moist soils guide
TRANSCRIPT
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MINNESOTAMOISTSOILMANAGEMENTGUIDE
PREFACE
WaterfowlareanimportantpartofMinnesota’snaturalandculturalheritage.Despitesubstantiallossesinthequantityandqualityofwaterfowlhabitat,MinnesotaremainsoneofthemostimportantproductionandharveststatesintheMississippiFlyway.Waterfowlingtraditionsreachbacktothe19thCenturyandcontinuetobeanimportantfeatureofMinnesota’soutdoorheritage.Tripandequipment
expendituresbyMinnesotawaterfowlhuntersandwatchersin2001totaledmorethan$224millionandgeneratedmorethan$20millioninstatetaxreceipts.
WhiletheMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources(DNR)andourconservationpartnershavecontinuedtomakeprogressinacquiringanddevelopingwildlifeareas,managingshallowlakes,and
acquiringpermanenteasements,recentdeclinesinbreedingduckpopulationsandreducedhunterparticipationandharvesthavefrustratedbothhuntersandmanagers.Basedonthemostrecentavailabledataitisclearthatthebasicissuesofhabitatdegradationandlossarestillmajorbarriersto
success.
Akeywetlandtypeinthishabitatpictureisseasonalwetlands.Criticalforattractingandprovidingfoodforbreedingducks,seasonalwetlandsfloodedinfallalsoprovideattractivehabitatformigratingdabblingducks.Inaddition,seasonalwetlandsintheupperreachesofwatershedsareamongthemost
effectivelandscapefeaturestoreducefloodingandimprovewaterquality.
Atechniquecalledmoistsoilmanagementcreatesseasonalwetlandhabitatthroughintensivewaterlevelmanagement.Muchofthescienceandinformationbehindmoist‐soilmanagementwasdevelopedbywaterfowlmanagersandresearchbiologistsinMissouri.OnJanuary9,2010,DNRCommissioner
MarkHolstencommittedtheMinnesotaDNRtoexpandingtheapplicationofmoistsoilmanagementinMinnesota.
Theprimarypurposeofthisguideistointroducewetlandmanagers,conservationpartners,policydevelopers,andfundingdecisionmakerstotheconceptsofmoistsoilmanagementandprovide
guidanceonthelocation,development,andmanagementofopportunitiesformoistsoilmanagementinMinnesota.Thisguideisaworkinprogress.AsmanagersandothermoistsoilmanagementpractitionersgainexperienceinMinnesota,theyareencouragedtosharetheirsuccessesandfailuresin
anefforttoconstantlyupdateandimprovethisdocument.
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CONTENTS
Preface..........................................................................................................................................................1
ExecutiveSummary ......................................................................................................................................6
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................7
MoistSoilTargets .........................................................................................................................................9
Background.................................................................................................................................................10
WhatisMoistSoilManagement? ..........................................................................................................10
HowisMoistSoilManagementTypicallyConducted?...........................................................................11
MoistSoilManagementinMinnesota .......................................................................................................13
SitingCriteriaforMoistSoilManagementinMinnesota .......................................................................15
Ownership ..............................................................................................................................................15
Location ..................................................................................................................................................15
Topography ............................................................................................................................................16
Soils ........................................................................................................................................................17
WaterSource..........................................................................................................................................17
ApplicableRegulations ...........................................................................................................................18
Cost.........................................................................................................................................................19
DesignConsiderations ................................................................................................................................20
DikesandBasinContouring....................................................................................................................20
BlindsandHunterDensity ......................................................................................................................21
Invasivespecies ......................................................................................................................................21
ManagingWater.....................................................................................................................................21
SpecialManagementConsiderations .........................................................................................................23
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Naturalseasonalwetlands .....................................................................................................................23
Naturalpermanentwetlandsandshallowlakes ....................................................................................23
MississippiRiverPools............................................................................................................................23
Drainedlakeorwetlandbasins ..............................................................................................................24
Farmedwetlandbasins ..........................................................................................................................24
AppendixA.CaseStudies ...........................................................................................................................26
Naturalseasonalwetlands .....................................................................................................................26
TealLakeWMA(ContributedbyRandyMarkl) ..................................................................................26
EldoradoWMA(ContributedbyKevinKotts).....................................................................................26
Drainedlakeorwetlandbasins ..............................................................................................................27
LinesWMA..........................................................................................................................................27
Farmedwetlandbasins ..........................................................................................................................27
WorkingLandsInitiative(CompletedbyRayNorrgard) .....................................................................27
AppendixB.OverviewofBaitingRegulations ............................................................................................29
WaterfowlHuntingandBaiting ..............................................................................................................29
WhatIsBaiting?......................................................................................................................................29
The10‐DayRule......................................................................................................................................29
WaterfowlHuntingonAgriculturalLands ..............................................................................................29
Planting...................................................................................................................................................30
Harvesting&Post‐HarvestManipulation...............................................................................................30
ManipulationofAgriculturalCrops ........................................................................................................31
WildlifeFoodPlots..................................................................................................................................31
OtherAgriculturalConcerns ...................................................................................................................31
HuntingOverNaturalVegetation...........................................................................................................31
ProblemAreas ........................................................................................................................................32
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FeedingWaterfowlandOtherWildlife...............................................................................................32
Distance ..............................................................................................................................................32
WhatisLegal?.........................................................................................................................................32
WhatisIllegal? .......................................................................................................................................33
TheHunter’sResponsibility....................................................................................................................33
OtherResponsibilities.............................................................................................................................34
OverviewofOtherRegulations ..............................................................................................................34
ExcerptsfromTitle50,CodeofFederalRegulations,Part20.21(i) ....................................................35
ForMoreInformation.............................................................................................................................36
IL,IN,IA,MI,MN,MO,OH,WI ...........................................................................................................36
AppendixC.RestAreaOptions...................................................................................................................37
SummaryofOptionsforIncreasingWaterfowlRestAreas ....................................................................37
RestrictingMotorizedWatercraft ..........................................................................................................37
LocalWaterSurfaceUseManagement ..............................................................................................37
WaterfowlFeedingandRestingAreas ...............................................................................................38
WildlifeManagementLake(DesignatedWildlifeLake)......................................................................38
RestrictingHunting .................................................................................................................................38
StateGameRefuge.............................................................................................................................38
RestrictingTrespass................................................................................................................................39
MigratoryWaterfowlSanctuary .........................................................................................................39
StateDuckSanctuary..........................................................................................................................40
StateWildlifeSanctuary .....................................................................................................................40
Whataboutvoluntaryrestrictions? .......................................................................................................40
ApplicableStatutes.................................................................................................................................40
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AppendixD.BoardofWaterandSoilResourcesPolicyforSiteManagementofConservationEasementLands ..........................................................................................................................................................50
AppendixE.Regulationsaffectingmoistsoilmanagement .......................................................................53
AppendixF.AdditionalInformation ...........................................................................................................57
SELECTEDMOISTSOILMANAGEMENT&RELATEDREFERENCES...........................................................57
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EXECUTIVESUMMARY
ThegreatestwetlandlossesinMinnesotaoccurinseasonalandtemporarywetlands.Theirsmallsizeandshallowdepthmadethemaneasytargetforconversiontoagricultureasearlyasthemid19thCentury.LossesinbothquantityandqualityhavecontinuedinMinnesotatothedetrimentof
waterfowl,shorebirds,andotherwetlandwildlifethatdependonthesewetlandsforsurvival.
Protectionthroughacquisitionandrestorationhasbeentheprimarystrategytoincreaseseasonalwetlandhabitat.Moistsoilmanagementisanothertooltohelpaddressthelossesinquantityandqualityofseasonalwetlands.Areasmanagedwithmoistsoilmanagementtechniquesaretypically
created,restored,orenhancedwetlandsthatareintensivelymanagedasshallowwaterseasonallyfloodedbasins1‐12inchesdeep.Thismanagementisintendedtoprovidehighenergyfoodresourcessuchasannualplantseedsandinvertebratesandoptimalfeedingconditionsfordabblingducksand
shorebirdswhenfloodedduringspringandfall.Reducingdisturbancethroughsanctuarieswillincreaseduckandshorebirduseofthesewetlands.
MoistsoilmanagementisnottotallynewtoMinnesota.Minnesotacurrentlyhasasmallamountofmoistsoilmanagementincorporatedintotheoverallmanagementofafewmajorwildlifemanagement
areas(lessthan300acresintotal).Inaddition,thenearlycompletedNorthOttawaProjectinGrantCountyhasopenedthedoortothepotentialofcombiningmoistsoilmanagementwithfloodreduction
efforts.
Ourshortergrowingseason,earlierfreeze‐update,andgreatermixofduckspeciesinourfallharvestpresentchallengestooptimizingthebenefitsofmoistsoilmanagementinMinnesota.However,thehabitatcomplexesprovidedbyourlargenumberofwildlifemanagementareas,waterfowlproduction
areas,andshallowlakescanprovideasynergywithmoistsoilmanagementthatwillbenefitbothduckproductionandhuntingopportunities.Inaddition,theconceptsofmoistsoilmanagementcanbeusedtohelpenhancethequalityofmorepermanentwetlandsincludingshallowlakesandMississippiRiver
pools.
IfadequateresourcesareavailabletheMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesintendstoworkwithourconservationpartnerstoadd10,000acresofpubliclyownedwetlandsmanagedasseasonalwetlandsusingmoistsoilmanagementtechniquesby2025.Inaddition,wewillapplymoistsoil
managementto20,000acresofwetlandswithinourcurrentwildlifemanagementareasystemandencouragethedevelopmentof5,000acresofmoistsoilmanagementsitesonprivatelandthroughpermanenteasementsandtechnicalassistance.
Establishmentcriteriawillincludeownership,location,topography,soils,watersource,applicable
regulations,andcost.
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INTRODUCTION
ThegreatestwetlandlossesinMinnesotaoccurinseasonalandtemporarywetlands.Theirsmallsizeandshallowdepthmadethemaneasytargetforconversiontoagricultureasearlyasthemid19th
Century.LossesinbothquantityandqualityhavecontinuedinMinnesotatothedetrimentofwaterfowl,shorebirds,andotherwetlandwildlifethatdependonthesewetlandsforsurvival.
Inthespringseasonalwetlandsarecriticallyimportantforattractingandsupportingbreedingwetlandbirds,includingducks,byprovidingabundantfood.Althoughtypicallywithoutsurfacewaterduringthe
summer,theycanprovideabundantfoodresourcesagaininthefalliffloodedbyautumnrains.Protectionthroughacquisitionandrestorationhasbeentheprimarystrategytoincreaseseasonalwetlandhabitat.
Moistsoilmanagementisanothertooltohelpaddressthelossesinquantityandqualityofseasonal
wetlands.Areasmanagedwithmoistsoilmanagementtechniquesaretypicallycreated,restoredorenhancedwetlandsthatareintensivelymanagedasshallowwaterseasonallyfloodedbasins1‐12inchesdeep.Thismanagementisintendedtoprovidehighenergyfoodresourcesandoptimalfeeding
conditionsfordabblingducksandshorebirdswhenfloodedduringspringandfall.Theannualplantstypicallygrowingduringthesummerdryperiodcanalsoprovideexcellentbroodhabitatforpheasantsandattractivefoodfordovesandsongbirds.
Moistsoilmanagementhasbeenusedeffectivelyinmanymid‐latitudestatessuchasMissourito
increaseduckuseduringspringandfallmigration,aswellasprovidehuntingopportunitiesduringthefall.PotentialbenefitsinMinnesotaaresomewhatdifferentthanthoseseeninthesemid‐latitudestatesduetoourshortergrowingseason,earlierfreeze‐update,andgreatermixofduckspeciesinour
fallharvest.
However,thehabitatprovidedbyourlargenumberofwildlifemanagementareas,waterfowlproductionareas,andshallowlakescanprovideasynergywithmoistsoilmanagementthatwillbenefit
bothduckproductionandhuntingopportunities.Inaddition,theconceptsofmoistsoilmanagementcanbeusedtohelpenhancethequalityofmorepermanentwetlandsincludingshallowlakesandthepoolsontheMississippiRiverbetweenlocksanddams.Planningforfuturemoistsoilmanagement
shouldincludetheseopportunities.
MoistsoilmanagementisnottotallynewtoMinnesota.Oneofthekeystrategiesinthe2001planRestoringMinnesota’sWetlandandWaterfowlHuntingHeritagewasthedevelopmentofmoistsoilmanagementsitestoimprovefallmigrationhabitat.TheDNR,U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceand
MinnesotaWaterfowlAssociationco‐sponsoredaprofessionalseminarin2003tointroduceMinnesotaconservationprofessionalstomoistsoilmanagementtechniques.
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Theneedforimprovedfallmigrationhabitatwasechoedinthe2006DuckRecoveryPlanasconcernmountedaboutfallduckuseandhuntersatisfaction.The2006planalsohighlightedtheimportantrole
ofseasonalwetlandsinwaterfowlproduction.Theplancalledforanadditional600,000acresofwetlandsconfiguredinwetlandhabitatcomplexesofatleast4squaremiles.Eachcomplexwouldbetargetedforaminimumof20%wetlandsand40%grassland.One‐halfoftheseadditionalwetlandacres
wererecommendedtobetemporaryandseasonalwetlands.
Minnesotacurrentlyhasasmallamountofmoistsoilmanagementincorporatedintotheoverallmanagementofafewmajorwildlifemanagementareas(lessthan300acresintotal).Inaddition,thenearlycompletedNorthOttawaProjectinGrantCountyhasopenedthedoortothepotentialof
combiningmoistsoilmanagementwithfloodreductionefforts.AlthoughwestillhavemuchtolearntheseareashaveprovidedvaluableinsightsintothepossibilitiesandthepotentiallimitationsofthismanagementinMinnesota.
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MOISTSOILTARGETS
OurpreliminarymoistsoilmanagementtargetsarebasedontheexperiencesofboththeMissouriDepartmentofConservationandtheMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,aswellaswetland
habitatobjectivesfromthe2006DuckRecoveryPlan.IfadequateresourcesareavailabletheMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesintendstoworkwithourconservationpartnerstoadd10,000acresofpubliclyownedwetlandsmanagedasseasonalwetlandsusingmoistsoilmanagement
techniquesby2025.Inaddition,wewillapplymoistsoilmanagementto20,000acresofwetlandswithinourcurrentwildlifemanagementareasystemandencouragethedevelopmentof5,000acresofmoistsoilmanagementsitesonprivatelandthroughpermanenteasementsandtechnicalassistance.
Thesetargetsshouldberevisitedasourcollectiveexperiencecontinuesandnewinformationbecomesavailable.
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BACKGROUND
WHATISMOISTSOILMANAGEMENT?
