|
|
| Division of Bird Habitat Conservation | |
A total of $3.28 million in funding was approved for the following 51 projects on June 14, 2006. Project partners are contributing $10.8 million in matching funds and $9.72 million in nonmatching funds to affect 20,246 acres of habitat. These projects are considered part of the Fiscal Year 2007 grants cycle. Project Summary Table.
| ALASKA | |
| Project: Chena
Flats Greenbelt Project, Ketzler Property. Location: Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Interior Alaska Land Trust. Contact: Martha Raynolds, (907) 451-0737, mraynolds@gci.net. Partners: The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, area residents. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $111,950. Nonmatching Funds: $3,500. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 4. |
This project supports efforts to protect a corridor of about 670 acres of wetlands and open space along the base of Chena Ridge. These lowlands comprise some of the last natural open water and wetland-meadow wetlands remaining in the immediate vicinity of Fairbanks, and support populations of Tundra and Trumpeters Swans, Northern Pintail, Sandhill Cranes, Wilson’s Snipe, and numerous other migratory and nesting bird species. Project funds will be applied toward acquiring the second major wetland parcel within the area, the 91.7 acre Ketzler Property. The Interior Alaska Land Trust proposes to purchase this property from The Conservation Fund, which initially purchased it from a private landowner to prevent it being developed as a peat and gravel mine. Interior Alaska Land Trust will manage the parcel in perpetuity for wildlife habitat and compatible greenbelt public use. |
| ARIZONA | |
| Project: Cibola
National Wildlife Refuge Wetlands Project. Location: La Paz County, Arizona. Congressional District: 7. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: Mark Biddlecomb, (916) 852-2000, mbiddlecomb@ducks.org. Partners: Friends of Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BASF. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $46,000. Matching Funds: $46,100. Nonmatching Funds: $330,100. Joint Venture Region: Sonoran. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 33. |
The project area is located at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) on the Arizona side of the lower Colorado River. Created in 1964, the primary goal of this 16,000+ acre refuge is to provide suitable habitat for wintering migratory birds, including sandhill cranes, waterfowl and passerines. The Refuge also provides habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma clapper rail and yellow-billed cuckoo. Numerous Colorado River water projects have altered the natural floodplain hydrology leading to the loss of riparian communities and spread of invasive species, such as salt cedar. The Refuge’s water conveyance system is old and inadequate for current wetland and wildlife maangement needs. This project proposes to install and replace water managment infrastructure, chemically and mechanically control invasive species, and establish wildlife friendly vegetation on 500 acres of riparian, emergent wetland and associated upland habitats. |
| CALIFORNIA | |
| Project: Elmwood
Tract, Phase I. Location: San Joaquin County, California. Congressional District: 11. Grantee: Center For Natural Lands Management. Contact: Cliff Feldheim, (916) 372-8134, cfeldheim@cnlm.org. Partners: Center for Natural Lands Management, Shadowbird. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $74,882. Matching Funds: $91,290. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Central Valley. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 32. |
The Pace Preserve is a 50 acre Preserve located next to the San Joaquin River on Elmwood Tract. Project partners will create and enhance 42 acres of wetlands. This includes 34 acres palustrine emergent wetland and 8 acres of riparian wetland. The wetland construction and planting will be performed by local contractors. In 1995, ownership of the Preserve was transferred to the Center for Natural Lands Management, and a perpetual Conservation was donated to the California Department of Fish and Game. The Preserve’s large amount of habitat diversity provides habitat for a wide array of resident and migratory birds. |
| Project: Humboldt
Bay Coastal Education Center & Reserve. Location: Humboldt Bay/Samoa Peninsula, Humboldt County,California. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Friends Of The Dunes. Contact: Carol Vander Meer, (707) 444-1397, carol@friendsofthedunes.org. Partners: California State Coastal Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Conservation Board, Humboldt County. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $705,000. Nonmatching Funds: $139,775. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 32. |
The intent of this project is to fill an important landscape level gap through acquisition of large tracts of coastal dune habitat thereby improving habitat linkage and ecosystem function along the northern Samoa Peninsula. The subject parcels for acquisition total 38.2 acres of which 11 acres are freshwater wetlands supporting standing water year-round. Removal of invasive species from these properties will further enhance their value to species such as Swainson’s thrush and yellow warbler. The properties will contribute to existing student and public education programs, with the residence on the site serving as the Humboldt Bay Coastal Education Center and restoration and volunteer headquarters. |
| Project: Mad
River Slough Coastal Wetland Enhancement. Location: Humboldt County, California. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Dick & Joan Miller. Contact: Aldaron Laird, (707) 825-8770, aldaronlaird@riverplanner.com. Partners: Landowners, USFWS Partners Program. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $172,100. Nonmatching Funds: $20,000. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 5. |
Humboldt Bay and associated coastal bottomlands is second only to San Francisco Bay in the number and diversity of migratory water-associated birds wintering in the coastal segment of the Pacific Flyway of California. It is also a regionally significant stopover site for migrating birds. Wetland habitats surrounding Humboldt Bay have been lost and significantly altered since the mid 1800s, with only 5-10% of the historic salt marsh remaining around the bay. Project partners will enhance 11 acres pf coastal palustrine emergent wetland and riparian habitat and restore 2.5 acres of salt marsh in the bottomland pastures adjacent to the Mad River Slough, Humboldt Bay. The Mad River dike will be excavated to increase topographic diversity and water retention. This parcel is privately owned in fee title. |
| Project: San
Dieguito Lepidium Latifolium Control Project. Location: San Diego County, California. Congressional District: 50. Grantee: San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Contact: Leslie Woolenweber, (858) 755-6956, leslie@sdrvc.org. Partners: San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $74,710. Matching Funds: $162,579. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Sonoran. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 32. |
The San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) is an 80,000-acre wetland/riparian corridor that stretches over 55 miles from the headwaters of the San Dieguito River in the mountains of San Diego County to the Pacific Ocean. The SDRP is incredibly rich in natural resources, and is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, many of special status. Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed or peppercress) is an invasive non-native plant found in two locations in the SDRP. It is particularly damaging to native habitats due to its tendency to completely displace native flora and form solid stands, degrading habitat value, wetland productivity and water quality. Both southwestern willow flycatcher and least bell’s vireo nest in the areas threatened by this invasive plant. Arroyo southwestern toad is found where Lepidium latifolium threatens to develop into a smothering monotypic stand. The proposed project will treat 130 acres, nearly half of the total infestation, with herbicide. Seventy-five of these acres will be pre-treated with grazing. Treatment success will be determined by comparisons across a series of monitoring sites within the SDRP. |
| COLORADO | |
| Project: Huerfano Lake Conservation & Restoration Project. Location: Pueblo, Colorado. Congressional District: 3. Grantee: Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO). Contact: Seth Gallagher, (970) 482-1707, seth.gallagher@rmbo.org. Partners: Colorado Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Turkey Creek Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private landowner. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $17,730. Matching Funds: $17,954. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Playa Lakes. Flyway: Central. BCR: 18. |
