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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Phone: 612-713-5360 |
Bad
River Band
Tribal Partnership Projects
Contacting the Office:
John Leonard, Native American Specialist
e-mail: John_Leonard@fws.govBHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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Return to Tribal Grants Main Page2003 Tribal Wildlife Grant
$147,784
Restoration of the Raymond "Snooty"
Couture Fish Hatchery and Rearing Ponds
Thomas Doolittle, 715-682-7123Tribal Partnership Sparkles as Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge Receives NAWCA Grant
On Sept. 10, 2002, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved a $999,800 grant under the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA). The NAWCA Grants Program requires, at a minimum, the grant amount to be matched with non-federal contributions typically made by state, tribal and other non-governmental partnerships. The grant will be applied to a project called Superior Coastal Wetland Initiative, Phase II. The project is in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture. The acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitats associated with this proposal will advance the goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan. Below are a few details regarding the approved project. Superior Coastal Wetland Initiative, Phase II, Wisconsin - This effort will focus on four counties in northern Wisconsin. The proposal will protect and restore habitats within known migration corridors and nine miles of coastal shoreline and wetlands. Approximately 1,814 acres of wetlands and 3,357 acres of uplands will receive long-term protection. Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge will receive a portion of the grant ($20,000) to assist with restoring 13 acres of wetlands within the refuge boundaries. Other partners involved with this proposal are the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, The Nature Conservancy, Ashland/Bayfield/Douglas/Iron Counties Land Conservation Department and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The grant amount is for $ 999,800 and the partners contributed $1,350,058; the grantee is Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Offices Involved: R3-Joint Venture R3-Whittlesey Creek NWR Resource Outputs: The acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitats associated with this proposal will advance the goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan. The proposal will protect and restore habitats within known migration corridors and nine miles of coastal shoreline and wetlands. Approximately 1,814 acres of wetlands and 3,357 acres of uplands will receive long-term protection. Partners: Other partners involved with this proposal are the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, The Nature Conservancy, Ashland/Bayfield/Douglas/Iron Counties Land Conservation Department and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey Completed by Ted Koehler from the FWS Ashland Fishery Resources Office
As part of the North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey, Ted Koehler from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service''s Ashland Fishery Resources Office surveyed Wisconsin Route #005, which is located near the Bad River in northern Wisconsin. This 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.Offices Involved: R3-Ashland FRO Resource Outputs: As part of the North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey, Ted Koehler from the Ashland Fishery Resources Office surveyed Wisconsin Route #005. This annual survey provides an index to the relative size of the woodcock breeding population. The number of peenting males were recorded and the results entered into the national database. Partners: USFWS, WIDNR, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Many other private, state and federal partners for the national survey as a whole.)
Native American Liaison Annual Report Features Tribal Partnerships and Cooperative Projects
In FY 2001, Native American Liaison projects and activities featured a balance of coordination and communication between Service representatives at various levels, members of tribal governments and multi-tribal agencies. There was a significant increase in outreach activities benefiting individual tribes which often provided indirect benefits for additional tribes. A summary of specific activities include the following. A new Native American Directory for Region 3 tribes was completed in October and updated with web sites and email addresses in July.
The liaison participated in the "Government on Display" event at the Mall of America featuring the Gray wolf. Cross regional communication and partnerships were supported by coordinating information concerning the down listing of the wolf with Region 6 and joining Regions 2 and 6 in the FWS Memorandum Of Agreement with Intertribal Bison Cooperative. Strengthening our partnership with tribal organizations is a high priority and the "power of the press" is an excellent tool. Service activities relevant to tribal tradition and values are featured in articles contained in Native American publications. A news article describing the proposed down listing for the western great lakes population of the gray wolf was prepared and submitted to the Editor of Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Publication From the Eagles Nest. Information on the proposed rule, comment time line and tribal impact were included in the article. A second news article was prepared and submitted to the Editor of the Lac Courte Oreilles Journal Times featuring Service demonstration of an interactive hunter education display to the LCO Boys and Girls Club. The system enabled youth to experience a traditional tribal activity by using laser shotguns and rifles to "hunt big game" in a controlled classroom. Specific activities were provided to individual tribes demonstrating a broad range of partnership opportunities and resource benefits. In fisheries Service field offices worked with 8 tribes and one inter-tribal organization in completing surveys, assessments and plans on sturgeon, coaster brook trout and other trust species.
