UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE
LA CROSSE DISTRICT Onalaska, Wisconsin
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT • Fiscal Year 2003
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM • • REVIEW AND APPROVALS
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE
La Crosse District
Onalaska, Wisconsin
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT • Fiscal Year 2003
Date
I Refuge Manager Date -'7lf- J11. ~ 5~18· Zoo i Regional Chief, NWRS Date • • INTRODUCTION The La Crosse District includes Navigational Pools 7 and 8 and extends from Trempealeau to Genoa, Wisconsin, a distance of about 35 river miles. The District lies within the river corridor bordered by the steep bluffs of Winona and Houston Counties in Minnesota and Trempealeau, La Crosse, and Vernon Counties in Wisconsin.
More than 100,000 people living in the greater La Crosse area are only minutes away from the Refuge. This accessibility is reflected in the amount of use the District receives annually from such users as pleasure boaters, campers, hunters, fishermen, and for wildlife observation. Habitat types include about 15,400 acres of open water, 16,100 acres ofbackwater marshes and sloughs, and 10,450 acres ofbottomland hardwood forests. Extensive tracts of bottomland hardwood forest are interlaced with sloughs, marshes, and beaver ponds where the Black and Root Rivers join the Mississippi. The District's habitat base support large concentrations of migratory waterfowl, including tundra swans and canvasbacks.
The popular Lake Onalaska is located in the District. The lake, like many of the Refuge backwaters, was created upon completion of the Lock and Dam System and subsequent flooding in 193 7. Lake Onalaska supports one of the most highly utilized fishery resources on the Upper Mississippi River.
The District Office is co-located in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Center at • 555 Lester Avenue in Onalaska, WI; a storage warehouse is located near La Crescent, MN.
• INTRODUCTION • TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE HIGHLIGHTS ...... 1
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 2
1. MONITORfNG & STUDIES ...... 3
1a. Survey & Censuses ...... 3 1b. Studies & Investigations ...... 7
2. HABITATRESTORATION ...... lO 2a. Wetland Restoration ...... NTR 2b. Upland Restoration ...... NTR 2c. Deepwater/Riverine Restoration ...... 10 2d. Deepwater/Coral Reef Restoration ...... NTR
3. HABITAT MANAGEMENT ...... 15
3a. Water Level Management ...... 15 3b . Moist Soil Management ...... NTR 3c. Graze/Mow/Hay ...... 18 3d. Farming ...... NTR • 3e. Forest Management...... 19 3f. Fire Management ...... 20 3g. Pest Plant Control...... 20
4. FISH & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ...... 23
4a. Bird Banding ...... 23 4b. Disease Monitoring & Treatment...... 23 4c. Re-introductions ...... NTR 4d. Nest Structures ...... NTR 4e. Pest, Predator & Exotic Animal Control ...... NTR 4f. Invasive Animal & Other Non-invasive Non-Plant Taxa Management...... NTR
5. COORDINATION ACTIVITIES ...... 25
5a. Interagency Coordination ...... 25 5b. Tribal Coordination ...... NTR 5c. Private Lands Activities (excludes Restoration) ...... 26 • 6. RESOURCE PROTECTION ...... 28 • 6a. Law Enforcement ...... 28 6b. Permits & Economic Use Management ...... 29 6c. Contaminant Investigation ...... 30 6d. Contaminant Cleanup ...... NTR 6e. Water Rights Management ...... NTR 6f. Cultural Resources Management...... NTR 6g. Land Acquisition Support ...... 30
7. PUBLIC EDUCATION & RECREATION ...... 31
7a. Provide Visitor Services ...... 31 7b. Outreach ...... 36
8. PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION ...... 43
8a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning ...... 43 8b. General Administration/Safety ...... 44 •
• 1 • HIGHLIGHTS Much of 2003 was dominated by spotty or nonexistent rainfall leading to a significant drought (Climatic Conditions).
Reconstruction of the Long Lake Environmental Management Program (EMP) Project, severely damaged during the 2001 flood, was completed. The first phase of the Rosebud Island Protection Project was also completed (Section 2.c).
About 2,200 acres of forest in Pool 8 were inventoried (Section 3.e).
A first grade teacher and her class at La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School released beetles at Schnicks Bay to control purple loosestrife (Section 3.g).
The proposed construction of an asphalt plant on Brice Prairie (Pool 7) has the potential to impact the Refuge (Section 5.a).
Three tracts of land, totaling about 57 acres, were acquired in PoolS in FY2003 (Section 6.g).
The boat ramp at Lower 1-90 Landing was replaced. Plans and specifications were finalized for rehabilitating the Long Lake Landing (Section 7 .a). • Thousands of coots and diving ducks on Lake Onalaska were killed by intestinal parasites during both fall and spring migration (Section 4.b).
"Refuge Fest," the celebration of the NWRS Centennial, was a huge success in La Crosse (Section 7.a.)
A "Manager for a Day" Workshop and two informational meetings were held in the La Crosse area as part of the development of the Refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Section 8.a).
Refuge Manager Don Hultman arrived in October 2002 (Section 8.b.)
Director Steve Williams, Deputy Director Matt Hogan, and new Regional Director Robyn Thorson all visited the area during the year (Section 7.a.) . • 2
• CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OCTOBER 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
Month Max Min Ave Monthly Precip Monthly Snowfall Temp Temp Temp Depart. Depart. Total October 53.0 37.5 45.3 -5.3 3.33 +1.17 0.8
November 43.6 26.0 34.8 -0.7 0.55 -1.55 2.7
December 35.5 19.9 27.7 +5.9 0.36 -0.87 1.7
January 25.3 7.9 16.6 +0.7 0.53 -0.66 7.0
February 28.8 7.1 18.0 -4.7 0.56 -0.43 6.2
March 43.1 23.8 33.5 -1.1 2.46 +0.46 6.0
April 58.9 36.7 47.8 -0.6 2.48 -0.90 6.7
May 69.6 46.3 58.0 -2.7 3.99 +0.61 • 79.0 56.3 67.7 -2.0 2.45 -1.55 June
July 83.8 62.7 73.3 -0.8 2.51 -1.74
August 87.1 63.4 75.3 +3.6 1.34 -2.94
September 74.0 52.5 63.3 +0.5 2.61 -0.79
Total/Avg 56.8 36.7 46.8 23.17 -9.19 31.1
Source: National Weather Service Office in La Crosse, WI
For the second straight year, the lack of precipitation was the big story. Much of 2003 was dominated by spotty or non-existent rainfall leading to a significant drought. The dry conditions started during the 2002-2003 winter with the driest stretch on record. The last half of summer/early fall was also dry, with precipitation totals well below normal. The total precipitation of23.17" received during the period October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003 was 9.19" below normal! • 3 • 1. MONITORING & STUDIES la. Surveys & Censuses
La Crosse District staff was involved in a variety of monitoring efforts in FY2003. Among them include the following:
Aerial Waterfowl Survey: Three aerial waterfowl survey crews were again used during the 2002 fall migration to count waterbirds on selected areas of the Refuge. The northern crew consisted of Regional Pilot Brian Lubinski and observers La Crosse District Refuge Operations Specialist (ROS) Bill Thrune and Winona District Biological Technician Brian Stemper and was responsible for Pools 4-S. A Wisconsin DNR airplane, pilot, and observer covered Pools 9-11. Surveys of Pools 12-14 were completed by Lubinski and observers from the Savanna District.
The northern crew began flying the weekly surveys on September 23 and ended November 26. Highlights were:
• Unlike the fall of2001, blue-winged teal and wood ducks were still present in large numbers on the District in late September/early October for the openers of the MN and WI waterfowl hunting seasons .
• The peak count of93,905 canvasbacks was observed in the Lake Onalaska Closed • Area (Pool 7) on October 23. The peak count of 11,950 canvasbacks observed in the Wisconsin Islands Closed Area (PoolS) also occurred on October 23. Canvasback use days on the La Crosse District totaled 1,453,565.
• Tundra swans began moving into Pools 7 and S in mid-October and remained until the river froze in early December. Peak swan counts in La Crosse District closed areas/no hunting zones were: 5,655 in the Lake Onalaska Closed Area on October 31; 1,650 in the Goose Island No Hunting Zone on November 12; and 11,655 in the Wisconsin Islands Closed Area on November 6. Tundra swans and other waterfowl again made extensive use of the emergent plant beds that developed during the 2001- 2002 PoolS drawdowns. Tundra swans concentrated in the Wisconsin Islands Closed Area are providing viewing opportunities for travelers on Highway 26 in Minnesota.
Goose Island No Hunting Zone Monitoring Program: The goal of this program, conducted by Bill Meier, was to document the amount and type of human activity occurring in the Goose Island No Hunting Zone and record how this activity affected waterbird concentrations. This program was patterned after similar efforts on monitoring boater compliance with the Lake Onalaska Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Area (1993 • and 1997) and the Wisconsin Islands Closed Area (2001). Fieldwork was completed in 4
October and November 2002. Preliminary results have been submitted; the final report is • pending. Bald Eagle Activity and Production Surveys: Fourteen bald eagle nests were located on the Refuge in the La Crosse District or located on private land in proximity to the Refuge boundary in 2003. An attempt was made to visit bald eagle nests at least twice during the nesting season. Total production was estimated at 19.