Quality wetlands in the arid eastern plains of Colorado are scarce and provide critical migratory stopover habitat for 12 species of waterfowl and 19 migratory shorebird species. These wetlands are also important nesting and foraging habitat for Long-billed Curlew and American Avocet. When filled to capacity, Huerfano Lake covers 255 surface acres. The project area encompasses proposed protection and restoration of a total of 400 acres, including the Lake and 300 acres of surrounding emergent marsh. Project objectives include fencing to exclude cattle from the lake and wetlands, and treatment of 80 acres infested with tamarisk. Ownership of the property will remain with the current landowner, who will enter into contracts with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to ensure project completion and maintenance. |
| Project: Lower South Platte Wetland Initiative. Location: Logan and Sedgwick Counties, Colorado. Congressional District: 4. Grantee: Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District. Contact: Joe Frank, (970) 522-1378, jmfrank@lspwcd.org. Partners: South Platte Water Related Activities Program; South Platte Lower River Group, Colorado Water Conservation Board; US Fish and Wildlife Service; Private Landowners; Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $78,000. Nonmatching Funds: $2,500. Joint Venture Region: Playa Lakes. Flyway: Central. BCR: 18. |
The South Platte River’s lower stretch meanders through northeastern Colorado and into Nebraska where it joins the North Platte River. Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and nongame birds migrate through this corridor; some also nest in the area. Water is a highly limited commodity in this region. This project would assist efforts to take water from the river during high flows and recharge the aquifer through wetland basins located distant from the river modeled to return water to the river during low flow periods. Manipulating the water in this manner maintains existing wetlands along the river and provides opportunities to restore additional wetland acres. A total of 4 tracts will be managed to restore shallow seasonal wetlands and saltgrass wetlands. In all cases, property ownership will remain with the private landowner, but site specific management agreements will be enforced by Ducks Unlimited and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. |
| Project: The Miller Ranch Preservation Project. Location: Rio Grande County, Colorado. Congressional District: 3. Grantee: Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (Right). Contact: Nancy Butler, (719) 852-4015, right@fone.net. Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Conservation Trust, private landowner, San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $188,000. Nonmatching Funds: $80,000. Joint Venture Region: Intermountain West. Flyway: BCR: 16. |
The 200-acre Miller Ranch is located on the Rio Grande in San Luis Valley (SLV). The ranch is the westernmost parcel on a 5-mile long “island” where the river splits into two channels. The ranch property has two major riparian corridors amounting to approximately three miles of riparian wetlands. Of the total 200-acres comprising the ranch, 125 acres are riparian and 75 acres are associated wetlands. In addition to providing important breeding and/or migratory habitats for several wetland species, such as the wood duck, mallard and common merganser, the property also provides key habitat for southwestern willow flycatcher and wintering bald eagles. To permanently protect the Miller Ranch, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust plans to acquire and hold a perpetual conservation easement, and will undertake fencing the wetland acreage and monitoring the property annually. |
| CONNECTICUT | |
| Project: Aton
Forest Preservation Project. Location: Aton Forest, Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Congressional District: 5. Grantee: Aton Forest, Inc. Contact: John P. Anderson, Jr., (860) 542-5125, contact@atonforest.org. Partners: The Coalition for Sound Growth, The Doolittle Lake Company, The Connecticut Conservation Association, The Applies Research Institute, The Norcross Wildlife Foundation, The Farmington River Coordinating Committee, The Norfolk Land Trust. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $1,224,900. Nonmatching Funds: $15,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
Aton Forest is a research station of over 1,000 acres in Norfolk and Colebrook, Connecticut. Aton Forest contains a wide variety of habitats, including shaded streams, an active beaver pond, swamps, bogs, old fields, seeps, damp lower slope forests, and vernal ponds. Ongoing bird studies have documented its importance to many species of birds, including waterfowl and neotropical migrants. The partners propose to protect Aton Forest from encroaching development by placing a permanent easement on 1,097 acres and acquiring two parcels of land: the “Burnell parcel”, a 60.5 acre in-holding, and the “Koch parcel”, an 8.5 acre parcel that links Aton Forest with another large undeveloped property to the west. Of the total affected area of 1,166 acres, approximately 183 acres are wetlands and 686 acres are associated uplands. The entire area covered by the easement, and the newly acquired parcels will be managed in their natural state for scientific, conservation and educational purposes, and/or protected with conservation restrictions. |
| HAWAII | |
| Project: Kauai Wetland Restoration: Phase I. Location: Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex- Hanalei, and Huleia NWR, Kauai County, Hawaii. Congressional District: 2. Grantee: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Contact: Michael Mitchell, (808) 826-6641, michael_mitchell@fws.gov. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Kauai Public Land Trust, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, Kauai FWS Volunteer Program, Pacific Coast Joint Venture. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $169,327. Nonmatching Funds: $110,000. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 67. |
Hawaii has lost over 12% of its total wetland acreage and 31% of its natural lowland wetlands. Project partners will restore 62 wetland acres within Hanalei and Hule`ia NWR. The restoration of these wetland areas will directly benefit all of the wetlands-associated migratory and local birds which inhabit and frequent Hanalei and Hule`ia NWR. Removal of vegetation from over-grown areas and improving water control structures will increase invertebrate forage, nesting sites and loafing areas for migratory and resident water bird populations. |
| ILLINOIS | |
| Project: Burning
Star 5 Wetland Enhancement Project. Location: Jackson County, Illinois. Congressional District: 12. Grantee: National Wild Turkey Federation. Contact: Loran Brinkmeier, (309) 219-2279, energyforwildlife@hotmail.com. Partners: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, National Wild Turkey Federation. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $23,750. Matching Funds: $24,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 24. |
The project property has been reclaimed since the late 90s and has become a wildlife haven for a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and grassland birds. Project partners will enhance 50 acres of grassland nesting habitat adjacent to wetlands. In addition, 20 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands will be enhanced with the installation of a water control structure and pipe. Consol Energy owns the land and will be responsible for maintenance and management of the property. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and National Wild Turkey Federation will monitor the project now and into the future. |
| INDIANA | |
| Project: Goose
Pond FWA Moist Soil Enhancement Project. Location: Greene County, Indiana. Congressional District: 8. Grantee: National Wild Turkey Federation. Contact: Loran Brinkmeier, (309) 219-2279, energyforwildlife@hotmail.com. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Duke Energy, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $67,521. Matching Funds: $103,677. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 24. |
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The property is a historically significant wetland complex in southwestern Greene County. The Goose Pond Unit is a glacial wetland basin drained by Black Creek and Brewer Ditch within the White River Drainage Basin. It is also one of the most significant waterfowl use areas in Indiana. The proposed project would enhance 58 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands through the installation of a water control structure that would allow prescribed recharge on two moist soil units. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources owns the land and will be responsible for maintenance and management of the property. Completion of this project will result in nesting and brood rearing habitat for mallards, wood ducks, and blue winged teal, as well as foraging and resting habitat for numerous migrating waterfowl. |