Tribes also joined Service personnel to conduct recreational fishing events for youth during National Fishing and Boating Week. Several National Wildlife Refuges are located near tribal reservations or in treaty ceded areas. Tribal coordination and communication regarding refuge operations increased during the year. Service participated in tribal training and government to government communication on refuge issues benefiting resources important to the tribe. Special activities were conducted to involve tribal members in reestablishment of the Whooping Crane.
Tribal participation in ecosystem activities included the Bad River Band which proposed Bald and Golden Eagle Protection in Tribal Fish and Wildlife Code; the joining of Federal, Tribal and State Agencies with Commercial Fishers in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team to benefit ecosystem resources by funding four projects that support priorities of lake sturgeon restoration and Great Lakes Islands protection; and the Red Lake Nation who became the first tribe to host an ecosystem team meeting. Tribal coordination of endangered species issues continued but at a reduced level from last year.
Follow-up activities were conducted with the tribes involved in the NRDA settlement on the Nemadji River on the proposed action related to the exchange of land on South Fox Island, MI. The region continued to fulfill tribal trust responsibilities by pursuing the transfer of equipment to tribes. Surplus diesel generators were found for the Natural Resources Department at Bad River Indian Reservation, surplus fish trucks found a new home at the Mole Lake and Leech Lake tribes for use by their fish hatchery programs and the region identified a process to provide surplus computers to tribal youth. Interagency activities helped to bridge the partnership with tribes. The regional liaison represented the Service in joining the Bureau of Indian Affairs in honoring their Regional Forester who was promoted to a position at the BIA National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID; coordinated regional activities supporting the youth fishing event sponsored for the 11th year by BIA and Red Lake Band at the Minnesota Valley NWR and participated with Service regional managers during an open forum partnership meeting with resource leaders from State of Minnesota. Activities and support for tribal natural resource personnel included events at professional societies. As a member of the Native Peoples'' Fisheries Section the regional liaison prepared a detailed report of Section activities to the Section President. Specific items were linked to the elements in the strategic plan of the American Fisheries Society and rationale was provided to demonstrate how the Section supports the Society goals. A half day 12 paper symposium sponsored by the Section during the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society was organized and moderated. Four other Sections of the Society co-sponsored the symposium entitled A Partnerships in Tribal Fisheries - A Basis for Fishery Success in the 21st Century. Funding was arranged to support the travel of two tribal presenters. The annual meeting of Native American Fish & Wildlife Society was held May 21-24 in Lincoln City, OR. and active participation occurred during the Service Native American Liaison session.
Interpersonal relationships are the keystone to tribal partnerships. Activities to build on the Service/ Tribal relationship included: support and identification of a funding source for a PROTECTORS OF THE EARTH YOUTH CAMP: ( a one week camp was held for American Indian and African American students to study scientific and cultural knowledge regarding natural resource topics); a presentation to Optimist International Chapter on Tribal/Service Youth Fishing Event; coordinating and attending an awards banquet held by Red Lake Nation to Honor a Service Employee for his volunteer support to National Fishing Week for the past 10 years; the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation created a dynamic dual picture poster depicting a thundering Bison herd on the top half and three trumpeter swans in flight on the bottom signed copies of the poster were provided tribal representatives to recognize their contribution to natural resources; at the invitation of the Red Lake Nation the regional liaison represented the Service and became a honorary member of the tribal DNR during the final services for Lawrence Bedeau, Director of Natural Resources for Red Lake Nation who passed on.
The Regional leadership beginning with the Regional Director supported many issues concerning tribes. Regional Director, Bill Hartwig lead Service participation in Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Region of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society by delivering the keynote address. An estimated 100 attendees represented the 34 tribes and 4 tribal organizations in the Region as well as other Federal agencies and States. The meeting was hosted by the Bay Mills Indian Community at their Resort in Brimley, Michigan. Service guests included Mr. Pat Durham, Native American Liaison, Washington, DC and Mr. Jim Brown, Native American Liaison, Region 4 Atlanta. The Conference theme focused on partnerships and major topics included: political opportunities with the new administration, availability of eagle parts and feathers and status of guidelines, availability of bison from units of the National Wildlife Refuge System and update of cooperative Tribal/Service projects benefiting fish and wildlife resources. The Service recognized Faith McGruther, Regional Director (GLNAFWS) for her leadership and organizational efforts with a signed framed copy of the Brandenburg Foundation A Prairie Poster. The Native American Liaison office provided support to the Native American Liaison in the Washington Office by reviewing the GPRA tribal partnership performance measures and drafting more measurable elements, and organizing and hosting the October National Service Liaison conference call. The liaison shared the tribal partnership GPRA goal with project leaders at the Regional fisheries meeting and attended Tribal Cultural and Historic Preservation Training. .