Colonial Nesting Bird Survey: One rookery, used by great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, and great egrets is located near Smith Slough in upper Pool 8. Activity and production surveys were completed in 2003.
Long-Term Monitoring of Nesting Waterfowl on Mississippi River Islands: This long-term monitoring effort is being conducted by Wisconsin DNR biologists to better understand island nesting ecology, factors affecting production, and colonization of newly constructed islands. The study area in 2003 consisted of Trapping, Heron, East, Grassy, and Stoddard Islands (Pool 8 Islands/Phase II EMP Project) on Pool 8 and Arrowhead, Mcllvane, Broken Gun, Cormorant, and Old Cormorant Islands on Lake Onalaska (Pool 7).
On the Pool 7 study area, 89 nests were found on the five islands (10.8 acres), 10 hatched, producing and estimated 60 ducklings. In contrast, in 2000, 229 nests were found on the Pool 7 islands, 157 hatched, producing an estimated 1,360 ducklings. The • mallard nesting effort and success dropped-off after the spring 2001 flood. A total of 71 mallard nests were found on the 31 acres of islands within the Pool 8 study area. Twenty five nests hatched (35%), producing an estimated 214 ducklings.
Bittern/Rail Survey: Survey locations included Blue Lake in Pool 8 and the Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Project. Volunteers and staff conducted this survey
Frog Survey: Volunteers Linda Host and Dave Bange conducted frog surveys along an established route that encompassed Goose Island County Park and continued south past Stoddard, WI (PoolS). Surveys along this route were conducted April25, May 27, and July 6, 2003.
Shore Acres Area Tree Monitoring: STEP student Matt Paulson completed the fifth and final year of a monitoring effort aimed at assessing the survival of a tree planting in an area restored in 1998-99 when a .25-mile section of road was removed near the residential development along Shore Acres Road. Green ash, swamp white oak, eastern cottonwood seedlings were planted with excellent survival.
Beach Inventory: A beach inventory was conducted on the La Crosse District during • the summer months by SCEP student Amy Seitz. The purpose of this inventory was to 5
identify areas on the District used by the public for camping, swimming, beach use, and • other activities. Each site was visited, then mapped, photographed, and inventory completed. All data was entered into a database.
Wildcelery Survey: The annual Lake Onalaska wildcelery survey was completed August 5 by a team consisting of Service, U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (USACE), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel. The youth enrolled in the summer employment program also participated. Sampling takes place at points along 12 transects developed by Dr. Carl Korschgen in 1980. Results appear in Figures 1 and 2.
Wildcelery in Lake Onalaska, 1980-2003 Data collected along 12 transects which were heavily populated with wildcelery when the transects were established in 1980. •
Figure 1. Average number ofwildcelery plants found per square meter in Lake Onalaska. • 6
• Wildcelery in Lake Onalaska, 1980-2003 Data collected along 12 transects which were heavily populated with wildcelery when the transects were established in 1980.
• Figure 2. Wildcelery plants were found in 78% of the quadrats in 2003.
• • 7
Participants in the 2003 wildcelery survey on Lake Onalaska
lb. Studies & Investigations
The La Crosse area has a constant supply of ongoing research projects due in part to the presence of the USGS's Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (formerly the Environmental Management Technical Center and the "Fish Lab"). La Crosse District • staff work closely with Center staff on a number of projects that directly benefit the Refuge. Among them:
Hooded Merganser Project: For the second consecutive year, students and their teachers from Longfellow Middle School's "School on the River" Program were involved in monitoring hooded merganser nesting activity on the Refuge. In May, two students from the school, along with their parents, worked with USGS and Refuge staff and placed tidbit data loggers in the nests of four incubating hooded mergansers. All four nests were in nest boxes located in Shepards Marsh (Pool 8). The data loggers were retrieved after the outcomes of each nest were determined.
Four hooded merganser hens were captured on their nests and banded as part of this project. None of the nine hooded merganser hens captured and surgically implanted with miniature radio transmitters in 2002 were trapped this year.
The students are now writing a final report
Habitat Classification for the Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake in the Black River Bottoms (Pool 7): Larry Robinson and taff at USGS completed thi project, which was • the development of a habitat classification sy tern covering a 10,000 acre study area in the 8
Black River Bottoms of La Crosse and Trempeauleau Counties, WI. The study area • includes a mixture of private and public land. Public lands are the Refuge and the Van Loon Wildlife Area, managed by the Wisconsin DNR. The product wil1 be used to help guide habitat management.
Monitoring A vi an Productivity and Survival (MAPS) Project: Researchers from USGS, working in partnership with teachers and students from Longfellow Middle School's "School on the River," initiated a MAPS project on the Refuge near the Interpretive Trail on Goose Island. MAPS is a nationally recognized and approved process for capturing and handling songbirds for monitoring. The project was conducted from May 30 through August 10. The USGS contact is Dr. Pat Heglund .
•
A happy bander from Longfellow Middle School
The Ecology of Tundra Swans on the Upper Mississippi River: The principal investigator is Kevin Kenow; collaborators include staff from the Center and Service. In recent years, the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) has become an important stopover area for the Eastern Population of tundra swans during fall migration. During 1997 through 2002, annual fall swan use average more than 760,000 use days. This represents a 700% increase in river-wide swan use from the early 1980's based on use-day estimates. Because of the increa ed public interest in swans and the responsibility for management of the UM for tru t species, river managers and biologists have identified and prioritized research needs that would provide important information to upport the wi e management • of tundra wans . 9
Beginning in fall2003, pilot work was initiated to assess the availability and impacts of • tundra swans on food resources within the UMR, a priority research need. A primary objective of this work is to develop efficient techniques to use geo-referenced aerial photography to document numbers and distribution of tundra swans and link the information with vegetation cover data.
Funding for the fall 2003 pilot effort was provided through the Refuge and USGS Biological Resources Division-Quick Response funds.
The information gathered in this pilot field study will provide a basis for development of a scope of a detailed study plan to model local movements of swans in association with distribution of food resources and areas closed to waterfowl hunting. The accrued information should guide river resource managers in the development and implementation of management strategies for enhancement of the UMR as an important resource for tundra swans.
Other projects include:
Spinning-Wing Decoy Study: The Minnesota DNR's Division of Wildlife contracted with Dr. AI Afton of the USGS's Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Louisiana State University to conduct a study of the effectiveness of spinning-wing decoys for hunting ducks in Minnesota during the 2002 duck hunting season. Because three of the Minnesota counties selected for the study were Wabasha, Winona, and • Houston, Refuge personnel were involved in project coordination. The study was completed and results are available.
West Nile Virus Monitoring Project: Staff from the USGS's National Wildlife Health Center again conducted a banding operation at Goose Island County Park and on the Refuge (Pool8) in spring and fall to document the movement of the West Nile virus. Blood samples were collected from a number of the birds and are being analyzed. This was the second and final year of the project.
Project: Evaluation of Stressor Attenuation Through a Managed Wetland Complex, Halfway Creek Watershed: The primary goal of this research project is to quantify and characterize the annual load of nutrients, sediments, and bacteria transported by Halfway Creek and compare these loads with the total loads of nutrients, sediments, and bacteria removed annually in the three managed impoundments that comprise the Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Project (UHCMP). The UHCMP is located on the Refuge. Primary agencies involved include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and USGS- both the Biological and Water Resources Divisions.
One automated gauging station was installed at the UHCMP inlet structure on Halfway • Creek in October 2003. Others will be located at several off-Refuge locations . 10 • 2. Habitat Restoration 2c. Deepwater/Riverine Restoration
Environmental Management Program (EMP) The EMP is intended to ensure the coordinated development and enhancement of the Upper Mississippi River System, with primary emphasis on habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects and long-term resource monitoring. The habitat project component includes dredging backwater areas and channels, constructing dikes, creating and stabilizing islands, and controlling side channel flows and water levels. The long-term resource monitoring component includes monitoring trends and impacts with respect to selected resources, developing products for resource management decisions, and maintaining river information databases.
The EMP was authorized by Congress in 1986 as a 15-year program, and re-authorized and amended in 1999 to extend the program without a termination date. To implement the EMP, a partnership has been formed between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Service, USGS, the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and the public. The authorized annual EMP funding is $33, 520,000; $12,200,000 was appropriated in FY2003 .
Staff time was spent during the fiscal year in monitoring the reconstruction of the Long Lake EMP Project, planning a future project, and monitoring completed projects. Details • include: Long Lake EMP Project: This project, originally completed in May 2000, involved constructing a diversion channel between the Mississippi River and Long Lake, a 15-acre backwater lake, to introduce flows into the lake. Flow is needed to maintain adequate dissolved oxygen levels during late summer and winter to support fish.
In the spring of2001, major flooding on the Upper Mississippi River severely damaged the Long Lake Project. There was erosion of the channel, the water control structure was displaced, and a substantial amount of sand was deposited in the lake.
After review, the decision was made to return the project to functional status. Functional status included:
1. Restoration of the embankment to include an overflow spillway. 2. Installation of a stop log water control structure. 3. Repair of eroded banks and additional rock stabilization 4. Removal of the main sandbar from Long Lake . • 11
In September 2002, the USACE awarded Frontier Construction Company, Inc. of Deer • River, MN, with a $369,111 contract to reconstruct this project.