| IOWA | |
| Project: Central Iowa Protected Water Areas Wetland. Location: Iowa. Congressional District: 4 and 5. Grantee: Iowa Department Of Natural Resources. Contact: Todd Bishop, (515) 281-7127, todd.bishop@dnr.state.ia.us. Partners: Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $90,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Prairie Pothole. Flyway: Central. BCR: 11. |
Iowa’s Protected Water Areas program has existed since 1983. Segments of five rivers of exceptional scenic quality are eligible in this program for protection of adjacent lands through a variety of methods including fee title, conservation easements, leases, state preserve dedication, and in certain cases, county zoning. Funding for this project will be applied toward perpetual protection of wetland habitats within the watersheds of the Boone and Middle Raccoon Rivers in central Iowa. There are ample prairie pothole and riverine floodplain habitats within these two areas. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has committed to the acquisition of the 60 acre Hamilton tract along the Middle Raccoon River which will be managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). NAWCA funding will be applied toward acquiring the remaining 35 acres, either in fee title or perpetual easements, which comprise the proposed 95 acre WMA. |
| Project: Iowa Prairie Pothole Upland Habitat Development. Location: 35 County Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Region of Iowa. Congressional District: 4 and 5. Grantee: Iowa Department Of Natural Resources. Contact: Todd Bishop, (515) 281-7127, todd.bishop@dnr.state.ia.us. Partners: Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $165,369. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Prairie Pothole. Flyway: Central. BCR: 11. |
The purpose of this project is to restore publically owned wetlands-associated uplands to local ecotype tallgrass prairie. The goal is establishment of 948 acres on state Wildlife Management Areas and federal Waterfowl Production Areas. The project will target blocks of land that are large enough to achieve ecological function and benefit breeding grassland bird species. Specifically, the objective is to increase the amount of available nesting habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region to support more breeding pairs and increase nest success. Grant funds will pay for seeding and other activities, notably mowing over two seasons, to ensure successful tallgrass establishment. All work will be performed by local contractors under the supervision of Iowa Department of Natural resources staff. |
| KENTUCKY | |
| Project: Three
Ponds State Nature Preserve. Location: Hickman County, Kentucky. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Contact:Ron Scott, (502) 573-2886, ron.scott@ky.gov. Partners: Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Board. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $50,000. Matching Funds: $447,500. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Lower Mississippi. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 26. |
A considerable amount of the native bottomland hardwood forest historically located along the Mississippi River in Kentucky has been ditched, cleared and converted to agricultural uses. This proposed acquisition and restoration project will restore hydrologic function and re-establish native bottomland hardwood forest on a 315 acre tract adjacent to the Three Ponds State Nature Preserve. Work will include re-grading existing ditches, and planting native vegetation. The acreage will be allowed to succeed into mature forest, and long-term monitoring will be undertaken by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission as part of their management of the site. Once restored, the site will provide breeding habitat for wood ducks and hooded mergansers. During periods when the bottoms are flooded, the area may also provide important winter and migratory forage and cover for mallards and other dabbling ducks. |
| MAINE | |
| Project: Big Hill & Second Pond Forest Reserve. Location: Dedham, Hancock County, Maine. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: New England Forestry Foundation. Contact: Whitney Beals, (978) 952-6856 ext. 109, wbeals@newenglandforestry.org. Partners: Philip and Joanne Johnson, The Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Lucerne Water Works, City of Brewer Water Department, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, The Green Lake Association, Lake Watch, The Mountainy Pond Club. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $75,000. Nonmatching Funds: $430,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
Big Hill and Second Pond comprise a remote forested area in the middle of an expanding residential and commercial corridor along Route 1A halfway between Bangor and Ellsworth. The 1,609 acre property in Dedham and Lucerne surrounds Holt Mountain and Second Pond, a 64 acre water body, and provides important wildlife habitat on its mountain slopes and wetlands. Within the project, there are 166.82 NWI acres and 1,441.72 acres of associated uplands. New England Forestry Foundation Inc. proposes to buy a perpetual working forest conservation easement from the current owners. The cost of the easement is well below the appraised value and would protect the entire 1,609 acres, maintaining them as undeveloped land available for wildlife habitat, recreation, and education as well as protecting two critical drinking water supplies. |
| Project: Caribou Bog / Katahdin Iron Works. Location: Piscataquis County, Maine. Congressional District: 2. Grantee: Appalachian Mountain Club. Contact: David Publicover, (603) 466-2721 ext. 200, dpublicover@outdoors.org. Partners: Land for Maine’s Future, Appalachian Mountain Club, Open Space Conservancy, Inc., Andrew L. Nichols, Trust for Public Land, USDA Forest Service, USDI Land and Water Conservation Fund. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $323,000. Nonmatching Funds: $150,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
This project is part of a large-scale land conservation effort, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative, which promotes conservation in the 100 Mile Wilderness region of Central Maine for the purposes of biological conservation, sustainable forestry, low impact back country recreation, outdoor environmental education, and local community economic development. The Caribou Bog encompasses extensive and diverse wetlands. The project area totals 3,070 acres, of which 1,013 are NWI acres. Caribou Bog itself is a 300 acre peatland and there is a second 200 acre wetland complex of deciduous shrub swamps and emergent marshes within the project area. The partners propose to finalize a conservation easement for the property, with Appalachian Mountain Club retaining fee ownership and the State of Maine responsible for enforcing the easement provisions. Of primary importance, the project would support permanent conservation of several hundred acres of high quality black duck breeding habitat. American Black Ducks are among the highest priority species for BCR 14 and have been observed in the project area. |
| Project: Northeast Penjajawoc Property Acquisition. Location: City of Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine. Congressional District: 2. Grantee: Bangor Land Trust. Contact: Lucy Quimby, (207) 356-5954, sur905@maine.edu. Partners: Orono Land Trust Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $142,417. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
The partners aim to create a continuous stretch of unbroken habitat centered on the wetland complex that connects Penjajawoc Marsh to Pushaw Lake through fee acquisition of the Northeast Penjajawoc Unit parcel. All together, 70% of the 84 acre parcel is made up of wetlands or important buffering uplands immediately adjacent to the wetlands. Penjajawoc Marsh is one the single most important bird habitats in Maine because of the extremely high diversity and abundance of waterfowl and other wetland dependent birds that use the site for nesting and during migration. It is also known for the rare and unusual species found there and in only a handful of other locations across Maine (ex. Least bittern, sedge wren, black tern). Bangor Land Trust will manage the site in perpetuity for wildlife habitat, with appropriate public access. Orono Land Trust will hold a conservation easement on the entire unit. |
