Loss and alteration of aquatic habitats are principal factors in the decline of native fish and other aquatic resources, and the loss of biodiversity. Seventy percent of the Nation’s rivers have altered flows, and 50 percent of waterways fail to meet minimum biological criteria. Half of the region’s wetlands have also been drained or filled.
Objectives:
Work non-Federal and Federal partners to develop, prioritize and monitor habitat improvement projects through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Great Lakes Coastal Program, National Fish Habitat Initiative, Fish Passage Program, Circle of Flight Initiative, EPA Binational Program, and Superior Coastal Initiative under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to strategically restore, enhance and manage fish and wildlife habitats to achieve results on a landscape scale.
Facilitate management of habitats by working with States, Tribes, partners and other stakeholders.
Develop and expand the use of Fishery Programs expertise to assist in avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating impacts of habitat alteration, and monitor and evaluate completed projects.
Identify and implement opportunities for increasing the quantity and improving the quality of aquatic habitats on National Wildlife Refuges for priority species.
Trout Brook Fish Passage Barrier Removal
Over a two day period in July the crew from the Ashland County Wisconsin Highway Department modified a double box culvert which was a barrier to fish on State Highway 13. The project took place where Highway 13 crosses Trout Brook Creek and has opened 2 ½ miles of stream to fish passage above the former barrier. Trout Brook is an important stream for brook trout in the Bad River watershed and is a popular fishing destination for the local population. Restoring passage at this site has linked valuable spawning habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life.
Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Region 3 Fish Passage Program, funding was provided to install concrete baffles in the southernmost culvert. This has created pools of slower water which provide resting areas to fish migrating upstream through the 130 foot long culvert. The outlet of the culvert consists of a concrete apron which was perched approximately six inches above the water level. To correct this problem the height of the riffle directly below the culvert was raised by one foot to provide a minimum of six inches of water so aquatic life can access the culvert at all times.
Hopkins Wetland Restoration Project
The Hopkins Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (PFWP) wetland restoration project has been completed. It consisted of 2 wetland restoration sites totaling 3 wetland acres. Also included in the project was the enhancement of 10 acres of upland grass waterfowl nesting cover through a deferred haying/grazing agreement. The restoration took place on former agricultural land in Douglas County Wisconsin. The wetland and grassland complex will provide ideal resting and nesting conditions for many species of migratory songbirds and waterfowl.Species benefiting from the habitat restoration and protection project include migratory waterfowl such as wood duck and American black duck, as well as migratory songbirds such as wood thrush and yellow warbler. Gray wolves are common in the area and one large adult was seen during construction. The Ashland Bayfield Douglas Iron - Land Conservation District provided assistance on the project and Ritola Incorporated of Mason, Wisconsin was hired for the heavy equipment work. Ducks Unlimited was also a partner on the project. A Habitat Development Agreement was signed to protect the restored area for a period of 10 years.
Spring Creek Fish Ladder Project
For decades a large culvert railroad crossing has blocked fish passage for native brook trout on Spring Creek in Douglas County, Wisconsin. The private landowner on the downstream side of the culvert recognized this problem and contacted the county Land Conservation Department (LCD). Agency partners including the LCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office worked together to find a solution to the problem. The railroad had no plans to replace the culvert due to the logistics and enormous cost associated with replacing the intact and stable culvert. The solution was the creation of a series of step pools which created a ladder which the fish could climb in order to enter the culvert. The upper step of the ladder was also designed to raise the depth of water inside the culvert to allow fish passage through the pipe.
The design consisted of six structures or “steps” which were constructed of rock and light gage sheet pile. Large boulders were the final component of the steps and were used to stabilize the riffles and create resting areas on the top and downstream slopes of each structure. The step immediately below the culvert was designed to provide scour protection for the culvert outflow. These structures created a series of pools and riffles which now provide access for brook trout and other aquatic species to access the reaches of Spring Creek above the railroad crossing.