• Condition ofthe diversion channel during the reconstruction ofthe Long Lake EMP Project and the nearly completed water control structure
Work commenced on November 11 with the dredging ofthe main sandbar in Long Lake. Riprap placement, channel excavation, and construction of a rock liner in an overflow channel were completed in November and early December. The installation of a new stoplog structure, which required dewatering the diversion channel, was also completed in December. Seeding disturbed sites and planting swamp white oak trees was completed in spring/early summer of2003. The final contract amount, including modifications, was $422,165.65.
Pool 8 Islands/Phase III Project: Planning continued in FY2003 on this project. Under the current proposal, 17 islands are scheduled to be constructed in the lake-like portion of lower Pool 8 to reduce wave action and associated turbidity. The i lands will be constructed with dredged material and protected with riprap and vegetation to prevent ero ion. Con truction of the islands would maintain existing valuable habitat and pro ide • the physical conditions necessary for the ree tablishment of aquatic plant bed and 12
deepwater habitat, benefiting a wide spectrum of fish and wildlife in the area. About • 3,000 acres should be affected by the project. Planning for this nearly $15,000,000 project has been ongoing since 1999. The initial stage of construction, the construction of three islands near the Coon Creek Delta, is now scheduled to begin in 2005.
Other Completed EMP Projects: Fifty swamp white oak trees were planted on Eagle and the D1 portion of Slingshot Islands ofthe Pool8 Islands/Phase II Project in October 2002 to replace trees that did not survive from an earlier planting. A number of the newly planted trees did not survive the sustained dry weather experienced in late summer and fall. Refuge staff and enrollees in the summer employment program constructed several small rock groins near Boomerang Comer (Pool 8 Islands/Phase I Project) to reduce shoreline erosion. Rock was moved from a nearby wedge and hauled to the site and placed. Staff time was also spent monitoring these two projects, and the Lake Onalaska (Pool 7) and the East Channel (Pool 8) Projects.
Other Habitat Projects: Planning for the Rosebud Island and Brice Prairie Barrier Island flood repair projects continued during the fiscal year. Construction of the first phase of the Rosebud Island Project was completed during the summer. Details include:
Rosebud Island Protection Project: Considerable shoreline erosion occurred to a complex of three small islands located off the southeast tip of Rosebud Island during the 2001 flood. Rosebud Island is located on the east side of Lake Onalaska (Pool 7). Wave action is the primary force causing erosion to these islands. This island complex protects • beds of submersed and rooted floating aquatic plants from excessive wave action. About 80 acres of shallow backwater habitat are protected, and nearly 50% are vegetated. This habitat type supports a diverse aquatic plant community and is important habitat for fish, waterfowl, other migratory birds, furbearers, and amphibians. The islands also provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Impoundment of the Upper Mississippi River increased water levels throughout much of the year. This resulted in permanently flooding the river valley and creating numerous islands. Erosion by waves, ice, and river currents has reduced the number and acreage of islands in the lower section of many pools. Lake Onalaska is no exception. In 1979, the island complex located off the tip of Rosebud Island consisted oftwo islands with a combined area of about 3.5 acres. By 2001, this same complex consisted ofthree islands with a combined area of 2.8 acres, a reduction of nearly 20%. Equally important, the eastern-most island in the complex has been so reduced in size that it may cease to exist after the next flood event.
Based on the recommendations of Jon Hendrickson (USACE), the plan to protect the remaining shorelines involved constructing a combination of offshore and nearshore structures. Four offshore structures were designed, including one experimental rock/log • island. The advantage of using offshore structures, such as rock mounds, is that access 13
dredging is minimized and sheltered habitat is created behind the structures. The • disadvantage is the large amount of rock required compared with nearshore structures such as a rock wedge. The recommended nearshore structure was a rock wedge to be constructed along approximately 280' of shoreline on the eastern-most island.
Stage I of this project, construction of the four offshore structures, was completed from June 24 to August 4 by a crew from the US ACE. Two of the structures were standard rock mounds with lengths of225' and 140', respectively.
The third structure was the experimental rock/log island measuring 150' in length. Black locust logs, donated by a Refuge neighbor, LeifMarking, were used. The logs were cut near Holmen, WI, trucked to the loading dock and Lock and Dam 7, then loaded on a barge and transported to the construction site. One advantage in using logs is the more diverse substrate that results. A disadvantage is that the logs have to be placed just below low pool elevations to prevent decay. For that reason, they may be less effective during floods. Because this was the first time this structure was used in the St. Paul District of the USACE, learning how to construct this type of structure required time and experimentation . •
The experimental rock/log structure under construction ... • • 14
. ... and constructed
With more logs available than needed for the rock/log island, the fourth structure • constructed became a "rock mound with trees." Five trees were placed in the rock mound to provide more loafing habitat and additional underwater habitat. Total length of this island was 235'.
These offshore structures were constructed in 3' to 4' of water with adjacent access depths of 4' or greater. The distance from the existing islands varied from 50' to 75'.
A project tour was provided on July 22 for the local media, area residents involved with the project, and aides from local Congressional offices. Participants were able to talk with the USACE crew constructing the project, then watch a section of the rock/1og island being constructed .
• • 15
The completed first phase ofthe Rosebud Island Protection Project The rock/log island is the second structure from the right Riprapping a section ofshoreline on the • small island at the tip of the complex i.s the project's second phase. About 1,800 tons of rock was used to construct the four structures. The total cost for the Stage I portion of the project was about $118,500 (construction at $110,500 and $8,000 for design). Service supplemental flood funds were used to pay for about $93,500 of the project costs; the remaining $25,000 was provided by the USACE's Natural Resources Project Office in La Crescent, MN.
Stage II, constructing the rock wedge along the shoreline of the outer island, awaits high water for better access.
3. Habitat Management
3a. Water Level Management
PoolS Drawdown: River resource managers conducted demonstration drawdowns during the summers of2001 and 2002 on Pool 8.
The purpose of the drawdown in 2001 was to promote the growth of aquatic plants, particularly emergents such as arrowhead, and dry the exposed ediments. The drawdown was scheduled to last 85-90 days, but was hortened to 40 days due to the • effects of weather and reduced flows in the river. Nearly 1,955 acres of river bottom lS
were exposed, some for the first time in 60 years. The targeted plant groups responded, • but in the lower pool, they did not have enough time to grow into mature plants that would persist through flooding. As a result, resource managers recommended a follow up 18" drawdown oflower Pool 8 during the 2002 growing season.
The goal of the 2002 draw down was to give perennial plants a better chance to become established. Higher river flows through much of the summer allowed the maximum target level of 18" to be maintained for 85-90 days while minimizing upstream impacts. Nearly 1,955 acres were again exposed. Because of the ideal conditions, the goal was achieved. For example, arrowhead tuber production increased 16-fold during the second year as measured by the USGS's monitoring crew under the direction of Kevin Kenow.
No drawdown occurred in 2003. Extensive emergent plant beds persisted in a number of locations. Vegetation monitoring was completed by Kevin Kenow and crew. Date analysis is currently underway . •
Emergent plant beds persisted with the return ofnormal water levels in 2003
Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Project (UHCMP): An estimated 85 acre of wetlands were restored/enhanced/created through this project, which was completed in two tages in 1999-2000. A serie of three pools was con tructed and each pool is being managed to • mimic pre-project conditions. An inlet tructure located on Halfway Creek convey water 17
from the creek into the project during high flow events. Pool A is an upland sediment • trap managed as a moist soil unit that inundates 21 acres when full. Pool B is nearly 46 acres in size when fully flooded and is managed as a temporary-seasonal wetland. Pool C floods about 10 acres when fully flooded and is managed as a seasonal wetland.
Minimal run-off during FY2003 made filling the pools difficult. Summaries of each pool follow:
Pool A: Nearly 2.00" of rain on October 3-4, 2002 flooded 5-6 acres of moist soil plants and quickly attracted puddle ducks (green-winged teal, mallards, and blue-winged teal). Water levels receded by the end of the month, but not before the ducks reduced the flooded vegetation to mudflats. Use days during this period totaled about 2,200. Flood up of Unit A from the creek occurred March 16-17, 2003 and temporarily flooded the entire 21 acres ofthe pool. The level was lowered when water was moved into Pool B. Rain in late March again raised the level of Pool A and resulted in the flood-up of about 15 acres of moist soil plants. These flooded acres received considerable attention from feeding waterfowl. Ducks continued to use the pool each time new flood-up occurred. During spring migration (March-April), the peak waterfowl count of 1,085 birds was recorded on March 29. About 13,805 waterfowl use days were recorded with mallards (8,515) and green-winged teal (3,695) the top two species. Snipe also made extensive use of the pool edge in early April. By July, the unit was dry and remained that way through the end of the fiscal year. Moist soil plant production was excellent in the lower elevations of the pool, while woody plant colonization is occurring around the diversion • channel outlet and in the higher elevations of the pool. Pool B: With few precipitation events this year, only about five acres of the pool were flooded during spring migration. Puddle ducks, primarily green-winged teal, used the flooded acres. The entire pool, including the old ditch system, was dry from late July through the end of the year.
Pool C: The level of this pool gradually raised until the full service level was reached in mid-May. Peak waterfowl use, primarily by blue-winged teal and mallards, occurred in May. Areas of flooded emergent vegetation also served as a communal evening roost site for ducks in April and May. Least bitterns, green herons, and sora and Virginia rails also used this pool during spring and early summer. As a result of dry weather in late summer, less than one acre was flooded at the end of the fiscal year.