Moist‐soilmanagementsimulatesseasonalwetlandhydrologybyaddingandremovingwater,mostoftenartificially,inasystematicwaytomaximizefoodproductionforwaterfowlandshorebirds.An
areamanagedfor“moistsoil”isgraduallydewatered(drawndown)afterspring,slowlydriedduringthesummertoencourageseed‐producingannualwetlandplants,andre‐floodedinlatesummerorearlyfall.Theseannualseedproducingplantscanalsoprovidevaluablesummerbroodhabitatforpheasants
andattractivefoodsourcesfordovesandsongbirds.
Whenfloodedinearlyfall,theseedsarereadilyavailableformigratingbirds.Decomposingplantsprovideidealhabitatforaquaticinvertebrates,especiallyinthespringwhenwaterfowlandshorebirdsrequirethisimportantsourceofnutrition.Ideally,basinscanbedriedenoughduringsomegrowing
seasonstoperiodicallytillallorportionsofthesite.Soildisturbancehelpstomaintainproductivityofannualplants,controlsundesirableperennialvegetationincludinginvasivespecies,andcanbeusedinconjunctionwithcroppinginlieuofnaturalseedproduction.
TABLEA.CRITICALFACTORSFORSUCCESSFULMOISTSOILMANAGEMENT.
Thesuccessofmoist‐soilmanagementisdependentonsoiltype,topography,maintainingearlysuccessionalannualplants,thetimingofwaterlevelmanipulations,andannualmonitoringtoassessmanagementeffectiveness(TableA.Criticalfactorsforsuccessfulmoistsoilmanagement).Althoughnaturallyoccurringprecipitationandseasonalfloodingcanproduceresults,moreintensivemanagementisoftenrequiredinalteredlandscapes.Intheseinstances,themostconsistentsuccessisachievedwhenwaterlevelscanbepreciselycontrolledtoencouragemoist‐soilplantsandsubsequentlyprovidethedepthsmostattractivetofeedingwaterfowlandshorebirds.Theresponseofmoistsoilsitestowatermanagementchangeovertime.Annualmonitoringandadjustments(adaptivemanagement)arecriticaltosuccess.
Factor IdealConditionSoil HydricTopography Flattoverygentlyrolling.Individualpoolsorbasinsshouldhavelessthan1footof
fall.Unevenbottomsprovideanidealmixofdepthsforplantproductionandforaging.PlantSuccession
Earlysuccessionnativeannualplantsadaptedtoseasonalflooding.Examplesincludesmartweeds,wildmilletsandbeggartick.Amixofspeciesisideal.Plantedcropsincludemilletandcorn.
WaterLevels Depthsrangingfromsaturatedsoilto12inchesdeep.Floodinganddewateringshouldoccurverygradually,approximately1”aday.Dewateringshouldbeginduringthefirstthirdofthegrowingseason.
AdaptiveManagement
Useannualassessmentsofvegetativeresponseandbirdusetoadjustwaterlevelmanagementandsoildisturbance.
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HOWISMOISTSOILMANAGEMENTTYPICALLYCONDUCTED?
Traditionalmoistsoilmanagementsitesinmid‐latitudestatesaretypicallylocatedinthebroadfloodplainsofmajorrivers.Largepumpsandextensivedikesorleveesareintegralpartsofthedesign.Dikesfollowthetopographiccontourstomaximizetheamountofshallowwater.Openditchesadjacenttodikesareavoidedwhenatallpossibleduetomaintenanceissuescausedbymuskratsandbeaver.Publiclyownedareasareoftenquitelarge,manyinthethousandsofacres.Unlessthereisaspecialmanagementneedsuchascropping,moistsoilmanagementsitesarefloodedinthespringorretainwaterfromthepreviousfall.Waterishelduntillatespring,generallyMaythroughearlyJune.Thishelpspreventsomeundesirableplantsthatneeddryconditionstogerminate.FornorthernstateslikeMinnesota,drawdowns(dewatering)duringthefirstthirdofthegrowingseasontendtofavorsmartweeds.Drawdownsmidtolateinthegrowingseasonbenefitbeggartick,panicgrassesandcrabgrass.Drawdownsinbetweenthesetimesoftenproducewildmillets.Theseedsofalloftheseplantsarevaluabletowaterfowlandnoneofthemtypicallyrequireplanting.Waterlevelsshouldbeloweredataslowrate,graduallyexposingbottomsoilsoverafewweeks.Thisgeneralrule,however,dependsonsoiltype,temperature,precipitationpatterns,andmanagementcapabilities.Slowdrawdownspreventsoilsfromdryingtooquicklyandproduceagreatervarietyofdesirableplantsoverthesite.Morerapiddrawdowns(overafewdays)tendtoproduceextensivestandsofsimilarvegetation.Rapiddrawdownsareparticularlytroublesomeinmid‐summer.Thesoiltendstodrytooquickly,resultingincocklebur,cottonwoodseedlingsandotherundesirablespecies.Careshouldbetakentoavoidaregimented“cookbookrecipe”formoist‐soilmanagement.Eachbasinisuniqueandthewetlandmanagers’experienceandevaluationofvegetativeresponseareimportant.
Waterlevelsneedtobedrawndownearlierinthespring,andthesitesmaintaineddrier,ifcropssuchascornareplanted.Smallgrainswithashortergrowingseasonarenotasdemandingalthoughsoilsneedtobedryenoughfortillage.Installingacontrolleddrainagesystemwithpatterntilingcouldprovideadditionalflexibilityfordrawdownssincesoilmoisturecanbemorepreciselycontrolled.However,theadditionalinvestmentmustbebalancedwiththeexpectedbenefits.Themoreelaboratetheinfrastructurethegreaterthelong‐termcostfordevelopment,operation,andmaintenance.
Longdryperiodsduringsummerfavorundesirableplantspecies.Shallowflooding(irrigation)willstimulatedesirablemoist‐soilplantsandcansetbackorevenkillundesirablespecies.Moist‐soilplantsarenotadverselyaffectedbysummerfloodingaslongasone‐thirdofthegrowingplantisoutofthewater.Summerfloodingisnotbeneficialwhencropssuchascornareplanted.Plantspeciescompositionwillalsobeaffectedbythegeneralstateofannualplantsuccession.Perennialplantslikericecutgrass,reedcanarygrass,cattail,andwillowtendtoincreaseafterthreeormoreyearswithouttillageorothersoildisturbance.Manyoftheprolificseedproducingplantslikewildmilletandlargeseededsmartweedoccurinthefirstfewyearsofmanagementorfollowingsoildisturbance.
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Oftenthemosteffectiveapproachistoannuallyrotatethedisturbancetreatmentoverindividualcellsinthemanagementsitesothattheentiresitereceivestreatmentoverthreetofiveyears.Itmaybepossibletotargettheproductionofcropssuchascornduringyearswhendisturbanceisdesired.Invadingwoodyplantsandmanyotherundesirablespeciescanalsobetemporarilycontrolledbymowing.Mowingisespeciallyeffectivewhendesirablemoist‐soilplantsoccurunderrankcocklebur.Themowingwillremoveshadeandcompetition,andmoist‐soilplantswillbegingrowingrapidly,
especiallyifirrigated.
Mowingcanalsobeusedtoimprovedesirablemoist‐soilstandswhentheplantsbecometoodenseorreachheightsthatwillreducetheiravailabilitytomanywildlifespecies.Midsummermowingtoaheight
of18incheswillmaketheseareasmoreattractive,butmowingshouldbetimedtoensuremaximumseedproduction.Contrarytomowingormanipulatingcultivatedcrops,themowingofnativeplants,eventhosethathavealreadyproducedviableseed,isnotconsideredbaitingforwaterfowl(see
AppendixB.BaitingRegulationsforWaterfowlHunting).
MoistsoilmanagementsitesinnorthernstatesarefloodedfromlateAugusttolateSeptemberdependingonmanagementobjectives.Rowcropssuchascornshouldnotbefloodeduntilaftermaturationofthecrop.Aslow,continuousfloodingoftheunitwillprovideoptimumfeedingconditionsformanywetlandspeciesbygraduallyfloodingnewmarginsofthebasin.Floodingdepthsarecriticaltosuccess.Manyspeciesofwildlife,includingmostdabblingducks,preferwaterdepthsoflessthansixinchesandaslittleastwotothreeinches(Figure1.Preferredforagingdepthsofwaterbirds).Anydepthsover12inchesareundesirableunlessthereisaspecialmanagementneedsuchastargetingdivingduckuse.Generally,providingdivingduckhabitatismoreappropriatewithmanagementofsemipermanentandpermanentwetlandsandshallowlakes.
FIGURE1.PREFERREDFORAGINGDEPTHSOFWATERBIRDS.
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MOISTSOILMANAGEMENTINMINNESOTA
Mostmid‐latitudemoistsoilmanagementopportunitiesarefocusedonthefloodplainsoflargeriversliketheMissouriandMississippi.Withnearly20%ofMinnesotacoveredwithsurfacewaterourstatehasamuchbroaderdistributionofwetlandhabitat.Itclear,however,thatMinnesota’sremainingwetlandhabitatlacksadequatefoodresourcesforwaterfowl,shorebirdsandotherwetlandwildlife.Theshallowwetlandhabitatprovidedbyseasonalwetlandsandthemarginsofpermanentwetlandshasbeenlargelylosttoconversiontootherlandusesortakenoverbyinvasivespeciessuchashybridcattailthatprovidefewfoodresources.ADecember,2009reporttotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysuggeststhatmorethanhalfofourremainingprairiewetlandsareofpoorqualityasmeasuredbyplantandinvertebrateindices.Ourremainingwetlandandshallowlakeresources,however,doprovidepotentiallygreatergeographicflexibilityinconductingmoistsoilmanagementandgreateropportunitieswithinexistingwetlandhabitatcomplexestomaximizebenefits.WhilethepotentialsitesidentifiedformostsoilmanagementinMinnesotawilltypicallybemuchsmallerinsizethanthoseinthebroadfloodplainsofthelargeriversfurthersouth,wedohaveopportunitiesforlargerprojectsintheRedRiverValleyandtoalesserextentalongtheMinnesotaRiver.TheconceptsofmoistsoilmanagementhaveapotentiallywiderangeofapplicationsinMinnesota.Ononeendofthescalearerelativelylowcostprojectsenhancingexistingsmallwetlandbasinsorrestoringdrainedwetlandswiththeabilitytofloodordewaterdependingonthesituation.Attheotherendofthescalearelargewetlandrestorationsorimpoundmentscompletewithextensivedikeandpumpingsystems.Inbetweenarenaturalsemi‐permanentorpermanentwetlandssubjectedtointensivewaterlevelmanagementtoreduceundesirablefishandencourageannualplantandinvertebrateproduction.ThebasicconceptsofmoistsoilmanagementcanalsobeappliedtoshallowlakesandMississippiRiverpoolswhendrawdownsarebeingconductedtoimproveaquatichabitat.Althoughthesearenotmoistsoilmanagementsitespersay,theremaybeopportunitiestoachievesomeofthesamebenefitswhenthemanagementobjectivesandmoistsoilconceptsarecompatible.Allofthesesystemshavethesamebasicobjectiveofprovidingrichfoodsourcesthroughtheproductionofinvertebratesandaquaticplants.Moistsoilmanagementfocusesonasummerdrawdownperiodtopromotethegrowthofdesirableannualplantsandshallowwaterfloodinginfallandspringtoincreasetheavailabilityofseedsandinvertebratestodabblingducksandshorebirds.Insomecasespropermanagementofwaterlevelstopromoteaquaticfoodsourceswillnegativelyimpacttraditionalhunteraccess.Forexample,waterdepthssuitableformotorizedwatercraftarenotcompatiblewithmaximizingwaterfowlfoodavailabilitythroughmoistsoilmanagementtechniques.Anotherkeyelementinmoistsoilmanagementisperiodicdisturbancetosetbackplantsuccessiontofavorannualratherthanperennialplants.Thismaybeparticularlyimportantwhenfacedwithinfestationsbyinvasivespeciessuchashybridcattail,reedcanarygrass,andtheinvasiveformofphragmites.
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Themoistsoilareasthatarethemostattractivetowaterfowlarelocatedwithinornearwetlandhabitatcomplexesassociatedwithsometypeofsanctuaryfromdisturbance(Figure2.ExistingrefugeareasinMinnesota).Reduceddisturbancecanbeaccomplishedthrougharangeofrestrictionsincludingnomotorizeduse,nohunting,ornotrespassing(AppendixC.RestAreaOptions).Themosteffectiveatreducingdisturbancearenotrespassingregulationsthroughdesignatedsanctuaryonareasapproaching600acresinsize.Smallersanctuariescanbeeffectiveifthereareotherbarrierssuchaswater,topographyorlandusethatreducedistancetodisturbance.Sensitivitytodisturbanceisgreatestduringopenhuntingseasons,especiallyby migratingbirdsthathavenotestablishedlocalfeedingpatterns.
FIGURE2.EXISTINGREFUGESWITHCALCULATEDZONESOFINFLUENCE.Largemoistsoilmanagementprojects(1000+acres)canprovidebothsanctuaryandhuntingopportunities.Opportunitiestoprovidesanctuaryarenotabsolutelynecessaryforviableapplicationofmoistsoilmanagementtechniques;however,theattractivenessoftheseareastomigratingwaterfowlismuchgreaterwhentheyareprotectedfromdisturbance.Smallermoistsoilprojectscancontributesignificantlytoattractingandholdingmigratorywaterfowlwhentheyarepartofalargerhabitatcomplex.Adjacentornearbymanagedpublicorprivatewildlifeareasandshallowlakesprovidesupportinghabitatandtheopportunitytoestablisheffectivesanctuaryareasaswellashuntingopportunities.Whilewaterfowlhuntersurveyshavedocumentedthatcreatingrefugesisoneofthemostpopularmanagementstrategies,experienceshowsthatestablishingnewrefugesorsanctuariesismucheasierwherethereisnoestablishedpublichuntingtradition.Forexample,designationofnewlyacquiredlandsassanctuaryfacefarlessresistancethanareaspreviouslyopentopublichunting.Moistsoilmanagementisverycompatiblewithdesirestoreducedownstreamfloodingandimprovewaterquality.Floodreductionbenefitsareparticularlynoteworthyifmanagementsitesareallowedtodewaterinlatefallandearlywintertomaximizeretentionofspringrunoff.However,waterlevelsshouldnotmimicdeepermorepermanentwetlandsinlatesummerorfallbecauseoftheattractivenesstoturtlesseekingoverwinteringareas.Turtlessubjectedtodroppingwaterlevelsduringhibernationcanexperiencehighmortality.Bothfloodreductionandwaterqualitybenefitwhenearlysummerdewateringcanbeaccomplishedwithevaporationratherthancreatingrunoff.
