Governor makes wetlands high priority in DNR budget (2005-02-01)

Efforts to protect Minnesota's wetland wildlife habitat will get a $1.8 million boost over the next two years in the biennial budget Governor Tim Pawlenty proposed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Much of the appropriation from the DNR's Game and Fish Fund would be focused on restoring or protecting portions of large blocks of land, known as wetland complexes, in the state's prairie pothole region. The funding also will help track changes in wetland abundance and restore native grassland habitat under the state's Prairie Stewardship Program.

"Wetland complexes are the backbone of waterfowl, shorebird and songbird habitat in the prairie pothole region," said Gene Merriam, DNR commissioner. "Increasing the number of high-quality wetland areas is an important target as outlined in our Conservation Agenda."

High quality prairie wetland complexes attract 30 or more pairs of ducks per square mile and provide secure nesting habitat for hens. Minnesota has few wetland complexes remaining. Most are located in west-central Minnesota. Less than 10 percent of the state's prairie wetlands and 1 percent of its native grasslands remain.

Complexes that are most valuable tend to be at least four square miles and consist of 20 percent temporary, seasonal, semi-permanent and permanent wetlands plus at least 20 percent grassland in long-term permanent protection. Nearly half of each complex could be in agricultural crops, according to biologists.

"Our goal is to keep working lands working," said John Guenther, DNR Fish and Wildlife director. "Environmental benefits can be achieved in concert with agricultural interests. The emphasis will be on voluntary, non-regulatory, incentive based programs that are compatible with agriculture and the environment."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy have pledged at least $3.3 million for this prairie wetland complex project, thereby more than doubling the state's investment to a total of $5.1 million.

"We appreciate the support of our conservation partners," said Guenther. "The financial assistance will increase the magnitude of this effort; the habitat expertise will ensure these dollars are focused in the areas where we can get the biggest bang for the buck."

TRACKING CHANGES

Measuring wetland loss or gains over time has proven to be a difficult task, according to Doug Norris, wetland program coordinator for the DNR Division of Ecological Services. Currently, the state's most comprehensive look at wetlands is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' national wetland inventory, which dates to the late 1970s.

Using methodology devised by an interagency workgroup, Norris said wetlands would be tracked using aerial photography or satellite imagery. A web-based tracking program would also monitor proposed alterations to wetlands through federal, state and local government programs.

"Minnesota will be among the first states to launch such a comprehensive monitoring effort," Norris said. "The remote sensing data combined with the web-based project tracking system will give us a much better picture of statewide wetland trends." Additional federal dollars are expected to help implement the monitoring program.

The $1.8 million game and fish fund appropriation will be used in conjunction with a proposed $12 million in bonding money to acquire wildlife management areas and federal conservation program funding such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Wetland and Grassland Reserve Programs.

"All Minnesota's lands work," Guenther said. "Food production, recreation and a healthy environment are all compatible products of good land management. But it can only be achieved through cooperative, integrated approaches."

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page