The meadow and ditch complex outside of the managed impoundments was flooded in late March through early May and received extensive use from ducks and snipe.
Management activities completed in 2003 include: • • Vegetation and wildlife monitoring surveys were completed throughout the year . 18
• Marsh hay, predominately reed canarygrass, was harvested at four sites totaling nearly • 30 acres, in and around Pool B and the wetland restoration. The haying operation was completed from August 16-24.
• Taking advantage of the dry conditions, about 15 acres in the western end of Pool B were disked on September 3 by John McHugh to breakup a nearly solid stand of reed canarygrass. Prior to disking, the 15 acres were first hayed.
3c. Graze/Mow/Hay
Two Special Use Permits were issued in FY 2003 for grazing cattle on unimproved wet meadows along Coon Creek in Vernon County, WI. Grazing is permitted between late May and the end of October. The meadows adjoin private farm pastures with the cattle grazing on an on/off percentage basis to determine the Animal Unit Months (AUMs). Herd size was 35 and 20, respectively. A total of 140.58 AUMs was removed, which generated $619.75. Permittees are charged $5.00/AUM. Comparable numbers in FY2002 were 116.55 AUM's and $582.75 in revenue.
Details of the FY2003 haying program, conducted by neighboring farmers, include:
• A Special Use Permit was issued to Dave Lehmann to harvest hay, primarily reed canarygrass, on a portion of the Miller-West parcel (Tract H-315) in Houston County, MN. The purpose in haying this wet meadow is to reduce the encroachment of • woody vegetation, increase the diversity of grasses/forbs, and prepare fall and springtime feeding habitat for waterfowl, shore- and wading birds, and sandhill cranes. Nearly 16 acres were hayed in August and the yield was about 5.7 tons/acre.
• A Special Use Permit was issued to Todd Wright to harvest hay at five scattered sites in Halfway Creek Marsh in La Crosse County, WI. Hay was harvested at four sites, totaling nearly 30 acres, within the Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Project in late August. The yield averaged about 2.5 tons/acre. The goals in haying are the same as listed for Lehmann. A fifth site, consisting of nearly six acres of reed canarygrass, was hayed south of County Trunk Highway ZN in early September. Preparing a firebreak around a commercial area in Midway, WI is an added goal for haying this site. About 20 tons of canarygrass hay were harvested at this location (3.4 tons/acre).
• A third Special Use Permit was issued to Dennis Doering to hay a portion of the Miller-East parcel in Houston County, MN. Twenty-three acres were hayed in late August-early September and yielded an average of about 2. 7 tons/acre. Haying goals are the same as listed for Lehmann.
In summary, 75 acres of primarily reed canarygrass meadows were hayed in FY2003. • There is no charge for this hay. All sites were mapped using GIS technology . • 19
Refuge neighbor Todd Wright baling meadow hay in Pool B • of the Upper Halfway Creek Marsh Project
3e. Forest Management
Forest Inventory: Stand-mapping of the bottomland forest located on Service-acquired land continued during the 2003 growing season. The Service initiated a Cooperative Agreement with the USACE in FY2001 for foresters from the Natural Resources Office in La Crescent, MN to begin working on this project. La Crosse District contributions in FY2003 included transferring $10,000 to US ACE to fund salaries for fieldwork, data entry, and support. Another $10,000 was used to hire and fund two students to work with the USACE team assigned to the project. Eric Norton and Brian Milligan were hired through the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).
The "Inventory Team," consisting of four students and supervised by Jon Sobiech of the USACE, inventoried 2,200 acres in Poo18 from June through August 18. Data entry was also completed.
In preparation for the FY2004 season, Headquarters provided $10,000 to the USACE in • September to continue the work. • 20
Brian Milligan and Eric Norton measuring a very large soft maple tree in the Goose Island area. The tree may be the third largest soft maple in the State of Wisconsin . • 3f. Fire Management Prescribed Burning Program: No prescribed burning was conducted this fiscal year.
Wildfire Suppression: One small wildfire, started from a nearby campfire, was extinguished on the Refuge by the Town of Shelby Fire Department on September 9, 2003. The location was west of Pammel Creek. Less than .1-acre of grass burned. The cost to extinguish the fire was $350.
Rural Fire Assistance Program: Local fire departments were again notified of the availability of this program. The Stoddard-Bergen (WI) Volunteer Fire Department submitted a package requesting $11,280.20 in funding. Funding was approved in the amount of $3,438.50 for personal protective equipment ($3,094.65 or 90% from the Rural Fire Assistance Program and the remaining 10% from the Stoddard-Bergen Fire Department).
3g. Pest Plant Control
Among the invasive plants found on the La Cros e District include purple loosestrife, reed canarygrass, Eurasian water milfoil, leafy spurge, crown vetch, European buckthorn, garlic mustard, and Japane e bamboo. To-date, controlling purple loosestrife through the • implementation of a biological control program has been the main focus. Toward that 21 • end, two projects have been implemented by volunteers. Details follow: Brice Prairie Conservation Association (BPCA): This year marked the third consecutive year of the BPCA's involvement in biological control of purple loosestrife on the Refuge. Project results were summarized in an annual report prepared by Brad Foss of the BPCA. Key highlights include:
• Nearly 3,000-4,000 Ga/erucella spp. beetles were released at a new site located south of County Trunk Highway Z near Lake Onalaska (Pool 7). Five monitoring quadrants were later staked in August at this heavily infested site.
• Spring monitoring was conducted at the 2002 release site on May 29. Damage to purple loosestrife foliage at the site ranged from 1 to 5% in all five monitoring quadrants surveyed. Adult beetles and eggs were present in one of the monitoring quadrants and also observed outside the quadrants.
• Spring monitoring of the 2001 release site also took place on May 29. Damage to purple loosestrife plants at the site ranged from 1 to 25%, depending on which monitoring quadrant was being surveyed. Damage noted in the 2002 survey ranged from 1 to 50%. Numerous beetles were observed outside the monitoring quadrants .
• The conclusion is that project is showing a positive progression. Although no decline in purple loosestrife density has been observed at the release sites, beetle damage, • reproduction, and the presence of adult beetles are being observed. La Crescent-Hokah School District: A cooperative effort to establish a pilot purple loosestrife beetle (Galerucella spp.) release project between the Refuge and the La Crescent -Hokah School District was started in January 2003 by Chuck Ericksen, Community Education Director and Ruth Nissen, Wisconsin DNR. While initially two teachers expressed an interest, Cyndy Reichgelt, a first grade teacher volunteered to undertake the project.
Schnicks Bay, located at the mouth of Wildcat Creek, near Brownsville, MN (Pool 8) was chosen as the release site because there was an adequate number of mature purple loosestrife plants present per acre to support a beetle release, the site had good land-based access, and it was located in proximity to the school.
Materials for this project were supplied by Brock Woods at the Wisconsin DNR's Research Center in Monona, WI. Ten host plants were dug in mid-April at a site near the 1-90 Minnesota Rest Area. The roots were processed and potted and setup in the classroom. The beetles arrived in late May and were released into the insectary. • Approximately 400-500 beetles were released on the east side ofSchnicks Bay on July 9 . 22
The west side of the bay borders railroad tracks, so no release was made because of difficult access and possible pesticide use in the area. The east side also offers the advantage of having nearby overwintering sites. Later in July, monitoring sites were setup by La Crosse District staff and photos were taken of the release site and the extent of the loosestrife invasion. The project is scheduled to continue in 2004 with a second release .
• Monitoring the Galeracella beetle release at the new Schnicks Bay site in lower Pool 8
"Volunteers and lnvasives" Grant: The La Crosse District received $3,900 through this grant About $2,448 was used to purchase a laptop computer and GPS unit. This equipment will be used by Eagle Scout candidates and volunteers to inventory and map the location and area extent of invasive plant species. Remaining funds were used to develop and purchase an aquatic invasive species learning "game" patterned after the migratory bird learning game, which bas proven to be an effective way of involving students in the learning process. USGS staff were partners in the development of this game.
Efforts in 2004 will be directed at encouraging more volunteers to become involved in the purple loosestrife biological control program and initiate a systematic invasive plant mapping project. Further, an expanding infestation of Japanese bamboo along Shore • Acres Road (Pool 8) requires attention . 23
• 4. Fish & Wildlife Management 4a. Bird Banding
Four incubating hooded merganser hens were captured in nest boxes and banded as part of a project involving students from Longfellow Middle School.
The summer youth crew assisted Wisconsin DNR biologists with their annual Canada goose banding program. Working out of Stoddard, WI, the team captured and banded 131 Canada geese on June 26.
La Crosse District staff did not attempt to band wood ducks in FY2003. Wisconsin DNR biologists trapped and banded 66 wood ducks near Goose Island (Pool S) with one shot of a cannon net. Another attempt failed due to mammalian activity on the banding site. Swim-in traps employed in the same area were also unsuccessful.