Resource Outputs: The Native American Liaison Annual Report summarizes the Highlights and accomplishments of the tribal partnership activities involving Region 3 offices. The achievements support the trust responsibility the Federal Government has to Tribal Governments and the Partnership activities related to the Service GPRA Goal.
Partners: The Regions tribal trust responsibilities include 35 tribes, 11 each in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 12 in Michigan and 1 in Iowa. The Region also coordinates programs, activities and issues with 4 multi-tribal groups which include: the Minnesota-Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota; the 1854 Treaty Authority in Duluth, MN; the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLFWIC) which includes the Voigt task force) in Wisconsin; and the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) in Michigan previously the Chippewa-Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority.
Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force Increases Efforts for 2002
At a Jan. 30 meeting, task force member Julie Van Stappen, NPS-Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, volunteered to set and monitor a total of nine adult zebra mussel sampling devices at island park locations receiving high density boat traffic. This will increase the 2002 effort to a total of 54 adult sampling devices in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters. The USFWS-Ashland FRO (25) and Bad River (14) and Red Cliff (6) Tribal Natural Resource Departments will maintain their current monitoring effort. Instead of veliger sampling with a plankton net, task force member Mike Keniry, WDNR-Bayfield, volunteered to scuba dive along the Ashland harbor docks in search of adult zebra mussels. If found, Mike will collect the adults and deliver them to Dr. Mary Balsar, University of Wisconsin-Superior, for analysis. Dr. Balsar has volunteered to examine the gonads of discovered mussels for development. Developing gonads would confirm that reproduction is occurring. In other deliberations, task force members agreed that zebra mussel information packets should be assembled and distributed to boat owners at marinas and boat launches around Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands. Mike Keniry described Wisconsin''s new regulation relating to zebra mussels. With regard to zebra mussels, the new law states "A law enforcement officer may order a person to do the following: Remove zebra mussels from a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment before placing it in the Lower St. Croix River. Remove or not place a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment in a navigable water if the law enforcement officer has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer or boating equipment has zebra mussels attached." The Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force is co-chaired by Gary Czypinski, USFWS-Ashland FRO and Bill Mattes, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Other member organizations not previously mentioned include USGS-Lake Superior Biological Station, City of Ashland Dept. of Public Works, and Xcel Energy (formerly Northern States Power Co.). Offices Involved: R3-Ashland FRO Resource Outputs: Output: Outline a work plan for 2002 to monitor for the presence of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters, Lake Superior. Outcome: Assess abundance, distribution, and size structure of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters, Lake Superior, and attempt to delay or prevent the spread of zebra mussels to inland waters and Lake Superior waters outside of Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands. Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, USGS-Lake Superior Biological Station, NPS-Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bad River Tribal Natural Resources Department, Red Cliff Tribal Natural Resources Department, City of Ashland Department of Public Works, Xcel Energy.