Brook trout are an important recreational fishing species in Spring Creek. This project will provide additional fish access to neighboring habitat in order to improve populations in these areas. During construction brook trout were already identified moving through the step pools. The landowner of the project site spends many hours observing the stream and other wildlife habitat on the property. He reports fish are consistently present, moving through the fish ladder and utilizing the created habitat. Early estimates indicate the vast majority of the fish will survive the journey up the ladder and through the culvert but a few may end up in the frying pan.
Cunningham Wetland Restoration Project
The Cunningham wetland restoration project was completed during the summer of 2006. It consisted of 1 wetland restoration site totaling 2.1 acres. Also included in the project was the enhancement of 2.3 acres of upland grass waterfowl nesting cover through a deferred haying/grazing agreement. The restoration took place on former agricultural land in Ashland County Wisconsin. A Habitat Development Agreement was signed to protect the restored area for a period of 10 years.Species benefiting from the habitat restoration and protection project include migratory waterfowl such as wood duck and American black duck, as well as migratory songbirds such as wood thrush and yellow warbler. Prior to and during construction of this year’s project, a female American black duck and brood were observed multiple times on a wetland site on the same property which was restored two years prior. The landowner, Ashland Bayfield Douglas Iron - Land Conservation Department and the Ashland Fishery Resources Office, were all partners on this project. Funding from the Service was provided through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
Graveyard Creek Channel Restoration
The Graveyard Creek Channel Restoration Project was accomplished by restoring, enhancing and protecting instream fish and wildlife habitat and riparian areas on Graveyard Creek. Historic logging and associated beaver activity due to the unnatural abundance of young forest altered the channel of Graveyard Creek causing and excessively braided condition which degraded the habitat for native brook trout. The habitat restoration and enhancement was performed by incorporating and installing brush bundles and other instream fish habitat structures into the stream channel stabilization. This will restore the stream to its historic channel and reduce erosion into Graveyard Creek and Lake Superior. This project benefited brook trout and other aquatic species on Graveyard Creek which is a located on the Bad River Indian Reservation in Ashland County, Wisconsin and is a tributary of Lake Superior. The Bad River Tribe, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Ashland Fishery Resources Office Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, partnered on the project.
Lake Superior Basin Herptile Monitoring Program
The first year of field work on the Lake Superior Basin Herptile Monitoring Program has now been completed. Steve Hecnar from Lakehead University in Ontario, and Gary Casper lead the project which developed and is field testing a basin-wide amphibian and reptile monitoring program and data repository process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office has been involved in this process through its role on the Binational Program’s Lake Superior Work Group.Representative sampling sites in both the Canadian and United States portions of the Lake Superior basin were selected and are being sampled for two field seasons. Components of the project include sampling site selection, intensive surveys, database development and statistical analyses. Results will be applicable throughout the Lake Superior basin for use in amphibian and reptile habitat protection and restoration.
Reptiles and amphibians were identified as critical groups of species to be monitored by the State of the Lake Ecosystem Conference and the Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) 2000, and many are in decline worldwide. Lake Superior is at the northern edge of the natural range of many herptile species and thus changes in their abundance in the basin may be indicative of pending environmental changes elsewhere. They may also be particularly useful for monitoring in the Areas of Concern to document progress in remediation and restoration. The work presently being conducted will make great strides in achieving goals outlined within the LaMP and benefit herptile species and their habitat throughout the Lake Superior basin.
Muskeg Creek PFWP Brook Trout Access Project
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office was involved through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program on the fish passage barrier removal on Muskeg Creek in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
Muskeg Creek is a tributary to the Iron River which flows into Lake Superior and after which the Service’s Iron River National Fish Hatchery is named. During low water, a concrete box culvert at Muskeg Creek and Eastview Road created a fish passage barrier. Working with the town of Oulu, the problem structure was removed and replaced with a bridge in order to provide a safer crossing for the public as well as provide a natural bottom for fish passage. This project improved fish access to over 11 miles of stream and benefits native brook trout and other aquatic life.
