MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
PROGRAM FOR CONSIDERATION ON
September 9, 2009
A. National Wildlife Refuge System Proposals
1. Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area 2. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 3. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge 4. Silvio 0 . Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge - Pondicherry Division 5. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge 6. Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge 7. Silvio 0. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge - Mohawk River Division 8. Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
B. North American Wetlands Conservation Act Proposals
United States Wetlands Conservation Standard Grant Proposals
MINUTES OF THE
MEETING OF THE MIG RA TORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Held in Washington, D.C., on June 10, 2009
The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission) met on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in the Main Interior Building, Secretary's Conference Room 5160.
The following Commission members were present:
HON. TOM STRICKLAND, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, Chairman
HON. THAD COCHRAN, Senator from Mississippi
HON. BLANCHE LINCOLN, Senator from Arkansas
HON. JOHN D. DINGELL, U.S. Representative from Michigan
HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN, U.S. Representative from Virginia
HON. ANN BARTUSKA, Acting Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture
HON. ROBERT WOOD, Acting Deputy Office Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
A representative from Canada was present:
MS. CHRISTINA JUTZI, Program Officer, Environment and Energy, Embassy of Canada
The following State Ex Officio members were present:
MR. STEVE FRIEDMAN, Chief of Real Estate, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta, Georgia
MR. ROBERT MOLLER, Legislative Director for Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire, Washington, D.C., Office
MS. BEBE TERRELL, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Rodney Alexander of Louisiana, Washington, D.C., Office MR. SETH MOTT, Branch Chief, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MR. DAVID BUIE, NA WCA Council Staff, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. ELLEN MURPHY, NAWCA Mexico Grant Administrator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. RODECIA MCKNIGHT-GRIFFIN, Grant Administrator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MR. KEN KRIESE, NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Administrator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. BONNIE GAUKLER, Grant Proposal Development/Program Analyst, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. RACHEL LEVIN, Communications Coordinator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. PATRICIA FISHER, Chief, Federal Duck Stamp Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. LAURIE M. SHAFFER, Director of Marketing, Development and Licensing, Federal Duck Stamp Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. SHIRIT A TURNER, Executive Assistant, National Wildlife Refuge System, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MR. JOSHUA WINCHELL, Office of Public Affairs, External Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. EDITH THOMPSON, Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MR. MARK CHASE, Chief, Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. REBECCA BULLS, Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MR. MARK MUSAUS, Chief, Division of Visitor Services and Communications, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia MS. MARQUITA DOUGLAS, Secretary, Office of Information Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MS. CHARNYCE BUNDY, Secretary, National Wildlife Refuge System, Office of Budget, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia
MEETING PROCEEDINGS
Chairman Strickland called the meeting to order once a quorum was assembled. He commenced introductions of the Commission members and others seated at the table.
Chairman Strickland also introduced Joshua Spies, the 2009 - 2010 Federal Duck Stamp artist from South Dakota, and mentioned the First Day of Sale event on June 26 in Nashville, TN. He announced the 2009 - 2010 Junior Duck Stamp winner, Lily Spang, of Toledo, OH. Lily painted a wood duck drake.
Chairman Strickland recognized Congressman Dingell, and thanked him for his 40 years of service to the Commission. He listed some of the Commission's accomplishments during the Congressman's tenure, including the establishment of 65 new national wildlife refuges, the protection of nearly two million wetland acres, and the conservation of almost 25 million acres in the United States, Canada, and Mexico through the NA WCA program. Chairman Strickland led the room in a standing ovation for Congressman Dingell and presented him with an award: a framed 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamp print of northern pintails, painted and signed by Joseph Hautman, together with a mint stamp and a stamp signed by the author. He mentioned that a congratulatory letter from the President was also forthcoming for the Congressman. Congressman Dingell expressed his appreciation and credited the entire Commission for the program's success.
Chairman Strickland introduced Acting Fish and Wildlife Service Director Gould, who offered his own remarks. Acting Director Gould added his congratulations to Congressman Dingell for his 40 years of service to the Commission and to Joshua Spies for winning the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. As both a hunter and Federal Duck Stamp collector, the Acting Director said he looks forward to buying the first stamp at the June 26th First Day of Sale event.
Acting Director Gould highlighted the importance of partnerships in the success of the Commission's program. He stated that over 4,000 partners were part of the NAWCA grant programs over the past 20 years. These partners more than doubled the money available to protect nearly 25 million acres of wetlands and associated uplands in North America.
Acting Director Gould introduced Paul Schmidt, Assistant Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs, to present the International Canvasback Award to Congressman Dingell. This award was presented on behalf of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee. Assistant Director Schmidt concluded by thanking the Congressman on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Service for his support of national wildlife refuges, bird habitat conservation, and the Federal Duck Stamp.
Chairman Strickland called for approval of the March 11, 2009, meeting minutes, which-were unanimously approved. Then he moved on to Agenda Item A.
Agenda Item A
MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION ACT PROCEEDINGS
Chairman Strickland called on Commission Secretary Alvarez to present the four Migratory Bird Conservation Act proposals for consideration. Mr. Alvarez and the respective Service regional representative responded to questions about the individual proposals and the Commission State Ex Officio members affirmed their support for each project.
The Commission individually approved the following Migratory Bird Conservation Act proposals individually:
Boundary Addition and Price Approval
BOND SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BIBB, HOUSTON, AND TWIGGS COUNTIES, GEORGIA. The Commission granted boundary approval to add 18,500 acres, and price approval for the fee title acquisition of 256 acres, in one ownership, for the appraised value and recommended price of$1,000,000, or $3,906 per acre.
LAKE UMBAGOG NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE. The Commission granted boundary approval to add 47,807 acres, and price approval for the fee title acquisition of 2,450 acres in New Hampshire, in one ownership, for the appraised value and recommended price of $865,000, or $353 per acre. The Commission's contribution to the purchase price was $230,000, or $353 per acre, for 652 acres. The Service plans to acquire the remaining 1,968 acres, which are largely upland, with Land and Water Conservation Funds.
RED RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, CADDO, BOSSIER, DESOTO, RED RIVER, AND NATCHITOCHES PARISHES, LOUISIANA. The Commission granted boundary approval to add 4,283 acres, and price approval for the fee title acquisition of 4,399 acres, in one ownership, for the appraised value and recommended price of $5,828,000, or $1,325 per acre.
Price Approval
CACHE RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, JACKSON, PRAIRIE, WOODRUFF, AND MONROE COUNTIES, ARKANSAS. The Ex Officio for Arkansas, Mr. Rich Johnson, was unable to attend due to weather-related transportation problems, and emailed his support for this project. The Commission granted price approval for the fee title acquisition of 188 acres, in one ownership, for the appraised value and recommended price of$601,000, or $3,200 per acre. Chairman Strickland then moved on to Agenda Item B, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) portion of the meeting.
Agenda Item B
NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROCEEDINGS
Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland introduced Ex Officio Commission member and North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) member Mr. JeffTrandahl from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mr. Trandahl commented on the current slate of Canadian, Mexican and U.S. proposals and highlighted the wetland conservation results that will be achieved in North America with the combination of North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act) and partner funding. Mr. Trandahl also commented on the critical migratory bird habitat that will be protected, highlighting the resource values associated with the U.S standard grant proposal (Lower Minnesota Valley Wetland Conservation Initiative II). Mr. Trandahl then introduced Ex Officio Commission member and Council member Ms. Mary Pope Hutson from the Land Trust Alliance. Ms. Hutson expressed her appreciation for the Commission's support for the Act. Ms. Hutson commented on the U.S. Small Grant proposals on the current slate and highlighted the importance of the Small Grant program in developing new conservation partners and initiatives during the program's 13 years of existence. To date, over 400 small grants have been approved, a third of all Act grants, involving over 1,000 partners and accounting for over $20,000,000 in Act funds expended. Ms. Hutson noted that since its inception in 1996, the Act has been an important catalyst in the creation of many of the over 1,100 new land trusts created within the U.S.
Ms. Hutson then introduced Council Coordinator Mike Johnson. Coordinator Johnson reported that the two U.S. standard proposals conditionally approved during the March 2009 meeting (Platte River Wetlands Partnership II and San Luis Valley Wetland Project IV) have met their National Environmental Policy Act requirements and their grant agreements are being finalized. Coordinator Johnson then presented the Council's recommended slate of five Canadian standard grant proposals (Act funds = $25,537,814; partner match contributions = $25,537,814), two Mexican standard grant proposals (Act funds = $844,020; partner match contributions = $2,669,020) and one U.S. standard grant proposal (Act funds= $1,000,000; partner match contributions = $2,172,880). Senator Lincoln inquired about the Mexican training proposal, the 20 l O Veracruz Model, and if the work was related to an earlier proposal with landowners, with the same partner. Ellen Murphy, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, confirmed that this partner had been awarded previous grants for this training course, and that another grantee has been active in environmental education projects and has developed legal mechanisms for use by private landowners to conserve wetland habitat. Senator Lincoln also asked if the Mexican match fund amounts were from Mexican partners. Ellen Murphy confirmed this, with the exception of the World Bank funds which are U.S. partner dollars. The entire slate of projects presented, having sufficient non-Federal partner dollars to match the Act requests, was recommended for approval by Representative Dingell and seconded by Senator Lincoln. The slate was approved by unanimous vote. Council Coordinator Mike Johnson reported on the FY 2009 U.S. small grant proposals approved by Council. The 46 proposals total $3,089,753 in Act funds as authorized by the Commission in June 2008 (partner match contributions = $10,138,287). Council Coordinator ·. Johnson also presented the Council request for a FY 2010 small grant funding level up to $5,000,000. Member Robert Wood from the Environmental Protection Agency noted that he had recently toured one of the FY 2009 small grant sites (Hail Cove, MD) and observed the leverage capability of the $45,000 Act grant with regard to engineering, material and labor costs. Representative Dingell recommended that the FY 2010 small grant funding level be approved up to $5,000,000. Senator Cochran seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Council Coordinator Johnson provided a final overview of the FY 2009 Act funding, noting that approximately $880,000 from recoveries will be carried-over to FY 2010. Council Coordinator Johnson noted that all appropriated funds have been spent. Senator Lincoln asked about the current interest level from the Pittman-Robertson Act portion of the total Act funding. Council Coordinator Johnson indicated that the anticipated FY 2011 interest amount will be approximately $4,000,000 less than current levels.
Chairman Strickland asked for other business before the Commission. He recognized Tamar Hogan, and thanked her for her three years of service as the Commission Coordinator. He then adjourned the meeting at 9:20 A.M. MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION FUND Fiscal Year 2009
STATUS AS OF: August 24, 2009 Estimated RECEIPTS Received as Projected Receipts Total Receipts of07/30/09 Remainder of FY Available in FY FY 2008 Carryover 7,024,707 0 7,024,707 U.S. Postal Service 9,130,785 1,869,215 11 ,000,000 Import Duties 20,831,141 868,859 21 ,700,000 Misc. Duck Stamp Sales 13,412,680 (2,412,680) 11 ,000,000 Prior Year Recoveries 69,135 5,865 75,000 Refuge Rights-Of-Way & Application Fees 109,591 {84,591} 25,000
TOTALS 5015781039 2461668 5028241707 Estimated Estimated OBLIGATIONS Obligations as of Projected Expenditures Total 8/24/2009 Remainder of FY Obligations in FY BLACKWATER, MD 0 231,882 231 ,882 BOND SW AMP, GA 1,000,000 0 1,000,000 CACHE RIVER, AR 1,213,500 (530,500) 683,000 COKEVILLE MEADOWS, WY 0 4,114 4,114 DAHOMEY,MS 2,600 0 2,600 GRAND COTE, LA 397,000 0 397,000 GRASSLANDS WMA 545,000 0 545,000 GREAT DISMAL SWAMP, NC 2,000,000 143,250 2,143,250 HALFBREED LAKE, MT 1,512 0 1,512 LACASSINE, LA 14,900 0 14,900 LOST TRAIL, MT 174 22 196 MONTEZUMA, NY 210,000 14,000 224,000 NORTH CENTRAL VALLEY, CA 2,625,592 0 2,625,592 OURAY, UT 12,020 6,730 18,750 PANTHER SWAMP, MS 16,320 0 16,320 RED RIVER, LA 0 1,445,947 1,445,947 RED ROCK LAKES, MT 12,428 0 12,428 SAN BERNARD, TX 2,810,000 758,938 3,568,938 SAYANNAH,GA 0 1,200,000 1,200,000 SILVIO 0. CONTE, MOHAWK, NH 54,000 0 54,000 SILVIO 0. CONTE, PONDICHERRY, NH 0 63,000 63,000 ST. CA THERINE CREEK, MS 12,553 0 12 ,553 TRINITY RIVER, TX 0 81,000 81,000 TU ALATIN RIVF'.R, WAPATO, OR 536,675 93,325 630,000 TULARE BASIN, CA 0 238,324 238,324 WACCAMAW, SC 1,400,000 0 1,400,000 WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREAS 13,162,363 3,598,815 16,761,178 TOT AL LAND PURCHASE 26,026,637 7,348,847 33,375,484
ASDCOSTS 1,047,000 0 1,047,000 POSTAL SERVICE 579,091 170,909 750,000 CA M - USER PAY COST SHARE 851 ,261 (17,029) 834,232 NATIONAL SPACE COSTS 304,922 95,078 400,000 DIRECT SUPPORT COSTS 7,915,906 1,073,656 8,989,562 MIGR.BIRD CON.COMM. EXPENSES 1,585 5,915 7,500 R9-UNALLOCATED 0 720,929 720,929 TOTALS 36,726,402 9,398,305 46,124,707
MODIFIED 08/24/2009 RSHalbe
MEMORANDUM 1
TULARE BASIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA KERN AND TULARE COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA
SUMMARY
TYPE OF PROPOSAL New Refuge Boundary and Price Approval
LOCATION Located 35 miles northwest of Bakersfield, California.
TOTAL REFUGE (Proposed) ACRES 20,000 ( easement) 2,000 (fee) 22,000 (total) OWNERSHIPS 614 ESTIMATED COST $55,000,000 PER ACRE $2,500
THIS PROPOSAL (Price Approval) ACRES 1,042 (easement) OWNERSHIPS Three APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $1,509,585 PER ACRE: $1,449
PURPOSE OF REFUGE To protect and manage habitat for migratory waterfowl.
STATE APPROVAL February 19, 2008, John Carlson, Executive Director, State of California Fish and Game Commission.
REFUGE STATUS
Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 0 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 0 ACQUIRED BY TRANSFER 0 THIS PROPOSAL 1,042 $1,509,585 $1,449 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 20,958 TOTAL 22,000
Tulare Basin WMA September 9, 2009 TULARE BASIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA KERN AND TULARE COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA
HISTORY- Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. It is an area supporting a long tradition of migratory bird use and recreational hunting. Tulare Basin wetlands have hosted wintering waterfowl populations in excess of 100,000 birds in recent years. The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service approved the Wildlife Management Area in October of2007 to stem the rate of habitat fragmentation and to help achieve Central Valley Joint Venture wintering waterfowl habitat goals to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands.
The region supports the last remnant wetlands and wildlife habitat left in a dramatically altered Tulare Lake watershed. Associated upland habitats historically supported threatened and endangered species on a year round basis, including populations of San Joaquin kit fox, Tipton kangaroo rat, and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. The Tulare Basin WMA is closely associated with Kem and Pixley National Wildlife Refuges, two California Department of Fish and Game Ecological Areas, and a mosaic of private wetlands surrounded by agricultural operations.
JUSTIFICATION- The subject properties will be the first interests acquired and the first units protected in the newly established Tulare Basin WMA. Protecting 1,042 acres of wetlands and associated uplands will stop the gradual erosion of habitat available to support Central Valley and Pacific Flyway waterfowl populations. Wintering waterfowl populations including significant numbers of northern pintail, northern shoveler, and green-winged and cinnamon teal, as well as regionally significant numbers of shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, and other migratory songbirds will all benefit from this acquisition.
PRESENT USE AND The properties proposed for acquisition are managed as OWNERSHIP- private hunting clubs. Management of the property for wildlife habitat and recreational hunting is compatible with Refuge conservation objectives for migratory waterfowl.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The area's current uses as recreational hunting and wildlife AND MANAGEMENT- habitat will likely continue. The fee owners will continue water applications and annual inundation of the wetland areas. As funding and needs dictate, the Service will seek partnerships with private landowners to enhance wetland habitats.
Tulare Basin WMA September 9, 2009 TULARE BASIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA KERN AND TULARE COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA
ACQUISITION PROPOSAL- Boundary approval is requested for the Tulare Basin WMA, encompassing 22,000 acres. Perpetual easement acquisitions would encompass 20,000 acres, and fee acquisitions would encompass 2,000 acres. Price approval is requested for the perpetual conservation easement acquisition of 1,042 acres, in three ownerships, for the appraised value and recommended price of $1,509,585, or $1,449 per acre.
TRACT SUMMARY
Appraised Value and Recommended Price
Tract Number Acres Total Per Acre (354C) 627 $875,000 $1 ,395 (1012C) 150 $240,000 $1,600 (1107C) 265 $394,585 $1 ,489
Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D) U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein (D) U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D) 20th District U.S. Representative Devin Nunes (R) 21 st District
Tulare Basin WMA September 9, 2009
--=--=-=- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service .\ligmtm)' Birt! Comt'1Tatio11 Cm11111i\\io11 ~ Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area •• .. Kern and Tulare Counties, California -
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Approved Acquisition Boundary 5°30'N ~ For Approval - Easement 35°30'N
9/9/2009 Date of MBCC Meeting
119°40'W 119°30'W 119°20'W R21 E R22 E R23E R24 E Produced in the Region 8 Division of Realty 0 1.5 3 6 Sacramento, CA Base Map Source: USGS DLG Miles Map Date: 8/10/2009 Kilometers Meridian: Mount Diablo 0 2.5 5 10 UTMZONE 10N NAD83
MEMORANDUM NUMBER 2
BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
SUMMARY
TYPE OF PROPOSAL Boundary Addition and Price Approval
LOCATION Approximately 14 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland, in south central Dorchester County.
PROPOSED ADDITION ACRES 15,545 OWNERSHIPS 72 ESTIMATED COST $31,570,000 PER ACRE: $2,000
THIS PROPOSAL (Price Approval) ACRES 823 (fee) OWNERSHIP One APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $2,300,000 PER ACRE: $2,795
PURPOSE OF ADDITION To preserve marsh, shoreline, wooded swamp, and forested upland habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, woodcock, and neo-tropical migrants.