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SITINGCRITERIAFORMOISTSOILMANAGEMENTINMINNESOTA
ThereareclearlyopportunitiestoexpandtheapplicationofmoistsoilmanagementinMinnesota.Theseopportunitiesincludeupgradingcurrentmoistsoilmanagementsitesonmajorwildlifemanagementareas(WMAs),developingadditionalmanagementsitesonmajorWMAs,takingadvantageofpotentialopportunitiesonsmallerWMAs,acquiringnewWMAsforthepurposeofdevelopingmoistsoilmanagement,acquiringordevelopingmanagementagreementswithexistingwildricepaddyoperations,workingwithwatershedmanagementorganizationstocombinemoistsoilmanagementwithfloodcontrolandwaterqualitybenefits,workingwithmunicipalitiesandotherstotransformdecommissionedwatertreatmentlagoonsintomoistsoilsites,andworkingwithlandownerstodevelopmoistsoilmanagementonprivateland.Existingownership,location,topography,soils,watersource,applicableregulations,andcostshouldallplayaroleinprioritizingdevelopmentopportunities.Carefulthoughtshouldbegiventohoweachofthesecriteriaapplytopotentialprojects.
OWNERSHIP
Existingandplannedownershipareimportantdeterminantsofprojectcostandbenefits.Sitescurrentlyinfederal,state,orlocalpublicownershippresentthefewestlegalobstaclestomanagementandhelpinsurealong‐termreturnoninvestments.Areasplannedforfeeacquisitionmustundergotheacquisitionprocessbeforemanagementcanproceed;however,thesesitespresumablyofferbetteropportunitiesfordramaticmanagementchanges,includingsanctuarystatus,sincetheybeginwitha“cleanslate”.Landsunderotherpublicownershipsuchaswatersheddistrictsandwatermanagementorganizationsmayprovideopportunitiesaswell.Theseasonalfloodingprovidedthroughmoistsoilmanagementcanbenefitotherwatermanagementobjectivessuchasfloodwaterreductionandimprovingwaterquality.Privatelandsmayalsoofferopportunitiesthrougheasements,costsharing,ormanagementagreements.TheseeffortswillmostofteninvolvetheU.S.NaturalResourceConservationService,MinnesotaBoardofWaterandSoilResources,andlocalSoilandWaterConservationDistricts.Opportunitiesincludewetlandrestorationandmanagement,sharecropping,managedsanctuaries,orsomecombinationofthese.EstablishedmanagementguidelinesforsitesunderBoardofWaterandSoilResourcesagreementsdoprovideopportunitiesformoistsoilmanagementalthoughaspecificsitemanagementplanwouldneedtobedeveloped(AppendixE).Otherregulationsandagreementsneedtobereviewedtoidentifyadditionalopportunitiesandbarrierstomoistsoilmanagementonprivateland.
LOCATION
Locationwilldeterminethepotentialoverallprojectbenefitstowildlife.Growingseasonsbecomeshorterandfreezeupdatesearlierasprojectlocationsmovenorth(Figure3.Typicalfreezeupdatesin
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Minnesota).Onalandscapelevel,siteswithinthePrairieParklandsProvinceareimportantbecauseofthegreaterlossoftemporaryandseasonalwetlandsinthatportionofthestateandtheproximitytotraditionalmigrationroutes(Figure4.ECSProvinceofMinnesota).ProjectsiteswithinportionsoftheTallgrassAspenParklandandEasternBroadleafForestProvincesaremorelikelytooccurwithinexistinghabitatcomplexesthatattractwaterfowlgiventhatlesshabitatlosshasoccurred.ProjectsitesintheLaurentianMixedForestmayfitwellinrelationtowaterfowluseofwildricelakesorcommercialwildricepaddies. FIGURE3.TYPICALFREEZEUPDATESINMINNESOTA FIGURE4.ECSPROVINCESOFMINNESOTAInanycase,siteslocatedwithinornearexistinghabitatcomplexesandshallowlakesaremorelikelytoprovidebenefitstothehuntingpublicaswellasbenefitstomigratingandbreedingbirds.Habitatcomplexesintheprairieandtransitionalforestzonesaredefinedasaminimumof4mi2with20%wetlandsand40%grasslandsbyarea.Complexesfallingshortoftheseminimumstypicallycontributelittletowaterfowlproductionobjectivesandinsomecasesserveaspopulationsinks.Inaddition,distancetolocalstaffcenterscanbecriticalformanagement.Traveltimesofmorethan60minutesroundtripareproblematicforintensivelymanagedprojectsthatrequiredailyattentionduringfloodingordewatering.Smallerprojectsrelyingonmorepassivemanagementsuchasevaporationrequirelessattention.However,overallthisisasignificantconcerngivencurrentstaffinglevelsandmovestowardsofficeconsolidation.
TOPOGRAPHY
Sitetopographyplaysacriticalroleindevelopingmoistsoilmanagementopportunities.Thebestsiteshavelessthanafootoffallacrosstheareatobeflooded.Whenevaluatingthesesitesitisbestto
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visualizeneededdikeconstructionalongtopographicalcontoursratherthanstraightlineboundaries.Althoughfollowingcontoursmayincreasethelengthofpotentialdikes,itmaximizestheeffectivepoolandinthelongrunmayprovidethebestcostbenefit.StatewideLiDARmappingtechnologywillsoonbeavailableon‐line.TheonefootcontoursthatLiDARprovideswillbeatremendousassetforinitialscopingofsites.However,on‐sitesurveysarestillanecessityforevaluationofpotentialsitesgiventheveryshallownatureofdesiredpools.ThemajorityofMinnesota’sexistingfederalandstatewildlifeareashavebeenestablishedinareasofrollingtohillyterrain.Althoughopportunitiestoapplymoistsoilmanagementtechniquesexistontheseunitsthesitesmaybelimitedinsize.Ontheotherhand,thesesmallerprojectstypicallyrequireminimalinfrastructuretobecomeoperational.Thebenefitsofmanysmallerprojectsarecumulativeandcanbeparticularlyvaluablewhentheyoccurwithinexistingwetlandhabitatcomplexes.TherearemanyareasalongtheMinnesotaRiver,smallerprairierivers,andtheRedRiverValleythathavetopographysuitableforlargermoistsoilmanagementprojectsites.Inaddition,previouslydrainedshallowlakebasinstypicallyhaveveryflatformerlakebottoms.Theseareasprovidethegreatestopportunitytocombinewildlifeobjectiveswithfloodreductionandwaterqualitybenefits.
SOILS
Themostappropriatesoilsformoistsoilmanagementarehydricsoilsorsoilsthathavelowpermeabilityorarestrictiveunder‐lyinglayer.Soilswithsilt,clay,orloamwillholdwaterandarewellsuitedforimpoundmentconstruction,whilesoilscomposedofcoarsesandorgravelaretooporoustoretainwaterandpoorlysuitedforimpoundments.Thesesoiltexturescanerodeorallowwaterseepagethatmayresultinleveedeterioration,highturbiditylevels,andincreasedcostsformaintainingwaterlevels.Sitesthathavesoilsthatarehydricdueonlytohighwatertablesmaynotbeappropriateifthesoilsareporousandwelldrained.Soilsurveysarecriticaltoevaluatingasiteforpotentialmoistsoilmanagement.Fortunately,Minnesotahasallofitscountysoilmapsavailableon‐line.Thesemapsaregreatresourcesforinitialsoildeterminations.On‐sitesamplingisaprerequisiteforsoundprojectplanning.
WATERSOURCE
Adependablesourceofsurfacewatertoallowforspringandfallfloodingisrequiredtomeettheintensivemanagementdemandsofmoistsoilmanagement.Forexample,the110acreKillenMoistSoilUnitattheLacquiParleWildlifeManagementArearequiresapproximately120milliongallonsofwatertoreachfullpool.Calculationsforneededwatersuppliesshouldbedoneinconsultationwithahydrologistwhiletakingintoaccountsoiltypeandexpectedlossestoevaporationandtranspiration.Gravityfedsystemsareclearlythemostdesirablefromacoststandpoint,however,theopportunitiesforsuchsystemsarelimited.Perchedwetlandsandshallowlakesareobviouspotentialsourcesofwater.Again,calculationsofpotentialwatervolumesfromthesetypesofsourcesneedtotakeintoaccounttheeffectsofsummerevaporationandsoilwettingloss.Itwillnotbeuncommonforsitestorequiretheuseofpumpstoachievefallfloodingobjectives.
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Theuseofportablepumpsratherthanpermanentinstallationsmaybeentirelyappropriate,particularlywhenmanaginganumberofsmallersiteswithinreasonabletraveldistance.Dieselpoweredpumpswithattachedintakeanddischargeunitsareobviouslythemostportablealthoughthepossibilityofportablepumpsthatcanbeconnectedtopermanentlyinstalledinfrastructureshouldalsobeconsidered.Thecostbenefitintermsofinstallation,longevity,operation,andresultsofthesealternativesneedtobecarefullyweighedinprojectdesign.Thelowestinitialcost,forexample,maybeoutweighedbythelong‐termoperatingcostsinfleetandstaff.Manyidentifiedopportunitieswillbeonsiteswithactivedrainagesystems.Whilemoistsoilmanagementmaybenefitratherthandetractfromafunctioningdrainagesystemitwillbeimportanttoworkwithadjacentlandownersandthelegalditchauthority,ifapplicable,toinsuretherearenolegalorpoliticalimpedimentstofuturemanagement.TheuseofgroundwaterforfloodingmoistsoilsiteswillnotbepermittedbytheDepartmentofNaturalResources.
APPLICABLEREGULATIONS
Anumberofregulationsmayapplytodevelopingandmanagingmoistsoilprojects.Developingmoistsoilmanagementopportunitiestypicallyinvolvestheremovalandplacementoffillforconstructionofdikesandwatercontrolstructures,thegradingordiscingofbottomsoils,appropriatingwaterforflooding,andthedischargeofwaterduringdrawdowns.Anyoneoralloftheseactivitiesmayrequirealocal,state,orfederalpermitdependingonthecircumstancesinvolved(AppendixE.Regulationsaffectingmoistsoilmanagement).Oneofthemostimportantdriversfordevelopmentpermitswillbewhetherornotthemanagementsiteisconsideredtobeajurisdictionalwetlandunderlocal,stateorfederallaw.Itisnotexpectedthattherewillbesignificantwaterqualityconcernswithmoistsoilmanagementsincethemanagementmimicsnaturalseasonalwetlanddynamics.Anyconcernswilllikelyfocusonpotentialchangestonutrientloadingandtheaccumulationofmethylmercuryfromfloodedsoils.Relyingasmuchaspossibleonevaporationtodewatermanagementsiteswillmaximizewaterqualitybenefits.Managersofmoistsoilmanagementsiteswillalsoneedtokeepinmindthefederalregulationsconcerningbaitingofwaterfowlduringthehuntingseason.Ingeneral,themanipulationofnaturalvegetationandthesimpleactoffloodingstandingcropsdoesnotconstitutebaiting.However,cropsharingagreementsorothereffortstoharvestsomeofthecropspriortofloodingmayraisebaitingissues.Baitingregulationsmayapplytowaterfowltakenoutsideofthebaitedareaiftheirbehaviorhasbeeninfluencedbyabaitedfield(AsummaryofbaitingregulationsandenforcementisincludedinAppendixB).AnyquestionsorconcernsthatbaitingregulationsmayaffecttheproposedmanagementshouldberesolvedthroughdiscussionswiththeDivisionofEnforcement.Thekeytominimizingandresolvingregulatoryissuesistoconsultwithlocalagencyrepresentativesearlyintheprojectplanningprocess.Determinationofexemptionsfrompotentiallyapplicableregulationsshouldbeclearlydocumentedandfiledwithintheprojectproposal.
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COST
BasedonthedevelopmentandmanagementcostsassociatedwithexistingmoistsoilmanagementinMinnesota,wecanexpectthattheinitialcostfordevelopment(notincludinglandacquisition)oftraditionalmoistsoilmanagementdesignsmaybeashighas$3,000/surfaceacreormoredependingonsitecharacteristicsandtheamountofinfrastructurerequiredtoachievethedesiredbenefits.Developingsmallerprojectswithgravityflowsystemswillsubstantiallyreducecostswhileincorporatingfloodreductionbenefitsintothedesignwilllikelyincreasecosts.Forexample,theBoisdeSiouxWatershedDistrictcurrentlyestimatesfloodreductioncostsatapproximately$1,000peracrefoot.Ontheotherhand,thetimedreleaseofwaterfromanexistingupstreamwatercontrolstructureonashallowlakeorwildlifeareamaynotincuranyadditionalinitialinvestment.Annualoperatingcostsandlong‐termmaintenancewillalsobehighlyvariable,butareexpectedtobenear$300/acrefortraditionalmanagementsitesincorporatingapumpingsystem.Additionalcostswillbeincurredwhenmoistsoilsitesareplantedwithcrops.MinnesotawilllikelydowelltoheedMissouri’sexperiencewithplantingcropsonmoistsoilareas.OvertimeMissourihasreducedtheplantingofcropstoonlyabout10%oftheirfloodedacreage.Managementrefinementsovertheyearshaveproventheattractivenessandnutritionalbenefitsofnaturalannualplants(TableB).TABLEB.NUTRITIONALVALUEOFMOISTSOILPLANTS
MoistSoilSeeds Inverts Acorns RowCrops
Protein + +++
Lipid ++ +++ +++
Minerals ++ ++
Vitamins ++ ++
Thisemphasisonnaturalplantsprovidesdiversehabitatthatbenefitsavarietyofspecies.Minnesota’scombinationofearlierfreezeupandgreatermixofspeciesintheharvestsuggeststhatnaturalannualplantswillprovidebroaderbenefitswhilestillattractingkeyspecies.Thatsaid,theneedforperiodicdisturbancetosetbacknaturalsuccessionevery3tofiveyearsprovidestheopportunity,ifdesired,toplantcropsforthatyearondisturbedsites.