Ox Creek Brook Trout Habitat Restoration
Over the past two year’s habitat restoration partners in northern Wisconsin have worked with three separate landowners to restore brook trout habitat on Ox Creek. The first reach of stream consisting of one private landowner was completed in 2005. The second and third reaches included two separate landowners and were completed in 2006. Working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, County Land Conservation Department and the landowner, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office participated in the project through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Over the course of the project anchored wood structures were installed at selected locations in the stream to restore large woody cover as well as create scour holes to expose spawning gravel.
Ox Creek is a spring fed tributary to the wild and scenic St. Croix River and designated as Class II trout water. It supports a population of native brook trout which are expected to benefit from the restored habitat. The restoration will also benefit wading birds as well as herptiles such as turtles with additional loafing sites. Mammals such as mink will benefit as well through the creation of additional structural habitat in the stream within which they will live and hunt.To restore habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life in Ox Creek, red pine logs were strategically placed to mimic natural conditions which once existed in the stream. They were drilled and wooden posts driven through both ends, then water jetted and pounded into the substrate to hold them in place. Through both seasons of field work a crew from the Gordon Correction Center performed the majority of the labor and did an excellent job. In this case, not only will the public benefit from the restored habitat, but also by the crew from the correctional facility gaining new experience and insight which will help them better integrate into society in the future. The resulting habitat benefits from the entire project include approximately 1400 feet of brook trout habitat restored, and miles of habitat beyond enhanced through reduced sediment and an improved fishery.
Marengo River Brook Trout Habitat Protection Project
A 50 foot high and 200 foot long eroding bank on the Marengo River in Bayfield County Wisconsin had been causing sediment problems to this highly important brook trout water for many years. A literal wall of exposed and collapsing earth was present at the site. Historic land use practices in the area had previously cleared the existing banks of stable vegetation which protected the site from large scale erosion. The private land owners, Julie and Jeff Vaillencourt, were concerned about the negative impacts to the fishery and the steady encroachment of the river bend into the adjoining field. To fix the problem they worked cooperatively with the Ashland Bayfield Douglas and Iron Land Conservation Department, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office (NFWCO). Working through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program the Ashland NFWCO provided financial and technical assistance.
Recognizing that rivers are a dynamic resource and since no high priority infrastructure was in place that would require extreme hardening of the banks, the partners worked together to find a solution to the problem that would most benefit the environment and state and federal trust resources, while providing the long term stability the landowner desired. Multiple conventional restoration practices were put in place as well as cutting edge technology using submerged vanes. Before the project, the near vertical bank allowed the river to slam into its side with great force. To solve this problem a local contractor was hired to excavate the river bank to produce a more gradual slope. This action will dissipate the energy of the water on a larger and more stable surface. To complete this part of the construction process, the exposed soil was seeded and is protected with erosion blankets.
With the help of the University of Wisconsin Engineering Department, submerged vane technology was used to help stabilize the toe of the slope. Submerged vanes are rectangular plastic sheets placed in an eroding streambed. They cause the water flow to be redirected which results in deposition of sediment at the toe of the eroding bank. Vanes stabilize the stream without affecting the sediment load and velocity of other parts of the stream, which sometimes happens with bank “hardening” practices. In this case the vanes were an effective way to help solve the problem of the power of the water undermining the outside banks of the bend in the river.
Construction finished in the fall of 2006 and the site is presently being monitored to make sure no problems occur. Riparian forest tree species will be planted at the site in the spring to further protect the river banks and reduce sediment, as well as provide additional habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The reduction in sediment from this site which once plagued brook trout spawning habitat, will have a positive impact for many miles downstream. With the completion of the Vaillencourt project, another piece of the puzzle is in place for overall large scale fish and wildlife habitat restoration and protection in the Great Lakes basin.
