Jim Gritman, Director of the Services Regional Office, Twin Cities, Minnesota; stressed that wetland and natural resource projects are flourishing because of the financial support and conservation commitment shown by partners. Many of the contributions from partners are matched through the Services Private Lands Challenge Grant Program.
"Because of the willingness of partners to participate in our challenge grant program and their interest in restoring small wetlands on private lands, wetland habitats will be restored and protected. "Overall," said Gritman, "our quality of life will be enhanced."
Restored wetlands offer improved habitats for many species of fish, wildlife and plants. They are also critical for improving water quality in lakes, streams and aquifers; for reducing downstream flooding and soil erosion caused by runoff; for recharging groundwater for use by citizens, agriculture and industry; for creating economic incentives and opportunities for landowners and communities; and for enhancing recreational opportunities for the public.
In the North Central Region, wetland restorations are achieved under "Partners for Wildlife," a Service program which involves federal, state, county and township agencies, private landowners, individuals, conservation organizations, foundations and corporations. Many of the restorations will contribute to and compliment goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan through the Prairie Pothole, Upper Mississippi River and Lower Great Lakes joint ventures.
Ducks Unlimited (DU), a partner in the Services private lands small wetland restoration program in Iowa and Minnesota during 1989 and 1990, has announced it will allocate $130,000 for the same program this year in both states. That allocation is in addition to DU expenditures under MARSH (Matching Aid to Restore States Habitat) and Habitat U.S.A.
More cooperative projects will be achieved under the Services Private Lands Challenge Grant program, which matches contributions from partners to restore and enhance wetlands on private lands. For this years challenge grant program, partners from the North Central Region will contribute $220,960.
"We are extremely happy with the cooperation weve received from our partners since 1987," said Rick Schultz, Service Regional Office, Chief of Private Lands. "This program would not have been successful without the support and assistance of private conservation organizations, public agencies and, most importantly, the private landowners." He also singled out state departments of natural resources in the North Central Region for their cooperation and support.
Many of the wetlands will be restored on lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Restorations are accomplished through wetland development agreements, contracts between landowners and the Service which guarantee that each restored wetland will not be drained for a period of 10 years.
In Illinois, Franklin County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Eighteen Bottoms Hunting Club and the Service will restore 94 acres of bottomland hardwoods.
One project in Indiana will restore a 15-acre wetland on the Metea Nature Center. Matching funds for that project were contributed by Allen County Parks and Recreation. The second will restore 60 wetland acres in cooperation with West Washington Future Farmers of America, West Washington SWCD and private landowners.
Minnesota partners are landowner Ted Sullivan, DU, Izaak Walton League of America, North American Wildlife Foundation, Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Pheasants Forever, Cottonwood County Fish and Game Protective League, Eagle Lake Improvement Association, Gopher Campfire Club, New Prague Sportsmens Club, Red Rock Sportsmens Club, Sauk Centre Conservation Club, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Kandiyohi County SWCD and Stevens County Comprehensive Water Management Program.
Private landowners and four hunting clubs will join with the Service to restore 376 wetland acres in Ohio along coastal Lake Erie. Partners are Rich Jacobs, Rich Jolin and James Moore, Demars Hunting Club, Ottawa Shooting Club, West Bay Hunting Club and Winous Point Shooting Club. West Bay Hunting Club will restore a 200-acre wetland during its project.
Four "challenge" projects in Wisconsin will restore at least 38 wet acres and enhance more than 60 acres of wetlands on private lands. Cooperators include landowners Dale Arenz, Bruce Butkiewicz, Tom Holm and Alan Wilcox, Pheasants Forever, Waterfowl U.S.A., Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation District. Ducks Unlimited is also a partner in Wisconsins small wetland restoration program.
For more information concerning the North Central Regions Private Lands Challenge Grant Program and other "challenge" opportunities, contact Steve Kufrin, Private Funds Coordinator, at (612) 725-3570.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
