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Second
Annual "Hands-on" Workshop on Minnesota's Hay Creek
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Hay Creek, near
Red Wing, MN
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The Twin
Cities TU Chapter, and the Hiawatha TU Chapter, Trout Unlimited’s
Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TU DARE) and the Lanesboro MN DNR
Fisheries staff participated in a two day workshop in August. Trout
anglers, stream enthusiasts, and conservationists had the opportunity to
install LUNKERS, Sky-hooks, vortex weirs, and other habitat improvements
on Hay Creek. All participants received a free stream restoration manual
(with trout and non-game habitat designs).Costs associated with the
manuals and training were paid for through a grant from the Minnesota
Environmental and Natural Resources Trust fund (LCCMR).
» More about how
the LCCMR works in Minnesota
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Awards TUDARE $65,000
The Driftless Area Restoration Effort was awarded $65,000 to restore
four miles of habitat on six streams to demonstrate how projects designed
to improved water quality and habitat for brook trout can be enhanced to
benefit multiple non-game native aquatic species. If you are
planning a brook trout project next year and would like to incorporate
additional habitat for frogs, turtles or snakes, call Jeff Hastings at
608-606-4158.
Final Two Showcase Projects Completed
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Little Turkey
River project
(photo by Dan Kirby)
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Completed Tainter
Creek project (photo by Mike Leonard)
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In 2007, TUDARE received additional funding from the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation for stream restoration demonstration projects in
each of the Driftless Area’s four states. Floods in the fall and the
spring delayed implementation. The final two projects were recently
completed.
· Dan Kirby, of IA DNR reported that the Little
Turkey River east of Colesburg,Iowa was completed. Dan reports that
2,100 feet of bank stabilization work was completed, including the
installation of 152 feet of overhead cover.
· Michael Leonard, WI DNR reported that 2,370
feet on Tainter Creek were stabilized, 25 in-stream logs, five rock
weirs, six LUNKERS, numerous boulder retards, and four back waters were
installed, creating forage, reptile and amphibian habitat.
Stream
Restoration Training Field Day A Huge Success
Over 40 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Land
Conservation Department (LCD), and DNR employees turned out on September
16 to learn more about stream restoration techniques, design and
regulatory considerations. The purpose was to demonstrate and encourage
the incorporation of fish and wildlife habitat techniques into stream
restoration projects. The agenda covered topics such as 1) combining fish
and wildlife habitat with stream bank protection design for stability 2)
considering effects of common practices on riparian ecosystems, 3) fish
and wildlife habitat structure planning and installation, 4) native vs.
other vegetation seeding in riparian areas, 5) regulatory considerations,
and 6) Trout Unlimited project partnerships. There was also an
electro-shocking demonstration of the Elk Creek habitat project.
November
4, 2008 a Landmark Day for Minnesota Conservation
State voters approved a state constitutional amendment for the next
25 years to fund clean water, the outdoors and the arts. The amendment
will raise an estimated $275 million annually and the average Minnesota
household will pay about $5 a month under the amendment.
How much money will this raise and what would it be used for?
(MNDNR)
The amendment will increase the general sales and use tax rate by
0.375% to 6.875% and dedicate the additional proceeds as follows:
· 33% to a newly created Outdoor
Heritage Fund to be spent only to restore, protect, and enhance
wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for game, fish, and wildlife
(approx. $80 million in FY 2010 and $91 million in FY 2011);
· 33% to a newly-created Clean Water
Fund to be spent only to protect, enhance, and restore water
quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater, with at least 5% of
the fund spent to protect drinking water sources (approx. $80 million in
FY 2010 and $91 million in FY 2011);
· 14.25% to a newly created Parks and
Trails Fund to be spent only to support parks and trails of
regional or statewide significance (approx. $35 million in FY 2010 and
$39 million in FY 2011);
· 19.75% to a newly created Arts and
Cultural Heritage Fund to be spent only for arts, arts
education, and arts access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and
cultural heritage (approx. $48 million in FY 2010 and $54.5 million in FY
2011).
These
figures are estimates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue; the total
amount of money available from future sales tax receipts can be greatly
affected by general economic conditions in the state. The dedicated
money must supplement traditional funding sources and could not be used
as a substitute.
Will the DNR receive the money?
These dollars will not go directly to the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). The Legislature will make final funding decisions based
on the merits of any proposed projects. The constitutional amendment
states that funds can only be used for projects that: restore, protect,
and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for game, fish, and
wildlife; protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers,
streams, and groundwater; and support parks and trails of regional or
statewide significance. Projects can be proposed by the DNR and
other organizations and agencies.
Recently Completed Projects and Their Partners
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Travers Valley Creek: Trempealeau, WI
Project Partners: Arcadia Sportsman's Club, Jay Moe,
Associated Rod/Gun Clubs of Trempealeau County, Bruce Knutdson, Ed and
Mary Anderson, Independence, WI, Clear Waters TU, Elk Rod and Gun Club,
TUDARE, USFWS, Trempealeau County Hwy. Dpt., Trempealeau Community Cable
TV, WDNR fisheries staff, Eric Kramer and Rob Herman.
Elk Creek: Eau Claire, WI
Project Partners: Friends of TU-WI TU, National
TU-EAS, WIDNR, USFWS, Xcel Energy, NRCS, WIS DATCP, and the Boy Scouts of
America.
Pine
Creek, Pierce County
Project Partners: Pine Creek is a joint project with
Kiap-TU-Wish, Twin Cities TU, Ojibleau Chapter, the West Wisconsin Land
Trust, the WDNR, Fairmount Minerals and many neighbors from the
area. Employees from Fairmount Minerals donated 266 hours of
volunteer time.
Grazed
Riparian Management and Stream Channel Response in Southeastern Minnesota
Streams
The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation
Service has, for decades, recommended domestic cattle grazing exclusion
from riparian corridors. This recommendation was based on a belief that
domestic cattle grazing would typically destroy stream bank vegetation
and in-channel habitat. Though current riparian grazing practices in
southeastern Minnesota present pollution problems, short duration grazing
could reduce sediment pollution if managed in an environmentally
sustainable fashion that considers stream channel response.
»
Download article about grazing in SE Minnesota
Driftless
In The News
» Wisconsin Stream to Get Upgrade
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