreements are finalized, the SWIF, through the approval of the Green Corridor Board of Directors, will have the program manager begin the process of appraisals, purchase agreements, and title transfer activities.? It is the assumption that the DNR and stte of MN can provide normal timelines to process these fee simple acquisition title transfers.? Acquisitions and title transfers to the State of MN and management by the MN DNR of these program acres are anticipated to be complete by June 30, 2010. ","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Brad,Cobb,"Southwest Initiative Foundation","200 S. Mill St. ","Redwood Falls",None,56283,,1231TLC@charter.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Redwood,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/green-corridor-legacy-program,,,,
23925,"Habitat Protection/Restoration in Dakota County-Phase V",2015,1190000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$1,190,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with Dakota County to acquire permanent conservation easements and land in fee and to restore and enhance habitats in rivers and lake watersheds in Dakota County. Up to $15,000 to Dakota County is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Lands acquired or lands with easements acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 696 acres, protected 14 acres in easement, enhanced 251 acres ",,480700,"Dakota County ",1190000,,,2.0,"Dakota County","Local/Regional Government","During this grant funding timeline, this project only protected one 14-acre, permanent natural area conservation easement; but was able to restore and enhance way more than the anticipated 178 acres and 157 acres, respectively, of wildlife habitat, by restoring a total of 696 acres and enhancing 251 acres prior to the funding deadline. ",,"Through the Dakota County Land Conservation Program, the County has been protecting high-quality natural areas for wildlife habitat and improved water quality, outside its regional park system, since 2003. As with many conservation acquisition efforts during the term of this grant, modifications were made to accommodate evolving circumstances. As a result, Dakota County acquired only one conservation easement that protected 14 acres of: wetlands (8.4 acres); a small portion of Chub Creek (145 feet); and 5.5 acres of cropland restored to natural vegetation. The County's voluntary program can be unpredictable. An application round is held each year to accept submittals for potential conservation easement projects. Project Prioritization Criteria are used to score and rank project applications.  Some projects move through the process to closing, and some stall-out or are withdrawn for a variety of reasons.  It's strange that only project was completed during the acquisition phase of this grant; which is why in future grants, the County extended the window of time to complete acquisitions, because sometimes it just takes more time to get to the closing. An extended acquisition timeframe will provide greater flexibility in completing projects. Regarding restoration efforts, the County successfully restored 696 acres, involving 15 parcels. The County requires not only Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs) for each natural area easement, but requires that landowners sign a Management Agreement (MA) that outlines restoration and maintenance activities, who is responsible for the work, and how each activity will be funded, using cost estimates from accepted contractor proposals. Restoration work involved enhancement of 251 acres of parcels that include 7 miles of shoreline. Restoration activities included: restoring agricultural land to natural vegetation; removing of invasive species, like buckthorn; establishing test areas to determine the most effective way(s) to remove invasive species; and forest and prairie seeding to re-establish or enhance native species diversity. Significant habitat restoration and enhancement occurred at Whitetail Woods-Vermillion Highlands in the central part of Dakota County. The largest, highest quality natural area within the Vermillion River Corridor is Vermillion Highlands. The 437-acre Whitetail Woods-Vermillion Highlands Habitat Project site is owned by Dakota County and is part of a larger landscape of protected lands encompassing more than 4,000 acres, including the adjacent Vermillion River WMA and AMA, and the Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Managment Area. This project restored or enhanced the following habitat types at the site: • Prairie: 117 acres restored and 37 acres enhanced • Forest:  113 acres enhanced • Wetlands: 11 acres restored and 101 acres enhanced  This site currently supports populations of Blandings turtle, eagle, sandhill crane, deer, eastern cottontail, wild fur-bearing game (fox, coyote, mink, and beaver), wild turkey, pheasant, wood duck, and other waterfowl. Restoration and enhancement activities anticipate an increase in the populations of these and many other species, which will augment populations on the adjacent WMA and AMA areas. In addition, the project anticipates more diverse populations of non-game species. Baseline populations will be monitored. ",2014-07-01,2019-11-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Lisa,West,"Dakota County","14955 Galaxie Avenue ","Apple Valley",MN,55124,"(952) 891-7018",lisa.west@co.dakota.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Dakota,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/habitat-protectionrestoration-dakota-county-phase-v,,,,
10006498,"Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program, Phase 1",2019,1514000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(g)","$1,514,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Hennepin County, in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance habitats in Hennepin County. Of this amount, $194,000 is to Hennepin County and $1,320,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The following metrics will be tracked annually to evaluate the success of the Program: acres protected; acres restored and enhanced; adapted connectivity indices (terrestrial, aquatic, and riparian); and suitability of protected acres for use by species of greatest conservation need..",,,689500,"Hennepin County, Landowner Donation",1489700,24300,,1.33,"Hennepin County; Mn Land Trust","Local/Regional Government","Hennepin County and Minnesota Land Trust in partnership with willing landowners, propose to permanently protect 161 acres through conservation easements, and restore and enhance 70 acres of critical habitat. Intense development pressure is a persistent threat to remaining high quality habitat in Hennepin County. This first phase of the Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program will use Hennepin County's recently-adopted conservation easement program to actively pursue protection of priority lands and facilitate habitat restoration and enhancement on new and existing permanently protected lands.","The Twin Cities metro area is rapidly losing critical, high-quality and diverse habitat for migrating waterfowl, canopy-dwelling and grassland birds, game birds, pollinators and other wildlife.Over the past 15 years Hennepin County in partnership with its cities has used extensive field work and the Minnesota Land Classification System Methodology to assess and inventory every acre of land in the county and document the quality of the associated natural communities. This assessment resulted in the identification of ecologically significant areas and natural resource corridors that connect areas of significant habitat across the county. In total, ecologically significant areas and corridors account for about 60,000 acres of land, of which only 31 percent is permanently protected. Using these rich datasets, this program has established focus areas for protection, restoration and enhancement. The Hennepin County conservation easement program adopted in 2016 established a process for the systematic protection of these focus areas and the remaining forests, prairies, and wetlands associated with them. Over the next 20 years, the county plans to permanently protect 6,000 additional acres. This means that by 2037, 41 percent of the county's best remaining natural areas (24,600 acres) will be permanently protected, totaling just over 6 percent of the total land area in the county. This proposal – phase 1 of the Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program will accomplish 2.5 percent (161 acres) of this long-term objective and will lay a strong foundation of community outreach that will facilitate an increased pace of protection in future phases as the Program becomes established.Hennepin County, working in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust, will take a three-pronged approach to land protection that builds on the strengths of the respective partners. In addition to managing the program, Hennepin County will use its connections to the community to cultivate interest among landowners within the highest priority natural resource target areas. The county will work with its 11 watershed organizations and 45 cities to identify easement opportunities and build landowner connections. The Minnesota Land Trust will bring the experience of its land protection and legal team to negotiate the purchase of conservation easements with landowners. An RFP approach similar to what the Land Trust has used in other areas will identify high value protection opportunities and encourage a competitive marketplace for scarce monetary resources. All opportunities for easement acquisition will be scored and ranked based on three factors: ecological significance (quantity and quality of habitat, landscape context), level of threat to the property, and overall cost (funding required by the landowner to complete the project).",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Karen,Galles,"Hennepin County","701 4th Ave. S, Suite 700 ",Minneapolis,MN,55415-1842,"(612) 348-2027",karen.galles@hennepin.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/hennepin-county-habitat-conservation-program-phase-1,,,,
10017811,"Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program - Phase 2",2021,3155000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(h)","$3,155,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements with Hennepin County, in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance habitats in Hennepin County as follows: $446,000 to Hennepin County and $2,709,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $264,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Phase 2 of the Habitat Conservation Program will permanently protect 441 acres of strategic and diverse habitat within identified natural resource priority areas and restore 83 acres of new and existing protected land. By targeting protection, restoration, and enhancement activities in biologically diverse natural areas and remnant habitats critical for the interconnection and buffering of already protected core habitats, we will ensure the long-term health and viability of Minnesota's game and non-game wildlife and increase the ecological integrity of important habitats by forming habitat corridors and improving the quality of existing habitat through invasive species management and mitigation",,,972200,"Hennepin County and Landowner donation",3120000,35000,,1.37,"Hennepin County and MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Hennepin County, in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust, proposes to permanently protect through conservation easement 299 acres of the most important natural areas remaining in the county, and restore and enhance 84 acres of protected habitat including forest, savanna, prairie, wetlands, shallow lakes, shoreline, bluffs, and riparian areas. Intense development pressure is a persistent threat to remaining habitat in Hennepin County. This grant will enable this partnership to continue implementation of the conservation easement and restoration actions initiated through the Outdoor Heritage Fund in 2018 and accommodate high landowner interest generated through targeted outreach.","The Twin Cities metro area is rapidly losing ecologically significant and floristically diverse habitat as land development pressure increases; resulting in immediate consequences for the Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) which rely on critical habitats in Hennepin County. Hennepin County in partnership with its cities used extensive field work and the Minnesota Land Classification System Methodology to inventory every acre of land in the county and document the quality of natural communities. This assessment resulted in the identification of ecologically significant areas and natural resource corridors that connect areas of significant habitat across the county. In total, ecologically significant areas and corridors account for about 60,000 acres of land, of which only 31 percent is permanently protected. Using a combination of these rich datasets and other state, federal, and local data, the Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program (HCP) has established focus areas and a systematic process for protection, restoration, and enhancement of the associated remaining high quality habitats. Over the next 18 years, the county plans to permanently protect 6,000 acres; resulting in permanent protection of 41 percent (24,600 acres) of the county's best remaining natural areas by 2041. Combined with our anticipated Phase 1 outputs, we will achieve nearly 20% of the county's long-term land protection objective during these first two phases of our program. In 2018, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) were awarded $1.514 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) to support the goals of the HCP. Through work conducted under that grant to date, the project partners are poised to acquire 200 acres of easement and complete restoration and enhancement actions on 130 acres of protected land. As a result, 2018 funds are expected to be fully encumbered this year and fully spent in 2020. HCP promotion, outreach, and proposal solicitation efforts have resulted in consistent landowner inquiries and high-quality easement opportunities that now exceed our current easement acquisition capacity by more than 200 acres; accounting for approximately one-fifth of the acres proposed for protection under Phase 2. Landowner interest is strong. Funding through this proposal will allow the county and Minnesota Land Trust to sustain this momentum by continuing to identify the best, most cost-effective opportunities to protect, restore, and enhance remaining natural areas. The county will continue to work with MLT, its 11 watershed organizations, 45 cities, two park districts, the MN DNR, NPS, and USFWS to identify easement opportunities and build landowner connections. The Minnesota Land Trust will bring the experience of its land protection and legal team to negotiate the purchase of conservation easements with landowners. An RFP approach will identify high value protection opportunities and encourage a competitive marketplace for scarce monetary resources. All opportunities for easement acquisition will be scored based on six categories: spatial context, size, habitat quality and diversity, water resources, wildlife and plant conservation, and risk of conversion. Management factors, partner involvement, and professional judgement will also be considered.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kristine,Maurer,"Hennepin County","701 Building 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 700",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 348-6570",kristine.maurer@hennepin.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hennepin,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/hennepin-county-habitat-conservation-program-phase-2,,,,
10017812,"Heron Lake Area Conservation Partnership",2021,4493000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(i)","$4,493,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; to acquire land in permanent conservation easement; and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat within the Heron Lake Watershed as follows: $1,450,000 is to Ducks Unlimited; $1,181,000 is to Pheasants Forever; $801,000 is to the Heron Lake Watershed District; and $1,061,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Agriculture lands are converted to grasslands to sustain functioning prairie systems - Lands near existing protected lands will be acquired or eased and restored back to functioning wetlands and native grass and forbs for waterfowl, ring-necked pheasants, pollinators and other prairie and wetland dependent wildlife. Lands will be transferred to the MNDNR or the USFWS to provide additional prairie habitat and public use. Restored lands that become WMAs or WPAs will be monitored by area MNDNR or USFWS staff and managed to optimize conditions for wildlife. Lands eased will be stewarded by MLT in perpetuity and actively managed in partnership with landowners to ensure continued wildlife habitat benefits long after restoration",,,159400,"DU, Private, NAWCA, HLWD, NHLGPA, PF, Private, Federal, Private Landowners and USFWS Private Lands Program",4455300,37700,,2.08,"DNR, DU, MLT ","State Government","The Heron Lake Area Conservation Partnership (HLACP) will permanently protect 402 acres of prairie and wetlands within the Heron Lake watershed in southwest Minnesota. The landscape has less than one percent of its pre-settlement wetlands remaining. The HLACP will use conservation easements and fee-title land acquisition to protect and restore high-value wetland and prairie lands identified as critical habitat for many Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Tracts will be prioritized and landowner outreach targeted to maximize wildlife habitat conservation benefit and financial investment.","Heron Lake was once a water bird production and migration area of international significance. The vast beds of wild celery and robust stands of bulrush, combined with a seemingly endless prairie around the lake, supported an awe-inspiring number of colonial water birds, waterfowl, and other migratory birds. Observations recorded around the turn of the century reported 700,000 staging canvasbacks, 50,000 nesting Franklin's gulls, and hundreds of thousands of other migratory birds using Heron Lake and surrounding marshes. With the movement of settlers to the area, the prairie ecosystem was converted to an intensive row crop landscape. This conversion resulted in the drainage of 99.3% of the original wetlands, destruction of 99% of the native prairie, and loss of many species of native flora and fauna. Agriculture was not the only threat. As towns grew, so did their contribution to natural resource degradation. An increase in the quality and quantity of waterfowl and wetland wildlife habitat within the Heron Lake watershed is critical. This partnership aims to protect and restore prairie and wetland habitats, the first concerted effort of this type in many years. Efforts are supported by the Heron Lake Waterfowl Working Group, a recently formed partnership of conservation and government organizations focusing on restoration efforts within the watershed. Heron Lake Watershed District Conservation Technician: The HLWD will hire a Conservation Technician to proactively contact prospective landowners, explain options for flood-prone land, build relationships to develop conservation opportunities, and assist with implementation. Tracts will be targeted within priority areas using a combination of conservation plans and models. Local coordination and outreach to develop partnerships with landowners and local officials is key to project success. Conservation Easements: The HLWD Conservation Technician will coordinate with MLT and other partners to identify landowners interested in managing their lands for wildlife habitat in perpetuity. Landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process that will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure approximately 156 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration/habitat management plans for eased acres. Lands eased will not be open for public use, however partners and the HLWD Conservation Technician will inform landowners and encourage enrollment in the State Walk-In Access Program. The HLWD and MLT, in cooperation with DU, PF, and USFWS Partners Private Lands Program, will restore/enhance wetlands and associated upland habitat on conservation easements. Fee acquisition: DU and PF will coordinate with the MNDNR and USFWS Windom Wetland Management District on potential fee-title acquisitions. DU and PF will work with willing sellers to purchase and restore two tracts or 246 acres of land strategically identified within the HLWD, and then donate the parcels to the MNDNR as a WMA or USFWS as a WPA, where they will be managed in perpetuity.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jan,Voit,"Heron Lake Watershed District","1008 3rd Ave PO Box 345","Heron Lake",MN,56137,"(507) 793-2462",jvoit@hlwdonline.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Jackson, Jackson","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/heron-lake-area-conservation-partnership,,,,
20701,"High-Priority Pre-Transaction Service Acceleration for Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council",2014,50000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(d)","$50,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to provide land acquisition pre-transaction services including, but not limited to, appraisals, surveys, or title research for acquisition proposals under consideration by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A list of activities must be included in the final accomplishment plan.",,N/A,,,,,,,,DNR,"State Government","No project funds were spent.  The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council did not request that any services be performed with project funds.  Accordingly, the $50,000 appropriation will be returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund. ",N/A,,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Susan,Damon,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 45","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5961",susan.damon@state.mn.us,"Fund Administration","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/high-priority-pre-transaction-service-acceleration-lessard-sams-outdoor-heritage-council,,,,
23919,"High-Priority Pre-Transaction Service Acceleration for Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council",2015,50000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(d)","$50,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to provide land acquisition pre-transaction services including but not limited to appraisals, surveys, or title research for acquisition proposals under consideration by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A list of activities must be included in the final accomplishment plan.","To be determined.To be determined.To be determined.To be determined.To be determined.",,,,,50000,,,,DNR,"State Government","Funding for the commissioner of natural resources to perform or contract for pre-transaction services relating to land acquisition proposals submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council upon the Council’s request, including, but not limited to, appraisals, surveys or title research.","This project provides a source of funding for the commissioner of natural resources to perform or contract for pre-transaction services upon request by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.  Services will relate to high-priority individual land acquisition proposals submitted to the Council.  These could be either DNR proposals or proposals submitted by other entities.  Project funds will not be expended unless specifically requested by the Council. Project funds are for the purpose of providing information that will aid the Council in its evaluation of pending land acquisition proposals or provide the Council with information needed before money is appropriated from Outdoor Heritage Fund for acquisition of the lands.  For example, if the Council determines that it needs independent appraisal information to evaluate the merits of a land acquisition proposal or to recommend the appropriate amount of funding for the acquisition, it will ask the commissioner to cause the lands to be appraised.  The commissioner, acting as agent for the Council, will then use project funds to contract with a qualified independent appraiser to conduct an appraisal to determine the market value of the lands.  The commissioner will also use project funds to contract for a technical or administrative review of the appraisal.  DNR contract administration costs and other expenses associated with performance of work at the Council’s request will also be covered by project funds.  Other examples of pre-transaction services that may be performed with project funds upon the Council’s request are surveys, reviews of legal descriptions or title research. This Accomplishment Plan will be amended whenever the Council submits a request to the commissioner to perform services under the project. The amendments will include detailed information about the nature and scope of the work to be performed at the Council's request as well as an accomplishment timeline and outcomes. ",,2014-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Susan,Damon,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 45","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5961",susan.damon@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/high-priority-pre-transaction-service-acceleration-lessard-sams-outdoor-heritage-council-0,,,,
35077,"Jack Pine Forest/Crow Wing River Watershed Habitat Acquisition",2017,3355400,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$3,570,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to acquire in fee and restore and enhance forest habitat lands in Cass and Hubbard Counties for county forest purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 2,280 acres (in fee without state PILT liability) ",,,,3355400,,,0.31,"MN Deer Hunters Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project protected in fee approximately 1,960 acres in Cass County and 320 acres in Hubbard County of forest habitat that are at significant risk of conversion to row crop agriculture. The project also restored 92 acres jack pine, an increasingly rare tree species, in the project area. ",,"During past decade there has been a significant loss of forest habitat within the Crow Wing River Watershed due to the conversion of that habitat to row crop agriculture and other development. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that about 42 square miles of pine forest have been cleared or are at elevated risk of being cleared and converted to croplands.  To slow the loss of forest lands and they habitat provided by them, the project protected by acquisition in fee 2,280 acres of high priority habitat within the Crow Wing River Watershed. To achieve the project goals, the acquired fee parcels were transferred to Cass and Hubbard Counties to hold in fee and manage. This project also funded the restoration of 92 acres of jack pine to the landscape. The amount of jack pine within the project area has been significantly reduced through a combination of conversion to row crop agriculture or replacement with other forest cover types such as red pine plantation.  Jack pine is a relatively rare forest type in Minnesota and provides habitat for many unique species. It is well-suited to the sandy soil types in the Crow Wing River Watershed. This project used several forest management tools to restore the jack pine that included site preparation, planting, bud capping and brush control. No herbicides were used for site preparation and brush control. The acquisition of these parcels and the restoration of jack pine forest has provided significant value beyond the protection of key forest habitat. The project will also benefit water quality by conserving forest cover that helps to filter pollutants from percolating through the sandy soils that are prevalent in the Crow Wing River Watershed. It had provided increased public access for hunting and recreational activities. It has also enabled land managers of adjacent state and county lands to easily access those lands for forest management while providing wood fiber from the land to supply local mills. Water quality in the Crow Wing Watershed has become a top priority as a significant number of acres of forestland within the watershed has been converted to row crop agriculture and several irrigation pivots have been installed.  By protecting these lands from conversion, this project will provide increased protection of the surface and ground water, as well as provide sufficient wildlife habitat throughout the area. The Byron Township Land acquisition included approximately 686 acres. Through consolidation of lands into larger blocks, better habitat can be created. Combining these lands with the adjoining County and State management forest lands, a habitat block of nearly 5,800 acres has been permanently protected.   The Poplar Township Land acquisition included approximately 1,274 acres. Combining these lands with the adjoining County and State management forest lands, another habitat block of nearly 4,300 acres has been permanently protected.  Approximately  1.25 miles of Farnham Creek habitat flows through the property. The acquisition also adjoins and buffers the Dry Sand Lake Wildlife Management Area The Badoura Township land acquisition included approximately 240 acres and connects two large blocks of county and state lands, including the Crow Wing Chain W. M. A., providing permanent protection to over 7,500 acres of quality wildlife habitat. The Lake George Township land acquisition included approximately 80 acres of remote forestland that is completely surrounded by existing county-managed lands.  This acquisition protects the 80 acre parcel from potential fragmentation and loss of public recreation. ",,2021-02-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Craig,Engwall,"MN Deer Hunters Association","460 Peterson Road ","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,"(218) 327-1103",craig.engwall@mndeerhunters.com,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/jack-pine-forestcrow-wing-river-watershed-habitat-acquisition,,,,
10019625,"Klondike Clean Water Retention Project - Phase 1",2022,1973000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(p)","$1,973,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Two Rivers Watershed District to construct a multipurpose water impoundment project in Kittson and Roseau Counties to provide fish and wildlife habitat. A list of restoration and enhancement projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Water is kept on the land - The impoundment will store 16,500 acre feet of water to provide flood damage reduction, protect, enhance, and improve fish & wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and provide recreational opportunities. Water levels will be closely monitored and records of storage and operations will be kept and shared with a project work team consisting of local, state, and federal agencies, non government organizations, and local citizens. A detailed operating plan will be followed. Pre/post monitoring of fish populations, vegetation, stream flows, and surface and ground water quality will be utilized to determine project success. EXPAND HERE for more info whowhatwhe",,,11308000,"FHMG; RRWMB; TRWD",1973000,,,,"Two Rivers WD","Local/Regional Government","The Two Rivers Watershed District (TRWD) proposes to construct a multi-purpose impoundment located upstream of Lake Bronson State Park in Kittson and Roseau counties. The project footprint is over 12 square miles in size, and it will alter Lateral 1 of State Ditch #95 to provide fish and wildlife habitat, keep water on the landscape, stabilize river flows, reduce erosion and sediment, protect, maintain, and improve a prairie rich fen, benefit water quality and provide flood damage reduction. Phase 1 construction will include buffered inlet channels, a diked impoundment, various water control structures, and related structures.","Several natural resources enhancements and flood damage reduction strategies have been identified in this area. The Beaches Lake Area Fen is a prairie rich fen that has been identified by DNR as one of the largest of its type in the lower 48 states. Portions of the fen have been degraded by farming practices and are located on the project site. The MNDNR and TRWD have jointly written a fen management plan and this project will begin plan implementation. Downstream reaches of the Two Rivers have been identified by the MPCA as impaired for fish and macroinvertebrates. These reaches experience flashy flows and become nearly or totally dry in late summer when rainfall is typically sparse, causing a major stressor for fish. Another stressor is upstream sources of sediment that impact the resource by causing turbidity, lowering dissolved oxygen, and increasing nutrients that promote excessive algal growth. Excessive floodwaters frequently impact public and private lands causing erosion, sedimentation, inundation of habitat, loss of crop land and damage to public infrastructure. An interagency Project Work Team consisting of landownwers, local-state-federal government agencies, and non-government organizations convened and discussed the flooding and natural resources problems, identified a purpose and need, investigated a range of alternatives, and selected the preferred alternative. Substantial surface water, groundwater, and vegetative and biological monitoring has been done by local, regional, and state agencies to assess the resources and propose a project. The TRWD is pursuing the project through Minnesota Statute 103D. This application is for phase 1 of 3 phases. Over 12 square miles of land have been obtained. 130 easement acres are needed. Structural measures will include changes to Lateral 1 of State Ditch #95 to provide an inlet for water to flow into the impoundment. A set back levy will be constructed along 8 miles of the ditch to provide a wide grassed area for water to flow. A low dike will be constructed around a 12 square mile area to hold the water and release it slowly over time. Several gated inlet controls and two gated outlet controls will allow for management of the flows into and out of the project. A detailed operating plan will identify how and when the project will be filled and emptied before, during and after runoff events. In general the impoundment will be filled during spring, summer and fall runoff events and will be slowly drained dry. The project will retire ag land to provide grassland and wetland habitat and the operating plan will address downstream fish habitat and provide flood control. Project Team participants include the TRWD, Red River Watershed Management Board, International Water Institute, Red River Flood Damage Reduction Work Group, The Nature Conservancy, MN DNR, MPCA, Kittson County, Roseau County, various Townships, MN Board of Water & Soil Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kittson and Roseau SWCD's. Funding to date has been provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Red River Watershed Management Board, Enbridge, Flood Damage Reduction Work Group, and TRWD.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Dan,Money,"Two Rivers Watershed District","410 South 5th Street Suite 112",Hallock,MN,56728,"(218) 843-3333",dan.money@tworiverswd.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Kittson,"Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/klondike-clean-water-retention-project-phase-1,,,,
10006488,"Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation-Phase III",2019,927000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(k)","$927,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Zeitgeist, in cooperation with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, to enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation Project meets many needs from instream areas to improved riparian zones. *The primary beneficiary is the instream fishery populations and the first specie to benefit is the native brook trout. The enhancement of brook trout is very important to the MN DNR and to Minnesota anglers. Anadromous species that will benenfit are steelhead and brown trout. Our project provides habitats needed for complete life cycles for these species: spawning, rearing and adult stages through the construction of riiffles, pools, habitat structures, improved tailout sections and great overhead cover in the the toewood bench areas. Not only do these game fish species benefit but also the local non-game fish species benefit, including dace, shiners, chubs, sticklebacks and mudminnow. *Macroinvertebrates also greatly benefit from the various instream habitats created throughout our project area. These species may included snails, crayfish, insects and worms. A very important part of this group are the mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. *We have noticed a very large increase in frog populations after the completion of stream reach construction activities. We have even had a wood turtle in our work zone. *Riparian zone improvements include a variety of tree species that benefit local wildlife throughout the year. From the Mt. Ash fruit that birds of all sort consume to flowering shrubs and native flowers that benefit pollinator species. A healthy riparian zone improves the quality of the entire watershed and all species that are found in it.","A total of 467 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 467 in Enhance.",105400,"MN DNR-Fisheries (Enhancement-100%), Private Source-LSSA, Private Source-LSSA & Zeitgeist and Private Source-LSSA &Zeitgeist",927000,,,0.6,"Zeitgeist / Lake Superior Steelhead Assoc","Non-Profit Business/Entity","We assessed, designed rehabilitation features and permitted 7200 linear feet of river reach in prime spawning areas. We completed construction on over 2200 linear feet of the reach. SPECIFIC ITEMS: *Installed approx. 400 feet of toewood bench. *Graded approx. 500 feet of shoreline to allow river access to floodplain. *Installed multiple log rollers/habitat structures. *Installed multiple grade control structures. *Created new riffles. *Rehabilitated the riparian zone in the 2200' stretch using: *Certified riparian zone seed mix. *Deciduous species: silver maple, yellow birch, mt. ash. *Coniferous species: tamarack, cedar, white & red pine. *Multiple pollinator specie shrubs and native flowers.","The goal of PH III-Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation project was to improve instream habitat, stabilize slumping streambanks and restore the riparian tree canopy. Site Selection: The LSSA conducted a rapid stream survey to determine the Knife River?s overall condition. As stream impacts were identified during the survey, impaired stream reaches were photographed and mapped using GPS. The LSSA also monitor water temperatures to determine where trout survival is the highest. Finally, biological data was collected to determine the quality of in-stream trout habitat. This data was combined to rank and prioritize restoration areas where the worst stream impacts are restored, that reside in coolest water zones, within the best habitat corridors. This data concluded that ?first-priority reaches? were located in the upper main Knife River. This also achieves our goal of a top-down restoration approach Riparian planting sites were determined by site accessibility, construction activity and stream assessment using procedures listed above. Specified project riparian species were determined by the existing riparian habitat, upland or wetland conditions and exposure to sunlight. Restoration Techniques: Natural Channel Design (NCD) utilizes a science-based process to bring an unstable eroding stream reach back to a stable state. This method surveys an impacted stream reach to collect data to compare it to several stable stream sections. All survey work is performed using a geomorphic trained Stream Specialist. The assessment data that is collected includes: stream width to depth ratios, floodplain elevation, erosion calculations, longitudinal profile, cross-section elevation, pebble count and vegetation cover. This assessment data is entered into a computer program called Geomorph to create plans and specifications that will redesign the impacted steam channel profile, dimensions and shape to mimic stable reaches within the Knife River Watershed. These plans create the basis for the construction project by depicting channel reconfiguration, placement of structures, location of streambed excavation, location and elevation of the floodplain and realignment of the channel. The LSSA?s NCD process also features a top/down restoration approach. This approach extends the habitat corridor downstream in three ways: *Downstream habitats are protected because the upstream sediment load is reduced. *Instream trout spawning success is more productive. *Newly constructed stream channels are reconnected to the floodplain. Riparian Zone Rehabilitation: The species of trees/shrubs/seed mixes being incorporated into the planting plan depends on the area to be planted, based upon wetness and soil types. *. All seed mixes used in our projects are state certified for that specific area. *Wet area species include: white spruce, tamarack, swamp white oak, river birch, silver maple and speckled alder. *Higher elevation/dryer area species include: red pine, white pine, red maple, silver maple, bur oak, red oak, northern mountain ash, sand bar willow and speckled alder. *Shrubs/Pollinator Species That Are Utilized: viburnum, red twig dogwood, black chokeberry, snowberry, downy arrow-wood. *Several species listed above can be utilized in multiple planting locations. *. LSSA utilized dormant willow staking in this reach with good success. *The LSSA uses locally procured stock for all of our plantings.",,2018-07-01,2023-06-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tony,Cuneo,"Zeitgeist and Lake Superior Steelhead Association","222 E. Superior Street P. O. Box 16034, Duluth, mn 55816",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218) 336-1410",Tony@ZeitgeistArts.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Lake,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-rehabilitation-phase-iii,,,,
10011398,"Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation-Phase IV",2020,891000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(i)","$891,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Zeitgeist, in cooperation with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, to restore and enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - By funding this project, anadromous trout and stream trout populations should increase. This project will also provide habitat to invertebrate, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This project also will replant the riparian zone of the river with old growth tree species and pollinator shrubs. These plantings will reestablish a healthy riparian canopy. Stream flow should increase due to less evaporation and improved riparian cover should help cool the water. .",,,96600,"Private Source: ZG and LSSA, Private Source: LSSA, Private Source: LSSA, MN DNR",891000,,,1.2,"Zeitgeist / Lake Superior Steelhead Assoc","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Poor historic forestry practices in the Knife River watershed have degraded trout habitat and resulted in a TMDL exceedance for turbidity. The LSSA proposes to locate, assess and rehabilitate identified stream impacts within the watershed. The LSSA will use the new MPCA and Natural Channel Design evaluation criteria to rank and prioritize locations for rehabilitation. Our major focus will be stabilizing streambanks, installation of instream habitat and replanting riparian forest. Only stream sections located on public lands and private lands with DNR easements will be considered for this project. See the LSSA website for more information on the project http://www.steelheaders.org/projects.html.","PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSEDThe Knife River watershed once held one of the largest populations of natural reproducing steelhead in the Great Lakes. Since the late 1970’s, the Knife River steelhead population has seen a dramatic decrease. One of the reasons for this decline is long-term habitat loss resulting from historic logging. The pre-settlement forest composition within the Knife River watershed consisted primarily of old growth trees. The removal of large trees from the riparian zone destabilized streambanks. The slumping streambanks have also resulted in a high rate of erosion causing a TMDL exceedance for turbidity in the Knife River. Recognizing the threat, the DNR started performing limited stream studies. These studies have determined that habitat degradation in the watershed has resulted in poor rearing conditions for juvenile trout.SCOPE OF WORK*Draft project RFP; put RFP out for bid per approved vendor list; award RFP. All according to MN DNR policies.*Monitor water temperature.* Enhance and restore in-stream habitat by placing large woody debris, rock vanes and “J” hooks into the channel.STREAM STABILIZATIONThe stream will be stabilized by realigning the stream bed to proper bounds by utilizing the data obtained in the initial assessment phase of the project. Also, an opportunity may exist for utilizing off channel wetlands which will enhance the riparian zone habitat. This opportunity will also be determined by the initial assessment data obtained.RIPARIAN ZONE RESTORATONThe riparian zone will be restored via plantings of native pollinator shrubs and native deciduous and coniferous tree species. Riparian zone plantings can occur on the Main Knife River and its major tributaries. After planting the rehabilitation project construction sites, emphasis will be given to replanting the riparian zone in upper river stretches that lack any riparian cover presently.URGENCY AND OPPORTUNITY OF THE PROJECTThe upper section of Reach 4 was funded in 2018 (Phase III). This project will restore approximately 2000 linear feet of Reach 4, which would be the approximate middle third of Reach 4. We are working from the top down on Reach 4.STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENTThe LSSA will continue to inform the public concerning this project by using the LSSA's newsletter, Steelhead News, and its annual publication, the Lake Superior ANGLER. Zeitgeist will prepare community announcements as needed to inform stakeholders on the project.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tony,Cuneo,"Zeitgeist (ZG) and Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA)","222 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802 P. O. Box 16034, Duluth, MN 55816",,,,"(218) 336-1410",Tony@zeitgeistarts.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-rehabilitation-phase-iv,,,,
10019626,"Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation-Phase VI",2022,467000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(n)","$467,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Zeitgeist, a nonprofit corporation, in cooperation with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, to restore and enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - By funding this project, anadromous and stream trout populations should increase. This project will also provide habitat to invertebrate, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This project also will replant the riparian zone of the river with a mix old growth tree species (both deciduous and coniferous) and pollinator shrubs/native flowers. These plantings will reestablish a lush riparian canopy, help cool the water as trees mature and provide large wood debris in the stream as the trees die and fall into the river. DNR shocking data and future returns to the weir will measure the improvement in the fishery",,,81000,"MN DNR, Private Source: LSSA and Private Source: ZG and LSSA",467000,,,1,LSSA,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Historic Knife River flooding has led to stream channel degradation. This degradation resulted in slumping streambanks, sediment discharge exceeding the total maximum daily load (TMDL) and the loss of instream trout habitat. This is LSSA's 6th LSOHC Grant proposal in the Knife River. Since the LSSA began grant work on the Knife River (2013), the DNR has observed a 215% increase in the adult steelhead population. Our LSOHC projects have also stabilized ~2 miles of stream channel, restored ~15,000 feet of streambanks and reduced annual sediment discharge by 700 tons. For more information go to www.steelheaders.org.","PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED The Knife River's forest has changed over the past century, which has led to instability of the stream channel during flood events. This channel instability has resulted in significant streambank erosion, channel widening, streambed downcutting and loss of trout habitat. The LSSA's LSOHC grant projects have attempted to reverse this channel instability by restoring the underlying causes of these stream impairments, while at the same time improving the overall trout fishing. Our previous LSOHC projects have achieved this goal by stabilizing ~2 miles of stream channel, restoring ~15,000 feet of streambank, reducing annual sediment discharge by 700 tons, replanting thousands of trees/shrubs and observing a 215% increase to the adult steelhead population. This 215% increase occurred when two prominent Lake Superior Tributaries saw their steelhead return decrease (Brule River -4.5% from average) (Portage Creek -201% from 2007). The LSSA and DNR have worked together to identify three priority restoration reaches. These three restoration project sites will not only rehabilitate key trout habitats and restore fishing opportunities, but will also reverse the historic ecological damage to the watershed by stabilizing streambanks, reducing erosion, minimizing sediment discharge, decreasing turbidity levels, reconstructing riparian wetlands, reducing downstream flood impacts and reestablishing instream trout habitat in the watershed. SCOPE OF WORK - Assess, survey and design the stream reach(s) to obtain a permit to DNR and Army Corp of Engineers. - Obtain baseline assessment data. - Restore the stream channel's shape, dimension and profile. - Remove flood debris and sediment from the streambed. - Enhance instream trout habitat by strategically positioning large woody debris, rock structures and ?J? hooks into the channel. - Create new floodplains/wetlands. - Reconnect the river channel to the floodplain. - Raise groundwater table. - Stabilize streambanks. - Rehabilitate riparian tree canopy. - Monitor water temperature. HOW PRIORITIES WERE SET The MPCA identified erosion areas within the Knife River Watershed during their TMDL study. The LSSA has assessed these MPCA identified erosion areas, along with other watershed reaches, for the presence of cool water, availability of trout and potential to restore stream impacts. This has allowed LSSA to prioritize areas for restoration that provide the best benefit for aquatic life and improved water quality. The LSSA also has a policy to work from an upstream to downstream manner. Our top-down restoration approach eliminates re-impacting previous restored reaches and reduces downstream flooding and sedimentation. Urgency and Opportunity of the Project Reach 8 and 13 are within prime trout habitat sections of the Knife River and by restoring these areas, we can improve trout spawning success and juvenile retention. Restoring the Lower River improves adult trout access to the spawning grounds. This Lower River project also restores a historic but now lost fishing opportunity in the Knife River. This Lower River fishing area was once revered as one of the premier areas to catch steelhead. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT The LSSA has consulted and collaborated with DNR Lake Superior Area Supervisor, DNR Duluth Area Fisheries Supervisor, DNR Region 2 Stream Specialist and private landowners.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tony,Cuneo,"Zeitgeist (ZG) and Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA)","222 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN. 55802 P. O. Box 16034, Duluth, MN. 55816",Duluth,MN,55816,"(218) 336-1410",tony@zeitgeistarts.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-rehabilitation-phase-vi,,,,
10017813,"Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation-Phase V",2021,700000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(l)","$700,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Zeitgeist, a nonprofit corporation, in cooperation with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, to restore and enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - By funding this project, anadromous trout (steelhead, coaster brook trout and brown trout) and resident stream trout (brook trout) populations should increase. This project will also provide habitat to invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This project also will replant the riparian zone of the river with native, old growth tree species and various native pollinator shrubs and native flower species. These multiple specie plantings will establish a varied and lush riparian canopy benefitting the entire watershed and neighboring areas",,,77900,"MN DNR, Private Source: LSSA, Private Source: ZG and LSSA and Privte Source: LSSA",700000,,,1.2,"Zeitgeist / Lake Superior Steelhead Assoc","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Eroding streambanks in the Knife River Watershed have degraded trout habitat and resulted in a total maximum daily load (TMDL) exceedance for turbidity. The LSSA proposes to rehabilitate instream habitat to increase trout spawning and rearing. Natural Channel Design construction techniques will be utilized to create a self-sustaining project that enhances instream habitat, improves channel stability, facilitates sediment transportation, stabilizes eroding streambanks, creates riparian wetlands and replant riparian trees/pollinator shrubs. This project will only be performed on public land or private land within a DNR easement. For more project information, please visit our website: www.steelheaders.org/projects.","Problem Addressed: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) performed a water quality study from 1986-1996 on the Knife River. This water quality study determined that the Knife River exceeded the TMDL for turbidity. The MPCA conducted a follow-up study in 2008 to determine the sources of this turbidity. This study determined that the sources of the TMDL turbidity exceedance was primarily due to erosion from streambanks and stream bluffs. The LSSA assessed these identified erosion areas in the watershed (see illustration) to determine if the habitat remained suitable for trout. The LSSA found that summertime streamflow and water temperatures were sufficient for trout growth, but instream habitat was degraded from sediment deposition. The LSSA and DNR have concluded that adult trout spawning and juvenile trout rearing habitat could be significantly improved by rehabilitating this stream reach. This project will provide an added secondary benefit to water quality by reducing sediment discharge. By stabilizing these banks this project will be contributing to reducing the Knife River's elevated Turbidity levels. Scope of Work: ?Restore the stream channel's shape, dimension and profile. ?Enhance instream trout habitat strategically positioning large woody debris, rock vanes and ?J? hooks into the channel. ?Restore large woody debris back into the watershed. ?Create new floodplains wetlands. ?Remove flood debris/sediment from floodplain wetlands. ?Reconnect the river channel to the floodplain. ?Raise the groundwater table. ?Stabilize streambanks. ?Rehabilitate the riparian overhead tree canopy. ?Monitor water temperature and stream assessment. How Priorities Were Set: The MPCA identified erosion areas within the Knife River Watershed and determined sections of Reach 4 contributed to the overall TMDL exceedance for Turbidity. The LSSA also conducted a series of stream assessments to identify adequate streamflow and cool water temperatures to support trout growth. Biological data was collected to determine the quality of in-stream trout habitat. This data was combined and ranked to prioritize restoration areas that provide the best benefit to aquatic life and water quality in the Knife River Watershed. Another major consideration in the prioritization of this stream reach is its upstream location. Our restoration goal is to utilize a top-down approach, so major upstream erosion does not re-impact the restoration project and floodwaters can be retained to minimize existing downstream impacts. So, this top/down approach not only rehabilitates a degraded upstream reach but also minimizes downstream impacts. Urgency and Opportunity of the Project: The upper section of Reach 4 is scheduled for construction during the summer of 2019 and the middle section of Reach 4 was awarded last year (2108) and construction is anticipated to begin the fall of 2019. This Lower Reach 4 project will restore the remaining 4,000+ linear feet of Reach 4. If this project is funded, construction will begin in the fall of 2020. Stakeholder Involvement: The LSSA has collaborated with Jeff Tillma, DNR Stream Specialist and Deserae Hendrickson, DNR Fisheries Supervisor for the past three years on the Reach 4 restoration project and have implemented several of the DNR's project recommendations.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tony,Cuneo,"Zeitgeist (ZG) and Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA)","222 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN . 55802 P. O. Box 16034, Duluth, MN 55816",Duluth,MN,55816,"(218) 336-1410",Tony@zietgiestarts.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-rehabilitation-phase-v,,,,
9824,"Knife River Habitat Restoration",2013,380000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$380,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association to restore trout habitat in the Upper Knife River Watershed. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Notwithstanding rules of the commissioner of natural resources, restorations conducted pursuant to this paragraph may be accomplished by excavation.",,"Enhanced 255 acres of habitat.",,19200,LSSA,379000,,,.50,"Lake Superior Steelhead Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase I work was conducted on the main Knife River and its Main West Branch tributary.  Primary goals were met and these goals include: stream connectivity, riparian zone tree planting, stream assessment and black ash stand identification.•    Stream Connectivity - repaired Second Falls on the main Knife River.•    Tree Planting - two volunteer and one CCM projects where several thousand trees were planted.•    Stream Assessment - surveyed beaver dams, monitored instream water temperatures, identified adult spawning/juvenile holding habitat and stream bank erosion areas on the West Branch.•    Black Ash - identify and map stands in watershed.",,"STREAM CONNECTIVITYThe single, largest barrier affecting stream connectivity in the Knife River watershed occurred at the Second Falls on the main Knife River, approximately three miles upstream from Lake Superior.  This barrier blocked fish from ascending upstream to the fertile spawning areas inland.  Originally, swim pockets allowed easy passage,  then the DNR blasted the pockets and installed a cement weir.  The weir worked well until it blew out around 2005.After great effort, the LSSA gained the support of the DNR to remedy the barrier.  After meeting with the DNR pinning large boulders in place to create a deep jumping pool was agreed on by all parties.  The LSSA approached LSOHC to modify Phase I’s scope of work with support from Comm. Landwehr and Director Boggess.  Once LSOHC approved the change, the project came together in just a few weeks.  Permits were obtained, four large rocks were donated at no charge by Cliffs Natural Resources-North Shore Mining and the project begun under the direction of the MNDNR.The best two boulders were chosen and mobilized to the site.  In less than three days the boulders were placed and pinned to the bedrock.  The placed boulders created the needed jumping pool immediately below the falls.  Monitoring has confirmed that fish can now easily pass the former barrier in most flows to gain access to the fertile spawning grounds upstream throughout the entire watershed.We had excellent cooperation from St. Louis County Forestry and the MN DNR.TREE PLANTING:The Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) has long believed that a healthy watershed includes a healthy and diverse riparian zone.  During the initial walk through under Phase I, a superb planting site was noted in the Main West Branch, with excellent access via the North Shore State Trail.A plan was immediately established for a LSSA ‘volunteer’ plant in the spring of 2013.  The BMP for riparian plantings presently is that of a mix of coniferous and deciduous species to provide a more diverse forest.  The LSSA also wanted to expand the plantings to include species that may become common due to future climate change.  The species to be included in our riparian zone plantings in Phase I included tamarack, white spruce, silver maple, river birch and swamp white oak.  The listed species are all native to Minnesota and were approved by the MN DNR.Following the successful 2013 plant, LSSA members came back in 2014 to plant 150 deciduous trees at the same site.  Also in the spring of 2014, Conservation Corp Minnesota planted hundreds more deciduous trees  in another beaver meadow just downstream from the volunteer site.One major lesson learned was that larger sized trees are needed in order to compete with the invasive reed canary grass found throughout the watershed in old beaver meadows.We had excellent cooperation with both the MN DNR and the St. Louis County Forestry Dept. for our planting work.STREAM ASSESSMENTBefore any rehabilitation project could begin in the watershed, the LSSA realized that information must be gathered that would allow us to prioritize any future rehabilitation efforts.Water temperature was a key so 23 temperature loggers were deployed throughout the watershed.  Loggers were in place from June 1 through September 30 so that the data would coincide with data collected by the MNDNR.  This data determined where juvenile trout could survive and grow, which provided a habitat restoration focal point.The Main West Branch and major unnamed tributaries were assessed for stream conditions, possible connectivity blockages, the state of the riparian cover, condition of stream banks, the location of adult spawning habitat and availability of juvenile holding habitat.  The identified impacts were compiled and overlaid with water temperature data so rehabilitation priorities could be selected based on stream biology.  One fact quickly learned was the significant impact of past and present beaver activity in the watershed.  One unnamed tributary had 29 current or historic dams in just over six miles of stream.  The beaver meadows created by these dams allow for invasive reed canary grass to infiltrate throughout the riparian zone eliminating any regeneration of trees.Through the assessment, the LSSA learned that more spring inflow occurred than originally thought by the MNDNR.  We are now able to predict where trout can live, thrive or parish based on water temperature.BLACK ASHIn the Scope of Work for Phase I of our Knife River Habitat Restoration Grant, identification and possible under plantings in black ash stands were discussed.  The emerald ash borer (EAB) has the potential to wipe out huge tracts of black ash stands through out the United Sates.  According to Laurentian RC& D GIS data, the Main West Branch has over 10 miles of black ash cover in the immediate riparian zone.During the assessment portion of Phase I, field notes and GPS coordinates were taken on black ash stands throughout the Main West Branch.  Technological advances have improved making identification of specific tree species possible by satellite imagery.  LIDAR and color infrared imagery (CIR), when combined, give the height, mass and specific electromagnetic spectrum to plants.  Black ash is rather unique in that it is usually the last to leaf out in the spring and one the earliest to lose its leaves in the fall.  Using our field data and comparing the CIR imagery for the area after black ash had lost their leaves and other deciduous trees maintained their leave cover, we could identify areas that held black ash.Our work was very timely in that the EAB has now been identified in Duluth’s Park Point neighborhood, most recently, in far eastern Duluth.One major item learned from both CIR/LIDAR imagery and verified in the field is that black ash stands are of mixed deciduous species-ash, maple and some yellow birch making under planting less imperative.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kevin,Bovee,"Lake Superior Steelhead Association","PO Box 16034",Duluth,MN,55816,"(218) 525-5960",outriderduluth@msn.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-restoration,,,,
23920,"Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation Phase II",2015,1410000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$1,410,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association to enhance trout habitat in the Knife River watershed. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - This project enhanced the lost riparian zone. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - This project increased the native naturally reproducing brook, brown and steelhead populations in the Knife River. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation - This project increased the overall trout population and give anglers more areas to fish and provide better opportunities to catch more fish. Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - This project improved stream habitat for brook, brown and steelhead trout. Improved aquatic habitat indicators - This project improved in-stream habitat by installing large woody debris that was lost due to logging of old growth trees.. This project will retain water through increased transpiration via tree planting and reduce erosion through streambank stabilization. ",,147200,"LSSA, private, MN DNR ",1404400,,,0.5,"Lake Superior Steelhead Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goal of PH II-Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation project was to improve instream habitat, stabilize slumping streambanks and restore the immediate riparian zone. Instream habitat and streambank stabilization was achieved by rehabilitating a 2200-foot stretch of stream utilizing Natural Channel Design methodology. This project reduced turbidity by stabilizing four slumping streambanks and creating instream habitat in two areas for adult trout spawning and two areas for 1+ juvenile rearing. Riparian plantings also occurred in this area. Riparian restoration was achieved in the West Branch tributary of the Knife River through several volunteer plantings and multiple large-scale Conservation Corps Minnesota plantings. ",,"The goal of PH II-Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation project was to improve instream habitat, stabilize slumping streambanks and restore the riparian tree canopy. Site Selection: The Lake Superior Steelhead Association (LSSA) conducted a rapid stream survey to determine the Knife River’s overall condition.  As stream impacts were identified during the survey, impaired stream reaches were photographed and mapped using a GPS unit.  The LSSA also monitored water temperatures to determine where trout survival is the highest.  Finally, biological data was collected to determine the quality of in-stream trout habitat.  This data was combined to rank and prioritize restoration areas where the worst stream impacts are restored, that reside in coolest water zones, within the best habitat corridors.  This data concluded that “first-priority reaches” were located in the upper main Knife River.  This also achieves our goal of a top-down restoration approach  Riparian planting sites were determined by site accessibility and stream assessment using procedures listed above.  Specified project riparian species were determined by the existing riparian habitat, upland or wetland conditions and exposure to sunlight. Restoration Techniques: Natural Channel Design (NCD) utilizes a science-based process to bring an unstable eroding stream reach back to a stable state.  This method surveys an impacted stream reach to collect data to compare it to several stable stream sections.  All survey work is performed using a geomorphic trained Stream Specialist.  The assessment data that is collected includes: stream width to depth ratios, floodplain elevation, erosion calculations, longitudinal profile, cross-section elevation and vegetation cover.  This assessment data is entered into a computer program called Geomorph to create plans and specifications that will redesign the impacted Knife River channel profile, dimensions and shape to mimic stable reaches within the Knife River Watershed. These plans create the basis for the construction project by depicting channel reconfiguration, placement of structures, location of streambed excavation, location and elevation of the floodplain and realignment of the channel.       The LSSA’s NCD process also features a top/down restoration approach.  This approach extends the habitat corridor downstream in three ways: •    Downstream habitats are protected because the upstream sediment load is reduced.   By stabilizing these upstream eroding banks, hundreds of tons of sediment will no longer discharge into the stream channel each year.  This discharged material will no longer fill pools and runs that are critical to rearing trout. •    Instream trout spawning success is more productive.  When trout spawn they discharge their eggs into the gravel.  When sediment discharges during high spring flood events, these eggs or newly hatched trout become covered by settling silts and suffocate larval trout.  By stabilizing these upstream banks sediment discharge is greatly reduced, which generally aids trout production. •    Newly constructed stream channels are reconnected to the floodplain.  These restoration projects reconnect the stream channel to the floodplains, which allows floodwaters to crest the bank and dissipate the current’s energy.  Floodwaters also become trapped and stored in associated floodplain wetlands.  This results in a lower velocity of floodwater and less volume of floodwater that discharges downstream.  This reduction of floodwater velocity and volume minimizes downstream erosion and habitat degradation.  Riparian Zone Planting Projects: •    The species of trees/shrubs being incorporated into the planting plan depends on the area to be planted.  Rehabilitating an abandoned beaver meadow will require species that can tolerate rather damp conditions and even periods of flooding.  The planting of higher elevations, which are not as wet and experience less flooding events, will utilize a wider array of species. •    Wet area species include: white spruce, tamarack, swamp white oak, river birch, silver maple and speckled alder. •    Higher elevation/dryer area species include: red pine, white pine, red maple, silver maple, bur oak, red oak, northern mountain ash and speckled alder. •    Shrubs/Pollinator Species That Are Utilized: viburnum, red twig dogwood, black chokeberry, snowberry, downy arrow-wood, sand bar willow. •    Several species listed above can be utilized in multiple planting locations. •    The LSSA uses locally procured stock for all of our plantings. Scope of Work: •    In stream Habitat Work Area: For PH II of the Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation Project, we restored approximately 2200 linear feet of stream on the main Knife River using the NCD processes.  Included in the area was the rehabilitation of largest slumping clay bank above Lake County Hwy 11.  This bank alone deposited tons of sediment downstream annually. •    Riparian Zone Work Area: We performed planting projects on the main stem of the Knife River and tributaries-the Main West Branch and Stanley Creek.  We planted both low areas and higher ground areas using the species mentioned above. Project Successes: •    In stream Habitat Work: Immediately following construction (and even during the project construction) trout were seen utilizing this stretch of river, ranging from young of the year to spawning adult ages.  Sediment being transported and deposited downstream or even out in Lake Superior has been lessened with the project. •    Riparian Zone Work: We planted many hundreds of trees in PH II creating a diverse riparian zone for years to come. Unique Aspects of the Project: •    Instream Habitat Work: One unique feature of our project is that we contracted with area loggers to bring in toe wood for areas where designated on the design plans.  Some groups prefer to take as much of the needed supplies from the work zone (toe wood, rocks, etc) but this increases the impact on the environment.  The LSSA tries to be as minimally intrusive on the stream and the riparian zone as possible in the project area.  All material that has to be removed for the project is 100% reincorporated back to the project area. •    Riparian Zone Work: The LSSA tried carrying in tree plugs to very remote areas in five gallon buckets.  We found that you could carry almost 50 plugs in one bucket to far removed planting sites much easier than individually potted trees.  This process worked best on areas that had recent beaver activity but the beaver had moved on and the dams had been breached. ",2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kevin,Bovee,"Lake Superior Steelhead Association","PO Box 16034 ",Duluth,MN,55816-0034,218-525-5960,outriderduluth@msn.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/knife-river-habitat-rehabilitation-phase-ii,,,,
10006489,"Lake George Dam and Rum River Erosion",2019,539000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(m)","$539,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to enhance aquatic habitat in and adjacent to Lake George in Anoka County and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat on the Rum River. A list of proposed habitat enhancements and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"645 Habitat acres Restored. ",,16900,"County Operating Budget, County Equipment / Operating Budget ",406300,,,,"Anoka County","Local/Regional Government","This proposal will address two separate problems: the eminent failure of the Lake George dam and two severe erosion sites on the Rum River at Rum River Central Regional Park. We propose to replace the current failing sheet pile dam with a new dam that allows for fish passage on the outlet of Lake George. We also propose to repair two river bank erosion sites rated as 'Severe' totaling approximately 625 feet on the Rum River which will reduce sediment loading into the river by 285 tons per year and will provide improved in stream fish habitat. ",,"Both of these projects were priorities for the State, County and local cities and both projects were able to be conducted with the State of MN Department of Natural Resources and the Anoka Conservation District as partners. These partnerships provided valuable input on the design and engineering of these projects. The Lake George Dam project was a success as the failing dam was replaced and lake levels stabilized. The scope of the project included removing the old failing dam and reconstructing a new sheet pile dam with boulders and rocks. These rocks and boulders were used to create short tiered pools on the downstream side of the dam to allow for fish passage. Work was conducted during the winter to reduce impacts. The project is a success without any notable issues. The lake level is stable, fish can now pass over the dam and 495 acres of lake habitat and 156 acres of wetland habitat are preserved. The Rum River erosion project required excavation for a more favorable slope, placement of root wads and trees into the bank and restoration. The root wads and trees are collecting sediment from the river and are rebuilding the eroded banks. The project was conducted during the winter to reduce impacts, but high spring flows and velocity caused some damage that had to be repaired. Once the water receded and the river slowed, repairs were made and restoration occurred. There was some plant mortality due to the deer in the area, but plants were replaced and the rest of the vegetation is established. This project is successful because the banking is rebuilding itself and is no longer contributing up to 285 tons of sediment per year in sediment loading and improves the stream and fish habitat in the river. The project also helps to improve spawning habitat, water clarity, water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels. The projects received excellent pricing during bidding and were able to be completed under budget. ",2018-07-01,2021-07-19,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Karen,Blaska,"Anoka County Parks","1350 Bunker Lk Blvd ",Andover,MN,55304,"(763) 324-3412",karen.blaska@co.anoka.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-george-dam-and-rum-river-erosion,,,,
10000088,"Lake Wakanda Enhancement Project",2018,921000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(h)","$921,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Kandiyohi County to enhance aquatic habitat within and adjacent to Lake Wakanda in Kandiyohi County. A list of proposed land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 1,754 acres ",,54900,"Kandiyohi County ",921000,,,0.1,"Kandiyohi County","Local/Regional Government","Kandiyohi County with Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council’s grant was used to address the ecosystem and critical lake habitat on Lake Wakanda. This shallow lake is part of a prairie chain of lakes located south of Willmar at the headwaters of the South Fork of the Crow River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The (4) new water control structures with fish barriers will enhance fish and wildlife habitat through active management, resulting in improved aquatic plant growth and distribution, wetland wildlife habitat, and a more diverse and balanced fishery with greater recreational opportunities for the public. ",,"Kandiyohi County entered into contract with Landwehr Construction of St. Cloud to construct the four water control structures. The completed Enhancement Project moves forward The Cooperative Enhancement Plan for Lake Wakanda, which was developed by bringing multiple partners together including Kandiyohi County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation District, Crow River Organization of Water, the Wakanda and Big Kandiyohi Lake Association, Blomkest Sportsmen's Club and Ducks Unlimited. The completed project included: •    Variable crest water control structures (2) with fish barriers on the south side of Lake Wakanda, connecting it to Big Kandiyohi Lake and the other replaced a sheet-pile structure on County Road #8 to assist with fish movement from downstream lakes and streams entering Lake Wakanda. •    Concrete box culverts (2) with one along County Road 123 to isolate fish from the west bay, improving wildlife habitat and the other was a replacement of a former cart-way crossing that connects the east bay of the lake to Little Kandiyohi Lake. ",2017-07-01,2020-09-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jeremy,Pfeifer,"Kandiyohi County","1801 E Highway 12 ",Willmar,MN,56201,(320)235-3266,jeremy.pfeifer@kcmn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Kandiyohi,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-wakanda-enhancement-project,,,,
801,"Lake Rebecca Water Quality Improvement Project",2010,450000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e)","$450,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Three Rivers Park District to improve the water quality in Lake Rebecca in Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Hennepin County. A description of the activities to enhance fish habitat in Lake Rebecca must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 1 shallow lake",,60000,"Three Rivers Park District",450000,,,None,"Three Rivers Park District","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will improve the water quality of Lake Rebecca in Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, and improve the fish habitat in the premier muskellunge brood stock lake in Minnesota. Water quality improvements will be achieved through a combination of management activities in the watershed to reduce phosphorus inflow to Lake Rebecca, control of the invasive species curly-leaf pondweed, stabilization of eroding shorelines, and application of alum (aluminum sulfate) to reduce internal phosphorus loading. The main objective is to reduce the in-lake phosphorus concentration to less than 40 ppb and thus improve lake water clarity and quality, and to enhance the growth of native plants both in the lake and along the shoreline.","Lake Rebecca is a 256-acre degraded lake located in Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Hennepin County.  Three Rivers Park District maintain a swimming beach, picnic areas, hike/bike trails, a boat launch, a boat rental facility, and two fishing piers in or adjacent to the lake.  In addition, Lake Rebecca is utilized by the DNR as a muskellunge brood stock lake for egg collection.  The lake is heavily used for pan fishing by minority populations, and for trophy muskellunge fishing.  In 2008, heavily used for pan fishing by minority populations, and for trophy muskellunge fishing.  In 2008, Lake Rebecca was listed as an impaired water body by the MN PCA because of excessive phosphorus levels and poor water clarity.  Seasonal algae blooms cause ""pea-soup"" green conditions in the lake, periodically resulting in fish mortality (over 30 and six bass died in 2007 from low dissolved oxygen levels) as dissolved oxygen level decline when algae populations die back.  Algae blooms are so severe that Three Rivers Park District must isolate the swimming facility from the main lake with beach curtain in order to provide swimming to park guests.  Three Rivers Park District proposed to implement the water quality improvement program beginning in 2009.  The Park District plans to initiate the Curly leaf pondweed control program in 2009.  The alum treatment will occur after Curly leaf pondweed control in order to ensure successful application.  Shoreline stabilization practices will be implemented in 2010.  These activities will reduce phosphorus inflow to the lake and reduce internal recycling of phosphorus.  Reducing the in-lake phosphorus concentration will improve water clarity which, along with control of invasive plant species in the lake; concentration will improve water clarity which, along with control of invasive plant species in the lake will enhance the growth of native plant communities.  Improved water clarity, reduced algae growth and increase native plant growth will provide improved habitat for fish.  In particular, sight feeders such as muskies and bass will benefit from improved water clarity.  In addition, the fish will experience reduced mortality because of improved dissolved oxygen conditions in the lake.  If this item if funded, the lake will experience improved clarity and replacement of invasive plants with native plant populations.  Because the Park District owns the entire lake shoreline, we can eliminate herbicide applications along the majority of shoreline and protect native plant populations.  In addition, the Park District can protect and enhance shoreline buffer areas along the lake shoreline.  The Park District has been collecting water quality data on Lake Rebecca for over 10 years.  Based on that data, water quality improvements are anticipated to occur within a year of initiation of the curly-leaf pondweed control program.  Growth response by native plants is expected to occur within 2 years.  Ultimate water quality goals will be achieved following the alum treatment.  The proposed management practices are proven technologies and have been used in other programs.  Therefore the project has a very high likelihood of success.  Three River Park District works very closely with the local landowners, municipalities and watershed management organization to plan and implement water quality management programs.  The decision of these organizations can affect positively or negatively the expected impact of the proposed improvement program.  The Park District believes that the cooperative relationships it has developed with these organizations will lead to decisions that support the Park District efforts.  The Pioneer-Sarah Creek WMO had adopted a non-degrading policy to ensure long-term protection of water resources.","Final Accomplishment Plan Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/5e.pdf",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,John,Barten,"Three Rivers Park District","12615 County Road 9 ",Plymouth,None,55441-1248,"(763) 694-7841",jbarten@threeriversparkdistrict.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hennepin,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-rebecca-water-quality-improvement-project,,,,
35040,"Lake Bemidji South Shore Restoration and Enhancement",2016,1650000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$1,650,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Bemidji to restore and enhance fish habitat on Lake Bemidji. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Improved aquatic habitat indicators. ",,62000,"City of Bemidji ",1602600,,,,"City of Bemidji","Local/Regional Government","After a century of industrial use, the project brought Lake Bemidji's South Shore to its original state. The city removed 1,144 tons of contaminated soil and sediment, 9,400 cubic yards of woody debris from the lake-bottom and planted native vegetation on the shoreline to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. ","   ","The Lake Bemidji South Shore Restoration and Enhancement project transformed a blighted shoreline and disturbed lake bed of one of northern Minnesota’s finest urban lakes into a model of restoration to its native state, improving water quality and aquatic habitat. The project was the final step of a restoration effort led by the City of Bemidji, in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and DEED. Lake Bemidji is the first major lake in the Upper Mississippi River watershed. It supports a diverse high quality fishery for walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and muskie. These species are dependent on high quality habitats.  The south shore of Lake Bemidji has a long history of industrial use which altered the shoreline and impacted water quality. The site housed several industries, primarily forestry companies. With their closing and/or relocation, the site became a blighted brownfield. Adjacent to downtown Bemidji, the project includes approximately 4/10 mile of shoreline. From 2008-2014, the City of Bemidji partnered with DNR and DEED to clean-up the site and restore the shoreline to its native state. Specifically: -    The City purchased the site and placed it in the MPCA Voluntary Investigation and Clean-Up (VIC) Program, and using a DEED redevelopment grant, cleaned up roughly 50 acres of land. -    The DNR purchased land from the City and extended the Paul Bunyan State Trail through the site. -    The City permanently designated the lakeshore between the trail and the lake as public land. -    The DNR purchased a large parcel of the eastern shoreline as a DNR Aquatic Management Area. Much work remained on the lakeshore and in lake bed. Approximately 9,400 cubic yards of woody debris from the old Crookston Lumber remained in the lake bottom and along the south shore. The debris covered 1,500 feet of lakeshore extending 200 feet from the shore and ranging from 1 to 4 feet deep.  The lakeshore needed to be restored to its original state, including native vegetation, trees, shrubs and natural erosion control. The land between the trail and the lake (3.1 acres) was replanted with native vegetation, improving water quality and habitat in the lake and 0.6 acre was restored for use by the public as a swimming beach, rest stop along the bike trail, and education area, totaling 3.7 acres restored for ecological and public use. The project returned the south shore of Lake Bemidji to its native state for the first time in a century, improved the shoreline and addressed water quality and aquatic habitat issues in an urban-recreational setting.  Now that restoration and enhancement is complete, the City developed (with funding outside Outdoor Heritage Council support) a regional park that provides public education on water quality and aquatic habitat restoration. The park utilizes roughly 20 percent of the shoreline. The project balances environmental protection and enhancement and public use and education on one of northern Minnesota’s premier lakes. The following was completed with Outdoor Heritage Fund support: Shoreline Restoration:  The historic industrial use of the site altered the south shoreline of Lake Bemidji. The effect was reduced water quality and compromised aquatic habitat. In May 2014, DNR specialists assessed the south shore site and determined the potential of restoring the site. The DNR recommended substantial clean-up and restoration work to improve water quality, habitat and erosion control. The restoration plan included: -    Site monitoring -    Site preparation/treatment of weeds -    Installation of native seed mixes -    Installation of 10,000 native plugs -    Planting 800 (#2) shrubs -    Planting 10 (#10) native trees -    Weed control  -    Installation of erosion control The city is committed to maintaining the improvements long term through its parks and recreation department.  Woody Debris Removal: The City studied the woody debris issue and completed design plans that lowered the lake level with a temporary cofferdam (protecting the fish) and excavating the debris out of the lake.  The City received the following permits: -    DNR Water Permit -    Army Corps of Engineers Permit -    MPCA Solid Waste/Beneficial Reuse -    Section 106 Review -    Bois Forte Band and Leech Lake Band Clearance Letter The construction work was publicly bid and specified the use of a water barrier cofferdam, Aquabarrier, Portadam, or equal. The Engineer reviewed these brands and permits were based on the specifications. MPCA VIC Program costs for remediation of contaminated soil/sediment is a fee program so costs were incurred for review. Approximately 9,400 cubic yards of woody debris was removed and replaced with sand. The excavated area extended 200 feet out from the shore, covering 1,440 feet of shoreline and depth of 1 to 4 feet. Overall, 240,000 square feet of Lake Bemidji was cleaned up and restored.  The woody debris was sampled and primarily used as clean backfill on site or properly disposed of if contaminated. Approximately 400 tons of contaminated soil and 750 tons of contaminated sediment/wood debris was managed and disposed of at a permitted landfill. The City spent $63,800 in design and permitting. The estimated cost to restore the lake bed was $1.5 million with vegetation restoration totaling $150,000. The City used Landmark Environmental, LLC and Anderson Engineering of MN for construction management because they designed, assisted in bidding, and acquired permits. The City believed they provided high quality and reasonably priced services. Landmark has staff in Bemidji and engineers and staff traveled from Twin Cities to Bemidji for meetings and construction as needed. Summary: Lake Bemidji is one of northern Minnesota’s most critical natural assets. The City of Bemidji requested and received $1.65 million in Outdoor Heritage funding to complete the shoreline restoration and woody debris removal. The restoration and enhancement improves water quality and habitat to native conditions.  The South Shore Lake Bemidji project was a finalist for a Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Award in 2017 for small city impact.  ",2015-07-01,2020-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Nate,Mathews,"City of Bemidji","317 Fourth Street NW ",Bemidji,MN,56601,"(218) 759-3565",nate.mathews@ci.bemidji.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Beltrami,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-bemidji-south-shore-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
35041,"Lake Nokomis Shoreline Habitat Enhancements",2016,444000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$444,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to enhance aquatic habitat on Lake Nokomis. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"2 Habitat acres Enhanced. ",,,,444000,,,0.64,"Minneapolis Park Board","Local/Regional Government","MPRB requests $444,000 to improve aquatic habitat in Lake Nokomis through integrated lake management. This project will enhance 4580 linear feet of shoreline. ",,"In 2015 the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) developed a new Master Plan for Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha area. This process took many months and was led by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and included several community meetings and public open house meetings to solicit feedback from the community. The purpose was to provide a community driven vision for new long-term improvements to park facilities, recreation, landscape, trails, and shorelines. The Master Plan studied the existing conditions of the park, assessed community needs in relation to park use, and proposed specific improvement projects. One of the visions established as part of the Master Plan was to create more naturalized areas around Lake Nokomis, converting turf areas to native landscapes. Native landscapes will help stabilize segments of the shoreline, improve water quality, and enhance native habitat. Park Board staff engaged the community again during the design and planning process for the shoreline restoration project. MPRB believes this helps develop a strong community understanding of the project need and importance, lifts up community knowledge of the area, and allows projects to be successful. MPRB staff and their team of consultants worked with stakeholder groups during the schematic design phase in an effort to develop a successful plan. Two community open house meetings were held for the community to better understand the reasoning for these improvements and to hear what impacts the proposed improvements would have on Lake Nokomis and the surrounding character of the area. The open house events engaged the community in a respectful manner, allowing the public to voice their opinions. In addition an online survey was conducted to solicit feedback from those who could not attend either meeting. The actual implementation of the project included three basic phases: site preparation, construction, and maintenance. Contractors began by installing sediment control devices at the lake edge, tree protection measures around trees to remain in the restoration area, and pedestrian control devices to ensure safe recreation in the vicinity during construction. Many trees were trimmed to ensure good sunlight penetration, and many invasive trees were removed. Segments of degraded bituminous pathway were also removed, to limit some pedestrian lake access. The last element of site preparation involved the application of EPA-approved herbicides by certified applicators to eliminate turfgrass and ground -level invasives. Construction activities primarily involved grading, rock placement, and planting. In placed the ground was regraded to ensure a more gradual slope from upland to submerged planting areas. Boulder riprap was installed in certain areas along the shoreline where wave action could to the most damage to the project. Field flagging of specific planting areas and lake access pathways (stabilized turf) guided subsequent plantings. The different zones were planted in different ways: -- Wetland Buffer Zone (near the shoreline): hand held seeders -- Upland Buffer Zone (majority of project): mechanical seeding by tractor, hand installation of perennial plugs near lake access pathways, later overseeding by both hand and mechanical means -- Emergent Planting Zone (in water): hand placement -- Shrubs (scattered throughout project): hand and machine planting In all the project planted at least 49 species of native forbs, 35 species of native grasses and sedges, and 4 species of native shrubs. Maintenance activities included in the construction contract and funded by OHF occurred throughout 2020 and into the spring of 2021. Activities included the spot re-application of herbicides to control invasive weeds, hand pulling of invasives, spot and large-scale mowing to control annual weeds and invasives, and implementation of Integrated Pest Management plan for long term care and maintenance. ",2015-07-01,2021-07-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Adam,Arvidson,"Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board","2117 West River Road N ",Minneapolis,MN,55411,"(612) 230-6470",aarvidson@minneapolisparks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hennepin,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-nokomis-shoreline-habitat-enhancements,,,,
2550,"Land Addition to Janet Johnson Memorial WMA",2012,577000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c)","$577,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Chisago County to acquire land in fee to be added to the Janet Johnson Memorial Wildlife Management Area under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This program attempted to complete an acquisition that failed.",,15000,"NGO Volunteers and County Personnel",3200,,,.15,"Chisago County","Local/Regional Government","Attempted to Acquire 108.5 acres of land adjacent to the 555 acre Janet Johnson WMA. The land is a mix of forest (29 acres), wetlands (35 acres on the NWI), and agriculture (44.5 acres). ",,"Acquisition failed due to land seller not agreeing with the appraised value of the parcel.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jeffrey,Fertig,"Chisago County Department of Environmental Service","313 North Main Street, Room 243","Center City",MN,55056,651-213-8378,jafertig@co.chisago.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Chisago,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/land-addition-janet-johnson-memorial-wma,,,,
10000089,"Laurentian Forest - St. Louis County Habitat Project",2018,1522300,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(b)","$2,400,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association in cooperation with The Conservation Fund and St. Louis County to acquire land in fee to be transferred to St. Louis County for wildlife habitat purposes for agreements as follows: $2,292,000 to Minnesota Deer Hunter Association; $108,000 to Conservation Fund. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"1,600 acres protected (in fee without state PILT liability) ",,,,1520400,13000,,0.4," Minnesota Deer Hunters Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Project Partners Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) and The Conservation Fund (TCF) worked to cooperatively with St. Louis County to protect 1,600 acres of forest habitat at risk of being converted to uses that would degrade critical habitat for wildlife in Minnesota's northeast forest landscape. ",,"  • On May 24, 2016, the St. Louis County Board unanimously endorsed the Laurentian Forest Project developed by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) and The Conservation Fund (TCF), and supported full funding of the joint application to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for this project. • St. Louis County worked closely with TCF and MDHA to select private forest lands which were strategically important to St. Louis County’s forest management program. • MDHA purchased 1,600 acres of strategically selected forestlands on February 27, 2018. • On October 22, 2019, the St. Louis County Board accepted a donation of 1,600 acres of land from the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) in cooperation with The Conservation Fund to be managed for forestry, wildlife habitat, water quality and recreational purposes. These strategically located private forest lands were acquired by MDHA to manage and preserve forest habitat, protect water resources, and provide public hunting and recreational opportunities on lands that may not have remained open to the public. • MDHA’s and TCF’s goals for purchasing 1,600 acres of private forest land in St. Louis County were seamlessly consistent with the St. Louis County’s own resource management goals, which include improving forest health and productivity, protecting wildlife habitat and water quality, providing raw materials for local industry, and providing opportunities for tourism and recreation. Furthermore, the Laurentian Forest Project provided opportunities to consolidate public land ownership and expand the county’s working forest land base which supports the County’s traditional logger workforce and rural community economies.     ",2017-07-01,2021-02-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Craig,Engwall,"MN Deer Hunters Association","460 Peterson Road ","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,"(218) 327-1103",craig.engwall@mndeerhunters.com,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/laurentian-forest-st-louis-county-habitat-project,,,,
794,"Little Nokasippi River Wildlife Management Area",2011,843000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$843,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements to acquire interests in land within the boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard Army compatible use buffer(ACUB) program. Of this appropriation, $225,000 is for the Department of Natural Resources to acquire land for wildlife management areas and $618,000 is for an agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"1,120",,3500000,,843000,,,None,"BWSR and DNR","State Government","This program will not only expand an existing WMA by 252 acres for public outdoor recreation (e.g. hunting, fishing, etc.) but it will also protect the viability of the WMA into perpetuity through 634 acres of permanent conservation easements. This project focuses on the Little Nokassippi River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) which was established in 2006 complements to the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program and the support from Crow Wing County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The WMA is situated within a very critical area of the Camp Ripley ACUB. Similar to military installations, WMAs across the state are impacted negatively by the pressures of development on their boundaries resulting in alterations to their intended land use. WMAs such as the newly established Little Nokasippi River WMA were established for the benefit of public recreation and when restrictions are imposed due to conflicting land use the public use is degraded. This project will ensure compatible land use into perpetuity. Two noteworthy public resources that impacted by the pressures of development include the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Carlos Avery WMA. ","The affects of population encroachment have been felt by military installations across the country. The most common solution has been restrictions placed on units training, which degrades training realism. Since encroachment has not yet become a serious issue on the periphery of Camp Ripley, Soldiers have not been limited in the field in terms of meeting their training objectives. In other words...Soldiers are able to train as they will be expected to fight on the battlefield. However, this could change quickly particularly in the vicinity of the Little Nokasippi river WMA which is located within a noteworthy growth corridor. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center the population within the corridor is projected to grow 27% growth rate within the next 30 years. Acquiring the interest in lands around Camp Ripley including the Little Nokasippi River WMA will curb growth within this corridor and thereby ensure unrestricted training for Soldiers far into the future. It's the unrestricted, quality training, and facilities at Camp Ripley that ensures Soldier readiness. The project will be implemented in accordance with formal Cooperative Agreements between the DNR, BWSR and National Guard Bureau (NGB). The agreements formalize the methodology and strategy for implementing the ACUB program for which the Little Nokasippi River WMA and this L-SOHC proposal is a part of. All land parcels acquired under the agreement must be located within the three-mile buffer area surround Camp Ripley. Furthermore, the parcels will be pursued in accordance with the prioritization process presented in the Camp Ripley ACUB proposal including, but not limited to, proximity to Camp Ripley, size of parcel(s), potential for development, land owner willingness, availability, and cost. To ensure objectivity in parcel selection, a comprehensive database has been created to evaluate all land parcels lying within the 110,000 acre ACUB area which includes the Little Nokasippi River WMA. The data base is linked to criteria that are used to rank or score all candidate land parcels. The initial decision to create the Little Nokasippi River WMA required the support of the Crow Wing County Board by resolution. This was accomplished unanimously and based on recent conversations with county board members; the expansion will be approved without hesitation. In fact, the board is prepared to include 170 acres of county tax forfeited land into the boundaries of the expanded WMA in conjunction with the success of this L-SOHC proposal. ","Accomplishment PlanThis project focused on the Little Nokassippi River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) which was established in 2006. It complements the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program and enjoys support from Crow Wing County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The WMA is situated within a very critical area of the Camp Ripley ACUB. Similar to military installations, WMAs across the state are impacted negatively by the pressures of development on their boundaries resulting in alterations to their intended land use. WMAs such as the newly established Little Nokasippi River WMA were established for the benefit of public recreation and when restrictions are imposed due to conflicting land use the public use is degraded. This project has ensured compatible land use into perpetuity.The affects of population encroachment have been felt by military installations across the country. The most common solution has been restrictions placed on units training, which degrades training realism. Since encroachment has not yet become a serious issue on the periphery of Camp Ripley, Soldiers have not been limited in the field in terms of meeting their training objectives. However, this could change quickly particularly in the vicinity of the Little Nokasippi river WMA which is located within a noteworthy growth corridor. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center the population within the corridor is projected to have a 27% growth rate within the next 30 years. Acquiring the interest in lands around Camp Ripley including the Little Nokasippi River WMA curbs growth within this corridor and thereby ensure unrestricted training for Soldiers far into the future.The project has been implemented in accordance with formal Cooperative Agreements between the DNR, BWSR and National Guard Bureau (NGB). The agreements formalize the methodology and strategy for implementing the ACUB program for which the Little Nokasippi River WMA and this LSOHC project is a part of. All land parcels acquired under the agreement are located within the three-mile buffer area surround Camp Ripley. Furthermore, the parcels have been secured in accordance with the prioritization process presented in this Camp Ripley ACUB project including, but not limited to, proximity to Camp Ripley, size of parcel(s), potential for development, land owner willingness, availability, and cost.To ensure objectivity in parcel selection, a comprehensive database has been created to evaluate all land parcels lying within the 110,000 acre ACUB area which includes the Little Nokasippi River WMA. The data base is linked to criteria that are used to rank or score all candidate land parcels.The initial decision to create the Little Nokasippi River WMA required the support of the Crow Wing County Board by resolution. This was accomplished unanimously and the expansion was also approved without hesitation.4-23-2015 - All Fee Title documents have now been uploaded by DNR and the Final Report will now be submitted.1-21-2015 - Corrective NOFRs have now been recorded and uploaded to the LSOHC database for each parcel. The Final Report is now being submitted.Final Report 11/10/2014 -Accomplishments -14 easements were recorded on 973.1 acres utilizing $618,000 of OHF funding and $587,108 of Army National Guard Bureau (ACUB) funds. In addition 4 parcels were purchased by MN DNR, and added to the Little Nokasippi WMA, totaling 147 acres utilizing $105,750 of OHF funding and $$341,430 of ACUB funding. Unfortunately two fee title purchase agreements canceled and we were beyond the time period that would allow moving these funds to other parcels, therefore $119,250 of OHF funds will be returned.The National Guard Bureau, County Governments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, DNR, BWSR, and local landowners are all extremely satisfied with this project and we have been held up as a national model for both ACUB and wildlife habitat outcomes. The accomplishments of this project shows the success of a federal, state and local partnership working together with private landowners for multiple social and environmental outcomes.Challenges -One easement was split funded with ML10 and ML12 OHF ACUB funding. This last easement took longer to record than the other easements funded with this appropriation. If we had turned back the left over funding, instead of using it with a split funded easement, we could have completed a final report much sooner.A few LSOHC Database reporting notes -1. Numbers are automatically rounded after they are entered which causes challenges with tracking budgets and progress.2. In the approved Accomplishment Plan all acres and dollars were planned to be conducted in the Forest-Prairie Transition Ecological Section. In the end only 29.6 acres was in the Forest-Prairie Transition Section and the remaining 943.5 acres are located in the Northern Forest Section (along with the corresponding funding). In the Final Report Output Tables we are unable to enter data into the Northern Forest Section.3. Easements with this project were funded with OHF and ACUB funding sources. Total acres of easements are shown in the Output Tables and in the Parcel Data. The ACUB leveraged dollars are shown in the Budget Table but can not be shown in the Output Tables, since it will then shown more than the OHF appropriation.4. Easement 49-01-13-04 was split funded between ML10 and ML12 OHF funded ACUB projects. Only the acres and dollars corresponding to the ML10 OHF funding have been reported in this report.5. In the original Accomplishment Plan the same acres were reported as both under Protect and Habitats categories. Subsequent LSOHC staff guidance was given to only show easement accomplishments in the Protect line. Therefore the Output Table appears to show less acres than was originally planned but in fact more acres of easements were secured than was originally planned.",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Dan,Steward,BWSR,"1601 Minnesota Drive ",Brainerd,None,56455,"(218 828-2598",dan.steward@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/little-nokasippi-river-wildlife-management-area,,,,
10006480,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase VII",2019,3740000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(f)"," $3,740,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Shallow lakes enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs made possible by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informal basis..",,,140000,"DU private and future federal NAWCA",3670000,70000,,7,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes program will enhance 1,000 acres of shallow lakes and restore 50 acres of small wetlands by engineering and installing water control structures for Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on public lands and wetlands under easement. Structures will be used by DNR and Service partners to restore wetland hydrology and actively manage shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other birds, and hunters in the Prairie Region of Minnesota. DU will engineer structures and contract with private sector firms for construction and earth-moving work.","This is Phase 6 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and prairie wetland restoration conservation program, and will enhance 1,000 acres of shallow lakes and restore 50 acres of small wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU provides wetland engineering services to the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to survey, design, and install water level control structures to enhance degraded shallow lakes and restore drained wetlands on public land and under easement. Water control structures will be used to conduct temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity. DU engineers will survey and design water control structures, and will manage their construction by private sector firms contracted by DU.Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota’s Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota’s landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetlands restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands along with 99% of native prairie uplands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Shallow lakes and wetlands that remain are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and they now function as the core of Minnesota’s remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now often receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to highly drained watersheds, high and stable water levels in which nutrients collect and carp and other invasive fish proliferate. The result is that aquatic ecology functions stagnate and wetland productivity declines, and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates result. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a decline in Minnesota’s diverse waterfowl resources, and in Minnesota’s rich waterfowling tradition too.This funding request will support DU projects that biologists and wetland engineering staff assess shallow lake and wetland restoration project feasibility, and design and manage construction of water control structures and fish barriers required to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. Funding will support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-vii,,,,
10000090,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase V",2018,4716000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(f)","$4,716,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management purposes. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"This program enhances and restores shallow lakes, large marshes, and small pothole wetlands in Minnesota's Prairie Section. Many wildlife species of greatest conservation need and those listed as Threatened or Endangered rely on wetlands or are wetland-dependent. As Minnesota has lost 90% of our wetlands in the Prairie Section and most of the larger marshes and shallow lakes there are turbid and degraded due to agricultural drainage runoff and invasive fish (especially common carp), this conservation work directly benefits the habitat needs of many Minnesota wildlife species of greatest conservation need, including Threatened/Endangered species found in Minnesota's Prairie Section.","A total of 3,520 acres were affected: 83 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 3,437 in Enhance.",886800,"DU Private, DU Private and NAWCA Federal, Federal NAWCA, DU Private and NAWCA Federal and DU Private",4644600,71400,,6.5,"Ducks Unlimited","State Government","Ducks Unlimited successfully enhanced 3,437 wetland acres and restored 83 wetland acres through this grant, which significantly exceeds our grant acre goals of 2,000 acres of wetland enhancement and 50 acres of wetlands restored for this 2017 OHF appropriation. Ducks Unlimited successfully completed this work by spending 99% of this OHF grant appropriation while also providing significantly more non-state leverage than proposed, specifically $886,800, which is 443% more than the $200,000 pledged back in 2017 by successfully leveraging several federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants along with providing more DU private funding too.","Ducks Unlimited promptly began spending this ML 2017 OHF grant in July 2017, with DU biologists and engineers surveying and designing several new shallow lake enhancement projects while beginning construction of several previously-designed projects too. The following is a list of wetland projects and acres completed by Ducks Unlimited for the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under this 2017 OHF appropriation: 458 wetland acres enhanced in North and South Badger Lakes in Murray County, where DU constructed a new variable-crest water level control weir structure on the outlet of North Lake. 30-acre wetland enhancement on Riverside WMA in Lac Qui Parle County. 102 acres enhanced in two wetlands on Haydenville WMA in Lac Qui Parle County. 361-acre Sanborn Lake was enhanced with a large variable-crest water level control structure in Le Sueur County. 150 wetland acres enhanced via new water control structure on the outlet of Tyler WMA in Lincoln County. 206-acre Long Lake was enhanced with a water control structure in Cottonwood County. 13 acres of wetlands restored on the Ullenhop USFWS Easement adjacent to Long Lake in Cottonwood County. 202 acres enhanced in Hurricane Lake in Cottonwood County by modifying and improving the existing water level control structure to make it more effective and manageable. 706-acre Lake Hassel was enhanced in Swift County north of Benson; 290 acres wetland acres enhanced on Redhead Slough WPA in Grant County; 216-acre Ward Lake enhanced in McLeod County; 260-acre Timm Lake enhanced in Yellow Medicine County; 5 acres of wetlands restored on Fish Lake WPA in Cottonwood County; 14 acres of wetlands restored on Buffalo Lake WPA in Murray County 2 acres of wetlands restored on the Welch USFWS Easement in Meeker Co. 20 acres of wetlands restored on the Doering USFWS Easement in Meeker Co. 1 acre wetland restored on Harder Lake WPA in Cottonwood County; 16 acres of wetlands enhanced on Ben Wade WPA in Pope County; 20 acres of wetlands restored on Ward Lake WMA in Sibley County; 3 acres of wetlands restored on Watonwan River WPA in Cottonwood County; 5 acres of wetlands restored on Cottonwood Lake WPA in Cottonwood County, and, 440-acre Curtis Lake enhanced in Yellow Medicine County. Total accomplishments include 3,437 wetland acres enhanced and 83 wetland acres restored by DU through this grant, which significantly exceeds the acre goals of 2,000 acres of shallow lake enhancement and restore 50 acres of wetland habitat for this 2017 OHF appropriation.",,2017-07-01,2023-01-19,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Meeker, Murray, Pope, Sibley, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-v,,,,
10019627,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase VII",2022,3960000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(g) ","$3,960,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easements for wildlife management. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - This program will restore and enhance wetlands on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and USFWS Habitat easements, and similar wetlands for MNDNR, each of which will be selected strategically by USFWS and MNDNR to benefit existing wetland complexes and migratory birds for both breeding and migration habitat, and which will be monitored by USFWS and MNDNR. Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Wetland and shallow lakes restored or enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informative opportunistic basis",,,375000," and DU private and federal NAWCA funds",3905000,55000,,1.9,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 7 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance 1,160 acres of shallow lakes and restore 120 acres of small wetlands by engineering and installing water control structures for Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on public lands and wetlands under easement. Structures will help DNR and Service agency partners restore wetland hydrology and actively manage shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other birds, and hunters in Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region. DU will engineer and design projects, and hire private contractors to restore wetlands and construct water control structures.","This is Phase 7 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and prairie wetland restoration conservation program, and will enhance shallow lakes, enhance wetlands, and restore wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU provides wetland engineering services to the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to survey, design, and install water level control structures to enhance degraded shallow lakes and restore drained wetlands on public land and under easement. Water control structures will be used to conduct temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity. DU engineers will survey and design water control structures, and will manage their construction by private sector firms contracted by DU. Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota's Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetland restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands along with 99% of native prairie uplands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Shallow lakes and wetlands that remain are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and they now function as the core of Minnesota's remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now often receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to highly drained watersheds, high and stable water levels in which nutrients collect and carp and other invasive fish proliferate. The result is that aquatic ecology functions stagnate and wetland productivity declines, and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates result. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a decline in Minnesota's diverse waterfowl resources, and in Minnesota's rich waterfowling tradition. This funding request will support DU projects that biologists and wetland engineering staff assess for shallow lake and wetland restoration project feasibility, and design and manage construction of water control structures and fish barriers required to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. Funding will support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Martin, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-vii-0,,,,
9815,"Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Initiative, Phase 2",2013,4490000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$4,490,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to assess, restore, and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands, including technical assistance, survey, design, and engineering to develop new enhancement and restoration projects for future implementation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 150 acres and Enhanced 2,936 acres of wetlands",,839300,"Ducks Unlimited private funds and federal funds",4490000,24000,,2.3,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing engineering program restored and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands by installing water level control structures to improve aquatic plant abundance and water clarity in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Ducks Unlimited engineered and completed 20 projects, including 3 wetland restorations and 17 shallow lake enhancements.  In all, this work restored 150 wetland acres and enhanced 2,936 shallow lake acres for a total of 3,086 wetland acres completed, surpassing our goals and spending all the state funds appropriated while providing $839,300 in non-state funding as leverage, well-beyond our proposal.",,"This grant was Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing engineering program restored and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands by installing water level control structures to improve aquatic plant abundance and water clarity in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Ducks Unlimited engineered and successfully completed 20 wetland projects through this appropriation, including 3 wetland restorations and 17 shallow lake enhancements.  In all, this work restored 150 wetland acres and enhanced 2,936 shallow lake acres for a total of 3,086 wetland acres completed, surpassing our goals and spending all the state funds appropriated while providing $839,300 in non-state funding as leverage, well-beyond the goals in our proposal and accomplishment plan.Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands, and many wetlands in other ecoregions of the state, to drainage. The shallow lakes and large marshes that remain now serve as the core of Minnesota’s remaining waterfowl habitat complexes, and are often those basins that were too deep to drain. These remaining wetlands now receive excessive water and nutrient runoff from a highly altered and intensively drained landscape, and are easily accessed by invasive fish such as common carp. As a result, many basins are now turbid and degraded due to high, stable water levels that allow carp and other invasive fish to proliferate and aquatic ecology to stagnate. The results is a lack of aquatic plants and invertebrates required to sustain migrating and breeding waterfowl, especially those species that rely on aquatic foods exclusively such as diving ducks.As a result, ducks migrating through Minnesota on their way north to breed in spring find sparse aquatic food resources, much to their detriment further north, and also again in the fall when their passage through Minnesota appears briefer each year. Those waterfowl that remain here to breed find poor brood-rearing habitat, as shallow lakes and marshes have a paucity of high quality wetland habitat with abundant aquatic plants and invertebrate food resources on which young ducks rely. These factors have contributed to a decline in Minnesota’s diverse waterfowl resources and, unfortunately, a decline in Minnesota’s rich waterfowling traditions.To remedy this situation, Ducks Unlimited’s “Living Lakes Initiative” assists the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other conservation partners to enhance and restore Minnesota’s shallow lakes and wetlands. This grant supported Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's biological and engineering work to design and construct water control structures and fish barriers. DU biologists worked closely with Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program biologists to assess wetland conditions and identify possible management solutions. DU biologists and engineers surveyed, designed, and constructed the water control infrastructure necessary for state and federal agency staff to actively manage water levels. Funding in this request also supported ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations.Most enhancement work occured in the Prairie Region by design, as that is where waterfowl are in most need of habitat improvements.  Structures are used by agency managers to simulate natural temporary drought cycles in shallow lakes and wetlands that rejuvenate the aquatic ecological process that produces abundant aquatic plants and invertebrates. These structures last for 30 or more years and are generally use by agency staff every 5-7 years to conduct periodic temporary draw-downs that are key to enhancing and maintaining highly productive wetlands. Importantly, DU also restored smaller wetlands on public and other protected land near shallow lakes. Shallow lakes were selected for enhancement by DNR and FWS managers, and generally enjoy strong support from the public for improvement. The Minnesota DNR holds public meetings to share information on the current condition and management plan for shallow lakes designated for wildlife management purposes.PlanningEvery statewide conservation plan recognizes the need for improving and protecting Minnesota’s shallow lakes and associated wetlands for optimal wildlife habitat. The Minnesota DNR’s Duck Recovery Plan is the most specific, calling for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 restored wetlands to Minnesota’s landscape. DU’s Living Lakes Initiative supports this plan through a goal of improving 300 Minnesota shallow lakes in 10 years. Shallow lakes and wetlands are identified as critical habitat for several “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” listed in Minnesota’s “Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild & Rare: An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife”, including lesser scaup, northern pintail, and trumpeter swan.Importantly, Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes Initiative directly address Minnesota’s Statewide Conservation & Preservation Plan Habitat Recommendations #4 and #5 on pages 78 and 80, respectively, which calls for the restoration and protection of shallow lakes (page 78) and the restoration of land, wetlands, and watersheds (page 80). This program addresses the LSOHC priorities of wetland and shallow lake restoration and enhancement in the Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition sections. Finally, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’s Prairie Pothole Joint Venture prioritizes the restoration and management of wetlands and shallow lakes through goals and objectives for improved brood-rearing and migration habitat for ducks. Many of the shallow lakes and wetlands prioritized for enhancement by DU are located within wetland habitat complexes identified by the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Strategic Habitat Conservation model and are high priority basins for both Service and Minnesota DNR field managers. DU shallow lake and wetland enhancement work is performed in close coordination and collaboration with either the Minnesota DNR or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and these agencies assume all future management and operation responsibilities for water control structures designed and installed by DU.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(320) 762-9916",jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Murray, Otter Tail, Sibley, Stearns, Wadena, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-initiative-phase-2,,,,
23904,"Living Shallow Lakes & Wetlands Initiative Phase IV",2015,4888300,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$4,910,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to assess, enhance, and restore shallow lakes and wetlands, including bioengineering, technical assistance, feasibility investigation, survey, and design to develop new enhancement and restoration projects for future implementation. A list of proposed enhancements and restorations to be constructed through this appropriation must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 59 acres, enhanced 5,952 acres for a total of 6,011 acres ",,731000,"Federal NAWCA and DU private ",4799900,70000,,4.0,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","In this Phase 4 of our ongoing ""Living Lakes"" program to enhance shallow lakes and restore wetlands, DU successfully enhanced 5,952 acres of shallow lakes and wetlands and restored 59 acres of wetlands by completing 16 separate projects for waterfowl and other wildlife in the Prairie, Transition, and Metro Sections in partnership with Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and private landowners.  These accomplishments significantly exceeded our goal of 4,000 acres, and included $731,000 in non-state funds as leverage, far exceeding our pledge of providing at least $110,000 in non-state leverage funds. ",,"Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of Prairie wetlands, and many wetlands in other parts of the state, to drainage.  The prairie shallow lakes and wetland that remain are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and they now function as the core of Minnesota’s remaining waterfowl habitat complexes.  However, these remaining wetlands now receive excessive water and nutrient runoff from a highly interconnected, drained landscape through which invasive fish have easy access.  As a result, most of our remaining wetland and shallow lake basins are turbid and degraded due to high, stable water levels in which nutrients collect, carp and other invasive fish proliferate. Natural water level fluctuations no longer occur, fish winterkill events are rare, and aquatic ecology functions stagnate.  The result is a lack of aquatic plants and invertebrates required to sustain migrating and breeding waterfowl and other wetland-dependent birds, especially those species such as diving ducks that exclusively rely on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. Nongame wildlife such as shorebirds and wading birds suffer too. As a result, ducks migrating through Minnesota on their way north in spring find sparse aquatic food resources, much to their detriment when they stop to breed further north due to the importance of nutrient reserves required for egg laying.  Those waterfowl that remain here to breed encounter poor brood-rearing habitat, as few shallow lakes and marshes here have high quality wetland habitat with abundant aquatic plants and invertebrate food resources on which young ducks rely.  These factors have contributed to a decline in Minnesota’s diverse waterfowl resources and, unfortunately, a decline in Minnesota’s rich waterfowling traditions. To remedy this situation, this grant helped fund the ongoing delivery of Ducks Unlimited's “Living Lakes Initiative” conservation program to provide bio-engineering services to assist the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), and private landowner partners to enhance, restore, and protect Minnesota’s shallow lakes and wetlands.  This Phase 4 program funded Ducks Unlimited bio-engineering staff that assessed, designed, and constructed water control structures and fish barriers to improve wetlands on public land.  DU biologists worked closely with Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program biologists to assess wetland conditions and identify possible management solutions, and assisted DNR in garnering private landowner and public stakeholder support for project implementation, including permits and easements.  DU surveyed, designed, and constructed the infrastructure necessary to actively manage public water wetland water levels.  This grant also supported ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU staff and consultant biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this ongoing, programmatic conservation initiative once permits and easements are acquired by DNR and FWS. Finally, this grant also paid for DU costs to administer this grant. Most wetland enhancements and restorations occurred in the Prairie Section and supported the state’s Prairie Conservation Plan, along with a couple projects in the Metro and Transition Sections too.  Water control structures will be used by agency managers to simulate natural temporary drought cycles in shallow lakes and wetlands that rejuvenate the aquatic ecological process that produce abundant aquatic plants and invertebrates for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.  These structures last for 30 or more years and are generally used by agency staff every 5-7 years to conduct periodic temporary draw-downs that are key to enhancing and maintaining highly productive wetlands.  During draw-downs, mudflat conditions will provide critical habitat for migrating shorebirds, and shallow emergent marshes resulting from draw-downs will benefit many wading bird and tern species too. DU may also survey, design and restore smaller wetlands on public and other protected land near shallow lakes when opportunities to do so arise. Shallow lakes were selected for enhancement by DNR and FWS managers in consultation with DU field biologists, and generally enjoy strong support from the public for improvement.  Minnesota DNR held public meetings to share information on current conditions and management plans for shallow lakes designated for wildlife management purposes.  Every statewide conservation plan recognizes the need for improving and protecting Minnesota’s shallow lakes and associated wetlands for optimal wildlife habitat. The Minnesota DNR’s Duck Recovery Plan is the most specific, calling for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota’s landscape.  DU’s Living Lakes Initiative supports this plan through a goal of improving 300 Minnesota shallow lakes in 10 years.  Shallow lakes and wetlands are identified as critical habitat for several “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” listed in Minnesota’s “Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild & Rare: An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife”, including lesser scaup, northern pintail, and trumpeter swan. Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes Initiative directly addresses Minnesota’s Statewide Conservation & Preservation Plan Habitat Recommendations #4 and #5 on pages 78 and 80, respectively, which calls for the restoration and protection of shallow lakes (page 78) and the restoration of land, wetlands, and watersheds (page 80).  Finally, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’s Prairie Pothole Joint Venture prioritizes the restoration and management of wetlands and shallow lakes through goals and objectives for improved brood-rearing and migration habitat for ducks.  Many shallow lakes and wetlands prioritized for enhancement by DU are located within wetland habitat complexes identified by the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Strategic Habitat Conservation model and are high priority basins for both FWS and Minnesota DNR wildlife managers.  Shallow lakes and wetlands which undergo temporary water level draw-downs will provide excellent mudflat habitat for shorebirds and excellent shallow water and emergent marsh habitat for non-game wading birds and terns as called for by national and regional shore and wading bird conservation plans, in addition to improving waterfowl habitat.  DU shallow lake and wetland enhancement work is performed in close coordination and collaborative partnership with the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, other government agencies, and private landowners. ",2014-07-01,2019-11-15,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Stevens, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lakes-wetlands-initiative-phase-iv,,,,
10006478,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Ph. V",2019,2013000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(j)","$2,013,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $1,350,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - The construction contractor will be required to produce as-built measurements to verify that the contracted design for the projects were built as designed or modified as a result of direct in the field oversight of construction. Once the projects are satisfactorily constructed, the MNDNR will work in partnership with the MLT, USEPA, the MPCA and other AOC partners to conduct biological sampling intended to monitor the outcome of these and all other AOC projects. Some of projects were not funded by the OHF, but will be monitored as part of this broader program..",,,,,1986500,26500,,1.75,DNR,"State Government","MNDNR’s St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) applies a collaborative approach to restore sites impacted by legacy habitat alterations of wood waste, wetland loss and sedimentation to establish ecologically resilient aquatic and riparian fish and wildlife habitat that will establish the St. Louis River Estuary as a premier fishing and outdoor recreation destination. MNDNR will restore 181 acres of priority aquatic and riparian habitat at multiple sites in the lower St. Louis River in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust. Upon completion, approximately 732 acres of habitat will have been restored as a result of OHF’s participation.","MNDNR continues its collaboration with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and other agencies to develop and construct projects that will restore aquatic habitat in the Estuary. MNDNR has been actively involved in assessment and planning for restoration and recovery of the St. Louis River Estuary since the early 1980’s. The SLRRI was established by MNDNR in 2010 to accelerate implementation of the Lower St. Louis River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and delisting of the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) by combining the resources of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and Minnesota Legacy Amendment. While the AOC is scheduled for delisting in 2025, other estuary projects listed in the RAP will be advanced through the SLRRI's Federal/State partnership.Past support from the OHF has been applied to several projects critical to restoring estuary fish and wildlife habitat including: (551 acres of restoration completed or in progress)Phase 5 of the SLRRI continues implementation of the SLRRI with restoration of an additional 36 acres of aquatic and shoreline habitat. MLT will be directly appropriated funds from ML2017 and ML2018 to advance elements of project design and construction in partnership with MNDNR. The top priority for allocating funds from this appropriation is Perch Lake. The other projects identified in the proposal are also priorities for the SLRRI and are being advanced through developed partnerships and processes. Therefore, funds from this allocation will also be applied to support efforts of SLRRI staff to move these project toward construction.Proposed projects include:•Perch Lake – A sheltered bay that was isolated from the river by construction of Minnesota Highway 23. This project would enhance the hydrologic connection with the estuary to improve water quality and fish habitat. •Mud Lake – A sheltered bay impacted by legacy wood waste and bisected by a railroad causeway. This partner driven project would integrate with a MPCA lead remedial project and a City of Duluth project to restore shallow estuary wetland habitat. •Kingsbury Creek – Degraded cold-water trout stream that drains to Kingsbury Bay. This project would reduce sedimentation, improve trout habitat and protect wetland restoration gains realized in the Kingsbury Bay/Grassy Point Project.•Keene Creek – Degraded cold-water trout streams that drains to Grassy Point. This partner driven restoration will enhance the creek’s connection to its floodplain, reduce sedimentation, restore trout habitat, and increase resiliency of the Grassy Point Project, also funded with earlier OHF appropriations. •Grassy Point – Potential necessary work in Keene Creek wetlands and other shorelines not completed with funds available from previous appropriations. •Wild Rice – Additional funds are being requested to advance the broad partnership (MNDNR, WDNR, MLT, Fond du Lac, 1854 Treaty Authority and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission) restoring estuary wild rice. •Munger Trail Causeway – A fish and wildlife migration barrier along recently restored Knowlton Creek between the estuary and Magney-Snively Forest Complex. Proposed work will remove the causeway and restore a natural stream channel.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lindgren,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","5351 North Shore Drive ",Duluth,MN,55804,"((218)302) 3274-",john.lindgren@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-ph-v,,,,
