Sand Lake Wetland Management District
Wetland Management Districts are little known, but very important components of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Wetland Management Districts, often referred to as WMD's, consist of Waterfowl Production Areas, wetland easements, and grassland easements. The Sand Lake Wetland Management District is the largest in the country and consists of eight counties in northeast South Dakota, including Brown, Spink, McPherson, Edmunds, Faulk, Campbell, Walworth, and Potter. The WMD staff occupy the same office building as the refuge staff.
Waterfowl Production Areas, or WPA's, are wetlands and grasslands purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and managed by the Wetland Management District staff for the benefit of waterfowl. WPA's provide high quality habitat for waterfowl and many other wildlife species. The Sand Lake WMD manages over 45,000 acres of WPA's in the counties listed above. WPA's are also open to the public for activities such as hiking, wildlife observation, hunting, fishing, and wildlife photography. Foot travel is permitted, but to protect wildlife and their habitat, camping and the use of motorized vehicles are prohibited. WPA's are open to the public year round.
Wetland and grassland easements are offered to landowners who want to protect wildlife habitat. The WMD staff work with local landowners to protect and conserve over 550,000 acres of wetland and grassland conservation easements. Landowners retain ownership of their land while the service purchases the right to protect the wetlands or grasslands. When a wetland easement is purchased, the wetland is protected against draining, filling, leveling or burning. The landowner may still hay or farm the wetland basin when conditions allow. Grassland easements protect important prairie habitats for nesting birds. To ensure protection of nesting birds, young broods, and native grassland species, a grassland easement cannot be farmed. Grazing by herbivores is unrestricted and haying is permitted annually after July 15.
Sand Lake Wetland Management District Facts
-Established in 1961.
-Is the largest Wetland Management District in the country.
-Comprised of 162 individual Waterfowl Production Areas totaling 45,000 acres.
-Protects over 550,000 acres of private lands through wetland
and grassland conservation easements in partnership with the landowner.
-Habitat management on WPA's includes grazing,
prescribed fire, weed control, and haying.
-Provides habitat for nesting and migrating birds, and other wildlife.
-Provides the public with a variety of year-round recreational opportunities.
For information on a conservation easement contact
Sand Lake Wetland Management District
39650 Sand Lake Drive
Columbia, SD 57433
phone (605) 885-6320 fax (605) 885-6333