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DESIGNCONSIDERATIONS
DIKESANDBASINCONTOURING
Theemphasisonshallowwaterduringbothspringandfalliscriticaltosuccessfulapplicationofmoistsoilmanagement.Whiledikeandstructuredesignmustmeetsafetyandlongevitystandards,therewillbemanycaseswheresufficientfreeboardcanbeprovidedandstillberelativelymodeststructures.Themaximumwaterdepthsshouldbecalculatedwithrecognitionofspringrunoff,thewatershedtobasinratio,andthetargetelevationsformanagement.Sitesprovidingfloodreductionbenefitsshouldbedesignedwiththosestressorsinmind.Dikedesignsthatareequaltoorgreaterthan6feetinheighthavetobereviewedbyDNRDamSafetystaffandwilllikelyrequireasafetypermitevenwhenthedikewillnotaffectpublicwaters.Moistsoilunitsinthefloodplainoflargeriversneedtobedesignedtohandleextendedfloodevents.Specialdesignconsiderationssuchasorientation,waveprotectionberms,armoring,floodways,andemergencyspillwaysshouldbeincorporatedintotheinitialconstructiontoavoidremedialrepairsaftertheprojectisinoperation.Windandwaveerosionwithinthebasinsarealsoimportantconsiderationsfordesign.Whenatfullpoolduringspringandfall,openwaterareaswilldevelopduetoheavywaterfowlgrazingandplantsenescence.Whitecapscanbecommononbasins,especiallyinNovember.Largermoistsoilmanagementprojectsshouldideallyhaveseveralimpoundmentsorcellsthatcanbeindependentlymanipulatedtopromotetheproductionofdifferentfoodstoattractdifferentgroupsofwildlife.Multiplebasinsalsoallowthemanagertostaggerthetimingandrateofdrawdownsbetweenindividualcellstopromotethegreatestdiversityofplants.Asimilarpatternshouldberepeatedwhentheindividualcellsarefloodedinthefall.Thelocationofdikesshouldideallyfollowtopographiccontourstomaximizepoolsizewhilemaintainingthetargetdepthsof1footorless.Thesecontourswilloftenprovidetheadditionalbenefitofpresentingamorenaturalappearingbasinwithadditionaledge.Althoughfollowingcontoursmayincreasethelengthofpotentialdikes,itmaximizestheeffectivepoolandinthelongrunmayprovidethebestcostbenefit.Theselecteddesignshouldbedrivenbytheprojectobjectives.Constructiondesignmustavoidremovingmaterialadjacenttotheproposeddikelocationsforbuildingmaterialifthatremovalwillcreateopenwaterthatwillattractmuskratsorbeaver.Theintegrityofdikescanbeunderminedbytunnelingandbankdenningactivities.Thesedeeperareascanalsobecomeproblemsourceareasforhybridcattailencroachmentandinvasivefishsurvival.Thetopographyoftheproposedbasinmaybesoflatthatcontouringisnecessarytoprovideadiversityofwaterdepths.Thisworkshouldbedoneafterthedikesareconstructedbutbeforeanyfloodingtakesplace.Carefullyconsidertheneedforthisgiventhatthemaximumtargetfloodingdepthisapproximately12inches.Tillagemaybeallthatisneededtocreatethedesiredvariability.
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BLINDSANDHUNTERDENSITY
Developingspecifichuntingorobservationblindlocationscanfacilitatethemanagementofbothusernumbersandlocation.Duringbottomcontouring,considertheestablishmentofdrylandcorridorsfromhighgroundtotheblindlocationtoallowforeasieraccessbyphysicallychallengedusers.Thedensityofestablishedblindswillvarysomewhatwiththesizeandconfigurationofthebasin.Ingeneralblindsshouldbespacednocloserthan200yardsapart.TheMissouriDepartmentofConservationavoidshunterdensitiesgreaterthanonepartyper40acresontheirmanagedunits.
INVASIVESPECIES
Invasivespeciessuchashybridcattail,reedcanarygrass,purpleloosestrife,andtheinvasiveformofphragmitieswillbemanagementchallengesonmoistsoilmanagementsites.Initialtreatmentshouldtakeplacebeforethemanagementpoolsareoperational.Insomecasescontrolmeasuresmaybenecessaryforseveralyearspriortoactivationofthewaterlevelmanagement.Inothercasescontrolmeasurescanbeincorporatedintoongoingmanagementplans.Avoidanydesignspecificationsthatwillcreatedeeperareasthatcannotbedewateredanddriedsufficientlytoallowcultivationwhennecessary.
MANAGINGWATER
Theremustbeasysteminplacetoefficientlyremovewatertofacilitatethesummerdrawdown.Inmostsituationsthenaturalslopeofthepoolandaproperlylocatedoutletstructureofadequatesizewillbeallthatisneeded.However,therewillbecaseswheresomethingmoreelaboratewillberequiredinordertodrythepoolsufficientlytoallowphysicaldisturbanceofthesoilortheplantingofcrops.Inthesecases,openditcheswithinthemanagementpoolshouldbeviewedwithcaution.Abetterapproachmightbetoinstallacontrolleddrainagesystemwithpatterntilingandanin‐linewaterlevelcontrolstructure.Anaddedbenefitofsuchasystemismoreprecisecontrolofsoilmoisturehorizons.Insomerarecasesapumpingsystemtoremovewaterwillberequired.Inmanycasesthebiggestdesignhurdletoovercomewillbetheinfrastructureandwatersourcetofacilitatefallflooding.Basedonexperienceitisfairtosayprecipitationwillrarelyarriveinaconvenientmanner.Gravityflowfromareliableupstreamsourceisthebestoptioninthosefewsituationswhereitisavailable.Pumpingsystemsprovidethemostrefinedcontrolwhenareliablesourceofsurfacewaterisavailable.Pumpsmustbeadequatelysizedfortheprojectrecognizingthatfloodingrateswillbeverygradual.Pumpssizedtoruncontinuouslyduringfloodingratherthanbeingturnedoffandonwillhavealongerlife.
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SPECIALMANAGEMENTCONSIDERATIONS
Inadditiontotraditionalapproachestomoistsoilmanagement,Minnesotahasanumberofopportunitiesfortheapplicationofsomeorallmoistmanagementtechniquesthatmaynotbereadilyapparent.Intakingadvantageoftheseopportunitiesitiscriticalthatthebasicconceptsofveryshallowwater,emphasisonannualplants,seasonalchangesinwaterlevels,andtheneedforreductionofdisturbancetofeedingbirdsbekeptinmind.ExamplesofthesemanagementeffortsarefoundinAppendixA.
NATURALSEASONALWETLANDS
TooofteninMinnesotathefewremainingseasonalwetlandsinalocalareawillbedominatedbycattail(usuallyhybrid)andreedcanarygrass.Ifthewaterregimeisreasonablyintact,themanagementthrustshouldbetoapplydisturbancetosetbackthesuccessionoftheemergentplantstomoistsoilannuals.Timelymowing,herbicideapplications,summerburns,grazing,ormechanicalsoildisturbanceareallpossibletreatments.Treatmentstoreducecattail,includingburning,shouldbeappliedpostfloweringinlateJulyorearlyAugustforthebestresults.Reedcanarygrassrespondsbesttotreatmentsinearlyfallasitresumesreplenishmentofrootsystems.Inaddition,naturalseasonalwetlandscanoftenbeenhancedbyartificiallyaddingwaterinthefallwithpumpingorgravityflow.
NATURALPERMANENTWETLANDSANDSHALLOWLAKES
Qualityissuesonpermanentwetlandsaregenerallyrelatedtothepresenceofundesirablefish.Bringingwaterlevelsdowninlatesummerwillallowturtlesandamphibianstolocatealternativehibernaculumwhileinsuringsignificantwinterkilloffish.Thelowerwaterlevelswillalsoprovideattractivefeedingconditionsforwaterfowlandshorebirds.Bringingthewaterlevelsbackupwithspringrunoffcanhelpavoidundesirableexpansionsofhybridcattailifthecattailiswellrooted.Thekeymoistsoilconceptstobeappliedaretheemphasisonshallowwaterdepthsandgradualchangesinwaterlevels(ideally1inch/day)duringdrawdownsandreflooding.Theadditionofpumpstothewaterlevelcontrolsystemscanprovideconsiderablygreaterprecisiontothewaterlevelmanagement.
MISSISSIPPIRIVERPOOLS
Overthelast10decadeapartnershipincludingMNDNR,WIDNR,U.S.FishandWildlifeService,andtheArmyCorpofEngineershavebeendoingwaterleveldrawdownprojectsonvariousMississippiRiverpoolscreatedbythelockanddamsystem.Theseprojectsareintendedtoimproveaquaticvegetation,andhavealsoresultedinsubstantiallyincreasedwaterfowluse.Whilethesearenottraditionalmoistsoilmanagementprojectstheydoprovidemanyofthesamebenefitswhenthedrawdownscanbetimedforlatespringandearlysummer.Thedrawdownsarechallengingtoachievebecauseofthecoordinationrequiredtoalternormaloperatingplansandtheeffectsofweather.
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DRAINEDLAKEORWETLANDBASINS
Thetraditionalapproachtotherestorationofdrainedwetlandandshallowlakebasinshasbeentoestablishrunoutelevationsascloseaspossibletohistoricallevels.Giventheneedforseasonalwetlandhabitat,considerationshouldalsobegiventousingthebasinrestorationtoprovidetheneededbalance(50%temporaryandseasonalwetlands)withintheexistingwetlandhabitatcomplex.Inmanycases,betterresponsebywetlandwildlife,floodwaterretention,andimprovedwaterqualitycanbeaccomplishedbymanagingthesitewithmoistsoilmanagementprinciplestoincreaseavailableseasonalwetlandhabitat.
FARMEDWETLANDBASINS
Previouslydrainedcroplandisrarelyconsideredanopportunityforwetlandmanagementwithoutceasingcropproductionandfullyrestoringthewetlandhydrology.However,itmayalsobepossibletoalsoconsiderthepartialrestorationoftemporaryandseasonalwetlandsonfarmedcroplandswhileimprovingcropproduction.Assistinglandownerswiththereplacementofopenditchoropentileinletdrainagesystemswithacontrolleddrainagesystememployingpatterntilingandin‐linecontrolstructurescanprovidesatellitetemporaryspringwetlandsinareaswheretheycontributetoexistingwetlandcomplexes.Forexample,thecostshareagreementcouldincludethecommitmentofthelandownertoretainwateruntilMay1stfiveoutoftenyears.Thebenefittothelandownerisimprovedsoildrainagewhilethebenefittowildlifeisthefoodprovidedbyfloodedharvestedcropland.
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Appendix
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APPENDIXA.CASESTUDIES‐SPECIALMANAGEMENTCONSIDERATIONS
NATURALSEASONALWETLANDS
TEALLAKEWMA Ownership:MnDNR
Location:Section30‐T104N‐R36W,DelafieldTwp,JacksonCounty.ApproximatelytwomilessouthoftheTownofWilder,MN.
Type:NaturalSeasonalBasin
HabitatComplex:Locatedwithinthe120acreTealLakeWMAandadjacenttothemorethan1700acreTimberLakeWMA/WPAcomplex.Itisalsowithin2milesofHeronLake.
StaffingCenter:WindomAreaDNRofficeislocatedapproximately10milesfromthewetland.Other
laborandequipmentneedsareprovidedbytheTalcotWMAunitheadquartersapproximately20milesaway.
SiteTopography:Thewetlandbottomisslightlyirregularwithchangesofapproximatelyonefoot.
Soils:ClayLoamNinety‐acreTealLakewithawatershedofapproximately800acres.FarmershadusedTealLakesincethe1930’sasastorageareaforagdrainagewatercomingfromtheirtilelines.Waterwasdischargedfromthelakeonlywhenthe10‐inchtileoutletcouldhandleitandnodownstream
floodingofagriculturalcropsoccurred.Anyremainingwaterinthelake,aboveacertainelevation,wasthendrainedoutaftercropharvesttomaximizestoragepotentialforthefollowingyear.
Neededinfrastructure:Controlstructureonthewetlandwasinstalledin2006.NewstructuresforTealLakeareplannedforthefuturetoallowcompletedrawdownofthelakeandstillallowsomedischargethruthiswetland.
Applicableregulations:ThisisarestoredwetlandlocatedonaWMA.Thereforethereisconsiderablelegallatitudeinwaterlevelmanagement.
ELDORADOWMA Ownership:MNDNR
Location:Section13,EldoradoTownship,PopeCounty
Type:NaturalSeasonalBasin
HabitatComplex:SeveralWMAs,WPAsandWRPsitesoccurwithin4squaremiles.TheEldoradoWMAis300acres.Therewerethreetreatedseasonalwetlandscoveringapproximately10acres.
StaffingCenter:45miles(Ihour)fromtheareawildlifeoffice
SiteTopography:Flat.
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Soils:Hydric
WaterSource:Precipitation
NeededInfrastructure:Noadditionalinfrastructurewasrequired.Thebasinsweretreatedbyhayingin2007andmowingin2010.Themowingwasonlypartiallysuccessfulduetowetconditions.Mid‐summercuttingwouldbethemostadvantageousforencouragingannualmoistsoilplants.
ApplicableRegulations:None
Cost:Thehayingincurrednodirectcosts.Mowingwasaccomplishedatarateof$60/hourcovering2‐3acres/hour.
DRAINEDLAKEORWETLANDBASINS
LINESWMAOwnership:MNDNR
Location:Section23,T113N,R40W,LucasTownship,LyonsCounty
Type:DrainedWetlandBasin
HabitatComplex:TherearesixWMAswithin2milesofLinesWMA.LinesWMAis572acreswithamixtureofemergentwetland,grasslandandcropland.Themanagedbasinisadrained51acreshallowlakethatwillbetypicallyfloodedseasonallytocover33acres.
StaffingCenter:Thesiteis21milesfromtheareawildlifeoffice.
SiteTopography:Flat
Soils:Hydric
WaterSource:Countyditchesandprecipitation.ThereisalsothepossibilityofcapturingrunofffromLadySlipperLake.
NeededInfrastructure:TheoutlettilefromthebasinisfittedwithanAgridrainplasticwatercontrolstructure.
ApplicableRegulations:None,althoughtheLyonCountyboardwasbriefedontheplannedinstallation.
Cost:TBA
FARMEDWETLANDBASINS
WORKINGLANDSINITIATIVE Ownership:Private,BrentOlsonLocation:Sections1‐5,8‐11&14‐23,OtreyTownship,BigStoneCountyType:FarmedWetlandBasinHabitatComplex:Twodrainedwetlandbasins(5acresand10acres)withina14mi2areaofpredominatelyprivatelandwithalandusedominatedbyrowcropping,withsomesmallgraincrop,alfalfahayingandcattlegrazingpractices.ThereareseveralWPAsandWMAswithinthefocusarea,as
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wellasFWShabitateasementsandgrasslandeasements.SomeprivatewetlandsandgrasslandshavetemporaryprotectionunderFederalConservationPrograms.TheareaiswithintheMNRiverLCMRCorridorandalsoidentifiedbyDNRandFWSthunderstormmodelingashighestPriorityWetlandandGrasslandConservationrankings.StaffingCenter:32milestoLacquiParleWMAheadquarters.SiteTopography:Flat.Soils:Hydric.WaterSource:Precipitationandcontributingrunoff.NeededInfrastructure:Replaceexistingtilewithpatterntileandtilegates(watercontrolstructures).UnderaUSFWSPartnersforFishandWildlifeagreement,thelandowneragreestoclosethetilegatesaftercompletionoffalltillage.Onyearswhenthetiledwetlandsaretobeplantedtosoybeans(roughly5timesduringthe10yearagreementforeachwetland)heleavesthegatescloseduntilMay1.ThelandownerhastheoptionofeitherleavingopenorclosingthegatesuntilearlyAprilonyearswhenthedrainedwetlandsareplantedtocropsotherthansoybeans.Theneteffectwouldbetochangethefunctionofthesewetlandsfromafullydrainedstatetoactingasephemeralwetlandsroughly5yearsoutof10.ApplicableRegulations:None.Thetwobasinswerepreviouslydrainedandconvertedtocropland.Cost:$19,000(Landownercontributed$10,000ofthetotal,USFWScontributed$9,000)
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APPENDIXB.OVERVIEWOFBAITINGREGULATIONS
WATERFOWLHUNTINGANDBAITING
WaterfowlandothermigratorybirdsareanationalresourceprotectedundertheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct.Huntingwaterfowlisapopularsportinmanypartsofthecountry.FederalandStateregulationshelpensurethatthesebirdscontinuetothrivewhileprovidinghuntingopportunities.
