5397001
Public Review and Comment on Draft Programmatic Compatibility Determination for Rights‑of‑Way and Rights to Access

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on the Draft Programmatic Compatibility Determination for Rights‑of‑Way and Rights to Access for Temporary Disturbances and Minor Impacts on Conservation Easements in the Midwest Region. This draft document evaluates the compatibility of proposed activities that may cause temporary, minor disturbances while supporting necessary public infrastructure needs across conservation easements in the Midwest Region. The draft Compatibility Determination will be available for a 30‑day public comment period from June 10, 2026 to July 9, 2026. Comments, questions, or concerns can be sent to: R3Planning@fws.gov

Welcome to the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, where we care for 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat scattered across five counties in western Minnesota. Situated on the eastern edge of North America's Prairie Pothole Region, also known as the duck factory, we strive to preserve, restore, and manage wetlands and prairies for nesting waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans). You can enjoy many types of outdoor recreation here through the seasons while you observe wildlife, like bird watching, hiking, nature photography, snowshoeing, and hunting. The best place for many visitors to start their adventure is at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.
Students gathered on the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center campus
Minnesota's prairie jewel
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center has been, and will continue to be, a shining beacon on the prairies of western Minnesota.

Visit Us

Several visitors walk across a wooden bridge on a frozen wetland in the winter prairie.
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Visitors cross Mallard Marsh on the frozen floating bridge in winter.

We invite you to join us in enjoying and caring for this spectacular landscape. Wetland management districts offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and connect with our natural surroundings. The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center provides quality environmental education and outdoor recreation for visitors. We hope you visit as regularly and often as possible, because each experience holds unexpected wonders to delight your heart and mind and link you to land and sky, water and wildlife.

Location and Contact Information

      Tours

      A line of about a dozen children and adults snowshoe across a bridge
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      The Fergus Falls Wetland Management District provides interpretive programs at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for the general public and for organized groups of 10 or more people.  For more information, see our calendar of events or call us.

      Our Species

      9 mallard eggs in a nest hidden in dry brown prairie grasses
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      Mallard nest hidden in prairie grasses

      Fergus Falls Wetland Management District is located in North America’s duck factory, a region historically rich in wetlands, prairie and waterfowl. We manage district lands most notably for nesting ducks, geese and swans, as well as migratory songbirds. You can observe and appreciate hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians through the seasons that are dependent upon this ecosystem to complete part or all of their life cycles.