| Project: Northern Corea Heath Acquisition. Location: Town of Gouldsboro, Hancock County, Maine. Congressional District: 2. Grantee: Frenchman Bay Conservancy. Contact: Barbara Welch, (207) 422-2328, barb@frenchmanbay.org. Partners: Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Lowell & Co., Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS Gulf of Maine Coastal Project. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $311,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
The project will permanently protect the Northern Corea Heath parcel which consists of 606.6 acres located immediately north of the 431 acre Corea Heath unit of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge and draining into the 135 acre Grand Marsh. The property offered for sale is the largest single parcel on the peninsula and includes a large 171 acre wetland complex of bogs, fens, forested wetland and non-peatland scrubby wetland. The majority of the remaining 435 acres is wooded uplands. Protection of the parcel will be achieved via fee acquisition by Frenchman Bay Conservancy which intends to manage the property in perpetuity for wildlife habitat and low-impact public uses such as hiking and bird watching. Active management will be undertaken to maintain and enhance habitat for declining migratory bird species. |
| Project: Sucker Brook Project. Location: Oxford County, Maine. Congressional District: 2. Grantee: Greater Lovell Land Trust, Inc. Contact: Tom Henderson, (207) 925-1056, tomgllt@earthlink.net. Partners: Maine Woodland Properties, Inc., Land for Maine’s Future, Kezar Lake Watershed Association. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $494,800. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) proposes to acquire, in full fee, a 226.7 acre parcel known as the Sucker Brook Project. The acquisition will permanently protect over 4,700 feet along the eastern shore at the outlet of Sucker Brook, which is a stream of major importance to wetland dependent and aquatic species as well as migratory birds. The associated upland forests provide high quality wildlife habitat. The Sucker Brook Project is integral to advancing the larger goal of establishing a permanently protected wildlife corridor along a 15 mile river and floodplain system extending from the White Mountain National Forest to the Saco River. GLLT will take full fee ownership of the property with full stewardship responsibilities. The Maine Department of Conservation will retain stewardship oversight through a Project Agreement. |
| MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA | |
| Project: Allegheny
Mountain / Northern Ridge & Valley. Location: Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Congressional District: MD/6, VA/9, and WV/1 and 2. Grantee: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Appalachian Partnership Coordination Office. Contact: Maureen Gallagher, (276) 376-4597, maureen_gallagher@fws.gov. Partners: Trout Unlimited, West Virginia Department of natural Resources, Maryland Bureau of Mines, Shawnee Council Girl Scouts, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Boy Scouts of America, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $130,589. Nonmatching Funds: $85,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 28. |
The Appalachians remain one of the largest contiguous forest blocks in North America. However, increasing pressures from urban sprawl and mineral extraction pose a significant and permanent threat to these forest ecosystems and the avian assemblages they support. Streams and associated wetland corridors suffer additive effects of historic deforestation with ever increased sediment loads, flood pulse and duration, and contamination. The purpose of this project is to restore 434 acres of floodplain forest and riverine habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife and fish on a combination of private and public lands. Specifically, the project will result in the restoration of 140 acres of riparian forest, 36 miles (218 acres) of stream habitat, create a 1 acre forest bottom wetland and restore an additional 75 acres of upland forest buffers. Expected outcomes include increased use of the riparian corridors by waterfowl and songbirds, an increase in self-sustaining brook trout populations, and tree use by multiple bat species. |
| MASSACHUSETTS | |
| Project: Buzzards Bay Wetlands Project. Location: Bristol and/or Barnstable Counties, Massachusetts. Congressional District: 4 and 10. Grantee: Coalition for Buzzards Bay. Contact: Mark Rasmussen, (508) 999-6363, rasmussen@savebuzzardsbay.org. Partners: None. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $35,000. Matching Funds: $35,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 30. |
In April 2003, nearly 98,000 gallons of oil were spilled in Buzzards Bay, contaminating over 93 miles of coastline and killing nearly 500 birds. The species most affected were loons, scoters, eiders, cormorants, dunlin, gulls, and long tailed ducks. This project intends to replace the loss of quality habitat in Buzzards Bay by protecting, through fee title acquisition and perpetual conservation easements, at least 20 acres of coastal saltmarsh and/or freshwater wetlands within the Buzzards Bay watershed. The project will build upon previous wetland protection efforts by linking together habitats and filling in “gaps” along the shoreline. |
| Project: Upper Great Marsh Tidal Marsh Restoration. Location: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Essex County, Massachusetts. Congressional District: 6. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: David Brakhage, (734) 623-2000, dbrakhage@ducks.org. Partners: Eight Towns and The Bay, Tufts University, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $45,000. Matching Funds: $45,200. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 30. |
The project area is located near the mouth of the Newburyport/Merrimac River estuary, a known American black duck concentration area and an international migratory shorebird stopover site. The area is entirely comprised of estuarine emergent marsh dissected by tidal creeks. The purpose of this project is to restore tidal salt marsh habitat in Upper Great Marsh by eradicating nearly 200 isolated colonies of Phragmites spanning approximately 150 acres. Phragmites removal will be accomplished by aerial spraying of a glyphosate-based herbicide to treat approximately 1000 acres, with ground application via backpack sprayers being used to treat the remaining 50 acres. Failure to act now to control these invasive colonies would result in significant degradation of high quality waterfowl and shorebird habitat. |
| Project: Wetland
Habitat Restoration At Woodbridge Island. Location: Woodbridge Island, Newbury and Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Congressional District: 6. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: David Brakhage, (734) 623-2000, dbrakhage@ducks.org. Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Parker River National Wildlife Refuge), Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $58,740. Matching Funds: $63,500. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 30. |
Woodbridge Island is a 115-acre island located within the Joppa Flats region of the Great Marsh in Massachusetts. The Island consists entirely of estuarine wetland habitat and is strategically located at the mouth of the Newburyport/Merrimac River estuary, a known black duck concentration area. The purpose of the project is to restore 23 acres of sustainable salt marsh and pool habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and other migratory bird species through the chemical and mechanical control of Phragmites and permanent restoration of two large pools. The completed project will provide foraging, migration, and wintering habitat for a variety of waterfowl species, the most important of which are northern pintail, American black duck, mallard, Atlantic brant and American wigeon. The partners will jointly continue existing monitoring of vegetation, bird usage and water chemistry to determine the effectiveness of the restoration effort. |
| MICHIGAN | |
| Project: Gateway
to the Jordan River. Location: South Arm Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Little Traverse Conservancy. Contact: Tom Lagerstrom, (231) 347-0991, toml@landtrust.org. Partners: Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000 Matching Funds: $622,800. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 12. |
The project area is known as the Gateway to the Jordan River and is located just outside the village of East Jordan. Project partners will acquire approximately 110 acres of mostly riverine associated wetlands with more than 1.6 miles of Jordan River frontage by raising sufficient funds to purchase the West Tract and protect it as a permanent nature preserve that will be held for protection in perpetuity. This project will conserve habitat necessary for wetland species to complete their life cycle including reproduction, migration stopover, and over-wintering. The lands will be owned and managed by the Little Traverse Conservancy. |
| Project: St.