Federalbaitingregulationsdefinekeytermsforhuntersandlandmanagers,andclarifyconditionsunder
whichyoumaylegallyhuntwaterfowl.Asawaterfowlhunterorlandmanager,itisyourresponsibilitytoknowandobeyallFederalandStatelawsthatgovernthesport.StateregulationscanbemorerestrictivethanFederalregulations.
Waterfowlbaitingregulationsapplytoducks,geese,swans,coots,andcranes.
Federalregulationsaremorerestrictiveforwaterfowlhuntingthanforhuntingdovesandother
migratorygamebirds.YoushouldcarefullyreviewtheFederalregulations.Youmayalsowanttocheckourinformationondovehuntingandbaiting.
WHATISBAITING?
Youcannothuntwaterfowlbytheaidofbaitingoronoroveranybaitedareawhereyouknoworreasonablyshouldknowthattheareaisorhasbeenbaited.
Baitingisthedirectorindirectplacing,exposing,depositing,distributing,orscatteringofsalt,grain,or
otherfeedthatcouldlureorattractwaterfowlto,on,oroveranyareaswherehuntersareattemptingtotakethem.
Abaitedareaisanyareaonwhichsalt,grain,orotherfeedhasbeenplaced,exposed,deposited,
distributed,orscattered,ifthatsalt,grain,orfeedcouldserveasalureorattractionforwaterfowl.
THE10‐DAYRULE
Abaitedarearemainsofflimitstohuntingfor10daysafterallsalt,grain,orotherfeedhasbeencompletelyremoved.Thisrulerecognizesthatwaterfowlwillstillbeattractedtothesameareaevenafterthebaitisgone.
WATERFOWLHUNTINGONAGRICULTURALLANDS
Agriculturallandsofferprimewaterfowlhuntingopportunities.Youcanhuntwaterfowlinfieldsofunharvestedstandingcrops.Youcanalsohuntoverstandingcropsthathavebeenflooded.Youcanfloodfieldsaftercropsareharvestedandusetheseareasforwaterfowlhunting.
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Thepresenceofseedorgraininanagriculturalarearulesoutwaterfowlhuntingunlesstheseedorgrainisscatteredsolelyastheresultofanormalagriculturalplanting,normalagriculturalharvesting,
normalagriculturalpost‐harvestmanipulation,ornormalsoilstabilizationpractice.
TheseactivitiesmustbeconductedinaccordancewithrecommendationsoftheStateExtensionSpecialistsoftheCooperativeStateResearch,Education,andExtensionServiceoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(CooperativeExtensionService).
PLANTING
Anormalagriculturalplantingisundertakenforthepurposeofproducingacrop.TheFishandWildlifeServicedoesnotmakeadistinctionbetweenagriculturalfieldsplantedwiththeintenttoharvestacropandthoseplantedwithoutsuchintentsolongastheplantingisinaccordancewithrecommendationsfromtheCooperativeExtensionService.
Normalagriculturalplantingsdonotinvolvetheplacementofseedsinpilesorotherheavy
concentrations.Relevantfactorsincluderecommendedplantingdates,properseeddistribution,seedbedpreparation,applicationrate,andseedviability.
Anormalsoilstabilizationpracticeisaplantingforagriculturalsoilerosioncontrolorpost‐mininglandreclamationconductedinaccordancewithrecommendationsoftheCooperativeExtensionService.
Landsplantedbymeansoftopsowingoraerialseedingcanonlybehuntedifseedsarepresentsolelyas
theresultofanormalagriculturalplantingornormalsoilstabilizationpractice(seesectiononwildlifefoodplots).
HARVESTING&POST‐HARVESTMANIPULATION
Anormalagriculturalharvestisundertakenforthepurposeofgatheringacrop.Ingeneral,thepresenceoflongrows,piles,orotherheavyconcentrationsofgrainshouldraisequestionsaboutthe
legalityoftheareaforwaterfowlhunting.
Anormalpost‐harvestmanipulationfirstrequiresanormalagriculturalharvestandremovalofgrainbeforeanymanipulationofremainingagriculturalvegetation,suchascornstubbleorricestubble.
Tobeconsiderednormal,anagriculturalplanting,agriculturalharvesting,andagriculturalpost‐harvest
manipulationmustbeconductedinaccordancewithrecommendationsoftheCooperativeExtensionService(i.e.,plantingdates,applicationrates,etc.).However,theFishandWildlifeServicewillcontinuetomakefinaldeterminationsaboutwhethertheserecommendationswerefollowed.
Huntersshouldbeawarethatnormalharvestingpracticescanbeuniquetospecificpartsofthecountry.
Forexample,swathingwheatcropsisapartofthenormalharvestingprocessrecommendedbytheCooperativeExtensionServiceinsomeareasoftheupperMidwest.Duringthisprocess,wheatiscut,placedintorows,andleftinthefieldforseveraldaysuntilitdries.Huntingwaterfowloveraswathed
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wheatfieldduringtherecommendeddryingperiodislegal.Itisillegaltohuntwaterfowloverswathedwheatthatbecomesunmarketableorthatisleftinthefieldpasttherecommendeddryingperiod
becausethesesituationsarenotnormalharvests.
MANIPULATIONOFAGRICULTURALCROPS
Youcannotlegallyhuntwaterfowlovermanipulatedagriculturalcropsexceptafterthefieldhasbeensubjecttoanormalharvestandremovalofgrain(i.e.,post‐harvestmanipulation).
Manipulationincludes,butisnotlimitedto,suchactivitiesasmowing,shredding,discing,rolling,chopping,trampling,flattening,burning,orherbicidetreatments.Grainorseedwhichispresentasa
resultofamanipulationthattookplacepriortoanormalharvestisbait.Forexample,nohuntingcouldlegallyoccuronoroverafieldwhereacorncrophasbeenknockeddownbyamotorizedvehicle.Kernelsofcornwouldbeexposedand/orscattered.
If,forwhateverreason,anagriculturalcroporaportionofanagriculturalcrophasnotbeenharvested
(i.e.,equipmentfailure,weather,insectinfestation,disease,etc.)andthecroporremainingportionofthecrophasbeenmanipulated,thentheareaisabaitedareaandcannotbelegallyhuntedforwaterfowl.Forexample,nowaterfowlhuntingcouldlegallyoccuronoroverafieldofsweetcornthat
hasbeenpartiallyharvestedandtheremaindermowed.
WILDLIFEFOODPLOTS
Youcannotlegallyhuntwaterfowloverfreshlyplantedwildlifefoodplotswheregrainorseedhasbeen
distributed,scattered,orexposedbecausetheseplotsarenotnormalagriculturalplantingsornormalsoilstabilizationpractices.Wildlifefoodplotsmaybeconsideredanormalagriculturalpractice,butthey
donotmeetthedefinitionofanormalagriculturalplanting,harvest,post‐harvestmanipulation,oranormalsoilstabilizationpractice.
OTHERAGRICULTURALCONCERNS
Youcannothuntwaterfowlonoroverareaswherefarmersfeedgraintolivestock,storegrain,orengageinothernormalagriculturalpracticesthatdonotmeetthedefinitionofanormalagricultural
planting,harvest,orpost‐harvestmanipulation.
HUNTINGOVERNATURALVEGETATION
Naturalvegetationisanynon‐agricultural,native,ornaturalizedplantspeciesthatgrowsatasiteinresponsetoplantingorfromexistingseedsorotherpropagules.
Naturalvegetationdoesnotincludeplantedmilletbecauseofitsuseasbothanagriculturalcropandaspeciesofnaturalvegetationformoistsoilmanagement.However,plantedmilletthatgrowsonitsown
insubsequentyearsisconsiderednaturalvegetation.
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Ifyourestoreandmanagewetlandsashabitatforwaterfowlandothermigratorybirds,youcanmanipulatethenaturalvegetationintheseareasandmakethemavailableforhunting.
Naturalvegetationdoesnotincludeplantsgrownasagriculturalcrops.Undernocircumstancescanyou
huntwaterfowlovermanipulatedcropspriortoanormalharvest.Norcanyouhuntwaterfowlovermanipulatedwildlifefoodplotsormanipulatedplantingsforsoilstabilization.
PROBLEMAREAS
FEEDINGWATERFOWLANDOTHERWILDLIFE
Manypeoplefeedwaterfowlforthepleasureofbirdwatching.Itisillegaltohuntwaterfowlinanareawheresuchfeedinghasoccurredthatcouldlureorattractmigratorygamebirdsto,on,oroveranyareawherehuntersareattemptingtotakethem.The10‐dayruleappliestosuchareas,andanysalt,grain,orfeedmustbegone10daysbeforehunting.Theuseofsandandshellgritisnotprohibited.
Insomeareas,itisalegalhuntingpracticetoplacegraintoattractsomeState‐protectedgamespecies
(i.e.,white‐taileddeer).Buttheseareaswouldbeillegalforwaterfowlhunting,andthe10‐dayrulewouldapply.
DISTANCE
Howclosetobaitcanyouhuntwithoutbreakingthelaw?Thereisnosetdistance.Thelawprohibitshuntingifbaitispresentthatcouldlureorattractbirdsto,on,oroverareaswherehuntersareattemptingtotakethem.Distancewillvarydependingonthecircumstancesandsuchfactorsastopography,weather,andwaterfowlflightpatterns.Therefore,thisquestioncanonlybeansweredonacase‐by‐casebasis.
WHATISLEGAL?
Youcanhuntwaterfowlonoroverorfrom:
• Standingcropsorfloodedstandingcrops,includingaquaticplants.• Standing,flooded,ormanipulatednaturalvegetation.• Floodedharvestedcroplands.• Landsorareaswheregrainshavebeenscatteredsolelyastheresultofanormalagricultural
planting,harvesting,orpost‐harvestmanipulation.• Landsorareaswheretop‐sownseedshavebeenscatteredsolelyastheresultofanormal
agriculturalplanting,oraplantingforagriculturalsoilerosioncontrolorpost‐mininglandreclamation.
• Ablindorotherplaceofconcealmentcamouflagedwithnaturalvegetation.• Ablindorotherplaceofconcealmentcamouflagedwithvegetationfromagriculturalcrops,
providedyouruseofsuchvegetationdoesnotexpose,deposit,distributeorscattergrainorotherfeed.
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• Standingorfloodedstandingcropswheregrainisinadvertentlyscatteredsolelyastheresultofhuntersenteringorleavingthearea,placingdecoys,orretrievingdownedbirds.Huntersarecautionedthatwhileconductingtheseactivities,anyintentionalscatteringofgrainwillcreateabaitedarea.
WHATISILLEGAL?
Someexamplesofareaswhereyoucannothuntwaterfowlinclude:
• Areaswheregrainorseedhasbeentop‐sownandtheCooperativeExtensionServicedoesnotrecommendthepracticeoftopsowing(seesectiononwildlifefoodplots).
• CropsthathavebeenharvestedoutsideoftherecommendedharvestdatesestablishedbytheCooperativeExtensionService(includinganysubsequentpost‐harvestmanipulations).
• Unharvestedcropsthathavebeentrampledbylivestockorsubjectedtoothertypesofmanipulationsthatdistribute,scatter,orexposegrain
• Areaswheregrainispresentandstored,suchasgrainelevatorsandgrainbins.• Areaswheregrainispresentforthepurposeoffeedinglivestock.• Freshlyplantedwildlifefoodplotsthatcontainexposedgrain.• Croplandswhereacrophasbeenharvestedandtheremovedgrainisredistributedor“added
back”ontotheareawheregrown.
THESEEXAMPLESDONOTREPRESENTANALL‐INCLUSIVELISTOFWATERFOWLBAITINGVIOLATIONS.
THEHUNTER’SRESPONSIBILITY
Asawaterfowlhunter,youareresponsiblefordeterminingwhetheryourproposedhuntingareaisbaited.Beforehunting,youshould:
• FamiliarizeyourselfwithFederalandStatewaterfowlhuntingregulations.
• Askthelandowner,yourhostorguide,andyourhuntingpartnersiftheareahasbeenbaitedandinspecttheareaforthepresenceofbait.
• Suspectthepresenceofbaitifyouseewaterfowlfeedinginaparticularareainunusuallylarge
concentrationsordisplayingalackofcaution.• Lookforgrainorotherfeedinthewater,alongtheshore,andonthefield.Payparticular
attentiontothepresenceofspilledgrainonharvestedfieldsandseedsplantedbymeansoftop
sowing.• Confirmthatscatteredseedsorgrainsonagriculturallandsarepresentsolelyastheresultofa
normalagriculturalplanting,normalagriculturalharvesting,normalagriculturalpost‐harvestmanipulation,ornormalsoilstabilizationpracticebyconsultingtheCooperativeExtensionService.
• Abandonthehuntingsiteifyoufindgrainorfeedinanareaandareuncertainaboutwhyitisthere.
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OTHERRESPONSIBILITIES
Ifyoupreparelandsforhunting,participateinsuchpreparations,ordirectsuchpreparations,itisimportantforyoutoknowandunderstandwhatpracticesconstitutebaiting.Youshouldknowwhat
activitiesconstitutebaitingandwhenlandsorotherareaswouldbeconsideredbaitedbeforesuchareasarehunted.Ifyoubaitordirectthatanareabebaitedandallowwaterfowlhuntingtoproceed,youriskbeingchargedwithanoffensethatcarriessignificantpenalties.
OVERVIEWOFOTHERREGULATIONS
AdditionalFederalandStateregulationsapplytowaterfowlhunting,includingthosesummarizedbelow.
Illegalhuntingmethods.Youcannothuntwaterfowl:
• Withatrap,snare,net,rifle,pistol,swivelgun,shotgunlargerthan10gauge,puntgun,batterygun,machinegun,fishhook,poison,drug,explosive,orstupefyingsubstance.
• Fromasinkboxoranyotherlowfloatingdevicethatconcealsyoubeneaththesurfaceofthe
water.• Fromamotorboatorsailboat,unlessyoushutthemotorofforfurlthesailandthevesselisno
longerinmotion.
• Usinglivebirdsasdecoys.• Whilepossessinganyshototherthanapprovednontoxicshot.• Fromorbymeans,aid,oruseofanymotorvehicle,motor‐drivenlandconveyance,oraircraft(if
youareaparaplegicoraremissingoneorbothlegs,youmayhuntfromastationarycarorotherstationarymotor‐drivenlandvehicleorconveyance).
• Usingrecordedorelectricallyamplifiedbirdcallsorsounds,orimitationsofthesecallsand
sounds• Withashotgunthatcanholdmorethanthreeshells,unlessyouplugitwithaone‐piecefiller
thatcannotberemovedwithoutdisassemblingthegun.
(Thelattertworestrictionsdonotapplyduringlight‐goose‐onlyseasonsincertainauthorizedareasoftheCentralandMississippiFlyways.)