4b. Disease Monitoring & Treatment
Trematode-Caused Die-offs:
Fall Migration 2002: In April 2002, one dead lesser scaup was recovered on the main channel in upper PoolS. Disease Specialists from the National Wildlife Health Center • (NWHC) were consulted and recommended storing the carcass for future reference. In October 2002, an angler notified the Refuge about sick/dead waterbirds accumulating near the fishing float located just below Lock and Dam 7; a shoreline homeowner also called about finding sick/dead waterbirds washing ashore on French Island. Upon farther investigation, several coot and lesser scaup carcasses were found. These birds were shipped to the NWHC, along with the lesser scaup carcass found in April. The cause of death for all birds was determined to be severe blood loss, anemia, and infection caused by parasitic flukes, or trematodes. A weekly monitoring program was established in the Upper Pool S!Lake Onalaska area starting October 22, 2002, and continued until freeze up. A total of 346 coots and diving ducks was collected on Lake Onalaska and Upper Pool S. Coots were the species most affected (167), followed by lesser scaup (151 ), and ring-necked ducks (2S). Additional birds were also found near the Stoddard Bay EMP Project in lower PoolS. Estimated total mortality on Pools 7 and S was 1,500-1,900 waterbirds (1 ,400-1,700 on Lake Onalaska).
Another 100 waterbirds, primarily coots and diving ducks, were collected in the open water area between Ferryville and Lynxville, WI. • • 24
Dead coots and lesser scaup on a Lake Onalaska island- a common scene during spring and fall migration this year
• Spring Migration 2003: In April2003, a weekly monitoring program was started when sick/dead ducks again began to show up on Lake Onalaska. Carcasses were shipped to the NWHC and the cause of death was again determined to be trematodiasis. The monitoring program continued through late April, after most migrants had moved through the area. A total of 175 waterbirds was found in the Lake Onalaska area. Lesser scaup (143) and coots (31) were most affected. Total mortality was estimated at 700-900. No birds were found in the Stoddard Islands EMP Project.
In April 2003 a dead tundra swan was reported. The carcass was collected and shipped to the NWHC for necropsy and the cause of death was attributed to severe blood loss due to heavy internal parasitism. Trematodes were detected in the lower intestine, however, they were too badly decomposed or damaged by freezing to make genus and species identification possible.
Fall Migration 2003: Beginning in mid-September, dead coots were found on Lake Onalaska and shipped to the NWHC. Trematodes were again respon ible. A weekly monitoring chedule was setup and will continue until freeze-up.
Other Disease Outbreaks: On Augu t 18, 2003, four sick mallards were observed at a private campground on the Missi sippi River in La Cros e County, WI. This area of the • river ha a history of mortality due to avian botulism. Three duck were euthanized via 25
cervical dislocation and sent to the NWHC for necropsy. All mallard samples tested • negative for avian botulism Type C. No further testing was performed and the cause of death is still undetermined
5. Coordination Activities
Sa. Interagency Coordination
La Crosse District staff was involved throughout the year with representatives from local units of government, state and federal agencies, and other organizations in planning/reviewing/commenting on a variety of issues and projects. Among them were:
• In conjunction with the Service's Twin Cities Ecological Services Field Office, participated in a number of meetings through the year to discuss the La Crosse Municipal Airport's proposal to construct a new taxiway off the main 18/36 Runway. One alternative is to fill about 4.5 acres of Lake Onalaska to build the taxiway. Another proposal contained in the airport's master plan identifies a 700' extension for Runway 13/31, which would result in more air traffic over Lake Onalaska and the concentrations of migratory birds. A proposal to clear trees on Rosebud Island was also made by the airport .
• In January 2003, Mathy Construction Company (Mathy) proposed building an asphalt plant on Brice Prairie (Pool 7). Mathy has had an asphalt plant near the La Crosse • River in La Crosse for many years, but has not been able to expand because of floodplain issues. Because of that and other reasons, Mathy started looking for another location, and in January announced it planned to build on industrial-zoned land on Brice Prairie. Although a state-of-the-art plant was promised, neighbors and Brice Prairie residents quickly organized and opposed the project. Signs, both supporting and opposing the project, appeared in many locations. Because Mathy needed several permits to move ahead with the plant relocation, La Crosse County hosted several informational meetings that drew large crowds.
Brice Prairie is nearly surrounded by Refuge, including Lake Onalaska. Refuge concerns with the proposal included potential groundwater contamination and impacts to the receiving waters of Lake Onalaska, and the effect on Halfway Creek Marsh if road expansion was required. Highway ZN bisects the Refuge and Halfway Creek Marsh and is the road scheduled to receive most of the increased truck traffic. These concerns were presented by Refuge Manager Don Hultman at several meetings.
In late March, the proposal came to a standstill as Mathy waited for the results of a private engineering study evaluating the condition of County Trunk Highway ZN. In the ensuing months, the Town of Onalaska created a planning commission and started • to update the Town's comprehensive plan. At year's end, the Mathy proposal remains 26
on the table. However, the City of La Crosse is working with Mathy to keep the • asphalt plant in its current location .
Signs opposing the proposed asphalt plant on Brice Prairie • appeared in many locations District staff participated in the development of Environmental Pool Plans through the Fish and Wildlife Work Group; participated in discussions concerning the USACE's restructured Navigation Study; continued involvement in the USACE's embankment study; and placement of mooring cells at Lock and Dam 8.
• Other project proposals that generated staff involvement included the Pretasky development on Catgut Slough, a joint City of La Crosse/La Crosse County redevelopment project near West Channel Island, the Cady development on Shore Acres Road, and relocation of the Village of Stoddard's sewage outfall pipe.
Sc. Private Land Activities
Riparian Corridors: The La Crosse District has Private Lands responsibilities in La Crosse and Vernon Counties (WI). The main focus of the program in these two counties is stream restoration. Key partners include Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Land Conservation Departments located in each county. Restoration efforts • in FY2003 included: 27 • La Crosse County • The first phase of the Heuer streambank restoration and protection project was completed in 2003. Through this project, located in the upper reach of the Halfway Creek watershed, nearly .6 mile of streambank was protected through bank shaping, sloping, and arm orin g. Further, about 400' of waterways, diversions, and feedlot filter strips were also constructed. The total cost of the project was $50,328 with the Service contributing $20,722, La Crosse County Land Conservation Department $19,168, NRCS $9,570, volunteers $288, Town of0nalaska$200,and the landowner $100. Phase 2 is scheduled for completion next year.
• Repairs were made to the Ray Lee Stream Restoration project at a cost of $719.
Vernon County
• Enhancement projects on the Welch and Hall property located on the Upper Springville Stream improved 8,448 feet of stream. Enhancements included 28 Junkers, 21 weirs, 11 root wads, and 4 tree trunks as habitat. The projects were completed in Sept. 2003. The Service contributed $3,000 to the project Partners • included NRCS ($13,462) and the landowners ($5,903) for a total of$22,365 .
Kickapoo-Griffin restored wetland in Vernon County, WI
Conservation Easements: La Crosse manages five conservation ea ements in four counties: La Crosse, Vernon, Sauk, and Richland. Four of the easements were visited in • FY2003 by Biological Technician Calvin Gehri. No major problems were discovered . 28
Other Private Lands Involvement: Additional staff time was invested in working with • partners and landowners to initiate additional projects, participating in "show me" tours to review work being done on tributaries, and providing Service involvement in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
6. Resource Protection
6a. Law Enforcement
Staffing: District law enforcement duties were carried out by full-time Refuge Law Enforcement Officer (RO) Randy Lilla and by Refuge Operations Specialist (ROS) Bill Thrune. Enforcement assistance on several occasions was also provided by Bob Bartels (Regional Refuge Law Enforcement Chief) and Special Agent Gary Jagodzinski.
Summary: The "building process" continued with the La Crosse District's law enforcement program in FY 2003. Refuge Officer (RO) Lilla continued learning the La Crosse District as well as the Winona and McGregor Districts. Encroachment and jurisdiction issues continued to remain a "core" duty. Staff time was devoted to building and maintaining liaisons with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Patrols and investigations continued with Refuge Officers, Special Agent Gary Jagodzinski, Bob Bartels, conservation wardens from MN and WI, and county deputies . Smaller, coordinated law enforcement operations were conducted throughout the year. These occurred during the waterfowl seasons and over the July 4 holiday weekend in • La Crosse and Winona. A major fireworks and drug case was made with RO Hirschboeck in the Winona District. Other cases included violations of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act and the Refuge Administration Act. There were four fatalities on the La Crosse District during the summer of2003. Three visitors drowned after falling out of boats. Another visitor died from mass trauma resulting from a personal watercraft collision. Refuge staff from the La Crosse and Winona Districts and Trempealeau NWR assisted with search and rescue operations for the drowning victims.
Law Enforcement-Related Training
o ROS Thrune attended the annual Region 3 Law Enforcement Refresher Training in Des Moines, lA from March 31-April4, 2003. ROS Thrune also served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor for the two Region 3 refresher sessions.
o RO Lilla attended Region 3 Law Enforcement Refresher Training in Des Moines, lA from April 7-11, 2003.
0 RO Lilla and ROS Thrune successfully completed the Service handgun transition course during in-service training. The Service converted to Glock .40 caliber • handguns . 29
• o RO Lilla and ROS Thrune attended semi-annual firearms training at WWTC, in Sparta, WI
Law Enforcement Details: RO Lilla was assigned to a 21-day law enforcement/security detail to Vieques National Wildlife Refuge in Vieques, PR from May 19 through June 7, 2003.