Clair Lake / Six Mile Lake Natural Area. Location: Sections 18 and 19, South Arm Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Contact: Todd Vigland, (231) 929-7911, tvigland@gtrlc.org. Partners: Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $75,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 12. |
Six Mile Lake and its former riparian habitat have been fragmented by development of cottages and homes on small lots. The Grand Traverse Land Conservancy has prioritized these interconnecting streams and associated marshlands for pro-active land protection. Project partners will acquire 51 acres and halt the northward advance of development along the west shore of Six Mile Lake. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Little Traverse Conservancy will complete all work necessary to purchase the property and manage it as part of the Natural Area in perpetuity. |
| Project: Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area Coastal Wetland. Location: Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area, Arenac County, Michigan. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: David Brakhage, (734) 623-2000, dbrakhage@ducks.org. Partners: Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000 Matching Funds: $77,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 12. |
Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area (SWA), located in southeastern Arenac County on the northwest shore of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay, consists of 3,221 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetland, riparian wetlands associated with the Pine and Rifle Rivers and upland and lowland forest. Michigan has lost more than 50% of the wetlands that occurred during pre-settlement times. Loss of Great Lakes coastal wetlands along the Saginaw Bay is more severe, where more than 2/3 of the historic wetlands have been lost and the majority of the remaining wetlands are in a degraded condition. Project partners will restore hydrology to at least 135 acres of critical waterfowl production and migration habitat at Wigwam Bay SWA. Hydrological restoration will be accomplished by constructing earthen berms with rock overflow spillways through the drainage ditches. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) owns all project lands as part of the Wigwam Bay SWA. The MDNR Wildlife Division has management responsibility for this area. |
| MINNESOTA | |
| Project: Carlos Avery WMA Wetland Enhancements. Location: Anoka and Chisago Counties, Minnesota. Congressional District: 6 and 8. Grantee: Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources. Contact: Leslie Tannahill, (651) 259-5242, leslie.tannahill@dnr.state.mn.us. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Legislative & Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $299,425. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 23. |
The Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area (CAWMA) is a large 23,000-acre state wildlife and public recreation located approximately 30 miles north of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The project will enhance two large wetland complexes on the CAWMA, specifically Pools 15 & 17 and Mud Lake that total 625 acres, by improving structural water level management capability that will allow wetlands to be periodically draw-down and aquatic plants and invertebrates to be rejuvenated. In each case, both Pools 15 & 17 and Mud Lake have great potential to provide brood and migration habitat for waterfowl and other water birds. The CAWMA is protected in perpetuity by the State of Minnesota as a Wildlife Management Area. The MN Department of Natural Resources is the lead partner and will manage both wetland sites upon project completion. Ducks Unlimited will coordinate the engineering, contracting, and construction of both projects in the field. |
| Project: Geneva Lake Conservation Easements. Location: Freeborn County, Minnesota. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: Jon P. Schneider, (320) 762-9916, jschneider@ducks.org. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, private landowner. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $301,241. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Prairie Pothole. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 11. |
Geneva Lake is a large, state-owned, 1,875 acre wetland with an average depth of only 4 feet. It supports substantial areas of submerged aquatic plants and abundant aquatic invertebrates thereby providing excellent habitat for migratory birds, especially waterfowl. To protect the area from future shoreline development, Ducks Unlimited (DU) is promoting the Wetlands Reserve Program and DU permanent conservation easements to all shoreline landowners with a goal of permanently protecting 100% of Geneva Lake’s shoreline. Funding for this project would be applied toward acquiring one or more permanent conservation easements totaling approximately 44 acres. This acreage would be added to the three easements (totaling approx 211 acres) DU is already in the process of securing to complete 250 acres of shoreline protection. All private shoreline land protected by the conservation easements will continue to be privately owned but subject to the legal terms and conditions of the easements and to annual inspection by DU conservation staff. |
| Project: Lower
Minnesota Prairie Coteau. Location: Nobles County, Minnesota. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Pheasants Forever, Inc. Contact: Aaron Kuehl, (507) 231-4752, akuehl@pheasantsforever.org. Partners: Minnesota Department of Natural resources, Pheasants Forever, Okabena-Ocheda Watershed, E.O. Olson Trust, Worthington Utilities Power & Light Commission. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $82,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Prairie Pothole. Flyway: Central. BCR: 11. |
The Prairie Coteau is vitally important to waterfowl and other ground nesting birds. The project area has several pockets of wetland-grassland complexes where duck pairs per square mile range from 20-40 pairs and a few pockets where the estimated number of pairs per square mile is near 50. This project will acquire 40 acres of key grassland-wetland complex lands and restore/enhance 50 acres of nesting habitat adjacent to wetlands. Lands purchased by Pheasants Forever will be donated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be enrolled in the state Wildlife Management Area system. Wetland and grassland restoration will occur on lands owned and managed by Minnesota DNR and will provide nesting habitat in perpetuity. |
| MISSOURI | |
| Project: Montrose
Wetland Restoration Partnership. Location: Henry County, Missouri. Congressional District: 4. Grantee: Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. Contact: Kit Freudenberg, (573) 634-2080, kit.freudenberg@mdc.mo.gov. Partners: Agri Drain Corporation, Audubon Society of Missouri, Conservation Employees Credit Union, Ducks Unlimited, Kansas City Power and Light, Mailings Clearing House, Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Assoc. , Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Waterfowl Association-State, Missouri Waterfowl Association-West Side Chapter, Douthit Memorial, Sharp Brothers Seed Company, private landowner donation. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $225,000. Nonmatching Funds: $20,000. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 22. |
The Upper Osage River basin in West Central Missouri has historically swelled with rainwater, overflowed riverbanks and flooded surrounding woods and grasslands. With man altering the geography of this landscape, less than 1% of the original wetlands remain, jeopardizing the long-term viability of this landscape. Partners of this project will restore wetland functions and values on 110 acres, and replace a disabled-user viewing and hunting blind on the upper reaches. Wetland restoration sites are located on Kansas City Power and Light Company property under lease agreement with Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and managed by MDC Wildlife Division. Replacement of outdated, dilapidated infrastructure and new construction will allow optimization of hydrologic regimes, restoration of small wetland communities and improved public viewing of wildlife. |
| MONTANA | |
| Project: Bitterroot Wetland Conservation Corridor. Location: Stevensville to Corvallis, Ravalli County, Montana. Congressional District: At Large. Grantee: Teller Wildlife Refuge. Contact: Daniel L. Walker, (406) 961-3507, dwalker@tellerwildlife.org. Partners: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Tucker Crossing Ranch, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Bitter Root Land Trust, Friends of Lee Metcalf Refuge, Teller Wildlife Refuge volunteers, Hollingsworth Trust, Geum Environmental Consulting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $207,187. Nonmatching Funds: $102,014. Joint Venture Region: Intermountain West. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 10. |