Northland College American Fisheries Society Student Sub-unit and Ashland NFWCO Team Up to Help Register Lake Sturgeon from Lake Winnebago Spear Harvest
The morning of Friday, February 9th found Ashland NFWCO Fishery Biologist Glenn Miller and students Melissa Kjelvik and Lance Uselman, along with Northland Collage (NC) graduate and past president of the Student Sub-unit, Lindsey Lesmeister heading to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend the annual meeting held for registration station personnel for the Lake Winnebago spear harvest season. Any lake sturgeon harvested from Lake Winnebago are required to be registered at any of the 7 registration stations found along Lake Winnebago’s shoreline. A total of 481 tags were sold for the 2007 upper lakes season which, along with Lake Winnebago, started on February 10, 2007.Harvest of these magnificent fish is regulated by harvest caps which are set by population estimates conducted annually. A Lake Winnebago harvest cap of 556 juvenile females, 556 adult females and 1000 males was set for 2007. The mandatory registration gathers important biological data. Each sturgeon is weighed, measured to the nearest ½ inch, has the first ray of the pectoral fin removed for ageing, sex determination by looking the gonad of the fish and the first ten sturgeon registered have their stomachs removed for diet analysis. Also, any black egg females, (a stage of egg development that would have had the sturgeon spawning that spring), have their individual ovaries removed. These eggs were then taken back to the WDNR lab to determine the egg fecundity. A large female of 154 pounds had her eggs collected, and the combined weight of both ovaries was 54 pounds!
Brilla Wildlife Habitat / Fish Creek Watershed Restoration
In May of 2005 approximately 5,000 trees were planted on the Brilla Wildlife Habitat / Fish Creek Watershed Restoration. This restored an additional 15 acres of a nearly 200 acre restoration site on the Brilla Dairy Farm located in Mason, Wisconsin. White pine, red pine, white spruce and red oak were planted to restore forested conditions in the Fish Creek Watershed. Fish Creek supports native brook trout and large runs of migratory fish from Lake Superior. Studies have shown that deforestation in the area has contributed to the degradation of habitat in Fish Creek and other streams. In the past, the shading effect of the forest allowed for a gradual spring runoff period and lower peak flows. Now with the sun beating down on a much more open landscape the spring melt occurs very quickly, eroding banks and sending large amounts of sediment into critical fish spawning areas. As outlined in Best Management Practices developed for the area, reforestation is critical to restoring the health of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior tributaries.
Funding and technical assistance were provided by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Ashland Fishery Resources Office. Other partners included the landowner, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, and the County Land Conservation Department. A tree planter was rented from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the landowner, Dick Brilla and his son Andy, donated equipment, fuel and many hours of labor to get the trees in the ground.
The watershed restoration project will benefit migratory birds such as the golden-winged warbler, Canada warbler, olive sided flycatcher and wood thrush. The project will also help provide much needed travel corridors for other area wildlife including listed species such as Canada lynx and migratory game birds such as American Woodcock. A Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Habitat development agreement was signed. In 2004 the location of the farm where this year’s project occurred, was protected from any development under the FSA’s Debt for Nature program and a conservation management plan for a minimum of 50 years.
Woodcock Singing-Ground Survey for 2007
The American woodcock is a popular game bird throughout eastern North America. The management objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to increase populations of woodcock to levels consistent with the demands of hunters and non-consumptive users. Therefore, reliable annual population estimates are essential for woodcock managementAs part of the North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey, Ted Koehler and Gary Czypinski surveyed singing ground routes in Ashland and Bayfield counties in northern Wisconsin. The annual survey provides an index to the relative size of the woodcock breeding population and is the most important source of data used to guide the United States and Canadian woodcock programs. Male woodcock give vocal calls described as “peents” and perform aerial displays called “flight songs” shortly after sunset as part of their courtship behavior. The number of peenting males were recorded and the results entered into the national database.