10011419,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase 6",2020,3777000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(h)","$3,777,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic and riparian habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $2,182,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - MNDNR evaluates habitat restoration effectiveness using a variety of physical and biologic metrics measured pre- and post-project. Completed restoration associated with the AOC will be measured in acres of habitat restored and evaluated to remove beneficial use impairments and ultimately delist the AOC. .",,,1137500,"NRDA, USEPA",3725000,52000,,2.10,DNR,"State Government","MNDNR’s St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) is a collaborative program that has successfully enhanced and restored the ecological diversity of this unique and valuable resource. The vision for the Estuary includes diverse, productive, and healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the river and watershed. Contributing to this vision, MNDNR will restore 133 acres of priority aquatic and riparian habitat at multiple sites in the Estuary in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust. When Phase 6 is complete, approximately 627 acres of habitat will have been restored by using OHF funds to leverage a substantial amount of federal funding.","The St. Louis River Restoration Imitative (SLRRI) and OHF partnership began in 2014 to achieve fish and wildlife habitat restoration in the St. Louis River Estuary (Estuary) that contributes to the delisting of the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC). The partnership has effectively and efficiently restored 551 acres of aquatic habitat. This proposal includes projects identified by the 2002 Lower St. Louis River Habitat Plan (Habitat Plan). If accomplished, these projects will move toward complete implementation of the vision described in the Habitat Plan, and will maintain investments already made in the Estuary. Funding for this phase of the SLRRI will be leveraged with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. In Phase 6 of the SLRRI, MNDNR will continue to apply its broad partnership to construct 138 acres of projects. The MNDNR will also continue its close implementation partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) to speed completion of priority projects. Similar to 2017 and 2018, funds will be directly appropriated to MLT for Perch Lake, Interstate Island, or other projects as determined by MNDNRPerch Lake is a shallow sheltered bay that is isolated from the Estuary by Minnesota Highway 23. The goal is to restore a hydrologic connection with the Estuary to improve water quality, promote diverse aquatic vegetation, and establish recreational boat access. Perch Lake represents the last MNDNR objective toward delisting the AOC. Interstate Island WMA is a critical habitat project. The island is located in the lower Estuary and is home to Lake Superior’s largest colony of Common Terns (threatened) and is critical habitat for Piping Plover (endangered). Increasing water levels have decreased available nesting habitat by 50% since an emergency restoration effort was conducted by MNDNR in 2015 with funds from OHF and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Restoration will increase the island’s elevation to protect against flooding. MLT submitted a proposal for this work to LCCMR for $1,243,500 on April 11, 2018, including a partner letter from MNDNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.Mud Lake is a warm water fish and migratory bird restoration project. Mud Lake is the Estuary’s flat/sheltered bay upstream of the US Steel Superfund Site impacted by legacy wood waste and bisected by a railroad causeway. The SLRRI team will work in close coordination with the MPCA, USEPA, and the City of Duluth to address sediment contamination, enhance hydrologic connection, remove legacy wood waste, and restore aquatic ecological function.Kingsbury and Keene Creeks are trout stream restoration projects. These multi-partnered projects will enhance the creeks’ connection to their floodplains, reduce sedimentation, restore trout habitat, and increase resiliency of Estuary restoration efforts currently being completed with earlier OHF appropriations.Lower Knowlton Creek is a trout stream restoration project. The project will remove a fish and wildlife migration barrier along recently restored Knowlton Creek between the Estuary and Magney-Snively Forest Complex. Proposed work will remove the barrier and restore a natural stream channel. ",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","525 S. Lake Avenue Suite #415",Duluth,MN,55802,"((218)302) 3245-",melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-phase-6,,,,
10000103,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase IV",2018,3392000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(f)","$3,392,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $226,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The 12,000 acre St. Louis River Estuary, at the head of Lake Superior, is a unique Minnesota resource. It is the largest source of biological productivity to Lake Superior as well as the world?s largest freshwater shipping port. The combination of extensive wetlands, warmer waters and the connection to Lake Superior resulted in it becoming the primary source of productivity for the western Lake Superior fishery and a critical flyway for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Nearly two-thirds of the estuary?s native wetlands have been altered, eliminated or impaired as a result of historic impacts of dredging, filling and waste disposal associated with industrial activities. The St. Louis River Restoration Initiative Program targets locations for restorations that will directly benefit species of greatest conservation need, threatened/endangered species, and targeted species by improving habitat quality and extent in strategic locations to maximize benefits to populations. Completed restorations at Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point target coastal marsh habitat which provides spawning and nursery habitat for target species such as muskellunge and walleye. Both project designs incorporated deeper habitat benefitting species like northern pike. The Interstate Island restoration project directly targeted and benefitted two threatened and endangered species by restoring and protecting nesting habitat for the Common Tern (threatened) and stopover habitat for Piping Plover (endangered). Restoring manoomin provides food and shelter for many fish and is one of the most important foods for waterfowl in North America. Minnesota DNR?s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy lists 17 species of wildlife known as ?species of greatest conservation need? that use wild rice as habitat for reproduction or foraging.","A total of 144 acres were affected: 144 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",6793400,"MN Coastal Prog, USEPA-GLRI and NRDA",3339000,49500,,0.8,DNR,"State Government","DNR's St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) advanced multiple large-scale habitat restoration projects. ML2017 funds contributed to: ?Removing 300,000 CY of invasive vegetation, sediment, and sawmill waste from the waters of Kingsbury Bay and Grassy Point, restoring approximately 230 acres of coastal marsh habitat; ?Restoring five acres of habitat at Interstate Island for a threatened avian species by beneficially using over 52,000 CY of clean sand dredged from navigation channels; ?Seeding approximately 5,000 pounds of manoomin with tribal partners, and ?Developing designs to restore and reconnect two isolated back bays at Perch and Mud Lakes","ML2017 funds advanced the following projects: Grassy Point and Kingsbury Bay: Project objectives included removing invasive vegetation and sediment from Kingsbury Bay to restore open water wetlands, deeper fish habitat, and coastal marsh. MNDNR beneficially used clean sediment removed from Kingsbury Bay to remediate wood waste impairments at Grassy Point and establish open-water wetland. Legacy sawmill waste was excavated from the river, constructing an island complex to shelter the bay and support upland and littoral habitat. Project designs and specifications were completed by Barr Engineering in 2017-18. MNDNR awarded a construction contract was to Veit, Inc. in April 2019. Project construction began in June 2019 and required three seasons to complete. The project was deemed substantially complete in November 2021. MNDNR used ML2017 funds for project coordination, project design, construction, and construction oversight. The project was constructed with funds from multiple OHF appropriations and non-OHF leverage. Therefore, a portion of the total project acres will be reported with ML2017. Interstate Island: The project goal was to restore the largest Common Tern nesting colony in the Lake Superior watershed. Objectives included increasing the island's footprint and elevation to protect against flooding, enhancing the tern nesting area, and developing a long-term management plan. ML2017 funds were allocated to the Minnesota Land Trust and used to fund a contract with SEH, Inc. to develop the project design and long-term management plan. Final plans and specifications were completed in February 2020 and the long-term management plan was completed in December 2020. The project was constructed in 2020 using ML2018 funds and non-OHF leverage. Therefore, acres associated with this project will be claimed in the final report for ML2018. Manoomin: MNDNR works within a larger partnership using a 2014 plan to restore manoomin (wild rice) to the St. Louis River, where it was historically abundant. Using funds from ML2017 and ML2018 appropriations, MNDNR entered into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to restore manoomin in high priority bays. For reporting purposes, the 38 acres seeded using ML2017 and ML2018 appropriations will be reported proportional to funds spent, with 11 acres reported for ML2017 and 28 acres for ML2018. MNDNR continues to participate in the bi-state, multi-agency partnership restoring manoomin. Perch and Mud Lakes: Project objectives include restoring coastal marsh habitat by removing sediment and increasing the hydrologic connection between the two isolated bays and the St. Louis River. Using ML2017 and ML2018 funds, MNDNR established partnership agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop designs for Perch and Mud Lakes, respectively. ML2017 funds were also allocated to MLT to manage the Perch Lake project and collect baseline data. Perch Lake is currently under construction using other OHF appropriations and non-OHF leverage; construction will be complete in 2023. Mud Lake is currently in the baseline data collection and design phase and is planned for construction using other OHF appropriations and non-OHF leverage in 2024. Acres associated with these projects will be reported under later OHF appropriations.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-07,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota DNR","525 Lake Ave S. #415 ",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218 302-3245",melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-phase-iv,,,,
10019650,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative Phase 8",2022,2024000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(l)","$2,024,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance priority aquatic, riparian, and forest habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this amount, up to $500,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Program monitoring conducted by others will evaluate the response of indicator species at project sites",,,1085000,"GLRI, NRDA and GLRI",1952700,71300,,1.45,DNR,"State Government","MNDNR's St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) is a collaborative program enhancing and restoring the St. Louis River estuary. This 12,000 acre estuary is a unique resource of statewide significance. SLRRI's vision for the estuary includes diverse, productive, and healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the river and watershed. MNDNR and MN Land Trust's SLRRI Phase 8 will restore an additional 155 acres of priority aquatic, wetland, and forested habitat for important fish, game, and SGCN. To date, the OHF has supported approximately 661 acres of estuary habitat restoration, leveraging over $23 million in federal funding.","The SLRRI Phase 8 will restore and enhance priority habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. With LOSHC support, SLRRI has successfully developed and implemented critical projects in the estuary since 2014. SLRRI employs a collaborative approach using a network of resource managers, researchers, and key stakeholders. As partners in the SLRRI, the MNDNR and MN Land Trust have effectively and efficiently restored wetland, stream and open water aquatic habitats while leveraging significant federal support. Minnesota DNR will continue to restore and enhance 30 acres and 5,000 feet of priority habitats identified in the 2002 Lower St. Louis River Habitat Plan and 2019 St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) Remedial Action Plan (RAP), with an emphasis on the following: Mud Lake is a warm water fish and migratory bird restoration project. Mud Lake is an estuarine bay and coastal wetland complex . It is degraded by legacy wood waste and a railroad causeway. The SLRRI team will work in close coordination with the MPCA, USEPA, and the City of Duluth to restore ecological function to support birds and aquatic life. Kingsbury, Lower Knowlton, and Keene Creeks are trout stream restoration projects. These multi-partnered projects will enhance the creeks' connection to their floodplains, reduce sedimentation, restore trout habitat, remove barriers, and increase resiliency of estuary restoration efforts currently being completed with earlier OHF appropriations. MN Land Trust will expand the work of SLRRI and begin restoration of avian habitat for globally and regionally important bird guilds in the St. Louis River Estuary Important Bird Area (SLR IBA). The first phase of the effort includes restoration of 100 acres of forest for land birds and 25 acres of coastal wetlands for marsh birds: Forest restoration will be conducted in priority degraded forest stands in the City of Duluth. Restoration will improve forest health of the stands, while maximizing the benefit to migrating and breeding birds. Proposed work consists of thinning, controlling invasive species, and planting native trees and understory plants with species and patterns that maximize bird habitat. Hemi-marsh restoration will be conducted in coastal wetlands within the St. Louis River Natural Area in Duluth. Improvements will restore habitat conditions to be more attractive to migrating and breeding birds and other native wildlife communities. Proposed work includes recreating the historic ratio of water interspersed with emergent vegetation in locations now dominated by invasive species such as narrow-leaf cattail or reed canary grass. MNDNR and MN Land Trust will continue to closely coordinate with SLRRI partners to integrate, prioritize, and develop additional fish and wildlife restoration projects to improve fish and wildlife populations throughout the estuary and surrounding watersheds. Work on project sites previously identified within the SLRRI program area will continue.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","525 Lake Ave S #415 ",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218 302-3245",melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-phase-8,,,,
10017835,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative Phase 7",2021,2280000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(k)","$2,280,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore priority aquatic and riparian habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - MNDNR evaluates habitat restoration effectiveness using a variety of physical and biologic metrics measured pre- and post-project. Completed restoration associated with the AOC will be measured in acres of habitat restored and evaluated to remove beneficial use impairments and ultimately delist the AOC",,,,,2203600,76400,,2.8,DNR,"State Government","MNDNR's St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) is a collaborative program enhancing and restoring this unique and valuable resource. The SLRRI's vision for the estuary includes diverse, productive, and healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the river and watershed. Contributing to this vision, MNDNR works with partners throughout the 12,000-acre estuary to identify and prioritize key projects and implement previously identified projects that restore 35 acres of priority aquatic and riparian habitat. When Phase 7 is complete, approximately 596 acres of habitat will have been restored, using OHF funds to leverage a substantial amount of federal funding.","The St. Louis River Restoration Initiative (SLRRI) and OHF partnership began in 2014 to achieve fish and wildlife habitat restoration in the St. Louis River Estuary (Estuary) that contributes to the delisting of the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC). The partnership has effectively and efficiently restored wetland, stream and open water aquatic habitats. This proposal includes projects identified by the 2002 Lower St. Louis River Habitat Plan (Habitat Plan) and the 2013 St. Louis River Remedial Action Plan. When accomplished, these projects will move toward complete implementation of the vision described in the Habitat Plan and will maintain investments already made in the Estuary. Funding for this phase of the SLRRI will be leveraged with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. The MNDNR will continue to closely coordinate with SLRRI partners to integrate, prioritize, and develop fish and wildlife restoration projects throughout the estuary, building on lessons learned from completed projects. In addition, work on specific project sites within the SLRRI program area for previously identified priority sites will continue. In Phase 7 of the SLRRI, MNDNR will continue to apply its broad partnership to construct 35 acres of restored fish and wildlife habitat. Mud Lake is a warm water fish and migratory bird restoration project. Mud Lake is an estuarine bay and wetland complex upstream of the US Steel Superfund Site. It is degraded by legacy wood waste and bisected by a railroad causeway. The SLRRI team will work in close coordination with the MPCA, USEPA, and the City of Duluth to address sediment contamination, enhance hydrologic connection, remove legacy wood waste, and restore aquatic ecological function. Kingsbury and Keene Creeks are trout stream restoration projects. Phase 7 will support Keene Creek design and Kingsbury Creek design and construction to enhance the creeks' connection to their floodplains, reduce sedimentation, restore trout habitat, and increase resiliency of Estuary restoration efforts currently being completed with earlier OHF appropriations. Lower Knowlton Creek is a trout stream restoration project. The project will produce a design to remove a fish and wildlife migration barrier along recently restored Knowlton Creek between the Estuary and Magney-Snively Forest Complex and restore a natural stream channel. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","525 Lake Ave S #415 ",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218 302-3245",melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-phase-7,,,,
23926,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative",2015,2290000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$2,290,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore habitat in the lower St. Louis River estuary. Of this appropriation, up to $500,000 is for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 31 acres, enhanced 7 acres for a total of 38 acres ",,1600000,"NOAA, GLRI, CWF ",2230100,147900,,2.15,DNR,"State Government","Chambers Grove: restored a natural shoreline, improved fish spawning habitat, and planted native shoreline vegetation (completed in 2015). Kingsbury Bay: completed engineering and design; began restoration of a wetland complex impacted by excessive sediment and non-native species (to be completed Dec 2020).  Grassy Point: completed engineering and design; began restoration of a wetland complex impacted by legacy milling waste and non-native species (to be completed Dec 2020). Perch Lake: developed a restoration concept design and initiated the construction design process with the US Army Corps of Engineers (to be completed in 2021). ",,"Chambers Grove: restored a natural shoreline, improved fish spawning habitat, and planted native shoreline vegetation (completed in 2015). Kingsbury Bay: completed engineering and design; began restoration of a wetland complex impacted by excessive sediment and non-native species (to be completed Dec 2020).  Grassy Point: completed engineering and design; began restoration of a wetland complex impacted by legacy milling waste and non-native species (to be completed Dec 2020). Perch Lake: developed a restoration concept design and initiated the construction design process with the US Army Corps of Engineers (to be completed in 2021). ",2014-07-01,2020-06-23,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","525 S Lake Avenue - Suite 415",Duluth,MN,55802,(218)302-3245,melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative,,,,
35054,"St. Louis River Restoration Initiative Phase 3",2017,2707000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$2,707,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore aquatic habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"67 acres restored ",,5000000,"NRDA, GLRI ",2668300,66000,,1.75,DNR,"State Government","Kingsbury Bay: completed engineering, design, permitting, and contracting.  Began a multi-year restoration of a wetland complex impacted by excessive sediment and non-native species in 2019 (to be completed fall 2021).  Grassy Point: completed engineering, design, permitting, and contracting. Began a multi-year restoration of a wetland complex impacted by legacy milling waste and non-native species in 2019 (to be completed fall 2021). 40th Ave. West: placed biomedium (organic-rich sediment sourced from Kingsbury Bay) to help restore benthic macroinvertebrate and aquatic plant communities at a MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) restoration site. This task was completed in 2020. ","   ","From early concept design and feasibility assessments to on-the-ground construction, the SLRRI followed a programmatic, partner-driven approach to implement large, complex, aquatic restoration projects.  Conceptual designs were developed around specific restoration goals and objectives.  These designs recognized and integrated current knowledge of natural processes in the St. Louis River.  Throughout the formal design process, SLRRI involved a Restoration Site Team (RST) composed of local resource managers, experts, researchers, and stakeholders.  The RST contributed expertise and knowledge, reviewed the design at various points throughout the process, and provided input and recommendations.  This involvement contributed greatly to the goal of designing resilient, self-sustaining habitat components that met project goals and objectives.     Grassy Point and Kingsbury Bay: SLRRI is completing restorations at Grassy Point and Kingsbury Bay as a combined project. Project objectives include excavation of accumulated sediments from Kingsbury Bay to restore open water wetlands and coastal marsh habitats.  MNDNR will beneficially use the clean sediments removed from Kingsbury Bay to remediate wood waste impairments at Grassy Point and facilitate the establishment of healthy open-water wetland. The project will construct a complex of created islands that will shelter the bay behind them. The islands will also increase the overall project site diversity by supporting healthy upland and littoral functions. Funds from this appropriation were used by SLRRI to manage and coordinate all steps necessary to advance these large, complex restoration projects. The SLRRI also applied ML2016 funds to project design, engineering, and construction contracts.  The SLRRI awarded a contract to Barr Engineering in March 2017 to complete the project design using funds from the OHF and the USEPA - GLRI. The design process was completed with input from the public and technical partners on the RST. A Heath Impact Assessment (HIA) was completed by the USEPA, which incorporated additional public input to evaluate the impact of the design on fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and other public health-related issues. No funding from OHF was used for the HIA. The findings of the HIA showed a positive social health outcome by implementing the MNDNR Draft Final Design. A Record of Decision pertaining to the state's Environmental Review was issued, and all necessary permits and agreements were obtained. The Final Design and bid documents were completed in March 2018. In April 2019, a construction contract was awarded to Veit, Inc. Construction began in June 2019. Major activities completed in 2019 included: underwater buttress and berm construction at Grassy Point, sediment excavation at Kingsbury Bay with beneficial use at Grassy Point, and non-native cattail removal at Kingsbury Bay. Construction resumed in spring 2020; over 120,000 cubic yards of legacy wood waste were removed from the waters of Grassy Point, and used to construct a series of islands.  At Kingsbury Bay, the remaining non-native cattails were removed, as well as excess sediments.  The clean sediments were beneficially used to cap the constructed island features at Grassy Point, and to restore benthic habitat at both Grassy Point and a nearby project at 40th Avenue West (led by the MPCA, see below).  Channel control structures (j-hooks, boulder vanes, and log sills) were constructed at the inlets to Kingsbury and Keene Creeks.  During the 2020 construction season, it became apparent that production rates would extend the completion of both projects into 2021.  The project is currently scheduled for completion in fall 2021. 40th Avenue West This is a ""remediation to restoration"" project being completed under the St. Louis River Area of Concern program and led by the MPCA.  At 40th Avenue West, MPCA constructed six underwater shoals to eliminate contaminant exposure pathways and restore shallow sheltered bay habitat to improve fish, wildlife, and native plant communities.  The shoals were completed in 2018. The project's design included a six-inch application of ""biomedium"" over the completed shoal features.  Biomedium describes clean sediment rich in organic material, plant propagules, and benthic macroinvertebrates and is intended to ""jump start"" bug and plant communities on the constructed features. After the sediments in Kingsbury Bay were characterized, MNDNR and MPCA identified an opportunity to collaborate by beneficially using approximately 19,000 cubic yards of the dredged Kingsbury Bay sediments as biomedium to cover a 27-ac portion of the shoals. This work was completed in 2020. ",,2021-01-26,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Melissa,Sjolund,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","525 Lake Avenue S #415",Duluth,MN,55802,(218)-302-3245,melissa.sjolund@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/st-louis-river-restoration-initiative-phase-3,,,,
10006499,"Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership (Phase IV)-Upper Pool 9 Backwater Enhancement and Floodplain Forest Restoration",2019,1555000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(i)","$1,555,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic and forest habitats in the lower Mississippi River watershed, upper Pool 9 backwater. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Annual Fisheries surveys have been conducted by MN DNR in backwaters of upper Pool 9 since 1993, and continued monitoring will provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the 15 acre aquatic enhancement portion of this project. USFWS and USACE personnel will monitor and evaluate the success of the techniques used to restore 20 acres of floodplain forest..",,,,,1532600,22400,,,DNR,"State Government","This proposal seeks to enhance and restore 35 acres of fish and wildlife habitat on the lower Mississippi River in Houston County benefiting bluegill, crappie, bass, deer and Blue-winged and Prothonotary warblers. Sedimentation in Upper Mississippi River (UMR) backwaters and declining UMR floodplain forests are a concern to resource managers, anglers, hunters and recreational users. This proposal includes dredging accumulated sediments from a 15 acre backwater in upper Pool 9 and utilizing that material to bury invasive Reed Canary Grass and enhance topographical diversity on 20 acres of Mississippi River floodplain in support of tree planting and floodplain forest restoration.","Aquatic habitat in backwaters of the UMR are filling due to sedimentation from tributary inputs, altered hydrology and island erosion. Backwaters that historically provided deep water habitat and refuge to fish, reptiles and amphibians have decreased in quantity and quality throughout the UMR. The 15 acre aquatic area in upper Pool 9 to be enhanced by dredging will benefit bluegill, crappie and bass populations. Additionally, the area to be dredged is located in a protected bay adjacent to a public access and will increase year-round angling opportunities for multiple fish species. This is a unique project in that dredged material (silts and clays) will be used beneficially to enhance topographic diversity in support of floodplain forest restoration.Much of the existing floodplain forest in the Upper Pool 9 project area has been declining in coverage over the past several decades. Flat topography, higher groundwater levels caused by impoundment, increased frequency and duration of inundation, and reduced creation of new islands and shoreline have decreased the amount of terrestrial land cover suitable for sustaining forested communities in this area and throughout the UMR floodplain. Furthermore, increased competition from Reed Canary Grass (RCG), an aggressively invasive species whose occurrence is widespread throughout the project area, has adversely affected forest regeneration and altered the natural succession of open areas to forest. Placement of dredged material on a 20 acre area consisting of a monotypic stand of RCG will bury the invasive RCG, increase floodplain elevations by 2 - 3 feet and provide a clean medium for tree planting and direct seeding to restore the floodplain forest community, benefiting SGCN neo-tropical migrant bird species such as Prothonotary and Cerulean warblers.This project directly addresses the systemic issues of floodplain forest loss and habitat fragmentation, and is a priority action item in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) UMR Systemic Forest Management Plan. It incorporates a variety of floodplain forest restoration components such as: increasing tree species diversity; reintroduction of a hard mast component in floodplain forest communities; improving wildlife habitat; incorporation of innovative restoration measures such as the utilization of dredge materials for the purpose of increasing topographic diversity; and invasive species control and management. In addition, the project lends itself to the adaptive management process by incorporating a variety of restoration measures as well as post-project monitoring to measure their effectiveness, thereby informing future floodplain forest restoration efforts. As stated in the report ""Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi River System 1998"" (USGS 1999), ""The ecosystem as a whole benefits from floodplain forests. Besides serving as a rich habitat for wildlife and fish during floods; the forests reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and provide a scenic and recreational landscape."" Floodplain forest restoration in this location will allow for direct comparison with other floodplain forest restoration techniques being utilized in adjacent parcels by partner organizations and agencies. Those partners include MN Audubon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the USACE. ",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Dan,Dieterman,"MN DNR","1801 S. Oak St. ","Lake City",MN,55041,"(651) 345-3365",dan.dieterman@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Houston,"Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-mississippi-river-habitat-partnership-phase-iv-upper-pool-9-backwater-enhancement,,,,
10011399,"Lower Wild Rice Corridor Habitat Restoration - Phase II",2020,2975000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(e)","$225,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed District to acquire land in permanent conservation easement and to restore river and related habitat in the Wild Rice River corridor. $2,750,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire lands in permanent conservation easements and to restore river and related habitat in the Wild Rice River corridor, of which up to $111,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Funding from this allocation was utilized for the land acquisition phase of the long term project that will restore 50 miles of river and over 6,500 acres of habitat for associated fish and wildlife communities. The Wild Rice River and associated prairie and forest lowland habitats were identified as key habitats for species of greatest conservation need in the Red River Prairie ecoregion. Key among aquatic species is the Lake Sturgeon, a species of special concern. The Wild Rice River provides sturgeon habitat and restoration of the river will help ensure successful reestablishment of sturgeon populations in the Red River basin. This project will also likely benefit mussel and insect populations in the Wild Rice River. Two species of mussels, black sandshell and fluted-shell are listed as species of special concern are known to be present in the upstream reaches of the Wild Rice River. Two species of caddisfly present in the Wild Rice River are also listed as species of special concern. Acquisition and restoration of the stream and associated riparian wetlands will also improve habitat for Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and more than 50 other fish species present in other reaches of the Wild Rice River.","A total of 38 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 38 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",46900,"Wild Rice Watershed District",287000,,,0.56,"Wild Rice Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This Corridor Habitat Restoration Project is a cooperative effort between the District (WRWD), MN Board of Soil and Water Resources (MNBWSR), MN DNR, and Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB). This is a voluntary program with the long-term goal to restore a natural corridor area along the Lower Reach of the Wild Rice River. When completed, the project will restore 23 channelized river miles to 50 miles of natural stream channel. The funding from this allocation was used to protect and restore approximately 38 acres of floodplain forest, wetland, and grassland habitat along the Wild Rice River.","The long-term goal of the Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration Project is to restore a natural corridor area along the Lower Reach of the Wild Rice River. When completed, the project will restore 23 channelized river miles to 50 miles of natural stream channel. Due to the overall size of the initiative, it is planned that the project will be conducted in multiple phases over the next decades. The phases were established to allow both for orderly implementation of the project and to ensure that wildlife and habitat benefits would be gained from the onset of implementation. The following describes the anticipated phases and major work items anticipated under each phase. Phase 1 ?Land Acquisition/Restoration ? This phase will involve acquisition of a Conservation Easements to provide the Wild Rice Watershed District land rights to install and maintain future phases of implementation. As part of this phase, the production of agricultural crops within the parcel would cease and the area would be restored to a permanent vegetative cover by the landowner as set forth in the Conservation Easement conservation plan. Phase 2 ? Detailed Design and Setback Levee Construction ? Once a significant reach of property has been enrolled as part of Phase 1 and detailed design for the corridor restoration has been completed, the existing river-side levees would be decommissioned and replaced with new levees setback further from the river. The alignment of these levees would be established to maximize the use of the available Phase 1 corridor and to allow for future implementation of Channel Rehabilitation under Phase 3. Phase 3 ? Channel Rehabilitation ? Phase 3 will involve restoration of the channel along an approximately 23-mile segment of river. This restoration will reconnect many segments of the natural river that were cutoff by the channelized, leveed river channel. Reconnecting the floodplain will also benefit adjacent prairie and wetlands. During this phase, it is anticipated that a combination of modifications to historic oxbows that were cut off during the earlier straightening project and new meandering river channel segments would be constructed to create a long-term stable river channel In addition, wetlands will be restored where determined practicable and compatible with setback levee and channel rehabilitation locations. Funding from this allocation was utilized specifically for Phase 1.",,2019-07-01,2023-08-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tara,Jensen,"Wild Rice Watershed District","11 East 5th Avenue ",Ada,MN,56510,"(218) 784-5501",tara@wildricewatershed.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Norman,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-wild-rice-corridor-habitat-restoration-phase-ii,,,,
18192,"Lower Mississippi River Habitat Restoration Acceleration",2011,1000000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate agency programs and for cooperative agreements to acquire land in the Root River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition, restoration, and enhancement. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Protected 151 acres of wetlands, 113 acres of prairies and 86 acres of forests.",,49000,"RIM, TUDARE",970500,800,,,,"State Government","This program resulted in permanent protection of three parcels totaling 350 acres. All three parcels are now being managed as Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) by MN DNR. This exceeds the original goal of 319 acres. Acquisition of two other parcels were attempted, but the offers were turned down by the sellers. The Lower Mississippi River Habitat Restoration Partnership is a long-term effort to restore habitat connectivity and improve water quality in critical areas along the Mississippi River corridor from the Twin Cities to the Iowa border by reconnecting tributaries to their floodplains, revitalizing backwaters and channels, and protecting and restoring floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairies that are essential to sustaining the incredible diversity of plants, animals, and human uses provided by this great river. Critical areas include the lower reaches of the Root, Zumbro, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers, and the backwaters and channels of Mississippi River Pools 2 and 3 (St. Paul to Red Wing). FY2011 funding from the LSOHC focused on acquisition and restoration of key parcels in the Lower Root River floodplain. Acquisitions will be completed by the MN Dept of Natural Resources and restoration will be accomplished through outside contracts. ",,"MN DNR protected lands in the SE bluffland ecological section with this appropriation, and has or will restore grassland by planting native prairie.  DNR prioritizes acquisitions at sites where there is an existing habitat base to address fragmentation and to maximize habitat benefits.  Potential acquisitions are scored and ranked on numerous ecological and management criteria.  DNR seeks out willing landowners and conducts all transactions in accordance with state law and departmental policy.  County Board approval is obtained for all WMA acquisitions.Three properties totaling over 400 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program.  This appropriation provided funding for 350 of those acres. Additional acres were funded by a Phase II OHF appropriation.  We were able to meet or nearly meet our original goals for forest and wetland acres protected, but failed to meet our prairie protection goal. The final and largest parcel acquired with this funding was dominated by wetland and forest habitat, so we fell about 20% short of the prairie goal.",2011-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Rick,Walsh,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5232",rick.walsh@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Houston,"Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-mississippi-river-habitat-restoration-acceleration,,,,
10021389,"Lower Mississippi River Habitat Restoration Acceleration , Phase 1",2011,1000000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate agency programs and for cooperative agreements to acquire land in the Root River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition, restoration, and enhancement. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,,,,,1000000,,,None,DNR,"State Government","The Lower Mississippi River Habitat Restoration Partnership is a long-term effort to restore habitat connectivity and improve water quality in critical areas along the Mississippi River corridor from the Twin Cities to the Iowa border by reconnecting tributaries to their floodplains, revitalizing backwaters and channels, and protecting and restoring floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairies that are essential to sustaining the incredible diversity of plants, animals, and human uses provided by this great river. Critical areas include the lower reaches of the Root, Zumbro, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers, and the backwaters and channels of Mississippi River Pools 2 and 3 (St. Paul to Red Wing). FY2011 funding from the LSOHC will focus on acquisition and restoration of key parcels in the Lower Root River floodplain. Acquisitions will be completed by the MN Dept of Natural Resources and restoration will be accomplished through outside contracts. ","Prompt action is needed to protect and restore habitat that has been degraded in critical areas along the Mississippi River for fish and wildlife, including 82 species listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern. Channel modifications and levees along the lower end of the Zumbro and Root Rivers continues to fragment the lower tributary floodplains at their connection to the Mississippi River, resulting in a loss of wetlands, floodplain forest, and prairie. Development along the Vermillion and Lower Cannon Rivers continues to fragment floodplain forests and impact bluff landscapes. Locks and dams combined with excessive sediment from the Minnesota River watershed continue to degrade the river above Lake Pepin, with high turbidity and lack of a low water cycle preventing the growth of aquatic vegetation which provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Acting now will protect these critical areas from further degradation and provide opportunities to improve habitat connectivity and restore wetlands, forests, and prairies for fish and wildlife that live and migrate along the Mississippi River corridor. Outdoor Heritage funding for FY2011 will focus directly on protecting 86 acres of wetlands, 135 acres of prairie, and 98 acres of forest in the Lower Root River floodplain. Of those, 20 acres of wetlands, 135 acres of prairie, and 75 acres of forest will also be restored, and 10 acres of forest will be enhanced. Most parcels that are acquired and restored will connect to existing state or federal conservation lands and increase the amount and quality of habitat for fish and wildlife along the Mississippi River. Over 20 agencies and organizations have joined together as partners in this effort, working cooperatively to meet common goals for the Mississippi River. These partners have successfully protected and restored forests, wetlands and prairies through their individual acquisition and private lands assistance programs, and have helped reduce turbidity and sediment in the Mississippi and its tributaries through TMDL and watershed conservation efforts. Partners have the knowledge and skills to accomplish this work. Outdoor Heritage funding will allow partners to accomplish additional protection and restoration work in critical areas within the Lower Root River floodplain. Partners will leverage this program by providing staff time for restoration planning, signing, outreach and other activities. There is general local support for these projects. As landowners accept acquisition offers these parcels will be presented to the county for approval. It is anticipated the county will continue to approve these acquisitions. ",,1970-01-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Tim,Schlagenhaft,DNR,"1801 S. Oak ","Lake City",None,55041,6513453365,timothy.schlagenhaft@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Houston,"Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-mississippi-river-habitat-restoration-acceleration-phase-1,,,,
20718,"Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership",2014,1710000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$1,710,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance aquatic habitat. Of this amount, $450,000 is for an agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to enhance aquatic habitat in the lower Mississippi River watershed. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Remnant goat prairies are perpetually protected. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat. Improved aquatic habitat indicators.   ",,530000,"USFWS, USACE ",1549600,,,2.03,"DNR and USFWS","State Government","The Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership included three distinct project components. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enhanced 700 acres of wetland and bottomland forest habitat on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge’s (Refuge) Root River Tract in Houston County. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) restored 112.7 acres of bluff prairie in Houston County; 8 acres of deep water habitat in Goose Lake (navigation pool 5 of the Mississippi River) and enhanced 200 acres of secondary channel and backwater lake habitat in North and Sturgeon Lakes (navigation pool 3 of the Mississippi River). ",,"Root River Tract (RRT):  Project planning and design included site elevation surveys, development of hydrologic models and analysis of restoration alternatives.  Recommended features to restore hydrologic connectivity included: removal of existing water control structures, installation of ditch plugs and breaching of existing low level levees and dikes.   A public informational meeting to seek input on a preliminary project plan was held and feedback from that meeting used to refine project alternatives.   A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which evaluated four alternatives for restoring/enhancing the RRT was completed and released for a 30-day public comment period in September 2015.  A public meeting to discuss the proposed project and draft EA was held in October 2015.  Responses to comments received were provided in the final EA.  A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the preferred alternative was signed by the Regional Director, Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in January 2015.   Restoring natural topography and drainage patterns required removal of existing dikes/levees; construction of ditch plugs using fill materials excavated from existing dikes/levees; removal of existing water control structures; and filling of an existing fish pond with materials excavated from existing dikes/levees.  Plans and specifications for completing this work were developed and local, State and Federal permits were acquired.  Work was accomplished through a combination of contracts and skilled hired labor workers in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Heavy equipment (track trucks, backhoes, skid steers, etc.) was used to accomplish the work.  Large rainfall events in the watershed of the Root River created several floods in 2016 which affected project completion.  In September 2016, flooding on the Root River resulted in a levee breach that brought large amounts of floodwater from the Root  into the project area.  While this flooding delayed completion of some of the project features, it created a unique opportunity to observe how the project would function under flood conditions.  As a result of first-hand, on-site observations of flood waters entering and exiting the project site, project features were modified to enhance the overall hydrologic function of the project. In 2017, installation of low water crossings at locations where trials/roads traveling through the project area crossed restored river channels, oxbows and sloughs, finishing ditch plugs, native seeding, forest enhancement (planting of hard mast trees and flood plain species) and final grading of the project was completed.  Wet conditions and high Mississippi and Root River levels delayed completion of final project features in 2017.   The original goal for wetland and forest enhancement was to restore or enhance 700 acres.  That goal was achieved on time and under budget.  Approximately $299,612 was expended on the Root River project.  The cost of this project component was estimated at $450,000.   Bluff Prairie Restoration:  Bluff prairies, also known as “goat prairies” are a unique and rare habitat in southeastern Minnesota.  Goat prairies are found typically on south or west facing slopes.  Many if not most of these prairies are negatively affected by the invasion of tree species, in particular, red cedar trees.  Removal of red cedar trees as well as other trees from these prairies enhances light penetration to the vegetative layer under the trees and invigorates dormant/shaded prairie plants and seeds.  Restoring a natural fire regime through controlled burning on these sites further enhances prairie development.  Selection of prairies for restoration was based on public ownership and/or willingness of private landowners to have worked completed on their property.  Work was accomplished by contract to businesses familiar with goat prairie restoration techniques.  The original goal for bluff prairie restoration under this grant was to restore 70 acres.  The final bluff prairie acreage restored was 112.7 acres on 8 sites.  This project component was completed, on time, on budget ($150,000 spent) and exceeded the project acreage objective. Pool 3 (North and Sturgeon Lakes) – Pool 5 (Goose Lake):  This project component initially involved multiple habitat restoration/enhancement objectives using established large river restoration techniques such as water level management, channel modifications, island building and dredging. A “cost-share partnership agreement” between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Minnesota DNR was needed to fully execute the project, however, the federally funded portion of the project was placed in deferment until the language associated with partnership agreement and future project management could be amended to satisfy legal requirements. Based on these challenges, an amendment to the accomplishment plan for Pool 3 was approved on July 10, 2015 which reduced the dollar amount of leverage expected from the Federal Government and the potential scope of the project. An additional amendment was submitted and approved in March 2016 which added Goose Lake (Pool 5) as a project site and defined that portion of the Pool 3 project to only include a channel modification at the Brewer Lake inlet. Approximately $500,000 Federal dollars were leveraged and spent on planning and development of preliminary project specifications and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the larger project. Products from this planning effort were used to develop final plans and specs and to obtain the necessary permits for the LSOH funded channel modification project.  In 2016, 8 acres of Goose Lake was dredged to a depth of 7 feet to restore fisheries habitat. Backwater habitats are declining as a result of sedimentation. Dredging to restore depth in backwaters benefits many aquatic species by providing habitat suited for overwintering.  Permits were secured and a contract for the channel modification project at Brewer Lake inlet was awarded in April 2017. Placement of a rock channel liner and shoreline protection was performed from barge mounted heavy equipment. Construction was completed in the spring of 2018. Pre-project monitoring of habitat conditions, fish populations and freshwater mussel populations was completed before construction. The project has achieved the desired outcome of reducing Mississippi River flows and sedimentation rates in Brewer Lake, Buffalo Slough and Sturgeon Lake. The physical and biological response expected would improve aquatic habitat conditions for fish and mussels and protection of floodplain forest communities for a variety of bird and mammal species.  ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Yager,"U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service","51 E. 4th Street",Winona,MN,55987,507-494-6219,timothy_yager@fws.gov,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Goodhue, Houston","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-mississippi-river-habitat-partnership,,,,
9821,"Lower St. Louis River Habitat Restoration",2013,3670000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$3,670,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore habitat in the lower St. Louis River estuary. A list of proposed projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 208 acres of habitat ",,2800800,"NOAA, USFWS, NFWF, USEPA-GLRI ",3668900,66400,,1.75,DNR,"State Government","Radio Tower Bay: 115,000 cubic yards of wood material was removed to increase water depth, provide greater habitat diversity, promote native aquatic vegetation and increase recreational access.Knowlton Creek: 6,500 linear feet of degraded stream was restored by reshaping and creating new stream channels; constructing instream structures; and native planting and seeding to stabilize the stream and minimize sediment into the Estuary.21st Ave W/Interstate Island: Restored 2 acres of critical nesting habitat for the Common Tern and Piping Plover.Wild Rice: Restored 133 acres of wild rice in the St. Louis River Estuary.",,"Radio Tower BayHistoric mill waste (slabs, boards and wood fragments) were removed from the Bay to restore an ecologically functional sheltered bay with optimum diversity of depth. Non-OHF funds were applied to complete feasibility and design in order to optimize application of construction funds. The resulting sheltered bay provides critical coastal wetland habitat for many species of fish and wildlife that utilize the St. Louis River estuary. Wild rice was also established in the bay after construction as part of the separate Wild Rice Restoration Project.Prior to restoration activities, wood waste covered almost the entire open-water portion of the bay. Wood waste was also present under areas of emergent vegetation. Depth of wood waste ranged from 0.2 feet to 3.3 feet. The average water depth was approximately one foot. Although the bay was relatively shallow, submergent and emergent vegetation were only present along the perimeter of the bay. Shallow water depths also limited ecological function of the bay as well as its recreational value to anglers and other boaters.Approximately 115,000 cubic yards of wood waste and wood sediment mixes were removed from Radio Tower Bay. The material was pumped to a dewatering site on US Steel property and was beneficially reused to restore their Superfund site after remediation. The Project resulted in increasing the average water depth of the bay from one foot to 3.7 feet and increased the maximum depth from 2.3 feet to 7.4 feet. A 5.5-acre area with an average water depth of 7.5 feet and channel depth of 5.0 feet will act as a connection between the St. Louis River and the bay, which creates off-river, overwintering fish habitat and improves access for boaters. The bed of Radio Tower Bay is now composed of native silt, unconsolidated organic matter, and clay substrates that have been exposed by the removal of wood waste. Wild Rice was seeded in approximately 15 acres of Radio Tower Bay in 2015 and 2016. Previously seeding areas will be reseeded in 2017 if necessary.All objectives were met and all construction activities went as planned. The technique to grind up wood and sediment mixes and hydraulically pump them to a dewatering facility for drying was revolutionary. The resulting clean organic material was deemed highly desirable as a substrate to restore remediated areas on the US Steel Superfund Site. After removal of material, the dewatering facility will continue to function and will be used to dewater wood waste from Mud Lake (ML2018 OHF proposal), which will substantially reduce the cost of the project.Knowlton CreekThe Knowlton Creek Watershed Project restored and enhanced approximately 6,500 linear feet of cold-water stream habitat using Natural Channel Design techniques. Construction outcomes were successful in eliminating erosion and transport of sediment along all reaches restored. Brook trout migration was established or enhanced along 3,000 feet of the stream (the remaining length was too steep). The Project was completed after Spirit Mountain Recreation Area constructed water control structures at the base of their ski hill to transport excess runoff away from Knowlton Creek and directly to the estuary through the pipe used to transport water from the estuary for snow making. This was a revolutionary partnership and methodology. The Project was designed through a MNDNR/USACE partnership with no OHF funding. The restoration methodology applied was a geomorphologic approach appropriate for the hydrology following the Natural Channel Design methodology (Applied River Morphology, Rosgen, 1996).Construction of in-stream structures (boulder jam steps, boulder jam riffles, toe wood, pocket pools and log vanes with boulder hooks) will improve aquatic habitat diversity and stabilize the bed. Native upland grasses and forbes were planted as well as approximately 15,000 trees along the riparian corridor. During construction, MNDNR, Stantech, Veit/Cardno’s field staff worked together to compile construction observation reports and note deviations from the site plans. Overall, the project implementation partners were very effective at addressing project level circumstances. There were a number of design changes that resulted from conditions encountered in the field. Coordination with project partners such as the City of Duluth, Cloquet Pumping Station, Spirit Mountain, MNDOT, private landowners, as well as, resource professionals within the MNDNR, MPCA and USACE was key to the success of the project. In some instances, earlier coordination of the more critical elements of the project would have eliminated some of the additional implementation time needed to complete the restoration.21st Ave W/Interstate IslandThe scope of Interstate Island was to restore colonial waterbird nesting and young rearing habitat through the addition of sand and gravel, vegetation management, and management of the ring-billed population, thereby contributing to implementation of Actions 1.32 and 1.361 in the Recovery Plan for the Great Lakes Piping Plover. Reproductive success of Common Terns nesting on Interstate Island was degraded due to the low elevation of part of the island, vegetation encroachment, and competition for nesting space from ring-billed gulls.The Project was designed by MNDNR with no OHF funding. The contractor placed 730 linear feet of temporary silt fencing, 3,276 cubic yards of clean beach sand, 610 cubic yards of cobble rip-rap, 28 cubic yards of surface amendments (pebbles & gravel), and 620 linear feet of sediment control log. MN & WDNR staff and volunteers removed all fenced gull exclosures and string grids prior to construction. These were replaced in spring of 2016 as part of regular departmental Piping Plover/Common Tern monitoring and management efforts. Common Terns have been successfully using the enhanced habitat since the Project was completed.Wild Rice (Rask Bay)A total of 133 acres of wild rice was restored at several locations in the St. Louis River estuary in 2015 and 2016. Previously seeded location were reseeded in 2017 as needed. Additionally, WDNR and the MN Land Trust restored 83 acres of wild rice beds on the Wisconsin side of the estuary. National Fish & Wildlife Foundation applied $400K and no OHF funding was applied to restoration work on the Wisconsin side of the estuary. A total of 216 acres is in the process of being restored on both sides of the estuary as part of this cooperative project between WDNR and MNDNR. Yearly monitoring and reports are being completed to evaluate all previously seeded locations and determine additional sites for implementation in future years. Geese depredation has been an issue to the success of reseeding efforts and the Project partners have initiated an effort to address this problem beginning in 2017.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lindgren,"MN DNR Fisheries, Region 2","5351 North Shore Drive",Duluth,MN,55804,"(218) 525-0852",john.lindgren@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-st-louis-river-habitat-restoration,,,,
2542,"Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership, Phase 2",2012,707000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$707,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire and enhance habitat in the lower Root River and lower Zumbro River watersheds, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivisions 7 and 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 43 acres of Wetlands and 82 acres of Forests",,,,706414,586,,,"MN DNR","State Government","This funding resulted in permanent protection of three strategically located parcels totaling 125 acres. Funding was used to protect high priority parcels within the Lower Root and Lower Zumbro River floodplains. This was part of a broad partnership working to improve habitat quality and connectivity in critical areas along the Mississippi River corridor. Two of the three parcels acquired are now being managed as State Forests (SFT), while the third parcel is being managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). These parcels are protecting forests and habitat while providing public hunting, trapping and compatible outdoor uses. The Lower Mississippi River Habitat Restoration Partnership is a long-term effort to restore habitat connectivity and improve water quality in critical areas along the Mississippi River corridor from the Twin Cities to the Iowa border by reconnecting tributaries to their floodplains, revitalizing backwaters and channels, and protecting and restoring floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairies that are essential to sustaining the incredible diversity of plants, animals, and human uses provided by this great river. Critical areas include the lower reaches of the Root, Zumbro, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers, and the backwaters and channels of Mississippi River Pools 2 and 3 (St. Paul to Red Wing). FY2011 funding from the LSOHC focused on acquisition and restoration of key parcels in the Lower Root River floodplain. ",,"Parcels were selected are those of highest priority, previously identified in land asset management plans. The pool of parcels was selected using key classifications including; those providing protection of critical habitat, those providing access to state land, and those consolidating fragmented state land parcels. Parcels were further prioritized by the values protected, acres accessed and consolidation as determined by state/private boundary reduction. Lands acquired are part of the Lower Root and Lower Zumbro River floodplains established under the Outdoor Recreation System (M.S. 86A.06). This project included the initial land development of each parcel acquired including boundary surveys and signage. There was no well, septic, building or dump issues to consider. Lands acquired contained existing quality habitat, requiring very little immediate restoration or enhancement work. Federal funds were used to evaluate the quality of wetlands on one parcel, but it was determined that no mitigation efforts were required.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,Milne,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5270",bob.milne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Houston, Wabasha","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lower-mississippi-river-habitat-partnership-phase-2,,,,
9817,"Marsh Lake Enhancement",2013,2630000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(f)","$2,630,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to complete design and construction to modify the dam at Marsh Lake and return the historic outlet of the Pomme de Terre River to Lac Qui Parle. ",,"Enhance 5,100 acres of wetlands ",,8478000,"Federal Funds ",2630000,,,,DNR,"State Government","The primary goal of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project is, “To return the Marsh Lake area ecosystem to a less degraded and more natural condition by restoring ecosystem structure and functions.”  Work was completed on this project in March 2020 and consisted of a new water control structure to allow for water level management, restoration of the Pomme de Terre River to its original channel, and establishment of a fishway to allow for movement of native fish. ",,"Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River in west-central Minnesota near Appleton. Marsh Lake was created in the late 1930s by construction of a dam which resulted in a shallow lake that measured approximately 5,000 acres. The lower Pomme de Terre River was rerouted into the reservoir at that time to facilitate construction of a two mile long earthen dike that was required to impound the lake. The Marsh Lake Dam is owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Lac qui Parle Flood Risk Management project. Marsh Lake lies within the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.Marsh Lake is the border between Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties, while most of the outlet area of Marsh Lake is located in Swift County. The original construction of the Marsh Lake Dam was intended to serve as a flood damage reduction measure and to provide a recreational feature to the region by creating a static pool on the river. The intended flood damage reduction benefits provided by the Marsh Lake Dam were minor due to effectiveness of the downstream Lac qui Parle Dam. Since the time of impoundment, Marsh Lake has undergone significant degradation of aquatic habitat due to stressors including high sediment and nutrient loading, a fixed crest dam that prevents low seasonal water levels, high turbidity from wind-driven sediment resuspension, and abundant common carp that increase turbidity and consume submersed aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates. Degradation of the Marsh Lake aquatic ecosystem limited habitat suitability for many species of fish and wildlife. The overall habitat conditions were poor with turbid water conditions. Concerns by stakeholders over the habitat conditions eventually resulted in the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project with a primary goal of improving fish and wildlife habitat by returning the Marsh Lake to a less degraded and more natural condition with snatural functions and processes. Major project features include construction of a drawdown water control structure, restoring the Pomme de Terre River to its original channel, modifying the existing low-head dam into a notched weir/rock arch rapids fishway, and construction of one mile of new roadway/earthen dike. The project also restores 1.3 miles of natural stream habitat and provides complete fish passage from the Minnesota River into Marsh Lake. . Water Control Structure - The drawdown structure was constructed west of the existing emergency spillway. Excavation for the structure’s outflow channel extended about 650 feet downstream of the embankment. The intake for the structure required excavation to deepen the approach and placement of new rip‐rap to protect the structure. Sheetpile was buried under the concrete structure to minimize seepage. A 60‐ft long section of the channel bed immediately downstream of the concrete spillway was lined with a 33‐inch layer of rip‐rap over 12‐inch bedding. A 100‐ft long dredge maintenance access ramp was built from the top of the west embankment into Marsh Lake. The new water control structure will allow for water levels to be manipulated between and within years to promote habitat benefits, as has been successfully done on numerous shallow lakes across Minnesota and on Mississippi River pools. Variability in water levels has resulted in increased extent, diversity, and abundance of aquatic vegetation, increased food for waterfowl, and improved water quality conditions.   Re-routing of the Pomme de Terre River - The Pomme de Terre River was successfully re-routed into it's historic channel.  Two rock riffle structures were utilized to prevent head‐cutting in the river channel. Riffles were placed to traverse the entire river channel and were constructed with boulders, rip‐rap, and gravel. This provides a drop in the water surface elevation of about 8 inches.  The 1,000 feet of the bank of the Pomme de Terre River has been stabilized using toe wood sod mats. Large trees were placed in an interlocking matrix and anchored with boulders. Topsoil or soil mats were placed to fill the areas between trees and branches and shrubs and live willow cuttings were added.  An estimated 1.1 miles of existing roadway was removed as part of re-storing the Pomme de Terre River and its floodplain. Successful re-routing of the river now means the sediment and nutrients carried by the Pomme de Terre River no longer are emptied into Marsh Lake, but are instead diverted into the Minnesota River below the water control structure. Fishway - The fishway was constructed from the current spillway and extends about 300 feet downstream at a 3% slope. Boulder weirs were spaced 20 feet apart, with each achieving individual 10‐inch drops. The fishway ranges in width from 150 feet at the dam to 200 feet wide at the downstream edge. Approximately 1,579 cubic yards of large (1.6 ft diameter and larger boulders for weirs) were used in the fishway channel. The goal of the components listed above is to partially or fully reestablish the attributes of a naturally functioning and self-regulating system. The expected outcomes of the Marsh Lake project are to: (1) reduce sediment loading to Marsh Lake; (2) restore natural fluctuations to the hydrologic regime of Marsh Lake; (3) restore geomorphic and floodplain processes to the Pomme de Terre River; (4) reduce sediment resuspension within Marsh Lake; (5) increase extent, diversity, and abundance of emergent and submersed aquatic plant growth in Marsh Lake; (6) increase the availability of waterfowl and native fish habitat; (7) restore aquatic habitat connectivity between Marsh Lake, the Pomme de Terre River, and Lac qui Parle Lake; (8) reduce the abundance of aquatic invasive fish species in Marsh Lake; and (9) increase diversity and abundance of native fishes within Marsh Lake and the Pomme de Terre River. This project is designed to restore a more natural and variable hydrologic regime which is important to restoring freshwater aquatic ecosystems within Marsh Lake. On a river floodplain lake like Marsh Lake, a more natural hydrologic regime includes lower lake levels in some years to provide conditions conducive for aquatic vegetation to establish. In the event the goals in the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Plan are not achieved through the passive water control structure (i.e., fishway), a water level drawdown structure has been incorporated into the project where water levels could be drawn down according to recommendations and implementation by the adaptive management team. Annual and intra-annual variations in water levels are extremely important to maintain ecosystem functions in these shallow water systems. In other areas, (e.g., the pools in the Upper Mississippi River), variability in water levels has resulted in increased extent, diversity, and abundance of aquatic vegetation, increased food for waterfowl, and improved water quality conditions. The DNR Section of Wildlife has completed other projects to enhance habitat and water quality conditions within shallow lake systems through active water level drawdowns. A clear water system with more aquatic plants would favor native fishes over the non-native Common carp, as well as favor many other native plant and wildlife species. The proposed project will provide habitat improvement and improve water quality conditions in Marsh Lake. This restoration of ecosystem functions would improve fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and provide more public use opportunities. Specific beneficiaries include sport anglers, waterfowl hunters, wildlife viewers, and downstream users who benefit from increased water quality downstream through the Minnesota River.   Water quality benefits will result from the completed work and from the future management that is now possible.  Rerouting of the Pomme de Terre into a meandering channel with adjacent floodplain habitat can provide some limited ability for sediment reduction as it flows into the Minnesota River.  Significant water quality benefits will result from the current ongoing drawdown of Marsh Lake, along with any future drawdowns.  Past experience with drawdowns of shallow lakes shows that the bottom-sediment consolidation and increased submergent vegetation provide significant water quality benefits both in the shallow lake and in downstream waters. Note that the ""Performance Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan"" is attached to this Final Report and details the extensive monitoring that will be conducted on this project to determine progress towards goals. While COVID-19 restrictions have limited some initial monitoring, anecdotal reports from local staff reveal exciting developments related to the water level drawdown that was immediately initiated following completion of project construction - - From Walt Gessler (Lac qui Parle Area Wildlife Supervisor)  -  ""I was able to remotely recruit several experienced birders earlier this year to make observations of shorebird use of Marsh Lake this spring and summer and thought you be interested in some recent counts that were made.7/19/20 Louisburg Grade:  150 Killdeer, 4 Semipalmated Plovers, 40 Stilt Sandpipers, 30 Bairds Sandpipers, 100 Least Sandpiper, 460 Pectoral Sanpiper, 10 semipalmated Sandpipers, 20 Short-billed Dowitcher, 30 Spotted Sandpiper, 1450 Lesser Yellowlegs, 15 Greater Yellowlegs, 15 Wilsons Phalaropes.  2324 Total;     Correll Access:  2 American Avocets, 200 Killdeer, 172 Stilt Sandpipers, 15 Baird’s Sandpipers, 1280 Least Sandpipers, 340 Pectoal Sandpipers, 30 semi-palmated Sandpipers, 25 Short-billed Dowitcher, 30 spotted Sandpipers, 1800 Lesser Yellowlegs, 20 Greater Yellowlegs, 14 Wilson Phaloropes.   3928 total"" - From Ray Norrgard (DNR Wetland Specialist, retired)  08/21/2020 -  ""Walt gave me a tour yesterday, the drawdown looks good with extensive mudflats; thousands of shorebirds and teal. Lots of bulrush and smartweed, rumex and some spartina.""  ""He [Walt] is justifiably proud of the accomplishments. Even the upstream end north of the Louisville grade looked great."" The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be responsible for all active water level management, with consultation provided by an Adaptive Management Team that will include members from the Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Upper Minnesota River Watershed District.  A Citizen Advisory Committee has also been formed to help guide future operations and to provide better communication with the public regarding this high-profile project. Note that two separate OHF appropriations were approved for Marsh Lake - Marsh Lake and Marsh Lake Phase II.  All enhanced acres will be reported in the Final Report for Marsh Lake.  To avoid double-counting of acres, no acres will be reported in the Final Report for Marsh Lake Phase II. ",2012-07-01,2020-09-08,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR ","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5204",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lac qui Parle","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/marsh-lake-enhancement,,,,
35061,"Marsh Lake Phase II",2017,2000000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(f)","$2,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to modify the dam at Marsh Lake for improved habitat management and to return the historic outlet of the Pomme de Terre River to Lac Qui Parle. ",,"Continuation of Marsh Lake Enhancement; enhanced 5,100 acres of wetlands   https://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/4f.pdf ",,,,2000000,,,,DNR,"State Government","The primary goal of the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project is, “To return the Marsh Lake area ecosystem to a less degraded and more natural condition by restoring ecosystem structure and functions.” Work was completed on this project in March 2020 and consisted of a new water control structure to allow for water level management, restoration of the Pomme de Terre River to its original channel, and establishment of a fishway to allow for movement of native fish. ",,"Marsh Lake is an impoundment of the Minnesota River in west-central Minnesota near Appleton. Marsh Lake was created in the late 1930s by construction of a dam which resulted in a shallow lake that measured approximately 5,000 acres. The lower Pomme de Terre River was rerouted into the reservoir at that time to facilitate construction of a two mile long earthen dike that was required to impound the lake. The Marsh Lake Dam is owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Lac qui Parle Flood Risk Management project. Marsh Lake lies within the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.Marsh Lake is the border between Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties, while most of the outlet area of Marsh Lake is located in Swift County. The original construction of the Marsh Lake Dam was intended to serve as a flood damage reduction measure and to provide a recreational feature to the region by creating a static pool on the river. The intended flood damage reduction benefits provided by the Marsh Lake Dam were minor due to effectiveness of the downstream Lac qui Parle Dam. Since the time of impoundment, Marsh Lake has undergone significant degradation of aquatic habitat due to stressors including high sediment and nutrient loading, a fixed crest dam that prevents low seasonal water levels, high turbidity from wind-driven sediment resuspension, and abundant common carp that increase turbidity and consume submersed aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates. Degradation of the Marsh Lake aquatic ecosystem limited habitat suitability for many species of fish and wildlife. The overall habitat conditions were poor with turbid water conditions. Concerns by stakeholders over the habitat conditions eventually resulted in the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project with a primary goal of improving fish and wildlife habitat by returning the Marsh Lake to a less degraded and more natural condition with snatural functions and processes.  Major project features include construction of a drawdown water control structure, restoring the Pomme de Terre River to its original channel, modifying the existing low-head dam into a notched weir/rock arch rapids fishway, and construction of one mile of new roadway/earthen dike. The project also restores 1.3 miles of natural stream habitat and provides complete fish passage from the Minnesota River into Marsh Lake.  . The goal of the components listed above is to partially or fully reestablish the attributes of a naturally functioning and self-regulating system. The expected outcomes of the Marsh Lake project are to: (1) reduce sediment loading to Marsh Lake; (2) restore natural fluctuations to the hydrologic regime of Marsh Lake; (3) restore geomorphic and floodplain processes to the Pomme de Terre River; (4) reduce sediment resuspension within Marsh Lake; (5) increase extent, diversity, and abundance of emergent and submersed aquatic plant growth in Marsh Lake; (6) increase the availability of waterfowl and native fish habitat; (7) restore aquatic habitat connectivity between Marsh Lake, the Pomme de Terre River, and Lac qui Parle Lake; (8) reduce the abundance of aquatic invasive fish species in Marsh Lake; and (9) increase diversity and abundance of native fishes within Marsh Lake and the Pomme de Terre River. This project is designed to restore a more natural and variable hydrologic regime which is important to restoring freshwater aquatic ecosystems within Marsh Lake. On a river floodplain lake like Marsh Lake, a more natural hydrologic regime includes lower lake levels in some years to provide conditions conducive for aquatic vegetation to establish. In the event the goals in the Marsh Lake Ecosystem Restoration Plan are not achieved through the passive water control structure (i.e., fishway), a water level drawdown structure has been incorporated into the project where water levels could be drawn down according to recommendations and implementation by the adaptive management team. Annual and intra-annual variations in water levels are extremely important to maintain ecosystem functions in these shallow water systems. In other areas, (e.g., the pools in the Upper Mississippi River), variability in water levels has resulted in increased extent, diversity, and abundance of aquatic vegetation, increased food for waterfowl, and improved water quality conditions. The DNR Section of Wildlife has completed other projects to enhance habitat and water quality conditions within shallow lake systems through active water level drawdowns. A clear water system with more aquatic plants would favor native fishes over the non-native Common carp, as well as favor many other native plant and wildlife species. The proposed project will provide habitat improvement and improve water quality conditions in Marsh Lake. This restoration of ecosystem functions would improve fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and provide more public use opportunities. Specific beneficiaries include sport anglers, waterfowl hunters, wildlife viewers, and downstream users who benefit from increased water quality downstream through the Minnesota River.  Water quality benefits will result from the completed work and from the future management that is now possible. Rerouting of the Pomme de Terre into a meandering channel with adjacent floodplain habitat can provide some limited ability for sediment reduction as it flows into the Minnesota River. Significant water quality benefits will result from the current ongoing drawdown of Marsh Lake, along with any future drawdowns. Past experience with drawdowns of shallow lakes shows that the bottom-sediment consolidation and increased submergent vegetation provide significant water quality benefits both in the shallow lake and in downstream waters. .  Note that the ""Performance Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan"" is attached to this Final Report and details the extensive monitoring that will be conducted on this project to determine progress towards goals. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be responsible for all active water level management, with consultation provided by an Adaptive Management Team that will include members from the Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Upper Minnesota River Watershed District. A Citizen Advisory Committee has also been formed to help guide future operations and to provide better communication. ",,2020-08-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR Div. of Fish and Wildlife","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Lac qui Parle","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/marsh-lake-phase-ii,,,,
10006518,"Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition Phase 2",2019,2447000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(i)","$2,447,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited and The Conservation Fund, to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin County for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Of this amount, $1,978,000 is to Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., $400,000 is to Ducks Unlimited, and $69,000 is to The Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Prairie tracts acquired will be restored back to wetlands and prairie with native grass and forb wildflowers for pollinators, and will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR field staff. Water and habitat quality in restored wetlands will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native grasses and pollinator wild flowers. .",,,,,2443000,4000,,0.60,"Fox Lake Conservation League; Ducks Unlimited; The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project is a partnership between several organizations to restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas adjacent to existing DNR Wildlife Management Areas. Parcels are identified by working with the representatives of local government, Windom Area DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), and the Fox Lake Conservation League. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA's sustainable. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local efforts of the Fox Lake Conservation League to ensure success of this conservation effort.","Project sites were targeted by the habitat need and land availability in areas adjacent to existing WMA's, existing habitat and lands already protected from development or other land use change. Work is designed to provide the most habitat value. The landscape will be restored as close as possible to conditions that existed prior to its conversion to agricultural production. Wetlands will be restored without the disruption of the natural drainage system. Native vegetation will be restored with a diverse range of species suitable to the landscape.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Doug,Hartke,"Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.","PO Box 212 ",Sherburn,MN,56171,"(507) 764-4060",dhartke@frontiernet.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Martin,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/martin-county-dnr-wma-acquisition-phase-2,,,,
10011400,"Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition Phase 3",2020,3650000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(f)","$3,650,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin County for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Of this amount, $3,002,000 is to Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., $554,000 is to Ducks Unlimited, and $94,000 is to The Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Expanding the existing WMA's in Martin County is important. We need larger grassland/wetland complexes so we are targeting properties next to our current WMA's..",,,,,3644000,6000,,0.78,"DU, Fox Lake Conserv League, The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program continues a partnership to restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas adjacent to existing DNR Wildlife Management Areas. Parcels are identified by working with the representatives of local government, Windom Area DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), and the Fox Lake Conservation League. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA's sustainable. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local efforts of the Fox Lake Conservation League to ensure success of this conservation effort.","Selective project sites were targeted by the habitat need and land availability in areas adjacent to existing WMA's, existing habitat and lands already protected from development or other land use change. Work is designed to provide the most habitat value. The landscape will be restored as close as possible to conditions that existed prior to its conversion to agricultural production. Wetlands will be restored without the disruption of the natural drainage system. Native vegetation will be restored with a diverse range of species suitable to the landscape.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Doug,Hartke,"Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.","PO Box 212 ",Sherburn,MN,56171,"() -",dhartke@frontiernet.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Martin,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/martin-county-dnr-wma-acquisition-phase-3,,,,
10019631,"Martin County WMA Acquisition Phase 5",2022,2864000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(j)","$2,864,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin and Watonwan counties for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as follows: $2,181,000 to Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc; $592,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $91,000 to the Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - By adding these important parcels to the Martin County and Watonwan County WMA complexes we are adding valuable grasslands to the WMAs of Southern Minnesota. This additional diverse upland habitat will provide much needed habitat for many wildlife species. This project will also add valuable acres for public hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities with all of the fish, game, and rare species that will be found on this new public land. The measurable habitat value will be based on the diversity of habitat protected and restored and the volume of public use these new acres receive",,,,,2852000,12000,,0.9,"Fox Lake Conservation League, DU and Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will continue our conservation partnership into Phase 5 and will continue to protect and restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas that adjoin existing MN DNR WMAs. Parcels are identified with representatives of local government, Windom Area MN DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), the Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. (FLCL), and other local partners. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA habitats resilient. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local conservation efforts of FLCL to ensure success.","Selective project sites will be targeted for protection and restoration by the habitat needs and land availability in areas adjacent to existing WMAs, existing habitat and land already protected from development or other land use change. Work is designed to provide the most habitat value. The landscape will be restored as close as possible to conditions that existed prior to its conversion to agricultural production. Wetlands will be restored without the disruption of the natural drainage system. Native vegetation will be restored with a diverse range of species suitable to the landscape. TCF will negotiate the acquisition and lead the real estate process for properties targeted in this proposal. FLCL will hold and monitor the properties during the restoration work, which will be completed by DU. The restored lands will then be conveyed to the MN DNR.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Doug,Hartke,"Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.","PO Box 212 ",Sherburn,MN,56171,,doughartke@gmail.com,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Martin, Watonwan","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/martin-county-wma-acquisition-phase-5,,,,
10017816,"Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition Phase 4",2021,2387000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(f)","$2,387,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin County for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Of this amount, $1,665,000 is to Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., $618,000 is to Ducks Unlimited, and $104,000 is to The Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - By adding these important parcels to the Martin County and Watonwan County WMA complexes we are adding valuable grasslands to the WMAs of Southern Minnesota. This additional diverse upland will provide much needed nesting habitat for our many wildlife species. This project will also add valuable acres for public hunting, fishing and other outdoor opportunities with all of the fish, game, and rare species that will be found on this new public land. The measurable habitat value will be based on the diversity of habitat protected and restored and the volume of public use these new acres receive",,,,,2376000,11000,,0.65,"Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., DU, and The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will continue our conservation partnership into Phase 4. We will continue to restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas that adjoin existing MN DNR WMAs. Parcels are identified with representatives of local government, Windom Area MN DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), the Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. (FLCL), and other local partners. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMAs sustainable. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the efforts of the Fox Lake Conservation League to ensure success.","Selective project sites will be targeted by the habitat needs and land availability in areas adjacent to exiting WMAs, existing habitat and land already protected from development or other land use change. Work is designed to provide the most habitat value. The landscape will be restored as close as possible to conditions that existed prior to its conversion to agricultural production. Wetlands will be restored without the disruption of the natural drainage system. Native vegetation will be restored with a diverse range of species suitable to the landscape.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Doug,Hartke,"Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.","PO Box 212 ",Sherburn,MN,56171,,dhartke@frontiernet.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/martin-county-dnr-wma-acquisition-phase-4,,,,
35066,"Martin County/Fox Lake DNR WMA Acquisition",2017,1000000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$1,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. to acquire land in fee and restore strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,,,51300,"Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. ",1000000,,,0.07,"Fox Lake Conservation League","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Lorenz parcel, highest priority within the core habitat area Caron WMA, was selected to expand enhancement, restoration and acquisition activities. Local source native plant materials will be incorporated in the restoration of prairie, wetland and riparian habitats. ",,"The Fox Lake Conservation League (FLCL)worked with the MN DNR to indentify this parcel to acquire. The parcel went through the MN DNR LAM Staff and received all necessary approvals to acquire. We then worked with the Conservation Fund (TCF) as the family wanted to sell immediately . TCF purchased from the estate and then FLCL purchased from TCF. FLCL hired apprasial, land survey crews, and purchased this from a willing land owner. This parcel was previously cropland and wetland restoration and grassland restoration plans were completed. We worked with DNR Staff, and USFWS private lands biologist to develop the full plan. DNR Staff selected forbs and grassland seeds to plant on the restoration. This land was then conveyed to the MN DNR with FLCL paying all real estate taxes during the 4 year restoration. The parcel is now part of the Caron WMA and long term management will be completed by the MN DNR. ",,2021-11-15,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Doug,Hartke,"Fox Lake Conservation League","PO Box 212 ",Sherburn,MN,56171,"() -",dhartke@frontiernet.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Martin,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/martin-countyfox-lake-dnr-wma-acquisition,,,,
10006477,"Metro Big Rivers Phase 8",2019,2630000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(a)","$2,630,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers in the metropolitan area. Of this amount, $500,000 is to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc., $300,000 is to Friends of the Mississippi River, $700,000 is to Great River Greening, and $1,130,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Partners work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Work builds upon prior phases and is intended to continue into the future for maximum impact. Mapping shows progress in connecting corridors. Species collections and counts measure impact of activities over time on wildlife and Species in Greatest Conservation Need..",,,1112700,"Clean Water Funds, City of Rosemount, Browns Creek Watershed District, MVT funds, FMR, Local Government Partners, Foundation, Foundation, Private landowners, BWCD, MCWD, SWWD, Dakota County, Cities of Fridley, Rosemount, St. Louis Park, Mendota Heights, Andover, SWWD",2600400,29600,,1.03,"MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc; Friends of the Mississippi River; Great River Greening; MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers Phase 8 will protect 100 acres in fee title and 130 acres in permanent conservation easement, and enhance 700 acres of priority habitat in the big rivers corridors in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area. MBR partners will leverage the OHF appropriation by at least 40% with partner funds, private funds, local government contributions and Clean Water Funds, as well as landowner donations of easement value. Significant volunteer engagement will be invested in many habitat enhancement activities, although not technically counted as leverage. Another 50 acres will be acquired in fee title with leverage funds. ","Metro Big Rivers Phase 8 will protect, restore, enhance and connect prioritized land habitats in the metropolitan area, with an emphasis on the three big rivers and their tributaries. The projects will benefit wildlife and species in greatest need of conservation (SGCN) and provide increased public access for wildlife-based recreation. The work is briefly described below. Please see the parcel list for additional detail.Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) will enhance 150 acres of forest at three sites along the Mississippi River:●William H. Houlton Conservation Area: Enhance 85 acres forest on an island in the Mississippi River.●Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park: Enhance 51 acres forest adjacent to Ravine Lake. ●Riverside Park: Enhance 14 acres forest along the Mississippi River.Great River Greening (GRG) will enhance 515 acres of prairie, oak savanna, forest and riverine habitat at 8 projects throughout the area:•Maple View Open Space: Enhance 19 acres of forest and wetland of new open space.•Springbrook Nature Center, Phase II: Enhance 31 acres of wetland.•Carrol’s Woods: Enhance 61 acres of oak forest.•Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Phase 2: Enhance 70 acres of oak savanna and woodland.•Valley Park Xcel Pollinator Corridor: Enhance 9 acres to a prairie pollinator corridor.•Minnehaha Creek Knollwood Riparian Corridor: Enhance 6 acre terrace forest.•Brown’s Creek Open Space: Enhance 13 acres of newly-acquired oak savanna complex.•Grey Cloud Slough, Phase 2: Enhance 2 miles (300 acres) of Mississippi River side channel habitat. Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) will protect through perpetual conservation easement 130 acres of priority wildlife habitat, including riparian lands, forests, wetlands and grasslands. Projects will be selected through a competitive RFP process that ranks proposals based on ecological significance and cost (criteria attached). MLT also will restore/enhance 35 acres of high quality natural communities on private lands already protected through permanent conservation easement. Properties selected are of high ecological significance, adjacent or in close proximity to public conservation investments (e.g., state parks, WMAs, streams and rivers) and owned by landowners who have a keen desire to manage these resources for conservation. Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) will protect in fee 100 acres of river frontage, floodplain forest, wetland and upland habitat in the Minnesota River Valley to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. An additional 50 acres will be acquired with other non-state funds. All prospective lands have been prioritized by the USFWS and are along or very near the Minnesota River. All lands will be restored or enhanced, then open to the public for wildlife-based recreation, including hunting and fishing.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-8,,,,
10006501,"Metro Wildlife Management Areas",2019,1174000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(e )","$1,174,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Conservation Fund to acquire lands in fee in the metro area planning region for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - The sites in this proposal contain 8 rare and threatened species and plant communities which are monitored by the MN County Biological Survey staff..",,,6000,"Private Source",1170000,4000,,0.09,"The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Using the best science and biological data available, this project will protect sites that the DNR and has identified as high priority habitat acquisitions that are vital to support specific wildlife targets in the Metro Section Planning region. The Conservation Fund (TCF) will proactively contact and negotiate land protection with willing landowners in these complexes in coordination with DNR and local conservation groups and local communities to maximize wildlife populations of statewide and local importance.","Problem to be AddressedThroughout Minnesota, the MN DNR Division of Wildlife has identified wildlife habitat complexes, however many are only partially completed and not able to sustain viable populations of targeted species. Regional and state wildlife acquisition staff identified high priority DNR acquisitions, but have not yet been able, for a variety of reasons, to protect these sites. Scope of WorkThe priorities have been ranked by DNR wildlife management personnel and then vetted through statewide acquisition meetings held by DNR and attended by conservation partners. The parcels listed in this proposal comprise high priorities for DNR and our conservation partners. Although these priorities have been identified on a biologically important basis, it is our intention to also communicate long-term visions for wildlife habitat with local communities to establish a shared vision for conservation outcomes that will positively impact local economic vitality. Current TrendsFluctuations in real estate markets have opened an opportunity to work with these willing sellers in to potentially protect wildlife habitat for a better value than has been seen in the recent past. This can create a mutually beneficial strategy - to protect ecologically important sites while also allowing willing sellers to liquidate marginal land. Selling non-productive lands benefits wildlife and benefits the landowner. Another timely opportunity exists to improve stakeholder communication between wildlife professionals and communities toward a comprehensive vision for how wildlife habitat can be integrated with existing and future local community goals in these areas.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Emilee,Nelson,"The Conservation Fund","7101 York Avenue South Suite 340 7101 York Avenue South Suite 340",Edina,MN,55435,"(9525955768) -",enelson@conservationfund.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Hennepin, Isanti","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-wildlife-management-areas,,,,
10011387,"Metro Big Rivers Phase 9",2020,4163000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(b)","$4,163,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in the metropolitan area. Of this amount, $820,000 is to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc., $532,000 is to Friends of the Mississippi River, $1,061,000 is to Great River Greening, and $1,750,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Partners work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Work builds upon prior phases and is intended to continue into the future for maximum impact. Mapping shows progress in connecting corridors. Species collections and counts measure impact of activities over time on wildlife and species of greatest conservation need. .",,,664100,"City of Cottage Grove, TBD, Private landowners, MN Valley Trust, Cities of Cottage Grove and Hastings, Hastings High School Science Program, FMR Stewardship Fund, Karpen Land Fund, CCM, Dakota County, South Washington Watershed District, GRG funds, Cities of Fridley and Mendota Heights, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, NEEF Grant",4087100,75900,,2.12,"MVNWR Trust, FMR, GRG, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers Phase 9 will protect 253 acres in fee title and 195 acres in permanent conservation easement, restore 27 acres and enhance 356 acres of priority habitat in the big rivers corridors in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area (MUA). Metro Big Rivers partners will leverage the OHF at least 16% with partner funds, private funds, local government contributions, and landowner donations of easement value. Significant volunteer engagement will be invested in many habitat enhancement activities, although not technically counted as leverage.","Metro Big Rivers Phase 9 (MBR9) will protect, restore and enhance prioritized wildlife habitat in the MUA, with an emphasis on the Mississippi, Minnesota and St.Croix Rivers and their tributaries. MBR9 benefits wildlife and species in greatest need of conservation, and provides increased public access for wildlife-based recreation. MBR9 partners and projects:Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) will restore/enhance 105 acres at 4 projects through invasive species control, seeding and planting native species, mowing and burning:•Vermillion Linear Park, Dakota County: Restore 27 acres degraded grassland to prairie and enhance 14 acres prairie along 4,263 feet of the Vermillion River•Hastings River Flats, Dakota County: Enhance 30 acres of prairie and 25 acres oak savanna and floodplain forest along 2,578 feet of the Mississippi River•Camel’s Hump Park and Open Space, Washington County: Enhance 6 acres oak forest•Settler’s Island, Washington County: Enhance 3 acres floodplain forest and wetlands on an island in the Mississippi River with 1,800 feet of shoreland. FMR also will protect through fee acquisition 53 acres along 2,385 feet of the Mississippi River. The site, part of the former Mississippi Dunes Golf Course, will be put into public ownership, then restored to native prairie and oak savanna. This project will create new wildlife habitat and public access for fishing and boat launching, now lacking for that stretch of the Mississippi River. Great River Greening (GRG) will enhance 208 acres at 7 projects through invasive species control, tree thinning, prescribed fire, seeding and planting:●Trout Brook Phase III, Afton, Washington County: Continue re-meandering Trout Brook to improve trout stream habitat and enhance over 11 acres of floodplain adjacent to Phase II ●Lebanon Hills Regional Park Phase III, East Holland Unit, Dakota County: Enhance 70 acres oak savanna and woodland ●Lilydale Bluffs, Ramsey County: Enhance 30 acres of bluff habitat along the Mississippi River●Springbrook Nature Center, Anoka County: Enhance 56 acres oak savanna●Minnehaha Creek Big Woods, Hennepin County: Enhance 19 acres maple basswood forest ●Minnehaha Creek Floodplain Meadow Buffer, Hennepin County: Convert 7 acres floodplain old field to a mesic meadow●Valley Park, Dakota County: Enhance 15 acres oak forestMinnesota Land Trust (MLT) will protect through perpetual conservation easement 195 acres of priority habitat, including riparian lands, forests, wetlands and grasslands. Projects will be selected through a competitive RFP process that ranks ecological significance and cost (criteria attached). MLT also will enhance 70 acres on private lands already protected through permanent conservation easement. Prioritized properties will be of high ecological significance, adjacent or close to public conservation investments and owned by landowners committed to conservation.Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) will protect in fee 200 acres of river frontage, floodplain forest, wetland and upland habitat in the Minnesota River Valley to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. All prospective lands have been prioritized by the USFWS and will be restored/enhanced, then open to the public for wildlife-based recreation (hunting, fishing, observation, photography, interpretation and education).",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sibley, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-9,,,,
10019632,"Metro Big Rivers Phase 11",2022,4229000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(b)","$4,229,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in the metropolitan area as follows: $675,000 to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $220,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; $684,000 to Great River Greening; $800,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and $1,850,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Partners work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Work builds upon prior phases and is intended to continue into the future for maximum impact. Mapping shows progress in connecting corridors. Species collections and counts measure impact of activities over time on wildlife and Species in Greatest Conservation Need",,,806600,"Carver, Crystal, Great River Greening, MN DNR, MN DNR, Macalester College, Volunteers, MN Valley Trust, Private, Private landowners, RIM and Private",4114200,114800,,1.72,"MVNW Refuge Trust Inc; FMR; GRG; MLT; TPL","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers Phase 11 will protect 185 acres in fee title and 222 acres in permanent conservation easement, restore 49 acres and enhance 187 acres of priority habitat in the big rivers corridors in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area (643 acres total). The partnership will leverage the OHF grants at least 19% with partner funds, private funds, local government contributions, and landowner donations of easement value. Significant volunteer engagement will be invested in habitat enhancement activities. Metro Big Rivers projects will benefit wildlife and species in greatest need of conservation (SGCN) and provide increased public access for wildlife-based recreation.","Metro Big Rivers Phase 11 will protect, restore and enhance prioritized wildlife habitat in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area, with an emphasis on the Mississippi, Minnesota and St.Croix Rivers and their tributaries. By expanding, connecting and improving public conservation lands, Metro Big Rivers benefits wildlife and species in greatest need of conservation (SGCN) and provides increased public access for wildlife-based recreation. See brief descriptions below and attachments for detail. **Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) will restore 10 acres and enhance 70 acres at two sites. Projects include removal of invasive woody and herbaceous plants, planting climate-adapted shrub and tree species, seeding with diverse native species mixes, establishment mowing, spot-spraying, and prescribed burns. - Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area: Enhance 30 acres of degraded floodplain forest, 20 acres of oak woodland and 2 acres of prairie. - Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area, Kamen Parcel: Restore 10 acres prairie, enhance 7 acres degraded riparian habitat on a trout stream and 11 acres lowland habitat. **Great River Greening (GRG) will restore 16 acres and enhance 117 acres across 8 sites. Projects will include removal of invasive woody and herbaceous species, mowing, spot spraying, seeding and planting. - Creekside Park: Restore riparian habitat along 3/4 mile of Carver Creek. - Valley Park Phase II: Enhance oak woodland habitat. - Garlough & Marthaler Parks: Enhance oak savanna. - Bassett Creek Park: Restore turf to native prairie. - Bass Lake Preserve: Enhance riparian forest around Bass Lake. - Hidden Falls Regional Park: Enhance floodplain forest habitat. - Spring Lake Park (Scott County): Enhance oak forest habitat. - Wind in the Pines Nature Preserve: Enhance forest habitat along the St. Croix River. **Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) will protect through perpetual conservation easement 222 acres of priority habitat, including riparian lands, forests, wetlands and grasslands. Projects will be selected through a competitive process that ranks proposals based on ecological significance and cost (criteria attached). MLT will restore/enhance 23 acres on lands protected through permanent conservation easement. Prioritized properties will be of high ecological significance, adjacent or close to public conservation investments and owned by landowners committed to conservation. **Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) will protect in fee 135 acres of river frontage, floodplain forest, wetland and upland habitat in the Minnesota River Valley to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. All prospective lands have been prioritized by the USFWS and will be restored/enhanced, then open to the public for wildlife-based recreation, including hunting and fishing. **The Trust for Public Land (TPL) will protect in fee 50 acres of priority wildlife habitat, including riparian, forest, wetland and grassland habitat. Potential properties are prioritized in state, regional, and local natural resource plans. Lands will be managed by public partners (DNR and/or local units of government) and open to the public for wildlife-based recreation, including hunting and fishing.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",DLoon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sibley, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-11,,,,
10017817,"Metro Big Rivers Phase 10",2021,6473000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(b)","$6,473,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in the metropolitan area. Of this amount, $801,000 is to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc., $300,000 is to Friends of the Mississippi River, $366,000 is to Great River Greening, $3,406,000 is to The Trust for Public Land, and $1,600,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - Partners work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Work builds upon prior phases and is intended to continue into the future for maximum impact. Mapping shows progress in connecting corridors. Species collections and counts measure impact of activities over time on wildlife and species of greatest conservation need",,,777400,"3M Foundation, Flint Hills Resources, Great River Greening, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Three Rivers Park District, City of Andover, Minnesota Valley Trust or other private, Private, Private Landowners, RIM, Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization, Washington County Parks and Flint Hills Resources",6347900,125100,,1.68,"MN VNWT, FMR, GRG, TPL, MLT ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers Phase 10 will protect 535 acres in fee title and 157 acres in permanent conservation easement, restore 123 acres and enhance 295 acres of priority habitat in the big rivers corridors in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area (MUA). Metro Big Rivers partners will leverage the OHF funds at least 10% with partner funds, private funds, local government contributions, and landowner donations of easement value. In addition, significant volunteer engagement will be invested in habitat enhancement activities, although not technically counted as leverage.","Metro Big Rivers Phase 10 will protect, restore and enhance prioritized wildlife habitat in the Metro Urbanizing Area, with an emphasis on the Mississippi, Minnesota and St.Croix Rivers and their tributaries. By expanding, connecting and improving public conservation lands, Metro Big Rivers benefits wildlife and species in greatest need of conservation (SGCN) and provides increased public access for wildlife-based recreation. See brief descriptions below and attachments for detail. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) will enhance 220 acres at three sites on or near the Mississippi River. Projects include removal of invasive woody and herbaceous plants, spot-mowing, spot-spraying, prescribed burns and seeding. *Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Washington County: Enhance 116 acres of oak forest, 5 acres of native bluff prairie and 1 acre of restored prairie. *Riverside Park, Washington County: Enhance 13 acres of oak forest and 1 acre of savanna. *Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area, Dakota County: Enhance 50 acres of oak forest, 20 acres of restored prairie and 14 acres of native prairie. Great River Greening (GRG) will restore 23 acres and enhance 75 acres across five sites. Projects will include removal of invasive woody and herbaceous species, mowing and spot spraying, seeding and planting. *Minnehaha Greenway - Methodist Easement, Hennepin County: Enhance 15 acres of riparian land along Minnehaha Creek, recently re-meandered by the watershed district. *Mississippi River Bluff Corridor, Hennepin County: Restore 18 acres of old agricultural field to prairie. *Strootman Park, Anoka County: Enhance 10 acres of woodland. *Timber River Park, Anoka County: Restore 5 acres of a ballfield to native prairie and woodland habitat. Enhance another 5 acres of woodland and native prairie. *Vadnais / Sucker Lake, Ramsey County: Enhance 45 acres of wetlands. Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) will protect through perpetual conservation easement 157 acres of priority wildlife habitat, including riparian lands, forests, wetlands and grasslands. Projects will be selected through a competitive RFP process that ranks proposals based on ecological significance and cost (criteria attached). MLT also will restore 100 acres on private lands already protected through permanent conservation easement. Prioritized properties will be of high ecological significance, adjacent or close to public conservation investments and owned by landowners committed to conservation. Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) will protect in fee 300 acres of river frontage, floodplain forest, wetland and upland habitat in the Minnesota River Valley to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Of the total, 60 acres will be acquired with other non-state funds. All prospective lands have been prioritized by the USFWS and will be restored/enhanced, then open to the public for wildlife-based recreation, including hunting and fishing. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) will protect in fee 235 acres of priority wildlife habitat, including riparian, forest, wetland, and grassland habitat. The potential properties have been identified and prioritized in state, regional and local natural resource plans. Lands acquired will be managed by TPL's public partners (MN DNR and local units of government) and will be open to the public for wildlife-based recreation, including hunting and fishing.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",DLoon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Sherburne","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-10,,,,
20708,"Metro Big Rivers Phase 4",2014,1720000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$1,720,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and as permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $450,000 to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to the Friends of the Mississippi; $210,000 to the Great River Greening; $450,000 to the Minnesota Land Trust; and $450,000 to the Trust for Public Land. Up to $80,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. ",,800300,"Private Source, FMR, Federal, state, local and/or private, City of St. Paul, City of St. Paul, City of Andover ",817100,,,1.566,"MN VNWR Trust, Friends of Miss, GRG, MLT, TPL","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers' restoration and enhancement partners (FMR and GRG) achieved their goals, converting through restoration a former rail yard in the urban core to 32 acres of prairie and enhancing 98 acres of prairie and forest at four other public conservation sites in the metropolitan area. The easement partner (MLT) exceeded goals and permanently protected 131 acres under two conservation easements in Washington County. The fee title acquisition partners (MVT and TPL) were unable to complete the major acquisition they pursued together for the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge due to landowner change of mind. The OHF grant funds spent were leveraged almost 1:1 with $800,350 in other, mostly non-state funds. ",,"Metro Big Rivers partners’ Phase 4 accomplishments, process and methods are described below. Additional information, photos and site maps are provided in attachments about each project accomplished. Friends of Mississippi River (FMR) enhanced forest and prairie habitat on 54 acres in Dakota and Washington Counties. These sites are situated within the Mississippi River corridor and provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife. Over 320 species of birds use the corridor for spring and fall migration, and need stopover sites like these two natural areas for refueling. In addition, with populations of pollinator species declining, there is need to  increase the quality and quantity of pollinator-friendly habitat, even with small habitat patches, to prevent further declines. These sites are also near or adjacent to other protected natural areas, adding important benefits of habitat linkages for wildlife. FMR’s work included $31,400 in leverage funds and in-kind support from local partners and high school students to complete the following activities: ·       Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park - FMR enhanced 35 acres of oak forest, 3 acres of remnant bluff prairie, and 1 acre of prairie at this natural area in Cottage Grove. Activities included forestry mowing and hand-cutting invasive woody vegetation, foliar treatments for re-sprouting stems, broadcasting native seed and conducting prescribed burns.  ·       Vermillion Linear Park - FMR enhanced 6 acres of riparian forest and 9 acres of prairie at this natural area on the Vermillion River in Hastings. Activities included hand-cutting invasive woody vegetation across the entire project area, foliar treatments for re-sprouting woody stems and herbaceous invasives, broadcasting native seed, and planting native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and sedges. Additional prairie-specific activities included grassland prep (sprays, burn, tilling, and harrowing), native seeding, mowing, spot treatments and a prescribed burn.  Great River Greening (GRG) exceeded its original goals by restoring and enhancing 76 acres total in Anoka and Ramsey Counties (66 acres were proposed). Leverage funds of $131,950 helped GRG restore 32 acres of prairie, enhance another 5 acres prairie and enhance 39 acres forest, as follows:    ·       Martins Meadows - GRG enhanced 39 acres of forest habitat on this City of Andover Open Space site situated  on the Rum River (29 acres were proposed).  Activities included removal of woody invasives (common buckthorn, honeysuckle, amur maple), tree thinning, woody encroachment removal, mowing, seeding and planting.  The improved habitat will benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including red-shouldered hawk, blanding’s turtle and gopher snake, all of which have documented occurrences just up and down stream of the site. ·       Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary (Trillium Nature Preserve) - This former rail yard on St Paul’s east side was transformed through a major restoration effort into a new naturalized area that reflects its original state.  Over the course of the project, 32 acres were restored to prairie and an additional 5 prairie acres were enhanced through woody invasives removal.  Activities included mowing, herbicide application, tree thinning, tree planting and prairie seeding. The restoration of this site presented unique challenges because removal of contaminated soil required use of heavy equipment, thereby compacting the soils and requiring additional seeding preparation work to establish vegetation. The nature sanctuary is a refuge for wildlife in an otherwise urban complex.  It also offers residents who are otherwise underserved in this part of St Paul access to natural space and wildlife. Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) exceeded its goals by closing on two perpetual conservation easements within the St. Croix River corridor in Washington County. In total, 131 acres of high-quality habitat were protected by permanent easement under MBR 4, surpassing the 120-acre goal. MLT leveraged $637,000 in donated value across both easement acquisitions, a 2:1 ratio relative to acquisition funding provided by the OHF grant. The two properties protected under permanent conservation easements are:   ·       Old Mill Stream (Kingston) -- This 44-acre easement protects high-quality wetlands, forest and grasslands along 5,920 feet of Old Mill Stream, a state-designated trout stream in Washington County with a viable population of brook trout. The easement is abutted by William O’Brien State Park on three sides. Approximately 22 acres of the property are characterized as a Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance by the DNR due to the presence of rare species and moderate quality natural communities, which provides key habitat for a variety of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including red-shouldered hawk, northern long-eared bat and least weasel.  This property is located within the Audubon Society’s St. Croix Bluffs Important Bird Area (IBA), which functions as a vital migratory corridor. In particular, it is important nesting grounds for great blue heron and bald eagle. ·       St. Croix River (Docksteader Trust) -- This 87-acre easement protects high-quality mesic hardwood forest along the bluffs of the St. Croix River Valley in Washington County.  The protected property is directly adjacent to a scenic easement held by the National Park Service, which is part of a connected corridor of scenic easements extending 11 miles along the St. Croix River north of Stillwater.  The protected property lies within an Important Bird Area (IBA) of global importance identified by the Audubon Society, and provides important habitat for a variety of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).   Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) & Trust for Public Land (TPL): MVT and TPL were unable to acquire a large, high-priority property in Hennepin County for the Upgrala Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, negotiations that were moving forward ended when a member of the landowner group (a hunting club) changed their mind about selling. Club rules required two-thirds of shareholders to agree to the sale and did not allow the property to be divided. Consequently, MVT and TPL did not expend funds from this appropriation.   ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",DebLoon@comcast.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-4,,,,
803,"Metro Big Rivers Habitat Program, Phase 1",2011,2397000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$2,397,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements for projects to protect, restore, and enhance natural systems of the Minnesota River, St. Croix River, Mississippi River, and their major tributaries as follows: $500,000 with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for fee title land acquisition; $1,500,000 with the Trust for Public Land for fee title land acquisition; $227,300 with the Friends of the Mississippi River for restoration, enhancement, and conservation easement acquisition; and $169,700 with Great River Greening for restoration and enhancement. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph(b).",,"Restore 11 acres of Forest; Protect in Fee 76 acres of wetlands, 38 acres of prairie, 59 acres of forest; Protect in Easement 1 acres of wetland, 2 acres of prairie, 18 acres of Forest. ",,,,2397000,,,,"MN National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc., Trust for Public Land, Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Metro Big Rivers Habitat partnership will work within the Minnesota, Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers and key tributaries of the Metro Urbanizing Area to expand and improve critical habitat for game and non-game wildlife and increase public access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The partnership will use the OHF grant to protect 249 acres (175 acres by fee title acquisition and 74 acres by conservation easement) and restore / enhance 158 acres with OHF and leveraged funds. ","The three Big Rivers in the Metro Urbanizing Area provide critical habitat that must be protected and improved for resident wildlife and migrating wildlife, both game and non-game species. The Metro Big Rivers Habitat partnership will protect 249 acres and restore / enhance 144 acres with the OHF grant to significantly expand and improve wildlife habitat. It will protect an addition 251 acres and restore / enhance an additional 42 acres with leveraged funding. The nearly 4 million Minnesotans that live in the Metro Urbanizing Area need and want increased access to hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent outdoor recreational opportunities close to home. The public will have access to all of the land protected through this program for outdoor recreation. The land protected through fee title acquisition will be open for public hunting and fishing on a limited or unlimited basis. The land protected through conservation easement will be open to the public for other forms of outdoor recreation. These resources are under extreme development pressure because of population growth and the high amenity values associated with most, if not all, of these lands. We have the opportunity now to protect these lands because the economic recession has driven down some land values and slowed development pressure. Some landowners are more interested in selling for conservation than might be the case under different economic circumstances. This program will work because the partners have extensive experience both individually and collectively. In addition to the four partners named on the project, a number of other public and private organizations will be involved, including the MN Department of Natural Resources, numerous metro area counties and cities, and the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. All lands to be protected have been identified as high priorities through public planning processes by the public entities that will eventually own the properties or hold the easement, as follows: 1) MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) for the Refuge lands to be acquired; 2) Local units of government (and, in one instance, possibly the DNR) for the lands to be acquired and transferred to long-term stewards by TPL; and 3) Dakota County and MN DNR for the conservation easement to be acquired to expand the Pine Bend Bluffs SNA. All lands to be restored and/or enhanced are already under public ownership. The restoration and enhancement work to be completed on these lands is a high priority of the public entities that own the land, as follows ? MN DNR for the Pine Bend Bluffs SNA enhancement work, City of St. Paul (Parks and Recreation) for the restoration on the Mississippi blufflands at Indian Mounds and Cherokee Bluff, MN DNR for restoration at the Savage and Seminary Fens, and MN DNR for enhancement of the SNAs within the Franconia-Scandia St. Croix corridors. For each of the projects listed, the Metro Big Rivers Habitat partners have secured informal support and / or will secure the formal support of the local government when and if required when land protection projects move into the contractual stage. Restoration in all instances is supported by the local community and, in some cases, involves the involvement of local volunteers from community and sporting groups ","Final Report",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Deborah,Loon,"Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,None,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott, Scott","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-habitat-program,,,,
9819,"Metro Big Rivers Habitat Phase 3",2013,3680000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$3,680,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $1,000,000 to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $375,000 to the Friends of the Mississippi; $375,000 to Great River Greening; $930,000 to The Minnesota Land Trust; and $1,000,000 to The Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed = acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $51,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.",,"Restored 8 acres of prairie, protected in fee 67 acres, and enhanced 495 acres. ",,27500,"City of Fridley, Maplewood, and Mahtomedi ",1353100,,,1.48,"MN Valley NWR Trust, Friends of Mississippi River, Great River Greening, MN Land Trust, Trust for Pulbic Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Metro Big Rivers Phase 3 protected 67 acres of significant habitat along more than 1 mile of the Mississippi River, restored 8 acres of prairie and enhanced 495 acres of priority habitat (47 wetland acres, 50 prairie acres and 398 forest acres) in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area.",,"Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) completed restoration and enhancement activities on 314 acres, exceeding its original 166 grant acres. FMR restored 8 acres of prairie and enhanced 30 acres prairie, 47 acres of wetland and 237 acres of forest on three sites in Dakota County and one in Washington County, as follows:• Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area (Freitag Tract) -- Gores Pool WMA is a 6,449-ac complex of floodplain forest, marshland and backwater along the Mississippi River and Vermillion River Bottoms in Dakota County. Most of the area is designated as outstanding biodiversity significance and constitutes one of the largest expanses of floodplain native plant communities in southeast Minnesota. It is also one of the top four sites in the state for rare forest birds. The 300 acre Freitag Tract was purchased in 2008 by the DNR in partnership with Dakota County and the City of Hastings. With this Phase 3 grant, FMR continued its activities at the WMA in partnership with the DNR, enhancing 47 acres of wet meadow, 125 acres of forest, and 5 acres of prairie. Methods included cutting and treating invasive woody and herbaceous species, prescribed burning, installing cottonwood livestakes, and planting native shrubs.• Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) - This SNA is identified as significant by the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program and the County Biological Survey. In addition to containing an intermittent stream that flows to the Vermillion River, this site contains rare dry prairie and associated oak woodland. Fourteen rare species have been documented at this SNA. FMR’s work with Phase 3 restored 8 acres of prairie, enhanced 23 acres of prairie by removing woody species and conducting prescribed burns and enhanced 51 acres of oak woodland by controlling exotic invasive species and conducting prescribed burns.• Hastings Scientific and Natural Area -- This 69-acre SNA, designated in the 1970s, is situated along the Mississippi – Vermillion River floodplain and blufflands in Hastings, Dakota County. It contains wetland, maple-basswood forest and floodplain forest. FMR developed a Natural Resource Management Plan for this SNA in 2011 in partnership with the DNR. With Phase 3 funds, FMR conducted exotic invasive woody plant control on 35 acres of forest by cutting and stump-treating. These activities improved the habitat for the both rare species and all the plant and animal members of these forest communities.• Camel’s Hump / Gateway North Open Space Area -- This 34-acre site sits on a high ancient river terrace of sandstone and limestone within Cottage Grove (Washington County). The natural communities located on this site include oak forest, bedrock bluff prairie and lowland hardwood forest. Through this Phase 3 grant, FMR prepared a Natural Resource Management Plan, then conduct woody plant removal and a prescribed burn on approximately 2-acres of prairie and exotic plant control on approximately 26 acres of forest by cutting and treating woody plants and prescribed burns. Seed collected from the prairie on-site was used to enhance other areas on-site.Great River Greening (GRG) also exceeded its original grant acres. GRG conducted enhancement activities on 179 acres (141 acres were originally proposed), as follows:• Katherine Abbott Park: 6 acres prairie enhancement, and16 acres forest enhancement. Work included: removal of invasive common and glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, black locust and Siberian elm; woody encroachment removal from the native prairie; and reed canary grass control in the wet prairie area. The enhancement at Katherine Abbott is continuing with Trust Fund support and City support. This site now hosts remnant prairie, oak savanna, enhanced forest habitat, and enhanced wetland habitats. Acreage and habitat goals were met; with City funds, summer and fall 2017 burns are being developed for the oak woodland communities to control buckthorn and promote the remnant understory. • Fish Creek Open Space: 75 acres of dry-mesic prairie oak savannah were enhanced. Work included woody invasive removal, tree planting, and prairie seeding. Oak savanna was restored using an oak grove design, and the timing of seeding was selected carefully to encourage forb establishment for better pollinator habitat and floristic diversity, as well as a robust prairie grass component. The establishment has included mowing to promote prairie perennials over weedy annuals and biennials, and spot treatment (pulling, spraying) of more problematic non-native invasive species. Restorations involved Greening’s Summer Youth Job Corps (a partnership with Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, providing hands-on natural resource experience to underserved youth), students and faculty, volunteer citizens, contractors, and Greening staff. Fish Creek now hosts prairie habitat, oak savanna habitat, and enhanced forest habitat. This location in the Mississippi flyway is proving to continue to leverage volunteer services for enhancement and maintenance, and is also a pollinator citizen science project location with Trust Fund support. Acreage goals were met and maintenance program is robust and underway.• Springbrook Nature Center: 82 acres enhanced (66 acres proposed), 70 acres of forest and 12 acres of prairie, through woody invasive removal and treatment and several rounds of prescribed burns. Work was conducted by Greening’s Summer Youth Job Corps (see Fish Creek description), citizen volunteers, contractors, and Greening staff.With this grant, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired 66 acres of a larger 335 acre acquisition of significant habitat in Elk River (Sherburne County) with over a mile of Mississippi River shoreline at the confluence of the Elk River and Mississippi Rivers. The full 335 acres were acquired with the balance of TPL’s Phase 2 grant and $610,000 of this Phase 3 grant. The land provides habitat for a variety of species and the shoreline affords access to an excellent smallmouth bass fishery. The property was conveyed to the City of Elk River to be managed in a manner similar to a state Wildlife Management Area. Public hunting and fishing will be allowed according to DNR guidelines. Restoration and enhancement of the habitat on this property is being completed under Metro Big Rivers Phase 5 by Friends of the Mississippi River.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.","3815 East American Boulevard",Bloomington,MN,55425,612-801-1935,dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sibley, Washington, Wright","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-habitat-phase-3,,,,