Shootinghours.Youcannothuntwaterfowlexceptduringthehoursopentoshooting.
Closedseason.Youcannothuntwaterfowlduringtheclosedseason.
Dailybaglimit.Youcantakeonlyonedailybaglimitinanyoneday.Thislimitdeterminesthenumberofwaterfowlyoumaylegallyhaveinyourpossessionwhileinthefieldorwhileinroutebacktoyourcar,
huntingcamp,home,orotherdestination.
Wantonwaste.Youmustmakeareasonableefforttoretrieveallwaterfowlthatyoukillorcrippleandkeepthesebirdsinyouractualcustodywhileinthefield.Youmustimmediatelykillanywoundedbirdsthatyouretrieveandcountthosebirdstowardyourdailybaglimit.
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Tagging.Youcannotputorleavewaterfowlatanyplaceorinthecustodyofanotherpersonunlessyoutagthebirdswithyoursignature,address,numberofbirdsidentifiedbyspecies,andthedateyoukilled
them.
Rallying.Youcannothuntwaterfowlthathavebeenconcentrated,driven,rallied,orstirredupwithamotorizedvehicleorsailboat.
Dressing.Youcannotcompletelyfield‐dresswaterfowlbeforetakingthemfromthefield.Theheadoronefully‐featheredwingmustremainattachedtothebirdswhileyoutransportthemtoyourhomeor
toafacilitythatprocesseswaterfowl.
Dualviolation.AviolationofaStatewaterfowlhuntingregulationisalsoaviolationofFederalregulations.
Duckstamp.Ifyouare16orolder,youmustcarryonyourpersonanunexpiredFederalmigratorybirdhuntingandconservationstamp.Youmustvalidateyourduckstampbysigningitininkacrosstheface
beforehunting.
MigratoryBirdHarvestInformationProgram(HIP).UnlessexemptfromlicenserequirementsintheStatewhereyouarehunting,youmustenrollintheHIPandcarryproofofcurrentenrollmentwhilehunting.
Protectedbirds.Federallawprohibitsthekillingofnon‐gamemigratorybirds.Protectedbirdsthatyoucouldencounterwhilewaterfowlhuntingincludesongbirds,eagles,hawks,owls,vultures,herons,
egrets,andwoodpeckers.
Bandedbirds.WaterfowlhuntersareencouragedtoreportbandedbirdstotheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicetoll‐freebirdbandreporthotlineat1‐800/327‐2263.
EXCERPTSFROMTITLE50,CODEOFFEDERALREGULATIONS,PART20.21(I)
Nopersonsshalltakemigratorygamebirds:
(i)Bytheaidofbaiting,oronoroveranybaitedarea,whereapersonknowsorreasonablyshouldknow
thattheareaisorhasbeenbaited.However,nothinginthisparagraphprohibits:
(1)Thetakingofanymigratorygamebird,includingwaterfowl,coots,andcranes,onoroverthefollowinglandsorareasthatarenototherwisebaitedareas‐‐
(i)Standingcropsorfloodedstandingcrops(includingaquatics);standing,flooded,ormanipulated
naturalvegetation;floodedharvestedcroplands;orlandsorareaswhereseedsorgrainshavebeenscatteredsolelyastheresultofanormalagriculturalplanting,harvesting,post‐harvestmanipulationornormalsoilstabilizationpractice;
(ii)Fromablindorotherplaceofconcealmentcamouflagedwithnaturalvegetation;
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(iii)Fromablindorotherplaceofconcealmentcamouflagedwithvegetationfromagriculturalcrops,aslongassuchcamouflagingdoesnotresultintheexposing,depositing,distributingorscatteringofgrain
orotherfeed;or
(iv)Standingorfloodedstandingagriculturalcropswheregrainisinadvertentlyscatteredsolelyasaresultofahunterenteringorexitingahuntingarea,placingdecoys,orretrievingdownedbirds.
(2)Thetakingofanymigratorygamebird,exceptwaterfowl,cootsandcranes,onoroverlandsorareasthatarenototherwisebaitedareas,andwheregrainorotherfeedhasbeendistributedorscattered
solelyastheresultofmanipulationofanagriculturalcroporotherfeedonthelandwheregrown,orsolelyastheresultofanormalagriculturaloperation.
FORMOREINFORMATION
Ifyouhaveadditionalquestionsaboutwaterfowlhuntingandthelaw,contactthenearestU.S.FishandWildlifeServicelawenforcementofficeoroneoftheService’sregionallawenforcementofficeslisted
below.YoushouldalsoconsulttheappropriateStateconservationagencytodeterminewhatStateregulationsapply.
IL,IN,IA,MI,MN,MO,OH,WI
U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceOfficeofLawEnforcementP.O.Box45,FederalBuildingFortSnelling,Minnesota55111‐0045
Telephone:612/713‐5320
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APPENDIXC.RESTAREAOPTIONS
SUMMARYOFOPTIONSFORINCREASINGWATERFOWLRESTAREAS
Thereareseveralmanagementapproachesavailablethroughourpresentlegalsystem.Forthepurposesofthisdiscussiontheseapproachesaregroupedbytheirprimaryimpactontheuser.Theimpactsarerestrictingmotorizeduse,restrictinghuntingandrestrictingtrespass.Thestatutesprovidingthelegal
frameworkforthesemanagementoptionsarepresentedattheendofthedocument.
RESTRICTINGMOTORIZEDWATERCRAFT
LOCALWATERSURFACEUSEMANAGEMENT
Purpose:Imposerestrictionswhereappropriateonspeed,traveldirection,motortypeandsize,ortimeandareazoning.Mostoftenusedtoaddresssafetyconcernsalthoughmaybeusedtoreducedisturbancetowildlife.
Procedure:Citizenconcernsarebroughttothelocalunitofgovernmentwherethelakeorriverislocated.Proposedordinancesaresubjecttoalocalpublichearingandapprovalbythelocalunitofgovernment.MustalsobeapprovedbytheDepartmentofNaturalResources.OrTheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesmayrestrictmotorizeduseonlakesformallydesignatedforwildlifemanagement.SeeWildlifeManagementLakebelow.Statute:86B.205,97A.101
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WATERFOWLFEEDINGANDRESTINGAREAS
Purpose:Prohibittheuseofmotorizedwatercraftonpartorallofalake.Mayormaynotallowtheuseof12voltorlesselectricmotors.
Procedure:Departmentreceivesapetitionfrom10local,resident,licensedhunters.Proposalisannouncedthroughnewsreleasesandconsideredattheannualpublicinputmeetingsinlatewinter.ProposalandcommentsareconsideredforrecommendationbytheDivisionofFishandWildlife’sWaterfowlPolicyCommittee.Departmentmakesthefinaldetermination.PetitionsshouldbepresentedtotheDivisionofFishandWildlifebeforeDecember31toinsureconsiderationforthefollowingyear.
Statute:97A.095subd.2
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENTLAKE(DESIGNATEDWILDLIFELAKE)
Purpose:Restrictionsonmotorizedwatercraftandrecreationalvehiclesmaybeconsideredaspartoftheapprovedlakemanagementplan.
Procedure:Lakemustbeformallydesignatedforwildlifemanagementthroughapublichearingprocess.Proposedrestrictionsareannouncedandconsideredatlocalpublicinformationmeetingsandtheformalhearingaspartofthedraftmanagementplan.Restrictionsproposedforexistingdesignatedlakesareincludedinadraftrevisionofthemanagementplanandconsideredatlocalinputmeetings.TheplanisapprovedbytheDepartment.
Statute:97A.101
RESTRICTINGHUNTING
STATEGAMEREFUGE
Purpose:Prohibitthehuntingortrappingofsomeorallwildanimalswithinageographicarea.AnexampleofapartialrestrictionwouldbeaStateGooseRefuge.Maybeopenorclosedatthediscretionofthecommissioner.
Procedure:MaybedesignatedbytheCommissionerifmorethan50%oftheproposedareaispubliclyowned.Theproposedareamustbeatleast640acresinsizeunlessitbordersorincludesawetlandorotherbodyofwater.
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Or
MaybedesignatedbytheCommissionerafterreceivingapetitionsignedbyeverylandownerorlesseeintheproposedarea.Areamustbeatleast640acresinsizeunlessitbordersorincludesawetlandorotherbodyofwater.Petitionmustincludeanaffidavitfromthecountyauditor.
Or
MaybedesignatedbytheCommissionerafterreceivingapetitiondescribingacontiguousareaorapublicwaterandsignedby50ormoreresidentsofthecountywheretheproposedrefugeislocated.Theareamustbeatleast640acresunlessitbordersorincludesawetlandorotherbodyofwater.Petitionmustincludeanaffidavitfromthecountyauditor.Beforedesignatingastategamerefuge,theCommissionermustholdapublichearingwithinthecountyinwhichthemajorityoftheproposedrefugeislocated.Thecommissionermaydesignateagamerefugeunderthissectionforonlyspecifiedspecies.Thegamerefugemustbepostedaccordingly.
Statute:97A.085
RESTRICTINGTRESPASS
MIGRATORYWATERFOWLSANCTUARY
Purpose:Notrespassisallowedduringthewaterfowlhuntingseason.
Procedure:MustbepartofaStateGameRefugeorlakeformallydesignatedforwildlifemanagement.SeeWildlifeManagementLake(page1).MaybedesignatedbytheCommissionerafterreceivingapetitionfrom10resident,licensedhunters.Statutes:97A.095subd.1
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STATEDUCKSANCTUARY
Purpose:NotrespassisallowedfromSeptember1throughtheendofthewaterfowlhuntingseason.
Procedure:MustbewithinastateWildlifeManagementArea(WMA).MaybedesignatedbytheDivisionofFishandWildlife.AtleasttwothirdsoftheacquiredWMAswithinacountymustbeopentopublichunting.
Statutes:97A.083,97A.135Subd.1(a),97A.137
STATEWILDLIFESANCTUARY
Purpose:Notrespassisallowed.
Procedure:MustbewithinastateWildlifeManagementArea.MaybedesignatedbytheDivisionofFishandWildlife.AtleasttwothirdsoftheacquiredWMAswithinacountymustbeopentopublichunting.
Statutes:97A.083,97A.135Subd.1(a),97A.137
WHATABOUTVOLUNTARYRESTRICTIONS?
Voluntaryrestrictionshavebeenapartofourwaterfowlhuntingheritagefornearly100years.Theyareusuallylandownerorhunterdrivenforsafetyreasonsortorestrictmotoruse,hunting,ormethodofhunting.Theserestrictionscanbequitesuccessfulwhenthereisstrongconsensus,andpeergrouppressure,amongthelandownersandusersofthearea.
APPLICABLESTATUTES
Chapter8686B.205Watersurfaceuseordinance.
Subd.1.Assistance.Thecommissionershalldevelopandpublishguidelinestoassistcountiesadoptingwatersurfaceuseordinancesforwaterswithintheirjurisdiction.Subd.2.Surfaceuseordinances.(a)Acountyboardmay,byordinance,regulatethesurfaceuseofbodiesofwaterlocatedentirelyorpartiallywithinthecountyandnotlocatedentirelywithintheboundaryofasinglecityorlakeconservationdistrictestablishedbylaw.
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(b)Ifabodyofwaterislocatedwithinmorethanonecounty,asurfaceuseordinanceisnoteffectiveuntiladoptedbythecountyboardsofallthecountieswherethebodyofwaterliesundersection471.59orplacedintoeffectbyorderofthecommissionerundersubdivision9.(c)Withtheauthorizationofanaffectedcityorlakeconservationdistrict,acountyboardmayassumeandexercisethepowersinsubdivisions2to5withrespecttobodiesofwaterlyingentirelywithinthatcityorlakeconservationdistrict.TheregulationbythecountyofthesurfaceuseofaportionofabodyofwaterlocatedwithintheboundaryofacitymustbeconsistentwithanycityregulationexistingonMay25,1973,ofthesurfaceuseofthatportionofthebodyofwater.AfterJanuary1,1975,theordinancemustbeconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthischapterandrulesofthecommissionerunderthischapter.Subd.3.Priorordinancesinvalidwithoutapproval.Asurfaceusezoningordinanceadoptedundersubdivisions2to5byalocalgovernmentalunitafterMay25,1973,isinvalidunlessitisapprovedbythecommissioner.Subd.4.Approvalofordinances.Aproposedsurfaceusezoningordinancemustbesubmittedtothecommissionerforreviewandapprovalbeforeadoption.Thecommissionermustapproveordisapprovetheproposedordinancewithin120daysafterreceivingit.Ifthecommissionerdisapprovestheproposedordinance,thecommissionermustreturnittothelocalgovernmentalunitwithawrittenstatementofthereasonsfordisapproval.Subd.5.