Mourning Dove Call-Count Survey – for 2007
As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s nationwide Mourning Dove Call-Count Survey, Ted Koehler surveyed Wisconsin Route #0060 in Ashland County. The Mourning Dove Call-Count survey was designed specifically for the species and provides an annual index to population size. The total number of doves heard on each route is used to determine trends in populations and provides the basis for determining an index to population size during the breeding season. The resulting information on status and trends is used by wildlife administrators in setting annual hunting regulations.The mourning dove is one of the most widely distributed and abundant migratory bird species in North America. As part of their courtship behavior, Mourning dove calling reaches a peak at sunrise and then diminishes gradually. The survey is conducted along a twenty mile route, and all doves seen along the route as well as heard at stopping intervals were recorded. The results were then entered into the national Mourning Dove Call-Count database.
The Ashland Fishery Resources Office has completed a project in which two corridors of conifers and hardwoods were planted in field openings to connect two wood lots and enhance wetland restoration projects on the property. The project will provide native forest cover for migratory birds such as common yellowthroat, yellow warbler and American woodcock. The project will also help restore forested conditions in the Fish Creek Watershed. Fish Creek supports native brook trout and large runs of migratory fish from Lake Superior.The Kindt property in the town of Moquah, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, obtained a Challenge Cost Share grant through the Ashland NFWCO for establishing the corridors and to also establish several food plots for passerine birds and wildlife found on the property.
Approximately 2,900 trees, including red and white pine, black and white spruce, balsam fir, tamarack, white cedar, northern red oak, red and sugar maple, along with crabapples, mountain ash and common and American elderberry were planted on approximately 8 acres of open field edges. Along with providing cover and food for the wildlife found on the property, it will also provide nesting cover for grassland bird species as a protected no-mow area has been established around and between the corridors. These corridors will further enhance the work done on the property several years ago to restore emergent marsh wetlands. These wetlands have provided migration and breeding habitat for many species of migratory waterfowl. All of these projects include a 10 year Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Habitat Development Agreement.
Ashland NFWCO Participates in Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival
The Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival was held May 18th through the 20th, 2007. The three day event hosted by the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center in Ashland, Wisconsin, consisted of birding and nature programs on the south shore of Lake Superior. Spring migration of many types of birds was in full swing during the festivities and the hundreds of participants and staff observed 178 individual bird species during the festival.
The Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge played a major role in organizing the event, and the Ashland NFWCO helped with leading birding and nature excursions. Ted Koehler organized and led three tours called the Coastal and Inland Wetland Walk. The program focused on migratory waterfowl and began with a “Ducks on a Stick” presentation, where participants could literally handle and identify taxidermy mounted ducks. The Ducks on a Stick were provided by Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge and were a big hit at the festival plus two additional presentations given at Ashland Primary School.The Chequamegon Bay region is among the top birding destinations in the Midwest, with an amazing variety of high-quality habitats ranging from pine barrens and upland forests to coastal wetlands. More than 300 species of birds call the area home permanently or during their migrations. Extraordinary natural beauty and abundant public land make Wisconsin’s south shore of Lake Superior an ideal location for bird-watching and other wildlife viewing.
Ashland NFWCO Assists with Bald Eagle Monitoring and Banding in the Apostle Islands
For the second year in a row the R/V Chub proved to be the best working platform for personnel from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office (NFWCO) and the National Park Services Great Lakes Monitoring Network (GLMN) to get around in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (AINL). Piloted by NFWCO Fishery Biologist Glenn Miller, the crew consisting of GLMN Project Leader Bill Route and tree climber Jim Spickler were able to band three eaglets on two of the islands. One of the trees climbed in the AINL did not contain eaglets, but showed signs of adult eagles using the nest. The GLMN is leading a project which is monitoring bald eagles at multiple parks in the upper Midwest. NFWCO Assistant Project Leader Frank Stone videotaped the procedure at one of the nest to be used in a future production about what happens during a “typical” day at the Ashland NFWCO.