2551,"Metro Big Rivers Habitat, Phase 2",2012,5000000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$5,000,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $960,000 to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $150,000 to Great River Greening; $840,000 to Minnesota Land Trust; $150,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; and $2,900,000 to The Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed projects, describing types and locations of acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Money appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Restore 15 acres, Protect in Fee 776, Protect in Easement 654 acres and and Enhance 178 acres in total 1,623 acres were impacted.",,1504700,"FMR, landowner, local, state and federal, donated easeemnt, private donations ",4837200,,,.79,"Great River Greening, MN Land Trust, Friends of Mississippi River, Trust for Public Land, MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.","Non-Profit Business/Entity","With this final report, Metro Big Rivers Phase 2 is complete and significantly exceeded its original acreage targets of protecting, restoring and enhancing priority wildlife habitat within the three big rivers corridors in the Metropolitan Urbanizing Area. Specifically: * Metro Big Rivers 2 planned to protect 733 acres, but actually protected 1,430 acres. * Metro Big Rivers 2 planned to restore 15 acres and enhance 135 acres, but actually restored 15 acres and enhanced 178 acres. ",,"Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2012/accomp_plan/5d.pdf Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) completed the project by restoring 8 acres of prairie, enhancing 8 acres of prairie, restoring 7 acres of wet meadow and enhancing 101 acres of forest, exceeding our goals for the project. The details for the 2 sites follow: •Gores WMA: FMR completed this project and met the project goals by restoring an 8-acre grassland to native prairie; enhancing a 3-acre restored prairie by conducting invasive species control; restoring a 7-acre grassland to native wet meadow species by controlling reed canary grass; and enhancing 90- acres of floodplain and upland forest by removing exotic invasive woody plants. The prairie restoration included seeding 11 native grass species and 35 native forbs, focused on species important for pollinators. Annual breeding bird surveys at the forested area showed significant increases in the number of species and the number of birds between 2010 and 2015. Annual breeding bird surveys showed substantial increases in the number of species recorded at restored/enhanced areas, with ten species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) noted. •Rosemount Wildlife Preserve: FMR completed enhancement activities on 5 acres of prairie and 11 acres of forest through treatment of exotic invasive species and prescribed burns. Annual breeding bird surveys at the forested area showed significant increases in the number of species and the number of birds between 2010 and 2015. Great River Greening (GRG) exceeded its original grant acres target 7-fold. GRG conducted enhancement activities on 69 acres (10 acres were originally proposed), as follows: •Crosby Park: 52 acres of habitat were enhanced through woody invasive species eradication within floodplain forest and installation of practices to address erosion impacting Crosby Lake. The project is complete and exceeds the proposed acreage goals. •Seminary Fen SNA: Supplemental funding from this grant was used to complete the full spectrum of enhancement activities at Seminary Fen SNA initiated under the Metro Big Rivers Phase 1 grant. Invasive species management was conducted across 1 acre of the fen through prescribed fire. The project is complete. •Savage Fen SNA: Supplemental funding from this grant was used to complete the full spectrum of enhancement activities at Seminary Fen SNA initiated under the Metro Big Rivers Phase 1 grant. Invasive species management was conducted across 1 acre of the fen through prescribed fire. The project is complete. •Fish Creek Open Space: Forest enhancement work was completed through the removal invasive woody species over 10 acres of a grassland portion of the forest mosaic. We have released oaks, and removed planted pines and overabundant box elder. The project – as funded through this grant – is complete, but additional activity funded through MBR Phase 3 continues at this site. •Springbrook Nature Center: Extensive woody invasive species control and forest thinning was completed across 5 acres of oak woodland and savanna habitat at the site. The project is – as funded through this grant – is complete, but additional activity funded through MBR Phase 3 continues at this site. Additional matching funds leveraged for the project includes gifts from the 3M Foundation, Xcel Foundation, Brookfield Renewable, and Buuck Family Foundation. Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) exceeded its target acres significantly. The original target was 300 acres, but MLT was able to complete three easements on 654 acres with the grant, thanks to significant donations of value by landowners. MLT also protected a total of approximately 10,999 linear feet of shoreline along rivers, lakes and ponds. The following easements were completed with the MBR 2 grant: •The 80-acre Sherburne Hardwoods (Anderson) tract, located in Becker Township in Sherburne County, is adjacent to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and is in an area designated as a state Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. The property consists of approximately 48 acres of deciduous forest, 30 acres of grassland, and 2 acres of wetland. The landowner is currently in the process of restoring the grasslands and the wetlands on the property. The forest, wetland, and grassland habitats contained within the property provide habitat for a variety of species in greatest conservation need, including bald eagle, American woodcock, and whip-poor-will. •26 acres at the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers with 2,591 feet of shoreline along the Elk River and 493 feet of shoreline along the Mississippi River, a state Wild and Scenic River and state water trail. •548 acres of forest, wetlands, grasslands and open water on Stickney Lake in Sherburne County, approximately 3 miles northwest of Clear Lake, Minnesota. This easement includes approximately 2,400 feet of shoreline on Stickney Lake (a shallow lake) and approximately 5,515 feet of shoreline on unnamed ponds. These natural features provide key habitats for a variety of Species in Greatest Conservation Need, including the northern pintail and the sharp-tailed grouse. Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) completed fee title acquisition on 444 acres of priority habitat for the Blakely Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Of the 444 acres, 384 acres were acquired with the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant through Metro Big Rivers Phase 2. The other 60 acres were acquired with other, non-state funds. Trust for Public Land (TPL) completed fee title acquisition of 335 acres of land with over a mile of Mississippi River shoreline at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers on December 16, 2014. This acquisition was completed with the balance of TPL’s Phase 2 grant and part of its Phase 3 grant. The land provides habitat for a variety of species and the shoreline affords access to an excellent smallmouth bass fishery. The property was conveyed to the City of Elk River to be managed in a manner similar to a state Wildlife Management Area. Public hunting and fishing will be allowed according to DNR guidelines. TPL also completed fee title acquisition on 128 acres of the Blakely Bluffs area for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Of the 128 acres, 123 were acquired with the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant through Metro Big Rivers Phase 2. The other 5 acres were acquired with other DNR funds.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.","3815 East American Blvd.",Bloomington,MN,55425,612-801-1935,DLoon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-habitat-phase-2,,,,
23933,"Metro Big Rivers Phase V",2015,1210700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(d)","$2,650,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $600,000 to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great River Greening; $590,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $77,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17; and $900,000 to The Trust for Public Land. Lands acquired or lands with easements acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"32 acres protected in fee without state PILT liability and 277 enhanced acres for a total of 309 acres  ",,1343100,"Cities of Apple Valley, Bloomington, Burnsville, and St. Paul, Patagonia, Three Rivers Park District, Three Rivers Community Foundation, Friends of Houlton, MN Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund, City of Elk River, Private Source, St. Paul Garden Club, and 3M Foundation ",1210700,,,.34,"MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc; Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening, MN Land Trust, Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","In Phase 5, Friends of the Mississippi River and Great River Greening enhanced 277 acres at six sites, exceeding their goals by 48 acres (21%). The Minnesota Valley Trust acquired fee title to 32.4 acres for two high-priority additions to the Rapids Lake Unit, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Minnesota Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land were unable to finalize their easement and fee title acquisitions when landowners changed their minds. OHF grant funds spent were leveraged more than 110% with $1,343,128 in other funds. ",,"Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) exceeded its acreage objectives by enhancing 90 acres at the W.H. Houlton Conservation Area (70 acres were proposed). This forest enhancement project at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers in Sherburne County was on part of the land acquired with OHF funds by the Trust for Public Land (MBR Phases 2 and 3 / ML 2011 and 2012). A total of 90 acres were enhanced (exceeding the goal of 70 acres) through woody invasive species management, including forestry mowing, multiple herbicide treatments and native woodland grass and sedge seeding. These efforts dramatically transformed this site, which initially had such a dense sub-canopy of buckthorn that it prevented the regeneration of most other shrubs and trees. OHF funds were leveraged with $34,595 in other funds.  FMR is restoring and enhancing other parts of the Houlton Conservation Area through MBR phases 7 (restoration of 180 acre agricultural field) and MBR 8 (enhancement of 80 acres forest).     Great River Greening (GRG) exceeded its original goals by restoring and enhancing 187 acres total in Carver, Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties (159 acres were proposed). Leverage funds of $179,000 helped GRG enhance 30 acres of prairie and 157 acres, as follows:  •  Alimagnet Park - This forest enhancement project in Dakota County is complete and deliverables were met. A total of 20 acres of forest were enhanced through selective timber harvest, cutting of woody invasives, and multiple herbicide treatments on buckthorn and other invasive species. •  Carver Park Preserve - Goals were exceeded on this forest enhancement project in Carver County. A total of 90 acres of forest were enhanced (exceeding the goal by 20 acres) through woody invasive species management, including forestry mowing, herbicide applications and prescribed burning.   •  Pond Dakota Mission Park & Minnesota River Valley (City of Bloomington property) - This project along the Minnesota River in Hennepin County concluded in the spring of 2018 after crews completed a selective thinning of the forest canopy and removal of exotic tree and shrub species (buckthorn and honeysuckle).  Large material was hauled out of the valley while smaller material was piled and burned.  Over the course of the project, 22 acres were enhanced.   •  Terrace Oak Park - This forest enhancement project in Dakota County is complete and deliverables were met. A total of 19 acres of forest were enhanced through woody invasive species management, including forestry mowing and multiple herbicide treatments.   •  Trout Brook Nature Preserve - This prairie enhancement project in the Trout Brook Greenway in St. Paul was completed at the end of September 2017 and deliverables were met. 30 prairie acres were enhanced through woody invasive species removal, prairie establishment maintenance, woodland tree and shrub planting, and prairie pollinator nursery plot plantings.   The Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) added 32.4 acres to the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge through two high-priority fee title acquisitions. Both parcels are adjacent to the Refuge and a DNR Wildlife Management Area that is managed by the USFWS.   These acquisitions protected significant oak savanna, remnant prairie, oak basswood forest and seasonal ephemeral wetlands from residential development. An initial BioBlitz in 2018 identified more than 200 species, including the endangered Henslow’s Sparrow, Bloodroot, Pasqueflower, Kittentail (a state threatened species), Buffalo Bean, Bergamot and Common, Whorled and Green Milkweeds. Bur Oaks with wide branching limbs are indicative of historic oak savanna.   The OHF grant of $600,000 was leveraged with (1) $679,863 in other, private funds to complete the 20.56-acre acquisition and (2) $449,345 in other, private funds to acquire the 11.83-acre parcel. Total leverage was $1,129,208.   Habitat restoration and enhancement will include removal of invasive woody species, seeding the former building sites and prescribed fire. After restoration, the property will be transferred to the USFWS and opened to the public for hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and its partner, Washington County, were not successful in securing a conservation easement on property owned by the Manitou Fund at Terrapin Lake in Washington County. Discussions with the landowner took a step backward in fall 2017, prompting all parties to look for alternative ways to realize the mutual desires of ensuring long-term conservation of this important resource. In early 2018, the landowner approached MLT and Washington County with renewed interest but backed away again from the project. All of the funding through this grant to MLT was earmarked for this high-priority project. With the project not being finalized, we were unable to secure any deliverables for the grant and returned the majority of funding to the State.   The Trust for Public Land (TPL) was unable to spend most of this appropriation, as the owners of the prospective 194-acre addition to Bayport WMA unexpectedly changed their minds and signed a contract to sell the land to a developer. $20,000 in DNR Land Acquisition Costs was released to the DNR for their appraisal and administrative costs related to this project. ",2014-07-01,2019-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",DLoon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Sherburne","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-v,,,,
35024,"Metro Big Rivers - Phase VI",2016,2000000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$2,000,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and in permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $475,000 to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $275,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great River Greening; $375,000 to Minnesota Land Trust; and $475,000 to The Trust for Public Land. Up to $60,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Metro Big Rivers Partnership projects improved habitat values for wildlife and Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including birds using the Mississippi River migratory corridor, pollinators, wildlife, and an array of rare and endangered species. The restoration/enhancement partners (FMR and GRG) worked on already-protected conservation lands to significantly improve habitat values for wildlife and SGCN. Work restored restore prairie and enhance forest, oak savanna and prairie at four conservation sites. The easement partner (MLT) permanently limited development and prevented fragmentation of wildlife habitats and undeveloped shoreline. Restricting shoreline development prevented negative impacts to terrestrial and aquatic habitats that support a number of fish and wildlife species, especially SGCN. The fee title partners (MVT and TPL) acquired lands prioritized through federal, state, regional and local natural resource plans due to their high biodiversity, connectivity, and ability to preserve habitat for SGCN. The acquisitions and subsequent habitat restoration and enhancement work increased breeding and migratory habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, neo-tropical migrants, and non-migratory resident species, protected the diversity of native ecosystems, and improved connectivity and resilience.","A total of 1,078 acres were affected: 88 Restored, 167 in Fee Title, 318 in Easements, 505 in Enhance.",1140900,"City of St. Paul, National Wild Turkey Federation, Great River Greening, Scott County, Friends of Mississippi River, Landowner donation, Minnesota Valley Trust, Private and Private Foundation Grant",1976700,10000,,1.38,"MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc; Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening, MN Land Trust, Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Metro Big Rivers (MBR) Partnership successfully completed its work under the Phase 6 / ML2015 OHF appropriation, protecting 485 acres across 5 projects (198% of proposed) and restoring and enhancing a total of 1,055 acres (185% of proposed). The Partnership expended 99% of the OHF funds granted awarded to it and leveraged the grant by 57% with nearly $1,141,000 in other funds.","Brief summaries of the work completed under this Metro Big Rivers Phase 6 grant are provided below. More in-depth information of projects completed is provided in project summary attachments to this final report. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) completed its work under this grant, enhancing 365 acres within two DNR Scientific & Natural Area (SNA) units in the Twin Cities Metro area. Working with SNA staff, FMR enhanced 175 acres of forest and 40 acres of bluffland prairie at Pine Bend Bluffs SNA. At the Hastings Sand Coulee SNA, FMR enhanced 70 acres of forest and 80 acres of prairie. Forest acres were enhanced through invasive woody removal, including by both forestry mowing and cut-and-paint removal, with two years of follow-up treatments. Prairie acres ? including 87 acres of native remnant prairie ? were enhanced through a combination of activities including herbaceous and woody species removal, seeding, and prescribed burns. Volunteers participated in the enhancement through yearly invasive removal and seed collection events. Great River Greening (GRG) completed its work under this grant, restoring and enhancing 95 acres of prairie and 110 acres of forest. Working with Scott County staff at Doyle-Kennefick Regional Park, GRG restored 88 acres of prairie from former agricultural land and enhanced 7 acres of oak savanna. At Victoria Park and Crosby Farm Regional Park, GRG worked with the City of St Paul to enhance 110 acres through prairie planting, tree planting, invasive species removal and shelter pocket clearing and planting. Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) completed 3 conservation easements, protecting 318 acres of high quality habitat and 2.35 miles of shoreland. These included: 1)Hunter Lake (Jannusch) ? protected 201 acres of hardwood forest, oak savanna, pothole wetlands, extensive lake shoreline, and a glacial esker in Sherburne County. The landowner generously donated the entire value of the conservation easement, which appraised at over $380,000. 2)Medvecky Woods (DeCorsey) ? protected 40 acres of hardwood forest and wetlands in a Minnesota Biological Survey-designated site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance in Isanti County. The property is contiguous with another MLT easement and nearby the 5,700-acre Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. 3)Tennyson Lake (Barrett 2) ? protected 77 acres of habitat on Tennyson Lake in Isanti County, a favorite stopover of trumpeter swans and migratory bird species. The easement adds on to 80 acres of existing protected property directly to the north at the inflow of the lake. Funds remaining after completing protection work allowed MLT to work with the Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete an oak savanna restoration on the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Carver County. This spectacular project is part of a large complex of public lands with a rich multitude of habitats overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) completed its work under this grant as of September 2018 when it protected through fee title acquisition 51 acres of a high-priority 77-acre parcel for the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The balance of the site was acquired with half of the MBR 7 / ML 2016 grant and $794,462 in other, private funds. After acquisition, MVT used the balance of its MBR 7 / ML 2016 grant to complete the initial habitat restoration over 40 acres, which included converting the building site and crop field to prairie and wetland. Simultaneously, the MN Land Trust conducted initial restoration of 23 acres of degraded oak savanna on the site with the balance of its MBR 6 / ML 2015. Follow-up treatments to maintain and enhance the restored 77 acres will be completed by MVT and USFWS under the MBR 9 / ML2019 grant. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired 116 acres of land which was added to the existing Grass Lake Wildlife Management Area in Wright County. The land contains wetlands, rolling hills and forested areas, and approximately 37 acres of agricultural land that were restored to tallgrass prairie through this grant. Acquisition was the first step in the restoration of a drained wetland, helping to improve water quality and provide aquatic habitat, while also protecting a portion of Grass Lake, an identified shallow lake. Additionally, the acquisition connected separate WMA parcels and increased the size of the existing WMA by 25 percent to over 450 acres. Within a 45-minute drive of over half the State?s population, Grass Lake WMA provides numerous outdoor recreation and wildlife observation opportunities to the general public in the Metro Area.",,2015-07-01,2023-04-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"MN Valley Trust (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Dakota, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wright","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-phase-vi,,,,
35076,"Metro Big Rivers Habitat Phase 7",2017,4000000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$4,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers within the metropolitan area as follows: $500,000 to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $430,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; $1,170,000 to Great River Greening; $800,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and $1,100,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $60,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Metro Big Rivers projects improved habitat values for wildlife and SGCN, including birds using the Mississippi River migratory corridor, pollinators, wildlife, and an array of rare and endangered species. FMR converted crop field to diverse prairie and restored forest at two sites on the Mississippi and Elk Rivers in Sherburne County. The restoration provides critical habitat for resident and migrant birds (including five SGCNs surveyed post-restoration), native pollinators, and mammals. The sites are partially located in the high potential zone for Rusty Patched bumblebee. Post-restoration surveys documented increases in pollinator abundance and diversity. GRG worked on public conservation lands to improve habitat values for wildlife and SGCN, including birds using the Mississippi River migratory corridor and pollinators. Work restored and enhanced riverine, forest, oak savanna, prairie, and wetland habitat at seven conservation sites. MLT prevented fragmentation around lakes experiencing development pressure (Pickerel and Fish Lakes), as well as areas of biological significance (Medvecky Woods). MLT conservation easements also protected two miles of shoreline and associated riparian habitat on Pickerel, Fish, and Oak Lakes. Over six bird species designated as SGCN have been identified on the Oak Lake conservation easement alone. MVT acquired lands identified through the USFWS Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which prioritizes lands for high biodiversity, connectivity, and ability to preserve habitat for SGCN. MVT?s acquisition protected oak savanna, remnant prairie, oak basswood forest and seasonal ephemeral wetlands. A bioblitz identified more than 200 species, including the endangered Henslow?s sparrow, bloodroot, pasqueflower, kittentail (state threatened species), buffalo bean, bergamot, common milkweed, whorled milkweed, green milkweed and bur oak. Restoration created habitat for grassland and savanna-dependent birds, other wildlife and pollinators, including the endangered Rusty Patched bumble bee and monarch. TPL acquired land prioritized in Minnesota?s Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) due to its high biodiversity significance, connectivity to existing public lands, and ability to preserve habitat for SGCN. Acquisition for the Janet Johnson Memorial WMA protected two habitat types identified within the WAP?s St. Croix River Watershed Conservation Focus Area and key wildlife habitat utilized by 67 listed SGCN within the Anoka Sand Plain ecological subsection.","A total of 1,199 acres were affected: 241 Restored, 145 in Fee Title, 194 in Easements, 619 in Enhance.",1962900,"City of Elk River, City of Elk River, FMR, Greening, IWLA, SWWD, Dakota County, MCWD, Landowner donated value, MCWD, St. Louis Park, MVT - Private, Private funds, SWWD, South Washington Watershed District, Vail Resorts, Various state and local and private funds",3913500,48300,,0.59,"MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc; Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening, MN Land Trust, Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Metro Big Rivers (MBR) partners successfully completed their work with the Phase 7 / ML2016 OHF appropriation. MBR exceeded original acreage goals by 14% and completed work on a total of 1,199 acres. Partners protected 145 acres through fee title acquisition and 194 acres through permanent conservation easement, restored 241 acres and enhanced 619 acres. MBR 7 expended 99% of the OHF funds granted and leveraged the grant by 49% with almost $2 million in other funds.","Brief summaries of the work completed under this phase of Metro Big Rivers are provided below. More in-depth information of projects completed is provided in attachments to this final report. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) completed its work under this grant as of June 30, 2022. FMR restored habitat at 197 acres at 2 sites, exceeding its original plan of 160 acres. FMR was able to expand its planned work area at the William H. Houlton Conservation Area and add the adjacent Bailey Point Nature Preserve to its work under this grant. Great River Greening (GRG) concluded its restoration and enhancement work as of June 30, 2021. Through this grant, GRG restored 4 acres and enhanced 619 acres of habitat (623 acres total) at 7 sites in the metro region, slightly exceeding its original goal. The project sites were Izaak Walton League Minnesota Valley Gateway, Lebanon Hills Regional Park Phase 1, Lilydale Bluffs, Minnehaha Creek Greenway, Pond Dakota Mission, Rum River Regional Park & Cedar Creek Conservation Area, and Trout Brook Afton Phase 1 (5 are detailed in the attachment). Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) concluded its land protection work associated with this grant in June 2019. MLT protected 3 sites under conservation easement and exceeded its projected goals for the grant, protecting 194 acres (relative to the 100 acres proposed) and 2.18 miles of shoreline. MLT leveraged $1,055,000 in landowner donations of easement value through this grant. MLT easement projects completed in this phase are: ?Medvecky Woods (Baker) - An 80-acre property protecting high-quality oak-maple-basswood forest, tamarack swamp, and hardwood swamp. The property lies within the Medvecky Woods Site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance and adjacent to Cedar Creek Natural History Area and conservation easements held by the Land Trust. ?Pickerel Lake (Imholte) - This 42-acre property is dominated by oak forest and lies along the shorelines of Pickerel and Fish Lakes. The property lies adjacent to another conservation easement held by the Land Trust. ?Oak Lake (Phyllis Wheatly Community Center) - This 83-acre property (72 acres funded through this grant) contains a DNR-designated Big Woods Heritage Forest and nearly 1.5 miles of shoreline on Oak Lake. The conservation easement forever protects high quality habitat within Camp Katherine Parsons, one of the nation?s earliest camps focused on serving the needs of African-American youth. Minnesota Valley Trust (MVT) completed its work under this grant as of December 31, 2022. With about half of the grant, MVT protected through fee title acquisition 26 acres of a high-priority 77-acre parcel for the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The balance of the site was acquired with the MBR 6 / ML 2015 grant and $794,462 in other, private funds. MVT then used the balance of the MBR 7 grant to complete the initial habitat restoration of 40 acres of the acquired parcel, converting the building site and crop field to prairie and wetland. Simultaneously, MN Land Trust conducted initial restoration of 35 acres of degraded oak savanna on the site through MBR 6 / ML 2015. Follow-up treatments to maintain and enhance the restored 77 acres will be completed by MVT and USFWS under the MBR 9 / ML2019 grant. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) concluded its land protection work associated with this grant in January 2018, when it acquired a 119-acre addition to the Janet Johnson WMA. TPL exceeded its target of protecting 80 acres.",,2016-07-01,2023-03-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Deborah,Loon,"Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. (Metro Big Rivers)","3815 East American Boulevard ",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-big-rivers-habitat-phase-7,,,,
10006493,"Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative - Phase III",2019,1938000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(f)","$1,938,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to restore and enhance public forest lands in the northern forest region for moose habitat. A list of proposed land restoration and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"11,466 Forest acres Enhanced ",,45700,"Partners, MDHA ",1920700,,,0.35,"MN Deer Hunters Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), in collaboration with county, state, federal, tribal, university and non-governmental organizational (NGO) partners, seeks to continue the successful work of the Moose Habitat Collaborative (Collaborative) by improving nearly 10,000 acres of foraging habitat for moose in northeast Minnesota. The project builds on the Collaborative’s previous efforts to enhance forest habitat by increasing stand complexity and production while maintaining thermal components of the landscape with variable enhancement methods. Partial and intermediate harvests will increase the occurrence of early successional forest patches, providing abundant quality foraging opportunities and enhancing landscape-level habitat heterogeneity. ",,"The Minnesota Moose Collaborative has implemented a variety of habitat enhancement treatments across the core of moose range in Northeast Minnesota on County, State, Federal, and Tribal lands since 2013. Improving moose browse calls for treatments that regenerate preferred brush and tree species. In some places this happens through natural or human disturbance. Natural disturbances like wildfires provide excellent moose browse according to biologists. Most logging on uplands results in some regeneration of moose browse. However, there are tens of thousands of acres in moose range that will not see a natural browse regenerating event like fire or do not have enough volume of merchantable wood to make an economical timber sale. In these areas the collaborative used bulldozers, brush saw crews, and prescribed fires to shear, cut, and burn the old decadent brush and stimulate re- growth that is more palatable, nutritious, and easy to reach for moose. Cover for hiding from predators and protection from the elements is another part of the habitat equation. Research has shown that moose prefer forests with mixed conifer and deciduous trees. The pre-settlement forest in Northeast MN was 70% conifers and 30% deciduous trees. Today that ratio is completely reversed with 70% deciduous and only 30% conifers. Improving cover habitat for moose means restoring conifers on the landscape. The Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative has planted over 4 million trees including white spruce, white pine, jack pine, and white cedar. The pine and cedar must be protected from browsing by deer and hare using budcaps or tree shelters. By the third year after planting, the seedlings need to be released from competition from surrounding trees and brush. The collaborative accomplished this “release” with brush saws which both helps the trees get established and produces another flush of future moose browse. A look at plat books for counties in Northeast Minnesota quickly emphasizes the need for inter-agency partnerships to produce habitat results at a meaningful scale. The ownership pattern looks like a patchwork quilt of County, Federal, and State lands. There is not an acre that gets worked on without some level of collaboration and cooperation between partner staff. With time and experience, collaborative partners have refined the search for good moose habitat projects and added and dropped stands as field visits were conducted. Proposals for specific work plans at each site are shared with wildlife biologists for their approval as beneficial to moose. Partners decided who will manage the bidding and contracting, order necessary supplies, supervise the work, complete the documentation needed for invoicing, track the specifics of what was done at each site, and summarize accomplishments for grant reporting and other communication about the project as a whole. Field sampling and aerial surveys conducted by the 1854 Treaty Authority, U of M's Natural Resources Research Institute, the Fond Du Lac Band, and other agency and tribal biologists are showing that moose are preferentially using the sites that were treated through this project. ",2018-07-01,2021-12-27,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Craig,Engwall,"MN Deer Hunters Association","460 Peterson Road ","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,"(218) 327-1103",craig.engwall@mndeerhunters.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-moose-habitat-collaborative-phase-iii,,,,
10006505,"Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase VI",2019,1473000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(c )","$1,473,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and to acquire easements for forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat through working forest permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Of this amount, up to $25,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"The project area provides a wide diversity of habitats to many fish, game and non-game wildlife species found in northeastern and north central Minnesota including moose, gray wolf, black bear, Canada lynx, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, waterfowl, forest songbirds, and trout and other fish. With areas of shoreline on trout streams, other streams, ponds, small lakes and numerous wetlands the project area provides the critical shoreland habitats that are essential to many fish and wildlife populations. The project area lies in the transition area between the conifer dominated boreal forests of the north and deciduous forest to the south that together with the array of streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands provides a rich mosaic of habitats that support these species. Over 80 species in greatest conservation need are known or predicted to occur in either the North Shore highlands and/or Toimi Uplands landscapes. Nearly half the project area is identified by the MCBS as high/moderate sites of biodiversity significance.","A total of 1,947 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 469 in Fee Title, 1,478 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",153300,"The Nature Conservancy",1467300,,,0.1,DNR,"State Government","This Minnesota Forests for the Future project protected 1,947 acres of forest and forested wetlands with 1,478 acres of perpetual working forest conservation easements and 469 acres of fee title acquisition in Cass, Hubbard, Lake and Morrison Counties; ensuring public benefits, management access and sustainable managed forests.","Forest land ownership changes within recent years, primarily within the industrial forest ownerships, are occurring as the timber industry restructures and looks to obtain value from their land through real estate sales and recreational leases. These sales can result in forest fragmentation or even outright conversion of forest lands, impact public recreational access including recreational trail routes, affect forest management access by public agencies across the impacted lands, degrade wildlife habitat and decrease the use of sustainable forestry practices. The current project has targeted a total of four properties in these three categories: 1) a large industrial ownership located in northeastern Minnesota whose property adjoins and is commingled with thousands of acres of other public forests including those owned and managed by the state, Lake County and the Superior National Forest; 2) a large industrial ownership publicly accessible in north central Minnesota adjoining thousands of acres of other public forests owned and managed by the state and Hubbard County; and 3) two family owned properties located in Morrison and Cass Counties, adjacent to public land, in areas of high forest conversion threat and in areas identified as priorities for land protection through local watershed analysis and planning. LSOHC appropriations target priority projects as determined by the scoring criteria developed in consultation with the Minnesota Forests for the Future Advisory Committee (stakeholder group). Projects may need to be scaled back or phased to accommodate the available funding. Each project included in this report were located within program priority areas as identified by a GIS model that integrates recreational, ecological and economic data. These projects addressed forest fragmentation, habitat degradation, recreational and management access and sustainable forestry through perpetual conservation easements and fee acquisition that will protect the forest and wetland habitats in perpetuity, restrict forest parcelization and development, provide for public recreational access and public management access and promote sustainable forest management practices. The Minnesota Forests for the Future and Federal Forest Legacy Programs have proven to be cost effective programs for protecting private forest land habitat in Minnesota, while also providing public recreational and agency management access and ensuring sustainable forestry. These programs have protected over 360,000 acres to date at an average cost of less than $300/acre. Over $24 million in non-state funds have been leveraged for these protection efforts over the past 10 years.",,2018-07-01,2022-12-06,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Christine,Ostern,"MN DNR Forestry","305 E. Business Park Dr. ",Cloquet,MN,55720,2183431790,christine.ostern@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Hubbard, Lake, Morrison","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-vi,,,,
10006519,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 10",2019,2291000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(h)","$2,291,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to acquire permanent conservation stream easements using the payment method prescribed in Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0272, subdivision 2, and to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. Up to $20,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The projects enhanced degraded habitat for fish and wildlife in and along 9 miles of coldwater streams and rivers which historically supported naturally reproducing trout populations that are highly valued by anglers. While trout are the apex predator and key indicator species in coldwater systems, a host of rare aquatic and riparian species uniquely associated with these systems also benefited from the habitat work. The enhanced habitat will also provide great recreational opportunities for anglers and citizens.","A total of 119 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 119 in Enhance.",230800,"NRCS, DNR and TU",1989000,24000,,0.95,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited and its partners, chapters, and volunteers enhanced habitat for trout, as well as other fish, game and wildlife, in or along more than 9 miles of coldwater streams around the state. We adapting to challenging conditions caused by the pandemic by shifting budget from small projects using hand labor (which was largely unavailable for the past 3 years) to very large scale projects utilizing heavy machinery and extensive habitat materials.","We enhanced habitat on 11 different stream reaches. The scope of work varied to match the site conditions, watershed characteristics, and address the specific population limiting factors. Severely degraded or unstable stream sections received comprehensive, large-scale habitat enhancements to restore stream function and in-stream trout habitat. These included intensive projects on the South Branch Whitewater River near St. Charles, Wisel Creek near Harmony, Pine Creek near Nodine, Hay Creek near Red Wing, Beaver Creek west of Caledonia, and Winnebago Creek southeast of Caledonia. These projects required extensive grading and modification of stream channel patterns to create habitat-filled, stable channels and restored floodplains. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted labor availability and prevented implementation of smaller scale projects around the state. We adapted by shifting resources to larger scale projects in southeast Minnesota. Comprehensive habitat enhancement could be, and was, completed on these streams because they required less DNR involvement and did not rely on extensive hand labor. We had originally planned to complete several with later phases of funding, but we accelerated implementation of them to ensure that all Phase 10 funding would be utilized creating high quality habitat within the grant period. In southeast Minnesota, we also completed 4 miles of work along Badger Creek, Gribben Creek, Mill Creek, and the South Fork of the Root River. These project sites had cold water temperatures and decent in-stream habitat but suffered from the negative effects of dense corridors of buckthorn, boxelder and other invasives. Here significant habitat gains were realized by removing these invasive trees and shrubs, which do a poor job holding streambanks. We removed invasive trees and shrubs and seeded corridors with grasses and forbs. This allows native grasses and forbs, which better secure soils, to become reestablished and lets beneficial sunlight reach the stream beds and boost stream productivity. Although we could not implement the small-scale projects in the northern forested areas due to labor disruptions, by pivoting to southeast Minnesota we completed more large-scale projects than originally planned.",,2018-07-01,2023-09-07,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-10,,,,
10011389,"Minnesota Forest Recovery Project: Phase I",2020,1058000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 3(f)","$1,058,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to enhance degraded forests in Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Itasca, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. A list of enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The program addressed Species of Greatest Conservation Need in two main ways. First, it addressed Objective 1 of the State Wildlife Action Plan: ?Within the Wildlife Acton Network, maintain and enhance the resilience of the habitats upon which Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and other wildlife depend.? The habitat enhancement projects increased forest diversity that will help maintain or enhance resilience. The majority of the parcels are within higher ranking areas of the Wildlife Action Network. Second, specific treatments carried out by this project will benefit at least 20 SGCNs. For example, treatments that increase long-lived conifer abundance will benefit: ?Evening Grosbeak ?Olive-sided Flycatcher ?Spruce Grouse ?Purple Finch ?Connecticut Warbler ?Black-backed Woodpecker ?Winter Wren ?Moose ?Boreal Owl ?Canada Lynx Treatments that create young forest conditions will benefit: ?Veery ?Wood Thrush ?Golden-winged Warbler ?Moose Gap creation and planting in riparian areas will benefit: ?Veery ?Black-billed Cuckoo ?Olive-sided Flycatcher ?Common Merganser ?Winter Wren ?Four-toed salamander ?Eastern red-backed salamander ?Coaster Brook Trout ?Lake Sturgeon","A total of 5,519 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 5,519 in Enhance.",245900,"The Nature Conservancy, US Forest Service and private donors and foundations",947100,110900,,0.6,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Forest Recovery Project completed habitat enhancement on 5519 unique acres of public lands in Lake, Cass, Itasca, St. Louis, Cook, and Beltrami Counties. Multiple treatments on some parcels ensured success of enhancement efforts. Enhancement treatments occurred on 9441 acres: 397 acres of site preparation for tree planting and natural tree regeneration; 1498 acres of tree planting; 742,733 trees planted; 1065 acres of brush saw release removing competing vegetation from planted and naturally regenerating desired tree species; 5024 acres of budcapping and tree shelter deployment to protect seedlings from deer-browse and snowshoe hare; 1457 acres of prescribed burns.","The Nature Conservancy engaged agency land management staff from partner organizations across the 6 county work area to plan projects and select parcels that were ready for work or seen as the highest priority use of these funds. Once the appropriate treatments were determined for the parcel (see above site prep, tree planting, release, browse protection, prescribed burning), The Nature Conservancy ordered necessary supplies and contracted the labor to accomplish the work. On the ground supervision and administration of contracts was preformed collaboratively between The Nature Conservancy and the public agency land managers. The Nature Conservancy collected and managed all of the data related to work completed on each parcel and reported those accomplishments back to the public agency land managers along with specifics on methods and other details of the work on each parcel.",,2019-07-01,2022-12-13,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jim,Manolis,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway ",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0796",jim.manolis@tnc.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Itasca, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forest-recovery-project-phase-i,,,,
10011401,"Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase VII",2020,4573000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 3(c )","$4,573,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and easements and to restore and enhance forests, wetlands, and shoreline habitat through working forest permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Of this amount, up to $150,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - This project will permanently protect 1,900 acres (1500 through easement, 400 fee title) of forest and riparian areas including 0.75 miles of Little Toad Lake lakeshore (Becker Co.), trout stream including over 2 miles of Moose Creek (Lake Co) and over 1 mile of Toad Creek. All forest parcels included in this proposal are at high risk from conversion from working forests. 400 acres of State Forest will be added, so that large blocks of working forests are maintained and in-holdings are reduced, creating public access opportunities and improving the ability to implement landscape level forest management..Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Southeast forests will be enhanced to provide biologically diverse wildlife habitat for desirable game species and endangered, threatened, special concern species, and species of greatest conservation need. This will provide multiple conservation benefits in the face of climate change, invasive species, and other major stressors. Approximately 100 acres will be added to the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. Reforestation enhancement activities will be assessed. Forest composition will be inventoried. Wildlife populations will be monitored..",,,305000,"The Nature Conservancy",4536400,36600,,0.50,DNR,,"The Minnesota Forests for the Future Program will use $4.573 million in the Northern and Southeast Forest sections to protect and enhance habitat. In the Northern Forest, we propose to protect 1,500 acres with permanent conservation easements and 400 acres in fee title acquisition, and to enhance 100 acres. In the Southeast Forest, we propose to add 100 acres to the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest and enhance 300 acres of existing state forest land. Phase 7 builds on past land protection work and focuses on permanently protecting working forests threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.","The work proposed in Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase VII targets three forested regions of the State, defined by ecological subsection: the North Shore Highlands, the Blufflands, and the Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains. Large blocks of forest in these subsections are threatened by conversion and parcelization. Projects in these areas will protect critical forests from conversion and maintain private working forests. These projects will achieve multiple benefits in protecting large blocks of forest such as conserving critical habitat and maintaining forested land cover that is essential for water quality and quantity.The North Shore Highlands Subsection consists of a mosaic of forest habitat, with gently rolling hills to steep cliffs. Much of this landscape is aspen-birch and opportunities exist to increase the amount of white and red pine on the landscape. This subsection has high development pressure, and is a hot spot for tourism. The Rajala Woods Moose Creek Project, located in the North Shore Highlands, will protect over 1,200 acres of northern forest with a permanent working forest conservation easement that includes public access. A conservation easement on the Moose Creek tract will permanently protect the forests of the headwaters of the Manitou River, which is vital to maintaining water quality and temperature, as the source of water for trout streams on the north shore is surface runoff. The Rajala Woods Moose Creek Project also includes reestablishing long-lived conifers (enhancing 100 acres of northern forest habitat). The Blufflands Subsection is a unique landscape of hardwood forests, rock outcrops, bluff prairies, and deep valleys. This landscape hosts the largest number of Species in Greatest Conservation Need in our state. The Blufflands provide a critical migratory corridor for forest songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Enhancing state forest land by promoting hard mast producing trees in the Richard J. Dorer Hardwood Memorial Forest will benefit many species by providing browse, nest and den sites, and, long-term sources of food. The work proposed will especially benefit oak, as acorns are one of the most important food items in the diets of a wide variety of game animals, such as white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, wild turkeys, and wood ducks (300 acres enhanced). Protecting large blocks of working forest habitat in this landscape is a priority, as forest tracts are being parcelized and developed as rural homesteads (100 acres state forest acquisition). The Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains Subsection is a landscape of rich habitat with hundreds of lakes, sections of the Mississippi River, and kettle lakes and wetlands that are common on the outwash plains. This landscape is popular for tourism, much of it focused on forest or lake-based activities. The number of year-round residents is increasing, as well as the number of second homes. This has created significant pressure on state and county managed forest lands, as private forest is parcelized or developed. The acquisition of state forest inholdings will ensure large blocks of forest stay intact (400 acres state forest acquisition).",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Christine,Osterm,"MN DNR Forestry","525 Lake Avenue South Paulucci Office Bldg, Suite 415",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218) 302-3253",christine.ostern@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Crow Wing, Goodhue, Hubbard, Lake, Morrison, Wabasha, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-vii,,,,
10011403,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 11",2020,2359000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(f)","$2,359,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to acquire permanent conservation stream easements using the payment method prescribed in Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0272, subdivision 2, and to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. Up to $40,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered..Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered..Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. .",,,510000,"NRCS and USFWS, TU",2329000,30000,,0.75,"Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance and restore habitat for fish and wildlife in and along priority coldwater streams located on existing conservation easements and public lands around the state. Trout streams are a relatively scarce resource and increasing threats to them require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches. Population outcomes will be maximized by improving the connectivity of habitat and fish and wildlife populations, and building upon work on adjacent sections. Stream easements will be acquired in Pine County and the Duluth area to project the highest quality trout habitat and facilitate habitat enhancement.","Minnesota Trout Unlimited (“MNTU”) proposes to directly restore or enhance degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or public ownership. We propose to restore or enhance habitat in and along these public waters (and counties):1. Trout Brook (Dakota);2. Hay Creek (Pine County);3. Beaver Creek (Houston);4. Cedar Valley Creek (Winona);5. Rice Creek (Fillmore);6. Split Rock River (Lake);7. Manitou River (Lake);8. Keene Creek (St. Louis);9. Duluth area streams (St. Louis);10. Numerous streams statewide (prioritized maintenance list).We will also protect via trout stream easements segments of native brook trout streams in Pine County and the Duluth area. Once acquired the easements will be held by the MNDNR.If contracting efficiencies or success leveraging funding enable us to, we will extend project lengths, work on one or more of the projects originally proposed but temporarily ""cut"" by us due to lower funding than requested [Gilbert Creek (Wabasha), Mill Creek (Fillmore), Pine Creek (New Hartford Creek)(Winona),and Torkelson Creek (Fillmore)], and/or work on additional streams. The Split Rock River project will be designed and permitted, and construction funding sought in the next funding cycle.Individual project descriptions are provided in an attachment.Goals and scope of work.The goals of each project are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality and provide other benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forests as appropriate, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in the attachment. How priorities were set.MNTU focuses on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout and steelhead fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined using MNTU members’ knowledge of watersheds, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, consultations with MNDNR professionals, and science based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects.Stakeholder support.We continue receiving strong support from local communities, anglers, landowners, partners and the public.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"() -",jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Fillmore, Houston, Lake, Pine, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona","Northern Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-11,,,,
10000091,"Minnesota Forests for the Future - Phase V",2018,985500,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(d)","$2,291,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in easements for forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat through working forest permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Of this amount, up to $72,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"178 acres protected (in easement) ",,,,985500,6000,,0.1,DNR,"State Government","This Minnesota Forests for the Future project protected 178 acres of forest, forested wetlands, shoreline, shoreland wetland and other riparian areas with a perpetual working forest conservation easement in Crow Wing County ensuring public benefits, management access and sustainably managed forests. ",,"The current project targeted the first of a two-phased project on one property: a large privately owned publicly accessible property with lake shoreland and other riparian areas adjacent to already permanently conserved easement property located in an area of high forest conversion threat in Crow Wing County. LSOHC appropriations target priority projects as determined by the scoring criteria developed in consultation with the Minnesota Forests for the Future Advisory Committee (stakeholder group).  Projects may need to be scaled back or phased to accommodate the available funding.  The project included in this report was located within a program priority area as identified by a GIS model that integrates recreational, ecological and economic data. This project addressed forest fragmentation, habitat degradation, recreational and management access and sustainable forestry through a perpetual conservation easement that will protect the forest, riparian and wetland habitats in perpetuity, restrict forest parcelization and development, provide for public management access and promote sustainable forest management practices. The Minnesota Forests for the Future and Federal Forest Legacy Programs have proven to be cost effective programs for protecting private forest land habitat in Minnesota, while also providing public recreational and agency management access and ensuring sustainable forestry.  These programs have protected over 358,000 acres to date at an average cost of less than $300/acre.  Over $24 million in non-state funds have been leveraged for these protection efforts over the past 10 years. ",2017-07-01,2020-11-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Christine,Ostern,"MN DNR Forestry","525 Lake Avenue South",Duluth,MN,55802,,christine.ostern@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Crow Wing","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-v,,,,
10000092,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 9",2018,2403000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(d)","$2,403,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore or enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along cold water rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The projects enhanced degraded habitat for fish and wildlife in and along 10 miles of coldwater streams and rivers which historically supported naturally reproducing trout populations that are highly valued by anglers. While trout are the apex predator and key indicator species in coldwater systems, a host of rare aquatic and riparian species uniquely associated with these systems also benefited from the habitat work. The enhanced habitat will also provide great recreational opportunities for anglers and citizens.","A total of 112 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 112 in Enhance.",394700,"NRCS, NRCS; DNR and TU",2381000,22000,,0.95,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited and its partners, chapters, and volunteers enhanced habitat for trout, as well as other fish, game and wildlife, in or along 10 miles of coldwater streams around the state. We adapting to challenging conditions caused by the pandemic by shifting budget from smaller projects using hand labor (which was largely unavailable for the past 3 years) to larger scale projects utilizing heavy machinery.","We enhanced habitat on 13 different stream reaches. The scope of work varied to match the site conditions, watershed characteristics, and address the specific population limiting factors. Severely degraded or unstable stream sections received comprehensive, large-scale habitat enhancements to restore stream function and in-stream trout habitat. These included intensive projects on the South Branch Whitewater River near St. Charles, West Indian Creek near Plainview, Rush Creek near Lewiston, and Keene Creek in Duluth. These projects required extensive grading and modification of stream channel patterns to create habitat-filled, stable channels and restored floodplains. Additional habitat enhancements were made on Hay Creek and Pine Creek, including restoring floodplain connectivity to increase resiliency to withstand the increasing severity and frequency of large flood events driven by climate change. The increased pool habitat created on Keene Creek is crucial to survival of native brook trout populations in northern Minnesota during critical low-water periods in late summer and winter. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted labor availability and prevented implementation of smaller scale projects around the state. However, we adapted and pivoted to other good habitat enhancement opportunities that could be completed with less DNR involvement and without crews using hand labor. Most of these opportunities were in southeast Minnesota. In southeast Minnesota, we also completed projects along approximately 4 miles of Trout Run Creek, Rush Creek, Ferguson Creek, Little Pickwick Creek, and the South Fork Root River. These project sites had very cold water temperatures and decent in-stream habitat but suffered from the negative effects of dense corridors of buckthorn, boxelder and other invasives. Here significant habitat gains were realized by removing these invasive trees and shrubs, which do a poor job holding streambanks. We removed invasive trees and shrubs and seeded corridors with grasses and forbs. This allowed native grasses and forbs, which better secure soils, to become reestablished and let beneficial sunlight reach the stream beds and boost stream productivity. By working with partners and tailoring the habitat enhancement methods to each project site we have maximized long term benefits to the wild trout populations at the lowest possible cost.",,2017-07-01,2023-09-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,,john.lenczewski@mntu.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-9,,,,
10019633,"Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase 8",2022,2971000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(b)","$2,971,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in conservation easements and to restore and enhance forests, wetlands, and shoreline habitat through working forest permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Of this amount, up to $160,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - These projects will permanently protect 1,950 acres of Northern forests to provide biologically diverse wildlife habitat for desirable game species and endangered, threatened, special concern species and species of greatest conservation need. This will provide multiple conservation benefits to help mitigate the effects of climate change, invasive species and other major stressors. Forest protection activities will be assessed, management planning required and documented, and properties monitored. Forest composition will be inventoried. Wildlife populations will be monitored. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - These projects will permanently protect areas of the forest-prairie transition region providing biologically diverse wildlife habitat for desirable game species and endangered, threatened, special concern species and species of greatest conservation need. This will provide multiple conservation benefits to help mitigate the effects of climate change, invasive species and other major stressors. Forest protection activities will be assessed, management planning required and documented, and properties monitored. Forest composition will be inventoried. Wildlife populations will be monitored. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - These projects will build upon past projects and adjacent protected properties to permanently protect larger areas of the Big Woods remnants; providing biologically diverse habitat and providing multiple conservation benefits. Forest protection activities will be assessed, management planning required and documented and properties monitored. Forest composition will be inventoried. Wildlife populations will be monitored",,,120000,,2964000,7000,,0.25,DNR,"State Government","The MN Forests for the Future Program will use $2,971,000 in the Northern, Southeast and Transition Forest sections to protect 1,966 acres of habitat with permanent working forest conservation easements. Phase 8 builds upon past land protection work and focuses on permanently protecting working forests threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. This program will also protect habitat in priority cold-water refuge watersheds by implementing protection strategies identified in local watershed plans. This program protects and provides habitat for wildlife, conserves water, and supports tourism and timber economies.","The work proposed in Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase 8 focuses on protection of forest, shoreline and wetland habitat in the northern forest, forest/prairie transition and southeastern forest regions. The program targets forested regions of the state where large blocks of forest are threatened by conversion and parcelization. Forty-four percent of forests in Minnesota, or nearly 7.5 million acres, are privately-owned and at risk of fragmentation or conversion. Since 2008, Minnesota has experienced some of the highest conversion rates in the United States including portions of North Central Minnesota within the Mississippi Headwaters Basin. This program will protect forests through permanent working forest conservation easements. Protecting large blocks of private and public forest will have multiple benefits by conserving critical habitat, maintaining forested land cover essential for water quality and quantity, and by sustaining the legacy of forested lands in Minnesota. The program will focus its work within the Mississippi Headwaters, North Shore and Southeast with the goal of meeting demand of private landowners, building on past work and utilizing strong partnerships in those areas. More specifically, key watershed and landscape focus areas include: the North Shore Highlands, the Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains, the Big Woods and priority Cisco lakes watersheds. All land protected through working forest conservation easements will protect intact forests and keep them in private ownership. The conservation easements include guidelines that have been developed and implemented for more than 15 years through the Minnesota Forests for the Future Program. A forest management plan is included with the conservation easement. To ensure permanent protection, ongoing stewardship includes annual landowner meetings, on-site monitoring, responding to landowner inquiries, and resolving easement violations. The program will focus on protection of large blocks of forest land and target those parcels adjacent to land already protected by conservation easements or in public ownership to create even larger complexes of intact forest. This work is critical to conserving wildlife like fisher and moose who require large, intact forests. These strategies will provide perpetual protection for fish, game and wildlife that inhabit the array of forested landscapes in our state. Land cover and land use directly impacts the water quality and quantity in our state. By protecting forested lands in key areas, this program will also protect drinking water, recharge aquifers, reduce nutrient and sediment into lakes, rivers, and streams, protect floodplains, and sustain fisheries. Protection of forested land is also critical for local economies including tourism, timber and for outdoor recreation opportunities.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Christine,Ostern,"MN DNR","Paulucci Building, Sute 415 525 Lake Avenue South",Duluth,MN,55802,"(218) 302-3253",christine.ostern@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Lake, Morrison, Rice","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-8,,,,
10019634,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 13",2022,1033000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(j)","$1,033,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered",,,100000,"Trout Unlimited, USFWS, NRCS, SWCD and and/or DNR",1013000,20000,,0.5,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance and restore degraded habitat for fish and wildlife in and along priority coldwater streams located on existing public lands and conservation easements. Trout streams are a relatively scarce resource. Increasing threats to them require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches, improve riparian forests to improve stream flows and temperatures, and buffer streams from larger, more frequent rainfall and flood events. Outcomes will be maximized by improving the connectivity of habitat and fish and wildlife populations. Timely maintenance of old projects will ensure habitat outcomes continue for many years.","Only six percent of Minnesota's streams support any trout, and many have degraded habitat which severely limits their productivity. Even where riparian corridors protect streams from future harm, past habitat degradation cannot be reversed without active enhancement or restoration. Minnesota Trout Unlimited (?MNTU?) will directly enhance or restore degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or other public ownership. We propose to enhance habitat in and along these public waters (in these counties) as funding permits: 1. Keene Creek (St. Louis); 2. Split Rock River (Lake); 3. Baptism River (Lake); 4. Cook County Trout Stream (Cook); 5. Southeast MN streams (maintenance in numerous counties); 6. Mill Creek (Fillmore); 7. Gilbert Creek (Wabasha); and 8. Metro and outstate streams (statewide). Reduced funding from our original request means several projects will not be implemented unless significant contracting efficiencies or leveraged funding stretches Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We propose to focus initially on the Split Rock River, Keene Creek (design and permitting only), Gilbert Creek, and smaller maintenance and vegetation management projects. Work on the other streams will be done if we leverage significant funding. Individual project descriptions are provided in an attachment. Goals and scope of work: The goals of projects are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality, and provide other benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forest health and function, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project site conditions and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in the attachment. How priorities were set: MNTU focuses habitat enhancement and restoration efforts on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout and steelhead fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined using MNTU members' knowledge of watersheds, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, consultations with MNDNR professionals, and science-based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects. Stakeholder support: We continue receiving strong support from anglers, landowners, rural communities, and local civic and sporting organizations. We will continue gathering local input and developing partnerships in the planning and implementation stages. Landowners typically become very enthusiastic partners.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Lake, St. Louis, Wabasha","Northern Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-13,,,,
10017818,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Phase 12",2021,1474000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(i)","$1,474,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. ",,,225000,"Trout Unlimited, USFS, USFWS and and other partners",1449000,25000,,0.4,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance and restore habitat for fish and wildlife in and along priority coldwater streams located on existing conservation easements and public lands around the state. Trout streams are a relatively scarce resource and increasing threats to them require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches. Outcomes will be maximized by improving the connectivity of habitat and fish and wildlife populations. Timely maintenance on old projects will ensure habitat outcomes continue for many years. ","Just six percent of Minnesota's streams are capable of supporting any trout, and many have degraded habitat which severely limits their productivity. Even where riparian corridors protect streams from future harm, past habitat degradation cannot be reversed without active enhancement or restoration. Minnesota Trout Unlimited (?MNTU?) proposes to directly enhance or restore degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or public ownership. We propose to restore or enhance habitat in and along these public waters (and counties): 1. Split Rock River (Lake); 2. Baptism River (Lake); 3. Manitou River (Lake); 4. Cook County Trout Stream Pilot (Cook); 5. Southeast MN streams (numerous counties); 6. Numerous streams on prioritized maintenance list (statewide). If contracting efficiencies or leveraged funding permits us to we will extend project lengths or work on additional streams. Individual project descriptions and other detail is provided in an attachment. Goals and scope of work. The goals of projects are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality and provide other benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forests as appropriate, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in the attachment. How priorities were set. MNTU focuses on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout and steelhead fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined using MNTU members' knowledge of watersheds, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, consultations with MNDNR professionals, and science based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects. Stakeholder support. We continue receiving strong support from landowners, rural communities, and local civic and sporting organizations. We will continue gathering local input and developing partnerships in the planning and implementation stages. Landowners typically become very enthusiastic partners. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Hubbard, Hubbard","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-12,,,,
20698,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement & Restoration",2014,2470000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$2,470,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance coldwater river and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 135 acres ",,543900,"Federal:  City of Duluth, City of Chatfield, Carlton County; TU MN DNR ",2470000,,,0.75,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited enhanced in-stream and riparian habitat for trout and other wildlife along more than 11 miles of coldwater streams across the state.  We far exceeded our original targets, enhancing habitat on 135 acres rather than 78.  We completed 16 separate stream habitat projects. Leveraging other funding and efficiently contracting projects allowed us to add habitat projects and adjust to changing conditions.  ",,"Using FY2014 funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (“OHF”), Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) completed sixteen projects enhancing fish habitat in and along the following public waters (in these counties): 1. Spruce Creek (Cook); 2. Split Rock River (Lake); 3. Miller Creek (St. Louis); 4. Coffee Creek (St. Louis); 5. Garvin Brook (Winona); 6. Trout Brook (Dakota); 7. Blackhoof River (Carlton); 8. Rush Creek (Winona); 9. Mill Creek (Olmsted & Fillmore); 10. Newburg Creek (Fillmore); 11. Willow Creek (Fillmore).; 12. Cedar Valley Creek (Winona); 13. Pickwick Creek (Winona); 14. Trout Run Creek (Winona). These projects were completed used methods similar to those used on projects completed by MNTU chapters in the past several years and also incorporated new research to improve project designs and fish and wildlife benefits.    The specific methods used on each stream varied depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each watershed and ecological region, the limiting factors identified for each stream, and the variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watershed.  Methods were tailored accordingly, using the best available science, in close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR).  Purposes:  Each project was designed and completed using techniques selected to accomplish one or more of the following purposes:  (a) increase or maintain adult trout abundance; (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream; (c) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative resource impacts from severe flooding; (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms; (e) increase habitat and biodiversity for both invertebrates and other non-game species; (f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required; (g) improve angler access and participation; and (h) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. Habitat enhancement methods:  Methods used on each project included one or more of the following techniques: (1) sloping back stream banks to both remove accumulated sediments eroded from uplands areas and better reconnect the stream to its floodplain; (2) removing undesirable woody vegetation (invasive box elder, buckthorn, etc.) from riparian corridors to enable removal of accumulated sediments, reduce competition with desirable plant and grass species, and allow beneficial energy inputs (sunlight) to reach the streams; (3) stabilizing eroding stream banks using vegetation and/or rock; (4) selectively installing overhead and other in-stream cover for trout; (5) installing soil erosion prevention measures; (6) mulching and seeding exposed stream banks (including with native prairie plant species where appropriate and feasible); (7) improving or maintaining stream access roads and stream crossings to reduce erosion; (8) fencing grassy riparian corridors, including in such a way as to facilitate managed grazing, in order to prevent damage from over grazing; (9) placing large logs in northern forested streams to restore cover logs removed a half century or more ago; and (10) in northern forested watersheds with little cold groundwater, planting desirable trees in riparian areas to provide shade for the stream channel, help cool the water, and provide a source of future cover logs. Agricultural area example:  Many streams in the agricultural areas of southern and central Minnesota have been negatively impacted by many decades of poor land management practices.  The projects in southeast Minnesota used the following approach to address this: Erosion has led to wider, shallower and warmer streams, as well as excessive stream side sediments which regularly erode, covering food production and trout reproduction areas.  In many cases shallow rooted invasive trees have taken over the riparian corridors, out competing native vegetation which better secures soils, and reducing energy inputs to the stream ecosystem.  To remedy this, a typical enhancement project will involve several steps.  First, invasive trees are removed from the riparian zone and steep, eroding banks are graded by machinery to remove excess sediments deposited here from upland areas.  Importantly, this reconnects the stream to its floodplain.  Since many of these agricultural watersheds still experience periodic severe flooding, select portions of the stream banks are then reinforced with indigenous rock.  In lower gradient watersheds, or watersheds where flows are more stable, little or no rock is used.  After enhancement work is completed the streams flow faster and become deeper, keeping them cooler and providing natural overhead cover through depth and the scouring of sediments deposited by decades of erosion. Second, overhead cover habitat is created.  Bank degradation and the removal of native prairie or hardwoods have dramatically decreased protective overhead cover in the riparian zone.  Two methods are used to remedy this situation:  increasing the stream’s depth, which alone provides natural cover to trout, and installing overhead cover structures in select stream banks.  Wooden structures or tree trunks are often installed into banks in hydraulically suitable locations and reinforced with rock as a way to restore or recreate the undercut banks which had existed before settlement and agricultural land use altered the more stable flows which had gradually created and maintained them.    Finally, vegetation is reestablished in the re-graded riparian corridor to further stabilize banks and act as buffer strips to improve water quality.  Depending upon the specific site conditions, landowner cooperation, and agricultural use, native grasses and forbes are planted along the stream corridors, although often mixed with fast sprouting annual grains to anchor soils the first year.  Unusual conditions in 2019 caused severe flooding in southeast MN which demonstrated that, due to the unique soils in southeast valley floors, more indigenous rock was needed on the toes of the stream banks on some projects.  These changes were made where needed, while staying within original budget.     Taken together, these actions directly enhance physical habitat, and typically increase overall trout abundance, population structure, the number of larger trout, and levels of successful natural reproduction.  In addition to the benefits to anglers of increased trout habitat and trout abundance, project benefits extending well downstream include reduced erosion and sedimentation, cooler water temperatures, improved water quality and numerous benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations.   ",2013-07-01,2020-03-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"(612) 670-1629",jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carlton, Cook, Dakota, Fillmore, Lake, Olmsted, St. Louis, Winona","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-restoration,,,,
791,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project, Phase 1",2011,3653000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$3,653,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy for a pilot project to acquire interests in land and restore and enhance prairie and prairie/wetland habitat in the prairie regions of western and southwestern Minnesota. The Nature Conservancy may acquire land in fee or through permanent conservation easements. A list of proposed fee title and permanent conservation easements, and a list of proposed restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b). The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each acquisition of interest in land, restoration project, and enhancement project. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan.",,"Protect in Fee w/o PILT: 341 acres of wetlands, 1342 acres of prairies; Restore 168 acres of prairies; Enhance 20,282 acres of prairies. ",,,,3653000,,,,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program proposes a 15-year goal to provide protection to the remaining 90,000 acres of native prairie/savanna, a 20-year goal to restore and protect an additional 500,000 acres of diverse grasslands/savannas, and a 10-year goal to increase management capacity to annually manage 300,000 acres of grassland and savannas per year. This proposal takes the first steps to achieve these goals by initiating a comprehensive, coordinated and collaborative prairie conservation initiative. Annual investments by the LSOHC will be required to realize these ambitious outcomes. When completed, the outcomes of this proposal will include: protection of 1000 acres of native prairie and/or savanna; restoration of 250 acres of diverse, local ecotype grassland; enhancement of 8000 acres of grassland/savanna by prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and/or conservation grazing; and development of a new conservation model in 2 parts of the state that will serve as a platform for accelerated conservation across Minnesota. ","The conservation problems facing Minnesota's prairies, prairie potholes, grasslands and savannas are many, and include: a. Continued losses of native and restored grasslands due to economic pressures. b. Degradation of existing public grasslands and wetlands due to encroachment by woody vegetation and other invasive species that reduces their values to wildlife and people. c. Inadequate public access for hunting and fishing in agricultural parts of the state. d. Potential loss of local taxes and local incomes when land is acquired by public entities. e. Programmatic and staff limitations that reduce efficiencies in implementing diverse conservation programs across multiple partners. What is the problem being addressed? The creation of the Outdoor Heritage Fund finally offers the resources needed to provide adequate conservation in Minnesota's prairie, prairie pothole and savanna landscapes. With the Council's support and the efforts of multiple partners, large and productive grassland landscapes can become a reality in Minnesota. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting or enhancing habitat?When completed, the outcomes of this proposal will include: protection of 1000 acres of native prairie and/or savanna; restoration of 250 acres of diverse, local ecotype grassland; and enhancement of 8000 acres of grassland/savanna by prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and/or conservation grazing. The Conservancy will own the fee lands, coordinate with partners and supervise enhancement on public and Conservancy lands, and implement restoration on degraded lands acquired with OHF funds. Why will this strategy work? There are no new tactics in this proposal; all of these practices are being used by one or more organizations already at work in Minnesota. What is new here is the effort to closely coordinate activities, to bring practices that work in the private sector to the public sector, and to greatly accelerate the use of conservation practices. The conservation community has demonstrated that these protection, restoration and enhancement activities work, but to truly reach the level of conservation that is needed for a comprehensive prairie recovery project, partners must work with a plan, with an open mind for innovation, and with appropriate new tools. We believe this project sets the table for launching the required effort. Finally, by supporting local opportunities to develop grass-based businesses (grazing, biofuels, etc.) we believe there will be reduced incentives for conversion of grasslands on unprotected private lands (i.e., grasslands will be perceived as having economic value). Described the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project?A ""Prairie Recovery Project Partnership"" will be formed to include representative of prairie conservation organizations, including: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Pheasants Forever (PF), MN Prairie Chicken Society (MPCS) and The Nature Conservancy. This group will identify 2 pilot focus areas and establish other guidelines for project implementation. Local workgroups will then be established to provide on-the-ground planning and coordination of conservation activities. Additional groups that will be contacted for input or representation will include: Ducks Unlimited, MN Waterfowl Association, MN Deer Hunters Association, Land Stewardship Project, MN Cattleman's Association, local livestock groups, MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and MN Farmer's Union. In addition to the above the Conservancy proposes the following: a. At least semi-annually, at meetings of the Prairie Recovery Project Partnership, the status of funding and leverage will be discussed in detail among all project partners. b. At the beginning of the project, a marketing plan will be developed that will identify key audiences (e.g., landowners, local units of government, elected officials) and needed information. This will include elements like project fact sheets, media outreach and annual reports. The Conservancy will provide the technical and financial resources needed for this effort. c. Members of the Partnership will be requested to provide informational materials on their websites and in their organizational publications. For land acquisitions, indicate local government support and approval. No specific tracts have yet been identified, so there has been no contact to date with local governments. ","Final Report ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway ",Minneapolis,None,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Meeker, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project,,,,
9797,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project – Phase 3",2013,4610000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$4,610,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.",,"This phase resulted in a total of 1,425 acres of wetlands and prairies protected in fee, 22,298 acres of wetlands and prairies enhanced, and 110 acres of wetlands and prairies restored.",,851300,"The Nature Conservancy, private land donation",4607900,96700,,10.1,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goals for this project were to: protect 1,200 acres native prairie/wetland/savanna; restore 250 acres prairie/wetland; enhance 6,000 acres grassland/savanna with fire, invasive species removal, and grazing; and continue a new prairie conservation model. This phase resulted in a total of 1,425 acres protected, 22,298 acres enhanced, and 110 acres restored. When combined with phases 1 and 2 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 4,070 acres, enhanced 58,134 acres and restored 314 acres using OHF funds. We will continue to implement subsequent phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"1. Scope of work: With the requested funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were acheived.“Phase 3” built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase 1 and 2 by continuing and expanding enhancement work in 4 focal areas and protection in 5 areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments.1,425 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole complex, and savanna was permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan 2010. Lands will be held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to the grant with the MN DNR. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), once again primarily through interactions through Local Technical Teams.A separate and discrete internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs.  Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, native seed harvest, and/or cropping) are held in this account and used to pay for property taxes and ongoing management costs.110 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Preference was given to local producers and contractors for provision of seed and establishment of prairies to promote creation of local conservation-oriented businesses.22,298 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (61 projects totalling 15,016 acres), removal of woody vegetation (60 projects for 1,678 acres), and control of exotic species (83 projects - 5,514 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC.On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and FWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas. Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing jobs for CCM and local businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities.To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, the project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xmlTemporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced.2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC priority areas. Each of the 4 project locations directly correlate to core areas identified in the 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include:a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request.b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands.c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits.3. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: Only about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 235,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded. Less than half of those 235,000 acres are currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs on protected lands. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program are in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people. This proposal accelerated an initiative begun in 2010.4. Stakeholder involvement and/or opposition: This Phase continues an initiative begun with OHF funding in 2010. We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing and maintaining this initiative and will continue close collaboration among partners. Via past and ongoing projects, we are also coordinating with other stakeholders (e.g., cattlemen’s associations, Land Stewardship Project, county boards), and will continue to seek opportunities to expand that coordination. Points of opposition that have risen to date include: perceived loss of tax revenues, philosophical opposition to public land ownership, and lack of understanding of processes (i.e. prescribed fire) necessary for long-term prairie system health. To address these concerns we have been actively engaged with county boards and other local units of government, local agricultural producers and groups, and local communities. We anticipate continuing to build these relationships in each of the four project areas.PlanningThis project implements strategies identified in at least 6 plans, as identified below.1. The 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan (Plan) identifies three distinct strategies and opportunities for targeting protection, restoration, and enhancement of Minnesota’s prairie and grassland systems. The plan recommends work in “Core Areas” defined as large landscapes that retain some features of functioning prairie systems. Using MN County Biological Survey data and USFWS Habitat Assessment, Populations and Evaluation Team (HAPET)2. MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan. The strategic framework of this plan has 5 elements in its “Habitat” section: integrated planning, critical land protection, land and water restoration and protection, (identification of) sustainable practices, and (provision of) economic incentives for sustainable practices. Further, while the plan does not go into great detail with respect to prairie conservation, it clearly states that “protection of priority land habitats” is a vital practice, and prairies clearly fall here.  The Plan identifies 36 distinct prairie core areas across the western third of the state. Collectively these core landscapes contain 71% of the state’s remaining native prairie. All 4 of the project focus areas directly correlate with one or more of these core areas.3. Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare. The primary objective identified in the MN DNR’s plan is to “stabilize and increase populations of “species in greatest conservation need (SGCN)”. In the prairie regions of Minnesota, strategies to achieve this goal include:a. Support incentives that avoid conversion of grasslands into row crops where SGCN occur.b. Use mowing, cutting woody vegetation, prescribed fire, or careful use of herbicides to prevent the invasion of grasslands by trees and shrubs.c. Lengthen the cutting rotations for hay; avoid early-season mowing.d. Use light to moderate, rotational grazing programs to benefit SGCNe. Prevent fragmentation of grassland habitat.f. Avoid soil compaction in areas occupied by mammal SGCN.g. Increase native plant species components.h. Control spread of invasive species to adjacent native-dominated sites.This project proposes to address all but item “f” above.4. The Nature Conservancy’s Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregional Plan (1998). This plan identifies key conservation targets, geographic emphasis areas, threats to native plant and animal communities, and key strategies to mitigate these threats. The proposal is a solid step in the implementation of this plan. Also, as a step-down from the NTP Ecoregion Plan, the Chapter has completed local level planning (Conservation Action Planning) for smaller geographic units that correspond with the focus areas. Goals within these focus areas are very explicit in identifying conservation targets and actions and are consistent with the activities contained in this proposal.5. DNR’s Pheasant Plan. This proposal is in full support of the Pheasant Plan goal to add 1.5 million acres of undisturbed grassland to the state by 2025.6. DNR’s Waterfowl Plan. This proposal is in full support of the state Long-range Duck Recovery Plan to add 2 million acres of habitat to the state by 2025. It also utilizes establishment of complexes, as per the plan, to achieve multiple conservation synergies and benefits.This plan helps fulfill multiple priorities specified by the LSOHC “Prairie Section Vision”, including permanent protection of existing prairies and wetlands, restoration of prairie and wetland habitats, building grassland/wetland complexes in blocks sufficient to increase migratory breeding bird success, enhancement of public lands for game species and other species of conservation need, and protection of watersheds of shallow lakes. Specifically, this proposal addresses “Prairie Section Strategies” 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 directly.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project-phase-3,,,,
9810,"Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative",2013,960000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$960,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to restore and enhance public forest lands in northeastern Minnesota for moose habitat purposes. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Enhanced 2,049 acres of forest ",,77200,"USFWS ",914100,,,.60,"Minnesota Deer Hunters Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Moose Collaborative (Collaborative) has implemented a variety of habitat enhancement treatments across the core of moose range in Northeast Minnesota on County, State, Federal, and Tribal lands since 2013.  Moose browse has been improved through treatments that regenerate preferred brush and tree species. The Collaborative has also planted over two million trees including white spruce, white pine, jack pine, and white cedar.",,"Improving moose browse calls for treatments that regenerate preferred brush and tree species. In some places, this happens naturally. The area burned by the 2011 Pagami Creek fire is an example of this and is providing some excellent moose browse according to biologists. Most logging on uplands results in some regeneration of moose browse. However, there are tens of thousands of acres in moose range that will not see a natural browse regenerating event like fire or do not have enough volume of merchantable wood to make an economical timber sale. In these areas, the Collaborative used bulldozers, brush saw crews, and prescribed fires to shear, cut, and burn the old decadent brush and stimulate re-growth that is more palatable, nutritious, and easy to reach for moose.Cover for hiding from predators and protection from the elements is another part of the habitat equation. Research has shown that moose prefer forests with mixed conifer and deciduous trees. The pre-settlement forest in Northeast Minnesota was 70% conifers and 30% deciduous trees. Today that ratio is completely reversed with 70% deciduous and only 30% conifers. Improving cover habitat for moose means restoring conifers on the landscape. The Collaborative has planted over two million trees including white spruce, white pine, jack pine, and white cedar. The pine and cedar must be protected from browsing by deer and hare using budcaps or tree shelters. By the third year after planting, the seedlings need to be released from competition from surrounding trees and brush. This “release” is completed with brush saws which both helps the trees get established and produces another flush of future moose browse.A look at plat books for counties in Northeast Minnesota emphasizes the need for inter-agency partnerships to produce habitat results at a meaningful scale. The ownership pattern looks like a patchwork quilt of County, Federal, and State lands (private as well, but funds for this project are limited to public lands). There was not an acre that was worked on without some level of collaboration and cooperation between partner staff. The first cut at site selection was made by looking at forest inventory data and local knowledge of potential project areas. With time and experience, Collaborative partners have refined the search for good moose habitat projects and added and dropped stands as field visits were conducted. Proposals for specific work plans at each site were shared with wildlife biologists for their approval as beneficial to moose. Partners decided who would manage the bidding and contracting, order necessary supplies, supervise the work, complete the documentation needed for invoicing, track the specifics of what was done at each site, and summarize accomplishments for grant reporting and other communication about the project as a whole. As the grant recipient, MDHA is ultimately responsible for the finances and reporting to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. But, the work it takes to produce results involves many of the partnering agencies.The variety of combinations of roles and responsibilities between staff from MDHA, the Superior National Forest, Lake County Forestry, DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and the 1854 Treaty Authority that played out in completing the work was impressive. For example, Lake County Forestry may identify a potential project on lands they manage, a Forest Service biologist may review and approve it as a good moose project, the 1854 Treaty Authority might collect pre-treatment data that is being used to track effectiveness, The Nature Conservancy may order the trees and line up the planting crew, Lake County supervises the work, The Nature Conservancy again handles the documentation and site-specific data and finally MDHA pays the contractor’s invoice and then requests reimbursement in the form of State managed grant funds.Early sampling and aerial surveys conducted by the 1854 Treaty Authority, U of M’s Natural Resources Research Institute, and other agency and tribal biologists are showing that moose are preferentially using the sites that were treated.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jenny,Foley,"Minnesota Deer Hunters Association","460 Peterson Road","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,218-327-1103,kimn@mndeerhunters.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-moose-habitat-collaborative,,,,
23910,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement & Restoration, Phase VI",2015,1900000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$1,900,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 118 acres ",,507400,"Federal, MNTU, City of Duluth ",1900000,,,0.75,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited enhanced in-stream and riparian habitat for trout and other wildlife along coldwater streams located on public lands and Aquatic Management Area easements across the state.  We completed 12 separate projects encompassing 118 acres and 9.3 miles of stream habitat.  Leveraging other funding and efficiently contracting projects allowed us to increase the scope of some projects and adjust to changing conditions.  We enhanced more acres of habitat and more stream length than originally proposed.     ",,"Using FY2015 funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (“OHF”), Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) completed twelve projects enhancing fish habitat in and along the following public waters (in these counties):   Spring Valley Creek (Fillmore) Vermillion River (Dakota) East Indian Creek (Wabasha) Lynch Creek (Fillmore) Trout Run Creek (Fillmore) Blackhoof River (Carlton) Coffee Creek (St. Louis) Kadunce River (Cook) Little Devil Track River (Cook) Stewart River (Lake) Straight River (Becker) We also completed design work on a Chester Creek project in Duluth, MN.  These projects were completed used methods similar to those used on projects completed by MNTU chapters in the past several years and also incorporated new research to improve project designs and fish and wildlife benefits.    The specific methods used on each stream varied depending upon the distinct natural resource characteristics of each watershed and ecological region, the limiting factors identified for each stream, and the variations in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices within each watershed.  Methods were tailored accordingly, using the best available science, in close consultation with resource professionals within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR).  Purposes:  Each project was designed and completed using techniques selected to accomplish one or more of the following purposes:  (a) increase or maintain adult trout abundance; (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream; (c) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative resource impacts from severe flooding; (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms; (e) increase habitat and biodiversity for both invertebrates and other non-game species; (f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required; (g) improve angler access and participation; and (h) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. Habitat enhancement methods:  Methods used on each project included one or more of the following techniques: (1) sloping back stream banks to both remove accumulated sediments eroded from uplands areas and better reconnect the stream to its floodplain; (2) removing undesirable woody vegetation (invasive box elder, buckthorn, etc.) from riparian corridors to enable removal of accumulated sediments, reduce competition with desirable plant and grass species, and allow beneficial energy inputs (sunlight) to reach the streams; (3) stabilizing eroding stream banks using vegetation and/or rock; (4) selectively installing overhead and other in-stream cover for trout; (5) installing soil erosion prevention measures; (6) mulching and seeding exposed stream banks (including with native prairie plant species where appropriate and feasible); (7) improving or maintaining stream access roads and stream crossings to reduce erosion; (8) fencing grassy riparian corridors, including in such a way as to facilitate managed grazing, in order to prevent damage from over grazing; (9) placing large logs in northern forested streams to restore cover logs removed a half century or more ago; and (10) in northern forested watersheds with little cold groundwater, planting desirable trees in riparian areas to provide shade for the stream channel, help cool the water, and provide a source of future cover logs. Agricultural area example:  Many streams in the agricultural areas of southern and central Minnesota have been negatively impacted by many decades of poor land management practices.  The projects in southeast Minnesota used the following approach to address this: Erosion has led to wider, shallower and warmer streams, as well as excessive stream side sediments which regularly erode, covering food production and trout reproduction areas.  In many cases shallow rooted invasive trees have taken over the riparian corridors, out competing native vegetation which better secures soils, and reducing energy inputs to the stream ecosystem.  To remedy this, a typical enhancement project will involve several steps.  First, invasive trees are removed from the riparian zone and steep, eroding banks are graded by machinery to remove excess sediments deposited here from upland areas.  Importantly, this reconnects the stream to its floodplain.  Since many of these agricultural watersheds still experience periodic severe flooding, select portions of the stream banks are then reinforced with indigenous rock.  In lower gradient watersheds, or watersheds where flows are more stable, little or no rock is used.  After enhancement work is completed the streams flow faster and become deeper, keeping them cooler and providing natural overhead cover through depth and the scouring of sediments deposited by decades of erosion. Second, overhead cover habitat is created.  Bank degradation and the removal of native prairie or hardwoods have dramatically decreased protective overhead cover in the riparian zone.  Two methods are used to remedy this situation:  increasing the stream’s depth, which alone provides natural cover to trout, and installing overhead cover structures in select stream banks.  Wooden structures or tree trunks are often installed into banks in hydraulically suitable locations and reinforced with rock as a way to restore or recreate the undercut banks which had existed before settlement and agricultural land use altered the more stable flows which had gradually created and maintained them.    Finally, vegetation is reestablished in the re-graded riparian corridor to further stabilize banks and act as buffer strips to improve water quality.  Depending upon the specific site conditions, landowner cooperation, and agricultural use, native prairie grasses may be planted along the stream corridors, although often mixed with fast sprouting annual grains to anchor soils the first year.  2019 flooding demonstrated that, due to the unique soils in southeast valley floors, indigenous rock often must be added at the toes of the stream banks.   Taken together, these actions directly enhance physical habitat, and typically increase overall trout abundance, population structure, the number of larger trout, and levels of successful natural reproduction.  In addition to the benefits to anglers of increased trout habitat and trout abundance, project benefits extending well downstream include reduced erosion and sedimentation, cooler water temperatures, improved water quality and numerous benefits to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations. ",2014-07-01,2020-02-24,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"(612) 670-1629",jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Carlton, Cook, Dakota, Fillmore, Lake, St. Louis, Wabasha","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-restoration-phase-vi,,,,
2533,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project, Phase 2",2012,4500000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$4,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be within the two existing and two additional pilot focus areas contained in the accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with appropriations from the outdoor heritage fund must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.",,"Protect, Restore and Enhance 2,553 acres of Wetlands and 13,999 acres of Prairies.",,1427700,"ENRTF, NFWF, TNC, RIM, NAWCA",4499500,,,6.3,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Goals for Phase 2 of the MN Prairie Recovery Program were to: protect 1200 acres native prairie/savanna; restore 250 acres grassland; enhance 6000 acres grassland/savanna with fire, invasive species removal, and grazing; and continue a new prairie conservation model. This Phase resulted in a total of 962 acres protected, 15,554 acres enhanced, and 36 acres restored. When combined with Phase 1 of the Program we have cumulatively protected 2,645 acres, enhanced 35,836 acres and restored 204 acres using OHF funds. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"Design and Scope of Work 1. Problems to be addressed: the conservation problems facing Minnesota’s prairies, prairie potholes, grasslands and savannas are many, and include: a.Continued losses of native and restored grasslands due to economic pressures. b.Degradation of existing public grasslands and wetlands due to encroachment by woody vegetation and other invasive species that reduces their values to wildlife and people. c.Inadequate public access for hunting and fishing in agricultural parts of the state. d.Potential loss of local taxes and local incomes when land is acquired by public entities. e.Long-term state obligations for management of public lands and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes creates a burden for state budget. f.Programmatic and staff limitations that reduce efficiencies in implementing diverse conservation programs across multiple partners. 2. Scope of work: with the appropriated funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were realized. •The “Prairie Recovery Project Partnership” was initiated within the Upper MN River Valley and Aggasiz Beach Ridges and continued in the Glacial Lakes and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands landscapes. Two additional prairie biologists were hired and co-located in partner offices to facilitate and oversee enhancement work on publicly owned grasslands. Dedicated protection staff continued to identify priority parcels for permanent protection, conduct outreach with landowners, and bring real estate transactions to fruition. A project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities, and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. •Original goals for the project included 1,200 acres protected, 250 acres restored and 6,000 acres enhanced. We fell short of our overall protection goals with 962 acres permanently protected. The shortfall was due to the fact that a number of quality projects arose in the central part of the start, specifically Pope and Kandiyohi counties, where land prices are considerably higher than other parts of the prairie region. Protected lands are held by The Nature Conservancy and are open to public hunting and fishing. We greatly exceeded our enhancement goals with 15,435 acres of permanently protected grasslands managed. Management techniques on grassland enhancement projects included prescribed fire, conservation grazing and/or haying, removal of woody vegetation, and control of exotic invasive species. This work was accomplished through contracts with private vendors and through use of seasonal crews employed by the Conservancy. Three of the five protection projects will require future restoration and are in various stages of site preparation. •A separate restricted internal fund is established by The Nature Conservancy to hold income generated from OHF funded acquisitions. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying and/or cropping), earned interest, public contributions and donations are held in this account and are used to pay for property taxes and ongoing management costs. This model was originally devised to test the principle of utilizing extractive practices (ie haying and grazing, native seed production) as a method for offsetting land holding and management costs. Through the project we have found that revenues generated lag behind holding costs, thereby necessitating private contributions on the part of the Conservancy for making property tax payments. And while the model does not function as effectively as we had originally hoped, economic activities do help at least partially offset ownership costs and can serve as valuable tools for implementing needed management. •On-the-ground staff provided by this grant convened and are leading coordination and implementation of local technical teams called for in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan; actively identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and FWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and secured other funding for conservation practices, including through the MN DNR's Working Lands Initiative. •Contracts were let with Conservation Corps of Minnesota and private vendors to conduct enhancement activities on new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing jobs for MCC and local businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. 3. How priorities were set: prioritization and prioritization criteria varied with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with Core and Corridor landscapes as defined through the MN Prairie Conservation Plan and Conservancy priority areas. Because this is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by the respective Local Technical Teams and local agency personnel. Criteria for each of these tactics included: a.Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. b.Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance. c.Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. 4. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 200,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded today. Less than half is currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program continue to be in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people. This phase built upon an initiative begun with our Prairie Recovery Project Phase 1, and expanded efforts into 2 new focus areas. 5. Stakeholder involvement and/or opposition: We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing this initiative and will continue to collaborate with numerous partners. ",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55414,612-331-0700,nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project-phase-2,,,,
2538,"Minnesota Forests for the Future, Phase 3",2012,5409000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(a)","$5,409,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire forest and wetland habitat through working forest easements and fee acquisition under the Minnesota forests for the future program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with subdivision 13. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $150,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"19,439",,2477400,"TNC, State Bonding, owner",5408100,4500,,.50,"MN DNR","State Government","This Minnesota Forests for the Future project protected 19,439 acres of forest and forested wetlands with perpetual working forest conservation easements in Lake, Itasca and Koochiching Counties ensuring public access, management access and sustainably managed forests. ",,"Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2012/accomp_plan/3a.pdf Forest land ownerships changes within recent years, primarily within the industrial forest ownerships, are occurring as the timber industry restructures and looks to obtain value from their land through real estate sales and recreational leases. These sales can result in forest fragmentation or even outright conversion of forest lands, impact public recreational access including recreational trail routes, affect forest management access by public agencies across the impacted lands, degrade wildlife habitat, and decrease the use of sustainable forestry practices. The current proposal included 3 project opportunities located across the Northern Forest Section on industrial forest ownerships that have active recreational lease and/or land sales programs. The projects included a 10,581 acre permanent working forest conservation easement in Lake County, a 1,892 acre permanent working forest conservation easement in Itasca County and a 6,966 acre permanent working forest conservation easement in Koochiching County. LSOHC appropriations will target priority projects as determined by the scoring criteria developed in consultation with the Minnesota Forests for the Future Advisory Committee (stakeholder group). Projects may need to be scaled back or phased to accommodate the available funding. Each of the 3 projects included in this proposal were located within program priority areas as identified by a GIS model that integrates recreational, ecological and economic data. These projects addressed forest fragmentation, habitat degradation, recreational and management access, and sustainable forestry through perpetual conservation easements and fee acquisition that will protect the forest and wetland habitats in perpetuity, restrict forest parcelization and development, provide for public recreational access and public management access, and promote sustainable forest management practices. The Minnesota Forests for the Future and Federal Forest Legacy Programs have proven to be cost effective programs for protecting private forest land habitat in Minnesota, while also providing public recreational and agency management access and ensuring sustainable forestry. These programs have protected over 358,000 acres to date at an average cost of less than $300/acre. Over $24 million in non-state funds have been leveraged for these protection efforts over the past 10 years.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Peterson,DNR,"1810-30th St. NW",Faribault,MN,55021,"507-333-2012 x222",Richard.F.Peterson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-3,,,,
35020,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase VII",2016,1890000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch.2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$1,890,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"76 Forest acres and 208 Habitat acres (for a total of 284 acres) Enhanced. ",,1433900,"SWCD, DNR ",1890000,,,0.75,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited volunteers, chapters and partners will enhance habitat for fish, game and wildlife in and along numerous coldwater streams on existing Aquatic Management Areas and other public lands around the state, while leveraging approximately $3 million for this. ",,"We enhanced habitat on fourteen different streams. The scope of work varied to match the site conditions, watershed characteristics, and address the specific limiting factors. Severely degraded or unstable stream sections received comprehensive, large-scale habitat enhancements to restore stream function and in-stream trout habitat. These included intensive projects on Amity Creek and Chester Creek in Duluth, the Stewart River near Two Harbors, the Vermillion River in southern Dakota County, and the Root River in Preston. These projects required extensive grading and modification of stream channel patterns to create habitat-filled, stable channels and restored floodplains. The increased pool habitat created is particularly important for northern projects, where lack of pools was a key limiting factor for native trout populations. Streams in northeast Minnesota need healthy riparian forests to provide shade and improve summer base flows. North Shore streams lack significant groundwater flows and instead are kept cold by the shade provided by trees along their banks. Unfortunately, outbreaks of two tree pests (spruce bud worm and emerald ash borer) are decimating riparian forests near Duluth and the North Shore. To address this we cleared numerous gaps of dead or dying trees along the Stewart River and French River. These areas were then planted with a mixture of long-lived tree species, both coniferous and deciduous. The trees are on their way to providing critical shade and other habitat benefits. We also worked with Lake County to enhance a 76-acre parcel of forest which straddles the upper Stewart River, converting it from brushland to a forest of long-lived trees dominated by pines. Changing the stand’s trajectory in this way is improving the long-term ability of the forest to store water and slowly release cool base flow to sustain the important trout and steelhead fisheries. In the sandy central part of Minnesota, we used the conservation corps to thin alder thickets and strategically place brush bundles in overly wide sections of Kabekona Creek. These are capturing sand and narrowing and deepening the stream channel. In southeast Minnesota, we completed projects on Camp Creek, Daley Creek, Duschee Creek, Little Pickwick Creek, Trout Run Creek, and West and East Indian Creeks. These project sites had very cold water temperatures and decent in-stream habitat but suffered from the negative effects of dense corridors of buckthorn, boxelder and other invasives. Here significant habitat gains were realized by removing these invasive trees and shrubs, which do a poor job holding streambanks. We removed invasive trees and shrubs and seeded corridors with grasses and forbes. This allowed native grasses and forbs, which better secure soils, to become reestablished and let beneficial sunlight reach the stream beds and boost stream productivity. Similarly, near Farmington, MN TU volunteers spent numerous Saturday mornings to cutting buckthorn from 20 acres along the Vermillion River and set the table for prairie plantings following the in-stream habitat work completed in 2019. By work with partners and tailoring the habitat enhancement methods to each project site we have maximized long term benefits to the trout populations at the lowest possible costs. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"(612)670 -1629",jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dakota, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Lake, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-and-restoration-phase-vii,,,,
35051,"Minnesota Forests for the Future Phase IV",2017,1839000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e )","$1,840,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat through working forest permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Of this amount, up to $25,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"Protected 3,293 acres (in easement) ",,,,1839000,,,0.05,DNR,"State Government","This Minnesota Forests for the Future project protected 3,293 acres of forest and forested wetlands with perpetual working forest conservation easements in Lake and Crow Wing Counties ensuring public benefits, management access and sustainable managed forests. ",,"Forest land ownership changes within recent years, primarily within the industrial forest ownerships, are occurring as the timber industry restructures and looks to obtain value from their land through real estate sales and recreational leases.  These sales can result in forest fragmentation or even outright conversion of forest lands, impact public recreational access including recreational trail routes, affect forest management access by public agencies across the impacted lands, degrade wildlife habitat and decrease the use of sustainable forestry practices. The current project has targeted two properties: 1) an industrial ownership located in northeastern Minnesota whose property adjoins and is commingled with thousands of acres of other public forests including those owned and managed by the state, Lake County and the Superior National Forest; and 2) a large privately owned publicly accessible property with lake shoreland and other riparian areas adjacent to already permanently conserved easement property located in an area of high forest conversion threat in Crow Wing County. LSOHC appropriations target priority projects as determined by the scoring criteria developed in consultation with the Minnesota Forests for the Future Advisory Committee (stakeholder group).  Projects may need to be scaled back or phased to accommodate the available funding.  Each of the two projects included in this report were located within program priority areas as identified by a GIS model that integrates recreational, ecological and economic data. These projects addressed forest fragmentation, habitat degradation, recreational and management access and sustainable forestry through perpetual conservation easements and fee acquisition that will protect the forest and wetland habitats in perpetuity, restrict forest parcelization and development, provide for public recreational access and public management access and promote sustainable forest management practices. The Minnesota Forests for the Future and Federal Forest Legacy Programs have proven to be cost effective programs for protecting private forest land habitat in Minnesota, while also providing public recreational and agency management access and ensuring sustainable forestry.  These programs have protected over 358,000 acres to date at an average cost of less than $300/acre.  Over $24 million in non-state funds have been leveraged for these protection efforts over the past 10 years. ",,2020-10-27,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Peterson,"MN DNR Forestry","1810 - 30th St. NW ",Faribault,MN,55021,(507)-333-2012,richard.f.peterson@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Crow Wing, Lake","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-forests-future-phase-iv,,,,
35065,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement, Phase 8",2017,1975000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e )","$1,975,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore or enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along cold water rivers, lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The projects enhanced degraded habitat for fish and wildlife in and along 9 miles of coldwater streams and rivers which historically supported naturally reproducing trout populations that are highly valued by anglers. While trout are the apex predator and key indicator species in coldwater systems, a host of rare aquatic and riparian species uniquely associated with these systems also benefited from the habitat work. For example, the Wisel Creek project created habitat for four bird species which are species of special concern (see attachment for details). The enhanced habitat will also provide great recreational opportunities for anglers and citizens.","A total of 123 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 123 in Enhance.",242400,"NRCS and TU",1870100,15000,,0.5,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited and its partners, chapters, and volunteers enhanced habitat for trout, as well as other fish, game and wildlife, in or along 9 miles of coldwater streams around the state. We met our target for acres of enhanced habitat, by adapting to challenging conditions caused by the pandemic.","We enhanced habitat on seven different streams. The scope of work varied to match the site conditions, watershed characteristics, and address the specific population limiting factors. Severely degraded or unstable stream sections received comprehensive, large-scale habitat enhancements to restore stream function and in-stream trout habitat. These included intensive projects on Keene Creek in Duluth, West Indian Creek near Plainview, and Wisel Creek south of Rushford. These projects required extensive grading and modification of stream channel patterns to create habitat-filled, stable channels and restored floodplains. The increased pool habitat created on Keene Creek is crucial to survival of native brook trout populations in northern Minnesota during critical low-water periods in late summer and winter. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted labor availability and prevented implementation of smaller scale projects around the state. However, we adapted and pivoted to other good habitat enhancement opportunities that could be completed with less DNR involvement and without crews using hand labor. Most of these opportunities were in southeast Minnesota. In southeast Minnesota, we completed projects along approximately 6 miles of Diamond Creek, East Indian Creek and Trout Run Creek. These project sites had very cold water temperatures and decent in-stream habitat but suffered from the negative effects of dense corridors of buckthorn, boxelder and other invasives. Here significant habitat gains were realized by removing these invasive trees and shrubs, which do a poor job holding streambanks. We removed invasive trees and shrubs and seeded corridors with grasses and forbs. This allowed native grasses and forbs, which better secure soils, to become reestablished and let beneficial sunlight reach the stream beds and boost stream productivity. Similarly, near Savage, Minnesota TU volunteers spent several Saturdays cutting buckthorn from 5 acres along Eagle Creek and facilitated prairie plantings along the riparian corridor. By working with partners and tailoring the habitat enhancement methods to each project site we have maximized long term benefits to the wild trout populations at the lowest possible cost.",,2016-07-01,2023-09-07,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha","Northern Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-trout-unlimited-coldwater-fish-habitat-enhancement-phase-8,,,,
10006494,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project - Phase IV",2019,2998000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(b)","$2,073,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore wildlife habitat in the Mississippi headwaters. Of this amount, $73,000 is to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and $2,000,000 is to The Trust for Public Land. $925,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire lands in permanent conservation easements and to restore wildlife habitat, of which up to $65,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - An increase of lineal shoreland habitat permanently protected by easement or fee acquisition. An increase in the percent (%) of minor watersheds habitat being permanently protected..Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - An increase of lineal shoreland habitat permanently protected by easement or fee acquisition. An increase in the percent (%) of minor watersheds habitat being permanently protected..",,,19600,Private,2978400,19600,,0.53,"Mississippi Headwaters Board; Trust for Public Land; BWSR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Mississippi Headwaters Board (MHB) will work with the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR), The Trust for Public Land (TPL), headwaters' counties and Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to protect and preserve targeted upland and aquatic habitats through fee title and permanent easement acquisition in high quality shoreland areas along the Mississippi River main stem, headwaters' reservoirs, and major Mississippi River tributaries. ","The Mississippi River is known as ""America's River""--the longest river in North America and third longest in the world-with its headwaters in Minnesota. It provides drinking water and recreational opportunity for millions of people and it is the embodiment of Minnesota’s outdoor traditions. Strategic and well-placed lands in public ownership is essential to maintaining hunting, fishing, and game habitat along the Mississippi River. Public lands adjacent to private property are in danger of losing habitat connectivity because of continued development pressures on private lands which result in further habitat fragmentation. Accessibility to high quality lands and shorelands is essential to ensuring memorable hunting, fishing, and recreational experiences along and within the Mississippi River Corridor. In addition, riparian corridors and tributaries are of particular value to resident and migrating wildlife populations, providing connectivity to multiple habitat types.As loss of habitat in western Minnesota and the Dakotas occurs and climate change causes the drying up of existing wetlands the Mississippi flyway will take on a more important role. The Mississippi flyway is the longest migration route of any in the western hemisphere and, because it is well timbered and watered, it provides ideal support for migrating birds. The Mississippi Headwaters supports more than 350 species of animals, mammals, and birds and it is an important national treasure which must be preserved.The MHB and partners will use targeted fee title land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements to accomplish the goals of this project. All fee title acquisitions will be approved by the local governmental unit where the property is located and the MHB. The Mississippi River and its connecting tributaries and headwaters' lakes are essential to wildlife, bird, and waterfowl transportation and sustainability. The MHB will work in partnership with TPL to protect targeted priority lands using fee title acquisitions and in partnership with the BWSR and SWCDs in Clearwater, Beltrami, Hubbard, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Morrison counties to secure permanent Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) conservation easements. Fee title acquisitions will protect against fragmentation of forest land and provide enhanced access to existing public land. Parcels identified as potential fee title acquisitions on the Mississippi River are shown on the attached map. The MHB will administer, provide updated reports to the council, coordinate efforts, and develop a consistent process that utilizes county support to ensure that the program and spirit of this project is met. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR)or individual counties will hold the fee title acquisitions and the BWSR will hold the RIM easements. A local Project Technical Committee will review and rank potential acquisitions and easements. Local support for this project was obtained from the MHB counties through resolutions of support. This funding builds on the current success of Phases I & II of the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tim,Terrill,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","322 Laurel St., Suite 11 ",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1189",timt@mississippiheadwaters.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-corridor-project-phase-iv,,,,
10000093,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project - Phase III",2018,2396000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(a)","$1,617,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and restore wildlife habitat in the Mississippi headwaters and for agreements as follows: $60,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and $1,557,000 to The Trust for Public Land. $779,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire lands in permanent conservation easements and to restore wildlife habitat. Up to $59,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The science-based targeting described in the next paragraph utilized the Minnesota Wildlife Action Network?s data along with other state data sets, including The MN County Biological Survey, to identify priority areas for permanent fish and wildlife protection within the minor watershed of the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River--its Headwaters-- or along major tributaries. The Wildlife Action Network was developed to help implement the 2015-2025 MN Wildlife Action Plan, which identified species of greatest conservation need and rare, threatened and endangered species. The project's geographic targeting also considered specific areas of species richness and/or biodiversity importance and areas where aquatic and terrestrial habitats have been compromised. Many of these identified priority areas were the focus geography in selecting parcels for permanent land protection using fee-title acquisition or RIM conservation easements.","A total of 1,694 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 712 in Fee Title, 982 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",82100,Private,2254400,29300,,0.67,"Mississippi Headwaters Board; The Trust for Public Land; BWSR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project Phase III (ML 17) achieved permanent protection of 1,694 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, including 14.5 miles of shoreland on the Mississippi River and adjacent lakes/tributaries. This accomplishment exceeded the appropriation goal by over 200%. Fee-title acquisitions and RIM conservation easements adjacent to public land created or expanded large habitat protection complexes, including a new 232 acre WMA in Crow Wing County. The project is a partnership of the Mississippi Headwaters Board, Trust for Public Land, BWSR and 7 Headwaters county SWCD.","The Mississippi River is known as ?America?s greatest river?, one of the largest in the world. It provides critical habitat for fish, wildlife and migratory waterfowl along its first 400 miles?its Headwaters that course through 8 Minnesota Counties from Itasca State Park to southern Morrison County. It also provides drinking water for St Cloud and the Twin Cities plus varied recreation opportunities for millions of people. Protecting the Headwaters' water quality and adjacent shoreland habitats through strategically placed permanent land protection is critical to maintaining fish, game, and non-game wildlife habitat as well as food and shelter for millions of migratory waterfowl annually on the Mississippi Flyway. This Project?s funding has been expanded beyond the ML17 appropriation to funding through through Phase Six (ML 22) resulting in the cumulative protection to date of 6,356 acres and over 50 miles of shoreland on the Mississippi River, major tributaries, and contributing headwaters lakes ( continuing to exceed appropriation goals by over 200%). Public lands adjacent to the Mississippi River are increasingly in danger of losing habitat connectivity as private lands are under more development pressure potentially causing fragmentation of forests and critical upland and shoreland habitats. This Project?s goal is creating or enlarging permanently protected upland habitat complexes to insure game and non-game wildlife have a secure place to raise their young, seek shelter and food, and move around without disturbance; the protection of water quality as a necessary fish habitat; and food and shelter for migratory waterfowl. At the same time, the Project opens up new opportunities for public recreation along the Mississippi Headwaters and within its major watershed. Fee-title acquisition with final public ownership (either the DNR or a Headwaters' county) and RIM conservation easements, held in perpetuity by BWSR, were the land protection tools used in strategic locations to create or expand permanently protected habitat corridors. (see answers to questions below for the scientific methodology used to select priority parcels for land conservation). The targeted geography for the project was the minor watershed corridor of the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, its major tributaries, and headwaters lakes. Project partners (MHB, TPL, and BWSR) defined initial priorities for the project that guided the implementation of Phase III (ML17) and subsequent phases for the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project. A Technical Committee comprised of partner representatives, the DNR, and The Nature Conservancy reviewed proposed fee-title acquisitions and easements and approved those utilizing ranking criteria related to habitat quality, public access, location, size and supporting conservation. This process insures that critical habitat value was achieved with the funding appropriated. . Completion of Phase III (ML17) resulted in the permanent protection of 1,674 acres and 14 miles of shoreland achieved through 7 RIM conservation easements with private landowners and four fee-title acquisitions that included one addition to a state forest, two additions to county forests, and the creation of a 232 acre DNR WMA (also utilizing ML16 funding).",,2017-07-01,2023-02-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Terrill,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","322 Laurel St., Suite 11 ",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1189",timt@mississippiheadwaters.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Crow Wing","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-corridor-project-phase-iii,,,,