The abundance of quality avian habitat in the Bitterroot Valley is best illustrated by the presence of two wildlife refuges, one privately owned and the other part of the National refuge system. These two properties provide critical core area for numerous wetland-dependent wildlife species. NAWCA funds will be used to restore and enhance 149 acres of wetlands within the Bitterroot Valley. Collectively, with partner match, the project will restore and enhance over 503.5 acres of wetlands and 49 acres of associated uplands. Restoration activities will include installation of livestock fencing and water gaps, riparian tree and shrub planting, placement of water control structures, prescribed burning and mechanical treatments, dike repairs, etc. The project is expected to benefit priority waterfowl species such as northern pintail, mallard, greater and lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, redhead, canvasback, wood ducks, and American wigeon. |
| Project: Carter Ponds Restoration & Enhancement Project. Location: Fergus County, Montana. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Fergus County Conservation District. Contact: Ann Tews, (406) 538-4658 ext. 227, anntews@mt.gov. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Walleyes Unlimited, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, USFWS, USDA-NRCS, State of Montana Department of Natural resources and Conservation, Carter Ranch. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $177,080. Nonmatching Funds: $85,326. Joint Venture Region: Northern Great Plains. Flyway: Central. BCR: 17. |
Upper and Lower Carter Ponds lie between the Judith Basin Grasslands, the Missouri Plateau and the Big Snowy/Little Belt Carbonate Mountains. This area receives relatively more precipitation than most of the Northern Great Plains Region and supports uncultivated expanses of native grasslands. Waterfowl production per unit basis is much higher here than in the Prairie Pothole Region and, in dry years, may provide more than 20% of all waterfowl production in the lower 48 states. The project is intended to restore and enhance Upper and Lower Carter’s Ponds (24 and 28 acres, respectively) by providing nesting and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and colonial waterbirds. To date, fixed elevation water levels have resulted in declines in aquatic vegetation. New water controls will incorporate variable level controllability thereby allowing water level manipulation necessary to restore and maintain aquatic vegetation. Life expectancy of the pond improvements will be 30-40 years and all improvements (upland and wetland) will be protected under a perpetual easement held by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | |
| Project: Robb Reservoir Landscape Conservation Project. Location: Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: The Harris Center For Conservation Education. Contact: Meade Cadot, (603) 525-3394, cadot@harriscenter.org. Partners: The Town of Stoddard, U.S. Forest Service/Forest Legacy Program, NH Fish and Game Department, NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, NH Division of Forests and Lands, NH Audubon, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, The Nature Conservancy, and the Monadnock Conservancy. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $450,000. Nonmatching Funds: $3,375,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
The Robb Reservoir Landscape Conservation Project has been a conservation priority in New Hampshire for decades. Project partners will permanently protect approximately 1,670 acres and connect more than 40,000 acres of conservation land. The project’s protected and restored wetlands and associated forested buffers will perpetuate and improve habitat conditions for a variety of waterfowl. The Trust for Public Land has held the property off the market to allow for conservation dollars to be assembled. A forest legacy conservation easement will be placed over 1,668 acres of the property, and underlying fee subject to this easement will be held by the Harris Center for Conservation Education. A 2.5 acre parcel will be subdivided and conveyed to the NH Fish and Game Department. |
| Project: Wapack Wilderness Conservation Campaign. Location: Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties, New Hampshire. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Northeast Wilderness Trust. Contact: Kathleen Fitzgerald, (617) 742-0628, kathleen@newildernesstrust.org. Partners: Private land owner, Sweet Water Trust, Hampshire Country School. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $1,010,000. Nonmatching Funds: $1,000,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 14. |
The Wapack Wilderness is ranked a top priority for conservation due to its high biological diversity, exceptional wetlands and waters, and connection to other protected lands. The 1,400 acres acquisition project is critical to protecting water quality in the watershed for the benefit of wetland habitats. The easement will preserve the property as a natural area. The Hampshire Country School will continue to own the property, while the Northeast Wilderness Trust will hold the conservation easement. The land will be managed as wilderness, with use limited to non-intensive, non-motorized recreation. The easement will secure access for the public to the Wapack Trail. |
| NORTH CAROLINA | |
| Project: Invasive Species Eradication: Orton Plantation. Location: Orton Plantation, Winnabow, Brunswick County, North Carolina. Congressional District: 7. Grantee: Orton Plantation, LLC. Contact: David H. Sprunt, (910) 371-6851, david.sprunt@ortonplantation.net. Partners: Private landowner. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $75,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 27. |
Orton Plantation is situated halfway between Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, on the west bank of the Cape Fear River. Throughout most of the 20th century, the old rice fields provided pristine habitat for wetland dependent wildlife including ducks, sandpipers, rails, stilts, ibis, snipe, egrets and other shorebirds. The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission managed the property in the 1970’s when an estimated 25,000 migratory waterfowl used the area for refuge and over wintering. However, lack of maintenance resulted in three significant breaches in the levees and tidal brackish water spread invasive plants throughout an entire 188-acre tract known as the “Front Fields”. The breaches have been repaired and this project proposes to continue the restoration of “Front Fields” though clearing of the existing ditches to obtain better water control, eradicating invasive plants, and planting native vegetation. Once the project is complete, a population of fall panic grass, Walter’s millet, foxtail millet, dotted smartweed, flat sedges, and saltmarsh bulrush is expected to flourish to the benefit of migrating and resident wetland wildlife. |
| OHIO | |
| Project: Abraham Marsh Wetland Enhancement Project. Location: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Wyandot County, Ohio. Congressional District: 4. Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Contact: David Brakhage, (734) 623-2000, dbrakhage@ducks.org. Partners: Ohio Division of Wildlife. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $60,000. Matching Funds: $60.000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 22. |
Abraham Marsh is a 400-acre wooded and emergent wetland complex located on public land in northwest Ohio. The condition of this wetland has been in decline since early 2005, when the water source used to manage the wetland was eliminated. Ohio has lost more than 90% of its wetlands and is second in the country for overall wetland loss. Project partners will enhance 400 acres of key waterfowl production and migration habitat at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area. The existing water delivery system will be modified and two water control structures will be installed to facilitate wetland management in the north and south units of the Abraham Marsh. Ohio Division of Wildlife owns all project lands and is responsible for the management and maintenance. |
| OKLAHOMA | |
| Project: Shaffer Playa, Oklahoma. Location: Beaver County, Oklahoma. Congressional District: 3. Grantee: High Plains RC&D. Contact: Tom Lucas, (580) 735-2033, hprcd@pldi.net. Partners: laya Lakes Joint Venture, Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Alliance. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $76,320. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Playa Lakes. Flyway: Central. BCR: 19. |