Countyregulatoryauthority.Acountyboardmay:(1)regulateandpolicepublicbeaches,publicdocks,andotherpublicfacilitiesforaccesstoabodyofwater,except:(i)regulationsaresubjecttosubdivision6;(ii)acountyboardmaynotregulatestateaccesses;and
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(iii)amunicipalitymaybyordinancepreemptthecountyfromexercisingpowerunderthissubdivisionwithinitsjurisdiction;(2)regulatetheconstruction,configuration,size,location,andmaintenanceofcommercialmarinasandtheirrelatedfacilitiesincludingparkingareasandsanitaryfacilitiesinamannerconsistentwithotherstatelawandtherulesofthecommissionerofnaturalresources,thepollutioncontrolagency,andthecommissionerofhealth,andwiththeapplicablemunicipalbuildingcodesandzoningordinanceswherethemarinasarelocated;(3)regulatetheconstruction,installation,andmaintenanceofpermanentandtemporarydocksandmooringsinamannerconsistentwithstateandfederallaw,permitsrequiredunderchapter103G,andsections86B.111and86B.115;(4)exceptasprovidedinsubdivision6,regulatethetypeandsizeofwatercraftallowedtousethebodyofwaterandsetaccessfees;(5)subjecttosubdivision6,limitthetypesandhorsepowerofmotorsusedonthebodyofwater;(6)limittheuseofthebodyofwateratvarioustimesandtheuseofvariouspartsofthebodyofwater;(7)regulatethespeedofwatercraftonthebodyofwaterandtheconductofotheractivitiesonthebodyofwatertosecurethesafetyofthepublicandthemostgeneralpublicuse;and(8)contractwithotherlawenforcementagenciestopolicethebodyofwateranditsshore.Subd.6.Publicaccessrestrictions.Thecountyboardmustallowthesametypesandsizesofwatercraftandhorsepowerofmotorstoaccessandenterthelakeorwaterbodyasaregenerallyallowedtobeoperatedonthelakeorwaterbody.Specialuseexceptionsthatarenotdependentonlakeshoreorpropertyownershipmaybegrantedbypermit.Subd.7.Countyacquisitionofpublicaccess.Acountyboardmayacquirebypurchase,gift,ordeviselandforpublicaccesstoalakeorstreamandmayimprovethelandasaparkorplaygroundifthelandislessthantenacresandis
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contiguoustothemeanderlineofanavigablelakeorstreamwhollyorpartlywithinthecountyandnotentirelywithinthecorporatelimitsofacity.Subd.8.Advisoryassistance.Thecountyboardmayinviteanymunicipalcouncilortownboardorthesoilandwaterconservationdistrictboardofsupervisorsorwatersheddistrictboardofmanagerstodesignatearepresentativetoadviseandconsultwiththecountyboardonwateruseregulationandimprovement.Subd.9.Watercraftuserulesforlocalwaters.(a)Onrequestofacounty,city,ortown,thecommissionermay,afterdeterminingittobeinthepublicinterest,establishrulesrelatingtotheuseofwatercraftonwatersofthisstatethatborderuponorarewithin,inwholeorinpart,theterritorialboundariesofthegovernmentalunit.(b)Therulesshallbeestablishedinthemannerprovidedbysections14.02to14.62,butmaynotbesubmittedtotheattorneygeneralnorfiledwiththesecretaryofstateuntilfirstapprovedbyresolutionsofthecountyboardsofamajorityofthecountiesaffectedbytheproposedrules.(c)Therulesmayrestrict:(1)thetypeandsizeofwatercraftandsizeofmotorthatmayusethewatersaffectedbytherule;(2)theareasofwaterthatmaybeusedbywatercraft;(3)thespeedofwatercraft;(4)thetimespermittedforuseofwatercraft;or(5)theminimumdistancebetweenwatercraft.(d)Whenestablishingrules,thecommissionershallconsiderthephysicalcharacteristicsofthewatersaffected,theirhistoricaluses,shorelandusesandclassification,andotherfeaturesuniquetothewatersaffectedbytherules.(e)Thecommissionershallinformtheusersofthewatersoftherulesaffectingthematleasttwoweeksbeforetheeffectivedateoftherulesbydistributingcopiesoftherulesandbypostingofthepublicaccessesofthewaters.Thefailureofthecommissionertocomplywiththisparagraphdoes
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notaffectthevalidityoftherulesoraconvictionforviolationoftherules.(f)Thecostofpublishingrulesandofmarkingandpostingwatersunderthissubdivisionshallbepaidbythecountiesaffectedbytherules,asapportionedbythecommissioner.(g)RegulationsorordinancesrelatingtotheuseofwatersofthisstateenactedbyalocalgovernmentalunitbeforeJanuary1,1972,shallcontinueineffectuntilrepealedbythelocalgovernmentalunitorsupersededbyaruleofthecommissioneradoptedunderthissubdivision.
HIST:1990c391art9s10Chapter97A 97A.083Huntingandfishingonstateland.Thecommissionershallalloworprohibithuntingandfishingonstatelandasprovidedunderthegameandfishlaws.Thecommissionershallpublishinformationonhuntingandfishingonstateland,includingareaswheretakingwildanimalsisallowedorprohibited.HIST:1991c259s1697A.085Gamerefuges.Subdivision1.Stateparks.Allstateparksaredesignatedasgamerefuges.Subd.2.Establishmentbycommissioner.Thecommissionermaydesignateagamerefugeifmorethan50percentoftheareaisinpublicownership.Thegamerefugemustbeacontiguousareaofatleast640acresunlessitbordersorincludesamarsh,orotherbodyofwaterorwatercoursesuitableforwildlifehabitat.Subd.3.Establishmentbypetitionoflandholders.Thecommissionermaydesignatealandareaorportionofalandareadescribedinapetitionasagamerefuge.Thepetitionmustbesignedbytheowner,thelessee,orthepersoninpossessionofeachtractinthearea.Acertificateoftheauditorofthecountywherethelandsarelocatedmustaccompany
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thepetitionstatingthatthepersonsnamedinthepetitionaretheowners,lessees,orpersonsinpossessionofallofthelanddescribedaccordingtothecountyrecords.Thegamerefugemustbeacontiguousareaofatleast640acresunlessitbordersorincludesamarsh,orotherbodyofwaterorwatercoursesuitableforwildlifehabitat.Subd.4.Establishmentbypetitionofcountyresidents.Thecommissionermaydesignateasagamerefugepublicwatersoracontiguousareadescribedinapetition,signedby50ormoreresidentsofthecountywherethepublicwatersorareaislocated.Thegamerefugemustbeacontiguousareaofatleast640acresunlessitbordersorincludesamarsh,orotherbodyofwaterorwatercoursesuitableforwildlifehabitat.Thegamerefugemaybedesignatedonlyifthecommissionerfindsthatprotectedwildanimalsaredepletedandareindangerofextermination,orthatitwillbestservethepublicinterest.Subd.4a.Hearingrequired.Beforedesignatingagamerefugeunderthissection,thecommissionermustholdapublichearingwithinthecountywherethemajorityoftheproposedgamerefugeexists.Noticesofthetimeandplaceofthehearingmustbepostedinfiveconspicuousplaceswithintheproposedgamerefugeatleast15daysbeforethehearing.Anoticeofthehearingmustbepublishedinalegalnewspaperineachcountywheretheareaislocatedatleastsevendaysbeforethehearing.Subd.5.Gamerefugeforspecifiedgame.Thecommissionermaydesignateagamerefugeunderthissectionforonlyspecifiedspecies.Thegamerefugemustbepostedaccordingly.Subd.6.Areaincludedingamerefuge.Astategamerefugeincludesallpubliclands,waters,highways,andrailroadright‐of‐waywithintherefugeboundaryand,inthediscretionofthecommissioner,mayincludeadjacentpubliclandsandwaters.Subd.7.Gamerefugeboundaryposting.(a)Thedesignationofastategamerefugeisnoteffectiveuntiltheboundaryhasbeenpostedwithnoticesthatmeasureatleast12inches.(b)Thenoticesmustbepostedatintervalsofnotmorethan500feetorlessalongtheboundary.Thenoticesmustalsobepostedatallpublicroadentrancestotherefuges,except
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wheretheboundaryisalsoaninternationalorstateboundaryinpublicwaters.Wheretheboundaryofarefugeextendsmorethan500feetcontinuouslythroughabodyofwater,insteadofplacingnoticesinthewater,noticeswiththewords,"AdjacentWatersIncluded,"maybeplacedontheshorelineattheintersectionoftheboundaryandthewater20feetorlessabovethehigh‐watermarkandatintervalsof500feetorlessalongtheshoreline.(c)AcertificationbythecommissionerorthedirectoroftheWildlifeDivision,oracertificationfiledwiththecommissionerordirectorbyaconservationofficer,refugesupervisor,orotherauthorizedofficeroremployee,statingthattherequirednoticeshavebeenpostedisprimafacieevidenceoftheposting.Subd.8.Modificationorabandonment.Astategamerefugemaybevacatedormodifiedbythecommissionerunderthesameproceduresrequiredforestablishmentoftherefuge,exceptthatarefugeestablishedormodifiedundersubdivision2or3maybevacatedormodifiedfollowingapublichearingasspecifiedinsubdivision4a.HIST:1986c386art1s16;1987c149art1s10,11;1992c462s6‐11;1997c187art3s23;1997c226s17;2002c323s4;2004c215s2‐497A.095Waterfowlprotectedareas.Subdivision1.Migratorywaterfowlsanctuary.Thecommissionermaydesignatebyruleanypartofastategamerefugeoranypartofapublicwaterthatisdesignatedformanagementpurposesundersection97A.101,subdivision2,asamigratorywaterfowlsanctuaryifthereispresentedtothecommissionerapetitionsignedbytenresidentlicensedhuntersdescribinganareathatisprimarilyamigratorywaterfowlrefuge.Thecommissionershallposttheareaasamigratorywaterfowlsanctuary.Apersonmaynotenterapostedmigratorywaterfowlsanctuaryduringtheopenmigratorywaterfowlseasonunlessaccompaniedbyorunderapermitissuedbyaconservationofficerorwildlifemanager.Uponarequestfromaprivatelandownerwithinamigratorywaterfowlsanctuary,anannualpermitmustbeissuedtoprovideaccesstothepropertyduringthewaterfowlseason.Thepermitshallincludeconditionsthatallownoactivitywhichwoulddisturbwaterfowlusingtherefugeduringthewaterfowlseason.
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Subd.2.Waterfowlfeedingandrestingareas.Thecommissionermay,byrule,designateanypartofalakeasamigratoryfeedingandrestingarea.Beforedesignation,thecommissionermustreceiveapetitionsignedbyatleasttenlocalresidentlicensedhuntersdescribingtheareaofalakethatisasubstantialfeedingorrestingareaformigratorywaterfowl,andfindthatthestatementsinthepetitionarecorrect,andthatadequate,freepublicaccesstothelakeexistsnearthedesignatedarea.Thecommissionershallposttheareaasamigratorywaterfowlfeedingandrestingarea.Exceptasauthorizedinrulesadoptedbythecommissioner,apersonmaynotenterapostedmigratorywaterfowlfeedingandrestingarea,duringaperiodwhenhuntingofmigratorywaterfowlisallowed,withwatercraftoraircraftpropelledbyamotor,otherthananelectricmotorwithbatterypowerof12voltsorless.Thecommissionermay,byrule,furtherrestricttheuseofelectricmotorsinmigratorywaterfowlfeedingandrestingareas.Subd.3.HuntingonMuskratLake.ThecommissionermayprohibitmigratorywaterfowlhuntingonMuskratLakeinBeltramiCountybypostingaccordingly.Subd.4.SwanLakeMigratoryWaterfowlSanctuary.ThelanddescribedinLaws1999,chapter81,section2,isdesignatedSwanLakeMigratoryWaterfowlSanctuaryundersubdivision1.HIST:1986c386art1s18;1987c119s1;1991c259s23;1993c231s11;1999c81s1;2000c495s30;2004c215s5‐797A.101Publicwaterreservesandmanagementdesignation.Subdivision1.Reserves.Thecommissionermaydesignateandreservepublicwatersofthestatetopropagateandprotectwildanimals.Subd.2.Managementdesignation.(a)Thecommissionermaydesignate,reserve,andmanagepublicwatersforwildlifeaftergivingnoticeandholdingapublichearing.Thehearingmustbeheldinthecountywherethemajorportionofthewatersislocated.Noticeofthehearingmustbepublishedinalegalnewspaperwithineachcountywherethewatersarelocatedatleastsevendaysbeforethehearing.(b)Thecommissionermaycontractwithriparianownersfor
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waterprojectsundersection103G.121,subdivision3,andmayacquireland,acceptlocalfunding,andconstruct,maintain,andoperatestructurestocontrolwaterlevelsundersection103G.505tomanagedesignatedwaters.Subd.3.Fishingmaynotberestricted.Seasonsormethodsoftakingfishmaynotberestrictedunderthissection.Subd.4.Restrictionsonairboats,watercraft,andrecreationalvehicles.(a)Theuseofairboatsisprohibitedatalltimesonlakesdesignatedforwildlifemanagementpurposesunderthissectionunlessotherwiseauthorizedbythecommissioner.(b)Thecommissionermayrestricttheuseofmotorizedwatercraftandrecreationalvehiclesonlakesdesignatedforwildlifemanagementpurposesbypostingallpublicaccesspointsonthedesignatedlake.HIST:1986c386art1s19;1990c391art8s23;1991c199art1s13;1997c226s18
97A.135Acquisitionofwildlifelands.Subdivision1.Publichuntingandwildlifeareas.(a)Thecommissionerorthecommissionerofadministrationshallacquireandimprovelandforpublichunting,gamerefuges,andfoodandcoverplanting.Thelandmaybeacquiredbyagift,lease,easement,purchase,orcondemnation.Atleasttwo‐thirdsofthetotalareaacquiredinacountymustbeopentopublichunting.Thecommissionermaydesignatelandacquiredunderthissubdivisionasawildlifemanagementareaforthepurposesoftheoutdoorrecreationsystem.