Law Enforcement Equipment Purchase: The La Crosse District continued purchasing LE and other related equipment throughout FY 2003. A replacement, 16 foot modified-v flat boat (tall transom), trailer, and Honda 30 h.p. tiller drive motor was acquired to serve law enforcement, search and rescue, resource management, and maintenance operations. The 2003 Ford F-250 patrol truck arrived on site in January 2003. Emergency lights, siren and other vehicle related equipment was purchased throughout the year for the vehicle. A mobile data terminal, mobile radio, and vehicle markings were purchased and installed. Other LE duty, boat, safety, and office-related equipment were also purchased. RO Lilla was issued the new .223 Bushmaster rifle to replace the service-issued Ruger Mini-14. Transition training will be held at 2004 In-Service Training in Des Moines, lA. RO Lilla was also issued the Glock Model 27 for a "back up" weapon . •
Refuge Officer Randy Lilla with new patrol vehicle
6b. Permits & Economic Use Management
Special Use Permits were issued to the fishing float owners located below Lock and Dam • 6 (Tremplo Fishing Float) and Lock and Dam 7 (Best Float By A Dam Site). Permits 30
remained at $100 for the year. Operation of the Tremplo Fishing Float was shutdown on • June 18 due to noncompliance with the conditions of the Special Use Permit, specifically, the owner and operator were not in possession of the required U.S. Coast Guard license to transport clients. The float remained closed at the end of the year.
6c. Contaminant Investigation
Environmental Contaminants Program - Bioavailability ofEnvironmental Contaminants on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Associated with Water Level Management on Pool 8: This project, under the direction ofDave Warburton (Contaminant Specialist, Twin Cities Field Office) and Tom and Christine Custer (USGS), is intended to evaluate the degree to which contaminants in the Pool 8 System may become bioavailable due to the drawdown. Following exposure, oxidation, and subsequent retlooding of sediments, chemicals present may become more available and enter into the food chain. Tree swallows are being used for monitoring the extent to which this exposure may occur to avian wildlife. Eggs and chicks from swallow nest boxes have been collected and are now being analyzed. FY2003 marked the fourth and final year of this project.
6g. Land Acquisition Support
Three tracts ofland, totaling about 57 acres, were acquired in FY2003. Details are: • GlissendorfTract (H-318), about 11.2 acres. The closing occurred in December 2002 just days before the owner, Ms. Ida Glissendorf, passed away. This tract is located in the Root River Bottoms west of Highway 26 in Houston County, MN. Ms. Glissendorf donated about 7.5-acres of the tract that were enrolled in the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easement program in 1992. The Service purchased the remaining 3.7 acres for $2,500. A snowmobile trail, maintained by the La Crescent Snowmobile Club and part of an area trail system, is located on the tract. A meeting was held in January with the club's president to discuss the future of the trail.
Lot 5 ofthe Philbrick Tract (L-455a), about 5.8 acres. This tract is located on Taylor Island in Pool 8 near the La Crosse riverfront. Lot 5 was not purchased when the Service acquired the rest of the tract in 1998. The purchase price was $7,000.
Keating Tract (L-460), about 40 acres. This tract, known as the Prucha Tract when the acquisition process was initiated, is located in La Crosse County, WI, in upper Pool 8 and near the three tracts acquired in FY2002. The purchase price was $50,000.
Considerable staff time was also spent working on a number of other potential acquisitions and working with Gary Kratz, Regional Surveyor, in October/November to • survey and post tracts acquired in FY2002 . 31
• Revenue Sharing Checks: Revenue sharing checks for FY2002 totaling $25,0S7 were mailed/presented to Houston County ($11 ,563); Town of Holland ($4,9S2); Town of Onalaska ($4,2S9); Town of Shelby ($1 ,905); City of La Crosse ($35); and Town of Campbell ($2,313). The dollar amounts were 4S percent of the full entitlement amount.
Survey/Boundary Posting: The annual posting ofboundaries for the Lake Onalaska (Pool 7) and Wisconsin Islands Closed Areas (PoolS) and the Goose Island No Hunting Zone (Pool S) was completed in August prior to the start of the early Canada goose hunting season in early September.
7. Public Education & Recreation
7a. Provide Visitor Services
Programs:
• The 2002 regular Minnesota duck hunting season opened at noon on Saturday, September 2S and continued for 60 days through November 26. The canvasback season was closed and the pintail season was a "season within a season" opening at noon on September 2S and closing 30 days later on October 27. In the Southern Zone of Wisconsin, the regular duck hunting season opened at noon on Saturday, October 5 and continued through October 13, closed for five days, reopened again on Saturday, • October 19 and continued through DecemberS. The canvasback season was also closed and pintails were legal for 30 days, from October 5-13 and October 19- Novembr S. For most waterfowl hunters, the season ended about December 1 when the river froze.
Waterfowl hunter bag checks were conducted on six dates, including the opener and reopener, at landings on Brice Prairie (Pool 7). In addition, bag checks were also conducted at landings around Pool S on seven dates, including the Minnesota and Wisconsin openers and the Wisconsin reopener. A total of 417 waterfowlers was contacted upon the completion of their hunts at Brice Prairie landings and harvested 710 birds, for an average of 1. 70 birds per hunter visit. Mallards (291 ), green-winged teal (130), American wigeon ((53), wood ducks (51), blue-winged teal (50), and gadwall (50) comprised the bulk ofthe harvest. On PoolS, 361 hunters were contacted and they harvested 676 birds for an average of l.S7 birds per hunter visit. The species breakdown in Pool S included mallards (223), blue-winged teal (20 1), wood ducks (11 0), and green-winged teal ( 41 ). A total of 1,3S6 birds was checked at the landings; 55 (4.0%) were pintails.
A leaflet was prepared by Park Ranger Ann Blankenship highlighting the canvasback • season closure and the "season within a season" on pintails (copy attached) . 32
• All trappers are required to obtain a Refuge Trapping Permit and attach a Refuge tag • to each trap placed. Trappers are limited to 40 tags per year and the cost of the trapping permit is $20. A total of 93 trapping permits were issued from the La Crosse District Office.
• The Lake Onalaska Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Area was in place again from mid-October through mid-November. Extensive outreach was done to increase public awareness about this program. The Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehabilitation District paid for the costs of printing a leaflet describing the program.
• Several islands in Pools 7 and 8 with a history of waterfowl nesting are included in a Voluntary Closed Area program, a program in effect each year from Aprill5 through July 15. Signs advertising the program are posted on each island.
Visitor Center: Final revisions were completed and the waterfowl and fish diorama was installed in the Visitor Contact Station. It has received rave reviews from the public and staff. There are sporadic problems with the audio tape recording not working, but hopefully this has been resolved by tightening wire contact points.
The next two displays scheduled to be installed in the Visitor Contact station are being developed in cooperation with Wilderness Graphics. Wilderness Graphics sent a rough draft of their design ideas for the Mississippi River Ecosystem exhibit (7.0) and the • Mussels display (8.0). -----
The backwater diorama is the newest display in the Visitor Center • 33
• Environmental Education Tools: The La Crosse District purchased three River Education trunks created for the Grand Excursion 2004. Each trunk is designed for specific age groups ranging from K-12. These trunks were extensively researched and field tested by educators from schools in the four-state area of the Grand Excursion Education Program. They are available for loan to the public or for staff to use. Five backpacks were purchased to loan the public. Each backpack contains quality binoculars, a tape of Wisconsin frogs, Guide Book to Wisconsin Frogs and Toads, Birds of Wisconsin Field Guide, Animal Tracks ofMinnesota & Wisconsin, and Wildflowers of Wisconsin Field Guide. One CD from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, A Guide to Birds ofNorth America, is also available for teachers to use in the classroom or on field trips.
New Construction/Major Rehabilitation:
Lower 1-90 Boat Ramp Replacement and Embankment Protection Project: Project components included replacing the boat ramp and approach; reshaping, adding geotextile fabric, and riprapping sections of embankment damaged during the spring 2001 flood; andre-striping the parking lot. Frontier Construction Company Inc. of Deer River, MN was selected as the contractor on this project.
Placement of the riprap andre-striping were completed in October. High than normal river levels in October and early November caused postponement of the ramp replacement until the spring of2003. The landing was closed through much of October, • but reopened in early November after the project was postponed. The landing was closed beginning May 5, 2003 and the contractor immediately began demolishing the existing ramp. Setbacks in the project happened quickly as a concrete footing was uncovered that proved difficult to remove. About one week later, higher than normal river stages flooded the forms and forced a delay in the project. The contractor began work again in late May and began pouring concrete in early June and continued through much of the month. The landing was finally re-opened nearly two months after it was closed! Aside from the long wait, comments have been positive.
One violation notice was issued for stealing some of the riprap. The thief planned to use the rock to landscape his yard.
The total cost of the project was $72,390. Supplemental flood ($60,270) and MMS ($12,120) funds were used. Erin McFadden and Drew McDermott (DEN) engineered the project. • • 34
The construction crew sliding the first section ofreplacement ramp into place at the lower 1-90 Boat Landing
Enhance Angler Access at Hunters Point Landing: Hunters Point Landing is located • within Goose Island County Park and is managed by the La Crosse County Facilities Department. The park and landing are surrounded by the Refuge (Pool 8). This landing, one of the most heavily used on the pool, provides anglers and other river/Refuge users with access. The Hunters Point Landing access road had deteriorated, making access to the landing difficult.