Active bald eagle nest had been previously located during aerial surveys performed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Once the nest trees were pinpointed on the ground, the ascent into the towering white pines began and the eaglets secured. They were then lowered to the biologists below where an assortment of data was collected and blood drawn to monitor contaminant levels in the young birds. Eagles are considered bio-sentinels at the top of the food chain. The chicks primarily eat fish caught by their parents from the Lake Superior waters surrounding the islands. Monitoring contaminant levels in the young eagles will give an indication to the overall levels such as mercury and pesticides in the fishery and the ecosystem. After the work-up was completed the eaglets were then banded and hoisted back into the nest, once again overlooking the amazing sights that are the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Kleinsteiber Wetland Restoration Project
The Kleinsteiber Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program wetland restoration project was completed in June of 2007. It consisted of one wetland restoration site totaling two wetland acres. Also included in the project was the enhancement of two acres of upland grass waterfowl nesting cover through a deferred haying/grazing agreement. The restoration took place on former agricultural land in Ashland County Wisconsin. The wetland and grassland complex will provide resting and nesting habitat for many species of migratory songbirds and waterfowl.Species benefiting from the habitat restoration and protection project include migratory waterfowl such as wood ducks and mallards, as well as migratory songbirds such as bobolinks and yellow warblers. Partners in the project included the Ashland Bayfield Douglas Iron - Land Conservation department and the landowner. The landowner provided heavy equipment and operational time to the project. A Habitat Development Agreement was signed to protect the restored area for a period of 10 years.
Piping Plovers once again utilizing the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The Ashland Fishery Resources Office (AFRO) is helping out this summer to monitor the federally listed endangered Piping Plover. The AFRO is partnering with the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (AINL), National Park Services Great Lake Monitoring Network, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and private landowners to protect and monitor Piping Plovers found in the AINL. Fishery Biologist Glenn Miller provided boat transportation to Long Island several times over the monitoring season.
Once a nest is found along the shoreline, an area around the nest is protected by signs and flagging surrounding the nest, and a wire enclosure is placed around the nest. The wire enclosure is large enough to allow the adult plovers to go through, but will keep larger avian and mammal predators out. A Plover Guard is also hired for the nesting season and is stationed at the area for the weekend to alert any boaters trying to land their craft in this area that it is a protected area. After the plover chicks have hatched they are rounded up before they can fly and banded.
2007 was an exceptionally good year, with 4 confirmed nests on Long Island, part of AINL, and another suspected nest found there, along with an adult and two chicks spotted on Outer Island. These numbers allowed for a total of 10 adults and 13 chicks seen in the AINL.
One of the highlights of the season was a trip to Long Island with Julie Van Stappen, Branch Chief of Natural Resources for AINL and Sumner Matteson, Avian Ecologist, Bureau of Endangered Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accompanying the crew were 4 visitors, Clara Margaret and her father Rick Flood, and Jesse Tysinger and his father Walt. The two young budding biologists had raised funds, (over $500.00 dollars), to contribute to helping in the monitoring of the Piping Plovers. This special trip was made to allow the two youngsters the opportunity to see the Plovers in their natural habitat and view the newly hatched chicks. They had the opportunity to see two adults and three chicks that day, and to help gather several eggs that did not hatch, which were collected and sent out for analysis. Having the chance to talk with Clara Margaret and Jesse about their fundraising efforts and getting the chance to see the Plovers up close and personal made the work very worthwhile. Both Clara Margaret and Jesse were very enthusiastic about next years’ effort to help the Piping Plovers again.