10019635,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project, Phase 6",2022,2901000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(e )","$2,901,000 the first year is to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore wildlife habitat in the Mississippi River headwaters. Of this amount, $1,421,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, of which up to $150,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17, and $1,480,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: $60,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and $1,420,000 to The Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed fee-title acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Forestlands protected are measured in the number of acres of forestland protected by either fee-title or easement and miles of protected forested shorelands. For fee-title acquisitions, the evaluation in in the ongoing maintenance of the forest according to the final owner's (state or local government) management plans and continued monitoring. For conservation easements, a management plan is part of the easement. Once recorded, BWSR with assistance from the County SWCD does annual monitoring to insure the management plan is not being violated. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - Forestlands protected are measured in the number of acres of forestland protected by either fee-title or easement and miles of protected shoreland. For fee-title acquisitions, the evaluation in in the ongoing maintenance of the forest and shoreland according to the final owner's (state or local government) management plans and continued monitoring. For conservation easements, a management plan is part of the easement. Once recorded, BWSR with assistance from the County SWCD does annual monitoring to insure the management plan is not being violated",,,30500,Private,2859000,42000,,1.04,"Mississippi Headwaters Board; TPL; BWSR","State Government","In Phase 6, The Mississippi Headwaters Board in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and BWSR assisted by 8 County SWCDs will permanently protect an additional 1,235 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat along the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, its major tributaries, and 9 headwaters lakes. Previous phases have already protected 3,441 acres and 31 miles of shoreland using fee title acquisitions and conservation easements on priority lands to create/expand protected contiguous aquatic and wildlife habitat corridors and reduce forest fragmentation to benefit fish, game and non-game wildlife, and migratory waterfowl.","This Phase will continue to address current and anticipated habitat protection opportunities along the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River Headwaters, its major tributaries and 9 headwaters lakes. To date, 3,441 acres and 31 miles of river shoreland have been permanently protected to benefit aquatic habitat, provide food and shelter for migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway, and create and enhance protected habitat corridors for game and non-game wildlife. Additionally, forest fragmentation that is detrimental to habitat protection has been reduced; public recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, and passive recreation have been enhanced; and clean drinking water ensured for millions of Minnesotans. There is urgency to fund this Phase since previous phases through ML 18 are spent or committed to fee title acquisitions and easement projects that will protect an additional 1,000 acres and 6 miles of shoreland. There is a waiting list of 20+ landowners interested in easement participation when ML 20 funding is available on July 1, 2020. The Mississippi River is home to a variety of game fish and its adjacent lands are home to 350+ species of animals and birds, including many species of greatest concern. Because quality privately owned lakeshores are already developed, pressure is building for development along the river corridor as people seek to live and recreate near water. This leads to fragmentation of forests that threatens habitat and water quality. Public lands adjacent to private property are in danger of losing habitat connectivity as private lands are increasingly developed resulting in destruction of wild rice beds, disruption of aquatic and upland habitat and fragmentation of forestlands, grasslands, and wetlands that dominate the headwaters. The Mississippi Headwaters Board administers and coordinates the project. The Trust for Public Land acquires fee-title to priority lands and conveys permanent ownership to a public entity (state or local government). BWSR in partnership with 8 Soil and Water Conservation Districts completes RIM conservation easements on parcels that have been identified and prioritized through a science-based selection process. A Technical Team of project partners, DNR and BWSR representatives, and The Nature Conservancy review and approve all projects using a ranked evaluation of habitat qualities, urgency for protection, and adjacency to public or already protected lands, a factor that is important to increasing protected habitat corridors. Strong local government involvement is unique to this project. For fee-title acquisitions, county boards are notified early to seek approval and before closing on an acquisition the Board is again asked for final approval. Education sessions on easements have been conducted informally with county commissioners. This process has enhanced local government support and trust which has contributed to the project's success. For additional project support, BWSR has provided $1 million of Clean Water Funds for RIM easement acquisition recognizing multiple benefits for habitat and water quality are the outcome of permanent land protection. This funding will be used according to the same prioritization and ranking criteria as OHF-funded easements to increase protection in the Mississippi Headwaters.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tim,Terrill,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","322 Laurel St., Suite 11 ",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1189",timt@mississippiheadwaters.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-corridor-project-phase-6,,,,
10017819,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project-Phase 5",2021,3695000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(g)","$3,695,000 the second year is to acquire lands in fee and conservation easement and restore wildlife habitat in the Mississippi headwaters as follows: (1) $2,177,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: $69,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and $2,108,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and (2) $1,518,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, of which up to $175,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - The amount of forested acres protected either by fee-title acquisition or conservation easement is measurable at project completion. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - Upon project completion, the number of acres of protected land, either intact forest cover or wetland/upland complexes can be measured along with the feet of river and stream shoreline protected.",,,81000,"Private and RIM",3637800,57200,,1.02,"Mississippi Headwater Board, TPL, BWSR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Mississippi Headwaters Board in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, assisted by 8 County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, will continue to permanently protect critical shorelands and wildlife habitats along the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River. Fee title acquisitions and conservation easements on priority lands will create and expand contiguous habitat corridors/complexes and reduce forest fragmentation from development to benefit fish, game and non-game wildlife, and migratory waterfowl. In addition, recreational opportunities for public fishing, hunting, and passive recreation will be increased. ","This proposal is designed to meet current and anticipated land protection opportunities along the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, its major tributaries, and headwaters' lakes/reservoirs (Lake Bemidji, Winnibigoshish, Wolf, Cass, others). It will protect and benefit fish, game and non-game wildlife, and migratory waterfowl. The Headwaters encompass 8 counties: Clearwater, Beltrami, Itasca, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Cass and Morrison. There is urgency to fund Phase 4 since Phase 1 (ML 16) is already spent and most of Phases 2 (ML 17) & 3 (ML 18) are spent or committed to specific fee-title acquisition or conservation easement projects. There is a waiting list of 25 committed landowners and others have interest. To date, this program has permanently protected 1,966 acres and 14 miles of Mississippi Headwaters shoreline, and projects equal to protection of 1,800 acres and 14+ miles of shoreline are in process. There have been additions to two state forests and a county forest, creation of a new WMA, and 11 conservation easements placed strategically near other public lands to create and expand habitat protection corridors/complexes. Other benefits include reduction of forest fragmentation from development; food and safe resting places for migratory waterfowl; protection of water quality for fish habitat; enhanced public fishing, hunting, and other recreational opportunities, and safe drinking water for millions of Minnesotans downstream. The Mississippi River is the largest river in North America and one of Minnesota's greatest assets. Its headwaters provide excellent habitat for a variety of fish and over 350 species of animals and birds as well as quality recreational opportunities. It supports migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi flyway and impacts living creatures far beyond Minnesota's boundaries. Because most of the quality privately owned lakeshore is already developed in the headwaters, there is increasing development pressure along the Mississippi River corridor as people seek to live and recreate near water. Public lands adjacent to private property are in danger of losing habitat connectivity as these undeveloped lands are increasingly sold for development resulting in destruction of wild rice beds, disruption of habitat and fragmentation of the forestlands, grasslands, and wetlands that dominate the headwaters. The Mississippi Headwaters Board administers and coordinates this project; The Trust for Public Land conducts fee-title acquisitions and the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources is responsible for conservation easements. The headwaters' Soil and Water Conservation Districts provide on-the-ground resources to solicit, select, process and monitor easements. With written resolutions, support is provided by the member county boards. Additional stakeholder support is provided by the Minnesota DNR and The Nature Conservancy. As land conservation projects are proposed, a Technical Committee comprised of project stakeholders review and approve each project against established criteria. Strong local government support is unique to this project. County boards are notified early and approval to proceed is obtained. When an acquisition project is near completion, the County Board is asked for formal approval to complete the project. Building trust with Counties has greatly contributed to the program's success.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tim,Terrill,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","322 Laurel St., Suite 11 ",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1189",timt@mississippiheadwaters.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Cass","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-corridor-project-phase-5,,,,
9807,"Mississippi Northwoods Habitat Complex Protection",2013,11040000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$11,040,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Crow Wing County to acquire land in fee along the Mississippi River in Crow Wing County to be added to the county forest system. The purchase price must not exceed the appraised fair market value of the property as reviewed and approved under established procedures in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and the Department of Natural Resources' Supplemental Appraisal and Appraisal Review Guidelines (effective July 15, 2009). A land description must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Development of a paved trail on land acquired under this paragraph constitutes an alteration of the intended use of the interest in real property and must be handled according to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 15. Any plan, including trail alignment, for the development of a paved trail must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for approval. No paved trail development or paved trail use is allowed unless it is specified in the plan for trail use and alignment approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. If additional money is needed to acquire the land under this paragraph, by December 15, 2012, the amount necessary to complete the acquisition shall be transferred from unspent appropriations under subdivision 5, paragraph (h), and added to this appropriation.",,"Protect in fee 1,883 acres of habitat",,3000,"Parks and Trails Legacy and RIM ",11040000,,,,"Crow Wing County","Local/Regional Government","This acquisition protected 2.7 miles of Mississippi river shoreline and nearly 2,000 acres of wetland and forest/upland habitat through fee title acquisition just east of Brainerd, MN.","This effort protected from development 2.7 miles of frontage in the headwaters region of this globally significant river, along with approximately 1,857 acres of forest land uniquely situated in the rapidly growing Brainerd Lakes Region of Minnesota. This parcel sits between two large tracts of forested public land along the Mississippi, creating a 9+ mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline which become one of the largest contiguous blocks of protected lake/river shoreline in the Brainerd lakes area—in addition to being one of its most scenic. The lands are adjacent to the Crow Wing County Memorial Forest, the Loerch State Wildlife Management Area, the State of Minnesota’s School Trust lands and Crow Wing County tax forfeited land (managed as forestland). The lands contain several unique habitat features including the Mississippi River watershed, the Sand Creek trout stream, approximately 240 acres of wetland, and forestland comprising of aspen/birch, jack, red and white pine, oak, and lowland hardwoods. The Mississippi River is clearly one of the most important freshwater resources in the State of Minnesota and beyond. A significant portion of this property fronts the Mississippi’s Stump Bay, a lake-like basin originally formed by the paper mill dam downstream in Brainerd. Stump Bay, and the larger basin around it, has characteristics of both river and lake habitats which provide a diversity of niches and support the area’s best cosmopolitan fisheries, including a world- class bass fishery. As a major migratory bird route, the Mississippi River basin is used by 60% of all birds found in North America, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and neotropical songbirds. The forest and riparian forest habitats of this project area are known to support osprey, Canada goose, great blue heron, killdeer, common snipe, American woodcock, and ruffed grouse. There are at least two bald eagle nests documented in the subject area. This section of the Mississippi River “flyway” is especially critical for waterfowl such as wood duck, mallard, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, hooded merganser, and American coot. The open waters of the bay uniquely serve as an early spring stopover for waterfowl before the lakes thaw. The wild rice foliage found in the bay and along the shore of this area provides security cover and loafing sites for migrating ducks; the wild rice kernals provide critical food source. 240 acres of wetland found within this project area are also critical brooding and feeding area for waterfowl. Mammals associated with the upland, wetland, lowland and riparian habitats of the acquired area include whitetail deer, gray wolf, coyote, red fox, river otter, beaver, muskrat, striped skunk, raccoon, opossum, weasel, mink, fisher, marten, porcupine, bobcat, black bear, red squirrel, shrews, pocket gopher, voles, bats, least chipmunk, gray squirrel, northern flying squirrel, cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare. Reptiles and amphibians utilizing the wetland, riparian and upland habitats include the wood frog, spring peeper, western chorus frog, gray tree frog, northern leopard frog, green frog, American toad, blue-spotted salamander, tiger salamander, garter snake, redbelly snake, painted turtle, snapping turtle, and Blanding’s turtle, a MN DNR Threatened Species. A number of occurrences of the Blanding’s turtle, a MN DNR Threatened Species, have been documented on the property and there have been at least two eagle nests documented in the subject area. The contiguous forest block that is provided by this property will benefit all of these species as well as other rare species that depend on forested wetland and riparian areas. Conservation of this reach of the Mississippi River is extremely valuable in protection of water quality. The acquired forest lands are now dual certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council standards, ensuring a 9+ mile stretch of consistent forest management. The land buffers and enhances two other tracts of public land, resulting in a 6,207 acre block of contiguous forest lands on the Mississippi River in the popular recreational Brainerd Lakes area of north-central Minnesota. The public has access to these waters and forest lands for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, snow-shoeing, nature viewing, hiking, restricted camping, horseback riding and other recreational activities. The property continues to host a popular snowmobile trail, important because of its proximity just 5 miles from downtown Brainerd. While conversion of forest lands into development properties in the Brainerd Lakes area has fragmented forests as well as these types of recreational trail systems, this acquisition will provide raw materials for the region’s forest products economy which in turn provides base economy jobs for Minnesota citizens. The public has gained in a less tangible but no less important way from the protected landscape, noise buffering and air and water quality benefits provided by these forested lands. This acquisition will provide a future opportunity to complete a critical linkage between the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and the Paul Bunyan State Trail, both part of the Mississippi River Trail which is envisioned to be a 3,000 mile world class bicycling route, extending from the headwaters at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. The project had considerable support from a large and diverse collection of stakeholders including hunting and angling clubs, community foundations, natural resource organizations and trails organizations; such as Anglers for Habitat, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Deerhunters, MNDNR, Ruffed Grouse Society, The Nature Conservancy The Trust for Public Land; and more. The Trust for Public Land provided the leadership and coordination role needed in this conservation effort. Working together with these other stakeholders, The Trust for Public Land had endeavored to protect this particular stretch of Mississippi River land now known as Mississippi River Northwoods for over a decade. No fewer than three efforts were made over the 10-year period to protect this unique property using various protection tools, funding sources, and possible stewardship scenarios. These previous efforts were not successful due to a variety of factors including insufficient funding, differences of opinion about who should be the long term steward and not reaching agreement with the landowner on the terms of a sale. In approximately 2009, however, the long-time landowner, Potlatch Corporation, converted from a forest product company to a Real Estate Investment Trust and underwent a number of staffing changes. They increased their sale and development of land in Minnesota and in 2010 it was learned that they intended to develop the Mississippi River Northwoods parcel. After lengthy negotiations, The Trust for Public Land was able to reach an option agreement with the company for the purchase of this land for conservation in the spring of 2011. Shortly thereafter, The Trust for Public Land submitted an application for funding to LSOHC to protect this land. Originally it was thought that the DNR might be the permanent steward of this land given the importance of the land and the agency’s long-time involvement with and interest in its protection. Ultimately, it was determined that Crow Wing County would be the permanent steward of this land due to a variety of factors including this land’s proximity to other County-owned land. Accordingly, the County eventually became the grant applicant. As the holder of the option agreement with Potlatch, The Trust for Public Land continued to play an active role in this protection effort. It coordinated and paid for all the due diligence on the land including environmental assessments, appraisals, and title review. The Trust for Public Land also coordinated and managed education and outreach related to this protection effort with the many and various stakeholders mentioned above. The Trust for Public Land further assisted the County in thinking about how the land would be managed with this proposed funding alongside other county-owned lands as well as the critical conversations that took place with LSOHC and the Legislature in 2011-2012 that led to ultimate appropriation of OHF dollars. On November 29, 2012, The Trust for Public Land purchased the land from Potlatch for its appraised fair market value of $11 million and sold the land on the same day to Crow Wing County for the same amount. The Trust for Public Land continued to work alongside Crow Wing County, partners listed above and the LSOHC in 2012-2013 to re-introduce area residents and other stakeholders to the recently-protected and publicly-accessible Mississippi River Northwoods land through a series of written summaries, press pieces, celebrations and river outings. The County is proposing a change in the use and interest in 142 acres of the Mississippi River Northwoods acquisition. The parcel, located along Highway 210, has economic viability and opportunity to increase the County’s tax base. The County’s proposal would include a land exchange and transfer of the deed restriction to another County managed property adjoining the Mississippi River and Northwoods property. The County’s proposal will meet the procedures and criteria identified by the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for the change of use and replacement of interest. The identified properties will be equal in fair market value, in a reasonable equivalent location and have a reasonably equivalent useful conservation purpose. A copy of the fact sheet is attached to this report The $3M in leverage identified in Trust For Public Lands's original budget for this acquisition listed Parks and Trails Legacy and RIM as additional sources of funding. The leverage dollars were not needed or applied for because the second appraisal came in $3M lower than the original appraisal.","Final Report",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kirk,Titus,"Crow Wing County (Land Supervisor)","322 Laurel St., Suite 12",Brainerd,MN,56401,218-824-1138,kirk.titus@crowwing.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Crow Wing","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-northwoods-habitat-complex-protection,,,,
35030,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership",2016,2813500,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(f)","$3,002,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and for permanent conservation easements in the Mississippi Headwaters and for agreements as follows: $1,217,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and $824,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $80,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"841 acres protected (in fee with state PILT liability) and 1,082 acres protected in easement for a total of 1,923 acres ",,456300,"RIM and Land Value Donation ",2811100,4800,,0.25,"Trust for Public Land and MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through the ML2015 Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership appropriation, we permanently protected 1,923 acres of wildlife habitat in the quickly developing Mississippi Headwaters area. These accomplishments exceed the appropriation goal by 209%. Utilizing both fee-title acquisition and conservation easements, the partnership protected 10 projects, totaling over 11 miles of shoreline along the Mississippi River, its tributaries and nearby lakes. This has reversed habitat loss, improved watershed function, and increased access to public lands for quality hunting and fishing opportunities. ",,"The ML2015 Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership (The Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, and the MN DNR) permanently protected 1,923 acres (209% of our goal) of sensitive shoreline and wildlife habitat in the Mississippi Headwaters area. These activities occurred in Aitkin, Beltrami, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, and Wadena County. They resulted in three new units of public land (WMA/AMA), two additions to existing public lands (AMAs), and five conservation easements. As background, the Mississippi River is one of the world’s greatest river systems in terms of size, habitat diversity, biological productivity, and sources of drinking water. It is the fourth longest river in the world with over 18 million people depending on this watershed for drinking water supply. The critical Headwaters Region, roughly the first 400 miles of the main stem and associated watersheds, is home to some of our state’s most outstanding freshwater ecological resources. It provides outstanding habitat for fish and wildlife and is a major route for migratory waterfowl. It is also an unparalleled recreational resource for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, boating and hiking. The idea to form this partnership around habitat protection and restoration in the area grew out of a series of habitat conservation successes and related partnership work in the Headwaters area in the early 2010s: LaSalle Lake, Mississippi River Northwoods, numerous forest legacy projects; shoreland easements initiatives; aquatic management areas additions; and more. For the ML15 appropriation, it consists of three partner organizations - The Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Minnesota DNR. This partnership sought to protect sensitive shoreline and habitat resources in the Headwaters area from fragmentation in order to ensure these recreational and natural resource benefits continue into the future. We focused our efforts on the mainstem of the Mississippi River; key tributaries; critical lakesheds; specific natural resource communities; habitat lands with a proven link to water quality; and, recreational access. We exceeded our intentions, and the habitat protected furthered the goals and strategies outlined in numerous state/area resource management plans, including Aquatic Management Area Acquisition Plan; Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare; and, Outdoor Heritage Fund: A 25 Year Framework.  The specific successes of each of the three partners is outlined below: The Trust for Public Land: In January 2016, The Trust for Public Land acquired and conveyed 705 acres of mixed pine and hardwood forest with over three miles of river frontage on the Crow Wing River, a major tributary to the Mississippi River, to the MN DNR as the new Crow Wing River Corridor Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This protected property creates outstanding public recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife observation and canoeing, as well as significant water quality benefits. This highly developable land was previously owned by the Potlatch Corporation and its protection is responsible for the currently occurring jack pine woodland restoration. Minnesota Land Trust: Over the course of this appropriation, the Land Trust protected 4 priority properties totaling 964 acres and 34,207 feet (~6.5 miles) of shoreline. Acres protected exceeded that proposed for the grant by 301%. In addition, projects provided $381,000 in leverage through landowner donation of easement value. Specifically, the following properties were protected: The Black Lake (Bakker) project in Beltrami County permanently protected in easement 6,568 feet (1.24 miles) of shoreline and 391 acres of mixed coniferous and deciduous forest, wetland, and other habitat.  The owner donated the value of the conservation easement for this project. Two conservation easements in Crow Wing County – Island Lake (Flemmer) and Island Lake (Flemmer Trust) – were protected, permanently protecting in easement 25,287 feet (4.8 miles) of shoreline and 514 acres of outstanding quality medic hardwood forest, diverse wetlands, and shoreline habitat along Mud Lake, Island Lake, Owl Pond and Mud Brook.  The 132-acre Ann Lake (Killeen) property in Itasca County was protected with funds drawn in part through both the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership, and the Land Trust’s Critical Shoreland Protection – Phase 3 program grants. The Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership grant funded the protection of 59 acres of high-quality northern mesic forest and northern rich tamarack swamp, in addition to 2,333 feet of shoreline on Ann and Link lakes. Ann Lake is a state-designated wild rice lake. The property abuts George Washington State Forest on two sides. Minnesota DNR: The Minnesota DNR protected 4 properties through fee-title acquisition and 1 through a conservation easement. Specifically, the following properties were protected: The newly created Greenwood Lake Aquatic Management Area (AMA) is 86 acres with over 3,700 shoreline feet on Greenwood Lake in Crow Wing County. The 6-acre Pickerel Lake AMA with over 2,275 feet of shoreline protected in Hubbard County. The Hill Lake AMA is 31 acres with over 2,000 shoreline feet on Hill Lake in Aitkin County. The 11-acre Preece Point AMA with over 1,100 shoreline feet on Marquette Lake in Beltrami County. The Cuyuna Scout Camp AMA conservation easement added 118 acres of protection to the existing Aquatic Management Area (AMA) in Crow Wing County. ",2015-07-01,2021-02-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave W Ste 300","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 999-5307",rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-partnership-0,,,,
35064,"Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project",2017,3077100,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$2,105,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee in the Mississippi Headwaters and for agreements as follows: $76,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board; and $2,029,000 to The Trust for Public Land. $1,045,000 the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore wildlife habitat, of which up to $78,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"445 acres protected (in fee with state PILT liability), 52 acres protected (in fee without state PILT liability), 981 acres protected (in easement) for a total of 1,478 acres ",,178000,"private ",3023900,65400,,1.2,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project Phase 1 (ML 16) achieved permanent protection of 1,478 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, including 11 miles of shoreland on the Mississippi River and on an adjacent lake. This accomplishment exceeded the appropriation goal by 178%. Utilizing fee-title acquisition and RIM conservation easements adjacent to public land, large habitat protection complexes were established, including one complex in Crow Wing County that protected over 9 contiguous miles along the Mississippi River. This Project is a partnership of the Mississippi Headwaters Board, The Trust for Public Land, and BWSR assisted by 7 Headwaters SWCDs. ",,"Public lands adjacent to the Mississippi River were increasingly in danger of losing habitat connectivity as private lands were under more development  pressure potentially causing fragmentation of forests and critical upland and shoreland habitats.  Creating or enlarging permanently protected upland habitat complexes would insure that game and non-game wildlife have a secure place to raise their young, seek shelter and food, and move around without disturbance and protect water quality as a necessary fish habitat while at the same time maintaining and opening up new opportunities for public recreation.    Fee-title acquisition with final public ownership (either the DNR or a headwaters' county) and RIM conservation easements were the tools used in strategic locations to create or expand permanently protected habitat corridors. (see the answers to questions below for the scientific methodology used to select priority parcels for land conservation). The targeted geography for the project was the minor watershed corridor of the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, its major tributaries, and headwaters lakes.   Project partners (MHB, TPL, and BWSR) defined initial priorities for the project that guided the implementation of this Phase 1 (ML16) and subsequent phases for the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project.  (1) The acquired parcels, in fee-title or easement, were targeted towards the Mississippi River corridor to protect access to public lands and provide multiple benefits for hunting, fishing, and outdoor heritage experiences.  (2) Acquisition priorities were to be focused on parcels that were adjacent to existing County, State, or Federal lands along the Mississippi River headwaters corridor to increase habitat and corridor connectivity; and (3) Prospective parcels were to be ranked according to their habitat quality, public access, location, size, and supporting conservation plans by a Technical Committee comprised of the project partners and other public agency and private conservation entities to insure all parcels selected meet program criteria.  The completion of Phase 1 resulted in the permanent protection of 1,478 acres and 11 miles of shoreland achieved through 11 RIM conservation easements with private landowners, a 331-acre addition to a state forest, a 160-acre addition to a county forest, and the creation of a new 234-acre WMA with over two miles of shoreland. In Crow Wing County alone, the combination of fee-title acquisition and several RIM easements adjacent to existing public land created a 9 mile contiguous permanently protected wildlife corridor along the Mississippi River.  Exceptional support from the 8 Headwater’s county boards was a critical component of this Phase 1’s success as trust was built around common heritage and conservation goals.  Phase 2 (ML 17) and Phase 3 (ML18) are nearing completion with all money appropriated for acquisition dedicated to landowner projects that are completed or in process.  The appropriation of Phase 4 (ML 20), which began several months ago, is already 40% committed to projects.   The Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project partners thank LSOHC and the legislature for their support of this ML 16 appropriation’s initial vision of protecting the “Mighty Mississippi” river for the benefit of current and future generations. ",,2020-10-19,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Terrill,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","322 Laurel St.",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1189",timt@mississippiheadwaters.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Crow Wing, Itasca","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-headwaters-habitat-corridor-project,,,,
10019630,"MNDNR Trout Stream Conservation Easements",2022,500000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(h)","$500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in permanent conservation easements to protect trout stream aquatic habitat. Of this amount, up to $65,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Outcome is coldwater stream corridors have protection and angler access. This is evaluated with easement stewardship. Regular monitoring visits evaluate compliance with easement terms, and MNDNR staff work with landowners to correct any issues that are out of compliance with the agreement. Outcome is coldwater stream corridors have protection and angler access. This is evaluated with easement stewardship. Regular monitoring visits evaluate compliance with easement terms, and MNDNR staff work with landowners to correct any issues that are out of compliance with the agreement",,,,,500000,,,,DNR,"State Government","We propose a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection for trout streams in Minnesota, with an emphasis on Southeast and Northeast Minnesota. We propose to protect 3.75 miles of trout streams, including approximately 75 acres with permanent conservation easements on private land. Protected lands will be designated as Aquatic Management Areas (AMA's) administered by the Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.","Trout fishing in Minnesota is enjoyed by thousands of anglers. The MNDNR Section of Fisheries administers a conservation easement program that has strong stakeholder support, and protects the habitat that is the foundation of our successful trout management program. Over 90% of our conservation easements protect trout streams. In addition to protecting the riparian corridor of trout streams, easements provide access for the angling public, and also provide access for restoration and enhancement projects. We propose a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection for trout streams across Minnesota. Most trout streams are found in Southeast and Northeast Minnesota, but conservation opportunities in other areas of the state will be evaluated by scoring and ranking candidate parcels as they become available. We propose to protect 3.75 miles of trout streams and approximately 75 acres with permanent conservation easements on private land. Protected lands will be designated as Aquatic Management Areas (AMA's) administered by the Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. The dollar value of trout stream conservation easements is set by formula described in M.S.84.0272 subd. 2. The formula uses the length of stream being placed under easement and the area of the easement footprint. The length of the stream easement in feet (length is measured in GIS from a current aerial photo) is multiplied by $5 per foot. The area of the easement foot print is also measured in GIS. The area in acres is multiplied by the average per acre estimated market value of Agricultural, Rural Vacant, and Managed Forest Land within the township where the easement lies. Estimated market value and total acres by land type for every township in the state are supplied by the Department of Revenue and revised annually. So, easement price is calculated as (feet of stream under easement x $5) + (acres of easement foot print x average market value/acre within that township). Dollar estimates in this proposal are based on current estimated market value, and are subject to change. Scoring and ranking candidate parcels for trout stream conservation easement acquisition is based on multiple criteria as described in the proposal attachment. Criteria include fishery quality, rare natural features and other ecological attributes, potential to link with existing easements to increase protected corridors, and the need for access to conduct habitat restoration and enhancement projects with potential to improve the fishery. Please refer to the attachments for details. The current parcel list is based on parcels meeting a minimum scoring threshold and with landowners expressing an interest in selling an easement. The proposal includes the cost of easements, professional services to complete the transactions, and a deposit to the Easement Stewardship Account to cover future costs of stewardship. The proposal can be scaled by dropping lower scoring parcels.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Rick,Walsh,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,,rich.walsh@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Fillmore, Houston, St. Louis, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mndnr-trout-stream-conservation-easements,,,,
35083,"MNDNR Aquatic Habitat Protection Phase VIII",2017,1023200,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$1,578,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to acquire permanent conservation easements under the Minnesota forests for the future program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66, and to restore and enhance aquatic and adjacent upland habitat. Of this amount, up to $153,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions, conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"41 acres protected (in fee with state PILT liability) and 194 acres protected (in easement) for a total of 235 acres ",,,,1020800,3000,,,DNR,"State Government","DNR acquired a fee-title parcel designated as an Aquatic Management area in Itasca County.  This acquisition protected 41 acres and exceeded the accomplishment plan goal.  Nine trout stream conservation easements were also added to the AMA system.  Two Forests for the Future easements with a combined total of 171 acres were acquired, achieving protection in priority watersheds while maintaining working forest in private ownership. ",,"We take a programmatic approach to acquisition, with scoring systems specific to fee-title Aquatic Management Areas, and trout stream conservation easements, respectively, to determine priority of candidate parcels.  An outstanding parcel that scored well for multiple criteria was available in Itasca County.   All of the available fee-title funding for this appropriation was used on this parcel.  Other funding also contributed to this acquisition. Candidate parcels for trout stream conservation easements are also scored and ranked with relevant criteria specific to trout streams.  DNR Central Office program staff work with the Fish and Wildlife Acquisition unit and field staff to identify candidate parcels with landowners willing to sell conservation easements, and prioritize candidates based on scores.  Trout stream easements are valued using the formula in statute, so the landowner knows the maximum value from the start of the acquisition process.   This appropriation was one of two in which Fish and Wildlife Division staff in DNR partnered with the Division of Forestry to target forest easement acquisition in priority watersheds.  The overlapping objectives central to this partnership are protecting water quality, and maintaining sustainable working forests on private land.  Both Division of Forestry and Division of Fish and Wildlife staff conducted outreach with lake associations in the 5 watersheds to explain the program, identify interested landowners, and provide application materials.  Applications filled out by interested landowners meeting sign-up criteria were scored by staff in both the Fish and Wildlife Division and Forestry Division of DNR.  Parcels meeting criteria were appraised, and offers made to the landowners.  While acquisition of easements was completed on two parcels, landowners declined the offer for a significant parcel in Hubbard County. ",,2020-10-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Martin,Jennings,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5176",martin.jennings@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Crow Wing, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Olmsted, St. Louis, Wabasha","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mndnr-aquatic-habitat-protection-phase-viii,,,,
10019636,"Moose Habitat Collaborative, Phase IV - NE MN Forest Habitat Enhancement",2022,1809000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(f)","$1,809,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Ruffed Grouse Society to restore and enhance public forest lands in the northern forest region for moose habitat purposes. A list of proposed land restoration and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - As has been noted, moose are iconic to NE Minnesota's forests and a key representative of healthy forest ecosystems; are important to the region's recreational economy; and provide a tribal heritage, cultural link. To sustain these desirable outcomes, this grant proposes to enhance 8,000 acres (from the parcel list of ~40,000 treatment acres) of moose cover and forage habitat enhancement so as to sustain at least the current moose population level of ~3,500 animals. The Collaborative will continue to work with its Tribal and University partners to assess and evaluate effectiveness of its enhancement efforts",,,110000,"Moose habitat collaborative partners",1809000,,,0.25,"Ruffed Grouse Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), in collaboration with federal, state, county, tribal, university and non-governmental organizational (NGO) partners, seeks to continue the successful work of previous Moose Habitat Collaborative (Collaborative) grants to stabilize/sustain Minnesota's moose population by enhancing ~8,000 acres of cover/forage habitat for moose. The project builds on the Collaborative's Phase I-III efforts to improve degraded forest habitats by increasing stand complexity through mixed density/cover type planting methods which enhances overall moose habitat across the landscape. Also, non-grant timber harvests planned in coordination with this grant increase the occurrence of early successional/forage.","Moose have an iconic status in Minnesota and are a critical component of the cultural identity, hunting heritage and recreational economy of northern Minnesota. Over the past two decades Minnesota's moose population has dramatically fallen, from an estimated 8,840 in 2006 to this year's (2020) estimate of 3,150. Due to a growing public concern and state listing in 2013, the following actions have been undertaken to date: - the Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a Moose Advisory Committee (MAC; August 2009 report). - primarily based on MAC report recommendations, the DNR completed a Minnesota Moose Research and Management Plan (Moose Plan; December 2011). The strategic vision for this plan is: ""Moose have intrinsic value and are recognized for their importance to Minnesota. To the greatest extent possible, moose shall be managed for ecological sustainability, hunting, and viewing opportunities."" This plan includes objectives for research, high quality habitat, social science considerations, and dissemination and use of plan information. - to address research objectives, significant efforts/projects have been undertaken to date: an adult moose mortality study (2013-16), moose calf mortality study (2013-17), and a winter nutrition study (2016-2020). - to address habitat objectives, significant habitat management efforts have been accomplished through the Moose Habitat Collaborative and related LSOHC Moose Habitat Collaborative grants they have received for Phase I (2,049 acres, $914,100 in grant funds), Phase II (5,164 acres, $1,996,400 grant funds), as well as currently funded Phase III (proposed 10,000 affected acres, $1,938,000 in grant funds). Due to the success of Moose Habitat Collaborative Phase I-III grants, Collaborative partners would like to build on this success through a FY22 LSOHC grant which will target another ~8,000 acres to enhance/affect at a grant request of ~$1,809,000. This effort will again be steered by a broad range of partners that make up the Moose Habitat Collaborative. Current partners and roles are: - NGOs: Ruffed Grouse Society (new for Phase IV - grant sponsor, program manager duties, fiscal agent), The Nature Conservancy (site, project, and public land administrator coordination), MN Deer Hunters Association. - Public land administrators: Superior National Forest; MN DNR ? Division of Forestry and Division of Fish and Wildlife; Cook, Lake, St. Louis Counties (site/land manager) - Tribal authorities: 1854 Treaty Authority, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (research/technical) - Habitat research: University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute (UMD-NRRI, research/technical) Collaborative partners will again work together to choose sites with forest stands that are either partially harvested, decadent, poorly stocked with trees, or provide such poor forage conditions that they are of little or no benefit to moose. This process is guided by the initial designation of priority moose project/landscape areas, the use of a site level checklist/project documentation form to ensure habitat enhancements are properly vetted, and the use of ongoing site monitoring/validation efforts that serve as a final check/adaptive management step.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Brent,Rudolph,"Ruffed Grouse Society","451 McCormick Road ",Coraopolis,PA,15108,5179804570,brentr@ruffedgrousesociety.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/moose-habitat-collaborative-phase-iv-ne-mn-forest-habitat-enhancement,,,,
20691,"MN Moose Habitat Collaborative Phase II",2014,2000000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(f)","$2,000,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to restore and enhance public forest lands in the northern forest region for moose habitat purposes. A list of proposed land restoration and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. ",,115300,"TNC, MDHA, USFS ",1996400,100100,,1.15,"MN Deer Hunters Association","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative enhanced approximately 7349 acres of moose habitat in northern forests of Northeastern Minnesota within Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties on county, state, and federal land. ",,"The Minnesota Moose Collaborative has implemented a variety of habitat enhancement treatments across the core of moose range in Northeast Minnesota on County, State, Federal, and Tribal lands since 2013.  Improving moose browse calls for treatments that regenerate preferred brush and tree species.  In some places this happens through natural or human disturbance.  Natural disturbances like wildfires provide excellent moose browse according to biologists.  Most logging on uplands results in some regeneration of moose browse.  However, there are tens of thousands of acres in moose range that will not see a natural browse regenerating event like fire or do not have enough volume of merchantable wood to make an economical timber sale.  In these areas the collaborative used bulldozers, brush saw crews, and prescribed fires to shear, cut, and burn the old decadent brush and stimulate re-growth that is more palatable, nutritious, and easy to reach for moose.   Cover for hiding from predators and protection from the elements is another part of the habitat equation.  Research has shown that moose prefer forests with mixed conifer and deciduous trees.  The pre-settlement forest in Northeast MN was 70% conifers and 30% deciduous trees.  Today that ratio is completely reversed with 70% deciduous and only 30% conifers. Improving cover habitat for moose means restoring conifers on the landscape.  The Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative has planted close to 3 million trees including white spruce, white pine, jack pine, and white cedar.  The pine and cedar must be protected from browsing by deer and hare using budcaps or tree shelters.  By the third year after planting, the seedlings need to be released from competition from surrounding trees and brush.  The collaborative accomplished this “release” with brush saws which both helps the trees get established and produces another flush of future moose browse. A look at plat books for counties in Northeast Minnesota quickly emphasizes the need for inter-agency partnerships to produce habitat results at a meaningful scale.  The ownership pattern looks like a patchwork quilt of County, Federal, and State lands (private as well but funds for this project are limited to public lands).   There is not an acre that gets worked on without some level of collaboration and cooperation between partner staff.  The first cut at site selection was made by looking at forest inventory data and local knowledge of potential project areas.  With time and experience, collaborative partners have refined the search for good moose habitat projects and added and dropped stands as field visits were conducted.   Proposals for specific work plans at each site are shared with wildlife biologists for their approval as beneficial to moose.  Partners decided who will manage the bidding and contracting, order necessary supplies, supervise the work, complete the documentation needed for invoicing, track the specifics of what was done at each site, and summarize accomplishments for grant reporting and other communication about the project as a whole.  As the grant recipient, MDHA is ultimately responsible for the finances and reporting to the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.  But, the work it takes to produce results involves many of the partnering agencies.  The variety of combinations of roles and responsibilities between staff from MDHA, the Superior National Forest, Lake County Forestry, DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and the 1854 Treaty Authority that play out in completing the work is impressive.  For example, Lake County Forestry may identify a potential project on lands they manage,  a Forest Service biologist may review and approve it as a good moose project,  the 1854 Treaty Authority might collect pre-treatment data that is being used to track effectiveness,  The Nature Conservancy may order the trees and line up the planting crew, Lake County supervises the work, The Nature Conservancy again handles the documentation and site specific data and finally MDHA pays the contractor’s invoice and then requests reimbursement in the form of State managed grant funds. Field sampling and aerial surveys conducted by the 1854 Treaty Authority, U of M's Natural Resources Research Institute, the Fond Du Lac Band, and other agency and tribal biologists are showing that moose are preferentially using the sites that were treated through this project. ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Craig,Engwall,"MN Deer Hunters Association","460 Peterson Road ","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,"(218) 327-1103",craig.engwall@mndeerhunters.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cook, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-moose-habitat-collaborative-phase-ii,,,,
23907,"Mustinka River Fish and Wildlife Habitat Corridor Rehabilitation",2015,2440000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e)","$2,440,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Bois de Sioux Watershed District to acquire land in fee and to restore natural systems associated with the Mustinka River located within the Bois de Sioux Watershed. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - The amount of riparian wetland restored and protected will be measured and reported. .Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - Several parcels along proposed corridor are currently enrolled in CRP. The amount of CRP converted to permanent protection will be reported..Water is kept on the land to reduce flood potential and degradation of aquatic habitat - Creating the 260 acre stream corridor will provide additional floodplain storage not currently present along the ditch. The amount of floodplain storage will be measured and the increase in stream habitats and stream stability will be assessed..Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The amount of riparian grassland acres restored and protected will be measured and reported. .Agriculture lands are converted to grasslands to sustain functioning prairie systems - Pre and post project amounts of agricultural lands will be measured and reported..Increased wildlife productivity - The project will restore and protect 260 acres of fish and wildlife habitat including conversion of a 5.5 mile ditch into 8-9 miles of meandering channel. Fish and wildlife use of these habitats will be monitored and reported..The enhanced stream channel and associated riparian wetland and grassland habitats will provide seasonal spawning and nursery habitat to a variety of fish species including northern pike and walleye and some of the other 30+ fish species that are found in the Lake Traverse watershed. This project presents the greatest opportunities that we are aware of in the prairie region of Minnesota at this time to convert a ditch back to a functional stream channel.  If funding for this corridor rehabilitation is not secured, the opportunity to rehabilitate this reach of the Mustinka River Corridor will be lost and it will remain a ditch. .",,,2090900,"Bois De Sioux watershed districtRed RIver Watershed Management BoardFlood Hazard Mitigation Program",2440000,,,,"Bois de Sioux Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This habitat project presents a unique opportunity within the prairie region to convert 5.5 miles of ditched river to 8+ mile long stream channel within a 260 acre fish and wildlife habitat corridor composed of riparian wetlands and grasslands.","In the past 100 years, thousands of miles of rivers and streams in Minnesota were straightened and thousands of acres of riparian wetland and grassland habitat has been lost in the interest of improving drainage. The Mustinka River was first channelized as a state ditch in 1896 and again as an Army Corps of Engineers project in the early 1950’s. This channelization resulted in a direct conversion of about 43 miles of natural sinuous channel and floodplain corridor to about 25 miles of straightened channel without a functional riparian corridor. The Mustinka River (Judicial Ditch 14) currently provides little functional aquatic or riparian corridor habitat.  This stream corridor project will rehabilitate a 5.5 mile portion and directly provide both fish and wildlife habitat benefits in the prairie region. This stream corridor rehabilitation project will convert 5.5 miles of the upper reaches of the Mustinka River to a more functional 8 to 9 mile long meandering channel within a 300 foot wide, 260 acre floodplain corridor.  The stream rehabilitation will be based on the principles of natural channel design with an understanding of the hydrology and fluvial geomorphology at the site. The enhanced stream and associated riparian wetland habitats will provide seasonal spawning and nursery habitat to a variety of fish species including northern pike and walleye and some of the other 30+ fish species that are found in the Lake Traverse watershed.In addition to the fish habitat directly provided in the 8 to 9 mile stream channel, the associated floodplain grassland and wetland habitat elements in the restored and protected 260 acre river corridor will provide year-round wildlife habitat.  An estimated 90% of Minnesota’s prairie wetlands have been lost due to agricultural drainage and development. The land adjacent to the Mustinka river was historically wet prairie and wetlands but was converted to farmland more than 80 years ago.The Bois de Sioux Watershed District has led the development of this project through a “project team” process. This process has been a collaborative effort with members of the project team including the Traverse County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, MN DNR, MPCA, USFWS, conservation groups, and landowners. The Bois de Sioux Watershed District will continue to lead the project and the MNDNR, as a non-funded collaborator, will provide technical assistance during the structure design phase and the development of the operating plan as well as ongoing project monitoring and evaluation of the operation, outcomes, and user groups.The watershed district will be responsible for final design, engineering, and construction of the project.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resource stream habitat experts will be consulted throughout project development and implementation. If funding for this corridor rehabilitation is not secured, the opportunity to rehabilitate this reach of the Mustinka River Corridor will be lost and it will remain a ditch.",,2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Roeschlein,"Bois de Sioux Watershed District","704 Highway 75 South ",Wheaton,MN,56296,"(320) 563-4185",bdswd@frontiernet.net,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Grant, Traverse","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mustinka-river-fish-and-wildlife-habitat-corridor-rehabilitation,,,,
20695,"Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Partnerhip, Phase IV",2014,1180000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$1,180,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society to acquire and enhance lands in Aitkin, Carlton, and Kanabec Counties for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 396 acres of habitat",,205200,"Private Source and Pheasants Forever",1155700,,,.02,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program acquired 1 parcel for a total of 396 acres which fell short of our total acre goal of 410 acres by 14 acres. The Gun Lake parcel purchased in this appropriation illustrates how we are working together to protect only strategic habitat critical to improving sharp-tailed grouse populations.  All acquired acres are within the northern forest region.  We have a balance of $24,300 that will be returned to the Fund.","   Until the 1880s, most of Minnesota was inhabited by sharp-tailed grouse where suitable open and brushland habitat, such as prairies, savannas, sedge meadows and open bogs, occurred.  This indigenous grouse was once one of Minnesota’s most abundant game birds, with over 100,000 harvested annually in the 1940’s.  Loss, degradation and fragmentation of open and brushland habitat within Minnesota due to natural succession and conversion to other land uses (cropland and tree plantations) has lead to a long term decline in this unique grouse’s population (estimated harvest of 10,000 in 2009), causing its listing as a species in greatest conservation need.  Today its remaining range in northern Minnesota, which is less than one-third of its historic range, is in jeopardy of additional fragmentation and degradation.         In east central Minnesota, preliminary research results have shown that genetic diversity of the sharp-tailed grouse population may be declining due to increasing isolation of subpopulations.  In nearby Wisconsin, genetic diversity (allelic diversity and heterozygosity) has declined so greatly that Wisconsin DNR has translocated sharp-tailed grouse to create a genetic infusion to increase the likelihood that populations will persist.  Increasing the amount of protected brushland habitat in northeastern Minnesota will be critical to the sustainability of the local sharp-tailed grouse population and gene exchange between Minnesota and Wisconsin populations.           Specific habitat that will be affected and how actions will directly restore, enhance, and/or protect them:    Specific habitats to be affected will include up to 1,732 acres of openland, brushland, and forest habitat (879 acres wetland and 844 acres upland - hayland, pasture and forest).  Acquisition of the habitats and their transfer to MDNR for management under the state WMA will protect them.  Natural habitats will include wet meadow, sedge meadow, shrub wetland, bog, grassland, and aspen and northern hardwoods forest.  They will be enhanced with prescribed burning, mowing, shearing, timber harvest, and possibly grazing, biomass harvest and occasional haying to maintain open and brushland landscape.  Other land includes hay, pasture and crop land that will be restored to open and brushland habitat through establishment of native vegetation, prescribed burning and natural succession.     Multiple benefits:    Multiple benefits of the above protection, enhancement and restoration actions will include increased plant and animal diversity, carbon sequestration, water retention and filtration, opportunities for biomass harvest, access to public lands for recreation, increases eco-tourism opportunities, economic benefits, and secure habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and other open and brushland species in greatest conservation need.     Wildlife species that will benefit:    In addition to sharp-tailed grouse, several other species that use or depend upon open and brushland habitats are also in decline, listed as species in greatest conservation need, and will benefit from this project, including bobolinks, loggerhead shrikes, short-eared owls, yellow rails, eastern meadowlarks, American bittern, northern harrier, golden-winged warblers, Henslow’s sparrow, Le Conte’s sparrow, Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow, and American woodcock.  Six of these species are state listed as endangered, threatened or special concern.     Game species that will benefit include white-tailed deer, waterfowl (mallards, blue-winged teal, Canada geese, and more species during migration), wild turkey, American woodcock, common snipe, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, fox, raccoon, and bobcat.  Many nongame species such as the Eastern bluebird, American kestrel, brown thrasher, gray catbird, common yellowthroat, sora rail, sedge wren, and spring peeper will benefit, as well as the sandhill crane which is expanding its range.             Urgency and opportunity:     If not acquired while the opportunities exist (i.e., willing sellers and funding opportunities), the chance to protect these priority tracts permanently from land practices incompatible as open and brushland wildlife habitat, and from fragmentation, parcelization and development may be lost.  Incompatible land uses, such as building sites, tree plantings, and uncontrolled natural succession, on a tract not only negatively impacts the tract directly, but also surrounding habitat by fragmenting the open character of the land and impacting area-sensitive wildlife species, such as sharp-tailed grouse that  are adapted to large open vistas.       How priorities were set / Parcel selection and scoring process:   For consideration of protection and enhancement efforts by the partnership, open and brushland tracts must be located within or at the edge of an ECS landtype association identified as a priority open landscape through DNR’s SFRMP landscape planning process.  Further criteria to prioritize which tracts are most critical include a ranking system based upon county location, distance to active sharp-tailed grouse lek, tract size, and distance to protected brushland.  A nearly-completed sharp-tailed grouse habitat use model (attached) will soon be ready for targeting brushland habitat for protection, restoration and enhancement efforts.      Science-based strategic planning and evaluation:    This proposal is based on science-based strategic planning and evaluation.   Biological planning, conservation design, delivery, monitoring and research, and adjustments in strategies as needed are used to maintain an adaptive approach.     Sharp-tailed grouse leks (dancing grounds) are the essential hubs of subpopulations. Nesting and brooding rearing occur in suitable habitat within approximately a two-mile radius of leks.  All but one of the parcels proposed for protection have active leks either located on them or within ¾ mile away.     All tracts will be critical to sustaining nesting and brood rearing habitat for subpopulations of sharp-tailed grouse.  Research by Stanley Temple in Wisconsin suggests that suitable habitat patches of 4000 ha (roughly 10,000 acres, 15½ sq. miles, or a 2.2 mile radius circle) are needed for a sharp-tailed grouse population to survive.  Opportunities to protect and connect suitable patches of this size are dwindling due to development, parcelization and other landscape change pressures.         A pilot study in Aitkin County was conducted in spring/summer 2009 as part of a planned long term study to examine habitat selection, nest success and survival of sharp-tailed grouse.  Data from this study and the long term study to begin spring 2013 will provide addition information to improve and keep management adaptive.     Annual spring surveys of sharp-tailed grouse leks allow for monitoring of local populations and the effect that habitat protection and enhancement and other land management activities have on them.          Level of stakeholder opposition and involvement:   No stakeholder opposition to proposed acquisitions has been encountered.  Proposals to protect land and manage them as public conservation lands are locally-driven by conservation groups, hunters, conservation agency staff, and willing sellers due to the multiple benefits such land protection and management can provide.  Local government has been or will be contacted and their support sought.","Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 396 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife. All land acquired has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring both parcels which will now be celebrated as new WMAs. These new WMAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse near existing leks. The offer to the landowner was based on fair market values and appraisals. The acquired parcel helps address a backlog of willing sellers which is now helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers. We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics. We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners. This proposal was amended to reduce our acre goal which was proposed in the June 2013 Council meeting and approved by the council. We came to the council in June to reduce the obligated acres from the original proposal because of the importance of this parcel and the fact that it costs more per acre than anticipated. The council approved these changes because of this parcels wildlife value which includes multiple sharp-tail leks, water mitigation credits, a DNR history of grouse viewing blinds. Gun Lake WMA is a complex of 762 acres of contiguous habitat. All parcels acquired have been or will be restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been or will be restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Aitkin,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeastern-minnesota-sharp-tailed-grouse-habitat-partnerhip-phase-iv,,,,
796,"Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat, Phase 1",2011,1559000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$1,559,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire interests in land, and to restore and enhance habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Kanabec, Aitkin, and St. Louis Counties in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each acquisition of interest in land, restoration project, and enhancement project. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"1285 acres",,40600,"various private and state",1559000,,,,"Pheasants Forever with MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect, enhance and restore up to 1,419.7 acres of open and brushland habitat and 145 acres of forest habitat in northeastern Minnesota, provide access to additional public lands for recreation, provide multiple environmental benefits, and benefit sharp-tailed grouse and other open and brushland species in greatest conservation need (several of which are state listed as endangered, threatened or special concern) by pursuing acquisitions in Kanabec and Aitkin counties. As noted in the LSOHC's Northern Forest Section Vision, the condition of brushlands within forestlands is of special concern. The partnership, including Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society (MSGS), Pheasants Forever (PF), Minnesota Waterfowl Association (MWA), Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), Central Lakes College Natural Resource Club (CLC) and Minnesota DNR, is collaborating to ensure that landscapes important to the sustainability provide, persist in the future. ","The problem to be addressed is loss, degradation and fragmentation of open and brushland habitat within northeastern Minnesota due to natural succession and conversion to other land uses. It has lead to a long term decline in the sharp-tailed grouse population and populations of several other wildlife species that use or depend upon these habitats, causing their listing as species in the greatest conservation need. This program is directly related to protecting, restoring and enhancing habitat because these measures are precisely what is needed to solve it. The strategy of protection, restoration and enhancement will work because sufficient, secure, quality habitat is key to sustaining wildlife populations. Where brushland wildlife species have the amount and quality of habitat they require, their populations are sustainable, having greater resilience and ability to persist in the future. The nature and extent of the partnership includes project coordination and management by MSGS, grant management and appraisal assistance by PF (i.e. fiscal agent), and cooperation with willing sellers and oversight of habitat work and hiring of contractors by local DNR wildlife managers, as well as financial support from MSGS, PF, MWA, RGS, MDHA, CLC, and DNR. There are no stakeholder or public participation processes associated with the project? other than interested parties are very welcome to join and support the partnership and its habitat efforts. Additional financial support is anticipated from PF and MDHA chapters. No opposition to the? project is anticipated. The two parcels in Kanabec and Aitkin Counties have not had formal County Board approval, but local County Commissioners have been contacted and their initial support successfully sought. ","Accomplishment PlanWorking with numerous partners, Pheasants Forever acquired a strategic 1,284.6 acre parcel of land from a willing seller in Kanabec County. This land has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, the newly acquired WMA will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.The offer to the landowner was based on appraised value and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. This parcel addressed the loss, degradation and fragmentation of open and brushland habitat within northeastern Minnesota due to natural succession and conversion to other land uses. It has lead to a long term decline in the sharp-tailed grouse population and populations of several other wildlife species that use or depend upon these habitats, causing their listing as species in the greatest conservation need. The parcel was identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis.In total, $1,536,536.52 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $51,435 of non-state funding to complete this work.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"PF / MN Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Aitkin","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeastern-minnesota-sharp-tailed-grouse-habitat,,,,
9808,"Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership , Phase 3",2013,1340000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$1,340,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp Tailed Grouse Society to acquire and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 492 acres of habitat",,300,n/a,1306100,,,.07,"Pheasants Forever with MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This sharp-tailed grouse habitat partnership protected 492 acres, primarily brushland, in northeastern Minnesota for addition to the Wildlife Management Area system providing multiple environmental and wildlife benefits.  The partnership between Pheasants Forever, MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, and the MN Department of Natural Resources has become a strong and efficient partnership through the Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership appropriations.  The Pomroy Pastures and Gun Lake parcels purchased in this appropriation exemplify how we are working together to protect only strategic habitat critical to improving sharp-tailed grouse populations.  Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired these 2 parcels for a total of 492 acres which exceeded our acre goal of 476 acres by 16 acres (acre goal was amended on October 31st, 2014 to 476 acres).  Of these 492 acres acquired 114.49 of these were wetland acres and 377.51 were upland acres.  All acres were acquired in the Northern Forest region near existing sharp-tail grouse leks.  Even though we exceeded our acre goal we have a balance of $33,900 that will be returned to the Fund. ",,"Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/3c.pdf Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 492 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife. All land acquired has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring both parcels which will now be celebrated as new WMAs. These new WMAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse near existing leks. The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals. The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota. Parcels were identified in partnership with the MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society and the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Our methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers. We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics. We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners. Similar to the Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership Phase 2, this proposal was amended and approved by the council to reduce our acre goal. We came to the council to reduce the obligated acres from the original proposal because of the importance of the Gun Lake parcel and the fact that it costs more per acre than anticipated. The council approved these changes because of this parcels wildlife value which includes multiple sharp-tail leks, water mitigation credits, a DNR history of grouse viewing blinds. Gun Lake WMA is a complex of 762 acres of contiguous habitat. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been or will be restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection. ",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Kanabec","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeastern-minnesota-sharp-tailed-grouse-habitat-partnership-phase-3,,,,
2541,"Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership, Phase 2",2012,988000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$988,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society to acquire and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 834 acres of Habitat",,6700,,945700,,,.15,"Pheasants Forever with Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership protected 834 acres, primarily brushland, in Kanabec County for addition to the WMA system, providing multiple environmental benefits.",,"Working with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired a strategic 960 acre parcel (834 acres paid for with this appropriation and the balance paid from ML 2012 Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership, Phase III) of land from a willing seller in Kanabec County. This land has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In addition, the newly acquired WMA will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage. The offer to the landowner was based on appraised value and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. This parcel addressed the loss, degradation and fragmentation of open and brushland habitat within northeastern Minnesota due to natural succession and conversion to other land uses. This has led to a long term decline in the sharp-tailed grouse population and populations of several other wildlife species that use or depend upon these habitats, causing their listing as species of the greatest conservation need. The parcel was identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis. In total, $938,190.75 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $6,766.00 of non-state funding to complete this work. ",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever with MN Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society","410 Lincoln Ave S","South Haven ",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Kanabec,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeastern-minnesota-sharp-tailed-grouse-habitat-partnership-phase-2,,,,
23909,"Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership",2015,3150000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$3,150,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society to acquire and enhance lands in Aitkin, Carlton, Kanabec, Pine, and St. Louis Counties for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Protected forestlands will be measured in acres added to the WMA system. Evaluation is not necessary as the lands will be permanent conservation lands. .Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - Habitat acres added which enhance corridors, habitat patch size and connectivity can be measured and evaluated for habitat quality and wildlife use through surveys. .Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Surveys (such as lek, predator scent post, winter track, and small game hunter) will measure and evaluate sharp-tailed grouse and brushland wildlife populations. .Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers - Newly protected habitat acres and the public habitat acres they help access can be measured and evaluated for habitat quality and wildlife use through surveys. .Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation - More habitat acres open to hunting and additional access points will be available. Number of hunters can be estimated from license sales and hunter surveys. .Improved availability and improved condition of habitats that have experienced substantial decline - Addition brushland habitat acres protected, restored and enhanced can be measured and evaluated for improved conditions and wildlife use through surveys. .Addresses the “special concern of the conditions of brushlands within the forestlands.” .",,,31000,"DNR in kind service, Private Source",3150000,,,0.195,"Pheasants Forever with MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This partnership will protect, restore and enhance 2,769 acres, primarily brushland, in northeastern Minnesota.  Habitat will be added to the WMA system and enhanced on existing public lands for species in greatest conservation need, outdoor recreation, and environmental benefits.","Problem and Scope:Until the 1880s, most of Minnesota was inhabited by sharp-tailed grouse where suitable open and brushland habitat, such as prairies, savannas, sedge meadows and open bogs, occurred.  This indigenous grouse was once one of Minnesota’s most abundant game birds, with over 100,000 harvested annually in the 1940’s.  Loss, degradation and fragmentation of open and brushland habitat within Minnesota due to natural succession and conversion to other land uses (cropland and tree plantations) has lead to a long term decline in this unique grouse’s population (estimated harvest of 16,800 in 2010), causing its listing as a species in greatest conservation need.  Today its remaining range in northern Minnesota, which is less than one-third of its historic range, is in jeopardy of additional fragmentation and degradation.      In east central Minnesota, research results have shown that genetic diversity of the sharp-tailed grouse population may be declining due to increasing isolation of subpopulations.  In nearby Wisconsin, genetic diversity has declined so greatly that Wisconsin DNR has translocated sharp-tailed grouse to create a genetic infusion to increase the likelihood of population persistence.  Increasing the amount of protected brushland habitat in northeastern Minnesota will be critical to the sustainability of the local sharp-tailed grouse population and gene exchange between Minnesota and Wisconsin populations.        Specific habitat that will be affected and how actions will directly restore, enhance, and/or protect them:Specific habitats to be affected will include up to 2,769 acres of openland, brushland, cropland and forest habitat.  Acquisition of the habitats and their transfer to MDNR for management as state WMA ,will protect them.  Natural habitats will include wet meadow, sedge meadow, shrub wetland, bog, grassland, and aspen and northern hardwoods forest.  They will be enhanced with prescribed burning, mowing, shearing, timber harvest, and possibly grazing, biomass harvest and occasional haying.  Other land includes hay, pasture and crop land that will be restored to open and brushland habitat through establishment of native vegetation, prescribed burning and natural succession. Multiple benefits: Multiple benefits of the above protection, enhancement and restoration actions will include increased plant and animal diversity, carbon sequestration, water retention and filtration, opportunities for biomass harvest, access to public lands for recreation, increases eco-tourism opportunities, economic benefits, and secure habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and other open and brushland species in greatest conservation need.  Wildlife species that will benefit: In addition to sharp-tailed grouse, several other species that use or depend upon open and brushland habitats are also in decline, listed as species in greatest conservation need, and will benefit from this project, including bobolinks, loggerhead shrikes, short-eared owls, yellow rails, eastern meadowlarks, American bittern, northern harrier, golden-winged warblers, Henslow’s sparrow, Le Conte’s sparrow, Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow, and American woodcock.  Six of these species are state listed as endangered, threatened or special concern.  Game species that will benefit include white-tailed deer, waterfowl (mallards, blue-winged teal, Canada geese, and more species during migration), wild turkey, American woodcock, common snipe, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, fox, raccoon, and bobcat.  Many nongame species such as the Eastern bluebird, American kestrel, brown thrasher, gray catbird, common yellowthroat, sora rail, sedge wren, spring peeper and sandhill crane will benefit.     Urgency and opportunity:  If not acquired while the opportunities exist (i.e., willing sellers and funding opportunities), the chance to protect these priority tracts permanently from land practices incompatible as open and brushland wildlife habitat, and from fragmentation, parcelization and development may be lost.  Incompatible land uses, such as building sites, tree plantings, and uncontrolled natural succession, on a tract not only negatively impacts the tract directly, but also surrounding habitat by fragmenting the open character of the land and impacting area-sensitive wildlife species, such as sharp-tailed grouse that  are adapted to large open vistas.    How priorities were set / Parcel selection and scoring process:For consideration of protection and enhancement efforts by the partnership, open and brushland tracts must be located within or at the edge of an ECS landtype association identified as a priority open landscape through DNR’s SFRMP landscape planning process.  Further criteria to prioritize which tracts are most critical include a ranking system based upon county location, distance to active sharp-tailed grouse lek, tract size, and distance to protected brushland.  A sharp-tailed grouse habitat use model (attached) is being used to target brushland habitat for protection, restoration and enhancement.    Science-based strategic planning and evaluation: This proposal is based on science-based strategic planning and evaluation.   Biological planning, conservation design, delivery, monitoring and research, and adjustments in strategies as needed are used to maintain an adaptive approach. Sharp-tailed grouse leks (dancing grounds) are the essential hubs of subpopulations. Nesting and brooding rearing occur in suitable habitat within approximately a two-mile radius of leks.  All but one of the parcels proposed for protection have active leks either located on them or within ¾ mile away.  All tracts will be critical to sustaining nesting and brood rearing habitat for subpopulations of sharp-tailed grouse.  Research by Stanley Temple in Wisconsin suggests that suitable habitat patches of 4000 ha (roughly 10,000 acres, 15½ sq. miles, or a 2.2 mile radius circle) are needed for a sharp-tailed grouse population to survive.  A pilot study in Aitkin County was conducted in 2009 to examine habitat selection, nest success and survival of sharp-tailed grouse.  Data from this study and a two-year study currently underway will provide addition information for adaptive management. Annual spring surveys of sharp-tailed grouse leks allow for monitoring of local populations and the effect of habitat protection and enhancement and other land management activities on them.       Level of stakeholder opposition and involvement:No stakeholder opposition to proposed acquisitions has been encountered.  Proposals to protect land and manage them as public conservation lands are locally-driven by conservation groups, hunters, conservation agency staff, and willing sellers due to the multiple benefits such land protection and management can provide.  Local government has been or will be contacted and their support sought.",,2014-07-01,2019-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ward,Julien,"Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society","644 - 107th Lane NW ","Coon Rapids",MN,55448,"((763)754) 8361-",wjulien@peoplepc.com,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Carlton, Kanabec, Pine, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeastern-minnesota-sharp-tailed-grouse-habitat-partnership,,,,
10006497,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase IX",2019,1893000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(d)","$1,893,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - This program’s work is primarily focused on the Prairie region. A small portion of the Refuge, however, falls in the Forest-Prairie Transition region. If work is done in this region, the following outcomes will be measured and reported: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) on protected properties. .Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The program’s top priority is protecting native prairie. The majority of lands acquired will be native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams and lakes. The parcel selection criteria also favor building onto existing complexes of prairie/grassland/wetland and protected land. The following outcomes will be measured and reported for acquisition in this region: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/SGCN on protected properties..",None,"A total of 588 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 217 in Fee Title, 371 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",,"TNC, USFWS and USFWS NAWCA",,,,0.76,"The Nature Conservancy; USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity",None,,,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Jackson, Murray, Murray","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-ix,,,,
10011405,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase X",2020,2383000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(d)","$2,383,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - This program’s work is primarily focused on the Prairie region. A small portion of the Refuge, however, falls in the Forest-Prairie Transition region. If work is done in this region, the following outcomes will be measured and reported: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) on protected properties. .Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The program’s top priority is protecting native prairie. The majority of lands acquired will be native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams and lakes. The parcel selection criteria also favor building onto existing complexes of prairie/grassland/wetland and protected land. The following outcomes will be measured and reported for acquisition in this region: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/SGCN on protected properties..",,,296400,"USFWS NAWCA, TNC, USFWS",2326600,56400,,0.80,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 705 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 350 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.To date, the Refuge has protected 9,660 acres in Minnesota. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 705 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 300 acres in fee title and approximately 405 acres with permanent habitat easements.This program’s work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, and lakes.Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria:1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie?2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)?3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land?4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities?5) Is it suitable for public recreation?Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration/enhancement. Restoration/enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. To date, less than 2% of the land acquired was cultivated at the time of purchase. The funds budgeted for this work are primarily for enhancement, like tree and brush removal, to prepare these properties for long-term, sustainable management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, 5,465 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, 3,220 acres are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes 514 acres of wetlands and more than 12 miles of stream and/or lakefront. Offers have been extended to landowners for the protection of 760 additional acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners.With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota’s native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-x,,,,
10000095,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VIII",2018,2683000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(d)","$2,683,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisitions of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - This program's work is primarily focused on the Prairie region. A small portion of the Refuge, however, falls in the Forest-Prairie Transition region. If work is done in this region, the following outcomes will be measured using GIS tools and reported: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/SGCN on protected properties. .Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The program's top priority is protecting native prairie. The majority of lands acquired will be native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams and lakes. The parcel selection criteria also favor building onto existing complexes of prairie/grassland/wetland and protected land. The following outcomes will be measured and reported for acquisition in this region: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/SGCN on protected properties..",,,278500,"USFWS, TNC",2629600,53400,,0.89,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will cooperate to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western Minnesota by purchasing approximately 770 acres of fee title properties and/or habitat easements, with a target of 385 acres of native prairie. ","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and declining grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge encompasses all-or-part of 85 counties in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. A 2015 University of Wisconsin study confirms conversion is still a very real risk. The recent drop in crop prices has slowed this, but the threat isn't gone. Protecting our remaining native prairies before they are lost is critical.Progress towards the Refuge's goal has been limited by available funding. Since 2000, the Refuge has protected 4,970 acres in Minnesota with funding from non-OHF sources. This falls far short of landowner interest.Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund will allow The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will protect approximately 770 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. This will include approximately 385 acres of fee acquisition and approximately 385 acres of permanent habitat easements.This program targets high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The majority of protected lands will be native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, and lakes.Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria:1) Is there native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to native prairie?2) Is the property in a priority area identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)?3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land?4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities?5) Is it suitable for public recreation?Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration/enhancement. Restoration/enhancement will be completed where needed.Previous OHF support has allowed us to make significant progress towards protecting and buffering our remaining native prairie. Since 2013, 3,800 acres have been added to the Refuge. 2,470 acres are classified as native prairie. Additional habitat includes 410 acres of wetlands and 11 miles of stream/lakefront. Landowners have committed an additional 294 acres, including 159 native prairie acres. Negotiations are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners.The Nature Conservancy (the Conservancy) may be reimbursed for salary and fringe benefits based on a provisional fringe benefits rate consistent with federal regulations and negotiated annually with the Conservancy's cognizant agency. Within 180 days of the end of each Nature Conservancy fiscal year, the Conservancy will provide MN DNR with the actual fringe benefits rate for the prior year and reconcile any overpayment made by the State. This approach is consistent with ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 8 (Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures). ",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Norman, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Rock, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-viii,,,,
10019637,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XII",2022,3280000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(d)","$3,280,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Land acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,266200,"PF NAWCA",3234500,45500,,0.98,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 875 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 469 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected more than 12,000 acres. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 875 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 350 acres in fee title and approximately 525 acres with permanent habitat easements. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds for this work are primarily for enhancement activities such as invasives, tree, and brush removal that prepare these properties for long-term management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, approximately 6,319 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, approximately 3,715 acres (nearly 60%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes nearly 560 acres of wetlands, nearly 15 miles of stream front, and more than 2 miles of lakefront. We have signed agreements with landowners for the protection of approximately 737 additional acres (470 acres of which are native prairie), and are negotiating with landowners on an additional 75 acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310790,ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xii,,,,
10017820,"Northern Forest Habitat Conservation",2021,4205000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(c )","$4,205,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire forest land in fee to be permanently protected and managed by St. Louis County as county forest lands. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - Northern Forestlands are protected to promote healthy and diverse forests, keep water clean and help maintain healthy wildlife populations This project will permanently protect the plants, animals, natural communities and wildlife habitats found in the forests, wetlands, and shorelines of approximately 3,900 acres of at-risk land with fee title acquisition. The project will permanently restrict incompatible land uses such as development, subdivision, land conversion or other activities that would damage those features. The project will prevent habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and associated wildlife population declines associated with development and fragmentation",,,,,4179000,26000,,0.25,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Minnesota Land Trust, The Conservation Fund and St. Louis County seek to strategically acquire up to 4,600 acres of former industrial forest land to permanently maintain large, unfragmented blocks of northeast forest habitats vital to regional wildlife populations and sustainable forestry.","St. Louis County lies at the center of Minnesota's iconic northern forest landscape. Northern forests provide high quality wildlife habitat, clean water, sustainable forestry products and recreational opportunities because of the large, contiguous, publicly accessible lands. The restructuring of the global timber industry has put Minnesota's forest lands at risk as industrial owners divest land assets. The Minnesota Forest Resources Council identified parcelization of these lands as the primary threat to the ecological and economic health of Minnesota's forests. To ensure healthy game and non-game wildlife populations and to maintain historic public access points for hunting and fishing for future generations the integrity of large forest tracks must be preserved. The time is now to secure these lands to preserve the quality of northern forest habitats and provide enduring public benefits. Goals and Scope of Work The goal of this project is to ensure long term sustainability of game species such as, white tail deer and ruffed grouse as well as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) including moose, spruce grouse, northern long-eared bat and Canada lynx in St. Louis County. Our objective is to acquire fee title to up to 3,900 acres of strategically located for-sale industrial forest land to fill the gaps between existing public forest lands managed by St. Louis County Lands & Minerals Department (SLCMD). Sustainable, long-term management of large unfragmented forest tracts are essential to guarantee robust wildlife populations for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. The acquired lands help secure the future of the forested landscape in northern Minnesota by enhancing sustainable management of St. Louis County's forest resources and ensuring permanent public access to these large contiguous forest tracts. All of the lands to be purchased through this appropriation are at-risk former industrial forest lands. PotlatchDeltic Corporation (Potlatch) is actively divesting more than 10,200 acres in St. Louis County, which puts public access for hunting and fishing at imminent risk. The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and project partners, St. Louis County Lands & Minerals Department (SLCLMD) and The Conservation Fund (TCF), will prioritize and acquire parcels that best preserve forest integrity and public access. The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) with the assistance of The Conservation Fund (TCF) will use appropriated funds for the fee-title purchase of strategic forest parcels. The lands will then be transferred to SLCLMD for permanent conservation and management. All lands will be open to public hunting and fishing. The St. Louis County Board unanimously approved this project (Attachment A).",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kris,Larson,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",klarson@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-forest-habitat-conservation,,,,
10017821,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XI",2021,2295000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(d)","$2,295,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,184700,"PF NAWCA, TNC and USFWS",2261200,33800,,0.86,"The Nature Conservancy w/USFWS ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 620 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 333 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or the US Fish and Wildlife Service and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected 11,400 acres in Minnesota. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 620 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 245 acres in fee title and approximately 375 acres with permanent habitat easements. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds budgeted for this work are primarily for enhancement activities, including tree and brush removal, to prepare these properties for long-term, sustainable management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, 5,787 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, 3,400 acres (nearly 60%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes more than 500 acres of wetlands, more than 10 miles of stream front, and more than 2 miles of lakefront. Offers have been extended to landowners for the protection of 215 additional acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310790,ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xi,,,,
788,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Protection, Phase II",2011,2041000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$2,041,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed fee title and permanent easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan.",,"Protect in Fee w/o PILT 564 acres of prairies, Enhanced 488 acres of Prairie",,,,2041000,,,,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will permanently protect remnant native prairie and associated wetland complexes in western Minnesota by purchasing fee title properties and/or habitat easements. Lands and easements purchased through this program by The Nature Conservancy will be transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and will become units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge to be owned and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The majority of the lands protected will consist of native prairie, however, restoration of wetlands and grasslands will also be completed where needed. ","The Northern tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve, restore and manage a portion of the remaining critical northern tallgrass prairie habitat and associated habitats at widespread locations throughout the western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa historic range. Only 5 percent of the original tallgrass prairie remains for preservation consideration throughout the entire historic tallgrass prairie range. Native prairie declines of 99.9% and 99.6% have occurred in Iowa and Minnesota, respectively. Grassland dependent bird species have shown steeper, more consistent, and geographically more widespread declines than any other group of North American birds. The number of acres purchased annually has been limited due to funding shortfalls since the establishment of this refuge. The current land acquisition budget cannot keep up with landowner interest? in this program. This funding will allow us to better meet refuge goals and objectives to protect this vanishing habitat. The Nature Conservancy will work closely with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to review potential properties within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area. These properties will be ranked by Service field staff who will work with the TNC personnel to permanently protect these tracts. ","Final Report",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway ",Minneapolis,None,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Norman, Polk, Pope, Pope","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-protection,,,,
9800,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition , Phase 4",2013,1580000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$1,580,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protected 769 acres of prairies.",,175500,"TNC, USFWS, NAWCA, and LWCF",1579900,,,1.05,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 769 acres in western Minnesota.  These properties included 287 acres of remnant native prairie, 112 acres of associated wetland complexes, and 19,500' of stream front.  For this phase, we committed to protecting 500 acres with a minimum of 250 being native prairie.  Both targets were exceeded – 153% of total acres and 115% of native prairie acres.  The lands and easements purchased with this funding by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have been transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and are now units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes where there are the greatest opportunities for the long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition (NTP NWR) program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffer them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.  This program’s top criterion for parcel prioritization is the presence of remnant native prairie.  The criteria also ask: 1) Is the project located in an existing complex of habitat and protected lands? and 2) Are rare species and/or communities present?  As a result, the parcels protected often include other valuable native habitat.  In addition to native prairie, the five acquired properties included 112 acres of wetlands, 19,500' of stream front, and 140-acres of high-quality riparian forest.  All of the lands protected were in the priority areas identified in the Prairie Plan.  Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey confirms the conservation value of the lands protected.  329 acres were identified as having significant biodiversity significance, with 2/3 of these ranked as having high or outstanding biodiversity.  The appropriation language and original accomplishment plan for this phase permitted the purchase of either fee title properties or permanent habitat easements.  The final balance of fee and easement work depended on the best conservation opportunities available.  Five projects were completed with funding from this phase.  These included 76 acres of fee title acquisition and 693 acres of permanent conservation easements.  Across multiple phases, the balance between fee and easement acquisition varies.  The ML 2010 phase funded more fee acres.  ML 2011 and 2012 purchased more easements.  The following phase, ML 2014, is on track do significantly more fee than easement work.  This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component.  The prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition.    Because of the nature of parcel ownership, however, some properties will likely include small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed where needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for future management.  Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included 6.3 acres of grassland restoration, 46.6 acres of tree and/or dense vegetation removal, and 426.2 acres of scattered vegetation removal.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting.  Two things to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet and Output Tables:1) The Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date.  The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan.  It does not reflect any later amendments.  This discrepancy resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting during this phase.2) The Output Tables tab shows all of the original Acres and Funding on the Protect in Fee W/O State PILT Liability.  The ‘either/or’ language in the original, paper-based accomplishment plans didn’t carry over when the plan was migrated to the online system.  The new system didn’t allow ‘or’ situations.  The acres all appear under Protect in Fee w/o PILT in the attached Output Tables.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Richard ",Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway ",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Pope, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-4,,,,
23937,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition , Phase V",2015,2450000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$2,450,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"USFWS and TNC biologists and GIS analysts measured the following outcomes from this funding: Total acres protected - 887 acres Acres of native prairie - 664 acres Other native habitat protected - 76 acres of wetlands and 8,500' of streamfront Projects located in MN Prairie Conservation Plan core/corridor/complex - 100% (10 of 10 properties) Acres identified by MN Biological Survey as biologically significant - 553 acres Expiring CRP lands permanently protected - 86 acres ",,352400,"USFWS ",2449400,40900,,1.50,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 887 acres in western Minnesota. These properties included 664 acres of remnant native prairie, 76 acres of associated wetlands complexes, and 8,500' of streamfront. For this phase we originally planned to protect 740 acres with a minimum of 375 native prairie. Both targets were exceeded - 120% of total acres and 177% of native prairie acres. The land and easements purchased with this funding by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have been transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and are now units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes where there are the greatest opportunities for the long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition (NTP NWR) program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.   This phase included the purchase of both fee title properties and permanent habitat easements.  The original targets for fee and conservation easement acquisition were 485 acres and 255 acres, respectively.  Both goals were exceeded - 520 acres of fee (107% of goal) and 367 acres of easements (144% of goal).  This program’s top criterion for selecting projects is the presence of remnant native prairie.  As noted above, 664 acres of remnant native prairie were permanently protected.  Another important goal is protecting lands in existing complexes of habitat and protected lands.  All of the acquired properties were in areas identified as a priority core/complex/corridor in the Prairie Plan.  We also target lands with high-quality habitat and the rare species this habitat supports.  Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey confirm the conservation value of the lands conserved.  553 acres were identified as having significant biodiversity, with 272 of these ranked as having high or outstanding biodiversity.  These lands support a wide-range of prairie species of concern, including Greater Prairie Chickens, Wilson's Phalaropes, Blandings's Turtles, and Regal Fritallaries.  Another highlight in this phase was the protection of several rare outcrops of Sioux Quartzite and the species that depend on these outcrops.  This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component.  The prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition.    Because of the nature of parcel ownership, however, some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed where needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for future management.  Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included 149 acres of grassland site preparation/seeding or interseeding/mowing, 6 acres of tree and/or dense vegetation removal, and 98 acres of scattered vegetation removal.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting.   One thing to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet.  The Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date.  The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan.  It does not reflect any later amendments.  This discrepancy resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting during this phase.  See the final version of the Accomplishment Plan, approved in January, 2017, for the final figures. ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway ",Minneapolis,,55415-1291,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-v,,,,
2532,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition, Phase 3",2012,1720000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$1,720,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protected 752 acres of remnant native prairie and 78 acres of associated wetland complexes for a total of 977 acres.",,167200,"The Nature Conservancy Personnel",1715100,,,.41,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 977 acres in western Minnesota. These properties included 752 acres of remnant native prairie, 78 acres of associated wetland complexes, 8,950' of stream front, and 9,400' of lakeshore. Lands and easements purchased through this program by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and become units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. These lands are owned and managed by the FWS. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority. Only a small portion of this once vast prairie still exists. The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) identifies approximately 249,000 acres of remaining native prairie. Of these, about half are without permanent protection and at risk of conversion. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve, restore, and manage a portion of this remaining prairie and associated habitats. The funding in this appropriation has allowed us to significantly accelerate progress towards these goals. 977 acres in western Minnesota were permanently protected with conservation easements. These properties included 752 acres of remnant native prairie, 78 acres of associated wetland complexes, 8,950' of stream front, and 9,400' of lakeshore. The area protected by the Refuge increased by 18.4%. Data from MBS confirms the conservation value of the lands protected. Of the 977 acres, 811 were classified by the Survey as having Outstanding, High, or Moderate biodiversity significance. Over half, 497 acres, was ranked as Outstanding. The original target for native prairie protection was 744 acres. We exceeded this goal, with 752 acres. The initial goal for total acres-protected was 1,470 acres. This was based on acquiring a mix of lands in Northwest, Central and Southwest Minnesota. Land values vary widely across the state. The highest-quality lands available during this phase were in areas with higher costs. This made it a challenge to accomplish the 1,470 acre goal. In a multi-year program, like this one, individual phases are likely to be over or under the target. It is, however, important that the program can meet-or-exceed its goals over a longer period. Acquisition work with the ML 2010, 2011, and 2012 appropriations is now complete. The acres protected in ML 2010 and 2012 were significantly more than projected. This more than outweighed the shortfall in the ML 2011 phase. Together, the accomplishment plans for the three phases committed to 2,605 acres. A total of 2,796 acres have been protected. Another challenge was the balance between fee and easement acquisition. The appropriation language and original accomplishment plan for this phase permitted the purchase of either fee title properties or permanent habitat easements. The final balance of fee and easement work would depend on the opportunities available. The ‘either/or’ language in the earlier, paper-based accomplishment plans didn’t carry over when the plan was migrated to the online system. The new system didn’t allow ‘or’ situations. The acres all appear under Protect in Fee w/o PILT in the attached Output Tables. In the end, a total of 977 acres of conservation easements were acquired. These were the best conservation opportunities available during this phase. This is borne out by the 744 acres of native prairie protected and the 83% of these lands classified as having significant biodiversity by the Biological Survey. Again, across multiple phases, there is likely to be more balance between fee and easement acquisition. The ML 2010 phase funded more fee acquisition protection. ML 2011 and 2012 purchased more easements. Our current acquisition work, with ML 2014 funding, is doing significantly more fee protection. A couple of additional things to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet/Output Tables/Parcel List: First, the Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date. The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan. It does not reflect any later amendments. This discrepancy also resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting. Second, the Murray County #3 property on the Parcels tab shows the dollars/acres for only a portion of this parcel. This purchase was split between two appropriations, ML 2010 and 2011. The total cost was $846,225 and the total area was 187 acres. The ML 2010 appropriation paid for $734,623 of this. These costs, and a proportional share of the acres accomplished, were reported with that round. The $111,602 and 25 acres shown here are the remaining amounts.",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,612-331-0790,rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-3,,,,
35044,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VI",2016,3428200,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$3,430,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"686 acres protected (in fee without state PILT liability) and 597 acres protected in easement for a total of 1,283 acres ",,456300,"USFWS, TNC ",3384200,40000,,1.21,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 1,283 acres in western Minnesota, including 583 acres of remnant prairie, 500 acres of other grasslands, 88 acres of wetlands, and more than 8,150' of streamfront. For this phase we had originally planned to protect 1,090 acres, with at least 545 acres of native prairie. We exceeded both goals, protecting 118% of the total acre goal and 107% of the native prairie acre goal. All parcels that were purchased with this funding by TNC have been transferred to the USFWS as part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes in areas with the greatest opportunities for long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NTP NWR) Land Acquisition program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.   This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component of the acres acquired.  While the prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition, because of the nature of parcel ownership some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed only on parcels acquired with this funding, as needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for inclusion into the NTP NWR and future management.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting. ",2015-07-01,2020-11-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Pope, Wilkin","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-vi-1,,,,
35089,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VII",2017,2754000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)"," $2,754,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"This program?s top criterion for selecting projects is the presence of remnant native prairie. As noted above, 486 acres of remnant native prairie were permanently protected. Another important goal is protecting lands in existing complexes of habitat and protected lands were in areas identified as a Prairie Core or Corridor in the MN Prairie Plan. We also target lands with high-quality habitat and the rare species this habitat supports. Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey identified nearly 2/3 of the protected acres as having significant biodiversity. These lands support a wide range of prairie species of concern and the vegetative communities that support them, including wet, mesic, and dry hill prairies, wet seepage prairies, calcareous fens, and migratory stopover habitats for water birds. Species benefited by the protected parcels include Blanding's turtles, the creek heelsplitter mussel, nesting upland sandpipers, small white lady?s slipper, and many others. Another highlight in this phase was the protection of multiple lengths of stream that are designated critical habitat for the federally endangered Topeka shiner.","A total of 910 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 482 in Fee Title, 428 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",516600,"PF-USFWS, TNC and USFWS",2660600,52300,,1.07,"The Nature Conservancy w/USFWS ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The acquisition work for this phase has been completed. The goal for this phase was the protection of 730 acres, 390 in fee title and 340 in conservation easements. Over the life of the grant we protected 910 acres (124% of the goal), 482 acres in fee title and 428 acres in conservation easements. The goal for native prairie acres for this phase was 410 acres. We protected a total of 456 native prairie acres (111% of the goal): 220 native prairie acres in fee title and 256 native prairie acres in easements.","The Council?s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota?s remaining native prairies as a critical priority. The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes in areas with the greatest opportunities for long-term conservation of these prairies. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NTP NWR) Land Acquisition program shares these goals. This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them. With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals. This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component of the acres acquired. While the prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition, because of the nature of parcel ownership some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement. This work is completed only on parcels acquired with this funding, as needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for inclusion into the NTP NWR and future management. These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting. Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included grassland site preparation/seeding or interseeding/mowing, tree and/or dense vegetation removal and invasive species control on two parcels.",,2016-07-01,2022-05-23,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Pipestone, Pope, Rock","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-vii,,,,
773,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Protection, Phase 1",2010,,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$1,583,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tall Grass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota. The commissioner may advance funds to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed fee title and permanent easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Land removed from this program shall transfer to the state.",,,,,,,,,None,"US Fish and Wildlife Service","Federal Government","This program will protect, in perpetuity, native prairie tracts in western Minnesota. Fee title tracts will be the top priority for the funding. Funding will be used for the purchase of habitat easements if the funding cannot be used entirely on fee title tracts. The funding will purchase approximately 525 acres of native prairie in fee title, 1,583 acres of habitat easements, or a combination of the two. Lands protected will be within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area (HPA) in western Minnesota and will become units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.",None,"Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/2e.pdf",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Alice,M.,"US Fish and Wildlife Service"," ",None,None,None,,janiece.watts@lsohc.leg.mn,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tall-grass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-protection,,,,
784,"Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - FY 2010",2010,4000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for a pilot program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government, for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Up to 6-1/2 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grant. The funds may be advanced in three equal sums, on or after November 1, 2009, February 1, 2010, and April 1, 2010. Grantees may protect land through acquisition of land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. The program shall require a match of at least $1 nonstate funds to $10 state funds. The nonstate dollars match may be in-kind. The criteria for evaluating grant applications must include amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; degree of collaboration; urgency; multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with sound conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the state wildlife action plan. Priority may be given to projects acquiring land or easements associated with existing wildlife management areas. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership. To the extent possible, a person conducting prairie restorations with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination. Subdivision 10 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2013, at which time all grant projects must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the grant agreement. No less than 15 percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council. As a condition of proceeding with this appropriation, the commissioner shall report on the feasibility, process, and timeline for creation of a Minnesota fish and wildlife foundation, to be modeled after the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and on the possibility of allowing for the administration by this entity of the conservation partners grant program. The legislative guide created in this act shall consider whether this program should be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the commissioner of natural resources, or some neutral third party.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicators Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Improved aquatic habitat indicators Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Remnant goat prairies are perpetually protected High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat Improved aquatic habitat indicators Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat Landlocked public properties have increased access for land managers Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Water is kept on the land Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","A total of 10,243 acres were effected: 3,863 enhanced, 752 protect in easement, 369 protected in fee w/o PILT, 610 protect in fee with PILT, and 4,649 restored. 370 acres were restored native prairie. ",,,,4000000,,,2.0,DNR,"State Government","This program is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% non-state cash or in-kind match was required from all grantees, and was identified at the time of application. ","CONSERVATION PARTNERS GRANTS PROGRAM This grant program consists of two activity categories: Category 1 - Restoration and Enhancement. For the purpose of this grant program, this work is defined as: Restore: action to bring a habitat back to a former state of sustaining fish, game or wildlife, with an ultimate goal of restoring habitat to a desired conservation condition. Enhance: action to increase the ability of habitat and related natural systems to sustain and improve fish, game or wildlife in an ecologically sound manner. Projects funded under Category 1, Restoration and Enhancement, consists of activities that restore or enhance habitat for fish, game, or wildlife on lands permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership. Specific activities can be found in LSOHC Habitat activity Definitions. 1. Proposed projects on public lands are approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement are reviewed by public land managers. Proof of review or approval is submitted with the grant application. 2. Restoration and enhancement activities are considered permanent work and a conservation easement is required for private lands before work could begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs can be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds. 3. Grantees are responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, Natural Heritage Review, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits are included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign these duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent. 4. The Commissioner of Natural Resources will approve all projects. 5. Vegetation and seed used in these projects are from ecotypes native to MN, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible. Existing native prairies are protected from genetic contamination to the extent possible. 6. A restoration and management plan is prepared for all restorations, consistent with the highest quality conservation and ecological goals for the restoration site. The plans include: a. The proposed timetable for implementing the restoration, including i. site preparation, ii. establishment of diverse plant species, iii. maintenance, and iv. additional enhancement to establish the restoration; b. Identification of long-term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how the maintenance, management, and enhancement will be financed; and c. the best available science to achieve the best restoration. 7. Grantees give consideration to and make timely written contact with the MN Conservation Corps for consideration of possible use of their services to contract for restoration and enhancement services. Category 2 - Land Protection Protect: action to maintain the ability of habitat and related natural systems to sustain fish, game or wildlife through acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. For the purpose of this grant program, this work is defined as: Acquisitions funded under Category 2 ? Land protection of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife by acquiring land through fee title or permanent easement. Lands acquired in fee title are open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons. Easements include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements. 1. The Commissioner of Natural Resources will agree to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager are specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency are donated. 2. For permanent easements, the following information is provided: a. What organization monitors the easement; b. Who the easement reverts to in the event the primary easement holder ceases to exist; c. What easement monitoring standards are used; d. Amount, funding source, and holder of the stewardship endowment dedicated to the easement; and e. Any restrictions, allowed structures, allowed activities, and reserved rights. 3. A restoration and management plan is prepared for all newly acquired lands as described in Category 1.6 above. 4. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition are reported to the LSOHC. 5. A Notice of Funding Restriction is recorded for each acquisition. 6. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands is provided to the LSOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency. 7. The grantee will submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to LSOHC by December 1 each year. Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR are required to follow DNR?s Third Party Land Acquisition Procedures. All appraisals are done to Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice standards. All land surveys are done to meet DNR?s General Requirements for Land Surveys. Lands that are conveyed to a public agency for long-term management are brought up to the agency?s minimum operating standards before being conveyed. General Program Requirements: all grants will be closed by June 30, 2013, at which time all projects are completed and final products delivered. All grant projects conform to the terms set out in the 2009 MN Session Law Chapter 172, and address the priorities in the MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. In implementing this program the DNR complies with the Office of Grants Management policies. Grantee Match: The match requirement is 10% in nonstate cash or in-kind work, which includes verifiable equipment use, donation of materials, and donation of labor. The amount and source of the match is identified at the time of application. Proof of all required and pledged grantee match will be provided before the final payment is made. Grant Process: A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be posted on the DNR and LSOHC websites in August 2009. The RFP contains grant program, application criteria, application and proposal requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP and all grant agreements incorporate appropriate principles and criteria from the 2009 LSOHC Strategic Plan. Applications will be accepted electronically, with grants selected for funding in December, 2009, and March, 2010. Maps and aerial photos showing the location of proposed projects are required, and include the name of the public land unit or private landowner, county, legal description, acres affected, and on-site and adjacent habitat types. DNR Grants Program staff will work with grant applicants to ensure applications are complete, compile all grant applications, and enter applications into a database. A Technical Guidance Committee selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources will rank applications based on criteria established by the LSOHC and MN State Legislature and recommend projects and funding levels. This committee includes representatives from DNR, BWSR, the U of M, the USFWS, and other appropriate members. The Commissioner will make the final decision on projects funded, and funding levels. Ranking Criteria Used: 1. Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected 2. Local support 3. Degree of collaboration 4. Urgency 5. Multiple benefits 6. Habitat benefits provided 7. Consistency with sound conservation science 8. Adjacency to protected lands 9. Full funding of the project 10. Supplementing existing funding 11. Public access for hunting and fishing during the open season 12. Sustainability 13. Use of native plant materials Every effort will be made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level. Once grant applications are selected, DNR Grants Program staff will work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork is completed. Work will not begin until the grant is executed. Grant Payment: Grant payments will be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in the grant agreement. Periodic payments will be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved accomplishment plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Capital equipment expenditures are not allowed. No less than 15 percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the LSOHC. Project Reviews and Reporting Project reviews will be completed on an annual basis by Grant Program or other DNR staff. Grantees will submit annual accomplishment reports in the form determined by the LSOHC by September 1 of each year. These reports are based on work completed during the previous fiscal year. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report includes an evaluation of these results. A map and aerial photo showing the location of the project and including the name of the public land unit or private landowner, county, legal description, and acres affected will be included. DNR Grant Program staff will compile grantee reports and submit an annual accomplishment report to the LSOHC, Legislative Coordinating Commission, and Department of Finance on October 15 of each year. Accomplishment information will be posted on LSOHC and DNR websites. MN FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION REPORT: This report will be submitted by January 1, 2010 to the Legislature by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. It considers the feasibility, process, and timeline for creation of a MN fish and wildlife foundation, to be modeled after the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and on the possibility of allowing for the administration by this entity of the conservation partners grant program. The legislative guide created in this act will consider whether this program should be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the commissioner of natural resources, or some neutral third party. ","Final Report",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd N ","Saint Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Hubbard, Isanti, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Stearns, Steele, Steele","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-heritage-conservation-partners-grant-program-fy-2010,,,,