The Refuge and La Crosse County Facilities Department worked together to rehabilitate the access road. The project was completed from July 29 through August 2 and included grading, patching, and seal coating the road. The result is an improved facility that will provide better access to the Refuge.
This wa a flex funding project with the Service contributing $5,000 toward the purchase of materials and La Crosse County (Facilities Department and Highway Department) providing labor, equipment, and part of the material. The total cost of the project was $10,680.
In the future, La Cro se County Facilities Department plans are to improve the two boat • ramps and restroom facilitie at the landing . • 35
La Crosse County Highway Department crews resurfacing the Hunters Point Access Road
Fishing Pier at Stoddard Landing (WI): Planning continued during the year to place a • fishing pier just upstream from the boat ramp at the Stoddard Landing. This project was originally proposed by the Village of Stoddard (Village) several years ago, but never completed for several reasons. Funding became available through a RONS project; this pier was one of eight such projects proposed on the Refuge. The Village is a partner in the project. The Service will fund site preparation, construction of the abutment, purchase the pier, and have it shipped/setup on-site. The Village will construct the parking space and sidewalk and will take care of maintenance needs, including the annual removal of the pier for winter storage.
The structure includes a 6' wide and a maximum 4' long transition plate connecting the pier to the concrete abutment. Access to the fishing pier will be provided by a 16' long and 6' wide gangway and three floating piers each 20' long and 6' wide with guardrails. The fishing pier will be 40' long and 6' wide with lowered guardrails and two- 6' benches at either end. The structure will be arranged in a "T" and meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The contractor selected was Frontier Construction Company Inc. Site preparation and construction of the concrete abutment is scheduled for October 2003 and placement of the • fishing pier is tentatively set for late April2004 . 38
Total cost of the project is estimated at $55-60,000. The Service provided $46,700 for site preparation ($3,000); the concrete abutment ($13, 700); and purchase/delivery and • assembling the fishing pier ($30,000). Drew McDermott (DEN) engineered the project.
Long Lake Landing Rehabilitation (upper Pool7): Long Lake Landing is located in the Town of Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, WI on land acquired USACE and managed by the Service as part of the Refuge. This landing has been in existence for many years; the last major work was done in 1987 when the landing was redesigned and graded. The landing is also flood-prone as inundation has occurred for varying lengths of time each spring the past three years.
Rehabilitation includes the replacement of the boat ramp, construction of a new kiosk, better management of traffic flow by adding another route of ingress/egress, adding a disabled-accessible transfer dock and fishing platform, paving the parking area, and adding curb and gutter. Other project details include:
• Access into the landing will be one-way with ingress via the north entrance and egress from the south exit. The landing will be posted as such. Because Lake Road would be affected, Supervisors from the Town of Trempealeau approved this modification.
• Rip rap will be placed along the shoreline, both upstream and downstream of the ramp. This riprap would be cobble-sized rock, 16" in depth, then topped with 8" of topsoil, and planted with native vegetation. The intent is to have a more naturally • appearing shoreline that is protected from wave action, but also affords boaters easier and safer access during higher river levels. ·
• The path leading to the fishing platform will be concrete. The dimensions of the fishing platform are 8' x 12'.
• Because of floodplain issues, the landing will not be raised. The only fill permitted is to reshape the approach to the ramp.
All the required permits and documentation were obtained and the construction is scheduled to begin in October 2003. The contractor is Frontier Construction Company Inc.
Project funding is through MMS with a total estimated cost of$135,571. Drew McDermott (DEN) designed the project.
7b. Outreach
General: La Crosse District staff coordinated meetings and activities with the following • organizations throughout the year: the Board and Coulee Region Chapter of the Friends 37
of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges (FUMRR), Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehabilitation District, La Crosse County Conservation Alliance, Brice Prairie • Conservation Alliance, and others.
Refuge Centennial Celebration: March 2003 marked the Centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Region 3 organized celebrations by state. PR Blankenship served on the Wisconsin Centennial Celebration committee, representing the Refuge. Several statewide activities were organized by the committee including an on-line scavenger hunt and the creation of a Centennial quilt. Three state events were chosen to focus on the centennial celebration: the American Queen Celebration here on the Refuge, the Crane Festival at Necedah NWR, and the Superior Celebration at Whittlesey Creek NWR. Park Rangers and staff from Service offices in Wisconsin helped with each of these events.
The Refuge celebration coincided with the "Celebrating a Century of Conservation" cruise onboard the luxury paddlewheeler, the American Queen. Passengers, tourists, and locals celebrated at port cities in Hannibal, MO, Dubuque, lA, La Crosse, WI, and Wabasha, MN. "Refuge Fest- Celebrating a Century of Conservation on the Mississippi and Beyond" was held in La Crosse on July 31st in Riverside Park. Guest speakers included John Medinger, the Mayor of La Crosse; Bill Hartwig, Chief of the NWRS; Rick Moore of the Izaak Walton League; and 3rd District Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind . Refuge Manager Don Hultman served as Master of Ceremonies for the celebration. The grand finale of the formal program was the unveiling of the Wisconsin Centennial Quilt • by Congressman Kind and the quitters. Activities and displays were held under two 40 x 100' tents, including: an aquarium with live river fish, a live bald eagle, a fishing pond, a postal cancellation station for the Refuge Centennial commemorative stamp, the Refuge Centennial time capsule, wildlife-oriented crafts and games, face painting, and booths representing national wildlife refuges, national fish hatcheries, and non-governmental organizations throughout Wisconsin. More than 100 Service staff, including Regional Director Robyn Thorson, along with representatives from other agencies, organizations, and volunteers helped with the celebration. A third tent featured guest speakers including Kenny Salwey, "The Last River Rat," a live bald eagle presentation by the National Eagle Center, and a Story Hour with book readings by FUMRR members and local librarians. An estimated 1,500 people attended "Refuge Fest."
• • 38
More than 100 Service personnel attended "Refuge Fest" in La Crosse on July 31 •
Vrsitors to "Refuge Fest" had much to do and see
Wisconsin Centennial Quilt: PR Blankenship organized a group of olunteers to make the quilt. Volunteers donated a square repre enting the Wi con in national wildlife refuge, • national fish hatchery, wetland management district, or ecological ervices office that they 39
care about and personally know. Quitters wrote "their story" about the square they had • sewn and these were assembled, along with a photograph of the quilter and their quare, into a notebook that travels with the quilt. Sharon Slimmen, owner of the Wooden Shoe in Holmen, WI, and Francie Johnson deserve much credit for the quilt. They contributed several squares for offices that could not find a volunteer quitter, designed and quilted the large center blue goose logo and the sign that bangs above the quilt, and then used their skills to pull all the individual squares together and finish the qui lt. They also made a map on the back of the quilt identifying each contributor to the quilt. This project was especially meaningful to Sharon Slimmen because her father was the first Refuge Manager at Trempealeau NWR. Her family lived in a house on the Refuge so she has many fond memories and wonderful old photographs from that time. She transferred an old photograph of her father sitting in a Service vehicle onto material to create Trempealeau NWR's square. Deanna Schotzko designed the Upper Miss Refuge square. Her husband, Jerry, was a Refuge Manager on the Upper Miss Refuge.
This quilt will be a lasting symbol of the 1OOth birthday of NWRS far beyond the centennial year. The quilt has already traveled to many different places such as Necedah, Horicon, and Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuges, the Marshfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Show, and the Birding Symposium at • Green Bay .
The quilt on display along with Congressman Ron Kind and the quilters
Waterfowl Observation Days: A Waterfowl Ob ervation Day wa held in October at Nelson Park overlooking Lake Onalaska. The event was co- pon ored by the Service, the • Coulee Chapter ofFUMRR, the Beatification Committee of French Island, and the Coulee 40
Region Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Binoculars, scopes, Ducks-on-a-Stick • specimens, and bird identification books were provided on-site for the public to use and learn about migrating waterfowl. The event attracted over 100 people, with interest continuing to grow each year. TV 19 reported on the event and interviewed the President ofthe Coulee Chapter, John Wetzel.
A Waterfowl Observation Day was also held at the Highway 26 overlook. The spectacular show of tundra swans and other waterfowl attracts a high volume of people during the fall . Interest continues to grow yearly. A freelance writer interviewed Refuge staff.
Upper Mississippi River Interpretative Association (UMRIA): Mary Papenfuss became the new treasurer of UMRIA. This position has been vacant for almost two years. Much effort has been made to replenish store supplies, buy new products, and rejuvenate the organization. Progress is being made and fund raising projects are being planned.
Window Signs: Windows bordering Lester Avenue at the Service' Resource Center now display signs. PR Blankenship and Refuge Volunteer Coordinator Joya Zalwinski worked with staff from the Regional Sign Center to develop large graphic signs that adhere to windows but do not block the view from inside the building. Two 4 x 8' windows facing the street were covered with these signs, one informing people about the NWRS Centennial Celebration and the other identifies the office as Refuge. Similar signs were • made for the Headquarters/Winona District Offices in Winona.
Display signs in the windows bordering Lester Avenue at the • Service's Resource Center 41
Media Contacts: Twenty news releases were distributed to the media and public, • resulting in 43 follow-up interviews with District staff. Issues discussed included CCP, trapping, the voluntary avoidance and closed area, bald eagles, duck hunting, spinning wing decoys, migrating birds, EMP projects, the Centennial Celebration, trematode caused die-off, revenue sharing, and upcoming events. Results from aerial waterfowl surveys were posted on the 1-800 hotline and the internet.