Playa lakes are the most numerous wetlands in the southern Great Plains and provide critical stopover habitat for migrating and breeding birds, and, in the Oklahoma panhandle, provide almost all of the important waterfowl habitat. Playas also play a large role in aquifer recharge. The majority of playas in this region are located on farm and rangelands and are threatened by altered hydrology and basin structure, erosion, sedimentation and overgrazing. The Shaffer Playa project involves direct conservation of a 40 acre playa and 172 acres of associated uplands though fee acquisition. After the acquisition, a separate project will be undertaken to restore the property to native prairie. The property will be conveyed to the Gate Community Center which will manage the property for wildlife values and viewing opportunities by means of a management agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. |
| OREGON | |
| Project: Lower
Yaquina Salt Marsh Conservation Project. Location: Lincoln County, Oregon. Congressional District: 5. Grantee: The Central Coast Land Conservancy. Contact: Fran Recht, (541) 765-2234, franrecht@centurytel.net. Partners: City of Newport; MidCoast Watersheds Council; The Wetlands Conservancy; Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $45,000. Matching Funds: $45,000. Nonmatching Funds: $1,800. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 5. |
Yaquina Bay on Oregon’s central coast has lost approximately 70% of its historic tidal marshes. Despite this loss, the remaining estuarine marsh habitat supports the second highest use by waterfowl in Oregon. The purpose of this project is to protect 76 acres of high priority intact salt marsh habitat through a combination of acquisition and easements. The acquisition of two proposed parcels (41 acres) in McCaffery slough will add to lands already conserved through other efforts. The conservation easement will protect over 35 acres, of which 6 acres are marsh and 29 acres are upland forest buffer. |
| Project: Restoration & Enhancement
at Oaks Bottom Wildlife. Location: Multnomah County, Oregon. Congressional District: 3. Grantee: City Of Portland. Contact: Cindy Studebaker (503) 823-5482 cindys@bes.ci.portland.or.us. Partners: Friends of Oaks Bottom. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $75,098. Nonmatching Funds: $244,410. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 5. |
The 165-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest remaining floodplain sites in the lower Willamette River Basin. Historically, the Willamette River in the Portland area had an extensive and interconnected system of active channels, open slack waters, emergent wetlands, riparian forest, and adjacent upland forests. Subsequent dredging, diking, and channeling of the mainstream has altered these habitats and reduced former attractiveness to nesting, migrating and over-wintering waterfowl and other wildlife species. The overarching goal of this project is to restore the historical connectivity between habitats. In Phase I, the City proposes to modify a water control structure in the North Channel to restore connectivity between the Willamette River and the reservoir, remove an existing culvert and replace it with a larger culvert placed at a lower invert elevation, and reclaim approximately 15 acres of wetland habitat through regrading, invasive plant control, erosion control and re-planting with native seeds and plants. Project success will be monitored through estimates of increased waterfowl usage. |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | |
| Project: Bear Island Club Wetlands Restoration Project. Location: South Carolina. Congressional District: 6. Grantee: Bear Island Club, Inc. Contact: Ross Catterton, (843) 844-8490, bhiott@banksc.com. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $74,600. Matching Funds: $218,434. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 27. |
The Bear Island Club, Inc. is a 500 acre tract, consisting of freshwater managed wetlands with approximately 60 acres of brackish wetlands, located within the heart of ACE Basin. The property is protected by a conservation easement with Ducks Unlimited, and, as such, will never be developed. The owners’ objective is to retain the historical aspects of the property and to manage the property for both wildlife habitat and compatible timber production. To facilitate water level management and reduce deterioration of the existing interior dike, the partners propose to increase the height and width of the dike an average of 30 inches. The increased dike height and stabilization of the dike system will secure fresh water impoundments and allow for management of natural foods preferred by waterfowl, such as smartweeds, wild millet, panic grasses and red root. Improved water level management capabilities will also allow for annual planting of the fields with small grains. |
| Project: Santee
National Wildlife Refuge Cuddo Unit Project. Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Summerton, Clarendon County, South Carolina. Congressional District: 6. Grantee: Santee National Wildlife Refuge. Contact: Marc Epstein, (803) 478-2217, marc_epstein@fws.gov. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $4,500. Matching Funds: $4,500. Nonmatching Funds: $4,000. Joint Venture Region: Atlantic Coast. Flyway: Atlantic. BCR: 27. |
The Santee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 to alleviate the loss of natural waterfowl and wildlife habitat caused by the construction of hydroelectric projects on the Santee and Cooper Rivers. The goal of this project is to replace a failing water control structure pump engine at the Black Bottom Pond in order to maintain management capability and quality habitat for numerous wetland-dependent wildlife species, including waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, shorebirds and raptors. Proper bottomland hardwood forest management requires periodic, alternating flooding and drying cycles, and this regime is also advantageous for moist soil areas, enhancing plant succession, controlling undesirable species, and creating a diverse wetland complex. The project would directly influence about 500 acres and enhance the management of approximately 900 acres of palustrine bottomland hardwood green tree forested and emergent wetlands. |
| TENNESSEE | |
| Project: Big Swan Headwaters Preserve: Boiling Springs Tract. Location: Lewis County, Tennessee. Congressional District: 4. Grantee: Swan Conservation Trust. Contact: Cynthia Rohrbach, (931) 490-3929, cynrohr@bellsouth.net. Partners: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, private landowner. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $25,000. Matching Funds: $25,415. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Central Hardwoods. Flyway: Central. BCR: 24. |
The acquisition of the Boiling Spring Tract will add 17 acres of riparian forest and bottomland field, 1800 feet of Big Swan Creek corridor, and several vital springs to the Big Swan Headwaters Preserve (Preserve). As part of this project, the partners will convert two bottomland hayfields to native warm season grasses. A bird monitoring program has already been put in place and encompasses the entire Preserve as well as adjacent lands in the Farm Community, a total of 3,100 monitored acres in all. It is expected that the restored barrens will attract priority bird species, such as Henslow’s sparrow and American woodcock, and protect pristine water sources. Swan Conservation Trust will hold title to the Boiling Springs tract as well as a donated 10-acre tract, and will manage all land as part of the Preserve in perpetuity. |
| Project: Restoration Of Lick Creek Wetlands - Joachim Bible. Location: Greene County, Tennessee. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Contact: Tim Churchill, (615) 781-6645, tim.churchill@state.tn.us. Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $427,360. Nonmatching Funds: $510,055. Joint Venture Region: Appalachian Mountains. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 28. |
High quality wetlands of any size are relatively rare and unique in the east Tennessee landscape. The Lick Creek Wetlands, once fully protected and restored, has the potential to become the most important waterfowl wintering area in eastern Tennessee. This project proposes to restore 276 previously acquired acres as well as providing an additional 273 acres as match. The restoration will entail installation of 25,000 linear feet of levees and a complete water control infrastructure intended to restore wetland function. Completion of the project will directly benefit waterfowl, including mallards, black ducks, and ring-necked ducks, as well as shorebirds and other migratory bird species. |
| TEXAS | |
| Project: GCJV Mottled Duck Conservation Plan Initiative. Location: Matagorda and Calhoun Counties, Texas. Congressional District: 14. Grantee: Texas R.I.C.E. Contact: Bill Stransky, (979) 578-0100, stransky95@sbcglobal.net. Partners: Dr. Nabil Baradhi, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $67,500. Matching Funds: $100,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Gulf Coast. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 37. |