814,"Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - FY 2011",2011,4386000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$4,386,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government, for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Up to four percent of this appropriation may be used by the commissioner of natural resources for administering the grant program. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for grants of $100,000 or less and a match of at least 15 percent from nonstate sources for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. The criteria for evaluating grant applications must include, in a balanced and equally weighted order of precedence, the amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; degree of collaboration; urgency; capacity to achieve multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with current conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the Minnesota wildlife action plan. Subject to the evaluation criteria and requirements of this paragraph and Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall give priority to organizations that have a history or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects when evaluating projects of equal value. Priority may be given to projects acquiring land or easements associated with existing wildlife management areas. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Subdivision 9 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b). This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, at which time all grant project work must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the grant agreement. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicators Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Improved aquatic habitat indicators Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat Improved aquatic habitat indicators Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","8750 acres",,,,4386000,,,1.4,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (CPL) is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and governments. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match was identified at the time of application. CPL Program Staff developed a Request for Proposal and Program Manual, solicited applications and oversaw the grant selection process, prepared and executed grant documents, reviewed expenditure documentation, ensured recipients were only reimbursed for allowable expenses, monitored grant work, and assisted recipients with closing out grants. Up to 4% of the appropriation was used for administering the grant program. ","Applicants applied for grants under this program to enhance, restore, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. For projects that restore and/or enhance 1. Projects are only on lands under permanent protection of public fee ownership, or conservation easement as defined in MS 84C.01 or public ownership or in public waters as defined in MS 103G.005, subd. 15. Projects may be done on tribal lands under federal trust arrangements. 2. A conservation easement must be placed on any private land impacted before work may begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs may be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds. 3. Proposed projects on public lands are approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement are reviewed by the easement holder. Proof of review or approval must be submitted to grant staff before the application deadline. The private landowner must agree to the project as well. 4. Grantees are responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits should be included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent. 5. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff, and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be uploaded to the CPL Application System. 6. The Commissioner of Natural Resources must approve all projects. 7. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request. For projects that will protect 1. Lands acquired in fee title will be open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons unless otherwise provided by law. 2. All easements must be permanent. Easements must include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements. 3. Projects to acquire land in fee simple title or a permanent conservation easement must be associated with established land acquisition programs that use explicit criteria for evaluating a parcel's habitat potential. 4. Grantees must agree to abide by all L-SOHC requirements for long-term management of any lands acquired with Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF). 5. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager must be specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency must be donated. 6. Some State programs have specific statutory guidelines for determining the value of easements acquired under that program. If the easement will become part of that State program and the easement will be held by the State, any entity acquiring the easement may use that program's statutory method for the easement valuation. 7. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition must be reported to the L-SOHC, 8. A Notice of Funding Restriction must be recorded for each acquisition. 9. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands must be provided to the L-SOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency. 10.The grantee must submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to the L-SOHC by December 1 of each year. 11.Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR's Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands to be Conveyed to DNR. 12. Grantees acquiring land that will NOT be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR's Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands NOT to be Conveyed to DNR. 13.A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be, uploaded to the CPL Application System. 14.All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request. General Program Requirements Funds for this program were available until June 30, 2014. All grant projects must meet requirements of the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and the L-SOHC's 2010 Call for Funding Requests. In addition, projects must address the priorities in the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. Capital expenditures and indirect costs are not allowed. In administering this program the DNR will comply with the Department of Administration, OGM policies. Grantee Match A match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match was identified at the time of application. Grantee Payment Grantees are paid on a reimbursement basis unless other arrangements are specified and approved in a grantee's application and work program. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs, to match federal share, or for acquisitions. Advances must be specified in the grantee's application and final grant agreement or work program. Partial payments will be allowed. 5% of each grant was held back until a grant accomplishment report has been completed by the grantee. Grant Process A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in early August, 2010. The RFP contains grant program information, application criteria, application requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP, Program Manual, and all grant agreements incorporate appropriate principles and criteria from the L-SOHC's 2010 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation. Applications were accepted electronically for two grant rounds. Any ungranted funds from the first cycle were available for use in following cycles. Applications were submitted electronically using CPL's Online Grant Application System (OLGA). All project sites were mapped using OLGA's mapping tool. OLGA accepted applications beginning in August, 2010 until the deadline for the first round of grants in mid-September, 2010. The application system did not accept applications during the review process. OLGA was re-activated in December, 2010 mid-February, 2011 to accept applications for a second round of grants. CPL Grant Program Staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources reviewed and scored applications based on criteria established by the L-SOHC, MN State Legislature and DNR. These committees include representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from both government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee made up of the Chief Financial Officer, and Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decision on the projects funded and funding levels. Projects may be fully or partially funded. Every effort was made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level, with an objective of granting 50% of the funds to projects above $125,000, and 50% of the funds to projects below $125,000. CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork are completed. Work may not begin until the grant is executed. Project Reviews and Reporting Project reviews are completed as required by Office of Grants Management Policy 08-10, Monitoring. Grantees report accomplishments on a CPL Report Form by September 1 of each year. Reports must account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Grant Program staff compile grantee reports and submit an annual accomplishment report to the L-SOHC by January 15 February 1 and October 15 August 1 of each year. This report contains information on the number of agreements made, amount of reimbursement paid to grantees, accomplishments by grantees, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. Accomplishment information is also be posted on L-SOHC and DNR websites. Relationship to Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan and other published resource management plans. This program provides additional funds to enhance, restore, and protect habitat in Minnesota. All published resource management and species plans?including the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan?recognize that habitat is critical for the success of Minnesota's fish and wildlife species. Lack of funding is consistently listed in many plans as one of the largest issues limiting the amount of habitat work and protection that is completed each year. In the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan, habitat restoration and enhancement is specified in the following priorities: H1: Protect priority land habitats (pg 63) H2: Protect critical shorelands of streams and lakes (pg 67) H4: Restore and protect shallow lakes (pg 78) H5: Restore land, wetlands, and associated wetlands (pg 80) H7: Keep water on the landscape (pg 84) LU 8: Protect large blocks of forested land (pg 130) L10: Support and expand sustainable practices on working forested lands (pg 131) Other plans that list habitat restoration, enhancement and protection as priorities include: Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy), which identifies habitat loss and degradation as the primary problem facing species in greatest conservation need in Minnesota. The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Strategies #1 and 2. The DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife has several key plans identifying acquisition and habitat goals for fish and wildlife populations. Habitat goals are also addressed through more focused plans and programs that can be found on the DNR's website. National plans include the North American Wetland Management Plan, various Joint Venture Plans, National Fish Habitat Initiative, and all the Bird Conservation Plans. Non-governmental conservation agencies such as Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon Minnesota have developed their own conservation plans that list habitat restoration, enhancement and protection as a priority. ","Accomplishment PlanBackground: Applicants applied for grants under this program to enhance, restore, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.For projects that restore and/or enhance1. Projects will be only on lands under permanent protection of public fee ownership, or conservation easement as defined in MS 84C.01 or public ownership or in public waters as defined in MS 103G.005, subd. 15. Projects may be done on tribal lands under federal trust arrangements. 2. A conservation easement must be placed on any private land impacted before work may begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs may be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds.3. Proposed projects on public lands will be approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement will be reviewed by the easement holder. Proof of review or approval must be submitted to grant staff before the application deadline. The private landowner must agree to the project as well.4. Grantees will be responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits should be included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent.5. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff, and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be uploaded to the CPL Application System.6. The Commissioner of Natural Resources must approve all projects.7. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request.For projects that protect1. Lands acquired in fee title will be open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons unless otherwise provided by law.2. All easements must be permanent. Easements must include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements.3. Projects to acquire land in fee simple title or a permanent conservation easement must be associated with established land acquisition programs that use explicit criteria for evaluating a parcel’s habitat potential.4. Grantees must agree to abide by all L-SOHC requirements for long-term management of any lands acquired with Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF).5. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager must be specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency must be donated.6. Some State programs have specific statutory guidelines for determining the value of easements acquired under that program. If the easement will become part of that State program and the easement will be held by the State, any entity acquiring the easement may use that program’s statutory method for the easement valuation. 7. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition must be reported to the L-SOHC, 8. A Notice of Funding Restriction must be recorded for each acquisition.9. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands must be provided to the L-SOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency.10. The grantee must submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to the L-SOHC by December 1 of each year. 11. Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR’s Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands to be Conveyed to DNR. 12. Grantees acquiring land that will NOT be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR’s Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands NOT to be Conveyed to DNR.13. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be, uploaded to the CPL Application System.14. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for FundingGeneral Program RequirementsFunds for this program were available until June 30, 2014. All grant projects met requirements of the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and the L-SOHC’s 2010 Call for Funding Requests. In addition, projects addressed the priorities in the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. Capital expenditures and indirect costs were not allowed. In administering this program the DNR complied with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies.Grantee MatchA match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match must be identified at the time of application.Grantee PaymentGrantees were paid on a reimbursement basis unless other arrangements were specified and approved in a grantee’s application and work program. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs, to match federal share, or for acquisitions. Advances must be specified in the grantee’s application and final grant agreement or work program. Partial payments were allowed. 5% of each grant was held back until a grant accomplishment report had been completed by the grantee.Grant ProcessA Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in early August, 2010. The RFP contained grant program information, application criteria, application requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP, Program Manual, and all grant agreements incorporated appropriate principles and criteria from the L-SOHC’s 2010 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation.Applications were accepted electronically, with grants selected for funding twice a year. Any ungranted funds from the first cycle were available for use in a following cycle.Applications were submitted electronically using CPL’s Online Grant Application System (OLGA). All project sites were mapped using OLGA’s mapping tool. OLGA accepted applications beginning in August, 2010 until the deadline for the first round of grants in mid-September, 2010. The application system did not accept applications during the review process. OLGA was re-activated in mid-February, 2011 to accept applications for a second round of grants.CPL Grant Program Staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources reviewed and scored applications based on criteria established by the L-SOHC, MN State Legislature and DNR. These committees included representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from both government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee made up of the Chief Financial Officer, and Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decision on the projects funded and funding levels.Every effort was made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level, with an objective of granting 50% of the funds to projects above $125,000, and 50% of the funds to projects below $125,000.CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork are completed. Work could not begin until the grant was executed.Project Reviews and ReportingProject reviews were completed as required by Office of Grants Management Policy 08-10, Grant Monitoring.Grantees reported accomplishments on a CPL Report Form by September 1 of each year. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report included an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees 30 days after the project was complete.CPL Grant Program staff compiled grantee reports and submitted an annual accomplishment report to the L-SOHC by February 1 and August 1 of each year. This report contained information on the number of agreements made, amount of reimbursement paid to grantees, accomplishments by grantees, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. Accomplishment information was also posted on L-SOHC and DNR websites.",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road, Box #20 ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Carver, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Freeborn, Grant, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Swift","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-heritage-conservation-partners-grant-program-fy-2011,,,,
2554,"Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - FY2012",2012,5629000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(g)","$5,629,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from appropriations in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $475,000. $319,000 of this appropriation may be spent for personnel costs and other administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for grants of $100,000 or less and a match of at least 15 percent from nonstate sources for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. The criteria for evaluating grant applications over $25,000 must include the amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; encouragement of a local conservation culture; urgency; capacity to achieve multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with current conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; degree of collaboration; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the Minnesota wildlife action plan. Subject to the evaluation criteria and requirements of this paragraph and Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects when evaluating projects of equal value. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Subdivision 9 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the 2011 game and fish law summaries that are prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",,"43,525 acres protected, restored or enhanced",,1689500,"Local match",4776300,12000,,2.5,"MN DNR","State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program is managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations, including governments.",,"The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (CPL) is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations, including governments. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. Match may be cash or in-kind resources. All match must be identified at the time of application. CPL Program Staff developed a Request for Proposal and Program Manual that incorporated the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council’s (LSOHC) priorities, solicited applications and worked with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee the grant selection process, prepare and execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation to ensure recipients are only reimbursed for allowable expenses, make reimbursement payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out their agreements, and prepare reports as required by the LSOHC. MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a directed the LSOHC to establish a conservation partners grant program to encourage and support local conservation efforts. Subsequent session law established additional guidelines and criteria for this program and authorized the DNR to administer it. Applicants describe the location of the work (county and ecological subsection), activity type, and habitat in their application. They also describe how their actions benefit habitat and fish, game and wildlife. For acquisition projects, applicants describe their parcel selection process. All projects address the priorities in the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. Funds for projects under this appropriation were available until June 30, 2015. In administering this program, the DNR complied with the Department of Administration- Office of Grants Management policies. Stakeholders were involved in this proposal as applicants or reviewers (if no conflict of interest exists). There was no known stakeholder opposition to this program. Grant Application Process A Request for Proposal (RFP) and Program Manual (PM) were posted on the CPL website in early August, 2011. These documents contained grant program information, application requirements and scoring criteria, grant reporting requirements, and state agency contacts. The RFP, PM, and all grant agreements incorporated appropriate principles and criteria from the LSOHC’s Call for Funding Requests – 2012 Appropriations and associated legislation. CPL Program Staff explored ways to reduce any real or perceived barriers in the application process. This included a survey(s) and/or discussion groups involving previous applicants and applicants to similar grant programs, and exploring the use of a pre-application system. The results were incorporated into the FY12 application process. Applications were submitted electronically using CPL’s Online Grant Application System (OLGA). All project sites were mapped using OLGA’s mapping tool. OLGA accepted applications beginning in August, 2011, until the deadline for the first round of grants in mid-September, 2011. The application system did not accept applications during the review process. Grants were selected for funding twice. Ungranted funds from the first cycle were available for use in a following cycle, or were distributed to current grantees to assist approved projects. DNR reserved the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with DNR and Outdoor Heritage Fund policy and guidance, if additional funding became available, or if a grantee could not carry out their project as planned. Grant Selection Process CPL Grant Program Staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, reviewed and scored applications based on criteria established by the LSOHC, MN State Legislature, and DNR. These committees included representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from government, non-profit organizations, and private businesses. A final ranking committee made up of the Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry considered TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments, and recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decision on the projects funded and funding levels. Projects could be fully or partially funded. Every effort was made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level, with an objective of granting 50% of the funds to projects above $125,000, and 50% of the funds to projects below $125,000. CPL Grant Program staff worked with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork was completed. Work did not begin until the grant was executed. Project Reviews and Reporting Project reviews were completed as required by Office of Grants Management Policy 08-10, Grant Monitoring. Grantees submitted annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on LSOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report included an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees within 30 days after the project was complete. CPL Grant Program staff submitted accomplishment reports to the LSOHC as required. Accomplishment information was also posted on the CPL website. CPL Administration Budget Grant administration costs were billed using actual costs. These costs included salary and fringe for grants staff, direct support services, travel, supplies, and expense. An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) was developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update and manage the online grant application system. DNR Land Acquisition Costs Grantees were required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that were necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. These costs were billed to the grantees on a professional services basis and were paid with either grant or match funds. DNR Technical Support The Division of Fish and Wildlife estimates it provided $70,000 of ongoing technical guidance from Division field staff. This technical guidance helped grantees meet requirements for working on state lands. Grantee Match Grantees were required to provide a 10% match from non-state sources. Match was cash or in-kind resources.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road N","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5233,jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-heritage-conservation-partners-grant-program-fy2012,,,,
20713,"Pelican Lake Enhancement",2014,2000000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(g)","$2,000,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to construct a gravity outlet, water control structure, and pump station lift to enhance aquatic habitat in Pelican Lake in Wright County. A list of proposed land restoration and enhancements must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Improved aquatic habitat indicators. ",,50000,"Ducks Unlimited ",1999000,16000,,1.6,DNR,"State Government","Construction was completed in 2018 on the three components that made up the major infrastructure project at Pelican Lake - construction of a gravity outlet, water control structure, and pump lift station.  This work will allow for a drawdown and enhancement of Pelican Lake to return it to what was once one of the region's premier waterfowl and wetland wildlife habitats.  Ducks Unlimited provided the engineering and construction oversight of this significant project. ",,"Pelican Lake, located in eastern Wright County within ½ hour of the Twin Cities metro area is a shallow lake known statewide for its waterfowl production, migration, habitat, and hunting opportunities and is a state-designated wildlife lakes in Minnesota. This shallow lake basin has no natural watercourse inlets or outlets. Since the late 1950s and particularly, since the late 1970s, Pelican Lake has experienced a decline in water quality and a loss of the extent and quality of aquatic plant communities that once supported wetland wildlife habitat. This decline in water quality and loss of plant communities is associated with high lake levels and watershed land uses that increase water runoff. Agricultural land uses such as tiling and ditching within the Pelican Lake watershed have altered the natural hydrology and contributed to the decline in water quality. High water levels in Pelican Lake have contributed to persistent and increased rough and game fish populations, as well as a shift from rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) to algae-dominated (plankton) communities. Increased turbidity due to re-suspension of bottom sediments and algae has resulted in the absence of rooted macrophytes from large areas of the lake.  These macrophytes, when present, moderate wave action, stabilize bottom sediments, uptake nutrients, and provide habitat for invertebrates. These factors have resulted in Pelican Lake changing over time from a “clear water state” to a “turbid state"" and caused negative effects on lake productivity for waterfowl and shorebirds that historically used Pelican Lake as a migration stopover destination. The loss of important food sources associated with diverse macrophyte and invertebrate communities was the primary factor associated with declining use of the lake by waterfowl and shorebirds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cooperated with Ducks Unlimited to install the significant infrastructure needed to enhance Pelican Lake through managed drawdowns. In 2012, Ducks Unlimited completed bioengineering designs and preliminary construction plans for the Pelican Lake project and oversaw all subsequent construction.  The project focused on the construction of a variable crest outlet weir and pump lift station which would allow for the gradual dewatering of the basin through an outlet (also developed as part of this project). The outlet was completed in 2014 and was followed by construction of a stoplog weir structure.  A pump station was constructed at the existing edge of the eastern-most bay of Pelican Lake. A 24-inch intake pipe was installed from this point for 900 feet into the lake The intake pipe involved placement of a structure within the lakebed to support the intake pipe at the proper elevation. The pump allows lower drawdowns than are possible with the weir structure alone.   The water level management that this project makes possible is guided by the Pelican Lake Management Plan (2012), which details habitat objectives for the lake and defines triggers that determine what and when management actions are taken.  Pelican Lake is currently in the middle of a multi-year drawdown. The DNR plans to develop a parking lot and lake access point in 2019 to give hunters and visitors better access to Pelican Lake.   ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Rd Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Wright,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/pelican-lake-enhancement,,,,
10011406,"Pig's Eye Lake Islands Habitat Restoration and Enhancement",2020,4337000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(n)","$4,337,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ramsey County to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in Pigs Eye Lake, to include constructing islands.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - There is limited availability of habitat in the St. Paul metro area due to heavy development and the naturally narrow floodplain. Pigs Eye Lake is one of the few large backwaters in the area but is currently degraded, windswept, and devoid of vegetation or habitat diversity. The proposed project would enhance and restore the area to provide important and locally rare stopover habitat for migrating waterfowl and other birds along the Mississippi Flyway. The project would result in increased vegetation and improved substrate for spawning, shelter, and food resources for fish, reptiles, and other species of conservation need..",,,11232800,"Federal - Army Corps of Engineers",4337000,,,,"Ramsey County","Local/Regional Government","Ramsey County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers propose to enhance and restore habitat in Pigs Eye Lake by building islands and marsh to benefit migratory birds, waterfowl, and fish. Island construction would restore wetland habitat and functions that have been lost in the 640-acre backwater due to erosion and degradation and enhance the surrounding area by reducing turbidity, preventing further erosion, and increasing habitat diversity. The project would protect areas of biodiversity significance and improve the Mississippi River wildlife corridor in the heart of the St. Paul metropolitan area.","Problem: Pigs Eye Lake is a large backwater of the Mississippi River, located in the southeast corner of St. Paul. The lake is shallow, open water, with a maximum depth of about 4 feet. The shallow depth and mucky lake bottom mean that the wind-generated waves cause a significant adverse effect on water quality and substrate stability. The waves also continuously erode the valuable vegetation on the edges of the lake, which has led to an estimated loss of 111 acres of wetland shoreline habitat since 1951. The conditions have created a negative feedback loop with no foreseeable improvements without intervention. Another 37.5 acres of biologically significant marsh and bottomland forest is at risk over the next 50 years, and new vegetation is unable to establish under the current conditions.Resource Significance: Despite the present poor conditions of Pigs Eye Lake, the area is a rare resource in this stretch of the Mississippi River where the floodplain is narrow and urban development is heavy. The shorelines and floodplain protected by this project have been identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey as areas of either outstanding or moderate biodiversity significance. The adjacent heron rookery is one of the largest in the state. Pigs Eye Lake is part of a network of aquatic corridors with connections to the Mississippi River, the Minnesota River, and Battle Creek. This project would restore, protect, and enhance these resources.Proposed Plan: The proposed plan is to construct a complex of 7 islands in Pigs Eye Lake. The features were designed to provide a variety of floodplain habitat types, blend in with the natural environment, and create barriers for wind, waves, and visual disturbances to visiting wildlife. Twenty acres of islands would be constructed and planted with a mix of native floodplain species. Shallow sandbar habitat is incorporated into the island perimeters. Three of the islands were specially-designed to establish 18 acres of wetland by creating enclosed, protected spaces in their interiors that would be planted with native wetland plants. The islands were strategically placed to serve as barriers to wind and protect the existing valuable shoreline habitat from further erosion. Outcomes for wildlife: The project would result in numerous habitat improvements, including: protected stopover areas for migrating ducks and waterfowl; preservation of the existing valuable shoreline; cover, spawning, and structural habitat for native fish; sandy areas for turtle nesting; shallow and more stable substrate to encourage macroinvertebrate colonization; water quality improvement due to reduced sediment re-suspension; and incorporation of depth and habitat diversity within the lake. Collaboration: The project has been extensively coordinated with natural resource agencies and other stakeholders, and has received widespread support. Stakeholder meetings were held throughout the planning process, and representatives from the Minnesota DNR, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ramsey County participated in discussions to provide recommendations specific to habitat needs. Federal and State environmental review processes have been completed. Permitting agencies have not indicated obstacles with the issuance of permits for project construction.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Scott,Yonke,"Ramsey County Parks and Recreation","2015 Van Dyke St ",Maplewood,MN,55109,"(651) 363-3786",scott.yonke@co.ramsey.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Ramsey,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/pigs-eye-lake-islands-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
10011407,"Pine River Fish Passage Project 2020",2020,1246000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(k)","$1,246,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Pine River and provide fish passage by removing dams and modifying and installing structures.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Horneyhead chub: species of greatest concern, Least Darter: special concern, Pugnose shiner:threatened have been documented below the dam but not above. These are species sensitive to turbidity, vegetation removal, and eutrophication. The area will be surveyed again by the MPCA in 2022; results will be used to measure project success. .",,,75000,"Big Pine Lake Subordinate District Fund",1246000,,,0.6,"Crow Wing SWCD","Local/Regional Government","The future of three state listed fish are at risk in 30 miles of the lower Pine River between Crosslake and the confluence of the Mississippi. IBI scores indicate a dam, in place since 1970, is affecting these populations. The dam blocks them from migrating to essential habitats and has degraded spawning substrate. Results of 2012 MPCA sampling on the river indicate these populations may be absent upstream of the dam. This project will reverse the affects and support fishery goals. It will reopen fish passage to interdependent communities in feeder streams and shallow and deep water habitats. ","Two issues are at hand; one is the threat the rock dam structure has on the health and diversity of aquatic organisms and migratory fish in the Pine River, Big Pine Lake, and upstream waters; and second is the fragile condition of the dam structure. The proposed design solves both issues; reconnect up and downstream communities and remove the dam. A series of five rock riffle structures will be installed in 40 ft intervals along the stream channel at a slope and depth that will effectively restore connectivity and stability. The design is based off a natural channel design method pioneered by Dave Rosgen P.H., Ph.D. and successfully tested on 17 dam replacement projects by DNR Division of Ecological Resources Stream Habitat Program. Based on current research the effects of barriers on aquatic biodiversity and fish distributions up and downstream of dams are clear. A DNR study evaluating 32 barrier dams on mainstem or tributaries of Minnesota rivers showed on average, the number of species declined 41% (MNDNR Barrier Effects on Native Fishes of Minnesota. 2015). Furthermore, intolerant, stream-dependent, imperiled species were the most likely to be absent upstream of barriers. Findings of a 2012 Minnesota Pollution Control survey of the Pine indicated sensitive populations above the dam are declining. Although this reach passed the Fish Index of Biological Integrity, the score was low. Comparatively, the downstream reach scored good and supported a diverse fish community, including greater redhorse a sensitive species, and two rare species, the pugnose shiner a state threatened species, and the least darter, a species of special concern. Pugnose and least darter utilize habitat in slow moving streams and lakes. Habitat loss and degradation are the greatest threats to least darter populations (MNDNR). Big Pine Lake, located upstream of the rock dam is listed as a Biological Significant Lake for Outstanding Plant Community (MNDNR). Reconnecting this downstream stretch with upstream habitat in Big Pine Lake will open up spawning habitat for this species, as well as associated aquatic organisms and fish dependent on diverse aquatic plant communities. The dam is 48 years old and riddled with leaks despite regular maintenance. The design life of a typical dam is 50 years (Powers 2005). Dam failures are often precluded by seepages which increase and eventually cause the dam to fail. The effects would be devastating, drawing down over 400 acres of Big Pine Lake impacting acres of high quality vegetation and aquatic habitat. The low water levels would also affect fisheries, loon nesting, and recreational use of boats, canoes and kayaks. Construction of the five rock riffle structures will add 40,000 sq feet of key spawning habitat for walleye, smallmouth bass, shorthead, greater redhorse, and several minnow species plus restore access to upstream lake and stream habitats. ",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Beth,Hippert,"Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District","322 Laurel St Suite 22 ",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(2188286197) -",beth.hippert@crowwingswcd.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Crow Wing","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/pine-river-fish-passage-project-2020,,,,
23922,"Praire and Oak Savanna Restoration along Mississippi and Rum Rivers",2015,326200,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(k)","$380,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to restore and enhance riparian and upland habitat in the Rum River Central Regional Park/Cedar Creek Conservation Area complex and in the Mississippi West Regional Park. A restoration and enhancement plan and a list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 95 acres and enhanced 70 acres for a total of 165 acres. ",,54700,"Anoka County, Anoka County Equipment Use ",326200,,,6,"Anoka County","Local/Regional Government","This project restored and enhanced 165 acres of prairie & woodland habitat along the Mississippi and Rum Rivers.  Outcomes include increased plant diversity and habitat for game and non-game species and is beneficial to migratory waterfowl on the Mississippi River flyway as well as to pollinators and resident wildlife. ",,"This project restored and enhanced 120 acres of native short dry and mixed height mesic prairie habitat and enhanced riparian woodland along the Mississippi River.  In addition, this project continues a program of wildlife habitat restoration in the 984 acre ""Rum River Central Regional Park/Cedar Creek Conservation Area complex.""  The scope of work restored 45 acres of prairie and oak savanna.  The process of restoration included prescribed burning, herbicide application, removal of invasive species and woody vegetation, seeding of native ecotype short dry prairie grasses and forbs, maintenance mowing, and planting of native trees and shrubs.  This restoration along the Mississippi and Rum Rivers is consistent with the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan to protect critical shorelands of streams and lakes, and protect priority land habitats of native prairie, as well as, Mississippi West Regional Park Master Plan, the 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan, Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare, and the statewide management plans for duck recovery, pheasants, and turkeys. Former brome dominated parcels were converted to a mix of native short/dry grass and forbs species which mimics local remnant prairies. A planted stand of red pines were removed and their stumps ground out to accommodate conversion to prairie and increase the amount of a habitat that was once prevalent in this area. The weather played a role in our spring management efforts as we couldn't get the needed wind direction to burn the parcels along Highway 10. We instead opted to mow the parcels. Canada thistle and hoary alyssum were two of our biggest weed problems and the tenacity of the brome to hold on in places also challenged us. We used a mix of herbicide applications, mowing and supplemental seeding to address these problems.   ",2014-07-01,2019-10-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Glenn,Fuchs,"Anoka County","550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW ",Andover,MN,55304,"(763) 324-3413",glenn.fuchs@co.anoka.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/praire-and-oak-savanna-restoration-along-mississippi-and-rum-rivers,,,,
10006496,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VIII",2019,2001000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(c )","$2,001,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancy?s fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on earth, and Minnesota's prairies are no exception. Activities identified in this project directly reflect implementation strategies identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Properties targeted for acquisition were identified and prioritized using MN County Biological Survey Rare Element Occurrences and Biodiversity Significance. The geographies we worked within, in addition to being Prairie Plan Core areas, reflect areas with the highest density and highest quality remaining prairie systems left in the state. By focusing our work in these particular landscapes we increased the functionality of the overall prairie/grassland systems, including increased water retention, improved breeding and nesting habitat and augmented migratory corridors. While our work focused on increasing and maintaining system functionality a number of individual species and suites of SPGCN directly benefited from this project including: Insects - habitat management and protection specifically for the federally-threatened Dakota skipper butterfly, potential restoration of habitat for the endangered Poweshiek skipperling and the declining regal fritillary butterflies Mammals - American badger (an indicator species requiring intact blocks of quality habitat), elk (for herd management in NW MN) Reptiles - hognose snake (primarily in western MN counties of Lac qui Parle, Big Stone and Yellow Medicine), 5-lined skink (rock outcroppings in the upper MN River Valley) Birds - Grassland dependent birds have experienced precipitous population decline across Minnesota and the northern Great Plains, largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. This project will provide permanently protected and enhanced habitat for a suite of grassland and wetland nesting birds, most notably the Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Upland sandpiper, Black tern, Northern pintail, Greater Prairie-chicken, Sharp-tail grouse, and many others.","A total of 10,431 acres were affected: 102 Restored, 284 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 10,045 in Enhance.",272600,TNC,1862900,138100,,2.405,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 284 acres of native prairie/wetland/savanna; restoring 102 acres prairie/wetland; and enhancing 10,045 acres grassland/savanna. When combined with Phases 1-7 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 7,734 acres, enhanced 154,814 acres and restored 2,036 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.","Phase 7 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-6 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 284 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 102 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 10,045 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (?protected conservation lands?) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (36 projects impacting 7,189 acres), removal of woody vegetation (25 projects for 893 acres), control of invasive species (33 projects - 1,905 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (5 projects - 58 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation",,2018-07-01,2022-07-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Marshall, Polk, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-viii,,,,
10006521,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase IV",2019,1162000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(h)","$1,162,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River valley for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Number of acres of uplands protected and restored..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Most parcels are within core areas as defined by the MPCP. Most parcels abut existing WMAs or WPAs which will create larger blocks of contiguous habitat. Most tracts have some remaining native prairie on them meeting a second goal of the MPCP of protecting remaining native prairie. Number of acres protected within core areas and corridors of the MPCP..",,,12100,"Federal, Private, PF, MPCS",1158600,3400,,0.05,"Pheasants Forever; MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership IV permanently protects 303 acres of greater prairie chicken habitat in the Southern Red River Valley of Minnesota. This partnership protects and restores strategic habitat that builds onto or creates corridors between existing protected lands. Acquired lands will be transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a WPA. This proposal aims to build quality grassland habitat blocks that sustain and grow greater prairie chicken populations in Minnesota.","The Problem: In Minnesota, greater prairie chickens are largely restricted to the beach ridges of the Glacial Lake Agassiz region. Greater prairie chickens require large blocks of grasslands, with a minimum of 320 acres at any one site. The makeup of these grassland complexes should include numerous successional states of habitat to sustain a local population. Greater prairie chickens are a “flagship” species in the sense that if we have greater prairie chickens on the landscape, then we have also included the habitat needs of many additional grassland-dependent wildlife species with less exacting habitat requirements. Greater prairie chicken habitat has declined dramatically in recent years due to 1) loss of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and 2) conversion of grasslands; (including remnant native prairie), to row crop production.An Approach to the Problem: This partnership protects native and restored prairies, sedge meadows, and other types of grasslands and associated wetlands to promote the growth and stability of greater prairie chicken populations. The priority is protecting remnant prairies within core and corridor areas of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. All projects acquired under this proposal will be restored and/or enhanced to be productive grassland habitat as part of the grant activity. Once acquired, the subject tracts will be fully restored and/or enhanced. Our proposed tracts were identified as high priority greater prairie chicken habitat with willing sellers who have an interest in preserving wildlife values of those acres. Tracts are also on the list based on a strategic approach that ranks each tract based on six criteria including: 1) distance to the nearest prairie chicken lek; 2) location in or outside of a core area from the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (MPCP); 3) distance to the nearest public hunting land (WPA or WMA); 4) tract size; 5) current grassland type (native prairie, restored prairie, brome, or row crop; and 6) wetland density and predicted waterfowl breeding pairs (wetlands can provide important habitat for prairie chickens over their annual life cycle). Benefits: By protecting, restoring and enhancing grasslands and wetlands in the right areas, this partnership delivers on many of the goals of the MPCP. In fact, one ecosystem measure of the MPCP success is to have stable or increasing greater prairie chicken populations in Minnesota. The MPCP is ideally suited for greater prairie chicken management with core areas containing large contiguous blocks of grassland and smaller grassland patches scattered across the landscape called corridors that allow birds to maintain populations outside the core areas as well as move across the landscape. In addition to grassland conservation, most tracts have extensive wetlands. Restoring and maintaining these wetlands will have several benefits including water storage, sequestering and storing carbon, water quality, diversity of flora and fauna, and reducing erosion. Providing secure habitat for greater prairie chickens also provides habitat for a host of other grassland species that have less exacting habitat requirement with respect to acreage. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven ",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-iv,,,,
10011404,"MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase IX",2020,3058000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(c)","$3,058,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network..Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network..",,,421200,TNC,2836800,221200,,8.57,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will advance the prairie protection, restoration and enhancement goals established in the 2018 revision of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the successful model established in Phases 1 - 8 and seeks to protect 500 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 14,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 100 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.","Protect - An estimated 500 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the newly refreshed MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. These protected acres approximately will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 14,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and privatelands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of our enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish ourobjectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will primarily be conducted via contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in the four primary landscapes are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with our agency partners, selecting and overseeing contracted work and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale.Restore - Approximately 100 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes. Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements in addition to re-seeding with native species and restoration of original wetland hydrology.Results to date - Through Phases 1-8 we have protected 6,490 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands and have enhanced more than 100,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands. The protected acres span our priority geographies. In all cases parcels werepurchased that were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $1,720 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, extensive woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and mechanical and chemical treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $80 per acre.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-ix,,,,
10011408,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase V",2020,2558000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(h)","$2,558,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River valley for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"SGCN and T&E were a major consideration when evaluating acquisitions, considering the primary focus of this program is to protect and restore Greater prairie chicken habitat. Parcels with identified SGCN/T&E species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. In addition to the Greater Prairie chicken, species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail. To maximize our impact, acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA or WPA habitat complexes. Many of these complexes are the strongholds for species of wildlife including SGCN and T&E species. By increasing the size and connectivity of these complexes many species are benefited. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant.","A total of 1,076 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,076 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",369500,"Attorney Discount, PCS, PF, Federal and Private",2484100,6700,,0.073,"Pheasants Forever / MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","In phase V of this program, we purchased two properties totaling 1,076 acres, which exceeds our acre goal by 408 acres. The Prosby addition to the Cupido WMA in Norman County was 955 acres, and the Lehrke addition to the Parke WPA in Clay County was 121 acres. Upon purchase, we restored the uplands and wetlands to the fullest extent possible. Both tracts have been transferred to either the MN DNR or USFWS.","In collaboration with the MN Prairie Chicken Society, Pheasants Forever strategically acquired two parcels totaling 1,076 acres for the benefit of Greater Prairie Chicken populations in MN. All acquired tracts have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program or the Waterfowl Production Area Program (WPA) and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota DNR or USFWS. These purchases address the need to protect nesting and brood rearing habitat in close proximity to leks for Greater prairie chickens. In addition to the wildlife benefits, all properties are open to all peoples to enjoy. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR and USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever and agency staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. These parcels ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such as the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among other. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Offers to landowners were based on fair market value as indicated in an independent appraisal. Once acquired, drained wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues.",,2019-07-01,2023-08-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Steven,Burdick,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.","8074 Pine Point Rd ","Lake Shore",MN,56468,"(701) 200-3588",sburdick@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Norman","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-v,,,,
10000094,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VII",2018,1901000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(c )","$1,901,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee for native prairie, wetland, and savanna and to restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"329 Prairie acres Restored.  450 Prairie acres Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability.  5,469 Prairie acres Enhanced.  A total of 6,248 acres Restored, Protected, and Enhanced. ",,229900,"TNC ",1778600,122400,,4.48,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will advance the prairie protection, restoration and enhancement goals established in the 2011 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the successful model established in Phases 1 - 6 and seeks to protect 200 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, protect an additional 100 acres with PILT for inclusion in the State's Wildlife Management or Scientific Natural Area systems, enhance 7,500 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 100 acres of prairie habitat. ",,"Phase 7 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-6 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 450 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 329 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 5,469 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (9 projects impacting 858 acres), removal of woody vegetation (40 projects for1,723 acres), control of invasive species (58 projects - 2,880 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (6 projects - 169 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation.   ",2017-07-01,2021-08-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Marshall, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Stearns, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-vii,,,,
10000096,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase III",2018,1908000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(h)","$1,908,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society to acquire land in fee, and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8 or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisitions of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with identified species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail. Additionally the acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA or WPA habitat complexes. Many of these complexes are the strongholds for species of wildlife including SGCN and T/E species. By increasing the size and connectivity of these complexes many species are benefited. Additionally many of the parcels are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which is not only the richest wetland system on earth but also produces approximately one third of the continents waterfowl population. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant.","A total of 619 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 619 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",161800,"Federal, Private, PF and MPCS",1615000,4500,,0.08,"Pheasants Forever / MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 3 of the PCHP sought to acquire parcels as State Wildlife Management Areas or Waterfowl Production Areas in the Southern Red River Valley. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired one 64.1 acre tract as a waterfowl production area and two tracts totaling 555.7 acres as wildlife management areas. Upland prairie and wetland habitat were restored on all tracts to provide the highest quality wildlife habitat possible.","Working in close collaboration with the MN Prairie Chicken Society, Pheasants Forever acquired 619.85 acres of strategic habitat that will benefit Greater Prairie Chicken populations in MN. All land acquired have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program or the Waterfowl Production Area Program (WPA) and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota DNR or USFWS. These properties not only provide access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but also helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for prairie chickens near existing leks. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR and USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever and agency staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. These parcels ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such as the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among other. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Offers to landowners were based on fair market value as indicated in an independent appraisal. Once acquired, drained wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ?plugs? and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues.",,2017-07-01,2022-09-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Norman","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-iii,,,,
10019629,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 11",2022,2794000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 2(c )","$2,794,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Land acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,230000,"TNC private funds",2679200,114800,,5.91,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie and grassland habitat as described in the 2018 update of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established in prior Prairie Recovery Phases and seeks to protect approximately 600 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance approximately 10,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore roughly 200 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.","Protect - An estimated 600 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. Protected acres without PILT will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 10,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of the enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish the objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 200 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes. Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through previous Phases of the Prairie Recovery Program we have protected 7,553 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands, enhanced more than 140,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands and restored approximately 1,500 acres with locally-sourced native seed. All parcels protected were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $2,000 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $100 per acre.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-11,,,,
10019638,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase VII",2022,2264000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(h)","$2,264,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be protected to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR of United States FWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan"". Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be protected to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR of United States FWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan""",,,272000,"PF, MPCS, Private and Federal",2255100,8900,,0.08,"PF with Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal protects and restores 400 acres of land in the Minnesota prairie-chicken range, that will be transferred to the MNDNR as a WMA or to the USFWS as a WPA. All land will be open to public hunting. MN Prairie Chicken Society and Pheasants Forever will be protecting parcels that focus specifically on prairie chicken benefits, which makes this proposal unique and highly focused. All acquisitions will occur within the prairie and prairie/forest planning regions with a focus in Clay, Norman, Mahnomen and Wilkin counties which is the primary range of prairie chickens in Minnesota.","Greater prairie chickens require large blocks of grasslands, with a minimum of 320 acres at any one site. The makeup of these grassland complexes should include numerous successional states of habitat to sustain a local population. Because of this the greater prairie chickens population in Minnesota is largely restricted to the beach ridges of the Glacial Lake Agassiz region. Greater prairie chickens are a ?flagship? species in the sense that if we have greater prairie chickens on the landscape, then we have also included the habitat needs of many additional grassland-dependent wildlife species with less exacting habitat requirements. Greater prairie chicken habitat has declined dramatically in recent years due to 1) loss of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and 2) conversion of grasslands; (including remnant native prairie), to row crop production. This partnership protects native and restored prairies, sedge meadows, and other types of grasslands and associated wetlands to promote the growth and stability of greater prairie chicken populations. This is a very focused proposal with the priority of protecting remnant prairies within core and corridor areas of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Our proposed tracts were identified as high priority greater prairie chicken habitat with willing sellers who have an interest in preserving wildlife values of those acres. These tracts were ranked as high priority for greater prairie chicken habitat based on six criteria including: 1) distance to the nearest prairie chicken lek; 2) location in or outside of a core area from the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (MPCP); 3) distance to the nearest public hunting land (WPA or WMA); 4) tract size; 5) current grassland type (native prairie, restored prairie, brome, or row crop; and 6) wetland density and predicted waterfowl breeding pairs (wetlands can provide important habitat for prairie chickens over their annual life cycle). All projects acquired under this proposal will be restored and/or enhanced to be productive grassland habitat as part of the grant activity. By protecting, restoring, and enhancing grasslands and wetlands in the right areas, this partnership delivers on many of the goals of stateside conservation plans. In fact, one ecosystem measure of the MPCP success is to have stable or increasing greater prairie chicken populations in Minnesota. The MPCP is ideally suited for greater prairie chicken management with core areas containing large contiguous blocks of grassland and smaller grassland patches scattered across the landscape called corridors that allow birds to maintain populations outside the core areas as well as move across the landscape. In addition to grassland conservation, most tracts have extensive wetlands. Restoring and maintaining these wetlands will have several benefits including water storage, sequestering and storing carbon, water quality, diversity of flora and fauna, and reducing erosion. Providing secure habitat for greater prairie chickens also provides habitat for a host of other grassland species.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 250-6317",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-vii,,,,
10017815,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 10",2021,3365000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(c )","$3,365,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,539200,TNC,3182500,182500,,13.57,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie and grassland habitat that are articulated in the 2018 update of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established in Phases 1 - 9 and seeks to protect 300 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 14,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 50 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.","Protect - An estimated 300 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 potential prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. These protected acres will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 14,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of our enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish our objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 50 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes.Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through Phases 1-9 we have protected 7,250 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands and have enhanced more than 127,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands. The protected acres span our priority geographies. In all cases parcels were purchased that were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $1,820 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $81 per acre.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-10,,,,
10017822,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase VI",2021,1736000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(h)","$1,736,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River valley for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be protected to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR of United States FWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan"". Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be protected to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR of United States FWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan""",,,25600,"PCS, PF, Federal and Private",1728200,7800,,0.07,"Pheasants Forever / MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership VI accelerates the protection and restoration of 408 acres of strategic prairie chicken-focused habitats that will be transferred to the MNDNR as a WMA or to the USFWS as a WPA and are open to public hunting. MN Prairie Chicken Society and Pheasants Forever will protect parcels that focus specifically on prairie chicken benefits, which makes this proposal unique and highly focused. All acquisitions will occur within the prairie and prairie/forest transition planning regions with a focus in Clay, Norman, Mahnomen and Wilkin counties as this is the primary range of prairie chickens.","The Problem: In Minnesota, greater prairie chickens are largely restricted to the beach ridges of the Glacial Lake Agassiz region. Greater prairie chickens require large blocks of grasslands, with a minimum of 320 acres at any one site. The makeup of these grassland complexes should include numerous successional states of habitat to sustain a local population. Greater prairie chickens are a ?flagship? species in the sense that if we have greater prairie chickens on the landscape, then we have also included the habitat needs of many additional grassland-dependent wildlife species with less exacting habitat requirements. Greater prairie chicken habitat has declined dramatically in recent years due to 1) loss of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and 2) conversion of grasslands; (including remnant native prairie), to row crop production. An Approach to the Problem: This partnership protects native and restored prairies, sedge meadows, and other types of grasslands and associated wetlands to promote the growth and stability of greater prairie chicken populations. This is a very focused proposal with the priority of protecting remnant prairies within core and corridor areas of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. All projects acquired under this proposal will be restored and/or enhanced to be productive grassland habitat as part of the grant activity. Once acquired, the subject tracts will be fully restored and/or enhanced. Our proposed tracts were identified as high priority greater prairie chicken habitat with willing sellers who have an interest in preserving wildlife values of those acres. These tracts were ranked as high priority for greater prairie chicken habitat based on six criteria including: 1) distance to the nearest prairie chicken lek; 2) location in or outside of a core area from the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (MPCP); 3) distance to the nearest public hunting land (WPA or WMA); 4) tract size; 5) current grassland type (native prairie, restored prairie, brome, or row crop; and 6) wetland density and predicted waterfowl breeding pairs (wetlands can provide important habitat for prairie chickens over their annual life cycle). Benefits: By protecting, restoring and enhancing grasslands and wetlands in the right areas, this partnership delivers on many of the goals of state side conservation plans. In fact, one ecosystem measure of the Prairie Conservation Plan (MPCP) success is to have stable or increasing greater prairie chicken populations in Minnesota. The MPCP is ideally suited for greater prairie chicken management with core areas containing large contiguous blocks of grassland and smaller grassland patches scattered across the landscape called corridors that allow birds to maintain populations outside the core areas as well as move across the landscape. In addition to grassland conservation, most tracts have extensive wetlands. Restoring and maintaining these wetlands will have several benefits including water storage, sequestering and storing carbon, water quality, diversity of flora and fauna, and reducing erosion. Providing secure habitat for greater prairie chickens also provides habitat for a host of other grassland species.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever, Inc.","PO Box 91 ","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Norman","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-vi,,,,
20687,"MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase 4",2014,5310000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$5,310,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetland, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. ",,"Improved aquatic habitat indicators. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. ",,1119900,"TNC ",5310000,574200,,8.95,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase Four of the MN Prairie Recovery Program resulted in a total of 1,707 acres protected, 37,567 acres enhanced, and 440 acres restored. When combined with Phases 1-3 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 5,777 acres, enhanced 95,701 acres and restored 754 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"1. Scope of work: With the requested funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were acheived. Phase 4 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-3 by continuing and expanding enhancement work in 4 focal areas and protection in 5 areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 1,707 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole wetland complex, and savanna were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 440 acres of cropland and former foodplots were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Contracting preference was given to local producers and contractors for provision of seed and establishment of prairies to promote creation of local conservation-oriented businesses. 37,567 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (75 projects totalling 27,997 acres), removal of woody vegetation (95 projects for 3,725 acres), control of exotic species (84 projects - 5,821 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (4 projects - 24 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas.  Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing local jobs through CCM and businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, the project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xml Temporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced. 2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC portfolio areas. Each of the 4 project geographies directly correlate to core areas identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include: a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request. b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands. c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. 3. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: Only about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 235,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded. Less than half of those 235,000 acres are currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs on protected lands. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program are in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people.  4. Stakeholder involvement: This Phase continues an initiative begun with OHF funding in 2010. We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing and maintaining this initiative and will continue close collaboration among partners. Via past and ongoing projects, we are also coordinating with other stakeholders (e.g., cattlemen’s associations, Land Stewardship Project, county boards), and will continue to seek opportunities to expand that coordination.  Planning This project implements strategies identified in at least 6 plans, as identified below. 1. The 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan (Plan) identifies three distinct strategies and opportunities for targeting protection, restoration, and enhancement of Minnesota’s prairie and grassland systems. The plan recommends work in “Core Areas” defined as large landscapes that retain some features of functioning prairie systems. Using MN County Biological Survey data and USFWS Habitat Assessment, Populations and Evaluation Team (HAPET) 2. MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan. The strategic framework of this plan has 5 elements in its “Habitat” section: integrated planning, critical land protection, land and water restoration and protection, (identification of) sustainable practices, and (provision of) economic incentives for sustainable practices. Further, while the plan does not go into great detail with respect to prairie conservation, it clearly states that “protection of priority land habitats” is a vital practice, and prairies clearly fall here.  The Plan identifies 36 distinct prairie core areas across the western third of the state. Collectively these core landscapes contain 71% of the state’s remaining native prairie. All 4 of the project focus areas directly correlate with one or more of these core areas. 3. Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare. The primary objective identified in the MN DNR’s plan is to “stabilize and increase populations of “species in greatest conservation need (SGCN)”. In the prairie regions of Minnesota, strategies to achieve this goal include: a. Support incentives that avoid conversion of grasslands into row crops where SGCN occur. b. Use mowing, cutting woody vegetation, prescribed fire, or careful use of herbicides to prevent the invasion of grasslands by trees and shrubs. c. Lengthen the cutting rotations for hay; avoid early-season mowing. d. Use light to moderate, rotational grazing programs to benefit SGCN e. Prevent fragmentation of grassland habitat. f. Avoid soil compaction in areas occupied by mammal SGCN. g. Increase native plant species components. h. Control spread of invasive species to adjacent native-dominated sites. This project proposes to address all but item “f” above. 4. The Nature Conservancy’s Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregional Plan (1998). This plan identifies key conservation targets, geographic emphasis areas, threats to native plant and animal communities, and key strategies to mitigate these threats. The proposal is a solid step in the implementation of this plan. Also, as a step-down from the NTP Ecoregion Plan, the Chapter has completed local level planning (Conservation Action Planning) for smaller geographic units that correspond with the focus areas. Goals within these focus areas are very explicit in identifying conservation targets and actions and are consistent with the activities contained in this proposal. 5. DNR’s Pheasant Plan. This proposal is in full support of the Pheasant Plan goal to add 1.5 million acres of undisturbed grassland to the state by 2025. 6. DNR’s Waterfowl Plan. This proposal is in full support of the state Long-range Duck Recovery Plan to add 2 million acres of habitat to the state by 2025. It also utilizes establishment of complexes, as per the plan, to achieve multiple conservation synergies and benefits. This plan helps fulfill multiple priorities specified by the LSOHC “Prairie Section Vision”, including permanent protection of existing prairies and wetlands, restoration of prairie and wetland habitats, building grassland/wetland complexes in blocks sufficient to increase migratory breeding bird success, enhancement of public lands for game species and other species of conservation need, and protection of watersheds of shallow lakes. Specifically, this proposal addresses “Prairie Section Strategies” 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 directly. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-4,,,,
786,"Prairie Heritage Fund - Acquisition and Restoration, Phase 2",2011,3015000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,015,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire and restore land to be added to the state wildlife management area system. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions and a list of proposed restoration projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph(b).",,"1020 acres",,525000,non-state,3015000,,,,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect 900 acres of priority prairie grassland, wetland habitat, and native remnant prairie (if available) as state wildlife management areas (WMA). In addition, acquired lands will be restored and/or enhanced to prairie and/or wetland habitat. Once complete, these WMAs will provide quality grassland/wetland habitat complexes that will benefit a myriad of game and non-game species and will provide public recreational opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. ","The threats to wildlife habitat in the farmland regions of Minnesota are constant and increasing. Development pressures from urbanization, industry (e.g. wind, gravel) and agriculture put our existing habitats in constant jeopardy. Minnesota is also losing significant acreage of grassland habitat (approximately 70,000 acres last year) in the farmland region of Minnesota due to expiring CRP contracts. Now it is even more urgent to provide the vital permanent, high quality habitat complexes on a landscape level to protect and maintain wildlife populations. In addition, providing a place for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs, and needs we can deliver right now. To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Pheasants Forever and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 900 acres of high priority grassland, wetland habitat, and native remnant prairie (if available) as state wildlife management areas (WMA). Striving to build landscape level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations, 17 of the 20 potential projects are additions to existing WMA's and all projects have been developed in consultation with the local DNR managers. DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal.? All acquired lands will be restored and/or enhanced. Acquired croplands will be restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands to the fullest extent. Enhancement to existing prairie grasslands and wetlands will also occur as determined by the DNR Manager and PF Biologists. Enhancements could include undesirable woody vegetation removal, water control structure installation, inter-seeding within grasslands to increase diversity and structure, managed grazing, invasive species control, or any other activity that improves the diversity and health of the prairie-wetland habitat complex. We will use as diverse of a seed mixture as reasonable for the site to achieve diversity and quality functional habitat using plants native to Minnesota. Pheasants Forever's network of 76 Minnesota chapters and 24,000 members have been actively involved in protecting and restoring lands in partnership with the Minnesota DNR for 27 years. Wildlife Management Areas have proven to be an invaluable tool in protecting and sustaining habitat and the myriad of species that call them home. WMA's provide many recreational opportunities and are enjoyed by thousands of Minnesotans every year. ","Accomplishment PlanWorking with numerous partners throughout the state of Minnesota, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,020.7 acres of land from willing sellers within the project area of Minnesota. These lands have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, these newly acquired WMAs will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.More specifically, a total of 9 parcels were acquired within Mower, Dakota, McLeod, Pope, Wright, Pipestone, Kandiyohi and Todd Counties. A total of 10 landowners were presented with offers and PF was successful in securing 9 of those parcels (90% success rate). Offers to landowners were based on appraised values and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. Most projects were closed early enough in the project period, and therefore the agricultural land boom of 2012 seemed to have little affect on our ability to secure parcels. Parcels were identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis.In total, $3,014,821.38 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $501,571.03 of non-state funding to complete this work. We are slightly short of our match goal on this appropriation ($23,428.97). However, when looking at all of our WMA acceleration appropriations, we currently are exceeding our match goals by over $425,000 and expect that number to grow.Striving to build upon past investments in wildlife habitat conservation and landscape level habitat complexes that protect and sustain wildlife populations, 6 of the 9 parcels are additions to existing WMAs or are adjacent to existing permanently protected lands. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. 45 acres of native prairie have been protected, and all parcels have been opened for public use.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Chippewa, Dakota, Goodhue, Lincoln, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Stearns, Todd, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-heritage-fund-acquisition-and-restoration-0,,,,
23936,"Prairie Recovery Project Phase V",2015,3940000,"ML 2014, Ch.256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,940,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. ",,"Restored 698 acres, protected (in fee without state PILT liability) 698 acres, enhanced 18,839 acres for a total of 20,235 acres   ",,467400,"TNC ",3714600,159200,,6.80,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 698 acres of native prairie/wetland/savanna; restoring 698 acres prairie/wetland; and enhancing 18,839 acres grassland/savanna. When combined with Phases 1-4 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 6,475 acres, enhanced 114,595 acres and restored 1,452 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Scope of work:With the requested funding the following actions and outcomes were achieved: Phase 5 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-4 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 698 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole wetland complex, and savanna were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. Coincidentally, exactly 698 acres of cropland and former foodplots were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 18,839 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (50 projects impacting 11,730 acres), removal of woody vegetation (40 projects for 3,048 acres), control of exotic species (70 projects - 3,930 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (13 projects - 131 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas.  Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing local jobs through CCM and businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, a project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xml Temporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced. 2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC portfolio areas. Each of the 4 project geographies directly correlate to core areas identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include: a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request. b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands. c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. ",2014-07-01,2020-01-21,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-recovery-project-phase-v,,,,
35023,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VI",2016,4032000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$4,032,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on earth, and Minnesota's prairies are no exception. Activities identified in this project directly reflect implementation strategies identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Properties targeted for acquisition were identified and prioritized using MN County Biological Survey Rare Element Occurrences and Biodiversity Significance. The geographies we worked within, in addition to being Prairie Plan Core areas, reflect areas with the highest density and highest quality remaining prairie systems left in the state. By focusing our work in these particular landscapes we increased the functionality of the overall prairie/grassland systems, including increased water retention, improved breeding and nesting habitat and augmented migratory corridors. While our work focused on increasing and maintaining system functionality a number of individual species and suites of SPGCN directly benefited from this project including: Insects - habitat management and protection specifically for the federally-threatened Dakota skipper butterfly, potential restoration of habitat for the endangered Poweshiek skipperling and the declining regal fritillary butterflies Mammals - American badger (an indicator species requiring intact blocks of quality habitat), elk (for herd management in NW MN) Reptiles - hognose snake (primarily in western MN counties of Lac qui Parle, Big Stone and Yellow Medicine), 5-lined skink (rock outcroppings in the upper MN River Valley) Birds - Grassland dependent birds have experienced precipitous population decline across Minnesota and the northern Great Plains, largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. This project will provide permanently protected and enhanced habitat for a suite of grassland and wetland nesting birds, most notably the Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Upland sandpiper, Black tern, Northern pintail, Greater Prairie-chicken, Sharp-tail grouse, and many others.","A total of 25,294 acres were affected: 151 Restored, 539 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 24,604 in Enhance.",221800,"TNC Private funds",3867800,158300,,6.90,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the?goals?of?the MN Prairie Conservation Plan?by protecting 539 acres of?prairie/wetland/savanna habitat; restoring 151 acres prairie/grassland; and enhancing 24,604 acres grassland/savanna.?We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.","Phase 6 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-5 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 539 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Most of the protected lands (499 acres) are, or are in the process of being transferred to the MN DNR for inclusion in the state's WMA system. The additional 40 acres are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 151 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 24,604 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (?protected conservation lands?) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire, removal of woody vegetation, control of invasive species, and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands. Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation",,2015-07-01,2023-01-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-vi,,,,
35039,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley",2016,1762000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$1,800,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society to acquire and restore lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or for designation and management as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"614 acres protected (in fee with state PILT liability) ",,421000,"NAWCA/Private, Bethlen Berens Law/Birkens Law, PF ",1757300,6000,,0.10,"Pheasants Forever with MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The proposal was to accelerate the protection of 500 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas or Waterfowl Production Areas in the Southern Red River Valley. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired the 614 acre Prairie Dunes WMA which exceeded our total acre goal of 141 acres. This tract was also restored to provide the highest quality wildlife habitat possible.  ",,"Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 614 acres of strategic habitat that directly meets the goals of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.  All land acquired has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This new WMA not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but also helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for prairie chicken near existing leks. The offer to the landowner was based on fair market value as indicated in an independent appraisal.  The acquired parcel helps address a backlog of willing sellers which is now helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota.  Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility.  Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers.  We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics.  We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners.   The acquired WMA has been restored to as a high of quality as practicable.  All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures.  ",2015-07-01,2020-03-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Norman,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley,,,,
35067,"Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley Phase II",2017,2269000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$2,269,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or for designation and management as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 177acres of wetland and 526 acres of prairie for a total of 703 acres. ",,50100,"Federal, Private, PF, MPCS ",2098000,10000,,0.19,"Pheasants Forever with MN Prairie Chicken Society","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership will permanently protect, restore, and enhance 650 acres of prairie chicken habitat in the Southern Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. Land protected will become either WMA or WPA and open to public recreation. ",,"Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 702.85 acres of strategic habitat that directly meets the goals of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. All land acquired has been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program or the Waterfowl Production Area Program (WPA) and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota DNR or USFWS. These properties not only provide access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but also helps address a strong need to provide more secure nesting and brood rearing habitat for prairie chickens near existing leks. The offer to the landowner was based on fair market value as indicated in an independent appraisal. The acquired parcel helps address a backlog of willing sellers which is now helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR and USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever and agency staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. These parcels ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such as the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among other. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues. ",,2021-08-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"MN Prairie Chicken Society / Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven ",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Red Lake","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-chicken-habitat-partnership-southern-red-river-valley-phase-ii,,,,
771,"Prairie Heritage Fund - Acquisition and Restoration, Phase 1",2010,3000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever or successor to acquire and restore land to be added to the state wildlife management area system. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions and a list of proposed restoration projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition. To he extent possible, prairie restorations conducted with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.",,"1,117 acres",,725000,Non-State,3000000,,,,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will acquire 1,100 acres of state wildlife management areas (WMA) or federal waterfowl production areas (WPA) to enhance grassland and prairie habitat and provide public recreation opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. In addition, PF restore an additional 1,500 acres of grassland habitat on permanently protected lands (WPA's or WMA's).","Working with 76 local chapters and 26,000 members across the state of Minnesota, PF will acquire 1,100 acres of public land (WMA's or WPA's) to enhance grassland and prairie habitat and provide public recreations opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. All projects are additions to existing WMA's or WPA's or have a direct connection to resources in the public trust (e.g. designated wildlife lakeshore). Purchase will be from willing sellers. Priority will be placed on remnant native prairie and tracts that provide significant grassland habitat protection and restoration. PF has currently identified 19 active projects consisting of 2,300 acres in eleven counties. ? Less than 1% of Minnesota's native prairie remains, and grassland habitat losses are cited as the primary reason for population declines of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species. In this proposal, PF (with many partners assisting & in cooperation with the long-term stewards of the land - either DNR or USFWS) will acquire and permanently protect 1,100 acres of grasslands. In addition, PF will restore 1,500 acres of grassland habitat (much of this will be initial restoration on the acreage acquired within this proposal). All projects are building upon past investments in public or private land habitat conservation and seek to build functional habitat complexes for Minnesota's suite of grassland wildlife. Most of the work will involve restoring marginal croplands to grasslands with at least 15 species of grasses and forbs chosen to fit individual sites. Restoration activities include but are not limited to site preparation, herbicide application, seed purchase, planting, clipping. Wetland restoration is also considered part of our prairie system and will be considered under this proposal. ? Pheasants Forever will work with guidance provided by L-SOHC to properly expend & acquire grassland habitats.","Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/2c.pdfWorking with numerous partners throughout the state of Minnesota, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,051 acres of land from willing sellers throughout Southern Minnesota. These lands have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, these newly acquired WMAs will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.More specifically, a total of 5 parcels were acquired within Brown, Goodhue, Lyon, Pipestone, and Watonwan Counties. A total of 7 landowners were presented with offers and PF was successful in securing 5 of those parcels (71% success rate). Offers to landowners were based on appraised values and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. Most projects were closed early in the project period, and therefore the agricultural land boom of 2012 seemed to have little affect on our ability to secure parcels. Parcels were identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis.In total, $2,969,300 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $862,500 of non-state funding to complete this work. Striving to build upon past investments in wildlife habitat conservation and landscape level habitat complexes that protect and sustain wildlife populations, 4 of the 5 parcels are additions to existing WMAs or are adjacent to existing permanently protected lands. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. 15 acres of native prairie have been protected and all parcels have been opened for public use. In addition, 66 acres of grassland enhancements were completed on an existing WMA in Chippewa County. These restored and permanently protected acres will provide critical habitat for breeding/migrating waterfowl as reproductive and winter habitat for grassland game and non game species.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Brown, Chippewa, Freeborn, Goodhue, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mower, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-heritage-fund-acquisition-and-restoration,,,,
23938,"Preventing Forest Fragmentation and Protecting and Restoring Lake and Stream Habitat in the St. Louis River Watershed",2015,2800000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(a)","$2,800,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to acquire lands in fee in the St. Louis River watershed to be managed for fish and wildlife purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - The nearly 400 total acres of forestland at the project sites will be measured against a baseline year as to age classification and diversity of tree types. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - The age class and diversity of tree types in the riparian corridor will be measured against a baseline year. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Periodic surveys will be conducted at Simian Lake, Simian Creek, and upland areas to evaluate the size and biodiversity of plant and animal populations.. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation - Number of visitors will be measured by car counts in parking lots, school visits, and game harvest registrations. Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Fisheries surveys on a 5 year cycle, benthic macroinvertebrate community composition sampled annually, and water quality sampling four times per year will be continued at Simian Lake and Simian Creek along with existing sampling of the St. Louis River and compared to existing baseline data. ",,572600,"FDL Band, Fond du Lac Band ",2697400,,,2.20,"Fond du Lac Bank of Lake Superior Chippewa","Tribal Government ","This project prevented forest fragmentation and protected lake and stream habitat in the St. Louis River watershed through the fee acquisition of 2555 acres.  ",,"The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is pleased to report that we exceeded our proposed acreage goal to prevent forest fragmentation and to protect and restore lake and stream habitat in the St. Louis River watershed. Following appraisal of the priority parcel it was determined that excess funding would be available to acquire additional lands.  This project includes acquisition of a 440-acre priority property containing an 80-acre lake, acquisition of 375 acres directly adjacent to the St. Louis River, acquisition of 236 acres with 2,000 feet along the St. Louis River, and 1504 acres of St. Louis County tax forfeit parcels. This project protects the water quality of the St. Louis River, provides expanded opportunities for public fishing and hunting, and prevents forest fragmentation. I.  Acquired the 440-Acre Priority Property:  Chi-wizo zaaga’iganing (Simian Lake) The priority for this project was the acquisition of a 440-acre property (“Priority Property”), which was one of the largest privately owned properties within the Fond du Lac Reservation and is being marketed by a real estate broker.  The Priority Property contains 83 acres of wetlands and an 80-acre lake, Chi-wizo zaaga’iganing (also known as Simian Lake), which is classified as a high-priority fishery and drains into the St. Louis River.  Preventing development of this lake will contribute to the restoration efforts of the St. Louis River by eliminating potential sources of sediment and nutrient loads. By purchasing the Priority Property in its entirety, the Fond du Lac Band will prevent fragmentation of the 194 acres of forest habitat on the Property.    II.  Acquired 611 Acres Along the Main Stem of the St. Louis River The Fond du Lac Band acquired 236 acres containing 2,000 feet of frontage along St. Louis River in one acquisition and 375 acres containing 3.7 miles of frontage along the St. Louis River in a second acquisition.  These acquisitions ensure public access ensure conservation of critical habitat along the St. Louis River. III. Acquired 1504 Acres of St. Louis County Tax Forfeit Lands This large acquisition of lands scattered throughout the Fond du Lac Reservation prevents future development of and further fragmentation of forested lands. A secondary benefit is that these lands will be managed in a similar fashion as the adjacent Band lands. These acquisitions make permanent public access to land for outdoor recreation available.   ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Thomas,Howes,"Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa","1720 Big Lake Road ",Cloquet,MN,55720,"(218) 878-7163",thomashowes@fdlrez.com,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/preventing-forest-fragmentation-and-protecting-and-restoring-lake-and-stream-habitat-st-lou,,,,
10006511,"Protect and Restore MN IBAs within the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, Phase 2",2019,829000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(j)","$829,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire conservation easements and enhance wildlife habitat in important bird areas identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Of this amount, $209,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and $620,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of permanent conservation easements and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - Protection, restoration and enhancement can be measured by the number of acres/projects we protect in permanent conservation easements and by the total acreage we restore/enhance. The quality of work and level of success will be monitored through the MLT stewardship audits as well as by restoration monitoring as outlined in the Habitat Management Plan or specific restoration prescription developed for each project. .Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects - This outcome will be evaluated not only by the number of conservation easements we achieve but also by the number of landowners we connect with. We will track the number of community members we: host at working-lands habitat enhancement workshops, conduct site visits with, and interact with at education and outreach events. Outreach is a large component of community engagement and we intend act as a valuable conservation resource, providing conservation management recommendations such as haying restrictions to increase nesting bird success, native plantings for buffers and rotational grazing practices, which benefit wildlife and improve habitat quality on private lands..",,,90100,"MLT, Audubon MN",815500,13500,,0.57,"Audubon MN","State Government","Audubon Minnesota and Minnesota Land Trust are requesting funds to protect 560 acres through conservation easement and to enhance 500 acres of significant wildlife habitat on protected private and public lands. Our project and parcel prioritization criteria places an emphasis on Important Bird Areas and priority areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, prioritizing the 6 northwestern Minnesota counties associated with the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands region.","Audubon Minnesota and the Minnesota Land Trust will continue with the second phase of our Important Bird Area Protection and Restoration Program in the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands region of Minnesota. This program will further advance the Outdoor Heritage Funds legacy of habitat protection and enhancement of habitat for wildlife in Minnesota. With these funds we will: 1) Obtain conservation easements on 560 acres of private lands, and 2) enhance 500 acres of habitat within the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands region of Minnesota. Our program places an emphasis on Minnesota’s Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as they are essential to maintaining healthy and diverse bird populations in the state. Our aim is to protect and restore/enhance working grasslands, remnant prairies and threatened wetlands within the program area. Important Bird Areas not only provide a critical tool for targeting and maximizing conservation resources but they also provide an additional and compelling motive to private landowners considering putting their lands into a conservation easement. The Tallgrass Aspen Parklands (TAP) Region of Minnesota supports over 289 birds species (143 regular breeding species, 22 permanent residents, and over 114 migrants or winter residents) including geese, sandhill cranes, a variety of waterfowl, and numerous other grassland and wetland species. Gray wolves, moose, elk, and white-tailed deer are among the other wildlife found in the region. While protecting existing high quality habitats within IBAs and the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan priority areas is the ultimate goal of this program, we also recognize that some of the greatest conservation opportunities exist within the agricultural matrix of western Minnesota due to the loss of grassland and wetland habitats in recent years. It is in these areas that our complete toolbox of protection through easements coupled with enhancement activities may deliver their greatest impact. The Tallgrass Aspen Parklands Region, a transition area between the prairie and forest, was once dominated by wetlands, prairie grasslands and open woodlands. Today, approximately 64% of the landscape has been converted to row crops. In phase 2 of this program, we will expand our habitat focus to include the areas within the 6 northwestern counties that compose the TAP region and emphasize conservation management on working lands to improve water quality and provide better bird habitat. In these areas we will prioritize native plantings, promote participation in the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, and recommend bird-friendly conservation grazing and haying practices.Audubon Minnesota will conduct programmatic outreach and engagement with private landowners, assist with habitat identification and prioritization, develop Habitat Management Plans for participating landowners and manage the restoration of 500 acres of lands. The Minnesota Land Trust will procure conservation easements from willing landowners through a competitive landowner-bid process that delivers a cost-effective means of securing the protection of high quality, ecologically-significant land. To date, MLT has protected nearly 9,000 acres through 240 conservation easements in Important Bird Areas throughout Minnesota, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to protecting habitat for birds.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Kristin,Hall,"Audubon Minnesota","1 Water Street West Suite 200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 739-9332",khall@audubon.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-and-restore-mn-ibas-within-tallgrass-aspen-parklands-phase-2,,,,
10011409,"Protecting Strategic Forestlands Near Camp Ripley",2020,3348000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 3(a)","$3,348,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Conservation Fund to acquire in fee and restore and enhance forest wildlife habitat in Cass, Crow Wing, and Morrison Counties in proximity to the Minnesota National Guard Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape. Land must be acquired for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; or as county forest land or municipal forest land. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This area is the confluence of the Anoka Sand Plain, Hardwood Hills, Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains, and Mille Lacs Uplands ecological subsections of Minnesota. The habitats protected in this program have documented Blanding's Turtles and Red-Shouldered hawks, and are suitable habitats for Northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, and gray wolf.","A total of 848 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 848 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",,"Department of Defense",1865200,8800,,0.3,"The Conservation Fund","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The program protected 848 acres using OHF, and a total of 1,627 acres of forested habitat which leveraged over $2.2 million in other state and federal Department of Defense funding to permanently protect these lands near some of Minnesota's fastest developing cities (Baxter and Brainerd). This was a partnership effort involving The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Camp Ripley, City of Baxter, Sylvan Township, Cass County, and Crow Wing County. The local press covered the closing of the project on radio, TV, and the newspapers.","The forest parcels protected in this project had been identified by Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape partners and the Cass and Crow Wing County Land Departments for many years as high priorities for protection, due to their connectivity to nearby habitat and public access benefits. The Conservation Fund became the official fee title acquisition partner for Camp Ripley in 2017 and the Department of Defense brought nearly $2 million to permanently protect these forests along Camp Ripley's northern border on the Mississippi River. The City of Baxter also applied for an ENTRF grant in 2017 to focus on 200 acres of the Potlatch parcels along the Mississippi River in southwest Baxter. This program protected land in three separate transactions with three sellers: PotlatchDeltic, Minnesota Power, and a private landowner. Multiple public meetings with the eventual owners and managers of the property were led by The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy, who is the coordinating partner for the Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape. The Conservation Fund was able to negotiate a larger landscape transaction with Potlatch to acquire 1,512 acres and apply three funding sources across the property (OHF, LCCMR, and Department of Defense) based on comments from the local partners for future plans for the land. Forested lands that had any potential future trail corridors in southwest Baxter and Sylvan Township were acquired with LCCMR and Department of Defense funding, and lands in Cass and Crow Wing County without plans for added trails were purchased with OHF. The momentum in this area of Baxter led to the two other transactions with the private landowner and Minnesota Power and permanently protected eight developable lake lots along Kramer Lake. Camp Ripley Environmental Staff are partnering with Baxter and Sylvan Township to assist with habitat management plans, costs, and implementation into the future, which helped both entities in their decision to be the long-term owner.",,2019-07-01,2022-11-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Emilee,Nelson,"The Conservation Fund","1000 County Road E W Suite 220",Shoreview,MN,55126,"(952) 595-5768",enelson@conservationfund.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Crow Wing","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-strategic-forestlands-near-camp-ripley,,,,
10019639,"Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance",2022,1477000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(f)","$1,477,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire land in permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lakes of outstanding biological significance in northeast and north-central Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $168,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Shorelands are protected from development and fragmentation This program will permanently protect 216 acres of the most biologically outstanding shoreland in northern Minnesota and approximately 0.5 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Measure: Acres/shoreland protected",,,180000,"Private Landowners",1450000,27000,,0.26,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will bring focused conservation to one of Minnesota's priority aquatic resources, Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance. These threatened lakes possess outstanding fisheries and provide habitat for a variety of SGCN; yet, at present, no habitat protection program specifically targets these priority resources. Through this proposal, the Minnesota Land Trust will protect through perpetual conservation easements 1/2 mile of shoreland and 216 acres of habitat associated with the top 10% of these lakes in northeast and northcentral Minnesota.","Minnesota's lakeshore systems comprise one of the most biologically important habitats in the state for fish, game and wildlife. Yet, these systems are highly threatened due to intense shoreland development and non-compatible management. Development and disturbance of Minnesota's remaining sensitive shoreland continues to be a threat identified in many of the State's resource protection plans, including the most recent One Watershed One Plans that are in development across the state. In a refinement of the Minnesota Land Trust's successful Critical Shorelands program (recommended for funding across 5 phases by LSOHC), this proposal focuses on a subset of critical lakeshore systems in northeast and northcentral Minnesota ? Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance. Although successful conservation programs have emerged around the protection of two statewide lake system priorities ? 1. cisco (tullibee) lake protection by the Northern Waters Land Trust and Minnesota Land Trust, and 2. wild rice lakes by BWSR through the RIM Wild Rice program ? a major gap in protection exists. A third conservation priority, lakes ranked by the Minnesota DNR as having outstanding biodiversity significance, has no protection program specifically targeting it. It is this gap in the state's lake protection toolbox that our proposal aims to fill. To preserve this important component of Minnesota's aquatic natural heritage, MLT proposes to target the top 10% of these ?Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance? and protect their significant shorelands through conservation easements. These lakes represent the best of the best aquatic and shoreland habitat, and are characterized by exceptional fisheries (both game and non-game), high aquatic plant richness and floristic quality, and populations of endangered or threatened plant species and imperiled lake bird species. This work builds on the past success of MLT's Critical Shorelands Program. Through this proposal, the Land Trust will protect 0.5 miles of threatened shoreland and 216 acres of associated upland habitat by acquiring permanent conservation easements from willing landowners. Project priorities and conservation opportunities will be informed by a combination of GIS analyses to score and rank high-quality target parcels and consultation with local partners. We will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing protected land, contain the highest-quality habitat, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will employ its market-based RFP system for identifying, prioritizing and completing conservation easements in this program area. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy populations of fish, waterfowl, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need; 2) maintaining water quality of aquatic resources; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects; and 4) enhancement of prior state and local investments made in shoreland and forest conservation in the region. The Land Trust will strategically target target complexes of protect lands in which these outcomes are maximized.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Itasca, Lake, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-minnesotas-lakes-outstanding-biological-significance,,,,
10017823,"Protecting Coldwater Fisheries on Minnesota's North Shore",2021,1809000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(a)","$1,809,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in priority coldwater tributaries to Lake Superior. Of this amount, up to $144,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - This program will permanently protect approximately 1,080 acres of strategic northern forest region habitats and approximately 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline. In addition approximately 200 acres will be restored. Measure: Acres and feet of shoreline protected",,,240000,"Private Landowners and other private sources",1758100,50900,,0.65,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The magnitude, timing, and frequency of flow are key attributes governing the structure of native fish and aquatic communities. Through targeted protection and restoration projects, the Minnesota Land Trust will conserve these attributes and ensure resiliency of priority coldwater tributaries to Lake Superior. The Land Trust will protect 288 acres and 1 mile of shoreline and restore 70 acres of habitat by targeting high quality, priority parcels that will protect habitats for coldwater species such as trout and cisco, but will also provide habitat for a number of wildlife species such as American Woodcock and Golden-winged Warbler.","Lake Superior and its tributaries in Minnesota have some of the most important cold-water trout habitat in the State, supporting native brook trout and naturalized populations of salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. This cold-water fishery is vulnerable to climate and landcover change as it is mostly surface water fed. Combined, these factors may result in water temperature increases and flow regime changes that threaten support of cold-water fish species such as trout and salmon. Protection of shaded shorelines and headwaters wetlands within these tributary streams and rivers are critical for maintaining the coldwater resources and flow regimes that support this fishery. The magnitude, timing, frequency of flow are key attributes governing the structure of native fish and aquatic communities. For example, along the North Shore, stream discharge and water temperature are the major signals influencing the timing of the juvenile steelhead migration. Significant alterations to natural patterns of hydrology impact the suitability of those systems for native aquatic biodiversity. The Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA) 2016 study assessed management criteria to sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems in a changing climate. This study found that the combination of climate change and land use changes can be expected to result in increased intensity of storm events, increased runoff and increased erosion, which will in turn drive a series of cascading impacts to streams, including higher temperatures, reduced dissolved oxygen, increased primary production rates, and increased biological oxygen demand. These changes will negatively impact fish and other organisms in the stream. Similar impacts are expected in deep, cold lakes that support trout, cisco and other coldwater species. The ELOHA study recommends management actions that focus on protecting baseflows. This includes: 1) Protection of wetlands, vernal pools and floodplains that slowly release water into the system; 2) Management and maintenance of riparian zones, forest cover/shade and 3) Promotion and restoration of connectivity. We propose to strategically procure conservation easements and undertake targeted restoration efforts within high-quality watersheds. We will work in line with the methodology developed by the ELOHA program to identify priority watersheds and target properties to protect both water temperature as well as flow regimes. Conservation easements secured under this program will be perpetual and drafted to prevent the fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat. These easements will ensure that the sensitive shoreline and headwaters habitat will remain ecologically viable and productive for fish, game and wildlife by prohibiting land uses that negatively impact the important habitat values and requiring habitat management plans to maximize the benefits of shoreland and associated forested uplands. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy populations of trout and other fish species, and other species in greatest conservation need; 2) maintenance of water quality within targeted aquatic resources; 3) increased participation of private landowners in natural habitat protection and restoration projects; and 4) enhancement of prior state and local investments made in shoreland and forest conservation in the region. The Land Trust will strategically target complexes where these outcomes may be maximized.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-coldwater-fisheries-minnesotas-north-shore,,,,
20705,"Protect (Acquire) Key Forest Habitat Lands Cass County",2014,500000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$500,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation.Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors.Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species.Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers.","Protected in fee 329 acres of forestland.",,37000,"Cass County",500000,,,0.50,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","Project protects forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. Title of lands acquired is held by Cass County in fee. ",,"Central MN, especially areas in Cass County from Brainerd/Baxter to Walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest human population growth in MN. This growth has lead to increased demands from use of this area, its natural resources and related public land base that need to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine barrens in the landscape of southern Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlatch are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are inholdings in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create contiguous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat. Key industrial forest tracts (i.e. inholdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlatch Corp) in this area. Depressed market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy was to acquire land that completes existing habitat corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these lands to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands and conversion from forest to agricultural use. The acquired lands were not being pursued for convenience of management. The acquired parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Jack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership would have resulted in lost access and possibly loss of forest land. Management of adjacent public lands would have been limited to frozen ground conditions. This would have eliminated management tools such as site preparation of Jack Pine plantings and aerial seeding as well as prescribed burns for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access. The acquired lands provide year round management access to existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape. The acquisition of these lands provided permanent year round access for forest management as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect our management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no new loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project met the requirements of both plans and required stakeholders input as part of the project. The local units of government with private industrial lands to be purchased have provided written consent for the purchase of each parcel. All purchases in this project are supported by both the County and local units of government.",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Joshua,Stevenson,"Cass County","PO Box 25 ",Backus,MN,56435,"(218) 947-7501",josh.stevenson@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-acquire-key-forest-habitat-lands-cass-county,,,,
793,"Protect Key Industrial Forest Land Tracts in Central Minnesota, Phase 1",2011,594000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$594,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire lands that assist with gaining access for restoration and enhancement purposes to existing public land tracts. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land manager","Protected 400 acres of primarily forested land and 0.56 miles of shoreline. ",,37000,,594000,,,,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","This program will protect and restore approximately 400+ acres of forest and wetland wildlife habitat in central Minnesota (Cass County) through fee title acquisitions of industrial forest tracts. Title of lands acquired will be held by Cass County in fee. ","Central MN, especially are in Cass County from Brainerd/Baxter to 'walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest human population growth in MN. This growth will lead to increased demands.use of this area, it natural resources and related public land base that need to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine barrens in the landscape of southern Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlach are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are inholding in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create continous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat. Key industrial forest tracts (ie inholdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlach Corp) in this area. Depressed market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy is to acquire land that hold corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these land to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands. The acquired lands are not being pursued for convenience of management. The identified parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Hack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership will result in lost access. Management of adjacent public lands will be limited to frozen ground conditions. This will eliminate management tools such as site preparation of Jack Pine plantings and aerial seeding as well as prescribed burns for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access. The acquired lands provide year round management access to over 1,235 acres of existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape. The acquisition of these lands will provide permanent year round access for forest management as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect our management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no new loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project meets the requirements of both plans and will require stakeholders input as part of the project. The local units of government will the privte industrial lands to be purchased will be contacted for input before any acquisitions are made. Recent purchases of this nature have been supported by both the County and local units of government. The Cass County Board of Commissioners has a strong history of supporting land sales and acquisitions that have local unit of government support. ","Final Accomplishment Plan Report",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Josh,Stevens,"Cass County","218 Washburn Avenue ",Backus,None,56435,"(218) 947-7501",josh.stevens@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-key-industrial-forest-land-tracts-central-minnesota,,,,
9809,"Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass County , Phase 3",2013,480000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,221,,37000,"Cass County",480000,,,.50,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","This project has protected forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. Title of lands acquired is held by Cass County in Fee.",,"Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/3d.pdf Central MN, especially areas in Cass County from Brainerd/Baxter to 'walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest human population growth in MN. This growth has lead to increased demands from use of this area, its natural resources and related public land base that need to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine barrens in the landscape of southern Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlatch are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are inholdings in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create contiguous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat. Key industrial forest tracts (ie inholdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlatch Corp) in this area. Depressed market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy was to acquire land that completes existing habitat corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these lands to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands and conversion from forest to agricultural use. The acquired lands were not being pursued for convenience of management. The acquired parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Jack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership would have resulted in lost access and possibly loss of forest land. Management of adjacent public lands would have been limited to frozen ground conditions. This would have eliminated management tools such as site preparation of Jack Pine plantings and aerial seeding as well as prescribed burns for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access. The acquired lands provide year round management access to existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape. The acquisition of these lands provided permanent year round access for forest management as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect our management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no new loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project met the requirements of both plans and required stakeholders input as part of the project. The local units of government with private industrial lands to be purchased have provided written consent for the purchase of each parcel. All purchases in this project are supported by both the County and local units of government. ",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Joshua,Stevenson,"Cass County","PO Box 25",Backus,MN,56435,"(218) 947-7501",josh.stevenson@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-key-forest-habitat-lands-cass-county-phase-3,,,,
9825,"Protect Aquatic Habitat from Asian Carp",2013,7500000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$7,500,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to design, construct, operate, and evaluate structural deterrents for Asian carp to protect Minnesota's aquatic habitat. Use of this money requires a one-to-one match for projects on state boundary waters. ",,"https://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/5h.pdf ",,1414000,"DNR, USFWS, RIM, Iowa, University ",6621700,97900,,1,DNR,"State Government","Funding was used to design, install and evaluate deterrent barrier options in Minnesota and to cost share a barrier in northwest Iowa to limit or slow the movement of Invasive carp. ",,"Activity 1 Complete design and all permit requirements for a ""sweeping"" electrical barrier at Lock and Dam 1. The MN DNR believed that the best approach to keep Invasive Carp out of the upper Mississippi River watershed was to close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock. The lock is administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers and required an act of Congress to shut down. Minnesota senators and representatives successfully added an amendment to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) that called for Upper St. Anthony Falls lock closure within one year of passage of the bill. The bill passed both chambers of the federal legislature and was signed into law by President Obama on June 10, 2014. Lock closure happened June 10, 2015.   Prior to lock closure, the MN DNR initiated an invasive carp deterrent project at Lock and Dam 1 based on the status of carp population at the time and the uncertain political will to close a federal lock.  The DNR contracted with Smith-Root Inc. to design an electrical barrier at Lock and Dam 1.  With the passage of the 2014 WRRDA bill, construction of a Lock and Dam 1 barrier was not necessary. But, due to the timing of passage of the bill, there was no cost savings by terminating the design contract for the electrical barrier. Also, by completing the design, the MN DNR has a better understanding of the costs, potential effectiveness, and safety concerns associated with this technology. The contractor submitted a final design to the DNR in 2014. Activity 2 Complete design, acquire permits, and construct deterrent barriers in Minnesota's portion of the Missouri River watershed. Waters in the southwest corner of Minnesota were vulnerable to Invasive Carp expansion from the Missouri River watershed. MN DNR fisheries identified locations to prevent Invasive carp from entering Minnesota waters and from entering the Mississippi River and Minnesota River tributaries through watershed breaches. • Okabena Creek - Des Moines River Watershed Breach: The DNR acquired a flowage easement and removed two road culverts. With these culverts removed, the township gravel road acts as a physical berm to separate the watersheds. • Okabena Creek Barrier: The DNR installed an electric barrier by removing two small culverts and installing a 12 foot by 6 foot electrified culvert. The barrier prevents upstream movement of fish. • Little Sioux River - Des Moines River Watershed Breach: The DNR worked with the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District and a private landowner to build up an earthen dike berm to disconnect the watersheds. • Little Sioux River - Des Moines River Watershed Breach: The DNR worked with the Jackson County Highway Department and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to install a grate system and tile line caps to prevent fish from moving across a watershed boundary via the tile line system. • Minnesota River - Des Moines River Watershed Breach: An earthen plug was installed in a ditch to reestablish watershed disconnection. • Little Sioux River - Rock River Watershed Breach: An earthen plug was installed in a ditch and an outlet structure was modified to reestablish watershed disconnection. • Illinois Lake Protective Barrier: The DNR installed an electric barrier on a WMA downstream of the outlet of Illinois Lake. Activity 3 Develop cost share agreement with State of Iowa to construct barrier at Lower Gar Outlet. A joint powers agreement with Iowa DNR was executed to help share costs on a barrier to prevent Invasive Carp in the Missouri River watershed from entering Minnesota. An electric barrier at the outlet of Lower Gar Lake became fully operational in December 2012. Activity 4 Complete evaluation on feasibility of barriers in the Minnesota River watershed. The Minnesota River is a free flowing system whose watershed covers much of southern Minnesota. The MN DNR contracted with the Water Resource Center at Minnesota State - Mankato on a project to evaluate several Minnesota River aspects including barrier feasibility.  Increasing the understanding of this system aided the DNR in evaluating deterrent barrier potential on the Minnesota River and its tributaries. Additionally, the project provided information on habitat suitability and described the Minnesota/Red River connection.  A final report was submitted to the MN DNR in July 2018. Activity 5 Implement and evaluate deterrent barriers at Lock and Dams. The susceptible portion of the St. Croix River is not conducive to electrical barriers due to the high level of recreational use (safety concerns) and the required cooperation from Wisconsin, which has expressed limited to no interest in constructing a barrier. The best alternative is exploring deterrent technologies in lock(s) below the confluence with the Mississippi River. The MN DNR contracted with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to evaluate the potential effectiveness of flow modifications and an existing acoustic deterrent in Mississippi River Lock and Dam 8 to prevent Invasive Carp movement.   A final report was submitted to the MN DNR in March 2019. Activity 6 Complete design, acquire permits and construct deterrent barriers in the Minnesota River watershed. The uncertainty associated with a barrier (effectiveness, timeline, cost, native community impacts, and ability to construct) on the Minnesota River was high.  This was substantiated by the evaluation completed by Minnesota State Mankato (Activity 4).  Given this scenario, DNR Fisheries identified high value aquatic resources that could be protected at locations in tributaries.  Construction of the two electric barriers, Madison/Eagle lakes protective barrier and Elysian/Buffalo lakes protective barrier, were completed in February 2019. Activity 7 Lock and Dam 5 Acoustic Deterrent Feasibility Study Mississippi River Lock and Dam 5 was identified as a potential location for installation of an acoustic barrier to deter upstream movement of Invasive Carp.  Before any potential construction project, the DNR required a feasibility study to estimate the effectiveness, construction costs, and annual operation/maintenance costs.  The MN DNR contracted with the University of Minnesota-Duluth to complete the study.  Study results suggest further development of the technology was needed before deployment at this site.  A final report was submitted to the MN DNR in December 2018.   ",2012-07-01,2019-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Nick,Frohnauer,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5670,nick.frohnauer@state.mn.us,"Grants/Contracts, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Hennepin, Jackson, Waseca",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-aquatic-habitat-asian-carp,,,,
