Endangered Species Section 6 Non-traditional Grants

2008 Funded Projects in the Midwest

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin

 

News Release (March 20, 2008)
List of 2008 awards nationwide (pdf, 12 pages)

 

Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grant

 

Ohio

East Point, South Bass Island, Ohio

Complete Recovery of the Threatened Lake Erie Watersnake (Ottawa County) $1,835,000

This land acquisition completes the "Habitat Protection and Management" recovery criterion of the species' recovery plan and will result in the protection of a core population area of the Lake Erie watersnake on South Bass Island. The purchase of this property is a rare opportunity to permanently protect a core population site and the last large tract of undeveloped habitat on the rapidly developing island. Partners include the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, First Energy Foundation, Black Swamp Conservancy, Ohio Public Works Commission and Western Reserve Land Conservancy. This 8.6 acre site currently holds 14 percent of the islands' Lake Erie watersnake population and contains the elements needed to support the species year-round. Purchase of this site satisfies the last recovery criterion and will allow the Service to propose delisting in 2009.

 

Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grant

 

Multi-state

Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia

Development of a Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan for NiSource Natural Gas Transmission Facilities in Cooperation with NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage (Multiple Counties, in Multiple States): $3,007,270.

Working in partnership with 17 states and other partners, NiSource will develop a landscape level, multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan to avoid and minimize impacts to endangered and threatened species associated with construction, operation and maintenance of its natural gas transmission lines and ancillary facilities running from Louisiana to Indiana, and Ohio throughout the northeast to Maine. This 15,500-mile planning area and associated 1-mile corridor covers 6.4 million acres of land and has the potential to affect 74 federally listed species. As a part of the Habitat Conservation Plan, NiSource will work in collaboration with The Conservation Fund who will lead a strategic conservation planning process that focuses on integrating species needs with potential habitat mitigation across the landscape, providing multiple species benefits and addressing needs in a cumulative and comprehensive fashion. Species expected to benefit include the Indiana bat, copperbelly watersnake, and numerous species of federally listed freshwater mussels.

 

PDF Version of 22-page grant proposal

 

Recovery Land Acquisition Grants

Michigan

Copperbelly water snake habitat easement acquisition and protection along the Upper St. Joseph River (Hillsdale County): $689,305).

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy will acquire conservation easements in perpetuity on restoration of these sites will also benefit the endangered clubshell mussel, as well as 12 state-listed or special species of concern including wavy-rayed lampmussel, silver shiner, smallmouth salamander, and Blanding's turtle. The complex of wetlands, riparian forests, and upland forests that occurs at the site along the West Fork of the West Branch is one of the largest remaining along this headwater stream. Maintaining and expanding these complexes of natural communities help preserve the ecological integrity of this watershed and is critical for maintaining the copperbelly watersnake population.

 

Wisconsin

*Prairie Bush Clover Recovery Land Acquisition (Grant County): $88,355.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will use this grant to help acquire 170 acres located in Grant County that will contribute to the recovery of the prairie bush clover. This site contains the second largest prairie bush clover population and the largest amount of existing and potential habitat in Wisconsin. Additionally, the site contains five state-threatened plant species, as well as two species of special concern.

*Indicates partial funding awarded.

 

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Last updated: October 24, 2012