97A.137Hunting,fishing,andtrespassinginwildlifemanagementareas.Subdivision1.Huntingandfishing.Wildlifemanagementareasareopentohuntingandfishingunlessclosedbyruleofthecommissionerorbypostingundersubdivision2.Subd.2.Commissionermayrestrictentrytodesignatedareas.Thecommissionermay,bypostinginaccordancewithsection97B.001,subdivision4,designateareaswithinwildlife
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managementareasthatareclosedtoentryforthepurposeofprovidingareaswheredisturbanceofwildlifecanbeminimized.Apersonmaynotenteranareapostedunderthissubdivisionexceptasauthorizedbyruleorapermitissuedbythecommissioner.Subd.3.Useofmotorizedvehiclesbydisabledhunters.Thecommissionermayissueaspecialpermit,withoutafee,authorizingahunterwithapermanentphysicaldisabilitytouseasnowmobileorall‐terrainvehicleinwildlifemanagementareas.Toqualifyforapermitunderthissubdivision,thedisabledpersonmustpossess:(1)therequiredhuntinglicenses;and(2)apermittoshootfromastationaryvehicleundersection97B.055,subdivision3.HIST:1991c259s18;1993c231s15;2000c265s1Copyright2004bytheofficeofRevisorofStatutesoftheStateofMinnesota
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APPENDIXD.BOARDOFWATERANDSOILRESOURCESPOLICYFORSITEMANAGEMENT
OFCONSERVATIONEASEMENTLANDS
POLICYDECEMBER17,2008VEGETATIVEMANAGEMENTANDENHANCEMENTOFCONSERVATIONEASEMENTLANDSTheMNBoardofWaterandSoilResources(BWSR)recognizestheneedtoestablishapolicyandprocedureforvegetativemanagementandenhancementofconservationeasements.Thismayincludethepracticesofmowing,haying,grazing,harvestforseedorenergy,prescribedburning,establishmentofnativegrasses,forestlandandwetlandmanagement.ThispolicyappliestoconservationeasementsheldbytheBWSRandistocomplimentlanguagealreadystatedintheeasementtermsandconditions.Easementsheldinpartnershipwithotheragenciesmayhavelimitationsthatprohibitsomeoralloftheactivitiesoutlinedinthispolicy.AConservationPlanexistsforeacheasementthatidentifiesthelocationandtypeofpracticesfoundonthesite.Easementsrequireongoingmanagementtoassuretheirqualityismaintained.Tothatendthispolicysupportslandownereffortstoachievethehighestdegreeofqualityfromeveryeasement.AManagementPlanneedstobedevelopedandattachedtotheConservationPlanforallactivitiesbeingconductedontheeasementsite.Insomecasesfinancialassistancewillbeavailableforcertainpractices,whileotherswillbeattheownerexpense,entirelyorpartially.Certainpracticesmayproduceaneconomicreturntothelandowner,aslongaswildlifebenefitsareprotected.PracticestobeimplementedarebestdeterminedbythelandownerinconsultationwiththeSWCDandBWSRstaff.TheManagementPlanshallbesignedbyallthreeparties.Consultationwillbemadewithotherprofessionalsasdeemednecessarybythisgroup.ActivitieseligibleforfinancialassistancemustbeconsistentwiththeRIMprogramguidelinesandapprovedbyBWSRpriortopracticesbeingimplemented.Easementvegetationcanbebrokenintothreedistinctcovertypes:I.GrasslandManagement:Forpurposesofspeciesdiversity,wildlifehabitat,waterqualityanderosioncontrol,itmaybenecessarytoundertakepracticestoenhanceormodifysomeorallofthecoverofaconservationeasement.Practicesmayinclude:A.Mechanical(mowing,haying,harvest,energy)Mechanicalmethodscansuccessfullymanipulategrowthstagesofhabitat.Annualmowingandmowingofentirestandsisnotallowedwithouttechnicaljustificationfromtheresourcemanagerpreparingthemanagementplan.Removalofbiomasscanincreasethevigorofdesirablevegetation,removestorednutrientsforwaterqualityandprovideaseedbedforrestorationorenhancement.Generally,mechanicaltreatmentwillbedone
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nomorefrequentlythanonceeverythirdyear,withnomorethanonethirdoftheacreagemowedeachyear.Insomecasesitmaybenotbepracticaltomanagesmallersitesinstages,especially,iftheyarewithinalargerhabitatcomplex.Mowing,haying,orharvestisnotallowedduringthenestingseasonMay15toAugust1.Minimumstubbleheightsare4‐6inches.Anymodificationstothesecriteriashouldbeexplainedandspecifiedinthemanagementplan.B.Chemical/BiologicalChemicalApplication:Herbicidesusedmustfollowlabelrestrictionsandbeconductedinawaythatmaintainsplantdiversityandwildlifehabitat.CareshouldbetakentominimizeimpactstodesiredvegetationwhilecontrollingtargetspeciesasspecifiedintheManagementPlan.BiologicalControl:Biologicalcontrolagentsmaybeusedforthecontrolofinvasiveplantspecies.MinnesotaDNRandMinnesotaDepartmentofAgricultureguidelinesforusingbiologicalcontrolagentsshouldbefollowedandincorporatedintotheManagementPlan.C.GrazingLivestockmaybeusedtomanagehealthandvigorofpermanentvegetativecoverwhendoneinaccordancewithagrazingplan.Grazingoneasementlandsrequiresverycarefulmanagementtoassurethesiteisnotovergrazed.Grazingshouldnotberecommendedunlessthelandownerfullyunderstandstheplanandiscapableofmanagingthesystem.GrazingplansaretobedevelopedaccordingtoapplicableNRCSpracticestandards.Generally,grazingwillnotbedonemoreoftenthanonceeverythreeyearsonthesameacres,andonlyonethirdoftheareawillbegrazedeachyear.Insomecasesitmaybenotbepracticaltomanagesmallersitesinstages,especiallyiftheyarewithinalargerhabitatcomplex.GrazingshallnotoccurduringtheprimarynestingseasonofMay15toAugust1.Minimumstubbleheightsare4‐6inches.Livestockwillberemovedfromthesitewhenthegrassonthesiteisgrazedtothesestubbleheights.Anymodificationstothesecriteriashouldbeexplainedandspecifiedinthemanagementplan.D.PrescribedBurningImprovementofplantspeciesdiversity,controlofbrush,andrecyclingofnutrientscanbeachievedbycontrolledburning.Burningwillbeallowedoncoolseasonaswellaswarmseasongrassstands.TheManagementPlanwillindicatethetimingofburnsfortheareabeingtreated.Appropriatepermitsmustbeobtainedbythelandownerpriortoperformanceofaprescribedburn.FollowappropriateNRCSpracticestandardsforprescribedburning.E.NativePrairiePlanting.Enhancementorre‐establishmentofexistingnativeprairieorreplacementofcoolseasonvegetationshallusenativegrasses&forbsoflocaleco‐typewherepossibleorasrequiredbystatuteorrule.Qualityofhabitatcanbeincreasedbyconversionofintroducedgrassstandstonativegrassstands.FollowappropriateNRCSpracticestandardsforhabitatmanagementandrestorationofdeclininghabitats.BWSRhassuggestednativegrassandforbsseedmixesavailableaswellasrecommendationsforinterseedingofgrasslands.
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II.ForestLandManagement:Necessarytoprovideregeneration,maintenance,orconversionofspeciestomanageforeststandsforwildlifebenefitsandstanddensity.Easementlandsplantedtotreesneedtobemanagedtomaintainandimprovepreferredspeciesthatarecriticaltoprovidingspecificwildlifehabitat.WhentreecoverisrequestedintheRIMconservationplanandestablished,theplantingshouldnotbeconsideredthefinalproduct.Theplantingshouldbeviewedasacomponentofthedesiredfutureconditiontoretaintreecoveronthesite.Harvestingcanbedoneforavarietyofpurposessuchastocreatewildlifeopenings,managebrowseforspecificwildlifespecies,andforforeststandimprovement.TheManagementPlanshouldoutlinethenecessarystepstoachievethisdesiredfuturecondition.III.WetlandManagement:Wetlandmanagementactivitiesforvegetationandwaterlevelcontrolaresitespecific.Wildlifehabitatandnutrientreductionbenefitsofwetlandsareaffectedby:vegetativequality,fish,minnows,invasivespecies,sedimentation,andwaterdepthtonameafew.Detailedplansexistforeachrestorationprojectthatlayouttheengineeringoftherestorationaswellasanyvegetativecomponent.TheBWSRisupdatingtheMNWetlandRestorationGuidewhichshouldbeconsultedforfurtherinformation.AnyquestionsorrequestsregardingmanagementofwetlandareasshouldbedirectedtotheBWSREasementProgramManager.
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APPENDIXE.REGULATIONSAFFECTINGMOISTSOILMANAGEMENT
Note:Forallwetland‐relatedregulations,Consultthe“WetlandRegulationChecklistforDNRProjects,”
availableat:
http://intranet.dnr.state.mn.us/wetland_water/regulations/index.htmlThewetlandchecklistcontainslinkstoforms,contactsandotherresourcesmentionedbelow.
Regulation RegulatoryTrigger Whattodo:
MinnesotaWetlands
ConservationAct
Mayapplyifanywetlands,asdeterminedbythe1987Corpsof
EngineersDelineationManual,arepresentpriortobeginningtheproject.Permanentlydraining,fillingor
excavatingwithinanypre‐existingwetlandsmayrequirereplacement;however,itmayalsoqualifyfora“No‐
loss”determinationunderMinn.RulesChapter8420.0415,itemD.Seasonalwaterlevelmanipulationwillgenerally
qualifyfora“No‐loss”determinationunderMinn.RulesChapter8420.0415,itemC.
Ifpre‐existingwetlandsarepresent,preparePartIofthe“Minn.
Local/State/FederalApplicationFormforWater/WetlandProjects”andconvenea
pre‐projectmeeting(earlyintheplanningprocess)withtheWCATechnical
EvaluationPanel(includesrepresentativesfromcountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictandtheBoardofWaterandSoil
Resources)todetermineapplicationofWCA.
MinnesotaPublicWatersPermits
Mayapplyiftheprojectwillalterthecourse,currentorcross‐sectionofanypublicwateridentifiedonthecounty
publicwatersinventory(PWI)map.
ConsultthecountyPWImaptodetermineifanypublicwatersarepresentattheprojectsite.Ifso,orifthereisany
question,consulttheDNRareahydrologist.
FederalCleanWaterAct
(CWA)Section404
Mayapplyifanywetlands,asdeterminedbythe1987Corpsof
EngineersDelineationManual,arepresentpriortobeginningtheproject.OngoingMSMactivitieswillgenerallybe
authorizedunderageneralpermit(RGP‐03‐MN,ItemJ),butthisdoesnotapplytoinitialconstruction.Wetlands
restoredorcreatedunderaMSMprojectpotentiallybecomejurisdictionalwetlandsundertheCWASection404
Ifpre‐existingwetlandsarepresent,preparePartIofthe“Minn.
Local/State/FederalApplicationFormforWater/WetlandProjects”andsubmittoappropriateCorpsofEngineerproject
manager.InvitetheCorpsprojectmanagertoattendpre‐projectWCATechnicalEvaluationPanelmeeting(see
above).
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programandfutureworkinthesewetlandsmaybesubjecttoregulation.
FederalCleanWaterActSection401
Section401waterqualitycertificationisissuedbytheMinnesotaPollutionControlAgency(MPCA).Dischargeof
mercury,phosphorusandnitrogenmaybeissueswithMSMoperations.Section401certificationistypicallyhandledas
partoftheCWASection404permitprocessundertheCorpsofEngineers,buttheMPCAcanalsoregulatewater
qualityissuesunderstateauthority.
InviteMPCArepresentativetoattendpre‐projectWCATechnicalEvaluationPanelmeeting(seeabove).
Water
AppropriationPermit
ADNRwateruse(appropriation)permit
isrequiredforalluserswithdrawingmorethan10,000gallonsofwaterperdayor1milliongallonsperyear,either
fromgroundwaterorsurfacewaters.
ConsulttheDNRareahydrologist
NationalPollutant
DischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)
ConstructionStormwater
Appliestostormwaterrunofffromconstructionsites;administeredby
MPCA.Willapplyifconstructioninvolvesdisturbanceofanacreormoreofsoil.MostMSMprojectsshould
qualifyforthegeneralconstructionstormwaterpermitissuedbyMPCA,butthismustbeverifiedbytheDNRproject
manager.
ConsulttheMPCAwebsiteforstormwaterat:
“http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/water/water‐types‐and‐programs/stormwater/stormwater.html”andfollow
thelinksfor“ConstructionStormwater”
FederalRivers
andHarborsActSection10
Theconstructionofintakestructuresor,
possiblyeventemporarypumpingfromfederallydesignatednavigablewatersmayrequireaSection10permitfrom
theCorpsofEngineers.Foralistofnavigablewaters,see:http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/docs/
regulatory/mn_nav_waters.pdf
IftheMSMprojectwilldirectlyaffect,or
appropriatewaterfromanynavigablewater,contacttheappropriateCorpsofEngineersprojectmanager.
Threatenedandendangered
speciestakingspermits(state
Takingspermitsmayberequiredforanyprojectthatmayaffectstateorfederally
listedspecies.
ConductasearchoftheDNRNaturalHeritageInformationSystemtodetermine
ifanystateorfederallylistedspeciesarepresentattheprojectsite.Ifso,contact
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andfederal) theDNREndangeredSpeciesPermitCoordinator(651‐259‐5073)andtheU.S.
FishandWildlifeService(612‐725‐3548)
EnvironmentalReviewProgram
(MinnesotaEnvironmentalPolicyAct,
MEPA)
Anenvironmentalassessmentworksheet(EAW)ismandatoryforany
ofthefollowingthatmightapplytoMSMprojects:
• Newpermanentimpoundmentofwatercreatingadditionalwatersurfaceof160ormoreacresoranadditionalpermanentimpoundmentofwatercreatingadditionalwatersurfaceof160ormoreacres,
• Constructionofadamwithanupstreamdrainageareaof50squaremilesormore,
• Diversion,realignmentorchannelizationofanydesignatedtroutstream,oraffectinggreaterthan500feetofnaturalwatercoursewithatotaldrainageareaoftenormoresquaremilesunlessexemptedbypart4410.4600,subpart14,itemE,orsubpart17
• Projectsthatwillchangeordiminishthecourse,currentorcross‐sectionofoneacreormoreofanypublicwaterorpublicwaterswetlandexceptforthosetobedrainedwithoutapermitpursuanttoMinnesotaStatutes,chapter103G,
• Projectsthatwillchangeordiminishthecourse,currentorcross‐sectionof40percentormoreorfiveormoreacresoftypes3through8wetlandof2.5acresormore,excludingpublicwaterswetlands,ifanypartofthewetlandiswithinashorelandarea,delineatedfloodplain,astateorfederallydesignatedwildandscenicriversdistrict,theMinnesotaRiverProjectRiverbendarea,ortheMississippiheadwatersarea
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Anenvironmentalimpactstatementismandatoryfor:
• ConstructionofaClassIdam• Projectsthatwilleliminateapublic
waterorpublicwaterswetland
AdiscretionaryEAWshouldbepreparedforanyprojectthatmayhave
thepotentialforsignificantenvironmentaleffects.
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APPENDIXF.ADDITIONALINFORMATION
SELECTEDMOISTSOILMANAGEMENT&RELATEDREFERENCES
‐NOTE:SomeofthesereferencescontainrecommendationsdesignedforregionsthatvarygreatlyintheirconditionsfromMinnesota.ThereforecautionisadvisedwhenseekingtoapplythesetoMinnesota.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ForagingHabitatforBirdSpeciesorBirdDiversityinWetlandDesign
http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/fwrs3‐1.pdf
Moist‐SoilManagementGuidelinesfortheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceSoutheastRegion
http://www.fws.gov/columbiawildlife/MoistSoilReport.pdf
Moist‐SoilManagementAdvisor(MSMA)
http://www.fort.usgs.gov/products/software/msma/
MOIST‐SOILMANAGEMENTOFWETLANDIMPOUNDMENTSFORPLANTSANDINVERTEBRATES
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/impound/impound.htm
ShallowWaterManagementforShorebirds
http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/wild/shorebirds.pdf
Hands,H.M.M.R.Ryan,andJ.W.Smith.1991.Migrantshorebirduseofmarsh,moist‐soil,andfloodedagriculturalhabitats.Wildl.Soc.Bull.19:457‐464
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3782158.pdf
WetlandsofthePrairiePotholeRegion:InvertebrateSpeciesComposition,Ecology,andManagement
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wetlands/pothole/past.htm
BenefitsofManagingforNativeVegetation(DU)
http://southern.ducks.org/habitat_native‐vegetation.php
13.4.6Strategiesforwater‐levelmanipulationinmoist‐soilsystems‐WaterfowlManagementHandbook
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/wmh/contents.html
DISCINGEFFECTSONSEEDPRODUCTIONANDDISTRIBUTIONOFMOIST‐SOILVEGETATION
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http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd‐033199‐130907/unrestricted/chapter3.pdf
ASSESSINGFUNCTIONALINTEGRITYOFMOIST‐SOILMANAGEDWETLANDS
BYCOMPARISONWITHNEARBYNON‐MANAGEDSYSTEMS
http://www.msstate.edu/courses/ge14/Ervin%20et%20al%202003WRC.pdf
UpperMississippiValley/GreatLakesRegionalShorebirdConservationPlan
http://www.fws.gov/shorebirdplan/regionalshorebird/downloads/UMVGL5.pdf
(discussionofmoistsoilmanagementandseveralliteraturecitationsincluded)
EffectsofManagementPracticesonWetlandBirds
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/wetbird/wetbird.htm
ManagementofHabitatforBreedingandMigratingShorebirdsintheMidwest‐Eldridge
http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/products/pubs/10000/pdf/13_2_14.pdf
UsingMicroandMacrotopographyinWetlandRestoration
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/states/In‐final.pdf