2543,"Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands - Cass County, Phase 2",2012,604000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(f)","$604,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee for forest wildlife habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 431 acres of Forests",,53000,"Cass County personnel",604000,,,,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","Project has protected forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. Title of lands acquired will be held by Cass County in fee.",,"Final Report : http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2012/accomp_plan/3f.pdf",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Joshua,Stevenson,"Cass County","218 East Washburn Avenue",Backus,MN,56435,218-947-7501,josh.stevenson@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-key-forest-habitat-lands-cass-county-phase-2,,,,
2552,"Protecting Sensitive Shorelands in North Central Minnesota, Phase 1",2012,1098000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e)","$1,098,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements with the Leech Lake Watershed Foundation and the Minnesota Land Trust as follows: $339,000 to the Leech Lake Watershed Foundation; $741,000 to the Minnesota Land Trust; and $18,000 to the Department of Natural Resources to pay for acquisition-related expenses and monitoring costs of donated permanent conservation easements on sensitive shorelands in north central Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $342,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Protected in easement 260 acres of habitat.",,1200,"Operating Budget",337200,,,1.57,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, MN Land Trust and DNR","Local/Regional Government","Landowner-donated conservation easements in Aitkin, Cass, and Crow Wing counties permanently conserved 260 acres and 3.6 miles of critical shorelands for the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and continued public recreational enjoyment of these aquatic resources. ",,"The deep, cold water lakes of Aitkin, Cass, and Crow Wing counties in North Central Minnesota are considered to be some of the most desirable recreational lakes in Minnesota. These high quality lakes are biologically important systems that support fish, game and wildlife and have high ecological value to Minnesotans for recreation as well as contributing to the sustainability of Minnesota’s $11 billion/year tourism industry. With steady population growth in this region and projected increases of up to 30% by 2030, these lakes are continually threatened by increasing shoreland development. As shorelines are developed and land is cleared, habitat for fish and wildlife is reduced and in turn fish populations and other wildlife that depend on a healthy shoreland zone decline. This project, “Protecting Sensitive Shorelands in North Central Minnesota” permanently protected 260 acres and 18,915 shoreland feet (3.6 miles) of critical fish and wildlife habitat. Willing landowners donated a conservation easement on their property to limit future development and shoreland disturbance. The conservation easements are held and monitored in perpetuity by the easement holder, the Minnesota Land Trust. Not only do the protected lands have critical shoreland habitats, all the protected properties also provide important forested habitats for upland wildlife, and keeping forest lands intact will reduce erosion and runoff to the lakes to help maintain high quality water environments for fish and recreational enjoyment. Participating landowners donated over $800,000 in land value to provide fish and wildlife habitat protection to the public of Minnesota. As a financial incentive for the land donation, the associated transaction costs for closing the easement, such as surveys, title and legal work, and other professional services along with easement stewardship was covered by the Outdoor Heritage Funds appropriated to the project. As further incentive, landowners were provided an IRS-approved appraisal of the conservation easement to use for their charitable donation of conservation value. This project was accomplished through the collaborative efforts of the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, a regional land conservation nonprofit who provided project administration and landowner outreach/coordination to point of securing a commitment to donate a conservation easement, and the Minnesota Land Trust, who drafted the easements, holds the easement is perpetuity, and is responsible for easement stewardship. Prior to starting the project, the most important shoreland habitats in the North Central Minnesota region, including Aitkin, Cass, and Crow Wing counties, was identified using science-based strategic planning and evaluation models. The initial criteria for parcel selection was based on the Minnesota DNR’s Sensitive Shoreland Study conducted on 19 lakes in Cass County from 2008-2010, in which they used 13 ecological parameters to determine the most important shoreland for fish and wildlife habitat protection. In Cass County alone, over 83 miles of largely undeveloped and critical shorelands were identified. Through this project, the DNR’s initial work was expanded into a rapid assessment model for other shorelands in the region. The model was then applied to other critical lakes in the region and assessed, in collaboration with the three county local governments, to further identify important shoreland for fish and wildlife habitat protection. The prospective parcels are largely undeveloped shorelines in areas of high-conservation significance as determined by these studies and field surveys. Once parcels were identified, outreach was conducted to specific landowners about the project and its benefits. Several easements were started in this Phase I project but were not completed for various reasons, including access issues, family conflicts, and estate issue among others. An important conclusion of this Phase I project was the realization that future protection work will need to focus primarily on the purchase of easements—either in full or as a partially-donated easement. Through extensive outreach and many landowner conversations, participating landowners were secured for fully-donated easements, but many landowners, though interested, could not participate in that capacity citing impending changes in IRS charitable deduction limits and changing economic conditions as reasons why they could not ultimately fully donate a conservation easement. It is the conclusion of the participating organizations that the low-hanging fruit of landowners willing to donate easements has been exhausted. While there may still be some donated easements in Phase II and beyond, most easements will need to be acquired. Phase II of this project was funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2014 to continue the important work of fish and wildlife habitat protection on critical shorelands in North Central Minnesota with expansion to Hubbard County. Landowner outreach in Phase I will be utilized to target additional parcels for conservation easements in Phase II. Shoreland disturbance due to development is one of the greatest threats facing Minnesota’s lake resources. Permanently protecting the most critical shorelands is an essential strategy to maintain Minnesota’s fisheries and wildlife habitat; important waterfowl breading and feeding areas; and the overall health of the state’s aquatic resources upon which the public relies for recreational enjoyment and which drive the economic engine sustaining many North Central Minnesota counties. This project achieved permanent conservation of 260 acres and 18,915 shoreland feet (3.6 miles) of critical shoreland fish and wildlife habitats for approximately $18 per shoreland foot and $1300 per acre—all projects costs considered. Given that the shorelands on prime recreational lakes in this region of Minnesota can cost up to $4,000 per shoreland foot to purchase in fee, the state of Minnesota received an excellent return on its investment in protecting and conserving critical shorelands in North Central Minnesota. While the protected properties are still privately owned, the Minnesota public benefits from the habitat and water quality protection achieved. The project achieved the original goal of 3-4 miles of shoreland protected, but fell short on the acreage goal. However, the lessons learned from the project will inform efficient and targeted future aquatic habitat protection work in North Central Minnesota (Phase II and beyond). Plus the unused appropriation can be returned to North Central Minnesota for additional conservation based on lessons applied and continuing opportunities for permanent land conservation to protect some of the most vital and critical fish and wildlife habitat in Minnesota. ",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Paula,West,"Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation","PO Box 455",Hackensack,MN,56452,218-675-5773,llawf@tds.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-sensitive-shorelands-north-central-minnesota-phase-1,,,,
23929,"Protect (Acquire) Key Forest Habitat Lands - Cass County Phase V",2015,880000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$880,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"585 Forestland acres protected from development and fragmentation - Strategic parcels are selected based on location in proximity to other public lands. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors - Parcels are selected to ensure habitat corridors remain intact. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Strategic parcels are selected based on known locations of RTE species. Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers - Summer access provides opportunity for a variety of forest management techniques. Greater public access for wildlife and outdoors-related recreation - Parcel are selected to provide summer access or legal access to existing public lands.",,45000,"Cass County",880000,,,0.50,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","Protected 585 acres of forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. Title of lands acquired is held by Cass County in Fee.",,"Central MN, especially areas in Cass County from Brainerd/Baxter to 'walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest human population growth in MN. This growth has lead to increased demands for use of this area, its natural resources and related public land base that are needed to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine barrens in the landscape of southern Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlatch are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are inholdings in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create contiguous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat. Key industrial forest tracts (i.e. inholdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlatch Corp) in this area. Depressed market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy was to acquire land that completes existing habitat corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these lands to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands and conversion from forest to agricultural use. The acquired lands were not being pursued for convenience of management. The acquired parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Jack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership would have resulted in lost access and possibly loss of forest land. Management of adjacent public lands would have been limited to frozen ground conditions. This would have eliminated management tools such as site preparation of Jack Pine plantings and aerial seeding as well as prescribed burns for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access. The acquired lands provide year round management access to existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape. The acquisition of these lands provided permanent year round access for forest management as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect our management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no new loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project met the requirements of both plans and required stakeholder input as part of the project. The local units of government with private industrial lands to be purchased have provided written consent for the purchase of each parcel. All purchases in this project are supported by both the County and local units of government.",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Joshua,Stevenson,"Cass County","PO Box 25 ",Backus,MN,56435,"(218) 947-7501",josh.stevenson@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-acquire-key-forest-habitat-lands-cass-county-phase-v,,,,
23934,"Protecting Pinelands Sands Aquifer Forestlands and Aquatic Habitat Phase 1",2015,1050000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire forest lands in Cass, Hubbard, and Wadena Counties for wildlife management area purposes underMinnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; or to acquire land in fee for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in fee 567 acres of forestlands. ",,2000,"U.S. Forest Service",1050000,2400,,0.1,DNR,"State Government","The Pinelands Sands Aquifer Phase 1 project protected 567 acres of priority forest habitat  in the Pinelands Sands Aquifer including high quality dry pine woodlands to prevent habitat loss, protect water quality in the aquifer, and provide access. Lands protected include 352 acres of forests which will be added to the Badoura State Forest and 215 acres which will be part of the newly established Jack Pine Woodlands Scientific and Natural Area. Protected lands will provide ecological and habitat connectivity, public wildlife and recreational opportunities, help maintain water quality in the aquifer and increase management access to other public lands.",,"Process & Methods: The Pinelands Sands Phase 1 project was part of an interdisciplinary effort by the Department of Natural Resources to assess and prioritize for protection industrial forestland in west central Minnesota in the Pinelands Sands area. The effort has included representatives from the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological and Water Resources, Parks and Trails, and Forestry who have identified parcels containing high ecological, water, habitat, recreational, access and timber values. The process has included the participation of county boards, county staff and Potlatch representatives. One of the two parcels acquired is the new Badoura Jack Pine Forest SNA which benefitted from additional Outdoor Heritage Funding provided to the Division of Ecological and Water Resources and who also had funding provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The second parcel acquired will be added to the Badoura State Forest. Both parcels are located in southeastern Hubbard County adjacent to or in close proximity to other public lands and will be open for public access including hunting. The Badoura Jack Pine Forest SNA protects a rare jack pine woodland plant community which is considered Imperiled or Critically Imperiled (S1S2) by the DNR and Globally Rare (G2) by NatureServe and which also contains several populations of the State Special Concern plant species Hill’s thistle (Cirsium hillii). These jack pine woodland plant communities are characterized by a mix of prairie and northern forest plant species and this acquisition represents one of the largest remaining stands of jack pine woodland in this part of the state. The second parcel includes 420 acres of forestland that protects at risk pine and hardwood forest habitat. Forest lands acquired include those most at risk of near-term conversion to row crop agriculture, and parcels adjacent to already publically owned lands that would augment protection for the Pineland Sands aquifer. These parcels also provide habitat connectivity and management and public access to additional areas of state and county forest lands. ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,F.,"MN DNR Forestry","1810 - 30th St. NW ",Faribault,MN,55021,507-333-2012,richard.f.peterson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Hubbard, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-pinelands-sands-aquifer-forestlands-and-aquatic-habitat-phase-1,,,,
35028,"Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County - Phase VI",2016,442000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d )","$442,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"282 acres of forestlands were protected from development and fragmentation. ",,45000,"Cass County",442000,,,0.50,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","This project protected 282 acres of forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. The title of the acquired lands will be held in fee by Cass County. ",,"The central Minnesota region, especially areas in Cass County from Brainerd-Baxter to Walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest population growth in the state. This growth has led to increased demands from use of this area, its natural resources and related public land base is needed to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine Barrens in the landscape of Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlatch are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are in-holdings in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create contiguous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat. These key industrial forest tracts (i.e. in-holdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlatch Corp) in this area. Market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy is to acquire land that completes existing habitat corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these lands to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands and conversion from forest to agricultural use. The acquired lands were not being pursued for convenience of management. The acquired parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Jack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership would have resulted in lost access and possibly loss of forest land. Management of adjacent public lands would have been limited to frozen ground conditions which eliminates management tools such as site preparation, aerial seeding and prescribed burning for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access to existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect the management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no net loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project met the requirements of both plans and required stakeholders input as part of the project. All purchases in this project were supported by both the County and Townships. The 47-027-4100 Unorg PCH 80 acquisition provides management access to adjoining public lands, while protecting a historic access to public land for their use. This parcel provides a forested habitat for species like black bear, timber wolves, northern long eared bats, bobcats and pine martin. The LLBO 40 property is located within the Pine River watershed This parcel connects two blocks of public land totaling nearly 1,700 acres, while protecting over 1,700 feet of undeveloped shoreline on the Pine River and Ding Pot Lake This Nelson 40 and 121 parcels are located less than 10 miles away from the rapidly developing area of Brainerd-Baxter. The acquisition consolidated 600 acres of public lands while guaranteeing permanent public access for recreation use, protection of forested wildlife habitat and access for timber management purposes. The Cass County Land Department has been in business for over 60 years. The staff of professional foresters over 135 years of natural resource management experience. The County managed forest lands have been certified to the Forest Stewardship Council forest certification standard since 2000. This certification is a rigorous third party audit of the counties forest management practices and operations and insures to residents, taxpayer and visitors that these forest lands are managed in a sustainable manner. Cass County continues to show a proven record of success. Since the county was awarded its first grant in 2010, this final report marks the sixth closed Outdoor Heritage Fund grant. This is a program that performs because of our accountability to the local taxpayers.",2015-07-01,2020-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Joshua,Stevenson,"Cass County","PO Box 25 ",Backus,MN,56435,"(218) 947-7501",josh.stevenson@co.cass.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-key-forest-lands-cass-county-phase-vi,,,,
35042,"Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's Important Birds Areas",2016,1730000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,730,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire conservation easements within important bird areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, to be used as follows: $408,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and $1,322,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $100,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"78 Wetland acres and 650 Prairie acres (for a total of 728 acres) Restored.  265 Wetland acres and 220 Prairie acres ( for a total of 485 acres) Protected in Easement.  95 Wetland acres and 1,500 Prairie acres (for a total of 1,595 acres) Enhanced.  A total of 2,808 acres impacted. ",,187100,"Audubon Funds, Landowners ",1730000,,,0.89,"Audubon MN and MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect and restore 590 acres of significant wildlife habitat through conservation easements and restoration projects on private lands within Important Bird Areas with an emphasis on those located in within priority areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Audubon and Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) designed the Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's Important Birds Areas Program to provide solutions to declining grassland and waterbird populations due to habitat loss in western Minnesota. This program is unique for several reasons: 1) the emphasis on Important Bird Areas, which are essential to maintaining healthy and diverse bird populations in Minnesota; 2) a commitment to protecting and restoring working grasslands, remnant prairies and threatened wetlands within these IBAs; 3) the utilization of the cost- effective, reverse-bid model of evaluating and paying for conservation easements. In the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, Audubon utilized a GIS analysis which found that within these IBAs, there are a total of 339,616 acres of private lands. Of those, 105,000 acres (31%) could be considered wildlife habitat worthy of conservation (e.g., wetlands, grasslands or woodlands). More specifically, private lands that are both within an Important Bird Area and a Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan core area total 195,480 acres, of which 51,576 (26%) could be considered of conservation value. It is this 26% of high priority private lands that this project targeted for protection, restoration, and enhancement in the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands. Specific tracts for easements were identified through a targeted application process as part of this Program’s innovative scoring system. The evaluation and payment strategy was based on MLT’s successful Avon Hills and the Wetlands Protection Initiative, which both used a science-based ranking system and reverse-bid model to leverage the State’s investment on these high-value wildlife lands. Audubon and MLT focused restoration/enhancement efforts on IBAs and the Prairie Plan’s priority areas within western and northwestern Minnesota where these efforts would most benefit target species. Restoration/enhancement work occurred on public lands and private lands previously protected by MLT under this grant and existing USFWS conservation easements. Easement lands, although permanently protected, often have a significant need for habitat restoration and enhancement. In addition, program partners restored and enhanced 524 acres of habitat within Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, as part of the largest tallgrass prairie restoration projects in North America. These acres enabled MLT and Audubon to further increase the value of these respective lands for focal species by targeting priority lands prioritized by the USFWS. Using this model, Audubon Minnesota and MLT protected four properties totaling 485 acres through perpetual conservation easements and restored and enhanced 2,323 acres of habitat on permanently protected public lands and private lands protected through publicly funded conservation easements by the USFWS and MLT. Properties protected through conservation easements under this Program: Skull Lake (Peterson) – Kittson County. 80 acres The property falls within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property protects portions of two rare wet prairie native plant communities and is within 3.5 miles of a 7,000+ acre unit of Skull Lake Wildlife Management Area and four miles of The Nature Conservancy’s Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area. The property supports sharp-tailed grouse and their courtship leks. Skull Lake (Pines Land) – Kittson County. 105 acres The property lies within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property is located within a complex of natural habitats that provide habitat for elk, moose, gray wolf and black bear. Skull Lake WMA, which is identified by MBS as being of outstanding biodiversity significance, is located less than two miles to the south of the property. Skull Lake (Paine-Smude) – Kittson County. 160 acres This spectacular property lies within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property borders the 7,000+ acre Skull Lake Wildlife Management Area to the north and 230-acres of land owned by The Nature Conservancy to the east. The property consists of five native plant communities, some of which are considered rare or imperiled in Minnesota, including Northwestern Dry- Mesic Oak Woodland, Bur Oak- (Prairie Herb) Woodland and Dry Barrens Prairie (Northern). The property is located within a site of high biodiversity significance, as ranked by Minnesota Biological Survey. Gilchrist Lake (Mulvaney) – Pope County. 140 acres The property lies in close proximity to over 6,000 acres of existing protected lands that are located within five miles of the Property. The wetlands and lakes in this area form the heart of Minnesota’s prairie pothole ‘Duck Factory’ that is of continental significance for waterfowl reproduction. The rolling terrain found on the property con¬tains a mosaic of mesic hardwood forests, a variety of wetlands, and remnant native prairie. It also contains 4,588 acres of undeveloped shoreline on a bay of Gilchrist Lake, a popular recreational lake. A wide variety of wildlife frequents this property, including many species of migra¬tory waterfowl and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. For this Program, MLT: 1) identified, contacted and negotiated with interested landowners; 2) completed four perpetual conservation easements totaling 485 acres; 3) documented property conditions and developed habitat management plans for; 4) dedicated funds for the perpetual monitoring and enforcement of those easements; 5) managed restoration/enhancement of 1,580 acres of private lands protected through publicly funded conservation easements held by MLT and USFWS. Audubon Minnesota: 1) served as Program Manager and local point of contact; 2) assisted with landowner identification and easement site assessments; 3) managed habitat identification and prioritization on the conservation easements; 4) managed the restoration/enhancement of 743 acres of lands which are protected through publicly-funded conservation easements or in public ownership; 5) managed the restoration/enhancement of 524 acres of lands funded through MLT's appropriation through a subcontract from MLT (those acres are attributed to MLT above); and 6) enhanced an additional 48 acres on Minnesota Land Trust easements conserved under this Program which are not included in any deliverable totals since they fall within the already acquired conservation easement. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Alexandra,Wardwell,"Audubon Minnesota","2355 Highway 36 West ~ Suite 400",Roseville,MN,55113,"(651) 739-9332",alexandra.wardwell@audubon.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Douglas, Grant, Kittson, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-and-restoring-minnesotas-important-birds-areas,,,,
35043,"Protecting Pinelands Sands Aquifer Forestlands - Phase II",2016,2180000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$2,180,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire forest lands in Cass and Wadena Counties for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"1,306 Forest acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,5000,"General Fund ",2175500,2900,,0.2,DNR,"State Government","Protect up to to 1,500 acres of at risk, priority forest habitat adjacent and near the Crow Wing River that will consolidate and link public forestland parcels, provide management and recreational access and protect surface and ground water quality. ",,"This project protected with fee acquisition 1,306 acres of priority forestland and associated habitats in west- central Minnesota in an area of significant deforestation as a result of conversion of forests to irrigated agriculture. The project focused on habitat protection within a core area along and nearby the Crow Wing River in an area that also includes the Huntersville State Forest, Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Hunterville WMA, Burgen Lake Prairie WMA, Menahga WMA and Yaeger WMA. Habitats protected include pine, oak, and aspen forests, brushlands, and wetlands. Some river river frontage along the Crow Wing was included; the Crow Wing River is one of the state's best river routes for canoeists, with many rustic campsites and miles of undeveloped wooded shoreline. Parcels acquired are now managed by the appropriate DNR Division as State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas. This is an important public use area that provides a wide range of public recreational opportunities including hunting, hiking, fishing, canoeing, trail riding and camping. The project protected properties containing high conservation and natural resource values as determined by a team of area staff who used a science based assessment to evaluate resource values on the various tracts. Values considered in the assessment included shoreline habitat, wildlife habitat, terrestrial ecological importance, groundwater protection, watershed protection, access, trails, forest consolidation and forest productivity. The parcels were further evaluated based on their threat of conversion to agriculture using the following criteria: topography, soil drainage, proximity to other irrigated agricultural land, size of parcel and soil survey data. The project implemented the Minnesota State-Wide Conservation and Preservation Plan priorities to ""protect large blocks of forestland"" and to ""improve connectivity and access to recreation"". In addition, it supported other priorities including the ""protection of priority land habitats"", ""protection of critical shoreland of streams and lakes"" and ""supports and expands sustainable practices on working forest lands"". The project also addressed two of the priority actions listed in the Outdoor Heritage Fund: A Twenty Five Year Framework for the Northern Forest Section. The project was completed with the involvement and support of County Land Departments and County Boards. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Christine,Ostern,"MN DNR Forestry","525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 415",Duluth,MN,55802,(218)302-3253,christine.ostern@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Hubbard, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-pinelands-sands-aquifer-forestlands-phase-ii,,,,
35056,"Protect (Acquire) Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass County - Phase VII",2017,500000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(f)","$500,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers - We measure this outcome by the number of miles of public property line that are eliminated, the number of land locked public land acres that are opened to the public, and the number of acres of public land that are opened for year round management access. ",,46300,"Cass County ",500000,,,0.25,"Cass County","Local/Regional Government","This project protected 277 acres of forest wildlife habitat in central Minnesota through fee title acquisition of key forest tracts. The title of the acquired lands will be held in fee by Cass County without a PILT obligation. ",,"The central Minnesota region, especially areas in Cass County from Brainerd-Baxter to Walker, has and will continue to see some of the fastest population growth in the state. This growth has led to increased demands from use of this area, its natural resources and related public land base is needed to support this growth. Development of these private industrial parcels has resulted in the loss of Jack Pine Barrens in the landscape of Cass County. Industrial forest tracts held by Potlatch are currently being sold to private developers. These lands often provide access to existing public lands for resource management, are in-holdings in otherwise unfragmented landscapes, create contiguous wildlife corridors, and protect larger blocks of land especially useful for stand level management of habitat.  These key industrial forest tracts (i.e. in-holdings in large public land tracts, management access issues) are being considered or currently being offered for sale by a large industrial forest owner (Potlatch Corp) in this area. Market conditions and a willingness by this industrial forest owner to sell at this time is an opportunity that should be addressed now since it is narrow and may close at any time. The strategy is to acquire land that completes existing habitat corridors. The land acquired has existing forest access roads that have been used for management access for years. The sale of these lands to private individuals has already resulted in the loss of access for resource management on public lands and conversion from forest to agricultural use. The acquired lands were not being pursued for convenience of management.  The acquired parcels play a key role in future management plans of the Jack Pine Barrens including the role of fire as a management tool. The loss of these parcels to private ownership would have resulted in lost access and possibly loss of forest land. Management of adjacent public lands would have been limited to frozen ground conditions which eliminates management tools such as site preparation, aerial seeding and prescribed burning for Jack Pine regeneration. This type of management requires year round access to existing public lands in the Jack Pine barrens landscape as well as protecting habitat in and around the surrounding areas. The Cass County Forest Resource Management Plan directs the County to acquire land of this nature whenever possible to protect the management access. The Cass County Comprehensive plan requires no net loss of acres of public land and local unit of government input on all purchases and land sales. This project met the requirements of both plans and required stakeholder's input as part of the project. All purchases in this project were supported by both the County and Townships. The Carder 160 parcel adjoins approximately 8,500 acres public land that provides a large contiguous block of wildlife corridor and habitat. This acquisition also permanently protects over 1,200 feet of undeveloped shoreline on the Boy River. This parcels adjoins other county managed lands at the Deep Portage Reserve where a recent bird count study was completed. From Dr. Gerald Niemi’s report, “the results of the counts in 2016 reveal a diverse avifauna at Deep Portage, including five species defined by Audubon Minnesota as stewardship species in Minnesota and four species identified by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as Species of Greatest Conservation Need”. Study results included 47 different bird species and nearly a thousand individuals were observed during a 3 day period on the one square mile plot. Niemi also reports that “Forest management as the site should be reviewed to determine how this management has facilitated or maintained such a high population of Golden-winged Warbler as well as several other species of concern in Minnesota"". This acquisition supports the habitat needs of 47 different bird species.  Likewise, the Powers 40 acquisition adjoins the same 8,500 acres of public land as described above.  The May Potlatch 40 is a located less than 10 miles away from the rapidly developing area of Brainerd-Baxter. This key acquisition consolidates a 640 acre block of wildlife habitat while guaranteeing a permanent public access for hunting and forest management purposes. The Bullmoose 40 parcel is surrounded by county managed land on 3 sides and is located in the middle of a 16,000 block of public managed land in Bull Moose Township. This parcel provides wildlife habitat for species like black bear, timberwolf. bobcat and pine martin. The Cass County Land Department has been in business for over 60 years. The staff of professional foresters over 140 years of natural resource management experience. The County managed forest lands have been certified to the Forest Stewardship Council forest certification standard since 2000. This certification is a rigorous third-party audit of the counties forest management practices and operations and insures to residents, taxpayer and visitors that these forest lands are managed in a sustainable manner. Cass County continues to show a proven record of success. Since the county was awarded its first grant in 2010, this final report marks the seventh closed Outdoor Heritage Fund grant. This is a program that performs because of our accountability to the local taxpayers. ",,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kirk,Titus,"Cass County","PO Box 25 ",Backus,MN,56435,"(218) 947-7501",kirk.titus@co.cass.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protect-acquire-key-forest-habitat-lands-cass-county-phase-vii,,,,
35084,"Protecting Forest Wildlife Habitat in the Wild Rice River Watershed",2017,2188000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(j)","$2,188,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to acquire lands in fee in Clearwater County to be managed for wildlife habitat purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. As a condition of receiving the grant under this paragraph, the White Earth Band of Ojibwe shall: (1) ensure that current access roads and trails on the property are maintained and open to continue the current access to adjoining lands; (2) ensure that the property remains open to hunting and fishing for individuals of the public who are not members of a federally recognized tribe in a manner consistent with current law; and (3) not transfer fee interest in whole or in part to the United States either directly or through an intermediary in trust for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Failure to comply with the provisions of this paragraph shall trigger the reversion provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 15. ",,"Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - White Earth Nation will evaluate the effectiveness in protecting forestlands from fragmentation by measuring the total acreage of contiguous forestland that is transferred from private ownership to tribal ownership. In addition, to measure the added value of protecting land adjacent to existing protected lands or in areas of heightened habitat importance (such as riparian corridors), White Earth Nation will break out and measure subsets of the total acreage of protected forestland that are adjacent to existing protected lands or are in areas of special habitat value (e.g., in riparian corridors). ",,120000,"White Earth Nation ",2153600,,,0.55,"White Earth Nation","Local/Regional Government","White Earth has acquired all 2,034 acres and transferred them into fee title status. Initial assessment/inventory of habitat conditions and needs were conducted in summer of 2017. Most illegal dump sites were removed in summer of 2017. The parcel located east of Lower Rice lake adjacent to HWY 92, which contained remnants of ~ 5 acres of food plots, were planted into a pollinator prairie mix. This prairie planting makes the property compliant with the MN Buffer Law. This east parcel is in the planning stages of an early succession forest manage plan. ","   ","White Earth purchased all parcels from seller and transferred titles into Fee status by the White Earth Land Office.  Land office drafted the appropriate language as to the requirements of the Lessard-Sam’s stipulations for restrictions to be attached to all Warranty Deeds for all parcels. Natural Resource staff conducted a broad habitat evaluation to establish future habitat needs/enhancement opportunities.  White Earth currently plans to keep the parcels in Fee title and continue paying taxes for the foreseeable future.  The easterly parcel that abuts HWY 92 had 4 food plots for hunting, was treated for noxious weeds left prior to sale from a hunting lease. These 4 food plots were then planted to a pollinator prairie mix using a Truax seed drill.  By utilizing a pollinator planting to prevent further weed growth and stabilize the soil, White Earth conserved runoff and potential contamination from eroding into the Wild Rice River on the upstream side of Lower Rice Lake while providing high quality pollinator species habitat.  The remainder of this parcel is dominated by 2 nearly identical aged aspen regeneration was evaluated for an early succession forest plan by NRCS in November of 2017.  Currently, there is a 5 year plan in the approval process.  White Earth Forestry Department has begun assessing and inventorying current forest stands and pine plantations on several parcels.  Lastly, there were several illegal dumpsites scattered across the parcels, of which most were completely picked up in 2017. ",,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Doug,McArthur,"White Earth Nation","P.O. Box 495 ","White Earth",MN,56591,218-935-2488,doug.mcarthur@whiteearth-nsn.gov,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Clearwater,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-forest-wildlife-habitat-wild-rice-river-watershed,,,,
10017825,"Resilient Habitat for Heritage Brook Trout",2021,2266000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(c )","$2,266,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance habitat in targeted watersheds of southeast Minnesota to improve heritage brook trout and coldwater communities. Of this amount, $350,000 is to The Nature Conservancy, $258,000 is to Trout Unlimited, $857,000 is to The Trust for Public Land, and $801,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $96,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat - Conservation easement (MLT) - acres and shoreline protected. Fee acquisition (TPL) - acres and shoreline protected. Restoration and enhancement (TNC, MLT and MNTU) - acres restored/enhanced; instream feet restored",,,183300,"Federal Farm Bill; USFWS, Private donations, TNC, TPL and Trout Unlimited",2166900,99100,,1,"The Nature Conservancy, MN Trout Unlimited, Trust for Public Land, MLT ",,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited, the Minnesota Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for Public Land will combine their expertise in six targeted watersheds to increase the resilience of remnant populations of brook trout unique to Southeast Minnesota. We will protect and enhance habitat in floodplains, along gullies, above steep slopes, and on bluffs to slow runoff, increase infiltration, and keep aquatic habitat productive. This holistic watershed approach, combined with in-stream enhancements designed for Heritage Brook Trout, will protect the long term health of these unique coldwater communities and amplify the impact of past stream habitat and protection efforts.","Word has spread that Southeast Minnesota's streams support a robust trout fishery and trout fishing now generates $800 Million annually to local communities. Less well known is that a small number of these streams hold remnant populations of native brook trout unique to Southeast Minnesota. They have persisted for thousands of years and through the time of European settlement. These ?Heritage Brook Trout? populations are indigenous to this unique area and a Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Yet their long-term persistence is far from secured. Small populations of Heritage Brook Trout persist in perhaps 20% of Southeast trout streams, and are abundant in just 17 streams. These face growing challenges from land conversion, parcelization, intensified agricultural practices, poor land management and an increasingly wet and warm climate. Recent DNR research suggests that consistent baseflow from groundwater springs can provide a level of resilience to these coldwater systems. Coldwater streams with ample spring baseflow may provide a climate refugia for brook trout and other coldwater species. Minnesota Trout Unlimited and DNR Fisheries have made significant investments in restoration and enhancement of in-stream habitat in Southeast Minnesota. Protecting the health of the surrounding watersheds will be critical to maintaining these coldwater streams and gaining the maximum benefit from in-stream improvements. Improved riparian habitat and connectivity are key factors in stream quality; they also provide important corridors for terrestrial wildlife, connecting large habitat cores. Program partners Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for Public Land used several resilience factors to identify six subwaterhseds where conservation of robust populations of Heritage Brook Trout is most achievable: Beaver Creek, East Indian Creek, Rush Creek-Pine Creek, South Fork Root River, Zumbro Tributaries, and Whitewater River. Partners will harness their collective expertise in land protection and terrestrial and in-stream habitat restoration/enhancement to increase the resiliency of these coldwater systems and their Heritage Brook Trout. While restoring in-stream habitat has improved stream bank and aquatic habitat in many coldwater reaches, little work has been done restoring broader floodplain areas surrounding DNR easement corridors. Restoring floodplain forests, wet prairies and wetlands provides significant benefits to stream health and corridors provide habitat connectivity. Because of the Driftless Area's rugged terrain, the vast majority of its natural communities occupy steep slopes that play an important role in the region's hydrology. Protecting through targeted fee and easement acquisition and improving the condition of these forests and prairies through restoration and enhancement will improve their ability to slow runoff and increase infiltration. This will reduce sediment and nutrient delivery to streams and improve the hydrology of the watershed by reducing peak flows and increasing baseflows, while also improving plant diversity and habitat for wildlife in one of the most biologically diverse parts of Minnesota. Restoring habitat along the upper edges of steep forested slopes will help buffer the natural communities, while significantly slowing the formation and spread of gullies that deliver large amounts of sediment and nutrient runoff directly to streams.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","Southeast Trout Partnership PO Box 845",Chanhassen,MN,55317,"(612) 670-1629",jlenczewski@comcast.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Olmsted","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/resilient-habitat-heritage-brook-trout,,,,
10006520,"Restoration Evaluations - ML 2018",2019,150000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 6(b)","$150,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,140000,10000,,1.21,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice. ","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations.Restoration evaluation reports are available: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2017 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to twenty initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the Fiscal Year 2018 report, an additional three to five follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. ",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-ml-2018,,,,
10011410,"Restoration of Non-Native Cattail Dominated Wetlands in Border Waters",2020,1270000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(f)","$1,270,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Park Service to restore and enhance wetland and lacustrine habitat in Voyageurs National Park. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Post cattail treatment and restoration surveys of vegetation and wildlife will be compared to historic as well as pretreatment and restoration surveys to determine success of the project. Long-term monitoring of vegetation and indicator species will also determine the ultimate success of this wetland restoration project. All monitoring and evaluation of the project is funded by NPS and partners..",,,776100,NPS,1230000,40000,,3.16,"National Park Service","Federal Government","Non-native cattails (Typha spp.) have invaded wetlands in the Border Waters near Voyageurs National Park, displacing native vegetation, reducing biodiversity, degrading fish/wildlife habitat, impairing recreational opportunities, and degrading cultural resources, especially wild rice (Zizania palustris). These lakes are designated ""Outstanding Resource Value Waters"" (Minn. R.7050.0250-0335) where herbicide use is prohibited. Treatment methods include mechanical removal along with burning and other methods. We propose to remove cattails using these methods followed by reestablishment of native vegetation to restore wetland communities. This will restore fish and wildlife habitat, reduce damage from detaching floating mats, and improve recreational opportunities.","Step 1 - Remove Non-native Cattail: In areas of dense invasion of floating mats, non-native hybrid cattails will be mechanically removed using plant mulching and harvesting barges. Cutting/harvesting barges are a quick and cost-effective method to completely remove aquatic vegetation where herbicide use is prohibited. Harvesting equipment cuts up and removes cattails, including the dense cattail mats that prevent other vegetation from growing. The equipment also collects the cattail biomass and stores it onboard until dumping in a designated location nearby. Any cattails not accessible by the harvesting equipment will be removed with hand tools designed for aquatic vegetation use. Burning will be used as a tool to reduce cattail biomass and stimulate native vegetation regrowth. We will conduct treatments over the course of multiple seasons to accommodate annual water level changes, weather delays, and availability of equipment. We are partnering/contracting with several tribal communities in Minnesota that have extensive experience in removal of cattails using harvesting equipment to restore wild rice communities and other native vegetation. Step 2 – Restore Native Species: Following removal of cattail, we will use a combination of methods to reestablish native vegetation. Simply removing the cattail mats, even ones in place for many decades, will allow dormant seeds, including wild rice and other native aquatic plants, to germinate without any further effort. While viable seed banks exist, park staff will transplant plants from nearby sites and directly-sow seeds to jump start the re-establishment of a diverse community of native species.The steps outlined above are part of our 10-year Wetland Restoration Plan initiated by Voyageurs National Park in 2016 to restore these non-native cattail invaded wetlands. Developing the most cost-effective techniques was the first phase of the project. Phase 2 can now be implemented by applying these techniques to the rest of the wetlands in the area. Outdoor Heritage Funds would be used to continue the most cost-effective cattail removal and wetland restoration techniques outlined in Steps 1-2. Completion of this proposed project would restore cattail invaded wetlands to diverse wetland communities that will create and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and improve recreational and cultural opportunities for Minnesotans.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Reid,Plumb,"Voyageurs National Park","360 Highway 11 E ","International Falls",MN,56649,"(218) 283-6694",reid_plumb@nps.gov,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Koochiching, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-non-native-cattail-dominated-wetlands-border-waters,,,,
10011411,"Restoration of Norway Brook connectivity to the Pine River",2020,2267000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(m)","$2,267,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Pine River to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Pine River and provide fish passage by removing the dam and modifying and installing structures at the Norway Lake dam site.",,"Removal of the dam and construction of the rock riffle has restored fish passage and connectivity between the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and 134 lakes and 80 miles of rivers and streams. This work has restored the ecological connection between Outstanding Lakes of Biological Significance for fish community-Whitefish Chain and upstream Lake Hattie as well as additional Outstanding Lakes of Biological Significance in headwaters: Lizzie, Brockway, Lind, Bowen, Pine Mountain, Beuber and Deep Portage. Removing the dam and reconnecting these high quality, diverse habitats and stream corridors benefits fish, mussels and many game and non-game animal species. Riffle habitat has been constructed in a 325-foot length of boulder-arch rapids. Long-ear Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, Silver Redhorse, Sand Shiner and Black Sandshell (mussel) are present below the dam but have not been found upstream of the Pine River Dam. Northern Sunfish (special concern) are found downstream of the dam but have not been found upstream. Restoring fish passage enables Northern Sunfish to expand their range in the watershed. Pugnose Shiner (threatened), Least Darter (special concern), and Hornyhead Chub (species of greatest conservation need) are found in the Pine River system both upstream and downstream of the rock riffle. Populations of these fish will benefit from the reestablished connectivity between the middle and upper reaches of the Pine River and the associated lakes and streams of the watershed. Black Sandshell mussel (special concern) were found below the dam prior to the project but not upstream. Upstream fish passage may allow Black Sandshells to expand upstream as larval mussels are carried upstream by Bluegill and Largemouth bass hosts. Blandings Turtle (threatened) have been found in the area around the City of Pine River and any turtles moving along the river will now be able to move through the rock riffle instead of crossing the dam and road as required before the project. The aquatic plant, Olive-colored Southern Naiad (special concern) has been found within the Whitefish Chain of Lakes.","A total of 6 acres were affected: 6 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",289000,"$200,000 DNR Dam Safety Program and City of Pine River",2235400,,,0.08,"City of Pine River","Local/Regional Government","The Norway Lake Dam was removed and replaced with a rock-arch rapids in 2022 by the City of Pine River. Replacing the high hazard dam with a rock riffle enhanced fish passage, biological connectivity, habitat, safety, aesthetics, fishing, and recreational access to the river. The riffle pools and channels enhanced recreational opportunities wading, fishing, paddling and other water-based fun. This work restored fish passage and connectivity between the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and reconnected 134 lakes (11,338 acres) and 80 miles of river and stream corridors benefitting fish, mussels and many game and non-game animal species.","The Norway Lake Dam was removed and replaced with a rock-arch rapids in 2022 by the City of Pine River. Work in preparation for the project included environmental review, surveying, engineering (civil, geotechnical, structural and water resources), landscape architecture and water/wetland permitting (Wetland Conservation Act, DNR Public Waters and Dam Safety, Corps of Engineers, NPDES Construction Stormwater). Landscape architectural drawings were helpful to convey project concepts to citizens and funding partners. A sheet pile weir was installed within the rock-arch rapids and was useful for bypassing flow and in the dewatering of the construction site. Removal of the dam and construction of the rock rapids was done in the winter. Flows in the river were low but the cold and snowy conditions also added construction complications. The contractor's use of GPS survey equipment allowed precise boulder placement which helps to evenly distribute flow throughout the riffle.",,2019-07-01,2022-07-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Mike,Hansen,"City of Pine River","200 Front St N PO Box 87","Pine River",MN,56474,"(218 587-2338",publicworks@cityofpineriver.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Cass,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-norway-brook-connectivity-pine-river,,,,
10011412,"Restoring the Upper Mississippi River at Lake Pepin: Phase 1",2020,750000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(o)","$750,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Lake Pepin and the adjacent floodplain. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - Lake Pepin represents a significant corridor of open space and habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. In addition to the monitoring and adaptive management plan established as part of the final report within the feasibility study, the project area will be regularly sampled as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program. The aforementioned indicator species will be used as a measure of success for bottomland hardwood forest restoration, wetland restoration, overwintering habitat, and water clarity and aquatic vegetation. .",,,1400000,"U.S. Army Corps of Engineers",750000,,,,"Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project leverages more than $10 million in federal funds to begin implementation of a system-wide effort to improve game fish and waterfowl production in the Upper Mississippi River by improving 100 acres of floodplain forest and up to 1,000 acres of aquatic and wetland habitat at the upper end of Lake Pepin. Local partners are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate habitat degradation caused by turbidity and excess sediment accumulating at the head of the lake. Project construction is anticipated to begin in 2020.","The Upper Mississippi River is impaired for turbidity (fine sediments) from the confluence with the Minnesota River to Lake Pepin. Continued deposition of these Minnesota sourced suspended solids has resulted in a lack of aquatic vegetation, poor invertebrate production, and reduced abundance of fish and wildlife. Deep protected aquatic areas that would serve as habitat for bluegill and other species, including walleye and sauger, is lacking in both the backwaters and within large open water areas of upper Lake Pepin.Working through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Beneficial Use of Dredge Material Program, the Corps will create/enhance islands and isolated wetlands, protect banks, and create deeper water in protected areas. The expected outcomes of these features include an increase in the habitat sustainability index for ducks by at least 0.25, an increase in the average annual habitat units by a net gain of 250, restored floodplain and wetland plant communities, enhanced public access, decreased suspended solid concentrations, and more natural sediment transport and deposition. Priorities for the upper end of Lake Pepin have been established as part of a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies in the 5-state region of the Upper Mississippi River. More localized habitat objectives correspond to the Pierce County Islands Wildlife Management Plan, approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Though the state line at the upper end of Lake Pepin is adjacent the Minnesota shoreline, and thus the initial project is located in Wisconsin, the benefits of productive fish and wildlife habitats accrue equally to citizens of both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minnesota DNR will remain highly involved in the planning and monitoring phases. We recognize that the threshold in which habitat restoration at the head of Lake Pepin becomes cost-prohibitive is fast approaching. The current fishery is still robust, but there are concerns productivity is decreasing as sediment and turbidity impacts have long-term effects. This project is expected to restore productivity to historic levels for the next 50 years.We realize the long-term sustainability of this project is dependent on continuing upstream sediment source reductions, however, not beginning the restoration of Lake Pepin will seriously impair Minnesotans’ ability to enjoy fishing, hunting, and boating in this singularly unique reach of the Mississippi River. Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is coordinating and administering the 35% non-federal cost-share funds for project partners, while the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources remains the official non-federal sponsor. Support for the project is widespread, with on-going involvement from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Audubon MN, Ducks Unlimited, and local municipalities, alongside support from the National Wildlife Federation, the Minnesota Conservation Federation, the Red Wing Wildlife League, the Frontenac Sportsmen Club, and the Lake City Sportsmen Club. ",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Rylee,Main,"Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance","P.O. Box 392 ","Red Wing",MN,55066,"(6308069909) -",rylee.main@lakepepinlegacyalliance.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Goodhue,"Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoring-upper-mississippi-river-lake-pepin-phase-1,,,,
10011427,"Restoration Evaluations - ML 2019",2020,150000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 6(c)","$150,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,140000,10000,,1.19,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice. ","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations.Restoration evaluation reports are available: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2018 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to twenty initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the 2020 annual report, an additional three to five follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. ",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-ml-2019,,,,
10000097,"Restoration Evaluations",2018,150000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 6(c)","$150,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to fifteen restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10. ",,,,,,140000,10000,,1.1,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. Restoration evaluation reports are available: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2017 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to twenty initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the Fiscal Year 2018 report, an additional three to five follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals.",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,Assessment/Evaluation,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-2,,,,
10019643,"Restoration Evaluations - ML 2021",2022,150000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 6(c )","$150,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,139400,10600,,1.22,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluation program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals in the restoration plan. Program staff will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with implementation, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are increased success of habitat restorations, increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with restorations and recommended management options to improve future projects. Up to twenty-five initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported in the 2022 annual report, an additional three to five follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Current Restoration Evaluation Reports, appendix of project evaluations and selected project stories are available on the MN DNR website https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/legacy/restoration-evaluation.html A permanent record of all Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluation reports beginning in 2012 are available from the Legislative Library: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-ml-2021,,,,
10017826,"Restoration Evaluations - ML 2020",2021,150000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 6(b)","$150,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10. ",,,,,,,,,None,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice. ","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. Restoration evaluation reports are available: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285 The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2017 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to twenty initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the 2021 annual report, an additional three to five follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-ml-2020,,,,
20702,"Restoration Evaluations Program",2014,45000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(c )","$45,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,84300,7700,,0.4,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a restoration evaluation panel (REP) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects completed with outdoor heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10.  Primary goals of the REP reports include improving future habitat restorations in the state and providing for transparency and accountability in the use of Legacy funds.  The REP will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, stated goals and standards in the restoration plans, and applicable guidelines.  The program coordinator, as statutorily required, is responsible for both identifying the sample of projects to be evaluated by the panel and providing a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining whether restorations are meeting planned goals, identifying problems with implementation of restorations and, if necessary, providing recommendations on improving restorations.  As part of the restoration evaluation process, site assessments will be conducted on the selected habitat restoration projects.      In 2011 BWSR and DNR leadership initiated a year-long interagency project, staffed by a project manager and an interdisciplinary team of technical and professional experts, to cooperatively develop recommendations for the formation and implementation of the program, ensuring the effective coordination between the two responsible agencies and consistency in program development.  The project team established recommendations for the development and implementation of a Restoration Evaluations Program, including options for administration of the program and recommendations on the process and methods for selecting and evaluating habitat restoration projects and reporting on the panel findings (see attached Development and Implementation of a Habitat Restoration Evaluation Program for Legacy Projects).   In 2012 the DNR hired a full time Restoration Evaluation Coordinator to manage implementation of the program.  As directed in statute a restoration evaluation panel (REP) of technical experts was seated.  This panel consists of: Chris Weir-Koetter – DNR, Parks and Trails Greg Larson – BWSR Sue Galatowitsch – University of Minnesota Greg Berg – Stearns County SWCD Greg Hoch - DNR, Wildlife Mark Oja – MN NRCS The first REP meeting was convened in May 2012.  At this time annual priorities for the fiscal year 2012 & fiscal year 2013 reports were established.  Six Outdoor Heritage Fund projects have been selected for evaluation during the 2012 field season.  Two of these evaluations will be reported in the fiscal year 2012 report on October 31st 2012, four will be reported on in the fiscal year 2013 report on June 30th 2013.  It is anticipated that up to ten projects will be evaluated and reported on for the fiscal year 2014 report. This request supports a portion of the interagency Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S. 97A.056), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50) as required by state law.  ",,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and in cooperation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-program,,,,
2553,"Restoring Native Habitat and Water Quality to Shell Rock River, Phase 2",2012,2577000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$2,577,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee at the headwaters of the Shell Rock River for aquatic management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. The leases for gravel mining existing at the time of acquisition may not be extended and all gross income generated from mining operations must be transferred to the commissioner of management and budget and credited to the outdoor heritage fund. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 99 acres of Forests and 137 acres of Habitat and 20 acres of Wetlands",,7555400,"Landowner donation, SRRWD Sales Tax, Army Corp of Engineers",2576500,,,1.0,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The SRRWD has successfully acquired fee title to 257 acres of land that encompasses the headwaters of the Shell Rock River located at the Albert Lea Lake outlet. This 257 acre parcel will now be a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Management Area (AMA) guided by an Aquatic Management Plan.",,"The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Management Plan developed in 2004, revised in 2015, has identified goals for accelerating programs for improved habitat, water quality and flood control. Acquiring the 257 acre parcel allowed the SRRWD to meet these goals by protecting such a large portion of undeveloped habitat and opening opportunities for the public by incorporating recreation, hunting, and fishing into the property. This project was time sensitive, as it was an essential step in securing access for the replacement of the Albert Lea Lake Dam. The Albert Lea Lake Dam and Fish Barrier Project was also funded by the LSOHC and was a 3-in-1 project designed to replace the failing dam and install a draw down structure that provided vegetation and game fish management, an electric fish barrier for protection from aquatic invasive species, and provided an aesthetically appealing rock arch dam. This project complements the 257 headwaters purchase as the water from the outlet of the dam continues to flow south through the middle of the property that was purchased. The 257 acre parcel has various natural amenities that includes the headwaters and 1.4 miles of the Shell Rock River, floodplain and mesic hardwood forests, undisturbed highly diversified wetland complexes and a riparian and stream bank corridor that is a mile long and approximately ½ mile wide. A majority of the site has undisturbed native plant communities, but some locations have been mined for sand and gravel, and roughly 43 acres of this property was used for row crops. After the purchase of the property the SRRWD, using the MnDNR recommendations, seeded the cropland into native grasses and wildflowers, and once the gravel lease is up, the MnDNR will incorporate that portion into wetland ponds. With the cropland and gravel pit restored, it creates a 257 parcel habitat niche in a predominantly agricultural setting that is at pre-settlement conditions. The Shell Rock River Water District was the fiscal agent that received the funds for purchase of this property. The process of this reimbursable grant was a relatively simple process that is well executed by LSOHC Staff and Council Members. The property is now in the process of being transferred into an AMA. This DNR management and appraisal process took longer than the District proposed because of the cumbersome DNR requirements. Once fully transferred, the DNR will have regulations for public use of this land as well as maintaining restored conditions. ",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street","Albert Lea",MN,56007,507-377-5785,andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoring-native-habitat-and-water-quality-shell-rock-river-phase-2,,,,
23916,"Restoration Evaluations",2015,100000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(c )","$100,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,91500,8500,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10.  Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State.  Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan.  The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. In 2011 an interagency team of BWSR and DNR staff developed recommendations for consistent and effective implementation of the program across the three Legacy Funds that call for restoration evaluations; Parks and Trails, Clean Water and Outdoor Heritage Funds.  In 2012 the DNR hired a full time Restoration Evaluation Coordinator to manage implementation of the program.  The restoration evaluation Panel was also seated.  During 2012 and 2013 the Panel consisted of: Chris Weir-Koetter – DNR, Parks and TrailsGreg Larson – BWSRSue Galatowitsch – University of MinnesotaGreg Berg – Stearns County SWCDGreg Hoch - DNR, WildlifeMark Oja – MN NRCSThe first set of restoration evaluations and recommendations is available in the Fiscal Year 2012 report: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2012/mandated/121281.pdf. The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations.This request supports a portion of the interagency Legacy Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S. 97A.056), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50) as required by state law.  Up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund projects will be evaluated and reported on in the Fiscal Year 2015 report. ",,2014-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-0,,,,
23923,"Restoration and Enhancement of Washington County's Public Lands",2015,425000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$430,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Washington County to restore and enhance habitat on public lands in Washington County. A restoration and enhancement plan and a list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 25 acres and enhanced 259 acres for a total of 284 acres ",,70000,"County, County, County ",425000,,,.50,"Washington County","Local/Regional Government","This project restored and enhanced rare and unique plant and animal communities identified by the DNR's County Biological Survey. Over 293 acres of prairie, forest, wetland were restored and enhanced. Ultimately, the county was able to approach or exceed the goal of 20% increase in diversity across all three habitats based on plant surveys conducted. ","   ","This project focused on restoration and enhancement of native plant communities in Washington County’s last best public lands, as identified by the DNR’s County Biological Survey, the Metro Conservation Corridors program, and the County’s Top 10 Priority Conservation Areas (January 2012). The goal of the project was to establish a 20% increase in species diversity, resulting in higher quality and higher functioning habitats. This was accomplished utilizing a combination of contractors and internal staff to complete buckthorn removal and follow-up on re-sprouts, native plant seeding, controlled burns and reducing dominance of reed canary grass in wetlands to increase available wildlife habitat.  The restored and enhanced lands were selected strategically to connect existing managed native landscapes to previously isolated DNR identified rare and unique plant and animal communities. Ultimately, this has helped to create a mosaic of interconnected landscapes of sufficient size that will accommodate the greatest biological diversity. Overall, Washington County restored or enhanced 284 acres of habitat, a 8% increase (21 acres) over the original project goal of 259 acres. Restoration and enhancement activities took place at three locations: along the St. Croix River (St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park), within a major watershed of the Mississippi River (Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park), and within a wetland dotted landscape that is characteristic of east-central Minnesota and the St. Paul Baldwin Plains and Moraines landscape subsection (Lake Elmo Park Reserve). Restoration focused on three habitat types: forest (154 acres), prairie (103 acres) and wetland (27 acres). Summary of the restoration/enhancement efforts and the evaluation efforts in each habitat type: Forest Oak forest habitat enhancement was completed in all three locations in Washington County, for a total of 154 acres, including oak forest, mesic hardwood forest and oak savanna where undesirable shrubs such as common buckthorn have been out competing the native plant communities. In these areas, a contractor removed buckthorn and honeysuckle using a combination of forestry mowing, chainsaw cutting and stump treatments and basal barking. Material was either mulched on-site or piled and burned. Following initial removal, buckthorn and honeysuckle re-sprouts were treated with foliar chemical spray for two years following initial removal.  In order to quantify the effectiveness of these approaches and the progress toward the goal of a 20% increase in species diversity, three plots were established at each location and surveyed each year from 2015 to 2018. The surveys showed that the work resulted in a significant decrease in buckthorn extent, height and density across all nine plots. As of 2018, Buckthorn extent was still below 25% in all but one plot, and below 10% in five plots. There was also an increase in native woody and herbaceous vegetation in all nine plots over the same time period. Native woody species increased from an average of 3.3 species/plot to 5.9 species/plot, and native herbaceous species increased from an average of 2.7 species/plot to 11.0 species/plot.   Prairie Stewardship work in the prairie included both 81 acres of enhancement and 25 acres of restoration at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The tallgrass prairie enhancement was accomplished by interseeding native forbs into existing prairie restorations that were established in 1989. Prior to implementing, a pilot project was implemented to evaluate three different interseeding methods; the most successful method was determined to be a prairie burn, followed by discing and then broadcasting the forbs. A preliminary meandering survey of the prairie was used to identify species to interseed into the prairie and 51 forb species that were rare or absent were selected to be seeded in spring and winter of 2016. An average of 35% of the species seeded had established in a survey conducted in 2018, only 1-2 growing seasons post-interseeding. It is anticipated that more species will establish over time with continued management such as burning, grazing and or haying to reduce grass dominance. In addition to the enhancement, 25 acres of prairie were restored from cropland, 11 acres using OHF funds and an additional 14 acres leveraged by the County. The seed mix included a mesic prairie mix used for 18.5 acres and a wet prairie mix for 1.5 acres. In total 86 different species were seeded by Washington County staff in the fall of 2015 using a Truax seed drill for grasses and broadcasting forbs. In a survey three years after planting, 51% of the seeded species were identified (44 species, 10 grasses/sedges and 34 forbs). Similar to the prairie enhancement, it is expected that species will continue to establish and be identified with more time and management.  Wetland 27 acres of wetland, in 29 different wetlands, were enhanced at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, including seasonally flooded wetlands, mixed emergent marsh, wet meadow and littoral open water wetlands. A wetland management plan developed by Barr Engineering and Washington Conservation District detailed the control of reed canary grass as important to increasing wetland plant diversity. Enhancement methods included a combination of herbicide application and controlled burning, followed by seeding with a native wetland mix. Comparison of pre-enhancement and post-enhancement wetland surveys indicate an average reduction in Reed canary grass of 44%, as well as an increase in native dominant plant diversity in 22 of 29 wetlands surveyed (76%). Of the 43 species seeded by the contractors, 34 (79%) were identified in the 2018 post-enhancement survey. There are plans in place for continued follow-up on reed canary grass to ensure long-term persistence of the native plants.    ",2014-07-01,2019-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Dan,MacSwain,"Washington County","11660 Myeron Road North ",Stillwater,MN,55082,(651)430-4323,dan.macswain@co.washington.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Washington,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-and-enhancement-washington-countys-public-lands,,,,
35087,"Restoration Evaluations",2017,125000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(b)","$125,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 15 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,119000,6000,,0.82,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to fifteen Outdoor Heritage Fund restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration and enhancement projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. Restoration evaluation reports are available: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2017 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice. This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S.97A.056 Subd.10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to fifteen initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the Fiscal Year 2017 report, an additional two to three follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. Of this appropriation, $111,500 will be used for evaluation as required in M.S.97A.056 Subd.10.",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/restoration-evaluations-1,,,,
20689,"Root River Protection and Restoration",2014,1644600,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$2,750,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5, and for state forest purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7, and to acquire permanent conservation easements as follows: $2,122,000 to The Nature Conservancy and $628,000 to the Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $100,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 143 acres (in fee with state PILT liability), protected 526 acres (in easement), and enhanced 396 acres for a total of 1065 acres ",,36400,"TNC, Private Source ",1644600,,,1.15,"The Nature Conservancy/MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy acquired in fee 3 properties that added 143 acres to the RJ Doer Memorial Hardwood Forest. The Minnesota Land Trust protected 3 properties with perpetual easements totaling 526 acres. The Nature Conservancy enhanced 396 acres of high priority habitat (bluff prairie and oak savanna) on existing state forest and Scientific and Natural Area lands, and an additional 35 acres on new fee acquisitions.  ",,"This program identified three primary goals: 1) expand the amount of protected land—both public and private—in strategic locations based on existing protected lands and high-quality habitat; 2) maximize the quality of this protected habitat through well-executed restoration and enhancement projects; and 3) increase public access to these unique habitats in this area of the state with relatively little public lands. Using funding provided by this appropriation, we advanced those goals by acquiring fee ownership of key additions to State Forest units, completing conservation easements over private lands with significant biodiversity, and taking on the most difficult initial phase to invasive brush control to restore important bluff prairie and savanna habitat.  Priorities for this program were informed by biodiversity data from the MN Biological Survey (MBS) along with a comprehensive, multi-partner watershed protection plan, the Root River Watershed Landscape Stewardship Plan (LSP). The LSP identified areas where program work would have the most impact for multiple benefits. MBS data identified areas with the greatest significance for biodiversity. From there, local knowledge of TNC and MLT staff, along with our DNR partners guided us to the most important opportunities in the program area.  In this Root River program, MLT strategically concentrated its land protection activities on high priority upland habitats, including bluff prairies, forests, savanna and high quality trout streams. MLT targeted private lands that helped fill gaps in existing protected land framework, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust sought donated easement value in these areas whenever possible but purchased easements that help complete key complexes as necessary. In subsequent grants in Southeast Minnesota, MLT transitioned to a competitive, market-based approach to identifying and securing conservation easements. Opportunities for fee acquisition under this appropriation became limited when the SNA program reversed a previous verbal agreement to accept a large property, the Rollie Tract (now 7 Springs WMA). The SNA program decided after funds had been awarded that the amount of restoration need on the property was not an appropriate fit for their program. The Rollie tract and associated restoration projects have since been completed in partnership with DNR Division of Wildlife using subsequent appropriations from LSOHC. SNA’s decision not to accept new acquisitions left State Forests as the only allowable partner for protection in fee under this appropriation, and it proved difficult to find enough opportunities that met with Division of Forestry’s priorities to utilize the funding leftover from the 7 Springs tract.  Original restoration and enhancement goals included acres that were intended to be acquired during this appropriation, including the 7 Springs Acquisition. When this appropriation was unable to be used on that site, TNC shifted focus away from restoration and towards enhancement projects. Resources were redirected towards much needed enhancement work on bluff prairies threatened by brush and red-cedar encroachment. These habitat types are critical components of the diversity of the region, and are at risk of being overrun by invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle and native red-cedar that have become aggressive in the absence of fire.  These sites were selected based on their positions within larger habitat complexes. TNC prioritized work in areas with several larger bluff prairie sites in proximity to each other with known timber rattlesnake dens, a Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Targeted sites can be maintained as part of a larger habitat complex, with prescribed fire utilized on a landscape scale to manage fire-dependent oak woodlands as well as the prairie and savanna sites. This creates diverse connected habitat that provides the full suite of habitat types used by rare herpetofauna and birds, as well as popular games species like deer and turkey. These connected complexes are also easier to manage at a landscape scale in a disturbance dependent landscape like Southeast MN. In partnership with DNR Forestry, as well as staff from DNR’s non-game program, TNC used a variety of methods to control invading brush and release the native prairie communities. On the most severe sites, contractor or CCM crews cut brush by hand, and burned the slash on site. This is difficult work on steep terrain, and was only conducted during the winter season to minimize the potential for rattlesnake encounters. The difficulty and cost of this work emphasize the need for treating sites before brush encroachment gets too severe, and also to follow up on recently cleared slopes to maximize its effectiveness. Prescribed grazing using goats has proven cost-effective on sites to treat new brush growth, giving grasses and forbs the opportunity to re-colonize areas where thick brush has been removed. On flatter areas, forestry mowers were used to treat undesirable woody vegetation over larger areas to return savanna conditions and facilitate the return of prescribed fire management. ",2013-07-01,2019-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","PO Box 405 136 St. Anthony St.",Preston,MN,55965,"(507) 765-2450",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Houston, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/root-river-protection-and-restoration,,,,
10017827,"Roseau River Habitat Restoration",2021,3036000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(o)","$3,036,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Roseau River Watershed District to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Roseau River and the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area. ","Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - This project will restore and enhance in-stream and riparian habitat. Restoration will create a corridor of high-quality aquatic habitat through the RRWMA which will directly improve the population of Lake sturgeon and other fish game species. The benefit to fish populations and macroinvertebrate can be evaluated in future Fishery Stream Surveys which are conducted by the MN DNR approximately every 10 years. This survey will also outline benefits to water quality and connectivity. Additionally, this project will enhance recreational opportunities for paddlers and anglers who will see improvements in quality of fishing and wildlife viewing",,,,,3036000,,,None,"Roseau River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","Over a century ago, the Roseau River in the northwestern corner of Roseau County was channelized by the State with the establishment of State Ditch 51. The Roseau River Watershed District and Minnesota DNR, through multiple phases, will cooperatively restore a total of 13.6 miles of river channel, adding 366 acres of high-quality large river habitat within the Roseau River WMA and enhancing the river's riparian habitat corridor. This project is the first phase and will begin progress towards restoring the Roseau River.","The Roseau River is currently classified as Minnesota State Ditch 51 starting at the Canadian border and continuing 45 miles upstream to County Road 28. This reach of the river was channelized in the early 1900s causing habitat degradation of the river and its riparian corridor. The increased slope of the river has led to entrenchment, disconnected oxbows, high bank erosion, reduced access to floodplain and loss of critical habitat. Altered hydrology affects turbidity and water temperature leading to reduced biodiversity and vulnerability to climate change. The Roseau River Watershed District (RRWD) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) are leading implementation of a plan to restore this reach of the Roseau River. The project will restore degraded habitat, increase the resilience of the ecosystem surrounding the river, reestablish natural levels of connectivity between the river and its floodplain, strengthen biodiversity, and restore overall watershed hydrology to the area. When all phases are completed, the project reconnects 13.6 miles of the Roseau River for a total restoration of 22.5 miles of river, floodplain and associated riparian habitat located almost entirely within the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area (RRWMA). Estimated restoration length for Phase 1 is approximately 5 miles. Restoration will include rehabilitation of natural river habitat, and enhancement of wetland and prairie plant communities in both form and function. The river restoration will be based on the principles of natural channel design with an understanding of the hydrology and fluvial geomorphology at the site. The restored river and associated riparian wetlands and prairie will improve habitat for several species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) such as Black sandshell, Yellow rail and Nelson's sparrow, as well as game fish such as Lake sturgeon, walleye, Northern pike and Channel catfish. The restoration is located within the MN DNR's Aspen Parklands Conservation Focus Area (CFA) identified in the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan 2015 ? 2025 (WAP) as well as the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Prairie Core Area identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. The Roseau River and its riparian corridor is considered a key habitat for SGCN and received a high score (high priority for restoration) in the Wildlife Action Network. Almost all of the land required for restoration is already part of the RRWMA, eliminating the need for major land acquisition and bypassing one of the most difficult steps in conservation projects. Outdoor recreation within the WMA already includes hunting, fishing and birding. The MN DNR constructed three large waterfowl pools located approximately 1 mile north of the project area. These pools are a rich source of wildlife habitat and are part of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail. Outdoor recreation will benefit from the restoration by expanding opportunities to enjoy wildlife through improved kayaking and canoeing along the river as well as other activities compatible with the WMA's conservation mission. The restored river would be an excellent candidate for the MN Water Trail. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Tracy,Halstensgard,"Roseau River Watershed District","714 6th Street SW ",Roseau,MN,56751,"(218) 463-0313",rrwd@mncable.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Roseau,"Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/roseau-river-habitat-restoration,,,,
35069,"Roseau Lake Rehabilitation ",2017,2763000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(j)","$2,763,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements for wildlife management purposes in Roseau County under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, to restore and enhance wildlife habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions and 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 - The site will be monitored through a joint 5 year monitoring plan between the RRWD and DNR. Monitoring will include an evaluation of bird species use; plant community condition; water quality; water quantity as measured against project outcomes and current conditions. .Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - DNR staff does ongoing annual surveys of waterfowl breeding pairs and brood numbers on Roseau Lake. In addition, annual invertebrate and vegetation surveys will be undertaken once sustainable shallow water habitat is created by the project. All parameters listed above will be measured against current conditions to assess progress in meeting project goals. .",,,4000000,"RRWD and State of Minnesota capital bonding",2763000,,,,"DNR with Roseau River Watershed District","State Government","This multi-purpose project will partially restore a large drained lake, provide water level management capacity to substantially improve wildlife habitat conditions and provide flood damage reduction benefits. The project will also contribute to water quality improvements in the Roseau River.","Roseau Lake was drained in the early 1900s when the Roseau River was channelized and ditch systems were constructed to increase agricultural production in the watershed. Prior to drainage, Roseau Lake provided excellent fish and waterfowl habitat. After drainage, the lake basin was farmed and produced crops in drier times, but production was unreliable in most years. Over time, local landowners recognized that farming the lake bed would always be tenuous, and thus, large portions of the lake basin became part of the Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area in the 1960s. Interest in a partial restoration of the lake grew in recent years because the DNR, watershed district, local governments, and citizens recognize that there are opportunities to develop a multipurpose project with significant wildlife habitat and flood damage reduction benefits (see attached citizen's advisory report). Roseau Lake currently fills from overflow from the Roseau River. Habitat benefits for waterfowl are impressive when the basin is flooded. But the benefits are not sustainable because the lake often drains (i.e., via a county ditch) after breeding efforts of waterfowl have been initiated, thus stranding nesting birds. Conversely, flooding after nest initiation can claim many nests in some years. This project will build in the ability to retain water and/or flood the basin at key times of the year to attract more waterfowl and shorebirds and moderate water level fluctuations within the basin to optimize wildlife production. In recognition of changes to the surrounding landscape that drainage for agriculture has caused in local hydrology, the DNR believes that a basin managed with seasonal water will benefit for wildlife while allowing flexibility to deal with ecological problems (e.g., invasive species) that may occur. This seasonal approach to water management is compatible with watershed district management for flood damage reduction. The project has two primary purposes: 1) To improve the quantity and quality of wildlife habitat in and surrounding the Roseau Lake basin area. A key objective of the project is to provide migratory habitat (primarily abundant forage) for waterfowl and shorebirds in spring and fall and to improve the capacity of the basin to produce waterfowl. 2) To use the water storage capacity of the basin to reduce peak flows on the Roseau River downstream of the lake bed by 10% or more compared to current conditions as well as reduce the footprint of the 100-year floodplain. To achieve wildlife habitat objectives, a system of levees and water control structures will be constructed to provide capacity to actively manage water levels in the basin. This infrastructure will allow wildlife managers to manage lake levels seasonally so that food and cover requirements of waterfowl will be met. If easements are purchased with OHF monies, they will be permanent easements that require installation and maintenance of permanent vegetative cover that provides habitat appropriate for the area. These tracts are entirely within the basin, adjacent to existing WMA, and in key locations relative to project infrastructure (e.g., contain a portion of the planned levee for the project). 500 acres of private lands are targeted for acquisition/easement by the watershed district. These acres tend to occur on the periphery of the basin. Fee title acquisition of the parcels cited is desirable, but easements may need to be used if landowners would prefer not to sell their land. If easements are used, they will be flowage easements held by the watershed district. Non-OHF funds will be used for flowage easements.Operation of the project will be governed by a mutually-agreed upon plan between the DNR & watershed district. The plan will specify seasonal water levels that will increase waterfowl and shorebird use of the basin. Spring and fall water levels will be managed to create an abundance of shallow water which provides abundant forage for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. In addition, shallow water management during summer will enhance the relative value of surrounding grass cover for nesting and provide brood-rearing cover for waterfowl and other waterbirds. Benefits to aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic mammals will accrue whenever water is present. Improvements in water quality, hydrologic conditions, and the riparian habitat corridor along the Roseau River will result in better fish habitat.The wildlife benefits of the project will be achieved in a number of ways. First, water level management in the basin will be timed to coincide with life history requirements of waterfowl and shorebirds. For instance, the basin will be flooded with water from the Roseau River during spring and fall migration to provide shallow foraging habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. Known arrival dates of various species will inform the operation plan of when to flood the basin. Similarly, invertebrate-rich shallow water for waterfowl brood-rearing will be provided adjacent to dense nesting cover during summer. Second, by reducing the flood peak downstream of the project, habitat improvements for plants and animals in the Big Swamp will be achieved. Project infrastructure will also provide the capability to manipulate timing of flood flows on the river to optimize water storage capacity of the basin for flood damage reduction. Currently, Roseau Lake floods early in a given event such that flood storage is unavailable when the flood peak passes through the area. Flood damage reduction benefits will be achieved by altering the timing of water storage in the lake basin so available storage is more effectively used to reduce peak flows downstream. Habitat downstream of the project in the Big Swamp has been degraded due to excessive depths, duration, and frequency of flooding. Thus, a reduction in peak flows downstream provides additional natural resources benefits that include improved hydrologic conditions in the Roseau River which, in turn, will contribute to improved habitat. Rare plant communities in the Big Swamp will also benefit from a reduction in peak flows. Siting of project infrastructure will be guided by water management considerations/constraints as well as the presence of cultural resources and existing wetlands (all of which will require professional services to locate and delineate).",,,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Randy,Prachar,"MN Department of Natural Resources","27952 400th St. ",Roseau,MN,56751,"((218)463) 1130-",randy.prachar@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Roseau,"Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/roseau-lake-rehabilitation,,,,
10017828,"Rum River Wildlife and Fish Habitat Enhancement using Bioengineered Bank Stabilization",2021,816000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(n)","$816,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Anoka County Soil and Water Conservation District to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Rum River using eco-sensitive, habitat-building, and bioengineering approaches. A list of proposed enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need - This project will allow us to reconnect gaps in Rum River riparian-littoral habitat currently fragmented and missing due to eroded riverbank. Over seven miles of this missing habitat was identified during an ACD Rum River erosion inventory. Up to 2.55 acres of habitat along 2,250 feet of Rum River shoreline will be enhanced with this funding",,,205700,"Anoka County, Rum WMOs and Landowner",816000,,,0.481,"Anoka County Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","In partnership with Anoka County and landowners, Anoka Conservation District will enhance Rum River habitat by utilizing eco-sensitive, habitat-building, bioengineering approaches to address active bank erosion on three to seven reaches. Sediment delivered from bank erosion threatens fish and mussel reproduction. The Rum River is a state designated Outstanding Resource Value Water and Wild, Scenic and Recreational River with eighty actively failing riverbanks in Anoka County alone. Project partners will address these in a phased approach utilizing CWF, LSOHC, and CPL funds. LSOHC funds will be used for projects that primarily enhance habitat, including for species in greatest conservation need.","Eighty sites spanning seven miles of actively eroding riverbank were identified along the Rum River in Anoka County, an Outstanding Resource Value Water and Wild, Scenic and Recreational River. Identified bank failures contribute an estimated 7,838 tons of sediment to the river annually, which decimates littoral transitional habitat, smothers fish spawning areas, compromises mussel reproduction and vigor, and reduces success of predatory game fish species due to increased turbidity. The Anoka Conservation District (ACD), along with Anoka County and landowners, proposes to systematically stabilize and enhance these damaged riverbanks. In total this undertaking will require a projected $14 million in public and private funds, drawing upon several grant funding sources, and spanning multiple grant cycles. An inventory of active erosion sites was finalized in March of 2019 by ACD (https://www.anokaswcd.org/images/AnokaSWCD/Reports/Inventory/Rum_River_Erosion_Inventory_Final.pdf). Based on erosion severity, sites were assigned one of three stabilization approaches, which align with one of three state funding sources. Seventeen tall, severely eroding riverbanks require armament, have a primary benefit of water quality improvement, and will be addressed with CWF funding. Twenty-one shorter, moderately eroding riverbanks can be corrected utilizing bioengineering approaches, have a primary benefit of habitat enhancement, and will be addressed with LSOHC funds. Forty-two short, moderately eroding riverbanks can be corrected utilizing cedar tree revetments and will be addressed with CPL funds. This grant request is for ACD, in partnership with Anoka County, to enhance three to seven sites over three years that can be addressed using bioengineering approaches such as bendway weirs and root wads that produce in-stream habitat for fish, turtles and amphibians, native plantings and staking that produce riparian habitat above the water, and light toe armoring and minor grading that make these habitats traversable by wildlife. Sites will be prioritized considering linear feet of habitat enhanced, cost-benefit analysis, landowner buy-in, and accessibility. Phase-1 projects will enhance up to 2,250 feet of habitat, and reduce sediment loads to the Rum River by up to 630 tons/year. Riverbank stabilization design and installation processes can present hazards to some wildlife; namely nearshore mussels, amphibians and reptiles during construction, and reptiles and amphibians that are unable to safely traverse the post-construction stabilization materials and plantings. As part of this project, ACD intends work with experts in the field to conceptualize, design and implement approaches to best abate these hazards, with particular attention on species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) such as state-listed mussels and Blanding's turtles. The Rum River is identified as a key river stretch for habitat and species richness for SGCN through Anoka County. Large portions of critical streambank transitional habitat that these species depend on are gone already, with more lost each year. The number of optimal sites for habitat enhancing bioengineering approaches is limited, and will continue to diminish if left unchecked. Inventory work by ACD shed light on the severity of the issue and the scale of the opportunity to take corrective action.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Chris,Lord,"Anoka Conservation District","1318 McKay Dr. NE, Suite 300 ","Ham Lake",MN,55304,"(763) 434-2030",Chris.Lord@anokaswcd.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/rum-river-wildlife-and-fish-habitat-enhancement-using-bioengineered-bank-stabilization,,,,
818,"Rum River - Cedar Creek Initiative, Phase 2",2011,1900000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$1,900,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to acquire fee title to land at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek in Anoka County. Land acquired in fee must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined in writing by the commissioner of natural resources. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Protect 100 acres of wetland, 150 acres of prairie, 75 acres of forests, 3 acres of Habitat and 1.125 miles of shoreline along the Rum River.",,450000,"Anoka County",1900000,,,None,"Anoka County","Local/Regional Government","This program will acquire the remaining 328 acres of prairie, wetland, forest and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife along the Rum River and Cedar Creek in the cities of Oak Grove and Andover and will provide additional opportunities for public fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation. ","Problem Addressed: The problem this acquisition project addresses is the urgent need to protect and enhance 275 acres of land that will provide an excellent conservation area along the Rum River and Cedar Creek. The proposed acquisition parcels are currently owned by a development group planning to sell the land for residential construction. The acquisition and protection of these parcels is of utmost concern, because without immediate action, this opportunity could be permanently lost. By acquiring this land, the LOHC has an excellent opportunity to increase and enhance the biological diversity in the area, as well as create additional hunting and fishing opportunities in the region. Action Plan: Once funding is appropriated, Anoka County would start the acquisition process immediately. Appraisals have been conducted and negotiations are underway with the seller for the purchase of 275 acres in 2010 and the remaining 275 acres in 2011 as proposed in the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations. Relation to LOHC Goals: This acquisition project relates directly to the ?restore, protect and enhance habitat? provisions outlined in the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Program. First, upon acquisition, the land will be protected by being under County ownership. Second, after acquisition, the County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. Restoring and enhancing the land back to a prairie/grassland habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support game populations, such as ring-neck pheasants, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, white tail deer, wood ducks and mallards and furbearers. Acquired land will remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Habitat Changes: Existing non-agricultural land on the site is recognized by the MNDNR as a high quality ecologically diverse corridor along two major greenways, the Rum River and Cedar Creek. With the acquisition, this corridor would be protected and enhanced to increase the number of species and increase the ease with which they move through this corridor. After acquisition, County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. The ecological restoration plan will include restoring the forests, wetland and prairies. Restoration work will include introducing over 30 species of native grasses, sedges, and forbs to restore the mosaic of dry, mesic and wet prairie habitats. In addition, the existing high quality fens, wet meadows, shrub swamps and oak savannas will be managed to sustain their high quality value. Restoring and enhancing the land back to its native habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support a diverse variety of wildlife. The acquisition of these parcels will protect 550 acres of habitat at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek. There is approximately 1-1/2 miles of shoreline along the Rum River and about 3/4 of a mile of the Cedar Creek that runs through the property. The Rum River provides angling access opportunities for some of the most sought after game fish, such as walleye, northern pike, and small mouth bass; the river provides exceptional fisheries habitat for these game fish. As future funding is available, restoration of the flood plain and riparian edges along the Rum River and Cedar Creek will enhance habitat and cover for all migratory waterfowl species, white tail deer and wild turkeys. Schedule: Restoration work would start as soon after acquisition as funding allows. The majority of the restoration work is anticipated to be completed within three years of acquisition. Restoration monitoring and maintenance will be provided on an on-going basis. Strategy: The strategy for this project will work because the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department is a governmental agency that currently manages a large natural resource based parks and open space system throughout the County. The County has the budget, equipment and staff with the expertise to manage this project and the on-going maintenance required. In addition, it has the support of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and the local communities. Support: The Anoka County Board of Commissioners unanimously supports this project. The Andover City Council has written a letter of support for the acquisition. The Oak Grove City Council concurs with the County's plans to proceed with funding requests for the acquisition. Strong support in favor of the project has been expressed by area residents. There are no known barriers to the success of this project. ","Final Accomplishment Plan Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2011/accomp_plan/2e.pdf",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,VonDeLinde,"Anoka County Parks and Recreation","550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW ",Andover,None,55304,"(763) 767-2865",karen.blaska@co.anoka.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/rum-river-cedar-creek-initiative-phase-2,,,,
775,"Rum River - Cedar Creek Initiative, Phase 1",2010,1900000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$1,900,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to acquire land at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek in Anoka County. Acquired land must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. This is the first of two planned appropriations for this acquisition.",,"Protect 60 acres of wetland, 100 acres of prairie, 60 acres of forest, 2 ares of habitat and 1.125 miles of shoreline along Cedar Creek and Rum River.",,15000,"County in-kind acquisition",1900000,,,None,"Anoka County","Local/Regional Government","This program will acquire 550 acres of prairie, wetland, forest and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife along the Rum River and Cedar Creek in the cities of Oak Grove and Andover and will provide additional opportunities for public fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation. ","Problem Addressed: The problem this acquisition project addresses is the urgent need to protect and enhance 550 acres of land that will provide an excellent conservation? area along the Rum River and Cedar Creek. The proposed acquisition parcels are currently owned by a development group planning to sell the land for residential construction. The acquisition and protection of these parcels is of utmost concern, because without immediate action, this opportunity could be permanently lost. By acquiring this land, the LOHC has an excellent opportunity to increase and enhance the biological diversity in the area, as well as create additional hunting and fishing opportunities in the region. Action Plan: => Once funding is appropriated, Anoka County would start the acquisition process immediately. Appraisals have been conducted and negotiations are underway with the seller for the purchase of 275 acres in 2010 and the remaining 275 acres in 2011 as proposed in the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations. Relation to LOHC Goals: This acquisition project relates directly to the ""restore, protect and enhance habitat"" provisions outlined in the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Program. First, upon acquisition, the land will be protected by being under County ownership. Second, after acquisition, the County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. Restoring and enhancing the land back to a prairie/grassland habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support game populations, such as ring-neck pheasants, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, white tail deer, wood ducks and mallards and furbearers. Acquired land will remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Habitat Changes: Existing non-agricultural land on the site is recognized by the MNDNR as a high quality ecologically diverse corridor along two major greenways, the Rum River and Cedar Creek. With the acquisition, this corridor would be protected and enhanced to increase the number of species and increase the ease with which they move through this corridor. After acquisition, County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. The ecological restoration plan will include restoring the forests, wetland and prairies. Restoration work will include introducing over 30 species of native grasses, sedges, and forbs to restore the mosaic of dry, mesic and wet prairie habitats. In addition, the existing high quality fens, wet meadows, shrubs swamps, and oak savannas will be managed to sustain their high quality value. Restoring and enhancing the land back to its native habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support a diverse variety of wildlife. The acquisition of these parcels will protect 550 acres of habitat at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek. There is approximately 1-1/2 miles of shoreline along the Rum River and about 3/4 of a mile of the Cedar Creek that runs through the property. The Rum River provides angling access opportunities for some of the most sought after game fish, such as walleye, northern pike, and small mouth bass; the river provides exceptional fisheries? habitat for these game fish. As future funding is available, restoration of the flood plain and riparian edges along the Rum River and Cedar Creek will enhance habitat and cover for all migratory waterfowl species, white tail deer and wild turkeys. Schedule: Restoration work would start as soon after acquisition as funding allows. The majority of the restoration work is anticipated to be completed within three years of acquisition. Restoration monitoring and maintenance will be provided on an on-going basis. Strategy: The strategy for this project will work because the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department is a governmental agency that currently manages a large natural resource based parks and open space system throughout the County. the County has the budget, equipment and staff with the expertise to manage this project and the on-going maintenance required. In addition, it has the support of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and the local communities. => The Anoka County Board of Commissioners unanimously supports this project. The Andover City Council has written a letter of support for the acquisition. The Oak Grove City Council concurs with the County's plans to proceed with funding requests for the acquisition. Strong support in favor of this project has been expressed by area residents. There are no known barriers to the success of this project. ","Final Accomplishment Plan Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/2g.pdf",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,VonDeLinde,"Anoka County Parks and Recreation","550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW ",Andover,None,55304,"(763) 767-2865",karen.blaska@co.anoka.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Anoka,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/rum-river-cedar-creek-initiative,,,,
2539,"La Salle Lake: Protecting Critical Mississippi Headwaters Habitat",2013,1000000,"M.L 2012, Chapter 264, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 3(f)","$1,000,000 in the second year is added to the appropriation in Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).",,"Restored 84 acres of Forests, Protected in fee 528 acres of Forest and Habitat",,,,1000000,,,,"The Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protecting 980-acre LaSalle Lake property adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River, with biologically-significant forest habitat and miles of deep-lake and coldwater stream shoreline, to be managed by multiple DNR divisions.",,"This project seized a rare opportunity to protect a large area of habitat of regional and statewide significance that includes the entirety of Minnesota’s second deepest lake, a coldwater stream, high-quality forest and wetlands, and over a half mile of Mississippi River shoreline. The property is ranked as having Outstanding Biodiversity Significance by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS). This unique and important habitat was at risk of development and was listed for sale until The Trust for Public Land (TPL) obtained an option to purchase the property. Protection of the La Salle Lake property was the number one priority for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Northwest Region, and had strong support from multiple DNR divisions and interested stakeholders. La Salle Lake is one of the most pristine and deepest lakes in Minnesota. It is 221 acres in size, 213 feet deep, and lush with MCBS ranked ‘Outstanding Quality’ aquatic plant habitat. It is a quality fishery that regularly produces trophy walleye, as well as supporting healthy populations of northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill sunfish. Prior to protection, however, there was no public access to the lake. The DNR and the County had unsuccessfully attempted to obtain public access to this fishery for a number of years. The property also contains over half a mile of La Salle Creek and key access to its upper stretches. The crystal clear creek originates in Itasca State Park approximately 8 miles to the southwest and meanders north along the narrow floor of a glacial tunnel valley with many seeps and springs, and eventually joins the Mississippi River on the property near a popular canoe landing. Portions of La Salle Creek are a designated trout stream because of high water quality, cold water temperatures, and ability to support coldwater fish species like trout. Little fisheries management work had been done here, however, because of limited access. This project improved public access to the creek and will allow a more intensively managed trout fishery. This land also provides excellent hunting opportunities. Eight and ten point bucks are regularly harvested on the property and ruffed grouse are abundant. The forested uplands and lowlands are characterized by a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest with many fruit and nut-bearing varieties of trees and shrubs. There is also an old-growth northern white cedar forest north of the lake. Rugged terrain sloping steeply to the basin typifies the topography surrounding the lake and the upstream portions of La Salle Creek. Perhaps most importantly, the property serves to connect large parcels of land already in public ownership (Mississippi Headwaters State Forest, Itasca State Park, and county land) guaranteeing wildlife large landscapes in which to roam. Conservation of this land threatened with development greatly helped prevent forest fragmentation and natural resource degradation. With respect to biodiversity, the property is “Outstanding.” Over 90 species of trees and shrubs and more than 140 species of herbaceous plants, including 12 species of orchids, have been surveyed and recorded growing in the area. MCBS has also identified numerous rare, threatened, endangered, and special concern species of plants and animals such as ram’s head lady slipper, hair-like sedge, northern oak fern, two species of caddisfly, and trumpeter swan. The property’s abundant and diverse landscapes also provide quality habitat for gray wolf, least weasel, fisher, river otter, bald eagle, osprey, common loon and many species of woodland warblers. The original landowner required that a substantial portion of the property be acquired in the 2010 tax year. Accordingly, the project was structured in two phases. Phase I was acquired in December 2010 consisting of the 269 acres north of Scenic Byway Highway #9. DNR SNA acquired this property with existing funding and it is open to public hunting. This proposal addressed Phase II, the remaining 721 acres of the property including all of the lake, which needed to close by December 31, 2011. Although DNR plans to manage this property as an integrated resource, some of the portions of the property are more appropriate for different uses than others. There is a small area (less than 100 acres) at the north end of the lake by the highway that has some improvements, such as cabins and an RV campground, which is most appropriately be managed by DNR Parks. (The remaining 621 acres are unimproved). Funding from the Parks and Trails Fund was provided for this park resource area. The East side of the lake contains some of the most environmentally sensitive and rare features most amenable to SNA management. Funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was provided for this approximately 95 acre area. The West side of the lake has some of the best hunting land and sensitive shoreline and it is for this resource area that funding was sought from L-SOHC. This approximately 528-acre resource area will be managed as WMA/AMA/SNA, although the entire property has been designated as a state recreation area. The appraised fair market value of this highly developable lakeshore property was $10,500 per acre. (There was some additional value is in some of the improvements at the north end of the lake by the highway, but no funding was sought from L-SOHC for these improvements). The WMA/AMA/SNA resource area consists of approximately 528 acres. Accordingly, for this area, $5,547,000 Outdoor Heritage Fund funding was provided for land acquisition capital, as well as $20,000 for DNR land acquisition costs and $65,000 for initial site development/restoration. ",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave, #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-999-5307,rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hubbard,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/la-salle-lake-protecting-critical-mississippi-headwaters-habitat,,,,
2539,"La Salle Lake: Protecting Critical Mississippi Headwaters Habitat",2012,4632000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$4,632,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire land adjacent to LaSalle Lake in Hubbard County. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. If the acquisition is not completed by July 15, 2012, or if a balance remains after acquisition of land, the money under this paragraph is available for acquisition under subdivision 2, paragraph (a).",,"Restored 84 acres of Forests, Protected in fee 528 acres of Forest and Habitat",,2943000,"ENRTF, Parks and Trails.",4632000,,,,"The Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protecting 980-acre LaSalle Lake property adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River, with biologically-significant forest habitat and miles of deep-lake and coldwater stream shoreline, to be managed by multiple DNR divisions.",,"This project seized a rare opportunity to protect a large area of habitat of regional and statewide significance that includes the entirety of Minnesota’s second deepest lake, a coldwater stream, high-quality forest and wetlands, and over a half mile of Mississippi River shoreline. The property is ranked as having Outstanding Biodiversity Significance by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS). This unique and important habitat was at risk of development and was listed for sale until The Trust for Public Land (TPL) obtained an option to purchase the property. Protection of the La Salle Lake property was the number one priority for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Northwest Region, and had strong support from multiple DNR divisions and interested stakeholders. La Salle Lake is one of the most pristine and deepest lakes in Minnesota. It is 221 acres in size, 213 feet deep, and lush with MCBS ranked ‘Outstanding Quality’ aquatic plant habitat. It is a quality fishery that regularly produces trophy walleye, as well as supporting healthy populations of northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill sunfish. Prior to protection, however, there was no public access to the lake. The DNR and the County had unsuccessfully attempted to obtain public access to this fishery for a number of years. The property also contains over half a mile of La Salle Creek and key access to its upper stretches. The crystal clear creek originates in Itasca State Park approximately 8 miles to the southwest and meanders north along the narrow floor of a glacial tunnel valley with many seeps and springs, and eventually joins the Mississippi River on the property near a popular canoe landing. Portions of La Salle Creek are a designated trout stream because of high water quality, cold water temperatures, and ability to support coldwater fish species like trout. Little fisheries management work had been done here, however, because of limited access. This project improved public access to the creek and will allow a more intensively managed trout fishery. This land also provides excellent hunting opportunities. Eight and ten point bucks are regularly harvested on the property and ruffed grouse are abundant. The forested uplands and lowlands are characterized by a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest with many fruit and nut-bearing varieties of trees and shrubs. There is also an old-growth northern white cedar forest north of the lake. Rugged terrain sloping steeply to the basin typifies the topography surrounding the lake and the upstream portions of La Salle Creek. Perhaps most importantly, the property serves to connect large parcels of land already in public ownership (Mississippi Headwaters State Forest, Itasca State Park, and county land) guaranteeing wildlife large landscapes in which to roam. Conservation of this land threatened with development greatly helped prevent forest fragmentation and natural resource degradation. With respect to biodiversity, the property is “Outstanding.” Over 90 species of trees and shrubs and more than 140 species of herbaceous plants, including 12 species of orchids, have been surveyed and recorded growing in the area. MCBS has also identified numerous rare, threatened, endangered, and special concern species of plants and animals such as ram’s head lady slipper, hair-like sedge, northern oak fern, two species of caddisfly, and trumpeter swan. The property’s abundant and diverse landscapes also provide quality habitat for gray wolf, least weasel, fisher, river otter, bald eagle, osprey, common loon and many species of woodland warblers. The original landowner required that a substantial portion of the property be acquired in the 2010 tax year. Accordingly, the project was structured in two phases. Phase I was acquired in December 2010 consisting of the 269 acres north of Scenic Byway Highway #9. DNR SNA acquired this property with existing funding and it is open to public hunting. This proposal addressed Phase II, the remaining 721 acres of the property including all of the lake, which needed to close by December 31, 2011. Although DNR plans to manage this property as an integrated resource, some of the portions of the property are more appropriate for different uses than others. There is a small area (less than 100 acres) at the north end of the lake by the highway that has some improvements, such as cabins and an RV campground, which is most appropriately be managed by DNR Parks. (The remaining 621 acres are unimproved). Funding from the Parks and Trails Fund was provided for this park resource area. The East side of the lake contains some of the most environmentally sensitive and rare features most amenable to SNA management. Funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was provided for this approximately 95 acre area. The West side of the lake has some of the best hunting land and sensitive shoreline and it is for this resource area that funding was sought from L-SOHC. This approximately 528-acre resource area will be managed as WMA/AMA/SNA, although the entire property has been designated as a state recreation area. The appraised fair market value of this highly developable lakeshore property was $10,500 per acre. (There was some additional value is in some of the improvements at the north end of the lake by the highway, but no funding was sought from L-SOHC for these improvements). The WMA/AMA/SNA resource area consists of approximately 528 acres. Accordingly, for this area, $5,547,000 Outdoor Heritage Fund funding was provided for land acquisition capital, as well as $20,000 for DNR land acquisition costs and $65,000 for initial site development/restoration. ",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,McGillivray,"The Trust for Public Land","2610 University Ave, #300","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-999-5307,rjm@tpl.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hubbard,"Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/la-salle-lake-protecting-critical-mississippi-headwaters-habitat,,,,
35022,"Sand Hill River Fish Passage",2016,989900,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5e","$990,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Sand Hill River Watershed District to restore fish habitat in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 1,066 acres, and enhanced 1 acre for a total of 1,067 acres ",,2443000,"USACE, Clean Water ",989900,,,,"Sand Hill River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This project restored fish passage from the Red River to 50 miles of quality upstream Lake Sturgeon and Walleye habitats in the Sand Hill River by modifying four structures and modifying the Sand Hill Lake Dam which currently block access. It also enhanced in stream habitat on the SH River. ",,"This project partnered with the Sand Hill River Watershed District and Army Corps of Engineers to restore fish passage on the Sand Hill River. The in channel portion of the project was essentially completed in 2017. Initial fish surveys have already documented restored fish passage upstream of the modified dams. Both this grant and an ML 2014 grant to the MnDNR contributed to the local share of this project and were matched 3:1 by federal funds. Credits for habitat benefits were divided up between the two grants based on overall contribution to the project. The SH Lake Dam project was completed in the spring of 2020.  This barrier was a dam on Sand Hill Lake. The dam was removed and replaced with rock arch rapids to allow fish passage upstream into Sand Hill Lake.  In stream habitat enhancement was completed in 2019, and additional riffles will be completed using the awarded ML 2016 grant.   ",2015-07-01,2020-05-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,April,Swenby,"Sand Hill River Watershed District","PO Box 584 ",Fertile,MN,56540,"(218) 945-3204",april.swenby@sandhillwatershed.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Polk,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sand-hill-river-fish-passage,,,,
35070,"Sand Hill River Fish Passage Restoration and Habitat Enhancement -- Phase II",2017,828000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$828,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Sand Hill River Watershed District, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and Army Corps of Engineers, to restore and enhance fish passage and habitat in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"119 Habitat acres Restored and 68 Habitat acres Enhanced. ",,1668200,"Sand Hill River Watershed District, USACE ",828000,,,,"Sand Hill River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","Phase 2 of this project will complete fish passage restoration from the Red River to 47 miles of quality upstream habitat in the Sand Hill River watershed and enhance stream habitat in a degraded segment of the Sand Hill River. ",,"Many native fish species migrate from the Red River to tributary streams, such as Sand Hill River, to access quality spawning habitats. This is especially true for Lake Sturgeon, a native species recently re-introduced into the Red River Basin, which make very long migrations to reproduce in riffles and rapids found in high gradient areas. Barriers to fish passage, such as dams, prevent fish from making this seasonal spawning run. The MN Department of Natural Resources in collaboration with federal and local partners has systematically removed and modified more than a dozen fish barriers in the Red River Basin over the past 15 years. Restoring connections from the Red River to these critical habitats helps to re-establish and maintain healthy, robust native fish communities with greater resiliency to invasion by exotic species. Construction for the original fish passage restoration portion of this grant has been completed and costs were well below estimates. All benefits achieved through fish passage were allocated to the Phase 1 (ML2015) portion of the project. The US Army Corps of Engineers administered the fish passage project. Since the original fish passage project was completed using only ML2015 funds, that leverage source was removed from this Accomplishment Plan. Fish passage restored at three additional sites in the Sand Hill River watershed with the unspent funds. The first barrier is the road crossing on Kittleson Creek, a tributary to the Sand Hill River. This culvert is nearly perched and velocities exceed the swimming limits for most species at normal flows. This restoration replaced the culvert with a structure more appropriately sized for the creek and at a lower elevation to accommodate fish passage. The second barrier is a dam on Sand Hill Lake. The dam was removed and replaced with rock arch rapids to allow fish passage upstream into Sand Hill Lake. Both of these crossings are upstream of the dams that were modified for fish passage in 2017. Restoration of fish passage at these two sites expanded the number of restored acres and river miles in the watershed. The third site, removed a bridge and concrete wing walls and abutments over the Sand Hill River, replacing it with a rock riffle for grade control and fish passage. A second component of this project enhanced stream habitat within a channelized segment of the Sand Hill River downstream of the four drop structures. The river channel in this reach was unstable and has down cut significantly, creating a simplified habitat lacking in diverse substrate and depth. Habitat was enhanced by constructing rock riffles in the channel to reduce velocities, increase pool/riffle habitat and provide more diverse substrate. The enhanced habitat is used by many fish species for spawning, juvenile, and year round deep cover. ",,2022-03-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"April ",Swenby,"Sand Hill River Watershed District","219 North Mill Street",Fertile,MN,56540,"(218) 945-3204",april.swenby@sandhillwatershed.com,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Polk,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sand-hill-river-fish-passage-restoration-and-habitat-enhancement-phase-ii,,,,
