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Post by honker on Apr 8, 2017 9:48:52 GMT -6
I've been working with a US Fish and Wildlife Service agent since last year on wetland restoration project on my property that they are very interested in doing. It involves converting a non productive area in the hayfield back to original wetland state. My goal would be waterfowl habitat and water source for critters. I'm okay with the shallow depths for that reason. The USFWS would cover all the costs of the project, not strings attached. Has anyone worked with them in the past? Anything I should be aware of or look out for before I proceed? Short description in the proposal: #1 Wetland (1.5 acres): This basin was historically a shallow water basin with water depths likely ranging from 7-24 inches. The topography on your property and the surrounding property does not support a basin which holds much more water than what was historically there. After further investigation, I do believe it would be effective to install a polycarbonate weir structure (sheet piling) complete with rock spillway to restore the natural hydrology to the basin. Also, where possible we may look to remove some non-native sediment from the base of the basin to further add depth and complexity to the wetland. This would be very limited due to the soil type present, but some could be accomplished to enhance the site. With installation of a sheet pilling structure and subsequent scraping I believe you would have a shallow water open basin that would be highly productive for waterfowl and other water dependent resident species. Though the basin would not be very deep the value to native species would be tremendous. According to most studies it is recognized that shallow water wetland basins are the rarest and in most need on our landscape. We could accomplish this restoration with a backhoe and bulldozer and be done in approximately one day.
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Post by coop on Apr 9, 2017 19:34:11 GMT -6
Sounds like a cool project. Please share the story of how it develops.
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Post by Sandbur on Apr 10, 2017 6:18:52 GMT -6
I had two dykes installed on my property by the USFWS about 25 plus years ago. Part of the agreement was that adjacent upland needed to be maintained in grasses for ten years. I think I burned the area twice in those ten years. One side of those dykes is now tag alder with scattered spruce planting and a row or two of spruce on the outer edge. The other side has willows, grasses, a few tags, and some crab apple trees.
If the contractor is a private contractor, it might be a chance to establish a few other waterholes for deer. Check on the regulations. I created two other waterholes and established a few higher pockets with the spill.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Apr 10, 2017 7:53:31 GMT -6
Yes we have implemented a US Fish and Wildlife project, very happy with it. Created three small wetlands and backed up a creek to create a good sized pond. All costs covered, plus they paid us 14k, or 16k...something like that. Ducks use it, and we shoot quite a few pheasants in the cattails around it.
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Post by daydreamer on Apr 10, 2017 8:58:14 GMT -6
Interesting. I'm assuming you contacted them to start the process? I have not done anything but am curious to follow along. I'd love to do something like that and I have a 2 acre spot I need to do something with because it's consistently wet and never had been previously. Right now it's just a waste of acreage although the ducks have been liking it recently. Please do share updates.
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Post by honker on Apr 10, 2017 10:48:35 GMT -6
I started with the county SWCD agency on different projects I wanted to do on my property and got pointed to the local USFWS office based on it involving wetlands. I had a couple site visits with that agent which eventually led a list of projects they would be willing to support. They won't touch existing native wetlands which eliminated most of my areas of interest, but highlighted this one and couple others on their potential project list. They are very interested in areas that have been tiled, drained, or modified previously to convert to pasture or ag. They budget the projects annually in so you want to get on their radar a year ahead of their fiscal planning.
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Post by daydreamer on Apr 10, 2017 11:34:03 GMT -6
Cool, thanks for the information.
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Post by Catscratch on Apr 10, 2017 13:14:23 GMT -6
Very cool project!
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Post by honker on May 30, 2017 18:59:35 GMT -6
I got a call from the usfws agent today. Because of the budget cuts this year it has slowed down progress on their end. He was hoping to start the work this summer, but it might slip until late fall or next year. Bummed on the timing, but he assured me it was on their to do list they are just tight on dollars. Too many EBT cards to fund instead I guess. I'll be waiting as I don't have the private funds to do this right now.
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Post by mnfish on May 30, 2017 20:13:08 GMT -6
Sorry to read that Honker! Waiting for a dig is the WORST.
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Post by coop on May 30, 2017 21:53:45 GMT -6
Sucks!
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Post by honker on Aug 20, 2017 0:18:52 GMT -6
I got a call from USFWS agent this week and they have found the funding to complete the pond this year so great news. They are behind schedule because of the recent rains, but he was anticipating getting it done before the end of September. I took picture of the spot today which was too wet to hay again this year, like the past four. I think it is going to look pretty good with a some sky rat decoys floating in it each fall. I'll update with progress.
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Post by smallchunk on Aug 20, 2017 8:24:39 GMT -6
Awesome news!
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Post by sd51555 on Aug 20, 2017 8:49:34 GMT -6
I got a call from USFWS agent this week and they have found the funding to complete the pond this year so great news. They are behind schedule because of the recent rains, but he was anticipating getting it done before the end of September. I took picture of the spot today which was too wet to hay again this year, like the past four. I think it is going to look pretty good with a some sky rat decoys floating in it each fall. I'll update with progress. Hopefully it fills up quickly for ya. Will they let you plant things in it for ducks?
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Post by honker on Aug 20, 2017 11:09:05 GMT -6
Hopefully it fills up quickly for ya. Will they let you plant things in it for ducks? Yes they are completely supportive of turning it into a waterfowl paradise. They are going to help with seed and planting selections targeting waterfowl in the buffer zone around the pond. It will also be set up a drain system on the west end to control water level. That will allow me to mow and control invasives or get seasonal plants established and then refill. I'm thinking I'll establish some millet plots nearby as well. I'm not counting on much for this season, but should be dialed in for next year.
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