Unstaffed Educational Outreach: Included loaning Ducks-on-a-Stick, the wetlands and prairie environmental education trunks, River Education trunks, environmental education games, pelts, skulls, and videos to numerous organizations, agencies, and schools. Ten Ducks-on-a-Stick were replaced with new specimens and a new display table and a portable stand were built to display the ducks. The Service also loaned Refuge displays to exhibit at a variety of conventions, symposiums, and meeting events. The Visitor Center also hosted the Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges photo contest.
Volunteer Program: Volunteers helped with many projects including "Refuge Fest," frog surveys, purple loosestrife projects, the hooded merganser study, maintaining leaflet dispensers, conducting routine maintenance, picking-up litter, helping with workshops and meetings associated with the development of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, and conducting other habitat and wildlife population surveys. Numerous volunteers also • designed and quilted squares for the Centennial quilt.
Don Schroeder assembling a new display in the Vzsitor Center and Fred Lesher counting shorebirds • 42
Almost 100 people attended the annual Volunteer Banquet held on March 14. Dinner had • to be moved from the conference room out into the front area to make room for everyone. Rooster Andy's catered the meal, serving grilled chicken and fish . PR Blankenship presented a slide show set to music. The Refuge and La Crosse Fisheries Office introduced a new plaque, "The Hall of Fame" for those volunteers that have contributed above and beyond all expectations. Names will not necessarily be added each year, just when a volunteer deserves special recognition.
Irv Halvorsen and Donald Schroeder were added to the Hall of Fame plaque this year. Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to John Wetzel and the Brice Prairie Conservation Association .
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Nearly 100 volunteers and their families attended the Volunteer Banquet this year
Other Events: The Refuge had booths at several public events including Refuge Fest, the La Crosse Boat, Sport, and Travel Show, and the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Show in 0 hkosh, WI in August. • • 43
Visitors enjoyed the displays at the La Crosse Boat, Sports, and Travel Show.
8. Planning and Administration • Sa. Comprehensive Conservation Planning For the second consecutive year, considerable District staff time was devoted to this planning effort. Meetings/workshops held in the La Crosse area during the year included:
Closed Area Informational Meeting held March 4, 2003 at Eagle BluffElementary School in Onalaska, WI. The purposes of the meeting were to follow-up on comments received during the public scoping meetings and provide information on topics such as the history and management of closed areas, human disturbance, and habitat changes. Kevin Ken ow and staff from USGS also demonstrated a computer model developed to evaluate the availability of food resources in closed areas. About 25 citizens participated and provided comments.
"Manager for a Day" Workshop held at Onalaska Middle School on Saturday, March 22, 2003. Dr. Onnie Byers of the Conservation Breeding Specialists Group in Apple Valley, MN facilitated the workshop, attended by about 25 citizens. Participants were randomly assigned working groups of 6-8 people to address the 12 main i sues facing the Refuge. A "Manager for a Day" Workshop was also held at the UW-la Crosse Campus on March 12, 2003 for agency staff that are part of the interagency team. • A "firing line" meeting was held September II, 2003 at Eagle BluffElementary School 44
in Onalaska, WI. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss crowding and behavior of • hunters along some sections of closed area boundaries located in the La Crosse District. Most of the comments received during the meeting were directed at a section of boundary along the Lake Onalaska Closed Area known locally as the "Barrels." Nearly 80 waterfowlers attended.
In addition to the workshops and meetings, planning meetings were held throughout the year .
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The "Manager for a Day" Workshop in Onalaska generated much discussion and new ideas
8b. General Administration
• In October, Don Hultman EOD a the Refuge Manager. Don met with La Crosse District staff and toured Pool 7 and 8 on several occasions during the year.
• Visitor to the Service's Resource Center in FY03 included Service Director Steve Williams in February to unveil the FY04 budget, new Region 3 Regional Director Robyn Thorson in April to meet with Service personnel in the area, and Deputy Director Matt Hogan in September to tour the Refuge.
• SummerYouth Program: The La Cros e District partnered with USACE to ho t a • youth crew from Coulee Community Action Program (CAP). The Coulee CAP i a 45
private non-profit agency, which serves Low-income residents of La Crosse, Vernon, • Monroe and Crawford counties in western Wisconsin. Coulee CAP first started in 1967 in Vernon County. The crew consisted of four youth: Jeremy Melvin, Courtney Clien, Daniel Steinke, and Lucas Reshel who were supervised by Connie Haag, an Americorps employee.
Throughout the summer this crew alternated days between the USACE and Service by working two days a week for each agency. The crews' accomplishments were many. Some of the highlights: water sealed three observation decks, were part of a goose banding effort on Pool 8 and elsewhere, cleaned litter from islands, participated in the wildcelery survey on Lake Onalaska, and constructed rock groins on Boomerang Island.
CAP crew enrollees were all participants in the Youth Employment and Training Program, which is a comprehensive program that serves young people. The program is a Workforce Investment Act Program and it is administered and fully funded by the Workforce Development Board of Western Wisconsin.
The partnership was a positive experience for all involved.
Safety
ROS Thrune served as an instructor for several Motorboat Operator Certification Courses • and airboat training courses. Building-wide safety meetings are held quarterly to build support and share ideas that affect all Service staff and volunteers. The three offices with more than one staff member (Fishery Resource Office, Fish Health Center, and La Crosse District) each have a collateral duty officer that serves on the Resource Center's Safety and Security Committee. Committee members coordinate the safety meetings, fire drills, inspections, and other issues that arise during the year.
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• La Crosse District Staff
8 5 2 6 7 3 4
1 District Manager James M. Nissen, GS-485-13 [EOD 08-89] {PFT) 2 Refuge Operations Specialist, William J. Throne, GS-485-11 [EOD 12-86] (PFT) 3 Park Ranger Ann C. Blankenship, GS-0025-11 [EOD 09-09-01] (PFf) 4 Administrative Technician Kathy A Mock, GS-0303-07 [EOD 08-94] (PFf) • 5 Park Ranger (LE) Randal P. Lilla, GS-0025-09 [EOD 06-02-02] (PFT) 6 Student Trainee (Biology) Amy M Seitz, GS-0499-05 [BOD 07-29-01] (SCEP) 7 Biological Science Technician Calvin J. Gehri, GS-0404-05 [EOD 10-20-02] {PFT) 8 Biological Science Aid Matthew D. Paulson, GS-0404-01 [EOD 06-11-02] (STEP) 9 Biological Science Aid Eric M. Norton, GS-0404-05 [BOD 06-09-03] (STEP) 10 Biological Science Aid Brian G. Milligan, GS-0404-05 [BOD 0-09-03] (STEP)
Not pictured: Biological Science Aid Robert J. Mueller, Jr., GS-0404-03 [EOD 06-02- 02] (STEP), Biological Science Tech (Wildlife) Eric C. Mruz [Resigned 02-28-03]. • 47
• Fiscal Year 2003 Station Budget Information
Cost Structure Description Fund Target 1121-03HR Private Lands - Habitat Restoration $ 9,000 1121-03TA Private Lands - Technical Assistance $ 2,000
1261 Base Salaries $428,640 Utilities/Supplies/Fuel/Etc. $ 21,800 Volunteer Funds $ 2,650 Cost Share Hooded Merganser Project $ 2,500 Cost Share Hunters Point Landing $ 5,000 Cost Share Education Trunk $ 2,000 SCEP Dollars $ 8,000 Invasive Species Awareness $ 3,900 1261-3CCI Habitat Fragmentation - Upper Halfway Creek $ 3,000 1261-3N28 Contaminants Investigations - Upper Miss $ 3,974 River NW &FR Pool 8 Drawdown
1262-A3LA MMS - Maintenance $ 40,000 • 1262-A3LA Boat Landing Contract Modification $ 8,328 1262-A3LA Kiosk Replacement $ 6,000 1262-B3LA MMS- Replace Ford Aerostar Van $ 28,000 1262-3323 Long Lake Boat Ramp $135,992
2972-E3GM Flood Funds $198,031
9263 Prescribed Bums $ 1,500 9263-PROG Fire Program Support $ 2,000
9265 Rural Fire Assistance Grant Stoddard/Bergen Fire Department $ 3,095
TOTAL STATION FUNDS- FY 2003 $915,410 • ~--o- Change in Hunting Season • Howyou ca elp Duck Populations Canvasback Concentrations • Expect to see cqnvqsb WClterfowlers f t I I C'lnvqsbqcks I I Pintqils Know Your Ducks1 Can~sb.:tcks 'lte Remember! powerful, clirect Drake A1ers. The sloping pwfile of the Pmtctds .:tre hectcl ctnc\ bi ll .:tte extremely q1stindive. The gr.:tceful .:tnd feet ctte fu ·t A1ers. Drake Canv sback Hunting outstretched They are (one\ beyond the tlil. ofz1g Wh1te belly zagg1ng From Season This Year contrctsts with great heights clct rk chest ::J nt\ before rump. Young leveling offto b1rc\s ctnd L:lnd . (em les may Ay Hen alone m 111 sm.:tll groups. ~.....t,. - · -! - '"'~---~ ~· Typ1cal C=Jnvasback Flock Pattetn Typical Pintail Flock Pattern 0