Little Whittlesey Creek Fish Friendly Culvert Replacement
Over a two day period in August, partners from the Chequamegon Bay area of northern Wisconsin worked to replace a culvert which was a barrier to fish within the boundary of Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), with one that is now passable for fish and other aquatic life. Little Whittlesey Creek is an important stream for brook trout because the cold water spring fed tributary offers good habitat where smaller fish can grow in the absence of large predator fish. The Whittlesey Creek system is the backbone of the Whittlesey Creek NWR and historic home to anadromous coaster brook trout.
Ashland NFWCO and Whittlesey Creek NWR staff led the project with assistance from the Bayfield County Land Conservation Department, Town of Barksdale and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program – Fish Habitat Restoration provided a major portion of the funding for the project, with Bayfield County provided the remaining funds and surveying assistance. The Ashland NFWCO with help from the Whittlesey Creek NWR coordinated the PFWP responsibilities, is providing pre and post project fish passage assessment, and supervised construction to ensure fish passage. The Town of Barksdale Wisconsin owns and maintains Wickstrom Road and contributed to the replacement of the culvert by providing material as well as construction and site stabilization assistance. A Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Habitat Development Agreement was signed with the Town of Barksdale to protect the habitat improvements for a period of 10 years.In order to assess the effectiveness of the Little Whittlesey Creek fish friendly culvert replacement a mark and recapture assessment is being conducted. Staff from the Ashland NFWCO and Whittlesey Creek NWR completed the initial marking run using backpack electrofishing equipment prior to the installation of the culvert. Brook trout and coho salmon were collected and given an upper caudle fin clip, measured and released. A second electrofishing run will be completed later in the fall of 2007 to assess fish passage through the former barrier. Without the combined forces of the partners involved in the project and the exceptional local support for fish and wildlife restoration in the community, projects like the fish friendly culvert replacement on Wickstrom Road would be much more difficult. Because of the partners and their hard work, the resulting culvert is now a habitat link for brook trout and other aquatic species instead of the barrier it once was.
Whitetail Waters Wetland Project Completed
Construction has finished on the Whitetail Waters Wetland Project. This Partners for Fish and Wildlife project consists of six wetland restoration sites with a total of 12.5 wetland acres. The uplands around the wetland restoration sites are in a deferred haying and grazing agreement to enhance ground nesting bird habitat. The project will provide nesting and brood rearing sites for waterfowl species such as mallards, wood ducks and blue-winged teal as well as songbirds such as eastern meadowlarks and bobolinks. The restored wetlands and protected uplands will also provide rest and refueling areas for many species of waterfowl, shorebirds and neotropical migrant songbirds during their annual migrations. This project will enhance wildlife habitat on the Whitetail Waters property and surrounding countryside. A Wetland Development Agreement was signed to protect the project site for a period of 10 years.
Coastal Program – Great Lakes 2007 Accomplishments
The East Lansing Ecological Services Field Office and the Ashland National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office jointly administer the Coastal Program – Great Lakes (CPGL). In 2007 a total of 27 projects were funded by the CPGL. As a result, approximately 6561 acres of coastal fish and wildlife habitat will be enhanced, restored or protected. Miles of stream and riparian area enhanced, restored or protected total 5.5 and 2 fish passage barriers will be removed, opening 8.5 miles of stream. Projects will affect all 5 Great Lakes, Detroit River, St. Mary’s River and Lake St. Clair. The kinds of projects funded included planning and research (8), restoration (18), and outreach and education (1).These cooperative projects work to conserve U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trust fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats in coastal lands and waters. Interjurisdictional fish such as coaster brook trout and lake sturgeon will benefit from multiple research and restoration projects. Declining migratory waterfowl species such as lesser scaup and American black ducks will reap the rewards of multiple coastal wetland restoration projects. Federally listed plant species such as dwarf lake iris and Michigan monkey-flower will be able to take root in additional locations because of invasive species removal and habitat restoration projects. As the CPGL moves into 2008, we look forward to once again work with our ever growing list of partners on many new Great Lakes coastal projects.