10011388,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration",2020,2946000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(e)","$2,946,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $440,000 to Sauk River Watershed District, $590,000 to Pheasants Forever, and $1,916,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced..Restored and enhanced upland habitats - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced..",,,293600,"Landowner donations, contractor donations, Federal Funds, Landowner donations, contractor donations",2916000,30000,,0.51,"PF, MLT, Sauk River WD","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will permanently protect, restore and enhance critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land use conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect approximately 720 acres of high priority habitat in Minnesota’s Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition area and will restore/enhance approximately 290 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands to create vital habitat for important waterfowl and SGCN populations. Properties selected will be strategically targeted using an innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit and financial leverage. ","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasant Forever (PF), along with technical assistance provided by Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Todd SWCD, Douglas SWCD, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Sites that include top priority habitats, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies will be prioritized. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. This program will protect high caliber habitats and protect and restore degraded habitats in key locations. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region of the state that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. This conversion is expected to increase. Interest by landowners in protecting their land is strong in the SRW, but often these lands do not qualify for CREP. A small window of opportunity exists to protect these high habitat quality sites now as they are expiring from CRP, before they are developed or converted back to farm land. This year alone in the SRW there are 434 CRP contracts expiring, comprising 3,122 acres of quality habitat.SRWD will manage the grant and will subcontract for associated R/E activities. PF will negotiate and secure fee title acquisitions and oversee related R/E activities. MLT will negotiate and close on all associated conservation easements. Conservation Easements: SRWD, with assistance from local partners such as the County SWCDs, will conduct outreach to landowners within targeted priority areas identified using TNC’s Multiple Benefits Analysis that has been completed for protection prioritization in the SRW. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process that will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure approximately 1,200 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres.Fee acquisition:PF will coordinate with MN DNR and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect and restore 109 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a WMA or FWS as WPA where they will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access in perpetuity. Restoration and Enhancement:SRWD, with assistance from County SWCDs, will restore/enhance approximately 290 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat on conservation easements acquired. Specific activities and scope will vary based on quality of parcel but may include performing hydrologic restoration, invasive species management, and installing vegetation to increase site biodiversity. PF will manage all needed restoration activities on fee acquisition sites.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Scott,Henderson,"Sauk River Watershed District","524 4th Street South 524 4th Street South","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,"(3203522231) -",scott@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration,,,,
10011413,"Sauk River Dam Fish Passage",2020,737000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(l)","$737,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Sauk River and provide fish passage by removing the dam and modifying and installing structures at the Melrose dam site.","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - MN DNR conducts periodic surveys of the Sauk River. Future surveys will compare fish and mussel populations to assess the benefit of the removal of the dam. We expect that rare mussel species currently absent upstream of the dam will become established. Channel catfish and smallmouth bass will become established upstream of the dam, and walleye abundance will increase. All of these species must migrate between different habitats (e.g., spawning, over-wintering) in order to complete their life processes. Catch per hour rates for different species will be compared between pre and post-removal time periods..",,,3268000,"City of Melrose & LCCMR",737000,,,0.04,"Stearns County SWCD","Local/Regional Government","The Sauk River Dam in Melrose will be modified into a rapids, creating fish passage between the 53.7 miles of river downstream to over 16 miles of river upstream. An additional 500 feet of heavily modified stream and adjacent floodplain downstream from the dam will also be restored. The project will benefit fish species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Rare mussel species (black sandshell and creek heelsplitter) not currently found in the reach above Melrose will also benefit. The upcoming replacement of an adjacent bridge creates a unique opportunity to complete this project.","The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (Stearns SWCD) proposes to partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) and the City of Melrose to modify the Sauk River Dam at Melrose into a rapids to allow passage of fish and other aquatic life. An additional 500 feet of river downstream of the dam and 2 acres of floodplain would also be restored. The city of Melrose owns the dam, and is supportive of modifying the dam to improve the river through this reach, and has dedicated $500,000 to the project as cash match. Stearns SWCD provides local expertise in the implementation of restoration projects, and will serve as project manager. The City of Melrose, with SWCD oversight, will contract with a design consultant, hire a construction firm to complete the project, and oversee construction. MN DNR will assist with conceptual design, provide review of project plans to be completed by a consultant, and assist with construction oversight.The County Road 13 bridge adjacent to the current Sauk River Dam is scheduled to be removed in 2019. If the dam is removed during the same project time frame as the bridge reconstruction, it is estimated that $500,000 - $750,000 will be saved. In addition, the environmental impacts would be greatly reduced by having the disturbance in the river and adjacent floodplain from both projects occur simultaneously. The reach is presently modified by concrete walls and rip-rap. Restoring this reach of the Sauk River will create quality habitat locally, and access to over 16 miles of habitat upstream.MN DNR has been involved with numerous dam removal projects similar to this one. In place of the dam, a rapids will be built to gradually step the river bed down from the upstream reservoir pool to the riverbed downstream. Arches of boulders are integrated into the rapids to provide resting places for migrating fish, and to keep the highest flow velocity in the center of the rapids. Once constructed, there is generally little maintenance required. The City of Melrose has committed to providing any future maintenance that is needed once OH funding expires.Numerous fish species including walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish will benefit from connectivity between the two stream reaches. Neither smallmouth bass nor channel catfish are currently found upstream of the Melrose Dam, despite suitable habitat. Walleye numbers are considerably lower upstream of the dam than in downstream reaches. Black sandshell and creek heelsplitter are mussel species that are currently found downstream of the dam but not in the reach upstream. Removing the dam will create access for them to recolonize suitable habitat upstream, as has been seen in other similar projects in Minnesota.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Berg,"Stearns County SWCD","110 Second St. South Suite #128","Waite Park",MN,56387,"(320) 345-6479",greg.berg@mn.nacdnet.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-dam-fish-passage,,,,
10019645,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration, Phase 3",2022,4034000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(o)","$4,034,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $1,034,000 to Sauk River Watershed District; $1,618,000 to Pheasants Forever; and $1,382,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,298300,"Landowner Donation Value, PF, Federal and Private",3995400,38600,,0.56,"Sauk River WD, PF, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will permanently protect, restore and enhance critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect approximately 660 acres of priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area. We will restore/enhance approximately 224 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands to create habitat for waterfowl and populations of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Properties selected will be strategically targeted using an innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit and financial leverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasants Forever (PF) ? with technical assistance from Stearns, Douglas and Meeker Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) ? will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in key locations, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. Since July 2019, the Partnership has protected 212 acres through fee title acquisition, 310 acres through conservation easements, and has restored 65 acres, while leveraging $1,276,805 through landowner donation of easement value and non-state funding sources. Landowners owning approximately 2,400 acres are interested in a conservation easement, in addition to 460 acres that are interested in fee acquisition. Protecting and restoring these strategic parcels will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's first two OHF grants. We anticipate significantly more interested and qualified properties for this program as outreach efforts grow following COVID-19 restrictions. Conservation Easements: MLT, with assistance from partners, will conduct outreach to landowners within priority areas. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive, market-based Request for Proposal (RFP) process. MLT, with project partners, will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure approximately 400 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: PF will coordinate with agency partners on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect approximately 260 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a Wildlife or Aquatic Management Area or to USFWS as a Waterfowl Production Area. Protected tracts will be managed as habitat and provide public access in perpetuity within an area of our state where public land for recreational use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore/enhance approximately 224 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MLT, USFWS, and TNC. This work will be on permanently protected land and will include at least one large wetland restoration. Specific activities/scope will vary based on selected project sites but may include performing hydrologic restoration, invasive species management, and planting vegetation to increase site biodiversity. PF will manage all needed restoration activities on fee simple acquisitions.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sarah,Boser,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,3203522231,sarah@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-restoration-phase-3,,,,
10017829,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 2",2021,3926000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(p)","$3,926,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $430,000 to the Sauk River Watershed District, $2,073,000 to Pheasants Forever, and $1,423,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,249200,"Landowner Donation, PF, Private and Federal",3890900,35100,,0.488,"Sauk River Watershed District, Pheasants Forever, to Minnesota Land Trust. ","Local/Regional Government","This project will permanently protect, restore and enhance critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land use conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect 750 acres of high priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area and will restore/enhance approximately 66 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands to create vital habitat for important waterfowl and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) populations. Properties selected will be strategically targeted using an innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit andfinancialleverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasants Forever (PF), along with technical assistance provided by Stearns, Todd, and Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), Ducks Unlimited (DU), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in key locations, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region of the state that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. The partnership currently has easement interest from 45 high-quality properties, totaling 2,764 acres, in addition to eight known properties interested in fee simple acquisition. Protecting and restoring these interested properties will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's first OHF grant that comes online July 1, 2019. We anticipate significantly more interested and qualified properties for this project as outreach efforts grow. Conservation Easements: SRWD, with assistance from local SWCD partners, will conduct outreach to landowners within targeted priority areas identified using TNC's Multiple Benefits Analysis that has been completed for protection prioritization in the SRW. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process. MLT, with project partners, will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure 420 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: PF will coordinate with the MN DNR and USFWS on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect 330 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a WMA or to USFWS as a WPA. Acquired tracts will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access in perpetuity within an area of our state where public land for recreational use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore/enhance 257 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MLT, DU, USFWS, and TNC on permanently protected easement land. Specific activities and scope will vary based on quality of parcel but may include performing hydrologic restoration, invasive species management, and planting vegetation to increase site biodiversity. PF will manage all needed restoration activities on fee simple acquisitions.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sarah,Boser,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,"(320) 352-2231",sarah@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Meeker, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration-phase-2,,,,
10006502,"Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase 10",2019,2759000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(e )"," $2,759,000 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. .Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - 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. .Game lakes are significant contributors of waterfowl, due to efforts to protect uplands adjacent to game lakes - 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. .Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - 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. .",,,,,2663000,96000,,3,DNR,"State Government","This proposal will accomplish 25,000 acres of shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. The proposal is comprised of three components: (1) twenty-seven projects to engineer and/or construct wetland infrastructure or to enhance wetlands and shallow lakes; (2) funding for the existing Roving Habitat Crew in Region 4 to continue wetland and shallow lake enhancement work, and; (3) funding to base a new Shallow Lakes program specialist in Windom to accelerate shallow lakes work in the prairie region of SW Minnesota","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 25,000 acres of enhancement and restoration 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 to provide maximum benefits for wildlife. Past Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) moneys were used to establish regional Roving Habitat Crews to addressneeded upland and wetland habitat management work on state wildlife properties. We have seen remarkable recoveries of both habitat quality and wildlife use of wetlands when we have invested in active management. The funding requested in this proposal willbe targeted to continuing the wetland enhancement work of the existing Region 4 Roving Habitat Crew. Crew work will include, but not be limited to, managing water levels, installing fish barriers and other wetland infrastructure, inducing winter-kill of fish, and and controlling invasive plants and fish. SHALLOW LAKES / WETLAND PROJECTS -The habitat quality of the shallow lakes and wetlands still on the landscape can be markedly improved by controlling invasive species and rough fish, installing fish barriers where needed and actively managing water levels tomeet management 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 largest project (20,000 acres) in this proposal will see prescribed fire used in wetlands using aerial ignition. The shallow lake and wetland projects identified in this proposal for enhancement were proposed and ranked by DNR Area Wildlife Supervisors through their respective Regional Wildlife Managers and were reviewed by the Wetland Habitat Team. Projects, as shown in the accompanying parcel list, include restoration of wetlands, engineering feasibility and design work, replacement/renovation of wetland infrastructure, and wetland enhancement. The parcel list associated with these projects may be modified, increased, or reduced as needed within the scope of this proposal. SHALLOW LAKES PROGRAM - Shallow Lakes specialists perform critical roles in assessing shallow lakes and initiating needed management. Requested funding would allow the creation of a new shallow lake specialist position to be based in Windom, MN, to accelerate shallow lakes work in the prairie region of SW Minnesota. In addition to purchasing supplies and equipment needed for shallow lake assessment and management work, capital equipment in the form of a Trimble survey unit and a UTV upon which to mount it, and a boat, motor and trailer will be acquired, along with data loggers for water level monitoring.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Cottonwood, Fillmore, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Marshall, Roseau, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Polk, Rice, Todd, Waseca, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-10,,,,
10006503,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection & Restoration Program - Phase VII",2019,4770000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(b)","$4,770,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Land bordering shallow lakes and land containing drained wetlands will be acquired and restored back to functioning wetlands with native grass and forb wildflowers in uplands surrounding them as habitat for pollinators, migratory birds, and resident wildlife. Lands will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR. Restored wetland basins will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native plant species..",,,80000,"DU private and future federal NAWCA",4740000,30000,,3,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 7 request for Ducks Unlimited’s land acquisition and restoration program. DU will acquire and restore 550 acres of prairie and wetlands on state Wildlife Management Areas and managed shallow lakes in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration work will focus on land that buffers shallow lakes and wetlands, and restores breeding habitat for ducks and other prairie wildlife. DNR will help seed uplands, and DU engineers will survey, design, and hire private sector contractors to complete wetland restorations.","This is Phase 7 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing program to both Acquire and Restore wetlands and prairie on land for sale adjacent to existing Minnesota DNRs State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). DU works with willing seller private landowners adjacent to WMAs that have drained wetlands and converted prairie uplands, and land on shallow lakes in need of protection. DU purchases and holds land title through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU’s supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. Our goal is to help create functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes and complement other conservation efforts to protect intact native prairie. Our work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time-sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU works quickly, and has already spent most ML2016 OHF funds to purchase six tracts.DU works in close partnership with the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife and coordinates with Pheasants Forever and other national and state NGO partners, and with local sportsmen clubs such as Swan Lake Area Wildlife Association and Cottonwood County Game and Fish League. Although pre-approval resolutions are not requested from county boards for DU land acquisitions, DU shares information with counties to ensure public awareness of our conservation work, and routinely attends county board meetings to discuss questions. The acquisitions and restorations proposed represents the amount of work DU can accomplish in three to five years, is scalable, and benefits game and non-game wildlife species alike - from mallards to monarch butterflies.Because 90% of our prairie wetlands have been drained and 99% of our prairie uplands converted in Minnesota, acquisition and restoration of prairie and small wetlands is critical – especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU focuses our efforts. Furthermore, most remaining wetlands here are in poor ecological condition due massive landscape prairie conversion to cropland and wetland drainage that degrades both wetland condition and habitat function for prairie wildlife. Although many of our remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes are contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), these small public land patches rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their fragmented size and juxtaposition. Similarly, most prairie shallow lakes are surrounded by a thin ribbon of uplands that fail to adequately buffer them from surrounding agricultural land runoff. Therefore, acquisition and restoration of drained wetlands and cultivated prairie lands in close proximity to our public lands will improve and buffer our public shallow lakes and wetlands, and help create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for breeding ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU professional engineers and biologists work closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that often involve extensive drainage systems.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Sibley","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-restoration-program-phase-vii,,,,
10011414,"Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancements Phase 11",2020,3541000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(e)","$3,541,000 the first 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. .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. .",,,,,3313000,228000,,9,DNR,"State Government","This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement habitat work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. The proposal is comprised of four components: (1) projects to engineer and construct or renovate wetland infrastructure and to enhance wetlands; (2) funding to continue wetland habitat enhancement work by the existing Roving Habitat Crew in Region 1; (3) continued funding of three Shallow Lakes Program specialists, and; (4) creation of a new Prairie Wetland Initiative to address unmet management needs of small wetlands in Minnesota prairies.","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 state wildlife properties. We have seen remarkable recoveries of both habitat quality and 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 of the existing Region 4 Roving Habitat Crew. 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.SHALLOW LAKES PROGRAM - Shallow Lakes specialists perform critical roles in assessing shallow lakes and initiating needed management. Many shallow lakes projects currently being implemented or completed in the past are the result of work by the shallow lakes program Requested funding will continue OHF funding for three shallow lakes positions. PRAIRIE WETLAND INITIATIVE - Only 1 of 5 Minnesota prairie wetlands is in good condition. While we have a highly successful Shallow Lakes program that assesses and initiates management on shallow lakes, similar attention is needed for smaller wetlands. This component of the proposal seeks funding to place two wetland specialists in the prairie to assess small wetlands and implement management. These specialists would work with Area wildlife staff, roving habitat crews, and private contractors to initiate needed management. Such management could include vegetation control, water level manipulation, and the removal of undesirable fish.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota DNR","500 Layette ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Hubbard, Lyon, Polk, Rice, Sibley, Wadena, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-enhancements-phase-11,,,,
10011415,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection & Restoration Program - Phase VIII",2020,6150000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(b)","$6,150,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Land bordering shallow lakes and cropland containing drained wetlands will be acquired and restored back to functioning prairie wetlands for waterfowl with native grass and forb wildflower grassland surrounding them as habitat for pollinators, migratory birds, and resident wildlife. Lands will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR. Restored wetland basins will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native plants..",,,113000,"Future NAWCA grants, Future NAWCA grants and DU private $",6120000,30000,,3.75,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 8 request funds Ducks Unlimited’s prairie land acquisition and restoration program. DU will acquire 560 acres of land containing drained wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for restoration and transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with wetlands along shallow lakes and adjoining WMAs containing large wetlands to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks and other wildlife. DNR will help seed uplands, and DU engineers will survey, design, and hire private sector contractors to restore wetlands.","This is Phase 8 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing program to both Acquire and Restore wetlands and prairie on land for sale adjacent to existing Minnesota DNRs State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). DU works with willing seller private landowners adjacent to WMAs that have drained wetlands and converted prairie uplands, and land on shallow lakes in need of protection. DU purchases and holds land title through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU’s supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. Our goal is to help create functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes and complement other conservation efforts to protect intact native prairie. Our work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time-sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU works quickly, and has already spent most ML2017 and ML2018 OHF funds appropriated.DU works in close partnership with the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife, and coordinates with Pheasants Forever, other NGO partners, and local sportsmen clubs such as Swan Lake Area Wildlife Association and Cottonwood County Game and Fish League. Although approval is not requested from county boards for DU land acquisitions, DU communicates frequently with county and township officials to ensure local public awareness of our conservation work, and routinely attends county board meetings to discuss questions. The acquisitions and restorations proposed represents the amount of work DU can accomplish in three to five years, is scalable, and benefits game and non-game wildlife species alike - from mallards to monarch butterflies.Because 90% of our prairie wetlands have been drained and 99% of our prairie uplands converted in Minnesota, acquisition and restoration of prairie and small wetlands is critical – especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU focuses our efforts. Furthermore, most remaining wetlands here are in poor ecological condition due to massive landscape prairie conversion to cropland and wetland drainage that degrades both wetland condition and habitat function for prairie wildlife. Although many of our remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes are contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), these small public land patches rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their fragmented shape and small size. Similarly, most prairie shallow lakes are surrounded by a thin ribbon of uplands that fail to adequately buffer them from surrounding agricultural land runoff. Therefore, acquisition and restoration of drained wetlands and cultivated cropland in close proximity to our public lands will improve and buffer our public shallow lakes and remaining wetlands, and help create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for breeding ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU professional engineers and biologists work closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that often involve extensive tile drainage systems.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Martin, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Sibley, Swift","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-restoration-program-phase-viii,,,,
10000100,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection Program - Phase VI",2018,5750000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(b)","$5,750,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee and restore prairie lands, wetlands and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"211 Wetland acres, 554 Prairie acres (for a total of 765 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,133300,"NAWCA, Private Landowner Donations, and DU Private ",5705800,26400,,2.5,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited's land protection and restoration program will acquire and restore 600 acres of prairie land on shallow lakes and prairie land with restorable wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state Wildlife Management Area system. This land acquisition and restoration work will focus on land that buffers shallow lakes and provides breeding habitat for ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU engineers will survey and design wetland restorations, and contract with private sector firms for restoration construction and earth moving work. ",,"This Phase 6 of Ducks Unlimited's prairie land acquisition/protection program in Minnesota acquired and restored land with drained wetlands adjacent to existing public lands and shallow lakes for inclusion in the Minnesota DNR’s state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. DU focuses on the acquisition and restoration of lands with restorable wetlands and prairie adjacent to existing WMAs to create functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes for wildlife and public use. This work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time- sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU worked in close partnership with the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife to identify land tracts for sale of importance to DNR and of significance to wildlife, once restored and protected. DU then hired professional licensed consultant appraisers to determine fair market land value, and purchased land from willing sellers private landowners. In six of eight cases, DU secure bargain sale purchase donations totaling $56,832, and paid full appraised value for the other two parcels. In each case, DU provided written communication to county boards informing them of our land purchase plans at least 30 days before closing, and appeared before two county boards and one township board to further explain and discuss our conservation work. No formal objections were made, and all concerns resolved. Following acquisition, DU professional biologists and engineers worked closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that required extensive drainage system modification and expensive sediment removal to restore functioning wetlands for prairie wildlife, especially on Indian Lake WMA in Sibley County, Tyler and Discors WMA in Lincoln County, and Goose Prairie WMA in Clay County. Private contractors were selected to perform restoration earth moving work to restore wetland hydrology, remove drainage tile and sediment, and invasive trees. A combination of private contractors and DNR field staff seeded uplands back to native prairie grasslands with abundant pollinator forbs. Each of the eight land tracts has been successfully transferred into the Minnesota DNR’s WMA system, and are fully open to public use, including hunting. This work was important because Minnesota has lost 90% of our prairie wetlands to drainage and 99% of our prairie uplands to cultivation. Acquisition and restoration of small wetlands and prairie is critically needed here, especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU is focused. The few remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their small, fragmented size and isolated juxtaposition. Acquisition/restoration drained wetlands and cultivated prairie adjacent to existing public lands and public waters helps create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for wildlife that are open to public hunting too. ",2017-07-01,2022-02-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,(320)762-9916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Lincoln, Pope, Sibley","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-program-phase-vi,,,,
10019646,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection & Restoration Program - Phase X",2022,4581000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(b)","$4,581,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Land bordering shallow lakes and land containing drained wetlands will be acquired and restored back to functioning wetlands for waterfowl with native grass and forb wildflower grassland surrounding them as habitat for pollinators, migratory birds, and resident wildlife. Lands will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR. Restored wetland basins will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native plants",,,210000,"DU private and federal NAWCA",4556000,25000,,1,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 10 request funds Ducks Unlimited's prairie wetland acquisition and restoration program. DU will acquire and restore 660 acres of prairie land containing wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with drained wetlands along shallow lakes and adjoining WMAs to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks and other wildlife. DNR will help seed uplands, and DU engineers will survey, design, and hire private sector contractors to restore drained wetlands.","This is Phase 10 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing program to both Acquire and Restore wetlands and prairie on land for sale adjacent to Minnesota DNRs State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). DU works with willing seller private landowners adjacent to WMAs that have drained wetlands and converted prairie uplands, and land on shallow lakes in need of protection. DU purchases and holds land title through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. Our goal is to help restore functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes and complement other conservation efforts to protect intact native prairie. Our work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time-sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU works quickly, and has already spent most past OHF funds appropriated for land acquisition. DU will work in cooperation with Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife, and will coordinate with Pheasants Forever, other NGO partners, and local sportsmen clubs such as Swan Lake Area Wildlife Association and Cottonwood County Game and Fish League. Although approval is not requested from county boards for DU land acquisitions, DU communicates frequently with county and township officials to ensure local official awareness of our conservation work, and routinely attends county board meetings to discuss questions. The acquisitions and restorations proposed represents the amount of work DU can accomplish in three to five years, is scalable, and benefits game and non-game wildlife species alike - from mallards to monarch butterflies. Because 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been drained and 99% of prairie uplands converted in Minnesota, acquisition and restoration of prairie and small wetlands is critical ? especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU focuses our efforts. Furthermore, most remaining undrained wetlands here are in poor ecological condition due to massive landscape prairie conversion to cropland and wetland drainage that degrades both wetland condition and habitat function for prairie wildlife. Although many of our remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes are contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), these small public land patches rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their fragmented shape and small size. Similarly, most prairie shallow lakes are surrounded by a thin ribbon of uplands that fail to adequately buffer them from surrounding agricultural land runoff. Therefore, acquisition and restoration of drained wetlands and cultivated cropland in close proximity to our public lands will improve and buffer our public shallow lakes and remaining wetlands, and help create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for breeding ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU professional engineers and biologists work closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that often involve extensive tile drainage systems.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Clay, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Murray, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley, Swift","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-restoration-program-phase-x,,,,
10017830,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection & Restoration Program - Phase IX",2021,4608000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(b)","$4,608,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Land bordering shallow lakes and land containing drained wetlands will be acquired and restored back to functioning wetlands for waterfowl with native grass and forb wildflower grassland surrounding them as habitat for pollinators, migratory birds, and resident wildlife. Lands will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR. Restored wetland basins will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native plants",,,90000,"DU Private and Federal NAWCA and DU Private and Federal NAWCA ",4578000,30000,,1.2,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This is Phase 9 of Ducks Unlimited's wetland and prairie acquisition and restoration program. DU will acquire and restore 516 acres of land containing drained wetlands in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region for restoration and transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with drained wetlands along shallow lakes and adjoining WMAs to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks and other wildlife. DNR will help seed uplands, and DU will survey, engineer/design, and hire private sector contractors to restore drained wetlands.","This is Phase 9 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing program to both Acquire and Restore wetlands and prairie on land for sale adjacent to existing Minnesota DNRs State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). DU works with willing seller private landowners adjacent to WMAs that have drained wetlands and converted prairie uplands, and land on shallow lakes in need of protection. DU purchases and holds land title through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. Our goal is to help restore functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes to complement other conservation efforts that protect intact native prairie. Our work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time-sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU works quickly, and has already spent most ML2016 - ML2019 OHF funds appropriated. DU will work in cooperation with Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife, and will coordinate with Pheasants Forever, other NGO partners, and local sportsmen clubs such as Swan Lake Area Wildlife Association and Cottonwood County Game and Fish League. Although approval is not requested from county boards for DU land acquisitions, DU communicates frequently with county and township officials to ensure local official awareness of our conservation work, and routinely attends county board meetings to discuss questions. The acquisitions and restorations proposed represents the amount of work DU can accomplish in three to five years, is scalable, and benefits game and non-game wildlife species alike - from mallards to monarch butterflies. Because 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been drained and 99% of prairie uplands converted in Minnesota, acquisition and restoration of prairie and small wetlands is critical ? especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU focuses our efforts. Furthermore, most remaining undrained wetlands here are in poor ecological condition due to massive landscape prairie conversion to cropland and wetland drainage that degrades both wetland condition and habitat function for prairie wildlife. Although many of our remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes are contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), these small public land patches rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their fragmented shape and small size. Similarly, most prairie shallow lakes are surrounded by a thin ribbon of uplands that fail to adequately buffer them from surrounding agricultural land runoff. Therefore, acquisition and restoration of drained wetlands and cultivated cropland in close proximity to our public lands will improve and buffer our public shallow lakes and remaining wetlands, and help create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for breeding ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU professional engineers and biologists work closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that often involve extensive tile drainage systems.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Murray, Redwood, Redwood","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-restoration-program-phase-ix,,,,
20693,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection Program - Phase III",2014,3530000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$3,530,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected 135 acres of Wetlands and 432 acres of Prairies. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need.",,56600,"Ducks Unlimited private funds",3530000,,,0.8,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Ducks Unlimited purchased a total of 567 acres in 11 separate parcels in the Prairie Section for the state of Minnesota, including 135 acres of wetlands and 432 acres of uplands.  All 11 parcels have been restored and transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for inclusion in state Wildlife Management Areas, are open to public access, and managed for wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.  This prairie conservation work contributes to the goals of the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, the Governor's Pheasant Action Plan, Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.",,"This ongoing public land acquisition and restoration program helps implement Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan. In the Prairie Section of Minnesota, 90% of our prairie wetlands have been drained and most native prairie uplands lost to agriculture. The wetland basins that remain are often large, deep wetlands and shallow lakes that now receive heavy runoff and drainage from the intensively cultivated landscape that surrounds them. Some of our remaining wetland and shallow lake basins are surrounded in whole or part by state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) or federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), while others exist in on private land nearby, sometimes in a partially-drained condition. Landscape drainage, intensive cultivation of the prairie landscape, and invasive fish such as carp has degraded these remaining wetlands and shallow lakes into turbid waters which provide only limited habitat benefit to migrating and brood-rearing waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife, and poor outdoor recreational opportunities for Minnesota duck hunters. To remedy in-basin nutrient cycling that leads to turbidity and degraded waterfowl habitat conditions, DU partners with Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service managers to enhance, restore, and actively manage shallow lakes and wetlands through temporary water level draw-downs to consolidate sediments and nutrients, reduce and remove invasive fish, improve water clarity, and enhance the aquatic ecology in some shallow lake and large wetland basins under their control. DU actively supports these efforts by providing bio-engineering technical assistance and delivering water control structures through other OHF appropriations. However, as agriculture intensifies and pressures to convert idle land into row-crop production and other purposes grow, restoring land around these public lands containing wetlands and shallow lakes is also desperately needed to help buffer them, restore their watersheds, improve prairie-wetland habitat complexes, and meet the goals of Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan. This program strives to buffer our remaining shallow lakes and wetlands on public land by acquiring and restoring lands immediately surrounding them. Some private land adjacent to our state WMAs containing remaining wetlands and shallow lakes include patches of native prairie or are restored cropland enrolled in the USDA’s short-term Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), but remain vulnerable to conversion back to agriculture due to rising row-crop and land prices, and need permanent protection. Other private lands are intensively cultivated right up to the edge of shallow lakes and wetlands, or to the edge of state WMAs containing such basins, and need to be restored and permanently protected. While some of these lands can be restored and protected thru the state or federal conservation easement programs, many other parcels come on the market for sale and must be acquired in fee-title in order to restore and protect them in perpetuity. This Phase 3 of Ducks Unlimited's facilitative public land acquisition and restoration program focused on acquiring and restoring land adjoining state WMAs with shallow lakes and wetlands. Acquisition of these lands are for state public land ownership and management to further buffer WMAs with wetland basins and to create or improve the size of wetland complexes, restore and preserve prairie uplands and small wetlands around shallow lakes and WMAs, and make new shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration projects possible. Through this Phase 3 grant portion of our program, DU acquired (and restored where necessary) 11 parcels of land totaling 567 acres in seven different counties within the southern Prairie Section. These parcels included 135 acres of wetlands and 432 acres of upland habitat. This total of 567 acres acquired surpassed our projected goal for this grant of 400 acres, and thus this Phase 3 of our prairie land protection program was highly successful. All lands acquired have been transferred to the state of Minnesota for inclusion in state Wildlife Management Areas managed by the Minnesota DNR for wildlife management purposes, and are open to the public for outdoor recreational opportunities.",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(320) 762-9916",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, Meeker, Nicollet","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-program-phase-iii,,,,
782,"Shallow Lake Critical Shoreland, Phase 1",2010,450000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$450,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or successor to protect habitat by acquiring land associated with shallow lakes. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition.",,"Protect 5 acres of wetland and 58 acres of prairies adjacent to critical shallow lake basin.",,,,450000,,,,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","DU will acquire fee title land from willing sellers on unprotected shoreline adjacent to shallow lakes of critical importance to ducks and other migratory birds in Murray, Lincoln, and Le Sueur , Minnesota. Each shallow lake identified is actively managed (via water control structures) or soon to be managed (planned DU structure) by the Minnesota DNR for waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife. Through fee acquisition, DU will permanently protect 100 acres of uplands and small wetlands adjacent to these basins. All parcels targeted lie adjacent to existing Wildlife Management Areas and contain cropland and or seeded pasture that will be restored to native tall-grass prairie species thereby increasing both water quality (i.e. reducing surface run off directly into shallow lake basins) and wildlife habitat benefits provided by existing WMA lands.","Prairie shallow lakes in Minnesota suffer from degraded water quality caused by excess run off, over abundant fish populations, and nutrient loading. Turbid water conditions over prolonged periods reduces aquatic plant and invertebrate populations on which waterfowl and other wetland wildlife depend. Using water control structures, resource managers can improve water quality and habitat conditions for wildlife through temporary drawdowns, but restoring and protecting adjacent shorelands is an important component in the long-term management of these lakes. Securing shoreland protection and restoration via acquisition or easements permanently increases wildlife benefits (for both upland/wetland wildlife) and also helps managers maintain optimum habitat shallow lake conditions for longer periods of time. Permanent protection of shorelands on managed shallow lakes helps assure that these lakes will provide excellent waterfowl and wildlife habitat into the future. Permanent shoreland protection also eliminates future subdivision and development, thereby reducing disturbance to wildlife and the real possibility that lake-use expectations of new shoreline owners will conflict with water level management strategies for wildlife. The acquisitions targeted by DU using funds from this grant will increase critical shoreland protection, improve wildlife habitat, and help assure management of these lakes for waterfowl and other wildlife in the future. Acquisitions of all identified parcels will be finalized within a year. DU will only work with willing sellers. Each acquisition will be appraised by a state certified appraiser following state guidelines. DU will provide a copy of the appraisal to each seller and will work closely with the Minnesota DNR in each step of the process to make sure the acquisition and subsequent transfer process meet the guidelines set forth by the DNR. DU will legally survey each parcel to be acquired. The $450,000 grant will fund fee-title purchase and due diligence related to working with private landowners, conducting initial property inspections, performing due diligence and grant administration. Restoration of acquired parcels (50 acres of upland restoration) will take place over a two year window based on the crop rotation at the time of acquisition. Upon completion of restoration and items necessary to meet the minimum state standards, DU will transfer each parcel to the Minnesota DNR to be managed as a Wildlife Management Area. DU will work with the Minnesota DNR to secure county board approval for permission to transfer acquired lands to the state government. At this time, DU is not aware of any county or local opposition to any of the proposed acquisitions, but should opposition arise, DU will work with local landowners to listen to and address their concerns.","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,None,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-critical-shoreland,,,,
2547,"Shallow Lake Shoreland Protection: Wild Rice Lakes",2012,1891000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$1,891,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire wild rice lake shoreland habitat in fee and as permanent conservation easements as follows: $500,000 to the Department of Natural Resources; $1,100,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources; and $291,000 to Ducks Unlimited. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment 10.1 plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $18,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Protected 1,210 acres of wild rice lake shoreland habitat",,11800,"DU private in-kind staff funds",1640800,600,,1.2,"DNR, Ducks Unlimited and BWSR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This pilot program protected 1,210 acres of wild rice lake shoreland habitat in the Northern Forest Section by securing 14 permanent RIM conservation easements and four fee-title acquisitions, surpassing our goal of 700 acres, and doing so $250,202 under budget.",,"This initial Phase 1 program was intended to protect sensitive wild rice lake shorelands and prevent shoreline development that could degrade wild rice lake ecology. The keystone feature of this initial pilot program was the launch a new state RIM easement program for wild rice lake shoreland properties intended to buffer and protect sensitive wild rice lake shorelines and limit development. Also, this initial program featured a unique partnership among local, county, state and federal agencies all working together to protect key parcels through a combination of conservation easements and fee-title land acquisitions. The Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) worked closely with northeastern Minnesota County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to develop and implement the new RIM conservation easement program for wild rice lakes, which secured 14 RIM easements and protected 821 acres. Due to several landowners canceling their RIM easement applications after the appropriation adjustment availability date, $98,044 of easement acquisition funding, $2,000 of easement stewardship funding, and $112 of personnel money was unspent by BWSR at the end of the project, and BWSR returned $100,156 to the OHF. However, this new RIM easement program for wild rice lakes was successfully launched and is now fully programmatic and ongoing, and has received additional OHF funding since this initial pilot phase. DU also attempted to purchase conservation easements on two parcels of land on wild rice lakes too, but those efforts did not succeed due to landowner unwillingness to continue with the DU easement process. Therefore, DU amended the grant budget to move easement grant funds to fee-title land purchase, and successfully appraised and purchased a 28-acre parcel of land on Moose Lake in St. Louis County in fee-title. This key parcel was then transferred it to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the Superior National Forest and long-term management and public outdoor recreational use. DU also coordinated this pilot program and submitted all grant status reports. DU spent $143,262 but left $147,738 unspent to be returned to the OHF. Minnesota DNR successfully purchased a key 286-acre parcel in fee-title on Yaeger Lake in Wadena County for inclusion in the Yaeger state Wildlife Management Area (WMA). DNR also subawarded OHF grant funds to Cass County to purchase two parcels of 35 acres on Lake George and 40 acres on Lower Hand Lake that were for sale and were appropriate additions to county land holdings in the area and help consolidate Cass County forest management and land ownership. Together, DNR and Cass County purchased 361 acres in fee-title, spent $497,691, and turned back $2,309 to the OHF. Overall, 14 RIM easements were secured that protect 821 acres, and four key parcels of land for sale totaling 389 acres were purchased in fee-title where RIM easements were not of interest to private landowners, for a total of 1,209 acres protected including about four miles of shoreline protected through this initial pilot grant to protect wild rice lake shoreland. This 1,210-acre land protection achievement far surpasses our goal of 700 acres, and was accomplished well-under under budget. Collectively, partners spent $1,640,798 of the $1,891,000 appropriated for this initial phase of the program, and turned back $250,202 to the OHF. This new wild rice lake protection partnership program continues today, with the Minnesota BWSR working closely with SWCDs to assist private landowners and implement additional RIM easements on wild rice lakes with subsequent OHF grants and phases of this initial program. Partners also routinely discuss other land protection needs around wild rice lakes with Minnesota DNR field staff, and work together to ensure efforts are make to purchase key tracts on important wild rice lakes when they come up for sale and are appropriate for public land ownership and management.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road",Alexandria,MN,56308,320-762-9916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, St. Louis, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-shoreland-protection-wild-rice-lakes,,,,
35034,"Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection Program - Phase IV",2016,8958800,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$9,040,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Acquired in Fee with PILT Liability 1004 acres of wetland and prairie.  ",,532900,"DU private funds and NAWCA federal funds ",8924700,34100,,3,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Ducks Unlimited successfully completed this Phase 4 our land acquisition/restoration program to protect shallow lakes and restore wetlands by purchasing and restoring 1,004 acres of land with drained wetlands and land on shallow lakes as additions to state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for the MNDNR throughout southern Minnesota. This accomplishment exceeded our 900-acre goal, was $81,225 under budget, and included a 644-acre parcel (one square mile) on the Swessinger WMA in Nobles County, a 285-acre parcel on the Rooney Run WMA in Martin County, and a 75-acre land parcel on Sanborn Lake WMA in Le Sueur County. ",,"This grant began in July 2015, and over the course of eight years, DU successfully acquired and restored three parcels of land totally 1,004 acres, and exceeded our 900-acre OHF grant goal.  These land acquisition and restoration accomplishments through this ML2015 OHF appropriation included the 644-acre Jones Tract on Swessinger WMA in Nobles County purchased in October 2015, the 75-acre Gintner Tract on Sanborn Lake WMA in Le Sueur County purchased in December 2015, and the 285-acre Krahmer Tract on Rooney Run WMA in Martin County purchased in January 2016. DU worked diligently appraise and arrange for each of these land acquisitions through Phase 3 of our program so that each could be purchase in a timely manner shortly after this OHF grant for our Phase 4 program was was appropriated.  All three tracts were transferred to the Minnesota DNR in spring 2016 as restoration planning and implementation began. Restoration of the smaller 75-acre Gintner Tract on Sanborn Lake WMA in LeSueur County was completed promptly in spring 2016 by a contractor seeding 25 acres of cropland back to native prairie grass and forbs with a native plant seeding drill. No wetland restorations were possible on this relatively small parcel, but existing wetlands were protected, and the acquisition adds more WMA habitat land around Sanborn Lake, which DU subsequently enhanced through another OHF grant program. Restoration of the other two larger parcels took longer to survey, design, plan, get permitted, and implement due to their size and complexity, and work continued through the end of 2020. In each case, DU purchased a diverse mix of native seed for each tract with guidance from Minnesota DNR prairie ecologists and biologists, and DU engineers were required to help restore multiple large wetlands on each. On the 644-acre Jones Tract at Swessinger WMA in Nobles County, restoration work began with Minnesota DNR field staff seeding 52 acres of the tract back to native grass and forbs in December 2015. DU then purchased a large quantity of additional native seed (100 different species) to restore over 500 additional upland and wetland acres of the tract in fall 2016 (based on expert guidance from Minnesota DNR prairie ecologists and wildlife biologists), which Minnesota DNR Wildlife staff broadcast seeded onto the site in fall 2016.  At the same time, a private contractor hired by DU began wetland restorations in November 2016 and work continued until the ground froze in December 2016.  Most wetlands were restored on the site by end of December 2016 except three larger wetland basins affecting county and township roads, which were later restored in 2018 and 2019 after DU and DNR negotiated with Nobles County and Bloom Township to develop mutually-acceptable restoration plans for each basin that maximized wetland hydrology restoration while meeting road safety and integrity concerns of the local units of government.  All wetland work was eventually completed in fall 2019. On the 285-acre Krahmer Tract on Rooney Run WMA in Martin County, DU hired a private contractor to ""snow-seed"" native plant seed on 200 acres of former cropland on Rooney Run WMA in March 2016. Wetland restorations on Rooney Run WMA were complex and involved disrupting 30 miles of subsurface pattern tile and altering a large county drainage tile, which required extensive engineering, and approval of Martin County.  DU worked closely with Martin County, which approved legal judicial ditch modification required to alter county tile and restore wetlands, and DU hired a contractor to perform the wetland restoration work in summer/fall 2020. All work was completed by end of December 2020 as required, within 5 years of when the land was purchased in early January, 2016. In summary, DU successfully completed acquisition and restoration of all three large land acquisition projects totaling 1,004 acres (above our 900-acre goal), transferred them to MNDNR, and completed restoration of each of them by December 31, 2020.  DU completed restoration of all three parcels too.  Total acres protected was 248 wetland acres and 758 upland acres, much of which required restoration as most of each tract was cropland, except for the Gintner Tract on Sanborn Lake WMA.   This work was completed $81,225 under OHF budget and included $532,860 in non-state private DU and federal NAWCA funds.  The $81,225 unspent of this state appropriation was returned to the OHF, and was the result of competitive contractor prices to restore wetlands on Rooney Run WMA in Martin County in 2020 due to the C19 pandemic, along with an infusion of more private and federal NAWCA grant funds than originally anticipated ($532,860, well above the $60,000 in ""leverage"" originally pledged back in 2015). ",2015-07-01,2021-04-27,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Le Sueur, Martin, Nobles","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-and-wetland-protection-program-phase-iv-1,,,,
35085,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection Program - Phase V",2017,5801000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$5,801,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire in fee and restore prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"167 acres of wetland and 657 prairie acres, for a total of 824 acres protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,25000,"DU Private Funds and federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant funds leveraged using OHF land acquisition expense. ",5769800,19000,,2.5,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Ducks Unlimited's Phase 5 land program will acquire and restore 600 acres of prairie land and wetlands for inclusion in state Wildlife Management Areas for Minnesota DNR, with focus on restorable prairie lands and wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes. ",,"Ducks Unlimited (DU) worked with willing seller private landowners who had previously expressed interest in selling adjacent or very near existing state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to the Minnesota DNR.  Once we directly confirmed the interest of the private landowner in receiving a purchase offer, DU hired private consultant surveyors and appraisers to conduct legal land surveys and appraisals of the land, and made offers to private landowners.  Most of these parcels were known by DU and Minnesota DNR in advance of the appropriation, and thus DU moved very quickly.  After this ML2016 OHF grant was appropriated, DU closed five acquisitions in fall 2016 and the remaining three acquisitions in 2017.  In total, eight parcels totaling 824 acres were acquired by DU, far exceeding our grant goal of 600 acres.  As each of these eight parcels were largely cropland, with the exception of the 40-acre parcel on Altona WMA in Lincoln County which was intact wetland and native prairie grassland, significant restoration was required which took DU through June 2021 to fully complete.  DU biologists and engineers worked together with Minnesota DNR area wildlife managers to plan and implement restorations.  DU engineers surveyed and designed wetland restorations, and hired private earthmoving construction firms (following state procurement procedures) to disrupt drainage ditches and subsurface drain tile, remove sediment, and install water control structures where needed.  To restore upland areas back to native prairie grasslands, DU relied on the expertise of Minnesota DNR wildlife managers and prairie ecologists to select plant species seeds, which were installed by either Minnesota DNR field staff or by private restoration contractors using either native grass seed drills or broadcast seed spreaders, depending on the time of year and preference of the Minnesota DNR manager.  Except for some native grass and forb seeding, all restoration work was done by private contractors.  DU used the state OHF expenditures for land acquisitions to leverage over $200,000 in federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant funds to help pay for restoration costs.  All lands acquired by DU were subsequently transferred to the Minnesota DNR after a one-to-two year hold time, during which DU pay local county taxes due.  All lands have been open for public use since acquisition by DU, and have been incorporated in the the state WMA system for long-term management by the Minnesota DNR and public use. ",,2021-08-09,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Martin, Murray, Sibley","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-program-phase-v,,,,
10006504,"Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase VII",2019,1421000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(l)","$1,421,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Historically the Shell Rock River Watershed is a shallow lake system with diverse populations of fish, waterfowl and wildlife. An ongoing effort of modeling and monitoring has defined current impairments and invasive species populations. Implementing site specific habitat restoration projects are progressively improving populations of native fish, waterfowl and wildlife habitat. The Program included projects that are prioritized based on the significance of benefit to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leverage funding, location of projects and agreement with relevant planning documents. Targeted species that benefited from this proposal outcomes included the Blanding's turtle, Sheepnose and Round Pigtoe Mussels from the River Restoration Project and the Marsh Wren and Blanding's turtle with the Orr Wetland projects. Pollinators such as the rusty patch bumblebee have more habitat from the many acres of native prairies that were established.","A total of 152 acres were affected: 80 Restored, 57 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 15 in Enhance.",23600,"Local Option Sales Tax",1420500,,,0.73,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Phase VII Habitat Restoration Program included an Orr Wetland Restoration, a Belshan Property Targeted Habitat Acquisition Project, and a Shell Rock River Streambank Restoration Project. As a result, 152 acres of habitat and wetlands were protected, enhanced or restored.","With the Phase VII Habitat Restoration Program, the District completed one acquisition, along with a large wetland restoration, and a river enhancement project. For the land acquisition project, the District worked with a willing landowner and entered into an option agreement to purchase the property. Once the option was signed, the District completed a survey and an appraisal of the property. The District then negotiated with the landowner an acceptable offer, executed the purchase agreement, and completed final closing requirements. The District closed on the property in 2021. This property included 57 acres of previous row-crop farm ground that the District planted into natives. The District also conducted two wetland restorations on this property with Phase VII funding. Using tile breaks, berms, and scrapes, two different wetland basins were created for waterfowl enhancement efforts. The District placed the work out for bid, and construction and touch up seeding wrapped up in Spring of 2023. The Orr Wetland Restoration partnered with the USFWS to seed fallow agricultural ground into native grasses and flowers. The District worked with the USFWS to source native origin seed and get the ground seeded prior to wetland restoration work. This project expands current restored parcels owned by the USFWS and will benefit pollinators, such as the rusty patched bumblebee, and songbirds. The District then worked with USFWS staff to design and implement wetland restorations ranging in size from a quarter of an acre to 22 acres. In total approximately 55 total acres of wetlands were designed and installed. Construction was placed out for bid and work was conducted over the fall of 2022 into spring of 2023.Project benefits of the wetland restorations also include increased use days for waterfowl, reduced competition for feeding and nesting sites as well as improved habitat for the threatened Marsh Wren. The Shell Rock River Streambank Enhancement was a project that the District partnered with the DNR to implement site specific habitat features in the Shell Rock River. Following procurement procedures, the District worked with DNR's engineers and river specialists to design and construct habitat features all along the Panicum Prairie Management Area. Toe wood installation and natural benches were all used to incorporate habitat back into the Shell Rock River and prevent continued erosion.",,2018-07-01,2023-07-25,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-watershed-habitat-restoration-program-phase-vii,,,,
10011416,"Shell Rock River Watershed Restoration Program - Phase VIII",2020,2046000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(j)","$2,046,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - will be measured by the increase of use days for migrating waterfowl and improved habitat acres for unique species. The protected, restored and enhanced shallow lakes, wetlands, and streambanks will provide habitat to wildlife and support healthy natural resource conditions for long term benefits. The projects will offer an oasis for migratory waterfowl by re-established and connecting MCBS corridors, and flyway habitats. Improved and permanently protected areas will provide a lasting habitat for Minnesota’s unique species and provide improved access to public natural resources. .",,,100000,"Local Option Sales Tax",2046000,,,0.73,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase VIII Habitat Restoration Program will restore and protect 315 acres of essential shallow lake, oak savanna and wetland habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, a key biological functioning parcel will be permanently protected, lake shores will be enhanced, in-lake habitat structures will be created, oak savanna will be protected and vegetation will be restored for migratory fowl habitat. Projects in Phase VIII are critical for the benefit of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife populations, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation.","Program Goals:In 2014, the SRRWD created a phased, $20 million approach to restore, protect, and enhance degraded habitat conditions by implementing projects on a lake-shed basis. The Watershed Habitat Restoration Program is designed to accomplish the following objectives: •Remove rough fish species and restore desirable fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations•Increase fish habitat, spawning areas and waterfowl nesting areas•Improve waterfowl breeding and migratory success•Restore streambanks and increase wildlife habitat and its natural prairie•Increase and improve the use of restored public natural resources•Enhance native aquatic rooted vegetation and protect the watershed from invasive speciesThe program will also interconnect and reestablish important flyway habitats within Minnesota. Once completed, the program will establish waterfowl and fish populations, increase habitat for wetland dependent wildlife, and create the wildlife mecca that was recorded in the late 1800s.Specifically, Phase VIII will contribute to the District’s goals by:•Acquire 80 acres of key targeted lands to reestablish wetland basins, to protect Big Woods and provide public access to current privately owned Church Lake, and improve nesting habitat and waterfowl food sources.•Restore 235 acres of lakeshore and in-lake habitat creating more productive, self-sustaining fisheries in Fountain Lake. The program includes projects that are prioritized on the significance of the benefits to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leveraged funds, location of projects and agreements with relevant planning documents. The SRRWD has a proven track record with the LSOHC and implementing projects that protect, restore and enhance natural resources. The SRRWD continues to receive strong support for these projects from landowners, local governments and sporting organizations. This proposal uses a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes, wetlands and streams to once again create the wildlife mecca. Finally, this program will preserve an outdoor legacy for Minnesotans to use and enjoy for generations. Background:The SRRWD covers 246 square miles inside Freeborn County and includes a complex system of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes that drain into the Shell Rock River. Managing habitat for this complex system is imperative to the SRRWD as well as understanding its role for providing critical habitat for fish, waterfowl and wildlife. Habitat degradation of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes is an issue of statewide importance that requires accelerated investment in projects to reverse this degradation. Protection and restoration of this critical habitat is the highest priority of the SRRWD and is directly affected by invasive aquatic vegetation, land use changes, increased water demands, populations of invasive fish species such as common carp, and artificial drainage. Degradation in habitat is influencing available food sources for game fish populations including Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Walleye, and duck populations including Northern Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback and Lesser Scaup.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Courtney,Phillips,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 379-8782",Courtney.phillips@co.freeborn.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-watershed-restoration-program-phase-viii,,,,
10000101,"Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase VI",2018,1779000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(g)","$1,779,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee, restore, and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Historically the Shell Rock River Watershed is a shallow lake system with diverse populations of fish, waterfowl and wildlife. An ongoing effort of modeling and monitoring has defined current impairments and invasive species populations. Implementing site specific habitat restoration projects are progressively improving populations of native fish, waterfowl and wildlife habitat. The Program included projects that are prioritized based on the significance of benefit to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leverage funding, location of projects and agreement with relevant planning documents. Targeted species that benefited from this proposal outcomes included the Blanding's turtle, Sheepnose and Round Pigtoe Mussels from the River Restoration Project and the Marsh Wren and Blanding's turtle with the IC&E, Orr, and Vandegrift Wetland projects. Pollinators such as the rusty patch bumblebee have more habitat from the many acres of native prairies that were established.","A total of 296 acres were affected: 45 Restored, 80 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 171 in Enhance.",22100,"Local Option Sales Tax",1779000,,,0.73,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Phase VI Habitat Restoration Program included an Orr Property Acquisition, a Vandegrift Wetland Restoration, an IC&E Wetland Enhancement Project and a Headwaters Streambank Restoration Project. As a result, 296 acres of habitat and wetlands were protected, enhanced or restored.","With the Phase VI Habitat Restoration Program, the District completed one acquisition, along with a wetland restoration, a river restoration and a vegetation enhancement project. For the land acquisition project, the District worked with a willing landowner and entered into an option agreement to purchase the property. Once the option was signed, the District completed a survey and an appraisal of the property. The District had to have an appraisal review being that it was over the $500,000 threshold. The District then negotiated with the landowner an acceptable offer, executed the purchase agreement, and completed final closing requirements. The District closed on the property in 2020. This property included 80 acres of row-crop farm ground that the District planted into natives. Upcoming work for this site includes wetland restoration work that will be funded in a later phase of the Habitat Restoration Program. The restoration and enhancement projects in the Phase VI list include the IC&E Enhancement, the Headwaters Streambank Restoration and the Vandegrift Wetland Restoration. The IC&E Project partnered with the USFWS to seed fallow agricultural ground into native grasses and flowers. The District worked with the USFWS to source native origin seed and get the ground seeded prior to wetland restoration work. This project expands current restored parcels owned by the USFWS and will benefit pollinators, such as the rusty patched bumblebee, and songbirds. The Vandegrift Wetland Restoration was completed on a property that was purchased in Phase 4 of the Habitat Restoration Program. The District, following procurement procedures, hired a contractor to implement a wetland restoration. This restoration reconnected a historic floodplain that was disconnected from Wedge Creek when the railroad came through. The District worked with the DNR and neighboring landowners to complete this restoration. Project benefits include increased use days for waterfowl, reduced competition for feeding and nesting sites as well as improved habitat for the threatened Marsh Wren. The Headwaters Streambank was a project that the District partnered with the DNR to implement site specific habitat features in the Shell Rock River. Following procurement procedures, the District worked with DNR's engineers and river specialists to design and construct habitat features all along the Headwaters Aquatic Management Area. Tree revetments, rock crossings, and permeable pylons were all used to incorporate habitat back into the Shell Rock River.",,2017-07-01,2022-10-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","305 S 1st Ave. ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-watershed-habitat-restoration-program-phase-vi,,,,
10019647,"Shell Rock River Habitat Restoration Program - Phase X",2022,1547000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(m)","$1,547,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - will be measured by the increase of use days for migrating waterfowl and improved habitat acres for unique species. The protected, restored and enhanced shallow lakes, wetlands, and streambanks will provide habitat to wildlife and support healthy natural resource conditions for long term benefits. The projects will offer an oasis for migratory waterfowl by re-established and connecting MCBS corridors, and flyway habitats. Improved and permanently protected areas will provide a lasting habitat for Minnesota's unique species and provide improved access to public natural resources",,,100000,"Local Option Sales Tax",1547000,,,0.86,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase X Habitat Restoration Program will enhance, and protect 389 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture. Projects in Phase X are critical for the benefit of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife populations, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation.","Program Goals: In 2014, the SRRWD created a phased approach to restore, protect, and enhance degraded habitat conditions by implementing projects on a lake-shed basis. The Watershed Habitat Restoration Program is designed to accomplish the following objectives: - Create wetlands to improve waterfowl breeding and migratory success - Remove rough fish species and restore desirable fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations aiming at critical species of concern - Increase fish habitat, spawning areas and waterfowl nesting areas - Restore streambanks and increase wildlife habitat and its natural prairie - Increase and improve the use of restored public natural resources - Enhance native aquatic rooted vegetation and protect the watershed from invasive species The program will also interconnect and reestablish important flyway habitats within Minnesota. Once completed, the program will establish waterfowl and fish populations, increase habitat for wetland dependent wildlife, and create the wildlife mecca that was recorded in the late 1800s. Specifically, Phase X will contribute to the District's goals by: - Acquire 218 acres of key targeted acquisitions to protect land along Church Lake, establish upland prairie and wetlands, and improve nesting habitat and waterfowl food sources. - Enhance 60 acres of wetland basins, reversing wetland loss and habitat degradation - Reestablish 111 acres of vegetation into upland prairie from agricultural use in an important flyway that is critical to nesting waterfowl, upland game, and other wading bird species This proposal uses a programmatic approach to achieve protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes, wetlands, streams and native prairie landscapes. The program includes projects that are prioritized on the significance of the benefits to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leveraged funds, location of projects and agreements with relevant planning documents. The SRRWD has a proven track record with the LSOHC and implementing projects that protect, restore and enhance natural resources. The SRRWD continues to receive strong support for these projects from landowners, local governments and sporting organizations. Finally, this program will preserve an outdoor legacy for Minnesotans to use and enjoy for generations. Background: The SRRWD covers 246 square miles inside Freeborn County and includes a complex system of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes that drain into the Shell Rock River. Managing habitat for this complex system is imperative to the SRRWD as well as understanding its role for providing critical habitat for fish, waterfowl and wildlife. Habitat degradation of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes is an issue of statewide importance that requires accelerated investment in projects to reverse this degradation. Protection and restoration of this critical habitat is the highest priority of the SRRWD and is directly affected by invasive aquatic vegetation, land use changes, increased water demands, populations of invasive fish species such as common carp, and artificial drainage. Degradation in habitat is influencing available food sources for game fish populations that include Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Walleye, and duck populations including Northern Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback and Lesser Scaup.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Courtney,Phillips,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 379-8782",courtney.phillips@co.freeborn.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-habitat-restoration-program-phase-x,,,,
10017831,"Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase IX",2021,1918000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(m)","$1,918,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - will be measured by the increase of use days for migrating waterfowl and improved habitat acres for unique species. The protected, restored and enhanced shallow lakes, wetlands, and streambanks will provide habitat to wildlife and support healthy natural resource conditions for long term benefits. The projects will offer an oasis for migratory waterfowl by re-established and connecting MCBS corridors, and flyway habitats. Improved and permanently protected areas will provide a lasting habitat for Minnesota's unique species and provide improved access to public natural resources",,,100000,"Local Option Sales Tax, Local Option Sales Tax and Local Option Sales Tax",1918000,,,0.86,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase IX Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 483 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of strategic projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be protected, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture. Projects in Phase IX are critical for the benefit of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife populations, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation.","Program Goals: In 2014, the SRRWD created a phased approach to restore, protect, and enhance degraded habitat conditions by implementing projects on a lake-shed basis. The Watershed Habitat Restoration Program is designed to accomplish the following objectives: ?Create wetlands to improve waterfowl breeding and migratory success ?Remove rough fish species and restore desirable fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations aiming at critical species of concern ?Increase fish habitat, spawning areas and waterfowl nesting areas ?Restore streambanks and increase wildlife habitat and its natural prairie ?Increase and improve the use of restored public natural resources ?Enhance native aquatic rooted vegetation and protect the watershed from invasive species The program will also interconnect and reestablish important flyway habitats within Minnesota. Once completed, the program will establish waterfowl and fish populations, increase habitat for wetland dependent wildlife, and create the wildlife mecca that was recorded in the late 1800s. Specifically, Phase IX will contribute to the District's goals by: ?Acquire 133 acres of key targeted acquisitions to protect land along the Shell Rock River, establish upland prairie, and improve nesting habitat and waterfowl food sources ?Reestablish 50 acres of wetland basins from row crop agriculture, reversing wetland loss and habitat degradation ?Enhance 300 acres of vegetation in Panicum Prairie, an important flyway that is critical to nesting waterfowl, upland game, and other wading bird species This proposal uses a programmatic approach to achieve protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes, wetlands, streams and native prairie landscapes. The program includes projects that are prioritized on the significance of the benefits to aquatic habitat, urgency of the work, availability of leveraged funds, location of projects and agreements with relevant planning documents. The SRRWD has a proven track record with the LSOHC and implementing projects that protect, restore and enhance natural resources. The SRRWD continues to receive strong support for these projects from landowners, local governments and sporting organizations. Finally, this program will preserve an outdoor legacy for Minnesotans to use and enjoy for generations. Background: The SRRWD covers 246 square miles inside Freeborn County and includes a complex system of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes that drain into the Shell Rock River. Managing habitat for this complex system is imperative to the SRRWD as well as understanding its role for providing critical habitat for fish, waterfowl and wildlife. Habitat degradation of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes is an issue of statewide importance that requires accelerated investment in projects to reverse this degradation. Protection and restoration of this critical habitat is the highest priority of the SRRWD and is directly affected by invasive aquatic vegetation, land use changes, increased water demands, populations of invasive fish species such as common carp, and artificial drainage. Degradation in habitat is influencing available food sources for game fish populations that include Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Walleye, and duck populations including Northern Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback and Lesser Scaup.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Courtney,Phillips,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",courtney.phillips@co.freeborn.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-watershed-habitat-restoration-program-phase-ix,,,,
35035,"Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase IV",2016,2414000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$2,414,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to protect, restore, and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"620 Wetland acres Restored.  19 Wetland acres Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability.  677 Wetland acres and 4 Habitat acres Enhanced.  1,320 acres impacted by the Restoration Program. ",,65900,"Local Option Sales Tax ",2414000,,,0.73,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Shell Rock River Watershed District’s Watershed Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 5393 acres of critical shallow lake, wetland and stream bank habitat benefiting fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations, preserving an outdoor legacy for future generations. ",,"The Phase IV Habitat Restoration Projects were competed and all objectives and outcomes were met. Specifically the projects, and the processes and methods to completed them are listed below. The projects in this phase were successful due to partnering resources with USFWS and MN DNR staff, as well as having supporting landowners willing to make a difference in Minnesota's natural resources. For the Wedge Creek Wetland acquisition, the District worked with a willing seller to enter into an option to purchase agreement. Once signed, the District hired consultants to complete a survey and then an appraisal of the property. The District then made an offer to the landowner that was accepted and the option to purchase was executed. This property closed in April of 2019 and protects approximately 20 acres. There is funding in Phase 6 of the Habitat Restoration Program to complete the wetland restoration work of the property before it is turned over to the DNR for ownership. The Wedge Creek Reach 6 River Restoration completed approximately 3,000 linear feet of streambank restoration work that included boulder retards, rock weirs, vortex weirs, sloped and seeded banks which created retention areas and scouring pools for habitat in public waters. The District worked with an engineering firm to design the project and sourced a contractor following state procurement procedures. For the Upper Twin Lake pumping station the District worked with the USFWS and MN DNR via a Memorandum of Understanding to complete the project. The work included installing a pumping feature to dewater the 550 acre Upper Twin Lake into Lower Twin Lake to allow for lake management following the lake management plan. Dewatering of the lake allows for carp and vegetation management to improve game fish populations and waterfowl habitat. The District followed procurement procedures for construction of the project and it was completed in 2020. The Upper and Lower Twin Lake project again worked with the MN DNR to compete projects on public lands and public waters. Both Upper and Lower Twin lakes are shallow lakes infested with Common Carp. The District worked to install a rock fish barrier to prevent carp from entering the 895 acres of the Twin Lakes system. As part of this project, the District also worked on a streambank downstream and completed approximately 7,500 linear feet of restoration. Work included installing rootwads, cross channel logs, toe rock installation and connecting historic floodplains. The last project in the Phase 4 Habitat Restoration Program was the Pickerel Lake Adjustable Outlet. This project partnered with MN DNR to incorporate a fish passage and variable crest structure to allow for management of 570 acres of Pickerel Lake and allow Northern Pike to reenter the lake for spawning. ",2015-07-01,2021-09-20,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-watershed-habitat-restoration-program-phase-iv,,,,
35071,"Shell Rock River Habitat Restoration Program - Phase V",2017,1200000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$1,200,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire in fee, restore, and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 80 Wetland acres.  Protected 27 Habitat acres in Fee with State PILT Liability.  Protected 63 Habitat acres in Fee without State PILT Liability.  Enhanced 41Habitat acres.  Total acreage of 211.   ",,461000,"Federal Match & Local Option Sales Tax ",1157200,,,0.73,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Shell Rock River Watershed District's Phase 5 Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 1040 acres of essential shallow lake, wetland and stream bank habitat benefiting fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations, preserving an outdoor legacy for future generations. ","The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) covers 246 square miles inside Freeborn County and includes a complex system of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes that drain into the Shell Rock River. Among the District’s 11 lakes are Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake, which are located in the core of Freeborn County. These lakes are important to residents for recreation and vital to Albert Lea’s tourism economy and identity.   ","With The Phase 5 Habitat Restoration Program the District completed 3 acquisitions along with wetland restorations and vegetation enhancements. For each of the land acquisitions the process starts the same, the District works with a willing landowner and enters into an option to purchase the property. Once the Option is signed, the District completes a survey and an appraisal of the property. The District then negotiates with the landowner an acceptable offer and executes the purchase agreement and completes final closing requirements. Property acquisitions include the Owens, Schroeder and Mud Lake Property. The Owens acquisition was 45 acres of agricultural ground that was purchased and now includes 2 wetland ponds of 25 acres with the remaining ground planted into native upland prairie mix. The property will be donated to the DNR and will be joined into the Upper Twin Lake WMA. The Mud Lake Property was 23 acres in size and will be permanently protecting mesic hardwood forests and wetlands. This property will be adding to the adjoining Magaksica WMA that is expanding current habitat corridors. The final acquisition is the Schroeder acquisition at 22 acres in size. This property was in agricultural row crop production and included a portion of untouched meandering stream. This property now has been planted into natives and is protecting that meandering stream and the mesic hardwoods that surrounds the stream. Further restoration of the side for wetland restoration is planned in future funding efforts. Following restoration and enhancement projects include the Miller Wetland, Wedge Creek Reach 1 Vegetative restoration and the Pickerel Lake Site #12 Channel Restoration. The Miller wetland project partnered with the USFWS in which $461,000 in federal match was added to the grant as a result of their Iowa, Chicago & Eastern WPA acquisition dollars. This wetland restoration turned agricultural ground into upland plantings and wetlands by disabling field tile and completing wetland scrapes. The project came in under bid, and that is why we have additional funds to return to the OHF. This project expands current restored parcels and will benefit waterfowl, pollinators and songbirds. For the Wedge Creek Reach #1 vegetative restoration the District, following procurement procedures, hired a contractor to remove invasive species and complete controlled burns on the site. This allows native plants to thrive in its place and impacts habitat along public waters. The Pickerel Lake Channel Restoration Project improves the breeding success of native populations by reconnecting historic spawning grounds upstream of Pickerel Lake. ",,2021-09-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Andy,Henschel,"Shell Rock River Watershed District","214 West Main Street ","Albert Lea",MN,56007,"(507) 377-5785",andy.henschel@co.freeborn.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Freeborn,"Prairie Region","Shell Rock River",http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shell-rock-river-habitat-restoration-program-phase-v,,,,
10006495,"Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay Habitat Restoration Phase I",2019,567000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(p)","$567,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to restore and enhance fish habitat in the Six Mile Creek - Halsted Bay subwatershed. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This habitat restoration project will have benefits across the entire trophic chain. Now that carp populations are reduced, we will continue to conduct effectiveness monitoring to assess the improvement of aquatic vegetation, macroinvertebrates, and water quality, restoring food and habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife, and in turn, restoring populations of these species. In particular, carp management will allow shallow lakes to shift to a new, healthier stable state. Much of the subwatershed?s littoral area currently lacks a healthy plant community. However, with fewer carp uprooting vegetation, submerged aquatic vegetation should return to littoral areas of restored lakes. Evidence suggests that this alternative stable state positively impacts the food web on many levels. Higher abundance and diversity of aquatic vegetation are related to higher abundance, diversity and growth rates of fish and waterfowl, because vegetation provides better refuge and spawning habitat. These factors, combined with reduced competition for macroinvertebrates and other food, explain why carp management can have indirect effects on many species. The area contains over 75 species of birds including over 20 species of waterfowl that breed or migrate through the area, has over 15 Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) Sites of Biodiversity significance, and the lakes support over 20 species of fish. These restoration benefits are endorsed by the Minnesota Waterfowl Association and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Specific species that will benefit include: Harvested waterfowl: Mallard, Wood Duck, Blue and Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, American Coot, and Lesser Scaup. Water-birds listed on the Minnesota DNR Species in Greatest Conservation Need (including but not limited to): Northern Pintail, American Black Duck, Lesser Scaup, Trumpeter Swan, Common Loon, Great Egret, Green Heron, Western Grebe, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Eared Grebe, Night Heron, Franklin?s Gull, Black Tern, Forster?s Tern, Common Tern, American White Pelican, American Bittern, Semipalmated Sandpiper. Game and non-game fish: Largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, shiners, Iowa darter, brook silverside, johnny darter, minnows, white sucker, and black/white crappie.","A total of 2,488 acres were affected: 2,488 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",458400,"MCWD Levy, MCWD Levy and USFWS",560000,,,1.4,"Minnehaha Creek Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","The Six Mile Creek Halsted Bay (SMCHB) Habitat Restoration program restored 2,488 acres of deep and shallow lake habitat by implementing the state?s most ambitious program to manage common carp below the threshold where they damage lake ecosystems with three primary tactics: ?Installation of utilities to operate aeration at three locations to limit carp reproduction. ?Construction of four carp barriers to impede carp migration. ?Removal of approximately 30,325 carp totaling 284,119 pounds, resulting in the majority of waterbodies meeting or near the 100 kg/ha carp biomass goal.","The program took a comprehensive approach to managing common carp in the SMCHB Subwatershed to reach the 100 kg/ha carp biomass threshold for each waterbody. This approach consisted of three management strategies: Adult biomass removal: Over the past five years, the District deployed a variety of tactics to remove carp across the SMCHB Subwatershed. These methods included stream trapping at barriers, baited box net trapping, and commercial winter seining. Barriers to prevent carp movement: Barrier locations were determined by a University of Minnesota Study to block critical movement pathways between lakes and impede carp migration between Lake Minnetonka and the SMCHB subwatershed. The barriers were designed to be durable and minimally impact the stream channel to prevent erosion. They were also designed to be raised and lowered to allow for easy cleaning and to facilitate native fish passage at times when carp migration is not occurring. Aeration of shallow lakes to prevent carp reproduction: Surface water aeration was implemented in high-risk carp recruitment areas. Aeration prevents winterkill of the native bluegill sunfish, a predator of carp eggs. Feasibility of each site included consideration of the closest utility connection, reasonable ability to access, and best location for operating aerators near the deepest point on the lake. Adaptive Management and Effectiveness Monitoring Throughout the implementation of the SMCHB Habitat Restoration Program, the District deployed an adaptive management strategy that utilized a variety of monitoring approaches and evaluation techniques. These actions included quantifying biomass removal relative to original carp removal targets for each lake, monitoring surveys that update carp population estimates with boat electrofishing, and documenting in-lake habitat response as carp densities were reduced through aquatic vegetation surveys and water quality sampling. These actions have enabled us to refine our system understanding, minimize uncertainty and risks by removing carp, track ecosystem responses to reduced carp densities, and guide the development of a long-term monitoring and maintenance plan that will sustain program achievements beyond the LSOHC funding period. As MCWD continues to analyze data from the program, it will document insights and formulate recommendations to further the collective understanding of where targeted implementation of carp management yields the highest return on investment when compared to other restoration strategies.",,2018-07-01,2023-07-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jill,Sweet,"Minnehaha Creek Watershed District","15320 Minnetonka Blvd ",Minnetonka,MN,55345,"(952) 930-1976",jsweet@minnehahacreek.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Hennepin","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/six-mile-creek-halsted-bay-habitat-restoration-phase-i,,,,
10006506,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase 6",2019,2142000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(b)","$2,142,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire lands in fee for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; to acquire permanent conservation easements; and to restore and enhance prairies, grasslands, forests, and savannas. Of this amount, $742,000 is to The Nature Conservancy, $700,000 is to The Trust for Public Land, and $700,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $120,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancy’s fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) identified in regional planning. Success within each COA will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced..",,,136600,"USFWS, Landowner, Private",2081500,60500,,0.81,"The Nature Conservancy; The Trust for Public Land; Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will permanently protect critical habitat using conservation easements and fee land acquisition on approximately 590 acres and restore and enhance approximately 116 acres of declining habitat for species of greatest conservation need in strategically targeted public land assets of biodiversity significance in the Blufflands resulting in increased public access and improved habitat.","The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in partnership will use Outdoor Heritage Funds to invest in habitat protection and restoration within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota to expand and connect larger contiguous blocks of protected lands allowing land managers to restore, enhance and maintain high quality habitats at a scale difficult to accomplish with a fragmented ownership. Benefits of this program include the increased effectiveness of frequent prescribed fire necessary to reclaim ""goat prairies"", oak savanna and regenerate oak hardwood forests at a larger scale. Protecting and managing these lands is not only important for ecological reasons, but also benefits public use and enjoyment of these lands and the resources they provide. This proposal will enhance prior conservation investments and ensure that the legacy of the Blufflands is preserved in a high quality condition for future generations. There are 86 different native plant community types mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), covering nearly 149,670 acres within the project area. There are 183 species of state listed rare plants and animals, many of which are concentrated on 749 sites of biodiversity significance. This program has a proven track record of protecting, restoring and enhancing lands that meet both state and local priorities for biodiversity, land access and watershed health. In addition, despite the area's high demand for outdoor recreation and having more species of greatest conservation need than anywhere else in the state, only 5% of the region is open to the public. Conservation Easements: MLT will acquire approximately 340 acres of conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. MLT will identify potential projects within targeted priority areas through an RFP process coupled with local outreach via SWCD offices. This competitive landowner bid process will rank projects based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state.Fee Acquisition:TNC and TPL will coordinate with MN DNR on all potential fee-title acquisitions. TNC and TPL will assist the participating DNR Divisions by conducting all or some of the following activities: initial site reviews, negotiations with the willing seller, appraisals, environmental reviews and acquisition of fee title. TNC and TPL will transfer lands to the DNR except when TNC ownership is appropriate. If TNC retains lands property taxes will be paid. Fee acquisition of approximately 250 acres of forest and prairie along 1 mile of coldwater trout stream is planned.Restoration and Enhancement: The Nature Conservancy will restore/enhance approximately 78 acres of bluff prairie, floodplain, riparian habitat and forest.Minnesota Land Trust will restore 38 acres of habitat.Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with the appropriate DNR staff, landowners and/or hired subcontractors.Results to date:Conservation Easements: 1,696 acresFee Land Acquisition: 2,661 acres13 mile of streamRestoration and Enhancement: 783",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-6,,,,
10011424,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase 7",2020,5741000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 3(b)","$5,741,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: (1) $2,701,000 to The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee to be held by The Nature Conservancy or acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; (2) $1,370,000 to The Trust for Public Land to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; and (3) $1,670,000 to Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat, of which $192,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired in fee and held by The Nature Conservancy with the appropriation in clause (1) must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) identified as priorities in regional planning. Success within each COA will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced..",,,375900,"Private, Landowners",5562200,178800,,1.50,"TNC, MLT, TPL",,"This program will protect approximately 1,900 acres using conservation easements and fee land acquisition and restore and enhance approximately 165 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance in the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota resulting in increased public access and improved wildlife habitat.","The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in partnership will use Outdoor Heritage Funds to invest in habitat protection and restoration within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota to expand and connect larger contiguous blocks of protected lands allowing land managers to restore, enhance and maintain high quality habitats at a scale difficult to accomplish with a fragmented ownership. Benefits of this program include the increased effectiveness of frequent prescribed fire necessary to reclaim ""goat prairies"", oak savanna and regenerate oak hardwood forests at a larger scale. Protecting and managing these lands is not only important for ecological reasons, but also benefits public use and enjoyment of these lands and the resources they provide. This program will enhance prior conservation investments and ensure that the legacy of the Blufflands is preserved in a high quality condition for future generations. There are 86 different native plant community types mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), covering nearly 149,670 acres within the project area. There are 183 species of state listed rare plants and animals, many of which are concentrated on 749 sites of biodiversity significance. This program has a proven track record of protecting, restoring and enhancing lands that meet both state and local priorities for biodiversity, land access and watershed health.In addition, despite the area's high demand for outdoor recreation and having more species of greatest conservation need than anywhere else in the state, only 5% of the region is open to the public.Conservation Easements:MLT will acquire approximately 1,015 acres of conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. MLT will identify potential projects within targeted priority areas through an RFP process coupled with local outreach via SWCDs. This competitive landowner bid process will rank projects based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state.Fee Acquisition:TNC and TPL will coordinate with MN DNR on all potential fee-title acquisitions. TNC and TPL will assist the participating DNR Divisions by conducting all or some of the following activities: initial site reviews, negotiations with the willing seller, appraisals, environmental reviews and acquisition of fee title. TNC and TPL will transfer lands to the DNR except when TNC ownership is appropriate. Fee acquisition of approximately 396 acres of forest and 489 acres of prairie along 1 mile of coldwater trout stream is planned.Restoration and Enhancement:TNC will restore/enhance approximately 135 acres of bluff prairie, floodplain, riparian habitat and forest.MLT will restore and enhance 30 acres of habitat on existing and new easements.Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with the appropriate DNR staff, landowners and/or hired subcontractors.In this phase, MLT will negotiate and close all conservation easements and serve as project manager for all associated R/E projects.Results to date:Conservation Easements: 2,038 acresFee Land Acquisition: 2,965 acres13 miles of stream",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-7,,,,
10000102,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration - Phase V",2018,2375000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(c)","$2,375,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire land in fee for state forest purposes under 86A.05, subdivision 7; to acquire permanent conservation easements; and to restore and enhance prairie, grasslands, forest, and savanna for agreements , as follows: $1,000,000 to The Nature Conservancy; $675,000 to The Trust for Public Land; $700,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $80,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired in fee with this appropriation and not transferred to the State of Minnesota or local government unit must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas identified in regional planning. Success within each Conservation Opportunity Area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected restored and/or enhanced. .",,,247900,Private,2301100,73900,,0.76,"The Nature Conservancy; The Trust for Public Land; Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will protect approximately 680 acres and restore and enhance approximately 70 acres of declining habitat for species of greatest conservation need in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance in the Blufflands resulting in increased public access and habitat. ","Investment in habitat protection and restoration in the Blufflands with use of Outdoor Heritage Funds in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) would expand and connect larger contiguous blocks of protected lands, allowing land managers to restore and maintain native habitats at a scale difficult to accomplish with a fragmented ownership. Benefits of this program include the increased effectiveness of frequent prescribed fire necessary to reclaim ""goat prairies"", oak savanna and regenerate oak hardwood forests at a larger scale. This proposal will enhance prior conservation investments and ensure that the legacy of the Blufflands is preserved for future generations.Within the program area there are 86 different native plant community types mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), covering nearly 149,670 acres. There are 183 species of state listed rare plants and animals, many of which are concentrated on 749 sites of biodiversity significance. Despite this high demand for outdoor recreation only 5% of the region is open to the public. Since 2008, approximately 7% of the grasslands in the focus area of this program have been converted to cropland threatening the coldwater trout streams that make the region unique. Fee Acquisition:The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land will coordinate with MN DNR on all potential fee-title acquisitions. TNC and TPL will assist the participating DNR Divisions by conducting all or some of the following activities: initial site reviews, negotiations with sellers, appraisals, environmental reviews and acquisition of fee title. TNC and TPL will transfer lands to the DNR except when TNC ownership is appropriate. Fee Acquisition of approximately 214 acres of forest and 66 acres of prairie along 1/2 mile of coldwater trout streams.Conservation Easements:Minnesota Land Trust will acquire approximately 360 acres of conservation easements and develop restoration and management plans for eased acres. MLT will use a competitive bidding and ranking system to prioritize the best projects and secure them at the lowest cost to the State.Restoration and Enhancement:Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with DNR Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife and Ecological and Water Resources. Enhancement and/or restoration of approximately 70 acres of bluff prairie and/or forest. The Nature Conservancy (the Conservancy) may be reimbursed for salary and fringe benefits based on a provisional fringe benefits rate consistent with federal regulations and negotiated annually with the Conservancy's cognizant agency. Within 180 days of the end of each Nature Conservancy fiscal year, the Conservancy will provide MN DNR with the actual fringe benefits rate for the prior year and reconcile any overpayment made by the State. This approach is consistent with ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 8 (Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures).",,2017-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-v,,,,
10019648,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase 9",2022,4068000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(a)","$4,068,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: (1) $1,294,000 to The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat; (2) $1,393,000 to The Trust for Public Land to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; and (3) $1,381,000 to Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat, of which up to $168,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) identified as priorities in regional planning. Success within each COA will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,253800," and Private",3940700,127300,,2.96,"The Nature Conservancy; TPL, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will protect approximately 1,098 acres using conservation easement and fee land acquisition, and restore and enhance approximately 753 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species. Actions will occur in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota, resulting in increased public access and improved wildlife habitat.","The Southeast Blufflands is Minnesota's most biodiverse region. Some 86 different native plant communities have been mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) in the program area, covering nearly 150,000 acres. These communities provide habitat for 183 rare state-listed plants and animals and more Species in Greatest Conservation Need than anywhere else in the state. These imperiled species are concentrated within 749 Sites of Biodiversity Significance. Despite this biological richness only 5% of the region has been protected to date. This program is increasing access to public lands to meet the continued high demand for outdoor recreation within the region. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership, are working to change this circumstance. Through our Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Program, we are working to expand and connect larger contiguous blocks of protected lands, allowing land managers to restore, enhance and maintain high-quality habitats at a scale difficult to accomplish with fragmented ownership. Protecting and managing these lands is not only important for ecological reasons, but also benefits public enjoyment of these lands and the resources they provide. This Program has a long, proven track record of protecting, restoring and enhancing lands that meet both state and local priorities for biodiversity, land access and watershed health. To date, the Partnership has protected 7,457 acres of priority lands and 27 miles of stream, and has restored/enhanced 1,177 acres of habitat. This 9th Phase of our Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Program continues this body of work: 1.Conservation Easements. MLT will protect 729 acres of high-quality private land through conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased lands. MLT will identify potential projects within targeted priority areas through an RFP process coupled with local outreach via SWCD offices. This competitive landowner bid process will rank projects based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state. 2.Fee Acquisition. TNC and TPL will coordinate with MN DNR on all potential fee title acquisitions. TNC and TPL will assist the participating DNR Divisions by conducting all or some of the following activities: initial site reviews, negotiations with the willing seller, appraisals, environmental reviews and acquisition of fee title. TNC and TPL will transfer lands to the DNR except when TNC ownership is appropriate. Fee acquisition of forest (217 acres), prairie (152 acres) and 1 mile of shoreline. 3.Restoration and Enhancement. TNC will use a stewardship crew and contractors to restore/enhance approximately 730 acres of bluff prairie, floodplain, riparian habitat and forest within priority complexes of protected lands. MLT will restore and enhance 23 acres of habitat on existing easements, and identify restoration/enhancement priorities on its other existing easement lands in the Southeast. Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with the DNR staff, landowners and/or hired subcontractors.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-9,,,,
10017832,"Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement Phase II",2021,1000000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(e )","$1,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Southeast Minnesota forests will be enhanced to provide diverse wildlife habitat for desirable game species, listed species and species of greatest conservation need. providing multiple conservation benefits in the face of climate change, invasive species, and other major stressors, and increased satisfaction from hunters and other recreational users. Outcomes will be measured/evaluated by conducting regeneration checks using forestry regen forms, Ecological Classification System evaluations, pre/post management invasive species site checks. Wildlife will be monitored using existing DNR surveys (ex. ruffed grouse drumming count). Hunter satisfaction measured by user surveys",,,,,985700,14300,,None,DNR,"State Government","Blufflands oak forest regeneration is threatened by invasive species, lack of fire, and subsequent succession to less desirable northern hardwood trees, such as maple and basswood. This proposal combines invasive species treatments, increased use of fire in fire-dependent forests, and mast tree planting on sites being converted from ag land to forest as well as existing stands identified for harvest by the Subsection Forest Resource Management Plan (SFRMP) and the Sustainable Timber Analysis. This work supports goals identified in the SFRMP as well as the State Wildlife Action Plan and the MFRC Southeast Forest Landscape Plan.","Bluffland oak forests in SE Minnesota are changing to less desirable northern hardwood species. This change is due to several factors, including lack of regular fire in fire-dependent forests, which allows fire-intolerant species (maple/basswood) to dominate; and, the increasing threat of invasive species, which impacts natural regeneration and understory diversity. This change is compounded by the high percentage (65%) of oak stands that are beyond normal rotation age. Oaks and other mast-producing species are difficult to regenerate naturally, especially as they age because they don't resprout; thus, harvested older stands require underplanting to ensure oak dominated forests are regenerated. Many of our forests are succumbing to the impacts of invasive species such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, barberry and oriental bittersweet. These aggressive non-native plants impede natural regeneration as well as significantly limit the success of underplanting/direct seeding, and reduce overall forest diversity and quality. Because these species are more aggressive and bloom earlier than native species, they have a competitive edge over our native understory herbaceous plants, woody shrubs, small and large trees. If left unchecked/untreated, especially after a harvest, the invasive species outcompete native species, completely changing the type, quality and diversity of our forests. The ripple effect associated with invasive species includes a decrease in the forest's ability to support a larger diversity of wildlife. To counteract the impact of invasive species on forest regeneration and establishment, this proposal includes several invasive species management practices including direct treatment of invasive species (herbicide application), prescribed burning in fire-dependent forest communities, and stand improvement to reduce competition by northern hardwoods (maple/basswood). By combining a variety of management practices, we will be able to support a timber harvest program that results in a contribution to the wood fiber industry while also maintaining high quality, diverse, resilient forest habitat that supports a wide array of common and rare plant and animal species, and forest-related recreation. Stands that will receive treatment under this proposal will be selected from the annual stand exam lists identified by the Blufflands/Rochester Plateau Subsection Forest Resource Management Plan and Sustainable Timber Harvest Analysis. These stands are located on the Whitewater and Rochester Area Wildlife Management Areas, and Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest. Stands selected for release will be identified from regeneration checks of stands harvested within the past 10-15 years. This proposal will build on work completed under the Southeast Forest Enhancement Phase I award, which impacted over 2,000 acres. It is also consistent with the Council's FY21 goal of protection from long-term/permanent endangerment from invasive species, and support healthy populations of listed and common species. It also supports the State Wildlife Action Plan's goals of maintaining and enhancing the resilience of habitats upon which Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) depend, and maintain or enhance habitat in Conservation Focus Areas (Whitewater, Root River, and Vermillion).",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Olmsted","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-forest-habitat-enhancement-phase-ii,,,,
10017833,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase 8",2021,2704000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(b)","$2,704,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: (1) $1,144,000 to The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14, and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat; (2) $797,000 to The Trust for Public Land to acquire lands in fee for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 14; and (3) $763,000 to Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat, of which $96,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat typical of the unglaciated region are restored and protected - We will track the acres of priority parcels protected within the Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) identified as priorities in regional planning. Success within each COA will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,152100,"Private and Private Landowners",2613900,90100,,1.22,"The Nature Conservancy, TPL, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will protect approximately 660 acres using conservation easement and fee land acquisition and restore and enhance approximately 75 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species. Actions will occur in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota, resulting in increased public access and improved wildlife habitat.","The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership, will use Outdoor Heritage Funds to invest in habitat protection and restoration within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota. We will expand and connect larger contiguous blocks of protected lands, allowing land managers to restore, enhance and maintain high-quality habitats at a scale difficult to accomplish with fragmented ownership. Benefits of this program include the increased effectiveness of frequent prescribed fire necessary to reclaim ""goat prairies"" and oak savanna, and regenerate oak hardwood forests at a larger scale. Protecting and managing these lands is not only important for ecological reasons, but also benefits public use and enjoyment of these lands and the resources they provide. This proposal will enhance prior conservation investments and ensure that the legacy of the Blufflands is preserved in a high quality condition for future generations. There are 86 different native plant community types mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), covering nearly 149,670 acres within the project area. There are 183 species of state listed rare plants and animals, many of which are concentrated on 749 sites of biodiversity significance. This program has a proven track record of protecting, restoring and enhancing lands that meet both state and local priorities for biodiversity, land access and watershed health. In addition, despite the area's high demand for outdoor recreation and having more Species in Greatest Conservation Need than anywhere else in the state, only 5% of the region is open to the public. Conservation Easements: MLT will acquire approximately 324 acres of conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased lands. MLT will identify potential projects within targeted priority areas through a RFP process coupled with local outreach via SWCD offices. This competitive landowner bid process will rank projects based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the best projects and securing them at the lowest cost to the state. Fee Acquisition: TNC and TPL will coordinate with MN DNR on all potential fee-title acquisitions. TNC and TPL will assist the participating DNR Divisions by conducting all or some of the following activities: initial site reviews, negotiations with the willing seller, appraisals, environmental reviews and acquisition of fee title. TNC and TPL will transfer lands to the DNR except when TNC ownership is appropriate. Fee acquisition of approximately 186 acres of forest and 150 acres of prairie and other grassland along .5 miles of coldwater trout stream is planned. Restoration and Enhancement: TNC will restore/enhance approximately 35 acres of bluff prairie, floodplain, riparian habitat and forest. MLT will restore 40 acres of habitat on existing and new easements. Ecological restoration enhancement management plans will be developed in coordination with the appropriate DNR staff, landowners and/or hired subcontractors. Results to date: Conservation Easements: 2,435 acres Fee Land Acquisition: 4,275 acres 27 miles of stream protected Restoration and Enhancement: 983 acres",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Houston","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-8,,,,
10017834,"Southeast Wetland Restoration ",2021,1351000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(q)","$1,351,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Mankato to acquire land in fee in the city of Mankato for wetland and grassland restoration. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands - Wetland monitoring will take place for a minimum of 3 years, and up to 10 years, depending on the types of wetlands established. This will determine the number of final acres that are restored within the wetland complex. Additional partnering may be practical with MnDNR to introduce select species of wildlife to this area depending on the final configuration of the ecosystem.",,,378800,"Sales Tax, Sales Tax, Sales Tax and Sales Tax",1351000,,,0.8,"City of Mankato","Local/Regional Government","The City of Mankato is looking to restore a varied ecosystem that includes wetland restoration, upland prairie establishment, and stream improvements. A minimum of a 100 acre area would provide habitat that supports a diverse mix of plants and animals and will allow for different types of outdoor sporting opportunities. The project is a unique opportunity for habitat establishment and protection in an urbanizing area that will provide lasting benefits for region. ","The project will restore a complex habitat of approximately 42 acres of drained wetland and minimum of 58 acres of upland buffer that will provide habitat and outdoor sporting and recreational opportunities. Additionally this project will stormwater on the landscape that will have a positive impact on the receiving stream by establishing a more uniform flow and improving the potential of future aquatic habitat. By storing the water on the landscape a variety of wetland and upland plant communities can be established. These varied communities will provide the habitats necessary for the various stages of life for waterfowl, grassland birds and other wildlife that thrive in these conditions. Because of the alterations to the landscape that have been made over time to drain the wetland basin, significant grading and drainage improvements will need to be made. These improvements will ensure that the proper hydrology is maintained and allow for adequate drainage to protect downstream ecology. Work will include grading to remove the drainage ditch, installation of storm sewer from urban stormwater treatment facilities and structural controls to optimize the water levels in the basin. In order to establish the highest value habitat and prevent negative impacts to neighboring landowners, acquisition of the restorable wetland basin and upland that is directly hydraulically active with this basin will be completed. Native vegetation will be established to promote habitat diversity. This project will also provide sporting and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to observe and enjoy the divers plant and wildlife community that this type of habitat will promote. Though this connection, education on how restoration and improvements such as this one provide a positive impact on the ecosystem while being contextually sensitive to the surrounding agricultural production and urbanization area. By developing the understanding that habitat, recreational activities and agricultural production can exist together in harmony, an increase in public support and acceptance of these types of restoration projects can be achieved. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Michael,McCarty,"City of Mankato","10 Civic Center Plaza ",Mankato,MN,56001,"(507) 387-8643",mmccarty@mankatomn.gov,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-wetland-restoration,,,,
23939,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase II",2015,5765700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(f)","$5,770,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; to acquire land in fee for state forest purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; for permanent conservation easements; and to restore and enhance habitat on publicly protected lands as follows: $4,800,000 to The Nature Conservancy; and $970,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $160,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Lands acquired or lands with easements acquired with this appropriation may not be used foremergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. A list of proposed acquisitions, permanent conservation easements, and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected in fee with state PILT liability 1423 acres, 630 acres protected in easement, 6 acres enhanced, for a total of 2,059 acres.  ",,2295000,"Private ",5666500,53300,,1.14,"The Nature Conservancy; Trust for Public Land","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through this appropriation, The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota Land Trust protected 2,135 acres through fee acquisition and conservation easements. This includes over 7 miles of stream frontage. Three new Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) were created around the fee acquisitions, opening up 1,505 acres of habitat to public recreation. Restoration or enhancement work was completed on 225 acres of bluff prairies and forests, much of it on lands protected through this program. ",,"In it's proposal, this project identified three primary components: 1) fee title acquisition of priority parcels, 2) restoration and enhancement of prairie and forest habitat in important complexes of protected habitat, and 3) the strategic protection of high-quality habitat on private lands through the acquisition of conservation easements. Work done using this appropriation accomplished all three of those objectives. The Nature Conservancy used funds from this appropriation in acquiring 1,505 acres of land in fee from three landowners. These acquisition have all been transferred to the MN DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, creating three new management units know as 7 Springs, Rush Creek Woods, and Choice Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This new public land protects over 7 miles of trout stream frontage, along with important forest and bluff prairie habitat. TNC worked closely with DNR Wildlife in prioritizing and acquiring all three of these units, and performing important restoration and enhancement work after acquisition. The size and cost of these acquisitions and the time frames provided by the sellers, it was necessary for the Conservancy to use $2,106,000 of private funds to complete the largest acquisition.  Restoration and enhancement through this appropriation focused primarily on projects on acquired tracts, where TNC restored 44 acres of forest and enhanced 100 acres of forest and 81 acres of prairie. TNC worked with DNR staff, Conservation Corps MN, and local contractors to remove encroaching brush from large bluff prairies and oak savanna on Choice and Rush Creek Woods WMAs. We also treated invasive species in fire-dependent oak woods surrounding prairie areas, allowing prescribed fire in the future to manage larger areas and maintain the diverse transition zone that includes prairie, savanna and oak forest. One burn has already occurred at Rush Creek Woods, and another is planned for Choice WMA this spring to follow up on these enhancement projects. Several floodplain crop fields included on Choice WMA were restored to mesic hardwood forests. These fields were planted through direct seeding in order to provide the best chance of having sufficient seedlings survive the expected impacts of deer browsing.  The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) used funds from this appropriation to acquire conservation easements from three landowners, totaling 630 acres. These protected acres include dry bluff prairie, oak savanna and woodlands, and mesic hardwood forests. A mile and a half of undeveloped shoreline was also protected along designated trout streams and tributaries. One easement in particular, East Indian Creek, was the key final piece to solidifying a protected corridor running from McCarthy WMA all the way through to Whitewater WMA, linking together over 28,000 acres of protected land.  MLT strategically concentrated its land protection activities on high priority upland habitats, including bluff prairies, forests, savanna and high quality trout streams. MLT targeted private lands that helped fill gaps in the existing protected land framework, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust sought donated easement value in these areas whenever possible but purchased easements that help complete key complexes as necessary. This was the first grant in Southeast Minnesota where MLT transitioned to a competitive, market-based approach to identifying and securing conservation easements. This approach proved to be effective, leveraging $138,800, or 14% of MLT's total appropriation. Working closely with partners was key to the success of this program. Both TNC and MLT worked with other local stakeholders including Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), DNR staff from multiple agencies, local contractors, and landowners in identifying opportunities, prioritizing projects, and completing them effectively. The collaboration built through this effort continues to benefit ongoing work funded through LSOHC and helps inform other conservation initiatives, such as local water planning and habitat monitoring carried out by other entities. TNC and MLT are committed to staying engaged in Southeast Minnesota and continuing the successful work of this partnership. ",2014-07-01,2020-05-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","PO Box 405 136 St. Anthony St.",Preston,MN,55965,"(507) 765-2450",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-ii,,,,