Fish Passage on Graveyard Creek
Great Lakes Coastal Program funding assisted the Bad River Band to restore fish passage on Graveyard Creek. The project area is located within the Bad River Indian Reservation Boundaries (Ashland and Iron Counties) in northern Wisconsin. In the mid-1980''s, Bad River Natural Resources Department (BRNRD) personnel observed coaster brook trout spawning in Graveyard Creek along with coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead. However, due to a massive logjam that developed at the mouth of Graveyard Creek, fish were no longer able to migrate to/from Lake Superior. Great Lakes Coastal Program grant dollars were used in Fiscal Year 2000 to remove the debris dam at the mouth of Graveyard Creek, again allowing passage of anadromous trout and salmon. With assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and additional Coastal Program funding in Fiscal Year 2001, another 30 smaller barriers were removed as well as instream and riparian restoration work. Three miles of stream were opened for fish migration, and stabilization of the stream banks was conducted to prevent erosion. In the next several years, instream structures will also be used to restore stream flows into the historic channel, which will improve coaster brook trout habitat. The BRNRD has been a major cooperator and believes that with a minimal amount of effort, anadromous coaster brook trout can be restored once again to Graveyard Creek. The Service''s Ashland Fishery Resources Office has organized many successful partnerships to restore, protect, and manage coastal habitats in the Lake Superior basin through the Service''s Coastal Program. In Fiscal Year 2001, restoration, land use, planning, aquatic nuisance species prevention and control, as well as outreach and education projects were funded. Restoration projects resulted in more than 700 acres of coastal fish and wildlife habitat restored and protected. The Coastal Program features non-regulatory, partnership-based efforts that restore and protect habitats, enhance fish passage, and control invasive species. It focuses resources on sensitive coastal areas by applying Service funding and technical expertise to local projects and leveraging the participation of other groups. The program benefits numerous ecosystems in that it identifies resource priorities and achieves on-the-ground results in a manner that would otherwise be difficult for any single entity. Resource Outputs: Great Lakes Coastal Program funding assisted the Bad River Band to restore fish passage on Graveyard Creek. FY 2000 dollars were used to remove a debris dam at the mouth of Graveyard Creek, again allowing passage of anadromous trout and salmon. In FY 2001, Coastal Program funding was used to remove another 30 smaller barriers as well as in-stream and riparian restoration work. Three miles of stream were opened for fish migration, and stabilization of the stream banks was conducted to prevent erosion. Partners: Bad River Band Natural Resources Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Volunteer Sturgeon Monitoring Program by Commercial Fishermen started in Western Basin of Lake Superior
The Ashland Fishery Resources Office (FRO) has initiated a volunteer sturgeon monitoring program for commercial fishermen fishing near the Keneewaw Peninsula in the upper peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior. Three tribal fishermen have volunteered to tag and collect data from sturgeon caught in their gill nets or trap nets. Two of the fishermen, Joe Newago, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Neil Malmgren, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), are using gill nets and the Dakota brothers, Dale and Brad, of the KBIC, are fishing with trap nets. Each volunteer is given a "sturgeon kit", a tackle box that contains a cloth tape measure, scissors, tag gun and yellow USFWS numbered floy tags, camera, a mini-hack saw, pencils and scale envelopes that were developed to record the data on. When a sturgeon is caught, total length and girth measurements are taken, weighed if possible, then the sturgeon is tagged at the base of the dorsal fin. A small piece of the pectoral fin is clipped and saved in the scale envelope, which will be used for genetic work. A picture of the fish is taken as a visual record and then released. If the sturgeon is dead, the mini-hack saw is used to remove the pectoral fin to be used for aging the specimen, along with all the data being recorded as well. Along with the volunteers, the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources Department is currently conducting their annual lake trout assessments on Lake Superior, and a kit was supplied to the tribe. Data collected from the tribe and volunteers will be entered into a Lake Sturgeon Great Lakes Database that is currently being developed. Partners: Ashland FRO Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources Department, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources Department
New Tag for Lake Trout Research Records Depth and Water Temperature
The Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force completed this year's zebra mussel monitoring efforts in Wisconsin's Chequamegon Bay area of Lake Superior November 1, 2001. Twenty one of 41 adult zebra mussel monitoring devices were set and checked by staff from the Ashland Fishery Resources Office. Tribal Natural Resources Departments from Bad River and Red Cliff set and checked 14 and six devices respectively. The devices were set in July, checked at least monthly, and lifted in October. Locations included recreational and commercial boat docks, industrial areas, and tributaries. Areas monitored included Chequamegon Bay, Madeline Island, and near shore Lake Superior from the Sand River to the Bad River, a shoreline distance of more than 100 km. A total of six plankton tows were also completed during the period to check for the presence of veligers. The veliger tows were taken in the Ashland and Washburn harbors. On Sept. 4, one dead adult zebra mussel was discovered on a sampler near the discharge area of the Northern States Power facility. No other zebra mussels were found on any other samplers during the 2001 monitoring period. Analysis of the plankton samples for the presence of veligers has not been completed. The Service and tribes monitor the waters for zebra mussels as part of an ongoing effort to prevent to prevent infestation of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior, and to prevent or delay the spread of zebra mussels in outlying waters to Chequamegon Bay. Resource Outputs: Output: Monitor for the presence of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior. If detected, decide on the best course of action to prevent spreading. Take steps to prevent a future infestation from occuring. Outcome: Attempt to prevent an infestation of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior, and prevent or delay the spread of zebra mussels in outlying waters to Chequamegon Bay Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, USGS, NPS, BIA, Bad River and Red Cliff Depts. of Natural Resources, the City of Ashland, WI, and Northern States Power Co.
