Conserving this Nation’s fish and other aquatic resources cannot be successful without the partnership of Tribes; they manage or influence some of the most important aquatic habitats both on and off reservations. In addition, the Federal government and the Service have distinct and unique obligations toward Tribes based on trust responsibility, treaty provisions, and statutory mandates.

Wild Rice Monitoring and Abundance in the 1854 Ceded Territory

In 1998, the 1854 Treaty Authority initiated a wild rice monitoring program on numerous lakes and rivers within the 1854 Ceded Territory in northeastern Minnesota. The 1854 Treaty Authority’s monitoring program attempts to document wild rice abundance and determine trends in production on this group of waters. Monitoring activities have been completed on 12 different waters at some point, with seven lakes included each year from 1998 to 2011. The 2011 monitoring program included 10 lakes and rivers.

In addition to the monitoring program, the 1854 Treaty Authority has also conducted a wild rice survey from 1996-2011. The purpose of the survey is to determine the presence/absence of wild rice and to collect general information on historic rice waters. The process has been coordinated with numerous partners including the Bois Forte, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac reservations. A total of 211 lakes (or portions of lakes) and river stretches within the 1854 Ceded Territory has been surveyed over this period, with 8 surveys completed on the water in 2011. Information has been entered into a geographic information system (GIS) database and will be expanded upon in future years. This information has also been incorporated into a Wild Rice Resource Guide developed by the 1854 Treaty Authority. This guide lists waters in the 1854 Ceded Territory that contain wild rice, and attempts to provide information on locations where rice may be potentially harvested. Read More! [exit notice]