35048,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration - Phase III",2016,2910000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$2,910,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; for state forest purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7; and to enhance grasslands, forest, and savanna. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"26 Forest acres Restored.  78 Prairie acres and 453 Forest acres (for a total of 531 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. 145 Prairie acres and 34 Forest  acres (for a total of 179 acres) Enhanced.  Total of 736 acres impacted. ",,14200,"TNC ",2895800,14200,,0.47,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will protect and restore declining habitats and watersheds for important wildlife species in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance in Southeast Minnesota. The project will result in increased public access and expanded habitat complexes critical to the state. ",,"This project has two primary components: fee title acquisition of priority parcels, and restoration and enhancement of prairie and forest habitat in important complexes of protected habitat. Work done using this appropriation accomplished both of those objectives. The Nature Conservancy used funds from this appropriation in acquiring 531 acres of land in fee from 5 landowners. These acquisition added 287 acres to 7 springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Whitewater WMA under ownership of MN DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife and 244 acres to the Brightsdale and Gribben Creek units of the RJ Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest under the Division of Forestry. This new public land protects over 3 miles of trout stream frontage, along with important forest and bluff prairie habitat. TNC worked closely with DNR in prioritizing and acquiring all of these units, and performing important restoration and enhancement work after acquisition. Restoration and enhancement through this appropriation occurred both on tracts acquired with LSOHC funds, where TNC restored or enhanced 291 acres of forest and 110 acres of prairie, and other publicly owned land, where TNC completed projects that restored or enhanced 88 acres of forest and 226 acres of prairie. TNC worked with DNR staff, Conservation Corps MN, and local contractors to remove encroaching brush from large bluff prairies and oak savanna on several parcels. We used prescribed goat grazing to control buckthorn and honeysuckle on bluff prairies previously cleared, where a seedbank of invasive brush was threatening the restored site. We also treated invasive species in fire-dependent oak woods surrounding prairie areas, allowing future prescribed fire to manage larger areas and maintain the diverse transition zone that includes prairie, savanna and oak forest. On several sites where bluff prairies had previously been restored, a seedbank of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle was threatening the restorations. On these sites, TNC worked closely with staff from the Non-Game program within DNR to use prescribed goat grazing to control the encroaching brush. Repeated goat grazing is proving effective at defoliating brush on restored prairie sites that are difficult to treat through other means due to the challenging terrain. Defoliating the brush during the growing season both gradually weakens the undesirable species and frees resources for the desired grass community to re-establish on these sites. Over time, the expanding grass component will better carry fire and make prescribed burning more effective. Both forest and prairie communities were restored on former agricultural fields, where the restoration not only added new acres of habitat, but reconnected existing habitat that had been fragmented by cropland. Prairies were planted by broadcasting seed on bare ground in early winter to allow natural scarification over the winter. Forest sites fields were planted through direct seeding in order to provide the best chance of having sufficient seedlings survive the expected impacts of deer browsing. Finally, funds from this appropriation were necessary to remove structures from a large acquisition project purchase with subsequent LSOHC grants. Removing the buildings is a necessary step in returning the site to a natural condition where additional prairie and forest communities can be restored along several miles of Rush Creek in Fillmore County. Working closely with partners was key to the success of this program. TNC worked with other local stakeholders including Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), DNR staff from multiple agencies, local contractors, and landowners in identifying opportunities, prioritizing projects, and completing them effectively. The collaboration built through this effort continues to benefit ongoing work funded through LSOHC and helps inform other conservation initiatives, such as local water planning and habitat monitoring carried out by other entities. TNC is committed to staying engaged in Southeast Minnesota and continuing the successful work of this partnership. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Houston, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-iii-1,,,,
35049,"Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement",2016,904300,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(g)","$910,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 3,095 acres ",,40000,"NWTFMDHA ",888000,52000,,,DNR,"State Government","With these funds the DNR enhanced almost 3,100 acres on 140 different tracts within State Forests and Wildlife Management Area lands in southeastern Minnesota.  While a lot of forest management can be conducted with well-planned and carefully conducted timber harvests, these activities enhanced these forested habitats beyond standard harvest practices such as increasing hard mast production (acorns, hickory nuts, etc).  This will provide long-term benefits for a range of wildlife species and increased recreational opportunities for Minnesotans. ",,"With this appropriation, DNR Wildlife and Forestry staff used a range of forest enhancement techniques to increase the quality of habitat for a range of wildlife species.  These techniques and their objectives are listed below.   Invasive species removal – There are numerous invasive species in the southeast.  Buckthorn may be the species doing the most damage to these forests, but there are other shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants that also affect forest productivity and diversity.  In many cases, this is done shortly after a tree harvest to try to catch invasives at the establishment phase instead of once they have become well-established.  Understory mowing – This is another type of invasive control used where the invasive species are so dense and the patches so large that chemical treatment or hand-work just isn’t reasonable.   Tree thinning – Tree thinning is the selective removal of less desirable species, either for timber production or wildlife benefits, that outcompete more desirable species.  With less competition, these more desirable species are able to grow and reach maturity much faster as well as produce more mast for food.  In some cases, certain trees can be girdled, killing them, but leave them standing.  These trees can provide cavities for wildlife.  However, this technique isn’t used near trails or roads where the tree which will eventually falls could damage property or injure people.   Tree release –  Often 'release' is a term used when enhancing mixed hardwood stands and thinning is more often used in areas heavily dominated by a single tree species.  The two are variations on a theme but with the same ultimate goal.  For instance, if an oak and boxelder or basswood are growing close together, a wildlife biologist might cut the boxelder or basswood and release the oak to grow faster and produce more acorns.   Seedling planting – With this method seedlings of the desired species are planted in an area.  By planting seedlings, the trees get a 1-2 year head start on overgrowing other competing vegetation.   Direct seeding – Direct seeding is used with mast species such as oaks where seeds are harvested and then directed spread onto the soil surface.  With this method, wildlife managers can do relatively larger acres than with seedling planting.  The determination of which of these two methods is most effective is made on a site by site basis.   Herbicide release – Herbicide release is often used to knock back herbaceous vegetation that can shade the soil surface and discourage seed germination or stump/root sprouting. ",2015-07-01,2020-10-29,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-forest-habitat-enhancement,,,,
35072,"Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase IV",2017,5000000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$5,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with The Trust for Public Land and Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, to acquire land in fee for state forest purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7, to acquire permanent conservation easements, and to restore and enhance prairie, grasslands, forest, and savanna as follows: $1,506,000 to The Nature Conservancy; $2,930,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and $564,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $80,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired in fee with this appropriation and not transferred to state or local government ownership must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"94 Prairie acres,  1,119 Forest acres, and 219 Habitat acres (for a total of 1,432 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. 27 Wetland acres, 94 Prairie acres, 328 Forest acres, 219 Habitat acres (for a total of 668 acres) Protected in Easement. 41 Prairie Enhanced acres. ",,380200,"Private ",4928300,62600,,1.28,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will protect approximately 1,375 acres and restore and enhance approximately 280 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance in the Blufflands resulting in increased public access and habitat. ",,"The program's 4 core activities were to acquire lands in fee, protect lands through conservation easement, restore and enhance habitat. On June 19, 2017, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired and conveyed a former 833-acre Girl Scout camp to the Minnesota DNR to create the new Yucatan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Fillmore and Houston Counties. Located in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest in Southeast Minnesota, the Yucatan WMA is predominantly forested with oaks, cherry and other hardwood species. It contains majestic bluffs with stunning panoramic views of the Root River, one of the best trout streams in the Midwest. In addition, the new WMA includes the literal headwaters of a small spring-fed stream that is teeming with native brook trout. Several rare species call the land home, including timber rattlesnakes and a rare plantain. Yucatan WMA will provide outstanding public recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife observation in an area with relatively little public land. This successful acquisition used $2,255,200 of the Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase IV acquisition funds. On December 13th, 2018, TPL acquired and conveyed approximately 340 acres to the Minnesota DNR as an addition to Choice WMA in Fillmore County. This land contains bluffs with beautiful views of the Root River Valley. It also contains the headwaters of a small spring-fed stream with a healthy population of native brook trout. Many animal species call the land home, including deer and turkey, providing excellent public hunting opportunities. This acquisition used the remaining $489,901 of the ML16 Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase IV acquisition funds in addition to $331,099 of the ML17 Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase V acquisition funds. This project also leveraged $500,000 in DNR RIM funds. We have accomplished and exceeded the stated outcomes of this program. In the Spring of 2019, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) closed on 409 acres of the 885-acre Schueler Wildlife Management Area acquisition, including 1 mile of trout stream. The portion of the property acquired with this appropriation has approximately 18 acres of bluff prairie overlooking the Rush Creek valley and 276 acres of hardwood forest; nearly 115 acres of pasture and a farmstead that has been cleaned up is being restored to habitat. TNC used private funds to restore a portion of an oxbow wetland on the property near Rush Creek that provides new wetland habitat. The successful acquisition of this property is the result of TNC maintaining contact with a large landowner along Rush Creek since 2007, when it was identified as a top 10 protection priority in the region. TNC used goat grazing to enhance bluff prairie and oak savanna on 35 acres in Whitewater WMA and 6 acres on Rush Creek Woods WMA. Using goats on bluff prairie and oak savannas in Southeast Minnesota has proven to be a cost-effective means to prepare sites for prescribed fire and allow for a regular fire return interval. The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) completed 4 conservation easements protecting 451 acres of forest and prairie, and16,473 feet of shoreland along streams. Each project is described in brief below; project summary sheets with more extensive descriptions, maps and photos have also been uploaded into the final report: 1. Bear Creek (Erding) – Located along Bear Creek in Fillmore County, this 81-acre property lies within an MBS Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance, and protects forested blufflands, canyon-like ravines, and one mile of shorelines along a tributary to Bear Creek. 2. Frontenac State Park (Jones Trust) – This scenic 164-acre property lies on a terrace of the Mississippi River adjacent to Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County. Composed principally of agricultural field, the landowner donated the conservation easement valued at $696,400. Subsequent to the donation, the Land Trust restored the ag lands to native prairie through a CPL grant. 3. South Fork Root River (Dahl Creek Farms, LLLP) – Situated on the edge of Irish Ridge above the South Fork Root River in Houston and Fillmore Counties, this 415-acre property is dominated by forested bluffs that descend over 400 feet in elevation to the floodplain below. The conservation easement protects 1.73 miles of shoreline along the South Fork Root River and its tributaries. 4. Wiscoy Valley (Mueller) – Located in Winona County, this 164-acre conservation easement protects mixed hardwood forest and over 3,800 feet of shoreline along a tributary to Money Creek, a state-designated trout stream. ",,2022-02-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Biske,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0766",rbiske@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Winona","Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/southeast-minnesota-protection-and-restoration-phase-iv,,,,
10006507,"State Forest Acquisition, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest - Phase V",2019,1255000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(d)","$1,255,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and enhance lands for wildlife habitat in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Project sites selected for protection contain important ecological landscape features and native plant communities of high or outstanding biological significance, including floodplain forests and sensitive creek shoreline habitat. These sites were prioritized in part for the critical habitat they provide for several state listed threatened species.","A total of 346 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 44 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 302 in Enhance.",,"General Fund",245100,,,0.25,DNR,"State Government","Phase 5 of the Sate Forest Acquisition project protected 43 acres of critical forest habitat in the southeastern ecological section of the state. These lands have been incorporated into the State Forest program of the Outdoor Recreation System, and will be sustainably managed for quality wildlife habitat, timber production, and public recreation in perpetuity. Additionally, over 300 acres of sensitive floodplain forest habitat were enhanced using a variety of methods.","In working with local conservation partners, DNR Forestry staff identified opportunities to acquire lands in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest that best met forest management objectives. Parcels were identified through discussions with willing private land owners, and ranked using DNR's strategic land asset management (SLAM) tool, with priority given to those that improved public land access to state lands, consolidated fragmented ownership boundaries, and provided protection of critical forest habitats. Due to a variety of circumstances, several of the larger acquisition projects targeted with this appropriation were unable to be successfully completed. In total we were able to protect one parcel for 43 acres; far below the original goal of 300 acres. RJD Pleasant Grove, Olmstead County - This parcel consists of high quality wet mesic blue beech and bitternut hickory riparian forest along nearly 425 feet of Partridge Creek. It is ranked outstanding in biodiversity significance by the MN Biological Survey (MBS), and contains at least one plant species that is listed as state threatened, and several other species of greatest conservation need. Protection of this parcel helps provide an important buffer against nearby agricultural lands, and helps mitigate water quality issues in Partridge Creek. Enhancement projects were focused on sensitive floodplain forest communities in the southeastern ecological section of the state that were degraded with invasive species and at risk of failing to regenerate. In total we were able to enhance over 300 acres of native forest plant communities. Our initial plan to enhance these sites included both removal of invasive woody species and underplanting of native trees. However due to limited availability of appropriate native seedlings, we instead limited planting to a single critical site along Clear Lake in Goodhue County. This provided an opportunity to expand our invasive species control efforts to a greater number of sites, and resulted in treatment of more than double our initial enhancement goal of 130 acres. Efforts included controlling for terrestrial non-native species through a variety of treatment methods, including selective cutting, girdling, and herbicide applications targeting woody invasive shrubs. Forest species diversity was also enhanced through selective overstory thinning, site preparation, and planting of under-represented native tree species using specialized root production method (RPM) planting stock. Use of RPM hardwood seedlings in floodplain restoration ensures better site enhancement success by promoting rapid establishment of native trees in riparian areas before invasive species can gain a foothold.",,2018-07-01,2023-03-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jeff,Busse,"MN DNR Forestry","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155-0044,"(651) 259-5270",Jeff.busse@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/state-forest-acquisition-richard-j-dorer-memorial-forest-phase-v,,,,
10000104,"State Forest Acquisition, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest - Phase IV",2018,1000000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(e)","$1,000,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee for wildlife habitat purposes in the Richard J Dorer State Forest under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"105 acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,,"General Fund ",410700,,,0.4,DNR,"State Government","This project will protect and enhance high priority habitat in fee for the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest in southeast Minnesota. This will include enhancing mixed deciduous forest lands through silvicultural practices and control of invasive species. The project will also provide additional opportunities for hunting in an area of the state where public hunting opportunities are limited. All projects will be done in accordance with the state forest land asset plans, RJ Dorer State Forest Plan and the SE MN Driftless Project Map. ",,"Working collaboratively with staff from DNR’s Wildlife and Ecological sections, and local conservation partners, DNR Forestry staff targeted acquisition opportunities in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest that best aligned with forest management objectives and DNR land acquisition goals. Parcels were selected from area land asset management plans, with priority focus on those that improved public access to state lands, consolidated fragmented ownership boundaries, and provided protection of critical forest habitats. Permanent protection of these parcels is more important now than ever, as they connect to larger forest habitat complexes, and provide a crucial buffer between existing forestlands and the increasing development pressures on adjacent agricultural lands. Although we were successful in acquiring over 100 acres of important forest habitat, this amounted to only a third of the lands we had sought to protect in this project. In total three new parcels were added to the Richard J. Dorer State Forest system, providing a variety of benefits as described briefly below: RJD Jefferson 6, Houston County – Acquired 40 acres of high quality mesic hardwood forest habitat; including a vulnerable dry bedrock bluff prairie outcrop that provides crucial habitat for a state listed threatened species of rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Protection of this parcel helps provide an important buffer to adjacent agricultural lands, and helps mitigate water quality issues from runoff entering Winnebago Creek, a designated trout stream, less than a mile down slope. RJD Arendahl, Fillmore County – Acquired 37 acres of valuable lowland hardwoods and forested wetlands situated below steep talus slopes in the Root River catchment basin. Protection of this site is important, as it includes a portion of a rare native plant community (southern dry talus cliff) that is ranked critically imperiled statewide (S1), and provides important habitat for many species of greatest conservation need. Acquiring this parcel also helps improve public access to another 360 acres of state forest land nearby along Torkerlson Creek (a designated trout stream). RJD Holt 2, Fillmore County – Acquired 28 acres of critically imperiled rare native plant communities (S1 and S2); including dry southern talus bluffs, and a valuable wet mesic blue beech forest along a seasonal tributary to the Diamond Creek (a designated trout stream). These forestlands provide important habitat for several state listed species; including eastern spotted skunk, timber rattlesnake, and the western prairie fringed orchid. The northern portion of this parcel sits adjacent to commercial agricultural lands, and had been managed as a buffer through the CRP program. Forest restoration efforts are underway to further enhance the ecological integrity of this area. ",2017-07-01,2022-02-16,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jeff,Busse,"MN DNR Forestry","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155-0044,"(651) 259-5270",jeff.busse@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Houston","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/state-forest-acquisition-richard-j-dorer-memorial-forest-phase-iv,,,,
2544,"State Forest Acquisition",2012,1205000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(g)","$1,205,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee and permanent management access easements for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 306 acres of Forests",,201400,RIM,1202000,2900,,,"MN DNR","State Government","Priority lands will be acquired and developed as State Forests to protect forests, habitat and provide public hunting, trapping and compatible outdoor uses.",,"Design and Scope of Work Minnesota’s population has grown by over 1 million people, to 5.3 million, in the past 20 years and is projected to continue this growth rate for the next 20 years. Thousands of acres of habitat are being converted to intensive commercial, residential, and agricultural development each year. Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures. Lands acquired will become part of the Outdoor Recreation System (M.S. 86A.06) as State Forests. This project includes the initial land development of each parcel acquired including boundary surveys and signage, well and septic closure, building and dump disposal, and restoration of bare ground with native vegetation. This program is supported by all traditional outdoor stakeholders. Forests This proposal will protect 415 acres of critical forestland habitat and provide access to over 1,000 acres of State Forest (SF) through fee acquisition. The Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwoods State Forest (RJ Dorer) in southeast Minnesota is a unique forest biome of rolling hills, goat prairie, and river bottom forest and is marking its anniversary this year. This forest provides habitat to deer, turkey, rattlesnakes, trout, many migratory birds and flora and fauna of special concern. The state land within the RJ Dorer provides significant outdoor recreational opportunities. To provide public access to all of this forest, 170 private land parcels or easements are needed. To consolidate fragmented state forest, 120 additional private land parcels containing 4700 acres would need to be acquired. This proposal continues the work of acquiring key land parcels from willing sellers. The parcels to be acquired either provide access to large areas of currently inaccessible state land or consolidate fragmented forestland, mostly in connection with streams and rivers. These acquisitions will protect the declining forest base from fragmentation due to development and provide opportunities to further enhance habitat for fish, game and other wildlife. Parcels were selected from a pool of desirable parcels identified in area land asset management plans. These pool parcels were selected from three classifications; those providing access to state land, those consolidating fragmented state land parcels, and those providing protection of a critical forest habitat. Parcels were further prioritized by the acres accessed, completion of consolidation and values protected. All known stakeholders are supportive of these acquisitions including county boards and forest user groups such as the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association which has contributed funding for previous acquisitions. Strategic habitat conservation is defined as an iterative process of developing and refining a conservation strategy, making efficient management decisions, and using research and monitoring to assess accomplishments and inform future iterations of the conservation strategy. The priority setting process for acquiring and protecting state lands described above meets this definition.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Dave,Schuller,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5255,dave.schuller@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Wabasha, Winona",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/state-forest-acquisition,,,,
23913,"State Forest Acquisitions Phase 2 - RJ Dorer Memorial Hardwoods State Forest Land Asset Project",2015,950000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(e)","$950,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee and permanent management easements, including for habitat purposes, in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in fee 203 acres ",,111300,"General Fund",759500,4200,,0.25,DNR,"State Government","Priority lands were acquired within the Richard J. Dorer State Forest; protecting forests, habitat and providing public hunting, trapping and compatible outdoor uses as well as watershed protection.  This project protected 203 acres of forest land, reduced boundaries by 3720 feet, provided access to 1116 acres of state forest land, and protected 2000 feet of shoreline.",,"Parcels were selected from a pool of desirable parcels primarily identified in the Richard J. Dorer land asset management plan.  These pool parcels were selected from three classifications; those providing protection of a critical forest habitat, those providing access to state land and those consolidating fragmented state land parcels. Parcels were further prioritized by the acres accessed, completion of consolidation and values protected.   All known stakeholders are supportive of these acquisitions including county boards and forest user groups such as Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy, and the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association which have contributed funding for previous acquisitions. We coordinate efforts with these groups to develop complimentary proposals that prevent duplication and enhance outcomes. ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Robert,Milne,"DNR - Forestry","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55304,651-259-5270,bob.milne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Winona","Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/state-forest-acquisitions-phase-2-rj-dorer-memorial-hardwoods-state-forest-land-asset-proje,,,,
35053,"State Forest Acquisitions Phase III",2017,801600,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(g)","$1,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee for wildlife habitat purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"339 acres protected (in fee with state PILT liability) ",,120000,"General Fund ",801600,2900,,0.4,DNR,"State Government","Protected through fee title acquisition 340 acres of priority forestland habitat in the northern and southeast ecological sections of the state.  All parcels have been included in the DNR State Forest system; providing for long-term, ongoing protection and management of lands for the benefit of all Minnesotans. ",,"Working in collaboration with conservation partners, local government units, and ecological and wildlife professionals throughout the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry staff identified strategic opportunities for acquiring priority additions to our State Forest system.  Parcels were selected from area land asset management plans, with priority given to those that improved public access to state lands, consolidated fragmented ownership boundaries, and provided protection of critical forest habitats. In this third phase of the State Forest Acquisition project, we were able to successfully meet all our intended objectives of protecting 340 acres of high quality forested habitat, using only 80% of requested funds.  In total four new State Forest additions were completed, providing a variety of benefits as described in breif below: Watopa 1, Wabasha Co. – Protected 182 acres of high quality upland hardwood forest and vulnerable dry bedrock bluff prairie adjacent to existing state forest lands in the Snake Creek Unit of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest.  Acquisition of this parcel protects an important tributary critical to maintaining water quality from adjacent agricultural lands before emptying one mile downstream into Snake Creek, a designated trout stream. Savanna 1, Aitkin Co. – Acquired a high priority 80 acre inholding in the Savanna State Forest that had been completely surrounded by existing state lands.  Management boundaries were reduced by almost 8,000 feet, greatly improving our ability to manage these lands cost effectively, preventing future development fragmentation, and enhancing wildlife habitat continuity.  Crooked Creek 1, Houston Co. – Protection of these 37 acres allows for the restoration of 1,400 feet of sensitive shoreline along Crooked Creek trout stream just above where it enters into the Mississippi River.  Land had been heavily grazed pasture, and is being actively restored to native hardwood bottomland forests.  Protection and restoration of this previously degraded site will significantly reduce runoff erosion, improve water quality, and enhance critical riparian and riverine wildlife habitat along an important corridor adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  In addition this acquisition provides better public and management access to adjacent state forest lands, allowing for more hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities. Steamboat 1, Hubbard Co. - Acquisition of this critical 40 acre inholding in the Paul Bunyan State Forest significantly reduces management boundaries by over 5,000 feet, greatly reducing management costs and fragmentation.  This parcel was being divested by a large forest industry landholder (Potlatch), and was at risk of deforestation due to potential private acquisition and subsequent development to other land uses.  Protection of this tract ensures it will remain permanently forested, improving the overall habitat value of the landscape by providing for large, continuous intact native forest communities. ",,2020-11-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jeff,Busse,"MN DNR - Forestry","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5270",jeff.busse@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Houston, Hubbard, Wabasha","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/state-forest-acquisitions-phase-iii,,,,
10019651,"Targeted RIM Easement & Acquisition to the Parcel Level Pine & Leech Watersheds Phase II",2022,1609000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(i )","$1,609,000 the first year is to acquire and restore land in fee and permanent conservation easements of high-quality forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat. Of this amount, $1,065,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District and $544,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Up to $26,000 of the total amount is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be included as part of the final report. ","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation - The outcomes will be measured by: Number of acres protected for easements and acquisitions Miles of Shoreline protected percent of land protected increased in a specific subwatershed correlating to the comprehensive watershed management plans for Leech Lake River and Pine River. https://www.crowwing.us/DocumentCenter/View/17315/Pine-River-One-Watershed-One-Plan-Final-Pan?bidId= pages 144-146 http://cms4.revize.com/revize/casscounty/document_center/esd/waterplan/LLRCWMPFinal_2019-03-11.pdf pages 126-12",,,,,1583100,25900,,0.49,"Crow Wing County SWCD, BWSR","Local/Regional Government","Hubbard, Crow Wing, and Cass County Land Departments and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) will partner to acquire 300 acres (public access) and place easements on 240 acres of private high-quality forest, wetlands, and shoreline in the Northern Forest Ecological Section. This project is integrating county land management goals and parcel selection into the 75 percent protection watershed goal (Phase 1 Watershed Grant). Development trends pose a serious threat to, wild rice, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Long-eared Bat, Blanding Turtle, and over 107 unique, rare, endangered, and threated species that live in uplands, lowlands, and mature forest of these counties.","This project will focus on Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) conservation easements and acquisitions adjacent to county land on targeted private forest and wetlands within the Leech Lake River and Pine River Watersheds. These watersheds contain: -1,250 lakes, which covers 354 square miles -88 lakes with High to Highest Outstanding Biological Significance (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MN DNR) -92 wild rice lakes and over 29 cisco lakes -Property values surrounding these high-quality lakes and streams are worth over 10 billion dollars -262,300 acres of county managed land that is open to the public for hunting and fishing In 2010, Peter Jacobson, MN DNR, published cisco lakes research and prioritized 50 cisco lakes as a high priority to protect. The MN DNR Fisheries identified a strong correlation between lake water quality that sustains fish populations and maintaining 75 percent forest cover in a specific watershed. 2018- 2019, the Leech Lake River and Pine River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plans pinpointed private land easements and acquisitions as a key component to these watersheds thriving. Private land adjacent to county forest land and waterbodies are prime targets for: forest fragmentation, first and second-tier development, damaged aquatic habitat, and an increase in buildings, homes, and roads. In 2019, watershed partners took the protection framework methodology called RAQ (Riparian, Adjacent, Quality) and applied RAQ to the RIM easement program to filter 320,000 acres down to 2,280 acres within the Leech Lake River and Pine River Watersheds. This project will build off the 2020 Lessard Sam's Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) Grant and will meld the county land prioritization process for acquisition with the RAQ scoring to provide more opportunity for the County and SWCD to reach 75 percent watershed protection goal. County land management plans prioritize parcels to consolidate of county ownership to enhance management, increase wildlife habitat protection, and increase public access for recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing. These parcels have been integrated into the Leech Lake River and Pine River watershed RAQ framework. This project will dovetail County Land Department acquisition of 300 acres with Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) RIM Easements of 240 acres. This project will be successful because of the parcel scoring system used to integrate upland and aquatic habitat protection, a clear set goal for each sub-watershed of 75 percent protection, methodology to track progress, well-trained staff that are excellent at communication with the landowner, and lessons learned from past easement programs. The Pine River and Leech Lake River Watersheds include some of the best lakes and fisheries within the lower 48 States. The Tourism industry of Hubbard, Cass, and Crow Wing Counties generates over $399 million in gross sales per year (Minnesota Explore 2018). Private lands within those watersheds need prioritized protection strategies to ensure that the habitat stays intact and maintain wildlife corridors, gives Minnesotans additional opportunities for fishing and hunting, and protects the local tourism economy and tax base of Leech Lake River and Pine River Watersheds.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Melissa,Barrick,"Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District","322 Laurel St Ste 22 322 Laurel St Ste 22",Brainerd,MN,56401,2188286197,melissa@cwswcd.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Hubbard","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/targeted-rim-easement-acquisition-parcel-level-pine-leech-watersheds-phase-ii,,,,
9828,"Technical Evaluation Panel",2013,45000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(b)","$45,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,"Four project evaluations were presented in the report.",,,n/a,44400,600,,.27,DNR,"State Government","The purpose of this program is to annually evaluate a sample of Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provide a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law.",,"The Fiscal Year 2013 (ML 12) Restoration Evaluation report was submitted to the Legislature and the Outdoor Heritage Council December 2014. This report is available on the Legislative Library website: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/edocs/edocs.aspx?oclcnumber=823766285 Four Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations were presented in this report: -Trout Unlimited. ML 2010 5 (c) Cold Water River and Stream Restoration, Protection and Enhancement; Project: West Indian Creek Habitat Restoration -CPL Grant ML 2010, Rollie Johnson Island Shoreland Restoration -Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust (Great River Greening). ML 2010 5(a) Metro Big Rivers Habitat Program; Project: Cherokee Bluff Restoration All projects were on track to meet planned goals with continued prescribed maintenance. The Evaluation Panel’s recommendations for improvement in restoration practice based on evaluation of all projects (including Clean Water and Parks and Trails projects) were: -Improved documentation to provide better tracking and clear, explicit direction for adaptive management -Improved restoration training to disseminate best practices in the evolving field of restoration -Evaluation process improvement to best capture and feedback lessons learned from restoration practice ",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd.","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5075",wade.a.johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/technical-evaluation-panel-0,,,,
2557,"Technical Evaluation Panel",2012,42000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(c )","$42,000 the first year to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical assistance panel to conduct up to ten restoration audits, under Minnesota Statutes, sections 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,"Three of the Six site assessments of Outdoor Heritage Fund restoration projects were conducted in the summer of 2012. Three projects were reviewed by the evaluation panel.",,,,42000,,,0.28,"MN DNR","State Government","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a restoration evaluation Panel to annually evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects completed with outdoor heritage funding, as provided in M.L. 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1. In 2012 the agencies assigned a coordinator for the Panel who is responsible for identifying the sample of projects to be evaluated by the Panel. As directed in Statute the Panel is comprised of at least five technical experts, including one technical representative from BWSR, one technical representative from DNR, one technical representative from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and two additional representatives with expertise related to the projects being evaluated. The Panel is also represented by an optional six member from Federal or local government. During 2012 and 2013 the Panel consisted of: Chris Weir-Koetter – DNR, Parks and Trails Greg Larson – BWSR Sue Galatowitsch – University of Minnesota Greg Berg – Stearns County SWCD Greg Hoch – DNR, Wildlife Mark Oja – MN NRCS The Panel evaluated selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, stated goals and standards in the restoration plans, and applicable guidelines. The coordinator summarized the findings of the panel and providing the Fiscal Year 2012 restoration evaluation report to the chairs of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (L-SOHC) and respective Minnesota House and Senate policy and finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and Outdoor Heritage Fund spending. The report determined whether restorations were meeting planned goals, identified problems with implementation of restorations and provided recommendations on improving restorations. Three of the six Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects evaluated during 2012 season were reported in the Fiscal Year 2012 report, the remaining three are presented in the Fiscal Year 2013 report. Details regarding process, site assessments and findings are available through the Legislative Library: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2012/mandated/121281.pdf. Evaluations conducted with ML 2011 funds, reported in the Fiscal Year 2012 report: Appropriation: ML 09 – 2(a) Accelerated Prairie and Grassland Management Project: Tatley WMA Project Manager: MN DNR Project Sites: Parcel NameCounty TwpRngSecTRDS # of acres Tatley WMAYellow Medicine1144631114462313 Tatley WMAYellow Medicine11446311144623110 Tatley WMAYellow Medicine11446311144623110 Tatley WMAYellow Medicine11446311144623120 Tatley WMAYellow Medicine11446311144623125 Tatley WMAYellow Medicine1144631114462312 Appropriation: ML 09 – 5(a) Conservation Partners Grant Program – FY 2010 (ID A111) Project: Restoration of Critical Forest Habitat in Northeast Minnesota Project Sites: Caribou Fall Wayside, State Forest Land adjacent to Wolf Ridge, Hut Two Road Finland Appropriation: ML 09 – 5(a) Conservation Partners Grant Program – FY 2010 (ID A025) Project: MWA Lake Maria WMA Restoration Project Manager: Minnesota Waterfowl Association ","Passage of the Legacy Amendment reinforces the state’s continuing efforts to conserve the diversity of lands, waters, and fish and wildlife that provide the foundation for Minnesota’s high quality of life and also brings strong expectations for a greater level of transparency and accountability in the use of these public funds. The restoration evaluation program intends to increase accountability and transparency in the use of Legacy Funds by formalizing and elevating the process of assessing project performance and reporting findings to stakeholders. Site assessment teams will use project appropriate assessment measures to ensure established science based best practices are being applied on the ground in selected Legacy Fund restoration projects. This level of assessment goes beyond standard reporting requirements and exceeds operational capacity of most programs. This program also increases the communication of specific project outcomes and lessons learned from restoration implementation. Reports will focus on improving future restorations by providing feedback to practitioners regarding challenging situations and viable solutions. Creation of this continuous learning environment provides an important tool for improving restoration practice throughout the state. ","Final Report ",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wade,Johnson,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5075,wade.a.johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/technical-evaluation-panel,,,,
35027,"Technical Evaluation Panel",2016,100000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(c )","$100,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.",,,,,,90000,10000,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.","The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are jointly responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel (Panel) of technical experts to annually evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects completed with Outdoor Heritage funding, as provided in M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10. Primary goals of the restoration evaluations program are to provide on the ground accountability for the use of Legacy funds and to improve future habitat restorations in the State. Per statute, the Panel will evaluate the selected habitat restoration projects relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan. The program coordinator will identify projects to be evaluated, coordinate field assessments and provide a report to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the legislature determining if the restorations are meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. In 2011 an interagency team of BWSR and DNR staff developed recommendations for consistent and effective implementation of the program across the three Legacy Funds that call for restoration evaluations; Parks and Trails, Clean Water and Outdoor Heritage Funds. In 2012 the DNR hired a full time Restoration Evaluation Coordinator to manage implementation of the program. In 2014 the evaluation Panel consists of: Chris Weir-Koetter – DNR, Parks and Trails Carol Strojny – BWSR Sue Galatowitsch – University of Minnesota Greg Berg – Stearns County SWCD Greg Hoch – DNR, Wildlife Mark Oja – MN NRCS The first set of restoration evaluations and recommendations is available in the Fiscal Year 2012 report: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2012/mandated/121281.pdf. The Fiscal Year 2013 Report will be available June 2014. The anticipated long-term outcomes of this program are the increased success of habitat restorations and an increased awareness among practitioners and decision-makers of common challenges associated with habitat restorations and recommended management options to improve future restorations. Outputs from this program for Fiscal Year 2016 include case studies of specific practices, project outcomes and lessons learned in the field from restoration practice.This request supports a portion of the inter-agency Legacy Fund Restoration Evaluations Program, which provides for the evaluation of habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53 Subd. 5), Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S. 97A.056 Subd. 10), and Clean Water Fund (M.S. 114D.50 Subd. 6) as required by state law. Up to ten initial Outdoor Heritage Fund project evaluations will be reported on in the Fiscal Year 2016 report, an additional two to three follow up evaluations of previously assessed sites will also be reported. Follow up assessments will provide valuable insight in tracking progress and estimating trajectory towards planned goals. ",,2015-07-01,2020-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wade,Johnson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 25","St Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5075",Wade.A.Johnson@state.mn.us,"Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/technical-evaluation-panel-1,,,,
20704,"The Camp Ripley Partnership: Protecting the Mission and Mighty Mississippi River",2014,1450000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(b)","$1,150,000 in the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources and $300,000 in the first year is to the Department of Natural Resources to acquire land in fee to be added to the wildlife management area system under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire permanent conservation easements on lands adjacent to the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers and within the boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard Army Compatible Use Buffer. Of the amount appropriated to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, $49,900 is for a grant to the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District and up to $33,600 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Maintain high quality habitat. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. ",,4088000,"ACUB ",3048000,,,,"BWSR; DNR","State Government","Fourteen permanent RIM Easements on 766 acres of high quality, riparian and forested habitat  have been recorded and will provide lasting wildlife habitat. Attempts were made to acquire three tracts in fee title that would have relied on this funding.  The owner of one tract rejected an offer of the certified appraised value.  Acquisition attempts on the other two tracts were discontinued when it became apparent that the planned use of the land as DNR Wildlife Management Area would be incompatible with local government plans for future municipal growth. Dollars budget for fee title acquisition will be returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Over the life of the ACUB program the Department of Defense has contributed over $30M towards easement acquisition. For this particular phase over $4M in federal funding was leveraged making a fed:state ratio of 2.7:1.  ",,"The purpose of this initiative was to protect fish, migratory birds, big game, and oak habitat along the Crow Wing, Gull, Nokasippi, and Mississippi Rivers via fee title acquisitions and conservation easements. These river corridors are also very vulnerable to habitat degradation due to the potential for development. The Camp Ripley military training center is located immediately adjacent to the confluence of the Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers. Camp Ripley contains 19 miles of Mississippi River frontage and 8 miles of Crow Wing River frontage that provide habitat for many species including 45 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. This project will build upon existing Camp Ripley partnership success with the Army Compatible Use Buffer program (ACUB). This federal program provides funds to protect adjacent lands from encroaching development and in the process protects the training center, water quality and wildlife habitat. As of this writing the ACUB program has protected over 25,000 acres through conservation easements and fee title including 204 RIM easements totaling over 22,000 acres. In 2013 alone BWSR received $4,088,000 in from National Guard Bureau and Department of Army ACUB funds for easement acquisition. As of this writing, over the life of the ACUB program, over $33,000,000 in from National Guard Bureau and Department of Army funds have been directed to BWSR for easement acquisition.       This project utilized Camp Ripley’s partnerships with the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR),The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to solicit applications and to score and rank applications.The partnership uses a variety of methods to generate landowner interest and solicit applications including; mailings, open houses, direct contact with landowners and special Camp Ripley events. Applications are sorted into agricultural easements (Non-OHF) and riparian and forested lands easements (OHF). They are then scored and ranked against a GIS based system that ranks parcels based upon a number of factors including habitat quality and proximity to Camp Ripley. Applications are then funded in priority order from appropriate funding sources until all funds are used up. The application process is continuous and there is generally a considerable backlog of interested landowners at any specific point in time. Once a funding decision has been made Morrison SWCD and BWSR work together to accomplish the standard RIM easement acquisition process and the easement becomes part of the RIM portfolio.  Although there were no fee title projects that came to fruition during this appropriation the general process is that DNR, with the support of partners, negotiates directly with landowners that are in the approved boundaries for Wildlife Management Areas. Standard DNR fee title acquisition processes are followed. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Helen,McLennan,"Morrison SWCD","16776 Heron Road ","Little Falls",MN,56345,"(320) 616-2479",Helen.McLennan@mn.nacdnet.net,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/camp-ripley-partnership-protecting-mission-and-mighty-mississippi-river,,,,
783,"The Green Corridor Legacy Program, Phase II",2011,1651000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$1,651,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Communities Foundation to acquire and restore land for purposes allowed under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15, in Redwood, Renville, Brown, Nicollet, Murray, Lyon, Yellow Medicine, Chippewa, and Cottonwood Counties to be added to the state outdoor recreation system as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 86A. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph(b).",,"A total of 447.51 acres of Prairies to 3 WMA complexes. Added 164.36 acres to the new Grunflur WMA complex located in Cottonwood County just south of Sanborn MN has protected a wetland structure and a small remnant native prairie parcel and is in close proximity of the Cottonwood River. This tract also protects habitat for upland game and waterfowl. This new WMA now provides greater public access to regional communities like Sanborn to this new outdoor recreational system and has the potential for future development and expansion. Added 89.5 acres to the Lamberton WMA located in Redwood County northeast of Lamberton MN provides protection to a significant riparian drainage area and expands the existing Lamberton WMA complex. This tract also protects critical wildlife and waterfowl habitats (grasslands) that are usually associated to these types of riparian areas. Added 193.65 acres to the new Granite Prairie WMA complex located in Renville County northwest of Morton MN. This WMA protects numerous exposed granite outcrops, remnant native prairie, existing and restored hardwood forested areas, several wetland/shallow lake structures, and also protects nearly 1.1 miles of aquatic habitats along the Minnesota River shoreline. Numerous species of game and non-game wildlife inhabit this WMA and also provides water and fishing access to the Minnesota River. This tract is also adjacent to a portion of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway transportation system.",,110000,"non-state, Renville County PF, NWTF MN Fund, donations and in kind/volunteer",1642000,9000,,,"Redwood Area Communities Foundation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect and restore/enhance high quality fish, game, and wildlife habitats by developing complexes or corridors of new and/or expansions of MN DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and/or Aquatic Management Areas (AMA) in the Program area. The proposed The Green Corridor Legacy Program ? Phase II FY2011 appropriation will be a continuation of the Phase I FY2010 appropriations by LSOHC. The Green Corridor Legacy Program fiscal agent is the Redwood Area Communities Foundation (RACF) dba Green Corridor Inc with oversight/management responsibilities by the Green Corridor Inc. Board of Directors. Publicly owned natural resource infrastructure (e.g. WMA, AMA, etc) invigorates local and regional economies by providing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities. New business concepts are likely to arise as a direct result of the recreational/ tourism opportunities that will be advanced and promoted by the Green Corridor Legacy Program. The Green Corridor Legacy Program - Phase II will protect and restore/enhance high quality fish, game, and wildlife habitats by developing complexes or corridors of new and/or expansions of MN DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and/or Aquatic Management Areas (AMA) in the Program area. The proposed fee title acquisitions will be considered from a priority list of properties based on several key factors of which show the most urgent need. All properties will be acquired from willing and supportive landowners. All projects have the support of the local DNR offices. Other program activities will include continuing community/citizen/regional support of the program, partnership involvement in program development, and continue to promote local/state government cooperation. Fiduciary responsibility for the program activities including all processes associated to the land transactions, financial oversight, transparency and accountability to all program activities and outcomes, and development of a strategy to monitor the outcomes with partners and agencies. ","This program incorporates the basic concepts of sustainability and ecosystem management. Minnesota has lost 99% of the original prairie and has seen dramatic declines in grassland dependent wildlife of greatest need. Traditional game & aquatic species are also affected by the decline in habitat. The Glacial River Warren created the Minnesota River Valley as it drained Lake Agassiz 10,000+ years ago. The bluff to bluff wall of water carved out one of Minnesota's most scenic landscapes, creating unique geological features, and unique plant communities only found along the valley and its primary tributaries. Efforts to restore, protect, and enhance our wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife are timely as escalating development pressures threaten remaining natural lands and water resources on both public and private lands in the program area. The program will succeed because numerous partnerships have been developed from a wide variety of disciplines (e.g. U of M, DNR, local SWCD, USFWS, PF, MDHA, NWTF, community/civic groups, regional business leaders, and supportive landowners) that will assist in monitoring outcomes, provide long range management of the acquired lands, provide technical support, and ensure that program activities will advance the goals, objectives, and strategies of the various state-wide conservation plans and provide public transparency and input. Green Corridor Inc. is in the process of securing additional financial support of program activities with a number of local/regional wildlife, conservation, and sportsmen's groups. Through the Green Corridor Board of Directors, we have gain the support for this program from community/civic organizations like the MN River Scenic By-way Alliance, local government agencies like the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the program area, documented letter of support from the MN DNR Region 4 director, and documented letters of support from the local county(s) government. Once purchase agreements are secured, formal notifications to the Board of County Commissioners (in the counties were properties will be acquired) will be completed, as is the normal protocol. ","Final Report",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Brad,Cobb,"Redwood Area Communities Foundation (RACF)","200 S. Mill St. ","Redwood Falls",None,56283,,1231TLC@charter.net,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Cottonwood, Cottonwood","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/green-corridor-legacy-program-phase-2,,,,
10006479,"Two Rivers Fish Passage Restoration and Habitat Enhancement",2019,2000000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(o)","$2,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Hallock to restore and enhance fish passage and habitat in the South Branch Two Rivers. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - This project will restore and enhance habitat within a Public Water by reconnecting a disconnected reach and restoring a degraded reach of the South Branch Two Rivers. The project provides lake sturgeon and walleye spawning habitat and reconnects more than 30 miles and in excess of 300 acres of aquatic habitat. The restoration of the downstream reach will result in more complex diverse habitat which will promote aquatic diversity. Future stream surveys will confirm improvements in species diversity and populations. The project will also provide enhanced recreational opportunities for paddlers which can be tracked through City campground use statistics..",,,,,2000000,,,,"City of Hallock","Local/Regional Government","The City of Hallock will restore and enhance habitat to facilitate fish passage by retrofitting the existing Hallock Dam on the South Branch of the Two Rivers and re-establishing a stable riffle-pool habitat downstream, as funding allows. The existing 11-foot high dam will be modified with a rock-arch rapids fishway that will provide lake sturgeon and walleye spawning habitat and reconnect more than 30 miles and in excess of 300 acres of high quality, diverse habitat along the South Branch. In addition to the fish habitat improvement, the project will provide enhanced recreational opportunities for paddlers along the river. ","Many native fish species migrate from the Red River to tributary streams, such as Two Rivers, to access quality spawning habitats. This is especially true for Lake Sturgeon, a native species recently re-introduced into the Red River Basin, which make very long migrations to reproduce in riffles and rapids found in high gradient areas. Barriers to fish passage, such as dams, prevent fish from making this seasonal spawning run. Much work has been done to eliminate these barriers but additional work is required. Restoring connections from the Red River to these critical habitats helps to re-establish and maintain healthy, robust native fish communities with greater resiliency to invasion by exotic species. Fisheries surveys on Two Rivers clearly identified the Hallock Dam as a barrier to upstream migration. Recent fish surveys conducted by the DNR have found that 13 of the 43 species present in the Two Rivers are absent upstream of the dam in Hallock. Absent are large river species such as Channel Catfish, Sauger, and Freshwater Drum. The absence of these fish species also impact mussel populations which rely on the upstream migrations of large river species to transport juvenile life stages to hospitable habitat. Based on several DNR studies, removal of barriers create more diverse mussel and fish communities and also expand and improve fishing opportunities in river segments above barriers.A fish passage project similar to the one proposed for Two Rivers was conducted on the Wild Rice River, another major tributary to the Red River. Similar to findings on Two Rivers, large river fish species such as Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Goldeye, Sauger, and Smallmouth Bass were common below but rarely captured above the dam. Within one year of passage restoration at this dam, these large river species were common upstream of the dam, with channel catfish captured 70 river miles above the previous barrier. Restoration of fish passage on Two Rivers would likely yield similar results.Retrofit of the Hallock dam with a rock arch rapids fishway will allow fish migration upstream of the Dam into a 30 plus mile stretch of river and more than 300 acres of aquatic habitat between Hallock and the Lake Bronson Dam. The river channel upstream of the reservoir created by the Hallock Dam between Lake Bronson and Hallock is a segment of river that is in its most natural, unaltered state. The channel undergoes a series of riffles and pools, and provides excellent fish and wildlife habitat.Downstream of the dam, an unstable stream channel has caused degraded habitat and eroding banks. Here, as funding allows, the channel enhancement work will recreate the appropriate complex and diverse pool-riffle habitat. This will benefit both the project area and the habitat reaches downstream that will no longer need to handle the excessive sediment load. Natural channel design principles will be used to restore this channel.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Angela,Grafstrom,"City of Hallock","163 South 3rd ST PO Box 336",Hallock,MN,56728,"(218) 843-2737",agrafstrom@hallockmn.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Kittson,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/two-rivers-fish-passage-restoration-and-habitat-enhancement,,,,
810,"Valley Creek Protection Partnership",2011,1245000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(e)","$1,218,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements on projects to protect, restore, and enhance natural systems of Valley Creek in Washington County as follows: $838,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $218,000 with Washington County; $100,000 with the Belwin Conservancy; $50,000 with Trout Unlimited; and $12,000 with the Valley Branch Watershed District. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph(b).","Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savann","Restored 46 acres of prairie and 78 acres of habitat; protected 59 acres of prairie and habitat.",,1117500,"Belwin Conservancy, CPL Grants, Valley Branch WD and Washington County",1245000,,,,"Minnesota Land Trust, Washington County, Belwin Conservancy, MN Trout Unlimited and Valley Branch Watershed District","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program seeks to permanently protect, restore and enhance priority lands within the watershed of Valley Creek, a coldwater fishery that flows directly into the St. Croix River. We propose to accomplish this protection by acquiring land and conservation easements and restoring the riparian woodlands, prairies, oak savannas, and in-stream areas that provide significant habitat for fish and other wildlife. The Partnership seeks to build upon the collective experience of each of the organizations, working collaboratively and strategically, to permanently protect the most important parcels on this trout stream and restore the oak savannas that were once present. Specifically, we will: Acquire two perpetual conservation easements to protect approximately 80 acres. Acquire the underlying fee on one parcel to secure public angling access to Valley Creek. Restore and enhance in-stream habitat, surrounding upland habitat, and key upstream habitat on 30 acres and 3/4 mile of trout stream. ","This project is a continuation of previous success by the Valley Creek Protection Partnership. The organizations participating in this partnership include the Minnesota Land Trust, Belwin Conservancy, Valley Branch Watershed District, the Washington County Land & Water Legacy Program, and Trout Unlimited. The Valley Creek watershed is located on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and covers approximately 14 square miles. The watershed originally was characterized by savanna, tallgrass prairie and maple-basswood forest, but is now rapidly becoming more urban. The watershed includes portions of several growing communities such as Woodbury, West Lakeland Township, and Afton. Valley Creek itself flows approximately 10 miles through Washington County from its source near Woodbury to Afton, where it empties into the St. Croix River. The exceptional habitat value of Valley Creek has been identified in Minnesota's State Wildlife Action Plan, which identifies Valley Creek as a ?Key River Reach.? Valley Creek is one of 13 trout streams within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and is one of only a few that has a naturally reproducing population of brook trout, the only trout species native to Minnesota. In addition to brook trout, Valley Creek sustains large populations of brown and rainbow trout. While many of the trout streams in Minnesota depend on stocking to maintain their trout populations, Valley Creek's habitat remains of high enough quality that the trout populations maintain themselves through natural reproduction. Valley Creek is one of the best trout-producing streams in the state of Minnesota, and is believed to be in the top 10% of trout streams in the world in terms of trout production (based on personal communication with Tom Waters and Ray Newman). The Valley Creek watershed is home to more than 20 endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including the American brook lamprey, the hooded warbler, and Blanding's turtle. The creek also appears to be home to a species of cranefly (genus Phantolabis) previously undescribed by science. Scientists from the University of Minnesota are in the process of publishing their findings. Valley Creek flows into the Wild and Scenic St. Croix River, which provides one of the premier mussel habitats in the world; approximately 38 mussel species live in the St. Croix watershed. The uncommon richness of mussel species in the St. Croix parallels the uncommon richness of the flora and fauna of the watershed as a whole. The watershed is home to many Midwestern species such as the wolf, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and Karner blue butterfly, all of which are on the Federal list of threatened and endangered species. Development and siltation are major concerns to the health and quality of the Valley Creek and its watershed. Development can destroy the upland habitat, while siltation destroys trout spawning habitat. A partnership of several organizations has formed to take the needed actions to maintain and improve in-stream habitat that is threatened by degradation. This partnership maximizes the relative strengths of each organization with each serving a vital role in ensuring that the lands can be acquired, protected, restored and maintained for future generations. This cooperative project will protect the Valley Creek watershed to ensure its high water quality and habitat by protecting 80 acres of land, restoring 30 acres of upland habitat, and enhancing the trout habitat in approximately a 3/4 mile of the stream. In addition to protecting and improving Valley Creek and its watershed, this project will help improve the water quality of lower St. Croix River, which was recently listed as impaired. Finally, this project aims to provide angling access to a top trout stream that is close to the State's major population center. ","The Valley Creek watershed, located on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and a direct tributary to the St. Croix River, is one of the most biologically significant areas within the Metro region. Valley Creek is one of Minnesota's best trout-producing streams. It is one of only a few with a naturally reproducing brook trout population (Minnesota's only native trout species), and sustains large populations of brown and rainbow trout as well.  While many of the trout streams in Minnesota depend on stocking to maintain their trout populations, Valley Creek’s habitat is of sufficiently high quality for natural reproduction to occur.  The Valley Creek watershed is home to more than 20 endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including the American brook lamprey, the hooded warbler, and Blanding’s turtle. Protection of this critical natural resource in the ever-growing Metro region is the focus of the Valley Creek Protection Partnership.The proposed outcomes of the Valley Creek Protection Partnership were to permanently protect (through conservation easement and fee title acquisition), restore and enhance priority lands (oak savanna, coldwater fisheries and a viable habitat corridor within the watershed of Valley Creek) through: •    Protection via easement and fee title 80 acres of upland habitat and 1 mile of trout stream;•    Restoration of 30 acres of oak savanna and upland habitats; and •    Enhancement of 0.75 miles of trout streamProcesses and methods to achieve these outcomes are detailed below:1. Protection through Conservation Easement: The Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County jointly targeted three parcels for protection via conservation easement. Ultimately two conservation easements were acquired on important properties over the course of the grant. One potential project failed to materialize. Acquisition of easements were realized through intensive one-on-one negotiations with landowners over 2-3 years. Although landowner motivations for pursuing conservation easements varied, a donated value of nearly $270,000 was realized from the landowners. Both landowners required some level of compensation for loss of development rights. The two properties include:•    Vallley Creek (Daley): A conservation easement now protects a 49-acre property of very high natural resource value, with 2,081 linear feet of Valley Creek shoreline. The easement is co-held by the Belwin Conservancy.•    Valley Creek (T & C Johnson): A conservation easement now protects 17 acres of wetlands, forests, grasslands and 741 feet of shoreline along Valley Creek. The land protected through conservation easements will be sustained through the best standards and practices for conservation easement stewardship. The Minnesota Land Trust has a stewardship program that includes annual property monitoring, effective records management, addressing inquiries and interpretations, tracking changes in ownership, investigating potential violations and defending the easement in the rare case of a violation. The 2 conservation easements have been monitored by the Minnesota Land Trust each year since purchase. There have been no reported violations. Monitoring and defense of the conservation easement terms will continue in perpetuity.2. Protection through Fee Title Acquisition: Belwin Conservancy purchased the fee interest in 17 acres that included 741 linear feet of Valley Creek. No funds from the Outdoor Heritage Fund were used to purchase this property through fee title. This parcel provides for public angling access. Because public angling access to Valley Creek in Afton and West Lakeland Township was vocally opposed, Belwin Conservancy convened a working group composed of local residents some of whom were amateur fly fishing people, and worked through access, parking, hours, and an educational program that would highlight stream ecology, fish populations and stream stewardship. This was a pilot program in 2016 and will be evaluated at the end of the season with feedback being used to design the 2017 program. A limited access public angling access is what the community is willing to support at this time. 3. Restoration and Enhancement of In-Stream and Upland Habitat: Belwin Conservancy staff and contractors including Conservation Minnesota, Prairie Restorations, Inc. and ForeControl performed restoration work on 46.07 acres of prairie and 78.21 acres of habitat. The work involved: hand cutting buckthorn, hand pulling grecian foxglove, garlic mustard, dames rocket, removal of undesirable sapling and canopy trees, promoting regrowth of understory vegetation by selective chemical control of invasives, subsequent multi-year chemical spraying. As much of the topography is steep slope or wetland complexes, the majority of the work was done by hand. Continued follow-up invasive control is necessary for a 10-year period after restoration, and then continued monitoring and ad hoc control measures to ensure the on-going health of the restoration project. Please note: LSOHC reporting requires that the majority activity be listed (e.g. protection through conservation easement) even if that property is also the recipient of restoration $. In this report, the reader may note differences in acreage and funding attributed to those parcels that were primary restoration parcels as the reporting format did not allow us to attribute restoration $ to the Daley project - though restoration $ were spent on that project. Instead, we allocated the restoration $ from the Daley project to the 3 other restoration parcels. In-stream restoration work did not take place because the Partnership was unable to obtain consent of the landowner for public angling access on the parcel where in-stream enhancements were needed. ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Nancy,Kafka,"Belwin Conservancy","1553 Stagecoach Trail South ",Afton,MN,55001,"(651) 436-5189",nancy.kafka@belwin.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Washington,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/valley-creek-protection-partnership,,,,
813,"Washington County St. Croix River Land Protection",2011,1033000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$1,033,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Washington County to acquire permanent easements to protect habitat associated with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. M.L 2013, Chapter 137, Article 1, Section 2, Subd. 10. Appropriations Carryforward; Fee Title Acquisition The availability of te appropriation for the following project is extended to July 1, 2015: Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), Washington County St. Croix River Land Protection, and the appropriation may be spent on acquisition of land in fee title to protect habitat associated with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the accomplishment plan. ML 2015, Ch. 91X, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd 10 Sec. 8. Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 1, section 8, ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 10, is amended to read: Subd 10. Appropriations Carryforward; Fee Title Acquisition The availability of te appropriation for the following project is extended to September 1, 2015: Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), Washington County St. Croix River Land Protection, and the appropriation may be spent on acquisition of land in fee title to protect habitat associated with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the accomplishment plan.","A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savann","Protected 8 acres of prairies, 67 acres of forest and 10 acres of habitat including 3,780 feet of St. Croix River Frontage.",,2784000,"County Levy/Landowner Donation, DNR Appraisal Review and none",1033000,,,None,"Washington County","Local/Regional Government","Washington County seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of the St. Croix River by completing a 85-acre permanent conservation easement to protect critical riparian habitat and over one mile of shoreland. The property is located in Denmark Township within the state-managed portion of the St. Croix Scenic Riverway and is one of the remaining large lots along the lower St. Croix River. It provides a critical connection needed to create a continuous corridor of forested bluff lands and ravines. This funding will address three of the Outdoor Heritage Council's priority actions for the Metropolitan Urbanizing Section: to protect a prairie and habitat corridor along the St. Croix River and to protect, enhance and restore big woods forests and oak savanna with an emphasis on areas with high biological diversity.","This project works with the Thomas E. and Edna D. Carpenter Foundation to fund a 85-acre conservation easement in southern Washington County. The Carpenter Foundation will remain owner and manage the property. Funding partners include Washington County through its Land and Water Legacy Program that ranks land along the St. Croix River as high priority for its funding because these parcels help preserve critical habitat, protect water resources, create networks of protected habitat and protect lands that are accessible or highly visible to the public. Carpenter Foundation is also making a donation to the project. The St. Croix River and its watershed is a national treasure whose habitat and water quality is threatened. The St. Croix River watershed is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Its waters support 95 fish and approximately 38 mussel species, many of which are on the state and federal endangered species lists. Its forested lands provide nesting habitat for Bald Eagles and are home to several threatened and endangered species. Although the waters of the St. Croix River are very pristine, they are impacted by nutrient and sediment pollution. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency designated Lake St. Croix, the lower 25 miles of the river, as an ?impaired water? due to high levels of phosphorus. This designation mandates that the federal, state and local governments take actions to ensure the lake's recovery. With increasing urbanization in the watershed is will be difficult to do. By limiting development and maintaining mature forests along the river, the proposed acquisition will help defray pollution impacts and will aid in arresting the decline in water quality in the lower stretch of the river. The proposed acquisition will maintain essential habitat for resident and migratory wildlife, both game and non-game species. This acquisition helps maintain a high quality river fishery that is dependent on clean water.","The design of this project involved three funding partners:  the State of Minnesota, Washington County and the Carpenter Foundation. The State provided funding through its Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund. Washington County funded its portion of the project using its Land and Water Legacy Program (LWLP) funds. The LWLP ranks land along the St. Croix River as high priority for its funding because these parcels help preserve critical habitat, protect water resources, create networks of protected habitat and protect lands that are accessible or highly visible to the public. The Carpenter Foundation also made a donation to the project.  The scope of this project involved Washington County working with the Thomas E. and Edna D. Carpenter Foundation to place an 85-acre conservation easement on the Carpenter property in southern Washington County. The Carpenter Foundation remains owner of the property and has developed a management plan for maintaining the property into the future as part of this process. Washington County holds the easement protecting the property from development in perpetuity.The Carpenter property is located within the state-managed portion of the St. Croix Scenic Riverway. The St. Croix River watershed is a national treasure whose habitat and water quality is threatened. The St. Croix River watershed is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Its waters support 95 fish and approximately 38 mussel species, many of which are on the state and federal endangered species lists. Its forested lands provide nesting habitat for Bald Eagles and are home to several threatened and endangered species. Although the waters of the St. Croix River are very pristine, they are impacted by nutrient and sediment pollution. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency designated Lake St. Croix, the lower 25 miles of the river, as an “impaired water” due to high levels of phosphorus. This designation mandates that the federal, state and local governments take actions to ensure the lake’s recovery. With increasing urbanization in the watershed this is difficult to do. This conservation easement preserves the ecological integrity of the St. Croix River by protecting a segment of its shoreland. This helps maintain a high quality river fishery dependent on clean water. Critical riparian habitat and a continuous corridor of forested bluff lands and ravines for resident and migratory wildlife, both game and nongame species are also conserved. By limiting development and maintaining mature forests along the river, the easement helps defray pollution impacts and aids in arresting the decline in water quality in the lower stretch of the river.",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,June,Mathiowetz,"Washington County","14949 62nd Street North ",Stillwater,MN,55082,"(651) 430-6011",june.mathiowetz@co.washington.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Washington,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/washington-county-st-croix-river-land-protection,,,,
10006508,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 3",2019,1786000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(d)","$1,786,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - This program will permanently protect 646 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 745 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - This program will permanently protect 646 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 745 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..",,,235100,"Private landowner donation of easement value, USFWS Staff",1744200,41800,,0.6,"MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 3 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program, will result in the protection of 646 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, an expanding partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 745 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations. ","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota’s Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota’s wildlife—including Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan—cite the protection and restoration of the state’s remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State’s conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust’s Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota’s “duck factory” and is central to one of North America’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 10 conservation easements protecting nearly 1,800 acres of habitat and 70,000 feet of shoreline, with more on the way. Phase 3 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program’s focus to include – along with wetland protection – habitat restoration and enhancement. Through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Land Trust will restore/enhance 745 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 646 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase easements that help complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the intersection of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 3) enhancement of prior public investment in wetland and upland habitat protection.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-3,,,,
10011426,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 4",2020,2129000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(c)","$2,129,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 400 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 707 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 400 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 271 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..",,,296800,"Landowner donation of easement value, USFWS Personnel",2079000,50000,,0.68,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 4 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 800 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 978 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota’s Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plansdeveloped to protect Minnesota’s wildlife—including Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan—cite the protection and restoration of the state’sremaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State’s conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat.Minnesota Land Trust’s Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota’s “duckfactory” and is central to one of North America’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 17 conservation easements protecting nearly 2,500 acres of habitat and 75,100 feet of shoreline, with more on the way.Phase 4 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program’s focus to include – along with wetland protection – habitat restoration and enhancement. In a partnership between the Land Trust and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, this proposal will restore/enhance 978 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 800 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals.The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase easements that help complete key complexes as necessary.To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the intersection of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investment in wetland and upland habitat.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Otter Tail, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-4,,,,
10019652,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 6",2022,3088000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(d)","$3,088,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $288,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 606 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 300 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 607 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 560 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,384900,"Landowner donation of easement value and USFWS",3017300,70700,,0.66,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 6 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,213 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 870 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations. ","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's duck factory and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phase 5 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 25 conservation easements protecting 3,296 acres of habitat and 37.5 miles of shoreline. The Program has 1,650 acres of restoration/enhancement underway. Phase 6 will continue these accomplishments by restoring or enhancing 870 acres of important prairie and wetland habitats on private lands already protected within the Program area in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Land Trust will also work with FWS and landowners to develop additional shovel ready R/E projects. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 1,213 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase the full or partial value of an easement to complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat projects. ",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-6,,,,
10017837,"Wetland Habitat and Protection Program - Phase 5",2021,2683000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(c )","$2,683,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 411 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 312 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 412 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 630 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,372000,"Landowner donation of easement value and USFWS",2590400,92600,,1.3,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 5 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,040 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 942 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife?including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan?cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's ?duck factory? and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phase 3 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 20 conservation easements protecting nearly 2,796 acres of habitat and 133,387 feet of shoreline (>25 miles). Phase 5 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program's focus to include ? along with wetland protection ? habitat restoration and enhancement. In a partnership between the Land Trust and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, this proposal will restore/enhance 942 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 823 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase the full or partial value of an easement to complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat projects.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-and-protection-program-phase-5,,,,
20715,"Wetland Habitat Protection Program",2014,1980000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$1,980,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements in high-priority wetland complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Up to $280,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in easement 1,962 acres ",,1209700,"Donated easement value",1965700,,,1,"MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Fourteen conservation easements were completed by this program resulting in the protection of 1,962 acres of high quality wetland and associated upland habitat complexes and 78,596 feet (approximately 15 miles) of shoreland along priority lakes and rivers in west-central Minnesota. This program exceeded by 862 acres the amount proposed for the grant. Total leverage through donated easements by landowners is estimated at $1,209,700, all in excess of that proposed.",,"Of all of Minnesota’s wildlife habitat types, wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of the amphibians and birds listed in Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy as species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle.  Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota’s wildlife—including Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, Minnesota Prairie Plan and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan—cite the protection and restoration the state’s remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State’s conservation goals.  Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. In this first phase of its Wetland Habitat Protection Program, the Land Trust concentrated its activities toward protecting through conservation easements the important wetland and associated upland habitats within its Edge of the Prairie Critical Landscape. This landscape, which extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, is located at the edge of the once vast prairies of western Minnesota as they transition to the woods and forests that dominate the eastern portion of the State.  The prairie pothole lakes and associated wetlands within this landscape form the backbone of one of the continent’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through this grant, the Land Trust protected 1,962 acres of high priority wetland and associated upland habitats and nearly 15 miles of shoreland along lakes, streams and rivers by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners. This exceeded the proposed target output by 862 acres. The program targeted projects that helped fill gaps in existing public ownership, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust accepted three fully donated easements, negotiated bargain sale purchases for an additional ten easements, and purchased one at full appraised value. Total leverage from donated value of the easements is placed at $1,209,705, all in excess of that proposed. This value was substantiated in all fourteen easements through appraisals. The success of the program in producing high levels of donated value was due in part to both the high levels of interest among landowners in participating in the program, and the use of a novel ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. This market-based approach was developed through the Land Trust's work with St. John’s University in the Avon Hills.  Under this system, potential parcels for easement purchase were prioritized based on their value to wetland protection, proximity to other protected parcels, MCBS data and other appropriate criteria while allowing targeted landowners to select the price necessary for them to protect their property with an easement. Those properties with the best ratio of environmental benefits to easement cost became the highest priority for acquisition.  Through this grant, the Land Trust has significantly built on its past 15 years of conservation impact in protecting important wetland complexes in this landscape. This work continues through Phase 2 of this program, with funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to continue our work in building on the successes of this initial phase, and to secure an additional 750 acres of wetland habitat in west-central Minnesota. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-program,,,,
35074,"Wetland Habitat Protection Program – Phase 2",2017,1629000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$1,629,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $180,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"300 wetland acres, 44 prairie acres, 571 forest acres, and 108 habitat acres for a total of 1023 acres protected in easement. ",,387000,"Landowner ",1574700,47900,,0.47,"Minnestoa Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect 750 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie/Forest-Prairie areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized complexes using an innovative project ranking and payment system to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage. ",,"Minnesota Land Trust’s Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota’s “duck factory” and is central to one of North America’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. In this second phase of its Wetland Habitat Protection Program, the Land Trust focused its activities toward the protection of important wetland/upland complexes of habitat within the program area. In Phase 2 of this program, the Land Trust protected 1,026 acres of high priority wetland and associated upland habitats and nearly 17.56 miles of shoreland along lakes, streams and rivers by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners. This exceeded the proposed target output by 276 acres. The Land Trust accepted one fully donated easement, negotiated bargain sale purchases on an additional four easements, and purchased four at full appraised value. Total leverage from donated value of the easements is placed at $386,975, in excess of that proposed. This value was substantiated in all nine easements through appraisals. The success of the program in producing high levels of donated value was due in part to both the high levels of interest among landowners in participating in the program, and the use of a market-based approach to incentivize landowners to contribute in this fashion. The program targeted projects that helped fill gaps in existing public ownership, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. Landowners submitted applications to the program via a RFP process, whereby proposals were evaluated based on a combination ecological factors (size of the property, condition of wetland and associated upland habitat, proximity to other protected lands, and other factors); landowners were also asked to submit the level of funding necessary for them to participate in the program. Those properties with the best ratio of environmental benefits to easement cost became the highest priority for acquisition. Nine properties were protected through this Phase 2 grant, including the following (each of which more thoroughly illustrated through a project summary sheet that is uploaded as part of this final report): Cooks Lake (Vergas Trail Timberlands, LLC) - This 116-acre property builds on a large complex of private lands protected by conservation easements along the shore of Cooks Lake in Otter Tail County. The total complex now totals 760 acres. The property protects high quality mesic hardwood forests, wetlands, and 4,072 feet of shoreline on Cooks Lake. Little Crow Lake (Kluck) - This spectacular 263-acre property encompasses nearly the entirety (13,719 feet of shoreline) of Little Crow Lake in Otter Tail County. Mesic hardwood forest, wetlands and grasslands are draped across the rugged hills of the property, providing habitat for a variety of SGCN including common loon and trumpeter swan. Little Pine Lake (Durrant) - Duel Creek, a designated trout stream, winds its way through this 164-acre forested property in Todd County. The property contains nearly all of the fishable reach (6,726 feet) of this trout stream, one of only four in Todd County. The property is dominated by hardwood forests on rugged, rolling terrain. Mineral Lake (Harris) - This 126-acre easement in Otter Tail County comprises much of a large, forested peninsula extending into Mineral Lake. Basswood-Bur Oak-(Green Ash) forests, wetlands, and 20,924 feet of shoreland are protected through this impressive property. Sauk River (Dodge-Dunker) - This 71-acre easement is one of three contiguous properties along the Sauk River in Stearns County protected through this grant. The property is a mix of floodplain forests, marshland and dry savanna on the slopes of an esker, and includes 6,321 feet of shoreline along the Sauk River. Sauk River (Klehr Trust & Klehr) - This 37-acre easement in Stearns County contains high quality floodplain forests located along nearly 2 miles of the Sauk River and its meandered channels and oxbows. Sauk River (Klehr) - This 82-acre property in Stearns County contains extensive floodplain forests along three miles of the Sauk River. The property contains a mixture of floodplain forest, marshland and dry savanna. Sauk River (Lindell) - This 77-acre easement protects nearly one-half mile of shoreline along the Sauk River and abuts the Cold Spring Heron Colony SNA in Stearns County. Restoration of a degraded fen is underway in a joint project between the Minnesota DNR, The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Land Trust and Sauk River Watershed District. Spitzer Lake (Burkett) - This 87-acre project located on the shores of Long Lake and Spitzer Lake in Otter Tail County is part of a complex of protected lands totaling over 3,000 acres. The property contains over 9,145 feet of shoreline, mesic hardwood forest and grasslands. Landowner interest for the program has increased significantly over the course of this grant, with in excess of 50 landowners applying through our November 2018 RFP. Across Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust has protected 2,990 acres of important wildlife habitat and 32.4 miles of shoreline, while leveraging $1,596,680 in landowner donation of easement value. ",,2021-08-24,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kris,Larson,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. ","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 647-9590",klarson@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-program-phase-2,,,,
35037,"Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration",2016,2270000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(j)","$2,270,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed District to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easement and to `restore river and related habitat in the Wild Rice River corridor. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Funding from this allocation was utilized for the land acquisition phase of the long term project that will restore 50 miles of river and over 6,500 acres of habitat for associated fish and wildlife communities. The Wild Rice River and associated prairie and forest lowland habitats were identified as key habitats for species of greatest conservation need in the Red River Prairie ecoregion. Key among aquatic species is the Lake Sturgeon, a species of special concern. The Wild Rice River provides sturgeon habitat and restoration of the river will help ensure successful reestablishment of sturgeon populations in the Red River basin. This project will also likely benefit mussel and insect populations in the Wild Rice River. Two species of mussels, black sandshell and fluted-shell are listed as species of special concern are known to be present in the upstream reaches of the Wild Rice River. Two species of caddisfly present in the Wild Rice River are also listed as species of special concern. Acquisition and restoration of the stream and associated riparian wetlands will also improve habitat for Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and more than 50 other fish species present in other reaches of the Wild Rice River.","A total of 481 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 481 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",523600,"Wild Rice Watershed District",1839500,,,0.4,"Wild Rice Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This Corridor Habitat Restoration Project is a cooperative effort between the District (WRWD), MN Board of Soil and Water Resources (MNBWSR), MN DNR, and Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB). This is a voluntary program with the long-term goal to restore a natural corridor area along the Lower Reach of the Wild Rice River. When completed, the project will restore 23 channelized river miles to 50 miles of natural stream channel. The funding from this allocation was used to protect and restore approximately 480 acres of floodplain forest, wetland, and grassland habitat along the Wild Rice River.","The long-term goal of the Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration Project is to restore a natural corridor area along the Lower Reach of the Wild Rice River. When completed, the project will restore 23 channelized river miles to 50 miles of natural stream channel. Due to the overall size of the initiative, it is planned that the project will be conducted in multiple phases over the next decades. The phases were established to allow both for orderly implementation of the project and to ensure that wildlife and habitat benefits would be gained from the onset of implementation. The following describes the anticipated phases and major work items anticipated under each phase. Phase 1 ?Land Acquisition/Restoration ? This phase will involve acquisition of a Conservation Easements to provide the Wild Rice Watershed District land rights to install and maintain future phases of implementation. As part of this phase, the production of agricultural crops within the parcel would cease and the area would be restored to a permanent vegetative cover by the landowner as set forth in the Conservation Easement conservation plan. Phase 2 ? Detailed Design and Setback Levee Construction ? Once a significant reach of property has been enrolled as part of Phase 1 and detailed design for the corridor restoration has been completed, the existing river-side levees would be decommissioned and replaced with new levees setback further from the river. The alignment of these levees would be established to maximize the use of the available Phase 1 corridor and to allow for future implementation of Channel Rehabilitation under Phase 3. Phase 3 ? Channel Rehabilitation ? Phase 3 will involve restoration of the channel along an approximately 23-mile segment of river. This restoration will reconnect many segments of the natural river that were cutoff by the channelized, leveed river channel. Reconnecting the floodplain will also benefit adjacent prairie and wetlands. During this phase, it is anticipated that a combination of modifications to historic oxbows that were cut off during the earlier straightening project and new meandering river channel segments would be constructed to create a long-term stable river channel. In addition, wetlands will be restored where determined practicable and compatible with setback levee and channel rehabilitation locations. Funding from this allocation was utilized specifically for Phase 1.",,2015-07-01,2023-08-22,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tara,Jensen,"Wild Rice River Watershed District","11 East 5th Avenue ",Ada,MN,56510,"(218 784-5501",tara@wildricewatershed.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Norman,"Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wild-rice-river-corridor-habitat-restoration,,,,
9799,"Wildlife Management Area Acquisition",2013,2900000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$2,900,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protect in Fee 284 acres of prairies and 356 acres of forest ",,,,2875000,3500,,,DNR,"State Government","This program acquired, developed, and added 638 acres to the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. These lands protect habitat and provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping and compatible outdoor uses consistent with the Outdoor Recreation Act (M.S. 86A.05, Subd.8). ",,"Through this program and appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, forest prairie transition, northern forest, and metro urbanizing ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All potential acquisitions were brought forth by willing sellers. We scored and ranked them on numerous ecological and management criteria. All acquisitions received formal county board review and approval. Nine Parcels totaling nearly 640 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. We fell just shy of our our AP goals for prairie (8 acres) and forest (4 acres) protection. We would have easily exceeded AP goals save for four acquisition attempts that were started but for various reasons failed. ",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Pat ",Rivers,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd. North","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-4916",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carlton, Chippewa, Chisago, Freeborn, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Winona, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wildlife-management-area-acquisition,,,,
2529,"Wildlife Management Area, Scientific and Natural Areas, and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition - Phase III ",2012,3931000,"M.L 2011, First Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 1, Section 2 ","$3,931,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to:(1) acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 8, and 97A.145; (2) acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and(3) acquire native prairie bank easements under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96. A list of proposed land or permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $14,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan, and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Protected 545 acres of prairies and 565 acres of forest",,944000,,3152800,6800,,0.22,"MN DNR","State Government","This program acquired priority lands and developed them as Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) - six parcels protected totaling over 600 acres, Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) - one parcel of 900 acres (287 acres credited to this funding ), and Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements - two parcels totaling almost 200 acres. These lands protect habitat and some provide public hunting, trapping and compatible outdoor uses.",,"MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, northern forest, metro urbanizing, and SE bluffland ecological sections with this appropriation, and has or will restore grassland by planting native prairie. DNR prioritized acquisitions at sites where there is an existing habitat base to address fragmentation and to maximize habitat benefits. Potential acquisitions are scored and ranked on numerous ecological and management criteria. DNR seeks out willing landowners and conducts all transactions in accordance with state law and departmental policy. Nine properties totaling over 1,100 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. We were able to meet our original goal for forest acre protection, but failed to meet our prairie protection goal for reasons described below. Two acquisitions that failed to close by 6/30/14, did eventually close, but not in time to be funded from this appropriation and be counted as acres protected in this summary. The funding that would have been used from this appropriation was returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund. ",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Jay ",Johnson,"MN Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Rd. ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Big Stone, Carlton, Cottonwood, Dakota, Hubbard, Jackson, Wabasha, Wilkin","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wildlife-management-area-scientific-and-natural-areas-and-prairie-bank-easement-acquisition,,,,
23915,"Wirth Park Habitat Enhancements",2015,530500,"ML 2014, Ch.256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(j)","$600,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park Board to enhance riparian and upland habitat within Wirth Park in Hennepin County. A restoration and enhancement plan and a list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 150 acres  ",,160000,"MPRB General Fund ",530500,,,3.36,"Minneapolis Park Board","Local/Regional Government","$530,500 of the allocated $600,000 was used to enhance 150 acres of Wirth Park habitat. This project included habitat enhancement of woodlands and wetlands involving invasive species removal and planting of native species. This project benefits animal species including the pileated woodpecker and the threatened Blanding’s turtle. Primary outcomes include better quality plant communities, reduced fragmentation, and higher functioning wetlands. ",,"Theodore Wirth Regional Park was established more than 100 years ago to protect natural resources. Wirth's total 750 acres consist of wetland, woodland, savanna, shoreline and lake habitats. These habitats provide for a variety of wildlife including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, pollinating insects, fish, and migratory birds within a fully developed urban metro area.  The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, established in 1907 as a public wildflower garden to view Minnesota native plants and as a sanctuary for birds, is found in the southern portion of the park. A  tamarack bog, a wetland plant community that is rare for the southern part of the State, is also found in the southern portion of the park within the project area. The tamarack bog and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary provide unique outdoor experiences for urban dwellers. Migratory birds use Wirth Park as a stopover on their migratory route the Mississippi flyway, just three miles to the east. Recently Wirth Park and Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park were designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon International for this reason.  When Wirth Park was established more than 100 years ago the land was not impacted by non-native invasive plants. Times have changed and Wirth park's oak forest is dominated by common buckthorn. Wetland areas as well have dense stands of both common and glossy buckthorn. Activities funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) included removal and control of invasive species in forest and wetland habitats and enhancement plantings with native plant species.  Since 2005, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) Citizen Advisory Committees have consistently listed natural resource enhancements as top priorities for Wirth park and are a key component of the Wirth Park Master Plan.  Contracted work for the grant occurred from 2015-2016 and included saw cutting and forestry mowing of woody invasive species. Control of buckthorn in the oak forest and wetland areas consisted of cutting down large mature buckthorn with a chain or brush saw and treating the stump with herbicide. Due to the density of mature buckthorn in certain areas, the resulting brush resulted in large quantities of cut brush littering the landscape, making these areas impossible to access.  In these situations the brush was chipped and left in place. Brush chipping allows for better access into the area for future control of invasive species and enhancement plantings.   In forested areas where there was low density of large mature buckthorn, forestry mowing was done through contracted services with a forestry brush mower.  Where there were steeper slopes that a forestry mower couldn't safely operate, a brush saw was used. In 2017, the MPRB  tried for the first time goat browsing to control invasive species through contracted services. The goat browsing occurred for three consecutive years (2017-2019) with one annual browsing occurring during the summer (June or July) in two locations in the oak forest.  Forestry mowing, brush sawing and goat browsing all served to control the seeding of woody invasive species. Oriental bittersweet has become an increasingly prevalent non-native invasive species in many park areas.  Oriental bittersweet was first found in Wirth Park by MPRB staff in 2013 and has been reported to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture through eddmaps.org.  It is found in the OHF project area and was part of invasive species control for this project. Control of mature Oriental bittersweet stems, where vines were entangled in the tree canopy, consisted of cutting the stem and treating the stump with an herbicide. Monitoring of the area occurred and any seedlings that sprouted were treated with herbicide to prevent maturation. The wetland areas to the south of Glenwood Avenue are a unique natural resource that are part of a groundwater system which once provided water for the Glenwood Inglewood spring water plant.  There is open water and seepage in this area throughout the  seasons, making work in this area difficult.  Common and glossy buckthorn are prevalent invasive species in this area as well as purple loosestrife. Purple loosestrife control through biological controls has been in place in Wirth park since the 1990s and is working well to control the plant in both the Glenwood wetlands and the wetland edges of Birch pond. Buckthorn removal occurred in the Glenwood wetlands during the winter and early spring months when the ground was more frozen. Buckthorn in these areas was hand cut and treated with an aquatic approved herbicide.  As much brush as possible was chipped and left onsite. Record snowfalls during the winter of 2018-19 and record rainfall in 2019 made this area very difficult to work in. The OHF project received assistance from the Conservation Corps Youth Outdoors (CCMI YO) program. CCMI YO adult and youth crews worked on invasive species control and planting enhancements from 2017 until the close of the grant in June 2019.  Adult crews hand cut mature buckthorn from woodland and wetland areas. The youth program participants helped by hand pulling invasive species and piling brush for later chipping.  Youth program participants also seeded in prairie grasses into areas that will be maintained as oak savanna.   ",2014-07-01,2020-01-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Cliff,"Swenson, PLA","Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board","2117 West River Road N ",Minneapolis,MN,55411,"(612) 230-6466",cswenson@minneapolisparks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Hennepin,"Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wirth-park-habitat-enhancements,,,,
10000106,"Wolverton Creek Habitat Restoration",2018,1877000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(i)","$1,877,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance aquatic and upland habitat associated with Wolverton Creek in the Buffalo-Red River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restoration, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"249 Prairie acres and 73 Habitat acres (for a total of 322 acres) Restored. 259 Prairie acres and 69 Habitat acres (for a total of 328 acres) Protected in Easement. ",,3234500,"Watershed District Levy Funds, Clean Water Funds, Ecofootprint Grant , Watershed District Levy Funds, Clean Water Fund Target Watershed Grant, Enbridge Ecofootprint Grant, NRCS ",1877000,,,,"Buffalo-Red River Watershed District ","Local/Regional Government","Over the next six years, the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District (BRRWD), in partnership with landowners, federal, state, and local agencies, intends to implement a long-term comprehensive plan to restore the Wolverton Creek and its riparian corridor. This comprehensive project will turn 20 channelized stream miles to 26.2 miles of restored natural prairie stream channel. It will also protect, enhance, and restore over 740 acres (357 acres in Phase 1) of floodplain wetland and grassland habitat along the Wolverton Creek. The project will provide connectivity for wildlife and fisheries between the Lake Agassiz beach ridge region and the Red River. ",,"The project identified reaches of Wolverton Creek for restoration and expansion of riparian buffers. The buffer widths vary from a minimum of 200 feet with to over 750 feet wide. The minimum buffer width was determined by designating a 10-year floodplain. The areas of land that were acquired help to provide connectivity between the Manston Slough WMA and the Red River of the North with Wolverton Creek providing the corridor for that connection. The Wolverton Creek is a unique resource in that it is one of only a few prairie streams in the Red River basin that is located entirely within the Lake Agassiz Plain. The project was constructed in two phases. Phase 1 began in 2018 and was hampered by wet conditions. Phase 1 was completed in 2020. Phase 2 began in 2020 with some clean up in 2021. ",2017-07-01,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kristine,Altrichter,"Buffalo-Red River Watershed District","1303 4th Avenue NE PO Box 341",Barnesville,MN,56514,"(218) 789-3100",kaltrichter@brrwd.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Wilkin","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wolverton-creek-habitat-restoration,,,,
10017838,"Young Forest Conservation Phase III",2021,1275000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(f)","$1,275,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the American Bird Conservancy to enhance publicly owned, permanently protected forest lands for wildlife management. A list of proposed forest land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - ABC, in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, recently finished a program to monitor pre- and post-treatment avian occupancy on Phase I and Phase II public lands project sites. From 2015-2018, monitors evaluated project point locations within managed sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Monitors observed a positive effect of treatment on GWWA and AMWO occupancy, resulting in 93% and 88.5%, respectively, on shrubland data points of managed sites in Minnesota by year three. GWWA density nearly doubled and AMWO density increased by approximately 45%. (Results are presently being peer-reviewed for publication.) Proposed Parcel table is subject to revision. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - A very small number of project acres fall within the Forest-Prairie Transition Region. In Phases I & II, there were project sites that fell directly on the boundary of the Forest-Prairie Transition/Northern Forest resulting in ",,,444900,"USFWS Tamarac NWR, USFWS Tamarac NWR, USFWS Tamarac NWR, American Bird Conservancy and American Bird Conservancy via NRCS RCPP",1264700,10300,,1.55,"American Bird Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Young Forest Conservation Phase III will continue American Bird Conservancy's successful, ongoing efforts to maintain, restore, and enhance Golden-winged Warbler, American Woodcock, and Ruffed Grouse breeding habitat on publicly protected lands in Minnesota. This work also benefits a suite of associated deciduous, mixed upland and lowland forest habitat species within a diverse, contiguous landscape-level forest matrix. Through Phases I and II, ABC completed 5,535 acres of high-quality early successional habitat projects. Phase III will continue habitat treatments on an additional 3,650+ acres over a five-year period.","In Young Forest Conservation Phases I and II, ABC completed 5,535 acres of projects to create breeding habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA), American Woodcock (AMWO), Ruffed Grouse, and associated young forest species, exceeding project goals. ABC partnered with 11 Minnesota DNR Offices, seven Minnesota Counties, two USFWS National Wildlife Refuges, Chippewa National Forest, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. In Phase III, ABC will continue to use science-based best management practices (BMPs) to build upon this success and complete 3650+ acres of habitat projects over five years. Minnesota is a key state in an international initiative to conserve GWWA and AMWO, Minnesota Species of Greatest Conservation Need. ABC also collaborates with partners in Central and South America to conserve GWWA stopover and wintering habitat, while implementing a regional program to restore and enhance breeding habitat throughout the Great Lakes. ABC's Minnesota Private Lands Program, implemented with funding through NRCS, completed similar work with private landowners, resulting in 5,760 acres since 2013. In Phase III, habitat project work will be completed on sites adjacent to deciduous and mixed forest stands to accommodate diverse habitat needs of target species. Mechanical operations concentrate on emulating natural disturbance by hiring contractors to cut dense alder, willow, and other forest or brushland species from 1-5? diameter on non-commercial forest/brushland stands to create nesting, brood rearing, and browsing habitat. Mature trees and patchy, woody structure are retained during project operations, creating site-level structural diversity to allow male GWWAs to claim territory and attract females, while providing ground nesting and forage for GWWA and associated species. A limited number of planting projects may be implemented to create similar habitat and enhance forest continuity. All projects are completed using GWWA and AMWO BMPs within consensus focal regions. ABC will utilize funding to provide financial, technical, and project management assistance to public and tribal agency partners for all project phases, while engaging in cooperative forums, outreach and continuing education associated with forest habitat. Due to ABC's established partner network and technical experience restoring and enhancing early successional habitat, we are able to work across jurisdictional boundaries and address landscape-level priorities while meeting site-level goals. We propose to continue working with established public and tribal agency partners and will continue cultivating new partners in Phase III. ABC may also pursue and manage supplemental project funding if necessary due to a reduced budget associated with COVID-19. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology recently finished a program to monitor pre- and post-treatment avian occupancy on Phase I and Phase II project sites. From 2015-2018, monitors evaluated project point locations within managed sites and observed a positive effect of treatment on GWWA and AMWO occupancy, resulting in 93% and 88.5%, respectively, on shrubland data points in Minnesota by year three. The results showcase a very positive management response from focal species. GWWA density nearly doubled and AMWO density increased by approximately 45%. This data is not yet published and may be adjusted slightly during peer review.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Peter,Dieser,"American Bird Conservancy","P.O. Box 249 4249 Loudoun Avenue","The Plains",VA,20198,"(540) 253-5780",pdieser@abcbirds.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Crow Wing","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/young-forest-conservation-phase-iii,,,,
20703,"Young Forest Conservation",2014,1180000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(a)","$1,180,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the American Bird Conservancy to acquire lands in fee to be added to the wildlife management area system under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance habitat on publicly protected land. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. ",,54000,"Private Source, Private",1180000,,,3.15,"American Bird Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Using Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars allocated in this grant, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) completed 2581 total acres of habitat enhancement on protected public lands in the northern MN Golden-winged Warbler focal area and 480 acres of acquisition adjacent to the Four Brooks Wildlife Management Area with assistance from The Conservation Fund. ABC completed habitat enhancement projects with 10 MN Department of Natural Resources Area Wildlife Offices and Forestry Departments, 6 MN County Land Departments, 2 USFWS National Wildlife Refuges, the Chippewa National Forest, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. Projects were completed in 12 MN counties.",,"Using Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars allocated in this grant, ABC created it's Minnesota Public Lands Program to focus on completing targeted young forest and brushland (also termed early successional) habitat projects on County, State, Federal, and Tribal lands with the assistance of associated public agencies. These enhancement projects were implemented using science-based Golden-winged Warbler Best Management Practices to create breeding habitat for the golden-winged warbler, American woodcock, and associated species in deciduous forests of northern MN. Habitat treatments concentrated on non-commercial habitat types, the majority of which fell in lowland or upland brush stands dominated by alder, willow, and hazel within or adjacent to deciduous forest stands. Brush stands that were treated contained a mix of scattered and clumped hardwood tree species that were retained as residual structure along with scattered brush clumps. Early successional habitat project sites that have reached the stage where they require cutting treatments contain very old and dense brush dominated by upland and lowland brush species measuring 1-5” diameter per stem in dense clumps that may contain 10+ stems at the base of the clump and often stand 10-20ft tall within a deciduous forest matrix. In the absence of natural disturbance such as low severity fire, these sites have become dominated by a closed canopy of brush species due to their extensive size and age (see attached pretreatment images), resulting in a greatly reduced component of understory forb species and also a reduced component of seedling and sapling tree regeneration. These closed brush canopies limit or remove the ability of ground nesting avian species such as the golden-winged warbler to occupy these sites for the purposes of nesting and brood rearing. On each project site, this brush component was thinned and, when present, all singly spaced or patches of mature tree species were retained onsite to provide residual structural diversity. Most project sites were located in non-commercial brushland/forest interfaces, though a small number of projects were completed in forested covertypes to create habitat openings and multi-aged stands. The latter sites were completed using similar methodology as those described in brushland habitats in terms of the design of the project site and the retention of residual internal vegetation. Once complete, project sites have also been identified as producing high quality habitat for a suite of additional non-game and game species including ruffed grouse, sedge wren, veery, Nashville warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, rose-breasted grosbeak, bobcat, snowshoe hare, white-tailed deer, and elk (where they occur on the landscape). A great deal of initial effort went into the process of finding new public lands partners who had the need within their management jurisdictions to complete the habitat enhancement projects described above. However, it quickly became apparent that public lands agencies indeed had a tremendous interest and willingness to complete habitat projects of this type and the number of project partners has grown every year since the inception this program. On multiple occasions and with a variety of different area natural resource managers (esp. within state and federal agencies) it was expressed that they had projects in deciduous forest brushland habitats that they had not had the funding to complete in many years. As such, it became apparent that ABC (with the assistance of the MN OHF) was filling a needed role within the state. The ABC public lands manager worked with these public agency in every phase of the project planning and implementation process. It is important to note that ABC has partnered with Cornell University Lab of Ornothology and Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute to complete songbird and American woodcock monitoring on sites completed using this grant. These results will help identify post treatment site conditions that maximized the benefit to our target species and associated avian species. Through this monitoring, it is our hope to continue to refine our management techniques to continue to provide the best management possible on completed project sites. The greatest challenge of this program was the level of knowledge needed by all partner natural resources managers concerning target post treatment habitat conditions and an equal need to convey those management objectives to the associated contractors. As such, a very understated aspect of this project was the need to educate a wide array project partners. Often similar work that was completed in these habitat types before the creation of this program focused on cutting most of the brush on any given project site. This usually meant that most saplings of any tree species were also cut with very little internal structure remaining. What makes this program unique is the project design focus to retain diverse internal structure in the form of scattered trees, clumps, and legacy patches that results in post treatment conditions that benefits a wider range of young forest species and allows the interior of larger sites (>10 acres) to be occupied by a higher density of avian species requiring this dynamic structure as well as openings on the forest floor for nesting and brood rearing. With projects with various partner agencies often separated by hundreds of miles, high quality natural resource managers and contractors that I could work with directly on the ground and would assist overseeing projects when I needed to visit other sites across the state was crucial to the success of this project. Thankfully, the foresters and biologists from partner agencies and the contractors ABC has now worked with over the past 4 years accepted the challenge and the associated learning curve and have become very proficient at interpreting the often unique ecological and biological features of our project sites as they relate to the implementation of the BMPs. With their help, ABC continues to identify and complete 500-1000 acres of early successional habitat each year given sufficient winter cutting conditions. An additional challenge associated with the implementation of habitat projects located in lowland covertypes that require frozen ground conditions for cutting equipment to be used safely, was the extremely warm winters experienced by northern Minnesota over the past two years. Winters with high average temperatures and warm periods rising above freezing can limit the depth of ground frost on certain sites. This can be exacerbated when warm temperatures are followed by deep snows that provide insulation to the ground and reduce the ability of the ground to freeze once the temperature again falls below 32 degrees. During the winter project season, ABC and our agency partners were very diligent to assess frost depth to make sure that cutting equipment used on those sites did not risk damaging the soil resource. When it was not sufficiently frozen, projects were delayed until the frost depth became safe for project operations. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,George,Fenwick,"American Bird Conservancy","P.O. Box 249 4249 Loudoun Avenue","The Plains",VA,20198,"(540) 253-5780",gfenwick@abcbirds.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Mille Lacs","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/young-forest-conservation,,,,
35075,"Young Forest Conservation Phase II",2017,1369000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(a)","$1,369,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the American Bird Conservancy to restore publicly owned, permanently protected forest lands for wildlife management purposes. A list of proposed forest land restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"4,474 Forest acres Restored. ",,241400,"Federal ",1360700,20000,,2.5,"American Bird Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Restore 3,647 acres of public forest to help meet wildlife and recreational goals within six Minnesota conservation plans, leverage $500,000 from outside sources for forest restoration on private lands and keep Golden-winged Warbler off the ESA. ",,"With assistance from the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, in Phase II the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) Minnesota Public Lands Program continued to compete targeted young forest and brushland habitat projects on County, State, Federal, and Tribal lands with collaborative assistance of associated public and tribal agencies. These projects were implemented using science-based best management practices (BMPs) to create diverse breeding habitat for the golden-winged warbler (GWWA), American woodcock (AMWO), and associated wildlife species within the northern Minnesota focal area. This project is part of a cooperative, full life-cycle, international initiative to restore the population GWWA, which declined by 68% since 1966. Additionally, throughout its range, AMWO populations also steadily declined over the last quarter century at a rate of 1-2% per year. Project areas were located primarily in non-commercial habitat types, the vast majority being lowland or upland brush sites that contained very old and dense brush species, including alder, willow, and hazel; with alder being the most common. Stems measured 1-5” (avg. 2-3"") diameter and grew in dense clumps that had a higher aggregate diameter at the base. Average brush height was approximately 10’ within deciduous or mixed forest matrix. These closed brush canopies limited or removed the ability of ground nesting avian species such as the GWWA and AMWO to occupy sites for the purposes of nesting and brood rearing. Habitat projects concentrated on brush cutting treatments to emulate natural disturbance. Post-treatment habitat conditions included a mix of scattered and clumped tree species dominated by hardwoods that were retained as residual structure along with scattered brush. Woody retention of vertical and horizontal structural diversity depended on a suite of site level factors, including size and shape of the site, distance from forest edge, adjacent forest characteristics, and the number of trees present in a given area. When project areas did not have sufficient tree cover to maintain 10-15 mature trees per acre, well distributed clumps of brush (10-15/acre, ≥25% cover) were retained. Some larger project areas also retained undisturbed legacy patches (>0.25 acres in size). Feathered edges at the site boundaries were also emphasized to create a gradual transition into the adjacent forest when possible. Most project sites were located in brushland/forest interfaces, though a small number of projects were completed in aspen cover types to create or maintain habitat openings and multi-aged stands. The latter sites were completed using similar methodology as those described in brushland habitats in terms of treatment prescriptions and retention of residual woody structure. Monitoring efforts were completed by Cornell University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute and included project sites from both the ABC MN Public Lands Program (projects completed via funding from MN OHF 'Young Forest Conservation Phase I & II') and the ABC MN Private Lands Program (projects completed via funding from the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)). It is notable that the ABC Private Lands Program is separate and complimentary to the ABC Public Lands Program. No projects on private lands were completed with funding via MN OHF. Point count monitoring indicated that GWWA local abundance is increasing where ABC project work has occurred, and that GWWA population response has been positive to BMP implementation. Occupancy rates on shrubland project sites exceed 95% in both Western Minnesota (98% of sites; 95% CI: 92–100%) and Eastern Minnesota (97% of sites; 95% CI: 88–99%)(McNeil et al. 2020, Biological Conservation). These sites were monitored between 2015 and 2017 (with a subset of sites also monitored in 2018) and included project sites since the winter 2013-14 project season. Because most of the projects completed on private lands were timber harvests, it can be safely stated that a significant proportion (and possibly the majority) of shrubland sites monitored were located on public lands completed in Phase I or II of the MN Public Lands Program, though ABC does not have this information due to the independent nature of the study. Relative abundance on shrubland habitats rises from approximately 1.5 to 3.0 male GWWA per point count on treated vs. untreated sites, respectively (publication in peer review process). Monitoring was also begun this year to examine monarch and other pollinator responses within managed sites. AMWO also has been observed as increasing in local abundance at these project locations with 92% of treated sites across all public and private lands project sites occupied by AMWO, at a density of 0.516 singing males/ha observed on shrubland sites. In Phase II, the ABC Public Lands Coordinator continued expand ABC's partner base throughout northern Minnesota by engaging public and tribal lands partner agencies in project design and implementation and by participating in educational workshops. It quickly became apparent in Phase I and continued to be evident in Phase II that public and tribal lands agencies had a need and interest to complete habitat projects of this type. As a result, the number of project partners has grown every year since the inception this program. Natural resource managers across county, state, federal, and tribal partners have expressed that ABC is filling a much needed role in Minnesota forest conservation, implementing projects that otherwise would not be completed. As a driving force in cooperative forest conservation, ABC was also a founding member of the Minnesota Forest Habitat Collaborative (MFHC). The MFHC was created to provide a round table community forum to identify, promote, and deliver collaborative conservation, outreach, and research programs that assist natural resource managers across jurisdictional and ownership boundaries to maintain, enhance, and restore MN’s forest habitat for the benefit of associated resident and migratory wildlife species. ",,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,George,Fenwick,"American Bird Conservancy","4249 Loudoun Ave P.O. Box 249","The Plains",VA,20198,"(540) 253-5780",ibetancourt@abcbirds.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/young-forest-conservation-phase-ii,,,,