The project purpose is to construct 250 acres of high quality wetland habitat to help implement the Gulf Coast Joint Venture Mottled Duck Conservation Plan. Over the past 30 years, mottled duck populations in Texas have dropped significantly, perhaps by as much as 75%. The suspected cause is increased salinity of the marshes on the coast, loss of wetlands in the coastal plain, and loss of native grasslands. Wetland construction will be undertaken on the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (40 acres), the Guadalupe Delta WMA (50 acres) and on private lands offered for this purpose (160 acres). Each site meets the following important criteria: 1) water will be held in the spring and summer for brood water and molting areas; 2) long-term protection will be provided by conservation agreement or by agency management plan; 3) there is a guaranteed water supply; 4) long-term management will be undertaken; 5) there are good areas of nesting cover nearby; 6) project areas are contiguous with good mottled duck habitat. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will undertake long-term monitoring of the sites. |
| Project: Mud Flats Pass Culvert Project. Location: Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge, Calhoun County, Texas. Congressional District: 14. Grantee: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Contact: Chad Stinson, (361) 286-3559, chad_stinson@fws.gov. Partners: Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries, Tetra Tech, Friends of Arkansas and Matagorda Islands, Austwell-Tivoli ISD. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $31,000. Matching Funds: $31,000. Nonmatching Funds: $15,380. Joint Venture Region: Gulf Coast. Flyway: Central. BCR: 27. |
Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 56,668 acres in Calhoun County. Habitats on the island range from interior grassland to beaches and dunes on the east side and an estimated 15,000 acres of tidal salt marsh along the western island edge. The project will replace 2 deteriorated culverts in Mudd Flats Pass resulting in a fourfold increase in freshwater inflow capacity to the marsh thereby stabilizing 167.8 acres of highly productive feeding and nursery wetlands. The project will positively affect 51.2 acres of open water, bringing the overall project total to 219 acres. Once fresh water inflow has been restored, the area will be seeded with native plants and a regular water quality monitoring program will be put in place. |
| WASHINGTON | |
| Project: Crow Marsh East. Location: Unincorporated King County, Washington. Congressional District: 8. Grantee: Cascade Land Conservancy. Contact: Erik Steffens, (206) 292-5907 ext. 206, eriks@cascadeland.org. Partners: Community Salmon Fund (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), King County, Friends of Rock Creek. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $30,000. Matching Funds: $30,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 5. |
Despite its proximity to the greater Seattle municipality, Rock Creek has exceptionally high natural resource value, with much of the creek’s riparian area nearing old growth status in structure and complexity. Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) proposes to acquire, for fee simple, 7 acres near the center of Crow Marsh, the headwaters of Rock Creek. The parcel is currently slated for development and its loss would cause significant impacts on the hydrological function, habitat quality and wildlife corridor connectivity for the entire Crow Marsh wetland complex. Audubon Society members have confirmed usage of the area by bald eagles, willow flycatcher, varied thrush, osprey, kingfishers, and black-headed grosbeaks. With most of the other Sphagnum bogs within the Puget Trough destroyed, Crow March represents a unique low elevation bog that merits protection. Upon acquisition, CLC will work with the Friends of Rock Creek to prepare a site management plan and complete an initial site inventory. CLC will, if required to ensure long-term protection, retain ownership of the property in perpetuity. |
| Project: Lummi Island Conservation Project. Location: Whatcom County, Washington. Congressional District: 2 and 4. Grantee: Lummi Island Heritage Trust. Contact: Rebecca Rettmer, (360) 758-7997, becca@liht.org. Partners: San Juan Preservation Trust, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $344,000. Nonmatching Funds: $3,000,500. Joint Venture Region: Pacific Coast. Flyway: Pacific. BCR: 5. |
Project partners seek to permanently protect a total of 436 acres, including 53 acres of wetland and 1.25 miles of undeveloped saltwater shoreline, in what is one of the last remaining large, undeveloped properties in the San Juan Islands. The project site includes a 13 acre open water wetland which is the largest duck breeding habitat on Lummi Island, and approximately 20 acres of intertidal eelgrass wetlands. The project site connects with Lummi Island Natural Area Preserve and Lummi Island Natural Resources Conservation Area, and enhances these existing protected areas by buffering them from future development. To accomplish the project objectives, the San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) and Lummi Island Heritage Trust (LIHT) will purchase perpetual conservation easements on two parcels totaling 356 acres. LIHT will also purchase a remainder interest in a 268.5 acre portion of the 356 acre property. LIHT will also purchase the fee interest in 80 adjacent wetland associated upland acres, which will be protected by a conservation easement held by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. |
| WISCONSIN | |
| Project: Des Plaines River Lowlands Conservation Project. Location: Village of Pleasant Prairie and Town of Bristol, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Congressional District: 1. Grantee: Kenosha / Racine Land Trust, Inc. Contact: Katrina Wardrip, (262) 552-6861, kswardrip@yahoo.com. Partners: Village of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Donnelley Foundation, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $75,000. Matching Funds: $169,500. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 23. |
In only 150 years, Kenosha County has lost 99 percent of its prairies, 100 percent of its savannahs, 50 percent of its wetlands and 68 percent of its woodlands. Advancing urban sprawl and increased development have brought with them the problems of flooding, water pollution, soil erosion and a deteriorating natural resource base. Kenosha County contains most of Wisconsin’s major migratory habitat, other than the Mississippi River, and provides habitat for many priority waterbirds. The immediate project objective is the purchase of two focus properties that are currently on the market. They make up a total of 24 acres, with 19 acres of wetland and 5 acres of upland habitat. This acquisition will fuel a larger, long-term effort to protect, restore and enhance a total of 520 acres of watershed and wildlife habitat with the County. Once the properties are acquired, Kenosha/Racine Land Trust (K/RLT) will develop stewardship plans for each property. Management for invasive species, such as reed canary grass, buckthorn, and honeysuckle, will begin as soon as possible. The acquired properties will be owned and managed by K/RLT and protected in perpetuity by a deed restriction. |
| Project: Hawk
Metals Wetland Acquisition. Location: 25 miles north of Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire in West Central Wisconsin. Congressional District: 7. Grantee: West Wisconsin Land Trust. Contact: Rick A. Remington (715) 235-8850 rremington@wwlt.org. Partners: West Wisconsin Land Trust, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Chippewa County Conservation Department, Chippewa Valley Outdoor Resource Alliance, Rusk County Waters Alliance. Approved: March 7, 2007. Grant: $50,000. Matching Funds: $200,000. Nonmatching Funds: None. Joint Venture Region: Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes. Flyway: Mississippi. BCR: 12. |
The Hawk Metals Wetland Acquisition concept began several years ago to address the rapid fragmentation of lakeshore and recreational property in northern Chippewa County. Project partners will acquire 720 acres of this 1,000-acre wetland complex. West Wisconsin Land Trust will acquire the property, and transfer ownership upon purchase to the Chippewa County Forest and Parks Department. The property will be managed to maintain the existing wildlife and communities, and will be open for light public recreational use. The subject property encompasses an array of wetland communities and associated upland habitat. |
/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/2007.shtm was last updated 06/13/08 13:11:04
Home - FWS - Duck Stamp - Contact Us - Privacy