STATE APPROVAL August 13, 2009, John R. Griffin, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources, Maryland.
REFUGE STATUS
Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 20,154 $11,485,184 $ 570 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 4,003 $ 1,723,502 $ 431 ACQUIRED WITH NAWCF 856 $ 1,080,000 $1,262 ACQUIRED BY DONATION 1,371 $ 0 $ 0 THIS PROPOSAL 823 $ 2,300,000 $2,795 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 161589 TOTAL 43,796
Blackwater NWR September 9, 2009 BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
HISTORY- The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1932 as a waterfowl sanctuary. Before its designation as a refuge, the marshland along the middle of Blackwater River was managed as a fur farm. Blackwater NWR and its adjacent marshes and waters are one of the Chesapeake Bay's most important and productive estuarine assets that support a broad diversity of aquatic and emergent plant communities. This aquatic vegetation, in turn, provides optimum habitat for large concentrations of waterfowl. Blackwater NWR is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex, which includes Blackwater NWR, Martin NWR, and Susquehanna NWR. The Director approved the Land Protection Plan, as part of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, for the Complex on July 19, 2006, which included authorization to add 15,545 acres to the refuge.
JUSTIFICATION- Areas in and around Blackwater NWR are undergoing tremendous land use changes. Timber harvesting for saw timber and pulp production, and land clearing for agricultural purposes, are seriously reducing available habitat and degrading water quality. This acquisition will protect critical waterfowl habitat.
PRESENT USE AND Tracts (lO0Am, An) are approximately 823 acres of OWNERSHIP- forested wetlands. These tracts abut the western part of the refuge, and are located approximately one mile southeast of Smithville, on Parsons Creek Neck along Smithville Road. The portion of the parcel southwest of Smithville Road extends to Slaughter Creek, immediately north of the Taylors Island Wildlife Management Area managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The tract is mainly brackish marsh interspersed with tidal creeks, ponds, wetland forest, and cut over timberland in various stages of re-growth. These lands are predominantly hydric soils, with vegetation consisting mainly of black needlerush, salt marsh cordgrass, and high-tide bush, and the dominant forest and shrub species include lob lolly pine, red maple, sweet gum, water-tolerant oaks, American holly, wax myrtle, and green briar.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT This parcel offers potential for migratory bird and AND MANAGEMENT- endangered species habitat management, providing foraging, nesting, and resting habitat for endangered Delmarva fox squirrels, bald eagles, osprey, black and wood ducks, marsh and water birds, shorebirds, and neotropical migrant songbirds. The tidal waters provide spawning and nursery ground habitats for a variety of valuable sport and commercial fish species.
Blackwater NWR September 9, 2009 BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
ACQUISITION PROPOSAL- Boundary addition approval is requested to expand the boundary by 15,545 acres, and price approval is requested for the acquisition of fee title of an 823-acre parcel, in one ownership, at the appraised value and recommended price of$2,300,000, or $2,795 per acre. Only a portion of this tract (340 acres - for $950,000) will require Migratory Bird Conservation Fund Money, with the balance of $1,350,000 coming from 2009 L WCF appropriated funds.
TRACTSUMMARY
Appraised Value and Recommended Price
Tract Number Acres Per Acre
(l00Am,An) 823 $2,300,000 $2,795
Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D) U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D) U.S. Representative Frank Kratovil, Jr. (D) 1st District
Blackwater NWR September 9, 2009
\1f-"lifflliJ;l'!-OPIUGH3hli· Migratory Bird Conservation Commission Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Dorchester County, Maryland 76'20'0"W 76'15'0"W
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MEMORANDUM NUMBER 3
BOMBAY HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE
SUMMARY
TYPE OF PROPOSAL Boundary Addition and Price Approval
LOCATION Located in Little Creek Hundreds, Kent County, Delaware, south of the Mahon River and north of Kelly's Ditch.
PROPOSED ADDITION ACRES 542 (fee) OWNERSHIP One ESTIMATED COST $0.00 (previously transferred)
THIS PROPOSAL (Price Approval) ACRES 273 (fee) OWNERSHIP One APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $470,000 PER ACRE: $1 ,722
PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL To protect the ecological integrity of unique habitat for a diversity of waterfowl.
STATE APPROVAL December 11, 1962, Norman G. Wilder, Director, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.
REFUGE STATUS
Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 15,278 $1,619,740 $ 106 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 154 $ 18,000 $ 117 AQCUIRED BY OTHER AGENCY 542 $ 0 $ 0 THIS PROPOSAL 273 $ 470,000 $1,722 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 4,916 TOTAL 21,163
Bombay Hook NWR September 9, 2009 BOMBAY HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE
HISTORY- The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 1937 under the authorities of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (MBCA) as a Refuge for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission or MBCC) approved the initial Refuge boundary on January 14, 1936, and subsequently, the Commission approved the acquisition of 5,410 acres. The Commission approved a 5,327-acre addition on June 27, 1962, and an 856-acre addition on June 22, 1993. To date, 15,278 acres have been acquired with MBCA funds.
JUSTIFICATION- The proposed acquisition consists entirely of coastal salt marsh and lies inside the existing MBCC boundary. Located within the Bayshore Focus Area of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, the extensive Refuge marshes provide some of the most critical habitat in Delaware for waterfowl. During fall and winter, the Refuge provides feeding and resting habitat for significant numbers of Canada and snow geese, American black ducks, mallards, and pintails. Over 80% of the Atlantic flyway's snow goose population winters in this focus area, which also contains the largest concentration of northern shoveler, American widgeon, and gadwall in the State. The Refuge area is also an important breeding area for black duck, mallard, and wood duck. The Joint Venture Waterfowl Implementation Plan's foremost conservation recommendation for this area is to protect wetlands adjacent to existing protected lands, thereby forming large contiguous tracts.
PRESENT USE AND The Nature Conservancy currently owns and manages the OWNERSHIP- tract and has offered it for sale to the Refuge. Of all the refuges in the northern part of the Atlantic Flyway, this Refuge provides some of the most critical habitat for migratory waterfowl. The waterfowl use of the area is most intensive use during spring and fall migration. The Refuge contributes to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan by protecting winter habitat for migrating black ducks. Current use is wildlife-dependent recreation, predominantly hunting.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The Service will manage this 273-acre addition, in conjunct- AND MANAGEMENT- tion with the existing 15,974-acre Refuge, to promote and enhance habitat for waterfowl, particularly Canada and snow geese, American black ducks, mallards, pintails, northern shovelers, American widgeon, and gadwall; wading birds; and other high-priority migratory birds. The Refuge will offer compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
Bombay Hook NWR September 9, 2009 ACQUISITION PROPOSAL- Boundary addition approval is requested to include one tract totaling 542 acres previously transferred from the Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the proposed boundary addition is to align the MBCC boundary with the current acquisition boundary of the Refuge. Price approval is requested to acquire in fee title a 273-acre tract, currently owned by The Nature Conservancy, for the appraised value and recommended price of $470,000, or $1,722 per acre. The 273-acre tract is one of the few remaining inholdings within the current boundary.
TRACT SUMMARY
Appraised Value and Recommended Price
Tract Number Acres Total Per Acre
(206) 273 $470,000 $1,722
Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper (D) U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman (D) U.S. Representative Michael N. Castle (R) At Large
Bombay Hook NWR September 9, 2009
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ,Higratory Birt! Cousen-atio11 Co111111issio11
-wNATIONAL WILDLIFE Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge REFUGE SYSTEM Kent County, Delaware
75'30'0'W 75"25'0'W
LOCATION MAP 0 25 50 ' Miles ' :1 :""'-";,-, NEW I ' JERSEY -0 'a ~ ,_J ' 'c '..,. - Bombay ,, ~< ' ~,,\ 0 ~ HookNWR . ,'\ 7~ ' 39"20'0'N ,, Dover J' ., ... ,1 ' 39'20'0'N + ,_ I 7~ '"t .. I / WOODLAND BEACH ·, WMA -.._ / • 't•,,1 ...... ~ DELAWARE -4 ,.~ ~6 -<:9 ' ,, "' -~ ~ . .., '· '% 7-,A ' I . 0-1',() ',t, ~... ,.\ \ ' :...... ! • ' . q.,~ I "& ' ":lo.,,,. ' - ~~ ··, '·--. .... ~~ • I Bombay Hook '· ~v I -•• MBCC Approved Boundary -- , Boundary to be Approved -- Approved Acquisition Boundary D Previously Acquired - Fee W Previously Acquired - Easement • . LITTLE CREEK - For Approval - Fee c_., - w ~lA State Interest Lands 9/9/2009 Date of MBCC Meeting ,_ 39'10'0'N 39"10'0'N 75"30'0'W 75"25'0'W Produced in the Division of Realty Had~y. MA 0 Land Status Current to: t 0/2005 Miles Base Map Sources: USGS DLG, ESRI Data DabJm and Projection: UTM Zone 18, NAO t983, Meters 0 3 4 Map Compilation Date: 7/2009 Kilometers MEMORANDUM NUMBER 4 SILVIO 0. CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE PONDICHERRY DIVISION COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE SUMMARY TYPE OF PROPOSAL Boundary Addition and Price Approval LOCATION Located in Coos County, 80 miles north of Concord, New Hampshire. PROPOSED ADDITION ACRES 188 (fee) OWNERSHIPS Seven ESTIMATED COST $500,000 PER ACRE: $2,660 THIS PROPOSAL (Price Approval) ACRES 61 (fee) OWNERSHIPS Two APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $80,000 PER ACRE: $1,311 PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL To preserve and protect important migratory waterfowl habitat, and provide feeding, nesting, and resting habitat within the large northern wetland complex. STATE APPROVAL August 6, 2009, Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. PONDICHERRY DIVISION STATUS Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 1,158 $ 778,220 $ 672 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 4,450 $1,657,693 $ 372 THIS PROPOSAL 61 $ 80,000 $ 1,311 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 376 TOTAL 6,045 Silvio 0. Conte NFWR Pondicherry Division September 9, 2009 I U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Migrato1y Bird Co11servatio11 Commission NATIONAL WILDLIFE Silvio 0. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge - Pondicherry Division REFUGE SYSTEM Coos County, New Hampshire 71•34•o·w 71•32•0-w 71 •30•o·w SILVIO 0. CONTE NFWR LOCATION MAP ) 44°26'0"N • Mohawk River 44•2s·o·N >\. ME • Pond1cherry '. '. ''. ''. ' DETAILED VIEW OF TRACT 87 ' .---· -·-· -·-· --- ' . 44°24'0"N 44°24'0"N + . '. ,------· -·-·\ _.1 '. i ·---·---·-· .. '. . '. ' ._..---· -·-·' ' '. '.~ ___ ., ,.-·-· i. 44°22'0"N 44°22'0"N Hazens+ -•• MBCC Approved Boundary -•• Boundary to be Approved -- Approved Acquisition Boundary Quebec ~ Previously Acquired - Fee Jun ction Q Previously Acquired - Easement For Approval - Fee 9/9/2009 Date of MBCC Meeting Cherry Mountain 71•34•0-w 71 •32·0-w 71°30'0"W Produced in the Division of Realty Hadley, Massachusetts Miles Land Status Current to : 11 /2008 Base Map Source: USGS DLG UTM Zone 18, NAO 1983, Meters Kilometers Map Date: 6/2009 MEMORANDUM NUMBER 5 BEAR RNER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE BOX ELDER COUNTY, UTAH SUMMARY TYPE OF PROPOSAL Price Approval LOCATION Located about 55 miles north of Salt Lake City, at the north end of the Great Salt Lake. ACRES 700 (fee) OWNERSHIPS One APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $2,100,000 PER ACRE: $3,000 PURPOSE OF REFUGE To provide feeding, breeding, and resting habitat for migratory birds and protection of water supply. STATE APPROVALS October 7, 1992, by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. REFUGE STATUS Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL FEE 25,988 $3,579,119 $ 138 LEASE - RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY 1 $ 340 $ 340 EASEMENT 46 $ 400 $ 9 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 52 $ 575,000 $11,057 ACQUIRED BY PRIMARY WITHDRAWAL 43,443 $ 4,000 $ 0 ACQUIRED BY DONATION 4,285 $ 0 $ 0 ACQUIRED WITH CONTRIBUTED FUNDS 181 $ 574,000 $ 3,171 THIS PROPOSAL 700 $2,100,000 $ 3,000 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 30,874 TOTAL 105,570 Bear River MBR September 9, 2009 BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE BOX ELDER COUNTY, UTAH Congress established the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (Refuge) on April 23, 1928, to provide feeding, breeding, and resting habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The approved Refuge boundary includes 105,570 acres of grassland, marsh, open water, and mud flats. The Refuge is located at the mouth of the Bear River and is part of the wetland complex surrounding the Great Salt Lake. The river is the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, the Bear River delta. The Refuge is important to migratory bird species using both the Central and Pacific flyways, and is host to over 200 species of birds, as they stop to rest and feed on their seasonal migration. Seventy-two species of birds are known to nest and raise their young at the Refuge. The property is an important part of the Refuge's marshland ecosystem, and federal ownership will facilitate more efficient use of water resources on adjacent Refuge lands. Several water control structures located on the property will allow a controlled flow of water to a·portion of the Refuge land, which is critical for managing wetlands. Development pressure has extended north from Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front, and developable land is in limited supply due to the mountains on the east, and the Great Salt Lake on the west. The property proposed for acquisition, although currently being used for agricultural and recreational purposes, has speculative development potential. Future development of the property would conflict with the purposes of the Refuge. Price approval is requested to acquire a 700-acre tract, in fee title, for Refuge management purposes. The property is presently being used for agriculture and recreational hunting, and features large wetlands, sloughs, marshland, grasslands, riparian areas, and grain fields that benefit migratory birds and shore birds. Minor building improvements on the property consist of an old clubhouse, a garage, and culinary water tap. The improvements are in poor condition and do not contribute to the value of the property. Other improvements consist of hunting blinds and pits, irrigation ditches, gravel/dirt roads, and fencing for cattle grazing and hunting management. Once acquired, this property will provide for additional public wildlife-dependent recreational uses including waterfowl hunting. TRACT SUMMARY Appraised Value and Recommended Price Tract Number Total Per Acre 36 700 $2,100,000 $3,000 Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R) U.S. Senator Robert Bennett (R) U.S. Representative Rob Bishop (R) 1st District Bear River MBR September 9, 2009 ....-- ~- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Aligratory Bir,/ Co11.~ervatio11 Commi .uion -wNATIONAL G,;•trv.i:E Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Box Elder County, Utah R5W R4W R4W R3W R3W R2W II II """'"'"'"'"'~- II\\ II --.:::..,..,..,..,..,..,..,.., II II .. Q \\ II II II l'.'.:'..>.:::.:::..,..,..,__'\ II T10 N II --::::::::::::~::::::, II II T9N II II II II II "'i:::~ 11 C:,J :::.:::::::: II II II II II \\ \\ Dike Lake \\., .,,._ 'si St ,,., ,/ ,e~' o -+-"'"' ~ 0 T9N T8N fl II II ~ \\ --I 41 ' 25'0"N II II Great Salt Lake \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \\ /Villard Bav. Resetl'oir 11II II II T8N II II T7 N fl 112' 21'0"W 112' 10'0'W MBCCApproved Boundary PRODUCED IN THEDI VISIONOF REFUGE PLANNING DENVER, COLORADO 1.25 2.5 ~ PreviouslyAcquired Fee t IAND STATUSCURRENT TO : 1123,IJ? Miles M<\PDATE : 8/1l.ll9 l'SS.1 PreviouslyAcquired Easement •t Kilometers SALT LAKE MERIDIAN For ApprovalFee UTMZ ONE 12 FILE: W:IUnBRR\MAPS\MlCC'llRR_MBCC09.MXD 1.25 2.5 5 NAD83 09/09/09 Dateof MBCCMeeting MEMORANDUM NUMBER 6 LAKE UMBAGOG NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE SUMMARY TYPE OF PROPOSAL Price Approval LOCATION Located in both Coos County, New Hampshire, and Oxford County, Maine. ACRES 438 (fee) OWNERSHIPS Four APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $334,000 PER ACRE: $763 PURPOSE OF REFUGE The protection and management of a unique, diverse wetland complex providing important habitat for a variety of waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife species. STATE APPROVALS April 29, 2009, Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. May 15, 2009, Roland D. Martin, Commissioner, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. REFUGE STATUS Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL * 9,677 $ 4,376,323 $ 452 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 11,389 $14,894,550 $1,308 ACQUIRED BY DONATION 24 $ 0 $ 0 THIS PROPOSAL 438 $ 334,000 $ 763 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 55,411 TOTAL 76,939 * This information has been changed to reflect reconciled acres due to some submerged lands and a correction for a split-funded acquisition. Lake Umbagog NWR September 9, 2009 LAKE UMBAGOG NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE The Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established under the authorities of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986, for the conservation of the wetlands of the nation, to maintain the public benefits they provide, and to help fulfill the international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission) approved the initial Refuge boundary in March 1995 and the recently expanded Refuge boundary on June 10, 2009. To date, the Service has acquired 9,677 acres with Migratory Bird Conservation Act funds. The extensive old river channels, oxbow ponds, marsh backwaters, and bordering shrub and forested wetlands provide important nesting and brood-rearing habitat for black ducks and ring necked ducks, and cavity-nesters such as wood ducks, common goldeneyes, and common and hooded mergansers. The area supports the highest concentrations of black ducks, ring-necks and goldeneye in the State of New Hampshire. We request price approval to acquire four separate tracts in fee title with a combined acreage of 438 acres. One tract of 189 acres located in Errol, NH, lies adjacent to a 2,450-acre parcel that the Commission approved for funding at its meeting on June 10, 2009. That tract contains emergent and forested freshwater wetlands and part of the main stem ofMollidgewock Brook. The other three tracts contain approximately 249 acres, and lie in Magalloway Plantation, Maine; all three of those tracts have frontage on the Magalloway River and contain extensive emergent and forested wetland. We will use the properties to accomplish Refuge biological and public wildlife-dependent use objectives, including hunting. TRACT SUMMARY Appraised Value and Recommended Price Tract Number Acres Total Per Acre (21) 189 $95,000 $ 503 (21a) 133 $60,000 $ 451 (21b) 47 $95,000 $2,021 (21c) 69 $84,000 $1,226 Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R), New Hampshire U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D), New Hampshire U.S. Representative Paul Hodes (D) 2nd District, New Hampshire U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snow (R), Maine U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R), Maine U.S. Representative Michael H. Michaud (D) 2nd District, Maine Lake Umbagog NWR September 9, 2009 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Jligratory Bird Co11sermtio11 Co111111issio11 Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge Coos County, New Hampshire and Oxford County, Maine 71"10'0"W 71"5'0"W 71"0'0"W 70"55'0"W LOCATION MAP "i--\,,_...;:...... ---.__---'-.._____ ...., 50 100 -•• MBCC Approved Boundary 44"55'0"N ••-==::::J Miles Alisohos ~ Previously Acquired - Fee 44"55'0"N ME Mountain Q Previously Acquired - Easement For Approval - Fee D State Interest Lands 9/9/2009 Date of MBCC Meeting VT* * I I 44"50'0" I 44"50'0"N I • I. I I 1---1..-■-i::::l..--..lU..----l'-J DETAILED VIEW OF TRACT 21b 44"45'0"N 44"45'0"N I ...... --•- ,...... , . .... , ... 44"40'0"N 44"40'0"N 71"10'0"W 71"5'0"W 71"0'0"W 70"55'0"W Produced in the Division of Realty Hadley, Massachusetts Miles Land Status Current to: 7/2009 Base Map Source: USGS DLG UTM Zone 19, NAD 1983, Meters Kilometers Map Date: 7/2009 Refuge boundary does not include Great Ponds. MEMORANDUM NUMBER 7 SILVIO 0. CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE MOHAWK RIVER DIVISION COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE SUMMARY TYPE OF PROPOSAL Price Approval LOCATION Located in Coos County, 55 miles north of Littleton, New Hampshire. ACRES 700 (fee) OWNERSHIPS Four APPRAISED VALUE AND RECOMMENDED PRICE $1,191,000 PER ACRE: $1,701 PURPOSE OF REFUGE To conserve and protect important migratory waterfowl habitat within the northern wetland complex. STATE APPROVAL July 29, 2008, Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. MOHAWK RIVER DIVISION STATUS Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 108 $ 54,000 $ 500 ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 13 $ 39,000 $3,000 THIS PROPOSAL 700 $1,191,000 $1,701 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED 1,179 TOTAL 2,000 Silvio 0. Conte NFWR Mohawk River Division September 9, 2009 SILVIO 0. CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE MORAWK RNER DNISION COOS COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE The Silvio 0. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established on October 3, 1997. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission) approved the Refuge on June 23, 1999. The Mohawk River Division, one of the 65 Special Focus Areas (SPAs) identified within the Connecticut River watershed, was established on December 18, 2007, with the acquisition of a 13-acre tract in a wetland area known as Blueberry Swamp. This area of northern New Hampshire is used primarily for farming, forest products, and recreational purposes. The Commission approved the Division on September 9, 2008. To date, the Service has acquired 108 acres with Migratory Bird Conservation Act funds. This northern forest wetland complex provides nesting habitat for several species of waterfowl. The American black duck, wood duck, mallard, hooded merganser, blue-winged teal, and ring necked duck are all commonly seen nesting in the Refuge wetlands. We request price approval to acquire four tracts in fee title from four separate owners in the heart of the Mohawk River Division. Tract (75), at 105 acres, is now being used for timber and recreation. Tract (145), at 113 acres, and Tract (146), at 63 acres have the same current uses. Tract (134) is larger, at 420 acres, and although its habitat and uses are similar, it also has a large, open field. The first three tracts have been appraised at roughly $500 per acre. Tract (75) has the appraised value and recommended price of $55,000, Tract (145) $55,000, and Tract (146) $31,000. The fourth, Tract (134), includes some higher, dryer property and therefore has an appraised value and recommended price of $1,050,000, or $2,503 per acre. All four properties are contiguous with the 108 acres acquired on January 9, 2009. All four tracts will be managed for Refuge purposes, including public hunting. TRACT SUMMARY Appraised Value and Recommended Price Tract Number Acres Total Per Acre (75) 105 $ 55,000 $ 524 (134) 420 $1,050,000 $2,503 (145) 113 $ 55,000 $ 487 (146) 63 $ 31,000 $ 496 Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R) U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D) U.S. Representative Paul Hodes (D) 2nd District Silvio 0. Conte NFWR Mohawk River Division September 9, 2009 ~ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Jligrutory Bird Co11 .,ermtio11 Commission NATIONAL WILDUF1t Silvio 0 . Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge - Mohawk River Division REFUGE SYSTEM Coos County, New Hampshire 71 ' 26'0-W 71"25'0"W 71 ' 24'0"W 71'23'0"W 44 '51'0"N 44'51'0"N + \ I . I' 44'50'0"N 44'50'0" ) • Mohawk River \ \ ME • Pondicherry ,./ I 44'49'0"N + ; NH 44 '49'0"N + - • - MBCC Approved Boundary D Previously Acquired - Fee - For Approval - Fee .. 9/9/2009 Date of MBCC Meeting 71'26'0"W 71'25'0-W 71'24'0-W 0.25 0.5 0. 75 Produced in the Division of Realty Hadley, MA Miles Base Map Source: USGS DLG Dalum and Projection: UTM Zone 18, NAO 1983, Meiers 0 0. 25 0. 5 0. 75 1.25 Map Print Date: 6/2009 Kil ometers MEMORANDUM NUMBER 8 LOST TRAIL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FLATHEADCOUNTY,MONTANA SUMMARY TYPE OF PROPOSAL Price Re-approval of State Lease LOCATION Located approximately 25 air miles west of Kalispell, Montana. ACRES 240 (lease) OWNERSHIP One RECOMMENDED ANNUAL RENTAL $174 PER ACRE: $0.73 DATE OF LAST APPROVAL March 22, 2000 PRICE INCREASE: 49% PURPOSE OF REFUGE Protection and management of wetland and riparian habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. STATE APPROVAL December 22, 1998, by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director, Pat Graham. REFUGE STATUS Acres Cost Per Acre ACQUIRED WITH MBCC APPROVAL 4,693 $1,728,205 $ 368 LEASED WITH L WCF FUNDS 789 $ 1,092 $ I ACQUIRED WITH LWCF FUNDS 80 $ 294,000 $3,675 ACQUIRED BY DONATION 3,112 $ 0 $ 0 THIS PROPOSAL 240 $ 174 $ .73 REMAINING TO BE ACQUIRED FEE : 80 LEASE: --1ll TOTAL 9,405 Lost Trail NWR September 9, 2009 LOST TRAIL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA On March 3, 1999, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission) approved the proposed boundary of the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), consisting of 7,805 fee acres and 1,030 acres of State Lease Land. The proposed lease would provide additional opportunities to restore and protect a significant wetland area for 21 species of waterfowl and 35 species of other wetland-dependent birds in northwest Montana, and would provide the public with additional opportunities for wildlife dependent recreation. The proposed lease would also provide an opportunity to protect and manage a diversity of wetland and upland habitat of9,405 acres in the Pleasant Valley ecosystem. In addition, this project would result in the restoration and enhancement of nearly 700 acres of wetland habitat for migratory birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife. The lease tract proposed for price re-approval was leased by Dick J. Randall from March 1990 to August 1996, when the lease was transferred to The Montana Power Company (TMPC). The United States subsequently purchased 4,693 acres from TMPC, and TMPC donated an additional 3,112 acres ofland to the United States. The Commission approved the purchase of the 4,693 fee acres on March 3, 1999; however, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation had not formally transferred the assignment of the lease to the United States until 2000 when the Commission approved this lease of 240 acres on March 22, 2000. The State of Montana has leased the property to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) since 2000 to manage as part of the Refuge, and this is the frrst time the lease will renew. The Service also leases 789 acres from the State of Montana. The Service is unable to acquire the property in fee title due to a statue that prevents the State of Montana from divesting its interest. About 491 acres of private inholdings still exist within the Refuge boundary. Price re-approval is requested for the lease of 240 acres of State Lease Land for the recommended annual rental rate of $17 4. TRACT SUMMARY Recommended Annual Rental Tract Number Acres Total Per Acre (2LS) 240 $174 $0.73 Congressional Delegation: U.S. Senator Max Baucus (R) U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D) U.S. Representative Dennis Rehberg (R) At Large Lost Trail NWR September 9, 2009 U.S. Fish & WildlifeService llligratory Bird Com ·ervutio11 Commin ·io11 ~ ~ Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge ~ ~m,o: Flathead County, Montana R27W R26W R26W R25W 114"56'0-W 114°48'0-W ) i j \ j~ · cee'I-. £ __ ~"-J'3\\e'J I .L- ..__ --- 'r\e'3<,'3f>,,..-<- f \ .J _j I \ 48"12'0"N 48"12'0"N MONTANA \ \..\,.-• ...... __...- ....,I , ....._ /,. }· ~ asant _...... !' ,,.•· ·--;•• 1 / ..../ .,,...... ----~/· ·: ---~~'Z!j;•d I 1 1 ·-~----- i ·····-" ( · ... ··...... 0 '••----• ..-•••.,.•,..._...,...•• .. •••...,••hca•• I '• • ••• • • lslaiJ Lake_Road. Dahl Lake \ l \ ; ~------< ( \ l I I I I \ \ ( 'i \ ~ ~'.. MBCCApproved Boundary .ra/Jth ....\ -·-·- I I ) \ 04,y. PreviouslyAcquired - Fee ,(,J'/2 ( ~ '\...... \. / 0,,.,?,,i--0,,. f c=i PreviouslyAcquired - Lease T28 N ···~.. -~ For Re-Approval- Lease -- t-- ~.. - - ~ T27 N \ '··...... \ ---I 48°8'0"N ...... --1 I 9/09/09 Dateof MBCCMeeting ) 114°56'0-W 114•45•0-w PRODUCEDIN THEDIVIS IONOF REFUGEPt.ANNING 0.5 DENVER, COLORADO LANDSTATUS CURRENT TO : 8113/2009 Miles M\P DATE: 8113/2009 MONTANAPRINCPAL MERID~N Kilometers UTMZONE 11 FILE: W:\Ml\L TR\MAPS\MlCCILTR_MB CC09.MXD 0 0.5 1 2 NAD83 MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSALS September 9, 2009 U. S. PROPOSALS (TITLE, LOCATION): 1. Big Hole Restoration and Protection II Montana 2. Border Prairie Wetlands II Minnesota 3. Butte and Colusa Basins Wetlands II Project California 4. Chase Lake Area Wetland Project - IX North Dakota 5. Coastal Prairie Wetlands Restoration/Acquisition III Texas 6. Des Moines River Valley Wetlands Iowa 7. Flying J Ranch Conservation Project Louisiana 8. Heads of the Estuaries Partnership, Maine: Habitat Protection, Phase I Maine 9. Lake Champlain Wetlands III New York, Vermont 10. Lake County Closed Basin Project - Phase 3 Oregon 11 . Living Floodplains of NW Oregon and SW Washington Oregon, Washington 12. Louisiana Coastal Wetlands V Louisiana 13. Lower Columbia Ecoregion, Phase V Oregon, Washington 14. Lower Platte River Wetlands Conservation Nebraska 15 . Lower Rappahannock River, Phase IV Virginia 16. Mingo Basin Partnership Phase I Missouri 17. Missouri Coteau Habitat Conservation Project - Vfll North Dakota 18. North Dakota Great Plains Project - VI North Dakota 19. North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project - Phase IV Florida 20. North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project, Phase IV California 21. Piscataquis River/ Alder Stream Wetlands Maine 22. Pointe-Aux-Chenes - Grand Bayou I Louisiana 23. Prairies Without Borders Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota 24. San Luis Valley Rio Grande Initiative II Colorado 25. San Pablo Bay Tidal Wetland Restoration Project III California 26. Sonoran Wetlands Restoration II Arizona, California 27. South Carolina Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative I South Carolina 28. Southeastern Lake Michigan Coastal Habitat Project Michigan 29. Southern Tip Ecological Partnership III (STEP 3) Virginia 30. Teton Basin V Idaho, Wyoming 31. Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex Wetlands Restoration Mississippi and Enhancement II 32. Upper Iowa Prairie Pothole Partnership - Phase I Iowa 33. West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I Maine 34. Winyah Bay Protection Project, Phase II South Carolina ~ un11tr u s. FISH A WILIJUPE 8EKVICE United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Washington. D.C. 20240 In Reply Refer To: FWS/AMBS/DBHC/04202 1 DECISION MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY To: Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks From: Director Subject: Real Property Interests That Should Not Be Included in the National Wildlife Refuge System per North American Wetlands Conservation Act I. INTRODUCTION The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commiss ion) will meet on September 9, 2009, at which time the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will recommend 35 proposals for funding under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act). II. BACKGROUND Section 6(a)(2) of the Act states that property interests acquired in the United States using Act funds shall be included in the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). However, the Act also enables the Secretary of the Interior ( or delegated authority) to find that acquisition of identified property interests with Act funds should not be included, either partially or in full , in the NWRS, in which case Act funds may be provided based on that finding. III. POSITION OF INTERESTED PARTIES On July 8, 2009, the Council agreed to recommend 35 U.S. Standard Grant proposals for funding under the Act in the first of two funding cycles in Fiscal Year 20 l 0. Of the 35 proposals, the 19 proposals listed below would use Act funds to acquire property partially or completely outside the NWRS. Five of the remaining 16 proposals involve properties that will be acquired for the Refuge System. Eight proposals will not use Act funds for acquisition and three proposal s do not involve acquisition. IV . DECISION OPTIONS We have determined that the 19 proposals with property acquisitions outside the NWRS will be managed in accordance with the conservation objectives of the Act. The U.S . Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has cooperative working relationships with the partners in these proposals and we share similar conservation goals. The Service can take action if a grantee fails to manage property acquired with Act funds in accordance with the grant agreement. Actions that may be taken include but are not limited to: (a) repaying the Service in cash for that percentage of the fair-market value attributable to Federal participation in the project; (b) transferring the title to the interest in real property to the Federal Government or an eligible third party; or (c) providing the Service with an interest in real property that is of equal financial and/or habitat value. The Service may select one or more of these actions. TAKE P R IDE®l:f:::: ~ INAME R ICA ~ V. RECOMMENDATION We recommend that all real property interests not held by the Service be excluded from the NWRS for the following proposals: Big Hole Restoration and Protection II, MT Border Prairie Wetlands - II, MN Coastal Prairie Wetlands Restoration/ Acquisition Ill, TX Des Moines River Valley Wetlands, IA Flying J Ranch Conservation Project, LA Heads of the Estuaries Partnership: Habitat Protection, Phase I, ME Lake Champlain Wetlands III, NY, VT Lower Columbia Ecoregion, Phase V, OR, WA Lower Platte River Wetlands Conservation, NE Middle Snake River Conservation, ID North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project - Phase IV , FL Piscataquis River/Alder Stream Wetlands, ME San Luis Valley Rio Grande Initiative II, CO Southeastern Lake Michigan Coastal Habitat Project, MI Southern Tip Ecological Partnership III (STEP 3), VA Teton Basin V, ID, WY Upper Iowa Prairie Pothole Partnership - Phase I, IA West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I, ME Winyah Bay Protection Project Phase II, SC VI. SECRETARY'S DECISION ___ APPROVE ___ DISAPPROVE ___ COMMENTS A copy of this memorandum will be provided to the Secretary of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, A. Eric Alvarez, so that he may enter this document into the records of the Commission. Please contact Paul Schmidt, Assistant Director for Migratory Birds, at (202) 208-1058 if you have any questions. Attachment NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY September 9, 2009 U. S. Proposals Map NAWCA Partner Grant Funds Coastal Number Title trank} State Reguest Match Acres forUSFWS Project Big Hole Restoration and Protection II MT $1 ,000,000 $3,783,520 10,182 $1,000,000 No 2 Border Prairie Wetlands II MN $1 ,000,000 $2,002,592 1,301 No 3 Butte and Colusa Basins Wetlands II Project CA $1,000,000 $4,064,042 5,736 No ' 4 Chase Lake Area Wetland Project - IX ND $1 ,000,000 $1 ,024,823 32,713 $1,000,000 No '--- 5 Coastal Prairie Wetlands Restoration/Acquisition III TX $850,000 $1 ,369,557 3,535 Yes 6 Des Moines River Valley Wetlands IA $1 ,000,000 $3 ,549,100 3,327 No - 7 Flying J Ranch Conservation Project LA $1,000,000 $2,025,000 1,900 Yes 8 Heads of the Estuaries Partnership, Maine: Habitat Protection, Phase I ME $1 ,000,000 $2,946,500 756 $1,000,000 Yes 9 Lake Champlain Wetlands III NY,VT $1,000,000 $2,826,998 15,408 No 10 Lake County Closed Basin Project - Phase 3 OR $1,000,000 $1 ,535,398 5,267 No 11 Living Floodplains of NW Oregon and SW Washington OR,WA $1,000,000 $2,004,735 1,202 Yes --- 12 Louisiana Coastal Wetlands V LA $1 ,000,000 $2,068,823 3,040 Yes 13 Lower Columbia Ecoregion, Phase V OR,WA $991,930 $1 ,984,261 1,139 Yes 14 Lower Platte River Wetlands Conservation NE $1 ,000,000 $1 ,212,417 4,980 No - 15 Lower Rappahannock River, Phase IV VA $1,000,000 $2,546,000 1,246 $1,000,000 Yes 16 Mingo Basin Partnership Phase I MO $1,000,000 $2,270,582 2,229 No . 17 Missouri Coteau Habitat Conservation Project - VIII ND $1,000,000 $1 ,009,610 15,657 $1,000,000 No 18 North Dakota Great Plains Project - VI ND $719,470 $721,188 15,404 $719,470 No 19 North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project - Phase IV FL $1 ,000,000 $2,150,500 749 No 20 North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project, Phase IV CA $1 ,000,000 $2,079,118 6,656 No 21 Piscataquis River/Alder Stream Wetlands ME $1 ,000,000 $2,001 ,718 9,428 Yes - 22 Pointe-Aux-Chenes - Grand Bayou I LA $1 ,000,000 $2,545,817 3,180 Yes 23 Prairies Without Borders MN,ND,SD $1 ,000,000 $1 , I 07,128 3,106 No 24 San Luis Valley Rio Grande Initiative II co $1 ,000,000 $3 ,243,800 2,576 No 25 San Pablo Bay Tidal Wetland Restoration Project III CA $1 ,000,000 $1,348,956 1,91 I Yes 26 Sonoran Wetlands Restoration II AZ,CA $1,000,000 $2,204,107 3,212 No " 27 South Carolina Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative I SC $1 ,000,000 $3 ,243,798 8,187 Yes 28 Southeastern Lake Michigan Coastal Habitat Project MI $989,000 $1,979,451 1,950 $80,000 Yes ------29 Southern Tip Ecological Partnership III (Step 3) VA $919,774 $2,419,000 1,195 Yes 30 Teton Basin V ID,WY $1 ,000,000 $3,394,327 2,420 No 31 Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex Wetlands Rest. and Enh. II MS $921 ,209 $2,488,502 2,792 No ' -32 Upper Iowa Prairie Pothole Partnership - Phase I IA $1,000,000 $2,005 ,500 865 No ---.___ 33 West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I ME $1 ,000,000 $3 ,825,000 13,050 Yes 34 Winyah Bay Protection Project, Phase II SC $1 ,000,000 $14,304,022 3,925 Yes Number of Projects: 34 $33,391,383 $89,285,890 190,225 North Amer ican Wetla nds Conservation Act September 9, 2009 U.S. Proposals (numbers correspond to table) .33 17 • 18 • 3,20 / 25 \ ~ ,, NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Big Hole Restoration and Protection II, Montana COUNTIES, ST ATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Beaverhead, Madison, and Deer Lodge Counties, Montana; Congressional District 1. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,783,520 Bull Creek Ranch $621,387 Ralston Ranches $1,915,133 J Bar L Ranches, Peggy Dulany $1,132,000 Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks $100,000 Patagonia Outlet, Dillon $5,000 Beaverhead County $5,000 The Nature Conservancy $5,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4, 783,520/ I 0, 170 ( 12) acres Easements Acquired- $2,915,133/2,773 acres Easements Donated - $1, 753,38717,385 acres Restored - $115,000/ 12 ( 12) acres NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Montana Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: The Nature Conservancy holds easements on 7,385 acres; The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold easement on 2,773 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project provides a unique opportunity to build upon a watershed scale restoration and protection program in Montana's Big Hole Valley that evolved from partnerships developed between landowners, agencies, conservation organization and users groups. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) designated the Big Hole Drainage as a Tier I priority conservation area in its 2005 Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy and has allocated a multi - year funding program to enhance aquatic and riparian habitats for Arctic grayling. This project provides an opportunity to build upon on-going restoration and land protection efforts by I) permanently protecting 2,773 acres with a conservation easement on Ralston Ranch including 3 acres of increasing wetlands, 201 acres of stable wetland types, 140 acres of decreasing types totaling 344 acres of wetland and 2,429 acres of mixed uplands, 2) Restoring 12 acres of decreasing riparian wetland types along Deep Creek by installing riparian fence, stabilizing stream banks and planting willows, and restoring 12 acres of wetland and riparian habitat in a to be determined site in the upper Big Hole Valley. The Bull Creek Ranch and the J Bar L Ranch compliment the protection of important habitats for fish and migratory birds on the Ralston Ranch with the donation of conservation easements on 7,385 acres, including 213 acres of nationally decreasing wetland types. These intact habitats provide breeding and migratory habitat for dozens of priority waterfowl, waterbird and riparian-obligate species. A 3.7: I grant match has been secured from eight partners, four of whom are I 0-percent partners. A partnership of numerous agency and NGO stakeholders in the Big Hole Valley is involved in this project, along with a landowner who is a valued land steward and very active in the local watershed group, conservation district and landowners issues. This partnership has the potential to serve as a model for restoration and protection, and thus influence other landowners to join in restoration activities in general and more potentially in the NA WCA program as future partners. All three partner landowners involved with this project will enter into conservation easements that will protect I 0, 170 acres in southwest Montana and conserve open spaces, migratory corridors and habitat important for fish and wildlife, while maintaining sustainable family ranching businesses. The partnership recognizes that the habitat richness of the Big Hole Valley is directly linked to its extensive undeveloped public ownership and large tracts of private lands controlled by long-established ranch families, but that this toehold of habitat is vulnerable, as it is in other intermountain valleys in the West. In 2000, an American Farmlands Trust study identified the top three counties out of 263 counties in a seven-state area having the most ranchlands at grievous risk from subdivision and development: Beaverhead County was one of the top three. Such development fragments habitat, disrupts migratory patterns, alters predator communities (often resulting in lower nest success), and increases noxious weed infestations that reduce bird habitat diversity. NA WCA funding of wetlands conservation in the Big Hole would be fortuitous: In addition to land protection, extensive restoration and enhancement projects are imminent in the Big Hole, aimed at preservation of the imperiled Arctic gray ling. Thus, an investment of NA WCA dollars at this time would be substantially leveraged by numerous projects planned over the next decade. The grayling's hold is precarious: its distribution has been reduced to less than 5 percent of its historic range, and the only remaining indigenous self sustaining fluvial population is found in an 80-mile segment of the upper Big Hole River and associated tributary streams. To date, 32 landowners representing approximately 162,000 acres of the private and state lease land in the upper Big Hole have enrolled in the Fluvial Arctic Grayling Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances Program (CCAA). HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITING: In Montana, about I. I percent of the landscape is composed of wetlands (Montana Natural Heritage Program); however, of the I 0, 170 acres involved in this project, 722 acres (7%) are classified as wetlands and 377 acres (52%) are decreasing types. The NA WCA funding will be used to permanently protect 2,773 acres, and restore and enhance 24 acres of declining wetland types. These habitats types are within the Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Western Montana and Northern Rockies Bird Conservation Region 10 (BCRI0). This project will contribute to the Plan's goal of no net loss of riparian and wetland habitats, increasing American Wigeon, Sandhill Crane, and Wilson's Phalarope populations, and doubling the acreage of effective habitat for Rufous Hummingbird (among other priority species objectives). Twenty-two waterfowl species are expected to benefit, including high priority Northern Pintail, Mallard, and Lesser Scaup. Perhaps the single-most important avian value of the valley is the breeding habitat it offers the Greater Sandhill Crane. Breeding activity was documented on the project tracts (within a core area for this species), that also support an additional three waterbird species considered as high or moderate priority: American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, and American Bittern. Northern Harrier, Red-naped Sapsucker, Sage Thrasher, Willow Flycatcher, and Calliope Hummingbird will also benefit. The largely unspoiled valley and the proposed restoration on the project tracts offer nesting habitat for two high priority species from the Intermountain West Region Shorebird Plan: Long-billed Curlew and Wilson' s Phalarope. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Proposed conservation easements would protect important wildlife habitat, open space, surface and ground water, and viewsheds. Public hunting and recreational access would be allowed at the discretion of the landowners on the project properties, which support a popular sport fishery and populations of elk, a highly sought-after big game species. Proposed restoration and land protection would benefit the recovery of fluvial Arctic grayling both from the standpoint of decreased sedimentation, improved water temperature, quality and quantity, and improved instream habitats. The project not only helps protect the substantial public and private investment made to date in grayling recovery efforts, but also benefits anglers who come in large numbers to fish the Big Hole River. NEW PARTNERS: The three new partners in this application include: The Ralston "Ranch, Bull Creek Ranch, and Patagonia Outlet, Dillon. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Border Prairie Wetlands II, Minnesota COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: State: Minnesota; Counties: Becker, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Mahnomen, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Steams, Todd. Congressional District(s): Minnesota 6th and 7th Congressional Districts. GRANT AMOUNT $1 ,000,000 Allocation: Pheasants Forever, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,002,592 Grantee: Pheasants Forever, Inc. $930,912 Minnesota DNR $568,700 Ducks Unlimited $317,980 Roger and Carol Beck $5,000 Carlson $180,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,00 I ,594/1 ,30 I acres Fee Acquired - $2, 172,657/800 acres Fee Donated - $5,000/3 acres Easements Acquired - $394,500/ 131 acres Easement Donated - $270,575/250 acres Other Acquisition Costs - $89,978 Enhanced - $20,000/ 117 acres Other Direct - $45,000 Indirect Costs - $3,884 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Lands acquired in fee title by PF and DNR will be ultimately owned and managed by the state through the DNR Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or Aquatic Management Area system or by the USFWS as a Waterfowl Production Area. This includes 800 fee title acquisition acres (586 acres with partner funds and an additional 214 acres purchased with grant funds.) Enhancements will occur on lands owned by the state (WMA) and managed for wildlife. Easements acquired by or donated to DU will be held by the Wetlands America Trust, an affiliate of DU. Easements donated to the USFWS will be held by the USFWS. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Border Prairie Wetlands II proposal is designed to accelerate the protection of tall grass prairies, prairie wetlands and associated wildlife. The Northern Tall grass Prairie is a priority geographic area by USFWS, DNR, PF, DU, and others because of extensive habitat conversion. The diversity of life the Tallgrass Prairie supports is tremendous, including prairie/wetland plants and animals. There are currently fantastic opportunities within the border prairie planning unit to make gains in both the quality and quantity of grassland and wetland habitat in this region. The outcomes of this proposal tie directly to the PPJV Implementation Plan recommendations by contributing to the goals of securing 1.4 million addition wetland acres and I 0.4 million grassland acres for waterfowl, enhancing protected wetland and grassland areas for shorebirds, protecting and enhancing prairie wetland, riparian, and grassland communities for land and waterbirds. This work also meshes well with the Minnesota DNR Long-range Duck Recovery Plan and the Minnesota DNR's Long-range plan for the Ring-necked Pheasant in Minnesota that outline wetlands and grassland acquisition, restoration and enhancement as keys to improving populations. NA WCA is specifically mentioned and recognized as a key partner in achieving plan goals. Much of the project area is a designated project area for the Habitat Conservation Partnership which concentrates expenditures of Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund expenditures (State Lottery proceeds) and partner expenditures within a geography to enhance the benefit for habitat function. The project area is home to the best waterfowl breeding densities in the state. Due to its high value to numerous plant and animal species including waterfowl, there is urgent need to act quickly to protect remaining native communities and restore those that have previously been converted. In addition, there is a long-term commitment by partners to the border prairie landscape to protect, restore and enhance our prairie/wetland complexes. Partners plan to accelerate conservation efforts in partnership with NAWCA by acquiring 803 acres in fee title and 381 acres under perpetual easement. Priority lands for protection contain drained palustrine wetlands for restoration, existing palustrine emergent wetlands, prairie remnants, and other key adjacent uplands for prairie restoration. Further, the proposal will provide for the enhancement of 117 acres grasslands degraded by woody cover succession. All partners involved in this proposal are familiar with proper techniques for acquiring and enhancing wetland and upland habitats. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Palustrine emergent wetland and grassland habitat protection are the focus of this proposal. Through fee-title acquisition, easement acquisition and donation of land value, we will protect palustrine emergent wetlands (decreasing), shallow lake shorelinie habitats (lacustrine - stable) and associated prairie/grassland uplands. Degraded and diminished since European settlement, these habitats are crucial for a suite of unique, and in many cases, rare plant and animal species. Additionally, a wide array of wetland and grassland dependent species will benefit. The focus on acquiring palustrine emergent wetlands, protecting lacustrine wetlands shoreline and associated uplands will provide higher quality habitat on our existing shallow lakes used frequently in spring and fall migration. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Fee-title acquisitions will be held by the DNR or FWS (including those purchased in cooperation with PF and DNR) will be open to public uses that are compatible with long-term wetland conservation. Prairies and grasslands are under intense pressure for agricultural development, gravel interests, wind energy interests and emerging feed use and biofuel feed stock pressures. Wetlands are under intense pressure from development, conversion and degradation (siltation, aquaculture, etc.). Without protection and management, these habitats will be permanently lost. Substantial economic value is generated on these lands by hunting and wildlife observation. This proposal also provides water quality and soil benefit along with an improved quality of life that is provided by projects that support abundant wildlife, clean water, and productive habitats. NEW PARTNERS: This grant brings together experienced partners and that have a long-standing, positive relationship. We are pleased that this proposal also features two new private landowner partners: The Carlson Family ( I 0% match partner) and Roger and Carol Beck. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Butte and Colusa Basins Wetlands II Project, California COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Sutter Counties; California; District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $4,064,042 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $181,226 Rancho Rio Chico $17,781 Wildlife Conservation Board $731,542 California Department of Fish and Game $829,150 Minasian Ranch $1, 190,088 Refuge Gun Club $58,300 Behring Ranch $1,0 I 0, 155 Greenhead Land Company $15,250 Live Oak Gun Club $30,550 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $5,064,042/5,736 acres Easements Donated - $2,210,860/ 1,454 acres Restored - $588,800/626 acres Enhanced - $1,937,649/3,656 acres Other - $40,000 Indirect Costs - $286,733 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Ducks Unlimited, Inc. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Bureau of Reclamation FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Private landowners Dennis Boyd et al. 160 acres, Minasians/Wetlands America Trust, Inc. (WAT) 650 acres, Refuge Gun Club, Inc. 195 acres, Behring Ranch, LLC/W AT 804 acres, The White Mallard, A Corporation 958 acres, Greenhead Land Company, LLC 34 acres, and Live Oak Gun Club, LLC 79 acres; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2,635 acres; and California Department of Fish and Game 1,797 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Butte and Colusa Basins Wetlands II Project builds on the strong conservation effort of the Phase I project that Ducks Unlimited, Inc . (DU) submitted in 2006. This project is located within the Sacramento Valley portion of California's Central Valley (CV). This is one of the most important and most threatened areas for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife in the continent. The CV supports 60% of the migrating and wintering waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. The Sacramento Valley supports 44% of the Pacific Flyway's wintering waterfowl and is the single most important wintering area for waterfowl in the Flyway. Up to 3 million ducks and 750,000 geese winter in the Sacramento Valley. More than 95% of the 4 million acres of historic wetlands, 90% of riparian habitats, and 64% of grasslands in the CV have been lost. Competition for water is high. Rice lands provide important habitat for wildlife. However, the CV is the nation's most threatened farming region. Its population is projected to increase from 5.4 million to 15 .6 million people by 2040. This will result in substantial loss of habitat and increased demands for water. It is urgent that conservation be implemented here before it is too late. The Butte and Colusa Basins Wetlands II Project brings together a diverse group of 11 partners that includes five I 0% partners and representatives from six different partner categories. It was developed in close coordination with the CV Joint Venture (JV) and supports the CVJV's goals and objectives. This project focuses work within two of the nine drainage basins in the CV. Duck population objectives for the Butte and Colusa Basins are the second and fourth highest, respectively of the nine drainage basins. Goose population objectives for the Butte Basin are the third highest and for the Colusa Basin are the highest among the CV' s drainage basins. The project will protect, restore, or enhance 7,312 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands, palustrine forested habitat, and associated uplands in a region of continental importance to all the major bird groups. Of this total, 1,454 acres will be permanently protected. Work will occur on 13 tracts, including four national wildlife refuges, two state wildlife areas, and seven private properties. DU will deliver all new work. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: This project will restore or enhance 5,569 acres of palustrine emergent and palustrine forested habitats. Both are decreasing habitat types. It will also restore or enhance 289 acres of wetland-associated uplands. It will permanently protect 1,454 acres of agricultural wetlands (i.e., rice lands). Project work will benefit numerous waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds that use the Butte and Colusa Basins for migration, wintering, or breeding including northern pintail, mallard, white-fronted goose, cackling Canada goose, American avocet, white-faced ibis, and Virginia rail. Many species that use either wetland-associated uplands or riparian habitat for nesting and foraging will also benefit. These include northern harrier, white-tailed kite, red-winged blackbird, common yellowthroat, and yellow warbler. This project will also benefit 40 special-status species including 18 that are state and/or federally listed as threatened or endangered. Listed species include vernal pool tadpole shrimp, spring run Chinook salmon, giant garter snake, bald eagle, willow flycatcher, and greater sandhill crane. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Six of the tracts included in the project are public lands. Uses include hunting, education, bird watching, photography, and nature study. This project will improve opportunities for public recreation on these tracts by improving wildlife habitat. The public will also benefit from work to be conducted on the private land tracts. This work will improve habitat quality for waterfowl and other wildlife and reduce adverse impacts of water diversions on anadromous fish that use both public and private lands in the region. Project work will provide proper water management capabilities to wetland managers and thereby decrease mosquito production and the risk of an outbreak of West Nile Virus. Project work will also allow landowners to use water more efficiently and thereby conserve the region's water. NEW PARTNERS: This project includes three partners that have not previously participated in a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant: Rancho Rio Chico and Refuge Gun Club (private landowners) and Minasian Ranch (profit-making corporation). NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Chase Lake Area Wetland Project - IX, North Dakota COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: The Chase Lake Prairie Wetland Project (CLPP) area is located in McLean, Sheridan, Wells, Foster, Burleigh, Kidder, Stutsman, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh and Dickey Counties, ND, Congressional District I. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1 ,024,823 North Dakota Game and Fish Department $381,61 Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $187,342 The Nature Conservancy $100,000 North Dakota Natural Resources Trust $33,146 Gerard Wald $18,140 Murray Lepp $14,430 Gaylin Olson $1,780 Victor Mathern $2, I 12 Bruce Herr $4,250 Grant Peterson $3,962 Larry Schauer $2,384 Tim Peterson $11,374 Allan Miller $3,350 Davin Wirrenga $984 Dennis Ova $4,650 Dale Strobel $5,404 Brian Goven $ 11 ,697 Loren Patrie $408 Scott Vetter $9,318 Dana Svanes $16,750 Steve Roberts $67,850 Frank Redlin $1,080 John Childs $100,000 Chad Maier $300 Private Landowners $42,500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,024,823/32, 713 acres Easements Acquired - $1, l 25 ,025/4,570 acres Easements Donated - $67,850/457 acres Leases Acquired - $246,612/19,901 acres Restored - $118,446/225 acres Enhanced - $273,86117,530 acres Wetlands Established - $44, 112/30 acres Other - $135,000 Indirect Costs - $13,917 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) 19,90 I acres and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 12,812 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposal is phase nine of an ongoing project designed to protect, restore, and enhance wetland/grassland communities using a landscape level approach to planning. The value of perpetually protecting threatened wetlands has long been recognized. The FWS has protected many of these wetland complexes by purchasing perpetual easements. Although many of these wetlands have been protected, much of the surrounding prairie uplands have been converted to agricultural use. As a result of this habitat fragmentation, predator populations have increased. Furthermore, the concentrations of waterfowl and other migratory bird ne sts into the remaining grassland cover have allowed these predators to become more successful, to the point where typical nest success rates in some areas are below levels necessary to maintain their populations. To reverse this trend, habitat methods have been developed to protect and restore the grassland and wetland complexes as in this proposal. Habitat conservation objectives to meet the waterfowl production goals of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) have been comprehensively developed for the CLPP. The Multi-Agency Approach to Planning and Evaluation (MAAPE) process used population modeling of a landscape sample to directly link habitat objectives to waterfowl population goals established in the PPJV Implementation Plan. Protecting the remaining wetland- associated uplands is a critical component toward achieving this success. Among the habitat objectives for the CLPP is to protect 494,000 acres of wetlands, protect 400,000 acres of native prairie grasslands, restore 55,000 acres of grassland habitat, restore/create 29,300 acres of wetlands and enhance 419,200 acres of native prairie with managed rotational grazing systems. Much of the remaining grassland habitats in the CLPP are native prairie which sustains the functions of the intermingled wetlands. Once lost, an ecologically functional prairie cannot be restored. Wetland functions and values are similarly affected. Water and wind erosion cause increased sedimentation in wetlands. Pesticides flow into wetlands from cultivated hillsides and degrade the aquatic plant and invertebrate communities and affect the ability of wetlands to sustain vertebrate species at higher tropic levels. The CLPP landscape contains approximately 2,122,429 acres of native prairie grasslands of which only approximately 55,000 acres are currently protected. One of the MAAPE objectives is to maintain all native grasslands by acquiring perpetual grassland easements and protect wetland by acquiring perpetual wetland easements. Under this proposal, 3,120 acres of native grasslands protecting 312 acres of wetlands will be secured with NA WCA funds by perpetual conservation easements. In other fragmented portions of the CLPP area with high wetland densities, which attract large waterfowl breeding populations (> I 00 pairs/sq. mile), waterfowl nest success is below levels necessary to maintain populations. It has been determined to maintain breeding waterfowl populations, between 30-40% of the landscape must be in perennial grass cover suitable to nesting. In portions in the CLPP area, it is feasible to restore enough grassland to boost nesting success above maintenance levels. In this proposal approximately I,716 acres of cropland will be seeded back to native or tame grasses, accomplishing 3% of this habitat objective for the CLPP area. Wetlands restored and created of approximately 255 acres in this proposal, will be within blocks of grasslands and/or surrounded by grassland easements. Restored grasslands, and/or managed grazing systems will help maintain the function and value of the wetlands by providing buffers as well as new and/or enhanced upland nesting habitat. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITING: Wetland habitats in the CLPP area are diverse and primarily classified as palustrine emergent wetlands exhibiting temporary, seasonal, semipermanent and permanent water regimes. Wetlands with short hydro-periods (temporary and seasonal basins) are continuously at risk of being drained or degraded by agricultural practices. These shallow emergent wetland types are critical important migration and breeding habitats for many waterfowl and wetland dependant species. Protection of uplands associated with these wetlands, as in this proposal, provide essential nesting habitat for waterfowl and other species, and minimize the influx of sediments and pesticides into these wetland basins. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The wetlands and associated upland habitats on public lands and the leased Habitat in this proposal will be open to public activities such as hunting, trapping, hiking, bird watching, photography, and education. Private land projects will be open to the public at the discretion of each individual landowner. Ancillary benefits include flood control, water quality maintenance, erosion control, tourism, economic diversity and infrastructure protection. NEW PARTNERS: Being in the ninth phase most partnerships have been formed in past proposals. However, this proposal includes 17 new private landowners who have contributed over $200,000 in matching non-Federal funds. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Coastal Prairie Wetlands Restoration/Acquisition III, Texas COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Brazoria, Chambers, Harris, Matagorda, and Waller Counties, Texas, Congressional Districts IO and 14. GRANT AMOUNT $850,000 Allocation: Katy Prairie Conservancy $850,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,369,557 Grantee: Katy Prairie Conservancy $276,600 Graeme Marston and Virginia Watt $640,000 Texas R.I.C.E. $176,000 Houston Endowment inc. $100,000 Meadows Foundation Inc. $100,000 Jessie Dunn $45,097 Mustang Machinery Corporation, Ltd., $19,860 Jeff Boswell $12,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,219,557/3,535 (320) acres Fee Acquired - $996,600/320 acres Fee Donated - $640,000/(320 acres) Restored - $563,097 /l ,215 acres Enhanced - $ l 9,860/2,000 acres NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: USFWS/Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, 450 acres; USFWS, Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, 400 acres; private landowners at Boswell Ranch/Jeff Boswell, I IO acres; private landowners at Dunn Ranch, 255 acres; Katy Prairie Conservancy (KPC), 2,320. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This Programmatic Project Proposal request represents the continuation of an important regional effort to protect and improve vital inland coastal prairie and agricultural wetlands on the Katy Prairie 30 miles west northwest of Houston. The project recognizes the regional importance and connection to habitat areas closer to the Texas Gulf coast and works cooperatively with Texas R.I.C.E. to ensure that both inland and coastal wetland and prairie areas are restored and enhanced to benefit migratory waterfowl that move back and forth between these habitats in search of resting and foraging habitat. A total of 3,535 acres of freshwater emergent, and coastal prairie habitats both inland and on the coast of the Texas Mid-Coast region will be positively impacted. KPC has already protected 17,500 acres, of which it owns 13,000 acres outright. KPC's preserves provide the largest inland sanctuary within the Gulf Coast Joint Venture's Texas Mid-Coast Initiative (GCJV-TMI) through its close proximity to Houston and the relative ease of development in west Houston make it an attractive target for commercial and residential growth. The GCJV has recommended protecting at-risk tracts through fee title acquisition. The project proposes to acquire an additional 320-acre tract that is adjacent to land which is being acquired through a previous NA WCA Grant. The tract will ensure that 320 acres of valuable palustrine emergent/agricultural wetlands and associated transitional and upland habitat within the core of the prairie will be permanently protected. The sellers have indicated their willingness to sell through a Bargain Sale. This project continues the collaboration of KPC and Texas R.I.C.E. to continue their work to restore 3,065 acres of wetland habitat types characterized as "decreasing" by the GCJV-TMI. KPC will acquire 150 acres of palustrine emergent wetland as part of the 320-acre proposed acquisition, will enhance and restore a total of 2,915 acres of declining palustrine emergent wetland and 300 acres of upland grassland habitat. These complementary coastal and inland projects will accommodate the movements of wetland dependent species between inland and coastal habitat as they respond to weather, water and food availability. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: This project will provide excellent breeding habitat for high-priority Mottled Ducks and migration and wintering habitat for four high priority waterfowl species (Northern Pintail, Mottled Duck, Mallard and Lesser Scaup) as identified by the GCJV TMI and in the GCJV Mottled Duck Conservation Plan. Activities will also provide exceptional breeding habitat for one priority waterfowl species (Wood Duck) and migration and wintering habitat for 5 priority waterfowl species (Wood Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, and American Wigeon). The project will provide good breeding habitat for Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and will positively impact 13 species of other waterfowl. Twenty selected species are highlighted within the technical portion of this project - chosen from the priority rankings of NAWCA's BCR 37, the Southeast United States Regional Waterbird Conservation Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the Partners in Flight Coastal Prairies Plan. Ten of these species are priority species and the rest are species of importance, as identified by the four bird conservation plans, and will be positively impacted by the proposed project activities. Acquisition and restoration components will also benefit federally-listed endangered species such as the Piping Plover and threatened species such as Wood Stork in addition to other species, Mottled Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, and Blue-winged Teal. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Expanding protected acreage and improving and enhancing conservation lands will positively impact the quality and sustainability of the wildlife habitat available on the Katy Prairie. The area offers spectacular hunting, bird watching, nature-viewing and photography opportunities. KPC strives to provide a balance that meets the needs of the public and the wildlife found on the Katy Prairie. This proposal also includes one public partner, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which will benefit from 850 acres of coastal palustrine emergent wetland restoration and enhancement of 1,500 acres of coastal prairie habitat that is critical for grassland dependent bird species. As an added public benefit, the preservation of wetlands and other open space on the Katy Prairie within the Cypress Creek watershed reduces flooding damage for downstream Harris County residents. Restoration of wetland functions on private lands will contribute to the overall sustainability of the regional ecosystem and improve hunting and nature tourism opportunities throughout the Texas Mid-Coast area. NEW PARTNERS: The project partnership brings three new partners to the NAWCA grant program: Meadows Foundation and two private landowners and also retains current partners such as Jessie Dunn, Mustang Machinery Corporation, Ltd., and Texas R.I.C.E. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Des Moines River Valley Wetlands, Iowa COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: The Des Moines River Valley project area includes portions of 16 counties along the central and lower reaches of the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. Iowa counties include: Polk, Jasper, Warren, Marion, Lucas, Monroe, Mahaska, Keokuk, Wapello, Jefferson, Davis, Van Buren, Washington, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee. The area also includes portions of Iowa Congressional Districts 2, 3 and 4. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Iowa Department of Natural Resources $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,549,100 Grantee: Iowa Department of Natural Resources $2,015,000 Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $620,650 Warren County Conservation Board $605,000 Lee County Conservation Board $184,650 Hardwood Timberland Unlimited $73,800 Pheasants Forever, Warren County Chapter $20,000 Pheasants Forever, Iowa Capital Chapter $10,000 Pheasants Forever, Lee County Chapter $ I 0,000 Three Rivers Conservation Foundation $ I 0,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4,549, I 00/3,327 acres Fee Acquired - $3,924, I 00/2,438 acres Enhanced - $625,000/889 acres FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Iowa Department of Natural Resources 999 acres; Lee County Conservation Board 897 acres; Warren County Conservation Board 542 acres; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 889 acres (managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is phase two of four anticipated NA WCA proposals directed at wetland conservation projects along the main-stem tributaries of the Mississippi River which traverse central and southern Iowa. The Phase I project (Iowa River Corridor) was focused on the central and lower Iowa River. This proposal offers an equally impressive number and quality of wetland conservation projects along the Skunk and Des Moines Rivers. Through an extended planning process that began in late 2007, we have been able to target conservation activities to protection and enhancement of two of the largest wetland habitat complexes in the state of Iowa: Pool 19 on the Mississippi River and Red Rock Reservoir on the Des Moines River. Both areas are known for the large number of waterfowl and diverse assemblages of shorebirds, herons, rails, and other waterbirds they host during both spring and fall migration. In addition, we are conserving bottomland deciduous forests associated with two of Iowa's State Forests which represent some of the largest forested tracts in the state, and represent important habitats as both migration stopovers and breeding areas for many species of neotropical migrants. These conservation investments are targeted to the largest habitat complexes in the most intact landscapes along the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. Seldom have Iowa NA WCA partners had the opportunity to conserve and enhance so much existing quality habitat in a single NA WCA project. The continuing success of these projects demonstrates that restoration of wetlands and other natural habitats can contribute to a sustainable system of flood tolerant land uses. The resulting mosaic of public and private lands has achieved both economic and ecological goals. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The project area is an important part of a major migration corridor for waterfowl, including lesser Scaup, and other wetland birds moving north from the Central Mississippi River to the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) and other breeding grounds to the North and West. The project area includes important mid-latitude migration habitats on the Central Mississippi River, and provides similar floodplain habitats along the central and lower Des Moines and Skunk Rivers to expand on a series of large habitat complexes which serve as important migration stopover sites. The added semi-permanent wetlands and seasonally flooded mud flats and moist soil management areas will increase the number of migratory birds these areas serve during spring and fall migrations. The project area also supports breeding populations of a wide variety of migratory bird species, and this proposal conserves a diverse set of palustrine herbaceous and forested wetlands along with some of the best remaining mature bottomland forest as well as adding to some large blocks of tallgrass prairie. These habitats are additions to the large wetland complexes, and act to improve the water quality, aquatic vegetation, and invertebrate communities in these important migration habitats. Similarly, recent evidence suggests that the lack of semi-permanent wetlands may be limiting mallard production and that increases in brood-rearing habitat should receive comparable weight to increasing upland grasslands for nesting habitat. This proposal represents our attempts to meet priority habitat goals set in the recent Implementation Plan produced by the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Joint Venture. PUBLIC BENEFITS: All tracts identified in this proposal as well as those to be acquired with grant funds will be managed for wildlife habitats as public wildlife management areas and will be open to hunting and all other non-conflicting uses such as hiking, bird watching, photography, and education. These tracts provide excellent access to wetland habitats and serve as much needed stages for both structured and unstructured opportunities to experience, appreciate, and learn about Iowa's native floodplain wetland habitats and the benefits of reconnecting the river to its floodplain. Activities in this proposal will provide significant improvements in flood control and water quality through wetland and grassland habitat restoration which include conversion of row crop agriculture within and adjacent to the floodplain of the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. This project will contribute significantly to both the quality of life and the economies of local communities that gain much of their identity from their close association with these rivers. Many communities have already developed business and tourism opportunities based on the wildlife and natural habitats along the central and lower reaches of the Skunk and Des Moines Rivers. NEW PARTNERS: This project marks a new partnership with the Lee and Warren County Conservation Boards. The significant work of these two county conservation organizations and the local citizens, businesses and conservation groups with which they work was the impetus for initiating this grant request. During the preparation of this proposal, several additional conservation opportunities have been identified that would not have been recognized were it not for this new partnership. The Des Moines River Valley project combines the work of these new partners with the efforts of some of the strongest conservation organizations operating in Iowa, including the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau. 5 NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Flying J Ranch Conservation Project, Louisiana. COUNTY, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, District 7. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,025,000 Grantee: Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation $0 BP Corporation $2,000,000 Broussard Family $25,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,025,000/1 ,900 (73,030) acres Fee Donated - $2,000,000/(71, 130) acres Easements Acquired - $1,000,000/1 ,900 acres Easements Donated - $25,000/( 1,900) acres FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: The Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation intends to hold the final conservation easement over the Flying J Ranch. The State currently owns the 71,130 acre White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area, which was donated by BP America Production White Lake in 2002. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project utilizes a match of over $2.0 million for the purchase of conservation easement over 1,900 +/- acres adjacent to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area, originally donated by BP America Production White Lake (BPWL) in south Louisiana. The targeted parcel under this application is currently owned, farmed, and leased for recreational uses, by the Broussard Family, via ownership as Flying J Ranch Land, Inc. This parcel fits within a larger conservation area, and provides important habitat to significant numbers of waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds and other resident and migratory bird species. The protection of this 1,900 +/- acre Flying J Ranch adjacent to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana is a very significant land conservation effort, which will protect significant additional waterfowl habitat within the White Lake basin, and the larger Chenier Plain areas. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The Flying J Ranch property is composed of agricultural (rice/ grazing) lands, with associated portions of emergent swamp areas, grassland/ prairie, and upland components. This property supports numerous migratory waterfowl & neotropical species. Several species supported include: Northern Pintail, Mallard, Mottled Duck, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Tricolored Heron, Red-headed woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Swainson's Warbler, and the Prothonatory Warbler. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The acquisition of conservation easement over the subject 1,900 +/- acres adjacent to the WLWCA will result in the permanent protection of highly significant chenier/ prairie wetlands, and associated upland habitat. The property will be managed to maintain and enhance the considerable natural resource values it supports and for the waterfowl and migratory bird benefits it provides. NEW PARTNERS: This protection effort is a result of numerous partners working in close coordination. Several who have been involved in moving this specific project ahead are BP America, Inc., the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the Broussard Family, the State of Louisiana, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and The Conservation Fund. I NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Heads of the Estuaries Partnership, Maine: Habitat Protection, Phase I, Maine COUNTY, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Washington; Maine; District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,946,500 Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) $1,534,500 Great Auk Land Trust (GALT) $390,000 Land for Maine's Future Program (LMFP) $200,000 Tibbetts Island landowner: Patricia Lundholm $210,000 Willard Point (I) landowner: Charles Milmine $370,000 Stover Cover landowner: Mary Hockmeyer $150,000 Pleasant River Wildlife Foundation (PRWF) $62,429 Long Creek Point landowner: Jeffrey Pepi $27,571 The Nature Conservancy - Maine Chapter (TNC) $1 ,000 Ducks Uni imited, Inc. (DU) $1,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS, AND ACRES $3,946,500/756 acres Fee Donated - $2,794,500/347 acres Easements Acquired - $950,000/380 acres Easements Donated - $150,000/29 acres Other costs directly assoc. with acquisition - $52,000 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Charles Milmine Great Auk Land Trust Maine Coast Heritage Trust FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Match parcels total 376 acres. MCHT fee: Willard Point(I): 21 acres; Johnson Point: 82 acres; Narrows Mt.: 7 acres, MCHT easement: Stover Cove: 30 acres. GALT fee ownership: Tibbett Island: 32 acres. PRWF fee : Long Creek Point: 58 acres. Godfrey: 87 acres; Dupree: 59 acres. Acquisition parcels projected= 380 acres. Lands may be held by MCHT, GALT, PRWF, and possibly Maine Farmland Trust, ME Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), and ME Islands National Wildlife Refuge. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Goals and objectives: The Heads of the Estuaries Partnership, a consortium of government agencies, regional conservation organizations and local land trusts, is working for the next 4-5 years to protect 25 miles of coastline, 5,000 acres of coastal uplands and 2,500 acres of coastal wetlands along the tidal embayments stretching from the mouth of the Narraguagus River to the mouth of the Machias River in Downeast Maine - a region of concentrated, high value habitat for wintering and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Specifically, this NA WCA proposal will permanently protect 952.5 acres (including non-match acres) within the generalized boundaries of five Priority Areas located within the Heads of the Estuaries Partnership Region. This proposal supports the goals of all current national and regional migratory bird conservation plans and is endorsed by the Maine Wetlands Protection Coalition - a partnership of Federal and State conservation agencies, statewide conservation organizations, local land trusts and private landowners established to support the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan in Maine. Conservation biologists recognize the exceptional habitat values for water-dependent migratory birds and endangered species in the Heads of the Estuaries Partnership Region. High biological productivity, extensive intertidal mudflats and salt marshes and undeveloped shoreline provide outstanding habitat for large concentrations of wintering and migrating Black Ducks, other waterfowl, migratory shorebirds and Bald Eagles. Freshwater wetlands near the coast also offer important breeding and migratory habitat for waterfowl and wading birds. Coastal uplands adjacent to these biologically rich waterbird habitats still remain essentially intact. Although economic conditions have offered a temporary reprieve, when the next wave of residential development strikes, development will likely be concentrated in these uplands, where coastal properties remain available, and where waterbird habitat values are concentrated. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Habitat types: Coastal wetlands, nearcoast freshwater wetlands, upland buffer and coastal nesting islands. Waterfowl: The Project Region provides exceptional migratory and wintering habitat for at least 28 species of waterfowl, including five High Priority, five Priority and 17 other species that represent nearly every species regularly seen in the Atlantic Flyway. Large assemblages of migratory and wintering Black Ducks are particularly notable, and thousands of Green-winged Teal migrate through the region. MDIFW surveys indicate that the Project Region includes 25,930 acres of High Value Tidal Habitat and 6,839 acres of Moderate Value Inland Habitat for Waterfowl and Wading Birds. Shorebirds: The Project Region provides internationally significant roosting and feeding areas for tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds, including at least 36 species. The Project Region provides the largest late summer and fall populations of Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers along the Downeast Coast, amongst the largest populations of Black-bellied Plovers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater and Lesser Yellow legs and White-rumped Sandpipers in Maine, and one of the largest Whimbrel populations in the United States. MDIFW surveys indicate that the Project Region includes more than 16,500 acres ( 136 sites) of Important Shorebird Feeding and Roosting Areas. I 0,520 acres (40 sites) are identified under Maine's Natural Resource Protection Act. Partners in Flight and Waterbird Conservation Plan species: The Project Region provides habitat for 41 of 42 priority species identified in the Partners in Flight Plan for Physiographic Region 28, and habitat for 24 of 30 priority waterbird species identified in the Mid Atlantic/New England/Maritimes Waterbird Conservation Plan. The Project Region also supports nesting seabirds, wading birds and Bald Eagles on 78 nationally significant islands. Currently, 38 of these islands are unprotected. Federal TIE species: Nesting birds include the federally endangered Roseate Tern (I current and I historic nest island), recently de-listed Bald Eagle ( 168 nests, with 66 identified as State Essential Habitat) and recently de-listed Peregrine Falcon ( I current and 2 historic nest sites). Peregrine Falcons also nest just outside the Project Region in Acadia National Park, taking regular foraging trips to the Project Region during the nesting season. PUBLIC BENEFITS: All fee acquisition and some easement properties will guarantee low-impact public uses such as birding, hunting, hiking, kayaking, environmental education and/or biological research. Public use may be restricted during certain seasons to protect migratory birds and endangered species. Because tourism is a major component of the economy, conservation of all fee and easement parcels will benefit the Downeast Coast by preserving the region's scenic beauty as well as its wildlife habitat, water quality and recreational potential. NEW PARTNERS: Private landowners (Patricia Lundholm at Tibbett Island, Mary Hockmeyer at Stover Cove, Charles Milmine at Willard Point, and Jeffrey Pepi at Long Creek Point are new partners. Maine Farmland Trust may be a first-time recipient of NAWCA funding. In addition, this is the first Large NA WCA proposal where PRWF is playing a leadership role in developing and implementing the proposal, and receiving funding in support of habitat acquisition projects. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Lake Champlain Wetlands III, New York, Vermont COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland Counties, Vermont (I); and Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Washington Warren Counties, New York, (20 & 23). GRANT AMOUNT $1 ,000,000 Allocation: The Nature Conservancy $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $ $2,826,998 Grantee: The Nature Conservancy $9,000 NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets $1,512,498 NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation $1 ,000,000 Vermont Fish and Wildlife Agency $145,000 Dave and Eleanor Sweatt $100,000 Northeast Wilderness Trust $9,000 The Vermont Duck Stamp Trust Fund $30,000 Adirondack Land Trust $7,500 Eddy Foundation $7,500 Ducks Unlimited $1 ,000 Washington County, NY $5 ,000 Champlain National Bank $500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,826,998/ 15,408 acres Fee Acquired - $2, 111,500/13,00 I acres Fee Donated - $105,000/283 acres Easements Acquired - $1,528,998/2, 124 acres Other - $66,5 14 Indirect Costs - $14,986 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Dave and Eleanor Sweatt USDANRCS The Nature Conservancy Washington County, NY Eddy Foundation Northeast Wilderness Trust U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service USDANRCS FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: NYDEC Chubb's Dock 156 acres, Wash. County Wetlands 283 acres, & Domtar 12,476 acres; VT Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Crosby Tract 150 acres & Cranberry Swamp I 05 acres; NE Wilderness Trust Rowe Tract 87 acres; Adirondack Land Trust Creskey Tract 27 acres; Private landowners for Finch Pruyn Tract 808 acres; Rovers Farm I, 193 acres; Morrow Farm 123 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In this 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain exploring Lake Champlain, the Nature Conservancy proposes to match $1 ,000,000 in NA WCA grant funding with $3,126,998 spent to conserve 15,418 acres containing 61 riparian miles in the Champlain Watershed. Those numbers swell to 82,213 permanently-protected acres with 235 riparian miles when non-match partner contributions are included. A NAWCA grant will honor the Champlain Quadricentenial by protecting additional highly-productive wetlands in the ACJV Champlain Focus area. The Nature Conservancy and NY State seized a singular historic opportunity of changing forest ownership to protect huge Champlain Basin acreages formerly owned by several timber companies. These forests are laced with pristine wetlands and riparian areas that provide wildlife habitat and protect water quality. More than 40% of the land area in this proposal is within 300 feet of wetlands or streams. This proposal focuses on high-quality, and highly threatened, lake-connected wetlands identified in multiple waterfowl plans as conservation targets. At the Champlain Narrows, grant funds are sought to acquire the 156-acre Chubb's Dock tract and leverage donation of 283 adjacent wetland acres. At Mud Creek WMA, also an ACJV sub-focus area near the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, grant funds are sought to acquire the 150- acre Crosby Tract to connect the WMA to Lake Champlain and preserve emergent and forested wetlands used by breeding and migrating birds. A nearby match parcel will protect 1,193 acres of the Valley's premier farm-field waterfowl feeding site adjacent to the King's Bay WMA, another ACJV sub-focus area. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The Lake Champlain Valley provides breeding and, more importantly, staging and migration habitat for thousands of waterfowl. Aerial censuses conducted annually in October by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife consistently reports between 20,000 and 40,000 individuals of thirty or more species. The more numerous species include American Black Duck, Mallard, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Ring necked,Duck, and Common Merganser. Many of the wetlands surrounding the lake contain highly preferred foods such as wild rice and duck potato. In addition, waste grain from the fertile farm fields surrounding Lake Champlain in both Vermont and Quebec, Canada provide ideal feeding habitat for ducks and for migrating Canada Geese (Atlantic Population) and Greater Snow Goose. The grant acquisition parcels and several match parcels feature palustrine emergent marsh, wooded and scrub/shrub swamps, and lacustrine wetlands directly linked to Lake Champlain. These parcels will be managed to enhance waterfowl habitat. In addition, one of the largest, most heavily-used farm field migratory feeding sites in the region will be preserved in agriculture. The proposal also includes activities further up the watershed where partners are conserving pristine higher elevation wetland, riparian habitat, and numerous beaver flows in the Adirondack portion of the basin. This work will benefit waterfowl and wildlife populations and protect water quality downstream and in Lake Champlain. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The public will enjoy significant benefits because the grant acquisition tracts, and most match parcels, will have public access which is needed because most Lake Champlain shoreline is privately-owned. Chubb's Dock is especially important because it is the only potential public access to the lake along 23 miles of New York shoreline. Acquisition of Chubb's Dock will resolve a dispute over public access and allow NYDEC to carefully manage the impacts of public recreational use. Most likely uses include car-top boats, hiking and bird watching. This access will also make up for a lack of data on waterfowl and other wildlife because biologists and birders will be able to conduct surveys and monitortheir population dynamcs. Regulated waterfowl hunting is intended to be allowed at the Chubb's Dock/Washington County Wetlands, Crosby Tract, and Cranberry Swamp. NEW PARTNERS: New NA WCA partners in the Champlain Basin include: Adirondack Land Trust, Lake Champlain Land Trust, The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, Dave and Eleanor Sweatt, Eddy Foundation, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Washington County, and Champlain National Bank. New non-match partners are USDA-NRCS in New York. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Lake County Closed Basin Project - Phase 3, Oregon COUNTY, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Lake County, Oregon, District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,535,398 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $515,0 I 8 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife $75,000 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board $283,075 Lake County Watershed Council $272,498 Lakeview Soil and Water Conservation District $93,407 J-Spear Ranch $28,500 ZX Ranch $21 ,000 O'Leary Ranch $3 ,000 Murphy Ranch $2,000 Garrett Ranch $5,400 Warner Ranch $34,000 Eric Dillion $202,500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS, AND ACRES $2,535,398/3,355 (1 ,912) acres Restored - $2,073,561/l ,915 (1 ,832) acres Enhanced - $372, 186/1 ,440 (80) acres Indirect Costs - $89,651 FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (400 acres); Summer Lake State Wildlife Area, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife ( I, 175 acres, 400 counted in previous NA WCA grant); Cottonwood Creek Tract - numerous private landowners (640 acres); Chewaucan River Tract - numerous private landowners (233 acres); Thomas Creek Tract - numerous private landowners (276 acres); Private Landowners Garrett (800 acres, counted in previous Grant); J-Spear Ranch (400 acres), Barnhart Tract (232 acres counted in previous grant), Drew's Valley Ranch (54 acres), Warner Ranch (505 acres); McFarland Ranch (480 acres, counted in previous grant); Maxwell Ranch (72 acres). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal represents the third phase in a long-term effort to conserve critical habitat for migratory birds within the Closed Basin Focus Area as defined by the Intermountain West Joint Venture. Large, closed watersheds often containing extensive marsh habitats in the "bottom" of these watersheds characterize the Closed Basin Focus Area in eastern Oregon. These marsh systems are separated from adjacent closed basins by up to 100 miles of desert and mountainous regions. Wetland habitat quantity and quality within these basins fluctuates significantly from year to year and among basins due to variations in precipitation and hence provide di verse values to waterbirds. Migratory birds are highly dependent on these dynamic marsh systems for both migration and breeding habitat, with an estimated 5.9 million ducks utilizing these systems in southern Oregon during migration. Ducks Unlimited and its partners, recognizing the importance of these habitats for waterbirds in the Intermountain West, are capitalizing on the success and momentum of the previous phases of this ambitious project by immediately initiating the third phase to further restore these habitats. The Oregon Closed Basin Focus Area has identified important wetland conservation activities in several of these large wetland complexes, including Goose Lake, the Warner Valley, Summer Lake, Lake Abert, Upper and Lower Chewaucan Marsh, and numerous smaller basins. This proposal specifically addresses projects in the Goose Lake, Summer Lake, Chewaucan and Warner Basins. At the north end of Goose Lake, near Lakeview, Oregon, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. is continuing the wetland restoration efforts initiated through earlier phases of this project. To date, over 3,000 acres of PEM have been restored or enhanced on the Garrett Tract. These efforts are continuing under Phase 3, although the acres were claimed in the earlier grants. Elsewhere in the Goose Lake Basin, DU is working with a variety of partners such as the Lake County Watershed Council to restore 505 acres of PEM on the Warner Ranch Tract, 54 acres of riparian habitat on the Drew's Valley Tract, and 276 acres of riparian habitat on the Thomas Creek Tract. The Project will also enhance 640 acres of seasonal wet meadows on the Cottonwood Creek Tract and 72 acres of riparian wetlands on the Maxwell Ranch Tract. 480 acres of wetlands and upland on the McFarland Ranch will be enhanced as part of Phase 3 (acres were counted in Phase 1). Ducks Unlimited and the BLM will further enhance 400 acres of PEM on the Warner Wetlands Tract. This is in addition to 1,200 acres previously enhanced through Phase l and 2 of the Project. Interior levees and water control structures, some dating back 50 years to when the site was a private ranch, will be removed in an effort to return the natural hydrology to the site. This tract, identified as an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" (ACEC) is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), providing significant breeding and shallow-water migration habitat for a multitude of waterbird. Restoration activities initiated on Summer Lake Wildlife Area under Phases l and 2 will be expanded to restore an additional 775 acres of PEM. The Project will replace 1500' of open ditch with 60' HDPE pipe to save up to 4,000 acre/feet of water annually lost through the porous ditch bottom. This water savings is critical for wetlands in the arid environment typical of the Project site. Summer Lake is widely acknowledged as one of the most important wetland complexes in the Intermountain West for waterfowl, shorebirds, and waterbirds. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: A variety of habitat types and wildlife will benefit from this project, with conservation activities concentrating on important, declining wetland types. Palustrine emergent wetland habitats account for 84% of the project acres, with the remainder consisting primarily of willow-dominated riparian Shrub/scrub (553 acres). A total of 4,435 acres of PEM ( 1800 counted in earlier phases) will be restored or enhanced. Much of this habitat is shallow, seasonally flooded wetlands extensively utilized by spring migrating waterbirds. The Project location is identified as a high priority in all four bird plans. The balance of the wetland acres includes 119 acres of riverine wetlands along Thomas, Cottonwood, Drew's, and Cox Creeks and the Chewaucan River. Restoration on these streams will result in significant benefits to several sensitive fish species that reside in these basins. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Large numbers of migratory birds depend on habitats conserved through this proposal and will provide many types of wildlife dependent recreational opportunities. Wetland and stream restoration and enhancement efforts at the north end of Goose Lake will improve water quality and habitat conditions for several species of fish endemic to Goose Lake including the redband trout, a favorite of local anglers. The Warner Valley wetlands have been designated as an internationally important migratory bird area, and are visited by a multitude of wildlife enthusiasts, including hunters and birdwatchers. Restoring these wetlands will provide additional opportunities for the public to enjoy wildlife dependent recreation. The implementation of this proposal will also put over $2 mill ion into this rural economy through the contracting of restoration and enhancement work. NEW PARTNERS: Phase 3 of the Project has seen increased involvement by local landowners, as they experience the numerous benefits resulting from these conservation projects. New Partners include: Warner Ranch, Eric Dillion (Private Donor) and Lake County Watershed Council. Many of the most critical wetland habitats in the Project area are owned by a limited number of local ranches, such as the J Spear, ZX, Garrett, Maxwell, O'Leary and Murphy Ranches. Many of the partners from the previous phases are still involved with the project, often promoting the Project to other community members. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Living Floodplains of NW Oregon and SW Washington, Oregon, Washington COUNTIES, STATES, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Clark, Cowlitz Counties, Washington, District 3; Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Polk Counties, Oregon, Districts I, 3 and 5. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,004,735 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $273,235 Metro $1,548,500 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife $110,000 William Baumgartner $10,000 Erik Baumgartner $ I 0,000 Bob Schmaltz $10,000 Northwest D&D, Inc. $15,000 Shannon Meadors $ I 0,000 McDonald Excavating, Inc. $1,000 Doug Bernett $2,500 Sauvie Island Kennels $2,000 Steve Wilcox $6,000 J. L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc. $5,500 Columbia Land Trust $1,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,004, 735/1, 132 (70) acres Fee Acquired - $1,548,500/ l 43 acres Restored - $743,580/325 (70) acres Enhanced - $586,320/664 acres Indirect Costs - $126,335 FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Metro at Burge Trust 53 acres and Tualatin River Floodplain 90 acres; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at Steelman Lake 500 acres and Oak Island Wildlife Area 140 acres; City of Hillsboro at Jackson Bottoms 50 acres; private landowner at Baskett Slough 40acres; private landowner at Lake River Bottoms 24 acres; Northwest D&D, Inc. at Woodland Bottoms 55 acres; private landowner Gilbert River Wetlands 80 acres; private landowner Kerry Island I 00 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Living Floodplains of NW Oregon and SW Washington proposal represents an innovative approach to wetland and waterbird conservation by recognizing and addressing the complex ecological interactions between migratory birds relying on multiple habitats in this diverse comer of the world. As early as September, large numbers of birds appear on coastal marshes of the Lower Columbia River. These areas provide the only early season water available, due to tidal flows, and the bird response is phenomenal. Later in the fall and into the winter, the birds move inland and into floodplain systems of the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia as fall rains create vast floodplain wetlands and newly exposed food resources. Seasonal and daily bird movements illustrate the synergistic relationship between floodplain habitats and estuarine areas, and their significance to maintaining waterfowl and shorebird populations throughout the Pacific Flyway. Estuarine habitats alone provide only a portion of the habitat requirements these birds need during migration and wintering periods, further highlighting the key biological assumptions developed by the Pacific Coast Joint Venture that foraging habitat is limiting the carrying capacity of wintering and migratory waterfowl; which ultimately limits waterfowl survival and reproductive success. Improving both quality and quantity of foraging habitats is urgently needed, especially if the scientists are correct in projecting that climate change would substantially increase waterfowl numbers in the North Pacific Flyway. This is expected to occur as a result of more breeding habitat and more breeding birds in British Columbia and Alaska. Through a combination of restoration, protection and enhancement activities, The Living Floodplains project will conserve 957 acres of wetland habitat that will provide feeding and resting habitat to Pacific Flyway waterfowl and other wetland dependant wildlife. Rapid growth of urban areas in the northwest, river alterations (channelization, maintenance dredging). and forestry, agriculture and commercial development unfortunately have resulted in a reduction in habitat availability and quality, and threaten the future of these important wetland complexes. Our broader vision therefore recognizes that in order to reverse the negative trends associated with anthropogenic alterations to the landscape that a focused and coordinated conservation effort is paramount if the region hopes to continue to support an abundance of fish and wildlife; including globally significant waterfowl and salmon resources. This proposal and subsequent phases will fill in gaps on the landscape and provide further connectivity to projects completed under previous NA WCA grants focusing on the Lower Columbia and Willamette Valley separately. Specific project elements target the restoration, enhancement, and protection of floodplain wetland habitat thus enhancing the critical wintering area and migration corridor that exists between the North and South Pacific Flyway. NA WCA is the primary mechanism for achieving such a large scale conservation effort on short order due to the program's conduciveness to funding grouped projects and forging strong partnerships. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: A variety of habitat types will benefit from this proposal, including palustrine emergent marsh, forested and scrub-shrub wetlands (all decreasing wetland types), a large piece of lacustrine habitat, and associated uplands. Collectively, the region's emergent marshes and lacustrine areas are used by several hundred thousand waterfowl and shorebirds during migration periods, and by hundreds of thousands of waterfowl as wintering habitat; including high numbers of mallards, wigeon, pintail and greater scaup. Additionally, the marshes support an abundance of mallards during the breeding season and provide habitat to a number of other avian species considered NA WCA priorities such as sandhill crane, marsh-wren, short-billed dowitcher, dunlin, black-bellied plover, and the northern harrier. In addition to the importance of the region to waterfowl, five species of Pacific salmon and steelhead (many of which are listed as Threatened or Endangered) and the endangered Columbia white-tailed deer, rely on the floodplain habitats of the proposal area. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Metro, our primary matching partner, and final title holder for the two acquisition pieces in this project, derives their funding from a bond measure passed by public election in November, 2006, for the purchase and stewardship of Natural Areas around the Portland metropolitan area. This alone shows the tremendous interest and recognition of benefits they expect to continue to receive from conservation. At Jackson Bottoms, the City of Hillsboro staffs a state-of-the-art wetlands education center that hosts 20,000 vi siting students from local schools each year. Metro's tracts will also be widely used as an outdoor classroom for kids and adults alike. The public will enjoy numerous benefits from the project elements in this proposal, both directly and indirectly. The Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River are very popular recreational destinations, most notably for hunting, fishing, and bird watching. All of the project tracts will provide direct benefits waterfowl and other migratory birds. Two of the 5 publicly owned tracts are open to public hunting, and Metro lands allow for public access, and may include hunting at some point. NEW PARTNERS: This project brings IO new partners to the NA WCA program. Northwest D&D, Inc., J.L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc., McDonald Excavating, Inc., Sauvie Island Kennels, Doug Bernett and 5 private donors are all new partners to the NA WCA program. New partners make up 71 % of the partnership base, and more importantly demonstrate the diversity of interests in our conservation work in the project area. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Louisiana Coastal Wetlands V, Louisiana COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Cameron, Vermilion Parishes, Louisiana, Congressional District 7. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc . $1 ,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,068,823 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc . $48,823 Wetlands America Trust $100,000 BP America $100,000 Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority $1,800,000 Jim Bel $20,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,068,823/3,040 (71,130) acres Fee Donated - $100,000/(71 , 130) acres Easement Donated - $100,000/ 1,600 acres Restored - $2, 764,048/ 1,440 acres Indirect Costs - $94,775 Other - $10,000 FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Tract PINT AIL, easement holder Wetlands America Trust, fee title held and land managed by private landowner, 1,600 acres; Tract BEL, fee title held and lands managed by private landowner, 540 acres; Tract BLACK LAKE, fee title owned and lands managed by private landowner 900 acres; Tract WHITE LAKE, fee title owned and management by State of Louisiana, (71,130) non-add acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal will permanently protect 1,600 acres of fresh to intermediate salinity coastal marsh and associated uplands and restore an additional 1,440 acres of similar habitats. These efforts will benefit diverse species of migratory birds and other wildlife in the Gulf Coast Joint Venture Chenier Plain Initiative Area of southwest Louisiana. Wetland restoration proposed herein wi ll help ensure these coastal areas continue to fulfill their hi storical role as one of the most important wintering and migration habitats in North America for continental populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and other migratory birds. Nearly 25 % of Louisiana's coastal wetland loss ( ~7 square miles/year) has occurred in the Chenier Plain. One significant agent of wetland deterioration and loss in coastal Louisiana is altered hydrology caused by construction of canals. Extensive networks of man made waterways, such as the Calcasieu Ship Channel, have introduced salt water much further inland than where it occurred naturally. This negative modification creates increased tidal energy in these fragile systems. Immediate and focused efforts are needed to slow and perhaps reverse trends in wetland loss to sustain bird populations, other wildlife, and other resources dependent on Chenier Plain systems. The Chenier Plain Coastal Wetland Conservation partnerships are designed to address these important wetland and bird conservation issues. The Gulf Coast Joint Venture's Chenier Plain Initiative Plan clearly states that restoration of wetland habitats is critical for achieving conservation goals. This proposal will permanently protect and restore wetland and associated upland habitat on private and public lands within the coastal marsh of the GCJV's Chenier Plain Initiative Area in Cameron and Vermilion Parishes, Louisiana. Restoration of 1,440 acres will be accomplished by constructing 60,000 and 110,000 linear feet of earthen terraces at Tracts BEL and BLACK LAKE, respectively. The shallow open water areas have been impacted by interior marsh loss. Grant and partner funds will be used to contract construction of terraces and establish vegetation along the base of the terraces for erosion control. Several recent studies from Louisiana State University have demonstrated that terraces encourage growth of submerged aquatic vegetation probably by reducing turbidity resulting from wind-driven wave action. Researchers found that terraced ponds had up to 3.5 times more biomass than unterraced ponds. Further, in a 2006 a GCJV-sponsored study conducted by researchers at Louisiana State University, average waterbird density in terraced ponds was 8.4 birds/acre, whereas unterraced ponds held 2.2 birds/acre. Shorebirds, aerialists (such as terns), and dabblers (mostly dabbling ducks) had greater densities (birds/acre) in terraced ponds than in unterraced ponds. Also, wading birds tended to be numerically more abundant in terraced ponds. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The habitats restored by this proposal include 1,440 acres of decreasing estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands in Cameron Parish in southwestern Louisiana. Tract PINT AIL permanently protects 1,600 acres of estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands in Cameron Parish. The proposal areas contain migration and wintering habitat for 5 high priority waterfowl species (lesser and greater scaup, mottled duck, northern pintail, and mallard), and 5 other priority species (American wigeon, wood duck, redhead, canvasback, and ring-necked duck). Twenty-six NA WCA priority species of other wetland-dependent or wetland-associated birds in the Gulf Coast Prairie (BCR 37) will benefit from restoration of coastal marsh. Also, at least 40 species of migratory birds that breed, winter or migrate through the Gulf Coast will be positively affected by work completed in this proposal. Numerous species of shorebirds, wading birds, and other waterbirds use wetlands across the project area. Furbearers, alligators and numerous other species also use these habitats. Marshes throughout the project area provide extensive nursery habitat for estuarine-dependent species such as brown and white shrimp, blue crabs, Gulf menhaden, Atlantic croaker, striped mullet, spotted sea trout, red drum, black drum, and southern flounder. At least three federally or state Iisted species will benefit from this restoration effort, including interior least tern, piping plover, and peregrine falcon. This project will contribute to the long term health of this ecosystem by restoring fresh and intermediate wetlands, thus benefiting all marsh associated species. PUBLIC BENEFITS: These projects directly address marsh restoration needs identified in the Chenier Plain Initiative Plan of the GCJV and will increase foraging opportunities for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds and other migratory birds that regularly use coastal habitats in southwest Louisiana. Although a portion of this work will occur on private lands, quality wetlands, regardless of ownership, provide necessary habitats for wildlife and ecological functions and values such as enhanced water quality and storm protection for people. The Tract WHITE LAKE in Vermilion Parish, is owned and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and is open to the public by permit. NEW PARTNERS: The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Mr. Jim Bel are new partners to NA WCA in southwest Louisiana. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Lower Columbia Ecoregion, Phase V, Oregon, Washington COUNTY(IES), STATE(S), CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(S): Clackamas (OR), Clatsop (OR), Multnomah (OR), Pacific (WA), Wahkiakum (WA), Cowlitz (WA), Clark (WA). These areas are represented by Oregon Congressional Districts I and 3, and Washington Congressional District 3. GRANT AMOUNT $991 ,930 Allocation: Columbia Land Trust $256,930 North Coast Land Conservancy $185,000 Clark County $300,000 Ducks Unlimited $250,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,984,261 Grantee: Columbia Land Trust $1 ,082,344 North Coast Land Conservancy $200,000 Clark County $600,000 Ducks Unlimited $ 100,917 Miller Hull Architects $ 1,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,976, I 9 I/ I, 139 acres Fee Acquired - $2,358,250/566 acres Fee Donated - $100,000/200 acres Restored - $371 ,624/193 acres Enhanced - $102,800/ 180 acres Indirect Costs - $43,517 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington Dept. Fish and Wildlife FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Columbia Land Trust will be the long-term owners of Chinook River (60 acres), Willow Grove Phase II (93 acres) and Sandy River (30 acres). The Land Trust currently owns the Nelson Creek (33 Ac Restoration) and Willow Grove (40 Acres) habitat restoration properties. North Coast Land Conservancy will own the Clatsop Plain interdunal wetland tracts (242 Ac acquisition). Clark County will own the Mud Lake property (341 acres). The Reeder Point property (300 Ac enhancement and restoration) is privately owned and will remain so with cooperation by the landowner with Ducks Unlimited to accomplish restoration and enhancement activities. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Pacific Northwest is one of the most ecologically diverse areas as well as one of the fastest growing regions economically in the United States. The Columbia River is one of the great continental rivers supporting a great diversity of species and habitats, as well as communities and economies. The basic needs for energy, transportation systems, and food production left the area with altered hydrology, fragmented riparian areas, alien plant species, blocked fish passages, and heavy nutrient and sediment loads in the rivers and streams. Cumulative effects of all these actions are manifested in the coastal estuaries. Protection and restoration of our estuaries have become one of the most important modem ecological and conservation issues and is the focus of local, regional and national efforts. With this focus comes the realization that in order to address the issues within the estuary, actions throughout the watershed must be taken to address the threats to conservation. This project seeks to address these conservation needs on multiple scales and watershed elevations by implementing eight projects ranging from intertidal habitats to the protection of wetlands higher in the watershed. This project represents a continuing effort by project partners to address the needs and opportunities for wetland restoration, enhancement and protection in the Lower Columbia River Ecoregion. This application represents the fifth grant request for the lower Columbia ecoregion, and the ninth in the Lower Columbia River area. Two globally significant resources are abundant in this region, and depend on healthy wetland complexes for all or part of their life history: waterfowl and salmon. The Pacific Coast Joint Venture has identified the lower Columbia River as a focus for habitat acquisition, protection and restoration activities. This estuary provides some of the most important habitat on the entire west coast for waterfowl, other migratory birds and anadromous fish, including thirteen threatened and endangered stocks of salmon. This project will protect, restore and enhance 1,156 acres of wetlands, riparian areas and adjacent upland habitats. Over 80% of the acres in this proposal are 'declining' wetland acres consisting of the following declining wetland types: palustrine emergent, palustrine forested and estuarine intertidal emergent/scrub-shrub. Another 7% of the proposal acres are classified as 'stable.' This project is a cooperative effort between Columbia Land Trust and seven other partners. The project represents a strong cooperative effort between Federal and local agencies, private non-profit organizations, and landowners. This proposal contains eight distinct project elements with a diverse array of habitats and an emphasis on bringing some of the most important habitat areas identified within the region into conservation. The project elements are identified priorities in statewide conservation strategies, wildlife management plans and species recovery plans. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Five of the project tracts will permanently protect 766 acres of high quality and regionally important wetland habitat. Three of the project tracts will restore or enhance intertidal, palustrine forested and palustrine emergent wetlands, totaling 390 acres. These habitats will benefit waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds, a variety of birds of prey, neotropical migrants, mammals, juvenile and migrating salmon, reptiles and amphibians. Many of the species benefiting from this proposal are federally listed species or are focal species in various Federal and State wildlife management plans. The vast majority of the wetland habitats and acreage (935 acres) included in this proposal are decreasing nationally, and in particular are types that have been significantly altered in the lower Columbia River. Intertidal wetlands have been reduced region-wide through diking, draining and development. Coastal interdunal wetlands are also a critical resource for a wide variety of species that utilize coastal, estuarine and freshwater systems. This proposal will protect and restore high priority wetlands to benefit the health of the entire lower Columbia River. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The project will provide diverse public benefits ranging from protecting habitat and open space as part of the Clark County comprehensive conservation plan, to protecting municipal water supplies, to the indirect benefits provided by diverse and valuable ecosystem services associated with watershed function and wildlife diversity. Project acquisitions include over 341 acres for local jurisdictions to provide recreational opportunities to the general public (hiking, fishing, bird watching, etc). Mud Lake is a project element that integrates into existing public park systems as part of a county wide parks and recreation plan. The Mud Lake and Lewis River area is a popular fishing and recreational area within Clark County. Columbia Land Trust will acquire 183 acres of habitat within critical reaches of the Columbia River to benefit a variety of fish and wildlife species. Columbia Land Trust manages these conservation sites with traditional public uses (hunting, fishing and other more passive uses) in mind. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal represents and on-going commitment and collaboration by experienced project partners. All of the partners included within this proposal have been successfully involved with past NA WCA projects. The North Coast Land Conservancy has received NA WCA funds from a past grant by amending a new project into the grant. NCLC is a new and significant match partner in this grant proposal. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Lower Platte River Wetlands Conservation, Nebraska COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Dawson, Phelps, Buffalo, Kearney, Hamilton, Hall, Merrick, Polk, Butler, Platte, Colfax, Saunders, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass Counties, Nebraska, Congressional Districts I, 2 and 3. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,212,417 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $100,649 Platte River Habitat Foundation $316,350 Platte Valley Weed Management Area $200,000 Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District $200,000 Central Platte Natural Resources District $100,000 Nebraska Land Trust $62,066 Nebraska Environmental Trust $48,631 Nebraska Department of Agriculture $41,306 Lower Platte South Natural Resources District $40,000 Lower Platte North Natural Resources District $38,365 William Walz $33,875 John Walz $21,875 Woollam Foundation $5,000 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission $2,500 Todd Valley Wetlands Foundation $1,800 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,212,417 /4,980 acres Fee Acquired - $645,094/222 acres Easements Acquired - $117 ,816/70 acres Restored - $598,426/300 acres Enhanced - $764,800/4,388acres Other - $26,020 Indirect Costs - $60,261 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nebraska Environmental Trust FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Numerous Private Landowners - 4,572 acres, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. - 6 acres, Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust- 160 acres, The Nature Conservancy - 20 acres, Platte River Habitat Foundation - 222 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Lower Platte River Wetlands Conservation Project is an integral component of the first large-scale, landscape-level attempt to address serious habitat loss on the Platte River in eastern Nebraska. Numerous partners and landowners are working together to restore vitally important Platte River habitats, finally reversing a long-standing trend of habitat loss. The Platte River, once a wide expanse of shallow, braided channels and open sandbar habitats, has become choked with invasive species. The annual flooding cycles that once created and maintained a vast expanse of riverine and emergent marsh habitats has been tamed by the construction of large dams in the watershed. As a result, it became possible for wetlands to be drained and converted to other uses. Perennial and invasive plants, including phragmites, cedar, purple loosestrife, salt cedar, willow and cottonwoods have invaded the riverbed and reduced channel width in some sections by 90%. The absence of annual flooding cycles makes it possible for perennial plants to become established in the channel. Once established, these invasive species have thrived, resulting in a 90% loss of riverine habitats in some areas. The open marsh and riverine wetlands used by millions of waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds has been seriously degraded. As part of this project, partners and landowners are working together to restore, enhance and protect important Platte River habitats by acquiring key parcels, securing conservation easements, restoring wetlands and adjacent grassland habitat, and removing invasive species that are choking the river and eliminating wetland habitats. For the first time, agencies and conservation organizations are attempting to restore and enhance entire river reaches. The cumulative impact of both completed and planned conservation projects represents a basin-wide effort unlike anything ever attempted on the Platte River. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The Platte River was described by early settlers as "a mile wide and an inch deep". The river was a vast expanse of shallow channels, backwater sloughs and open sandbars. Annual flooding and shifting sandbars prevented most perennial plants from becoming established, serving to maintain a very open river system with little riparian vegetation. The vast expanse of open, shallow wetlands provided perfect habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds, particularly during spring migration. Due to both watershed and local land use changes, much of the original habitat has been lost. Today, the open riverine wetland habitat has largely been replaced by dense stands of perennial trees, phragmites and other invasive species. As part of this project, almost 5,000 acres of riverine habitats will be restored, enhanced or protected. Included in this total is almost 4,500 acres of wetland habitat. The restoration and enhancement of wetland habitats along the Platte River will benefit a wide variety of migratory birds. The restoration of backwater emergent marsh habitats will provide significant benefits to waterfowl. The restoration of riverine habitats through the removal of invasive species will provide significant benefits to many species of migratory birds, including sandhill cranes and federally protected species. Approximately 80% of the world's population of sandhill cranes stop within the project area each spring, using open riverine wetlands and sandbars for loafing and roosting purposes. Millions of waterfowl and shorebirds stop during spring migration, feeding in shallow channels and backwater sloughs. The federally protected least tern and piping plover nest on open sandbar habitats along the river. The endangered whooping crane uses Platte River habitats during both spring and fall migration. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The Platte River provides important recreational opportunities for the public. Visitors come from all over the world to view the millions of sandhill cranes and waterfowl that congregate here each spring. The river provides canoeing and rafting activities during the summer months. Waterfowl hunting is a popular activity along the Platte each fall. Habitats restored through this proposal will support all of these recreational activities. In addition, the Aten Property to be acquired as part of this proposal will be open to many public uses, including fishing, hunting and other wildlife dependent recreational activities. The Walz conservation easement will permanently protect important natural areas adjacent to Schramm State Park, a popular birding area and campground. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal brings together numerous "new" partners in the NAWCA process. Partners included in this proposal who have not been involved in a NA WCA grant before include: Platte River Habitat Foundation, Todd Valley Wetlands Foundation, Woollam Foundation, Nebraska Land Trust, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, Platte Valley Weed Management Area, and numerous private landowners. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Lower Rappahannock River, Phase IV, Virginia COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Caroline and Richmond Counties, VA, I st District. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,546,000 Private landowner (Packett) $1,637,000 Private landowner (Jenkins) $500,000 Private landowner (Jacks Hill LLC) $395,000 The Conservation Fund $14,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,546,000/l ,246 acres Fee Acquired - $14,000/ 178 acres Easements Acquired - $1,000,000/257 acres Easements Donated - $2,532,000/811 acres NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: The Virginia Outdoors Foundation will hold the easements on Packett (448 acres), Jenkins (181 acres), and Jacks Hill LLC (182 acres). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service holds title on Kennedy ( 178 acres) and will hold the easement on Chestnut Hill (257 acres). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are seeking NAWCA grant funds to protect 257 acres of riparian habitat along Cat Point Creek, a tidal tributary of the Rappahannock River in Richmond County, Virginia. Once protected, the land will become part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and will be protected in perpetuity through a wildlife conservation easement. The refuge successfully uses purchase of both fee title and wildlife conservation easements as land protection strategies. Our wildlife conservation easements are directed toward properties that currently have value to migratory birds, and our easement language and enforcement assure that these values will remain intact. Protection of wetlands and adjoining uplands on Cat Point Creek contributes to the goals of local, State, and National planning documents. The Cat Point Creek Watershed Management Plan calls for increasing wildlife corridors along both banks of the creek. In the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan, strategies to conserve coastal marsh birds include protecting "forest buffers and other upland management of areas surrounding the marsh." There are several Action Plan strategies to conserve wooded wetland birds that are achieved by this proposal, including "acquisition of remaining habitat and upland buffer," and "continue or increase conservation easements." The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Rappahannock River Focus Area Report lists shoreline development as a major threat to this region. All match and grant parcels permanently protected as part of this proposal are riparian, with frontage on either the river or Cat Point Creek. The first conservation recommendation from the Joint Venture Focus Area Plan states that "continued acquisition and protection of land in a series of conservation corridors with help this area will retain its usefulness for migratory birds." The Land Protection Plan for the refuge lists the wetlands and uplands of Cat Point Creek among the highest priorities for permanent protection through fee title purchase and conservation easements. The National Audubon Society has listed the Lower Rappahannock as an Important Bird Area of global significance, due in large part to use of the river by resident and migratory bald eagles. The fact that all the lands within this proposal are riparian is significant to the long-term wetland conservation mandated by NA WCA. We are seeing new recommendations emerging from discussions about the effects of climate change that suggest protecting existing wetlands is insufficient to maintain long-term wetland functions. If adjoining uplands are left unprotected, there may be no place for tidal wetlands to migrate when sea levels rise. All properties described in this proposal include protected uplands adjacent to protected wetlands, which over time will allow the wetlands to expand and continue to provide long-term benefits to migratory birds and other wildlife. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Habitat types protected through this proposal include decreasing wetland types (estuarine and palustrine emergent marsh, palustrine forested), open water, and adjoining uplands. Upland on the Winters Tract, which is the subject of grant funding, is eastern deciduous forest riparian habitat. The refuge is very close to the boundary between Bird Conservation Regions 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain) and 30 (New England/Mid-Atlantic Coast). Since the refuge is located in the coastal plain, we manage for more species from BCR 27 than BCR 30, although technically we are within BCR 30. A total of 16 priority species from the combined lists are found on the refuge ( 12 from BCR 27 and 4 from BCR 30). Of these, 7 are confirmed breeders on the refuge (American woodcock, wood thrush, northern parula, prairie warbler, prothonotary warbler, seaside sparrow, and marsh wren). The refuge, and especially Cat Point Creek, is vitally important to bald eagles. Although no longer listed as federally threatened, they remain a focus of management concern for the refuge. The majority of bald eagle nesting and roosting habitat remains unprotected throughout their Atlantic Flyway range. During a February 2005 survey, 395 eagles were observed along the river within the refuge boundary area. On Cat Point Creek, where the grant tract and two match tracts are located, nearly l 00 eagles were observed during a survey in July 2007, and over 140 eagles were observed in February 2007. This demonstrates the year-round value of this tributary to bald eagles. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The public will benefit from the protection of wildlife habitat, protection of riparian buffers that enhance water quality, and protection of cultural and historic resources. Two of the match properties lie along the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail, the Nation's fist national water trail. Cat Point Creek was the site of a major Rappahannock Indian village at the time John Smith first explored the Rappahannock in 1608. The property adjoining the Winters Tract (grant tract) is also protected by a refuge wildlife conservation easement and contains the remains of Menokin, the ancestral home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Protection of these riparian lands and their habitats will help preserve the rich fabric of natural and cultural resources of the Rappahannock River Valley. Lands protected under wildlife conservation easement will remain in private ownership and generally not open to unrestricted public use. The Kennedy Tract, which was purchased through a bargain sale from The Conservation Fund, is being evaluated for compatible recreational uses such as hunting, wildlife observation, interpretation, environmental education, and photography. NEW PARTNERS: New partners include private landowners (2) and Jacks Hill LLC. This is the first standard grant application made by the refuge, although the refuge received donated tracts resulting from Phases I and II. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Mingo Basin Partnership Phase I, Missouri COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Bollinger, Butler, Stoddard, and Wayne; Missouri; 8. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Missouri Dept of Conservation $1 ,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,270,582 Grantee: Missouri Dept of Conservation $1,550,000 Wetlands America Trust $565,000 Ducks Unlimited $100,000 National Wild Turkey Federation $23,492 MO Conservation Heritage Foundation $13 ,880 Mingo Swamp Friends $ 11 ,210 Audubon Society of Missouri $5,000 Conservation Federation of Missouri $500 Conservation Employees Credit Union $500 Cato Slough Hunting Club, LLC $500 Greenbrier Wetland Services $500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,270,582/2,229 acres Easements Donated - $565,000/279 acres Other Acquisition Costs - $55 ,996 Restored - $2,649,586/ 1,950 acres NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: John Timmerman is the fee title holder with Wetlands America Trust managing the permanent wetland easement on 279 acres of Mallard Point Duck Club. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Mingo Basin Partnership Project Phase I, MO proposal will target the restoration of 1,950 acres of Palustrine Emergent and Palustrine Forested wetlands as well as restore a natural flow of flood waters between pools at Duck Creek Conservation Area and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. This proposal is phase one of a three-phase Mingo Basin effort and is the second project area of five areas for our Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative (GA WI). Missouri's five-stage GA WI is in response to the loss in effectiveness of the Missouri Department of Conservation's five oldest wetlands. These SO-year old plus wetlands have been subject to siltation, excessive flooding, and aging infrastructure. Over these past 50 years, there has been a concurrent documented decline in peak Duck Use Days (DUDs), available flooded acreage, and tree decline in forested wetlands. Our proposed project targets a major waterfowl wintering and staging area in the northern Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAY). Currently, less than 80,000 acres of Bottomland Hardwood Forest (BLH) remain in the Missouri' s portion of the MA V where during presettlement times 2.4 million acres existed. Within this southeastern Missouri region called the Mingo Basin, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (Mingo) and Duck Creek Conservation Area (Duck Creek) contain the largest remaining contiguous block of BLH. The BLH forests provide many important ecological functions and values as well as critical habitat for many fish and wildlife species. This project will re store a natural flood regime that will have wide spread effects throughout the 21,592-acre Mingo and 6,234-acre Duck Creek areas. The Mingo Basin is an important core wintering and migratory area for waterfowl, migratory landbirds, and many state- and federally listed species of conservation concern. Justification for linkage of wetland area for migrating birds: The Mississippi River has linked important breeding, migration, and wintering areas for waterfowl and other birds for centuries. Migration corridor maps in Bellrose's classic Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America clearly demonstrate the connectedness of these areas for many waterfowl species. The greatest density of migrating and wintering mid-continent mallards, perhaps as many as 1.5-3 million birds, extends from southern Minnesota through central Iowa, into eastern Missouri at the Confluence Region, and southward into southeastern Missouri and throughout eastern Arkansas, a significant portion of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITING: Partners will enhance 1,950 acres impacting 21,592 acres of Palustrine Emergent and Palustrine Forested wetlands of the Mingo Basin through greater water control, a more natural flooding regime, and lowering of water levels that will benefit BLH survival. A continuing decline in peak DUDs in the Duck Creek/Mingo area will be reversed. This will affect the migratory and wintering waterfowl, such as: Mallards and Northern Pintail; migrant and breeding shorebirds, such as: Greater Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher; breeding and migrant marsh species, such as: King Rail, Common Moorhen and American Bittern; and, breeding, migrant and wintering landbirds, such as: Acadian Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and Rusty Blackbirds, which will all benefit by the habitat management in the critical core wetland complex. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The public will have access to much of the land in the Mingo Basin region. The region is open to the public for hunting in designated areas and seasons. Some areas are considered refuges and have seasonal restriction. Fishing, hunting, bird watching, hiking, and other wildlife related public uses are actively pursued within these areas. These two areas are directly in line with the northward migration routes in the Mississippi/Missouri Valley migration pathways for both waterfowl and non-waterfowl. Spectacular wildlife events occur on these areas and the public is invited to observe and participate in educational programs designed to help understand the importance of the wetlands. This area is nationally known and visited annually by Missourians and people from four nearby states, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, as well as many national and international visitors. NEW PARTNERS: The partners for this first phase of the Mingo Basin Partnership project include: WAT= Wetlands America Trust - holds the easement to Mallard Point's 279 acres restoration MDC = Missouri Department of Conservation - grant administration DU = Ducks Unlimited - provide matching cash and easements and expertise in wetland management NWTF = National Wild Turkey Federation - tree planting and supplies needed equipment for restoration effort MSF = Mingo Swamp Friends - a long time support and management help group ASM = Audubon Society of Missouri - a new partner that has become active in on-the-ground action MCHF = Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation - the foundation associated with MDC and statewide conservation partnership development CFM = Conservation Federation of Missouri - a long-term conservation action group in Missouri CECU = Conservation Employees Credit Union - a regular support group of MDC habitat work FWS = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - a long-term conservation partner throughout Missouri. CSHC = Cato Slough Hunting Club, LLC. A hunt club adjacent to Duck Creek CA GWS = Greenbrier Wetland Services - a private contractor for wetland services 2 NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Missouri Coteau Habitat Conservation Project - VIII, North Dakota COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: The Missouri Coteau Habitat Conservation Project (MCHCP) encompasses 7.7 million acres within 15 counties in the Missouri Coteau physiogeographic sub region of central North Dakota. Congressional District I. GRANT AMOUNT $1 ,000,000 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1 ,009,610 Ducks Unlimited Inc. $687,959 North Dakota Game and Fish Department $101,651 Turner Foundation $120,000 John Childs $100,000 GRANT AND MATCH-ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,009,610/ 15,657 acres Easements Acquired - $1 ,846,969/8, 140 acres Leases Acquired - $101 ,651 /7 ,517 acres Other Direct- $55,000 Indirect Costs - $5,990 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 8,140 acres and North Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) 7,517. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Phase eight of an ongoing project designed to protect, restore, monitor and evaluate wetland and grassland communities using a landscape level approach to planning. Habitat conservation objectives to meet the waterfowl production goals of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) have been comprehensively developed for the MCHCP area. The partners within the PPJV used population modeling of a landscape sample to directly link habitat objectives to waterfowl population goals established in the PPJV lmplementation Plan. Protecting the remaining wetland associated grasslands is a critical component towards achieving not only waterfowl population goals but the goals of the landbird, waterbird and shorebird parts of the Plan. The habitat objectives for the MCHCP area include protection of 883,000 acres of wetlands and protection of 2.9 million acres of native prairie. · Most of the remaining grassland habitats in the Missouri Coteau are native prairie. These grassland habitats are critically important components of the prairie pothole ecosystem and are largely responsible for maintaining the functions and values of adjacent prairie wetlands. Once lost, the ecological functionality of native prairie habitats is nearly impossible to restore. Prairie wetland functions and values are similarly affected. Water and wind erosion causes increased sediment loads in wetlands located adjacent to cropland agriculture. Pesticides and herbicides flow into wetlands from cultivated hillsides and degrade the aquatic plant and invertebrate communities, thus, impacting the entire wetland ecosystem. Perpetual wetland and grassland easements purchased under this project, will prove to be an effective and attractive approach to conserving 8,961 acres of wetland and wetland-associated grassland habitat. The easements are extremely popular with landowners. There are 90 landowners in North Dakota waiting for funding to protect close to 47,000 acres of native grassland and wetland. Close to $ I 0.6 million dollars are needed to secure the habitat being offered and funding of this proposal would provide for $1.85 million of the funding needed. The MCHCP landscape contains approximately 2,985,187 acres of native grassland habitat of which only about 300,000 acres are currently protected. The PPJV objective is to maintain all native grasslands by acquiring perpetual grassland easements. Under this proposal, 8,140 acres of native grassland and 821 acres of wetland habitat will be secured by perpetual easements. In some portions of the MCHCP area with high wetland densities, which attract large waterfowl breeding populations (> 100 pairs/sq. mile), waterfowl nest success is below levels necessary to maintain populations. It has been determined that in order to maintain breeding waterfowl populations, between 30 to 40% of the landscape must be in perennial grass cover suitable for successful nesting. The native grasslands of the Missouri Coteau are essential to the recovery of grassland birds. Over 900,000 acres inside the project boundary are designated as Bird Conservation Areas. The Bird Conservation Areas (BCA) within the MCHCP boundary make up 62% of the BCA's for the state of North Dakota. The protection of the wetland-upland complex that will be accomplished by this project will have significant benefits for grassland birds. The activities in this grant proposal are part of an overall landscape approach and will use the latest Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology to target and prioritize project sites towards the highest density wetland, waterfowl, and occurrence areas, in the MCHCP area. This GIS technology combines land cover, National Wetland Inventory data and waterfowl breeding pair regression models, probability of presence and Grassland Bird Conservation Area Cores (see attached maps). Monitoring of grassland nesting birds continues to show the validity and value of protecting this native grassland and wetland ecosystem for the further conservation of all birds. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Wetland habitats in the MCHCP area are diverse and primarily classified as palustrine emergent wetlands exhibiting temporary, seasonal, semi-permanent and permanent water regimes. Wetlands with short hydroperiods (temporary and seasonal basins) are continuously at risk of being drained, filled or degraded by agricultural practices. These wetland types are critically important migratory and breeding habitats for many waterfowl and wetland-dependent species. Protection of native prairie surrounding these critically important prairie wetland habitats, as provided for in this proposal, will provide essential nesting habitat for waterfowl and other species, but will also minimize the influx of sediments, herbicides and pesticides into these wetlands. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The perpetual grassland and wetland easements will be secured on private land and will be open to public use at the discretion of each individual landowner. The wetland and associated upland habitats leased by North Dakota Game and Fish Department include public access for hunting, trapping, bird watching, photography, education and hiking. The primary public benefits will be habitat protection and meeting the needs of various wildlife species as well as providing some ranchers with the financial means to help them stay in the ranching business and preventing native prairie from being converted to cropland. Ancillary benefits include flood control, water quality maintenance, erosion control, tourism, economic diversity and infrastructure protection. NEW PARTNERS: John Childs is a private individual who recognizes the importance of protecting the habitat in the Missouri Coteau and has donated to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and USFWS efforts to acquire easements. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY North Dakota Great Plains Project- VI, North Dakota COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: McKenzie, Dunn, Golden Valley, Billings, Mercer, Oliver, Slope, Bowman, Stark, Hettinger, Adams, Sioux, Grant, Morton, and Emmons Counties, ND, Congressional District I. GRANT AMOUNT $719,470 Allocation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $719,470 MATCHING PARTNERS $721,188 North Dakota Game and Fish Dept. $449,435 Ducks Unlimited Inc. $89,111 North Dakota State Water Commission $85,317 North Dakota Natural Resources Trust $15,461 Mike Wolf $3,245 Al Heiser $150 Albert Hondl $2,280 Hans Lenz $1, I 00 Glenn Wagner $75 Mark Hoff $800 Francis Knopik $240 Alan Hendrickson $1,075 Ray Hoffman $672 Marvin Synnes $5,240 Dean Meyer $1,350 Bruce Qvammen $2,285 Tom Arnold $225 Perry Schlosser $4,304 Russ Dressler $840 Thurman Wolf $1,075 Kevin Benz $650 Gaylin Olson $3,871 Simon Kuntz$ I 50 Allan Hagerott $1,400 Dan Snyder $2,285 Ken Kudrna $300 David Wanner $75 Eugene Sicker $1,075 Randy Kudrna $2,675 Kerry Hondl $7,000 Tom McEnroe $1,850 Joe Fritz $150 Stonie Hewson $1,150 Randy Hilzendeger $856 Howard Newton $75 Tom Plachecki $225 Dale Lian $1,575 Don Herauf $2,300 Richard Scheid $75 Travis Crickenberger $4,075 William Eikamp $465 Frank Sickler $450 Don Tietz $10, 148 Terry Opp $1,370 Kathleen Johnson $1,500 Roy Rasch $10,878 Lewis & Clark Wildlife Club $210 Rosalie Hunke $75 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $ ! ,440,658/15,404 acres Easements Acquired - $315,500/ 1,090 acres Leases Acquired - $449,435112,864 acres Restored - $ I ,310/3 I acres Enhanced - $27,931/276 acres Wetlands Established - $621,471 /I, 143 acres Other - $22,578 Indirect Costs - $2,433 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Grantee: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) 13,552 acres; Morton County Water Resource Board (MCWRB) 144 acres; Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) 11 acres; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 1,697 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal is phase six of a multi-year project to acquire 990 acres of perpetual conservation easements, I 00 acres of wetland easements and establish 300 acres of wetlands with grant and new partner funds. These easements and new created wetlands will help to build cooperation among farmers, ranchers, and conservation interests in the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture. The newly created wetlands will greatly increase landowners' capabilities to implement better grazing management (i.e., rest and rotation) on adjacent grasslands. This will, in turn, improve cover quality for ground nesting birds and other wildlife, thus increasing recruitment of ground nesting migratory birds. Many landowners have also expressed interest in creating wetlands on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands. These created wetlands in CRP will provide long-term incentives to landowners to keep the land in grass as pasture or hayland, rather than return it to cropland. The long term managed grasses will provide nesting habitat to migratory birds. The created palustrine emergent wetlands will provide wetland communities for waterfowl and shorebird production and migration, neo tropical migrants, endangered species, and resident wildlife. Created wetland sites will be subjected to rigorous preconstruction review to assure that the projects benefit a large variety of wildlife and fish species and do not adversely impact existing wildlife populations or their habitats. The activities in this grant proposal are part of an overall landscape approach and will use the latest Geographical Information Systems (GIS) information and technology to target and prioritize project sites toward the highest density wetland, waterfowl and occurrence areas, in the NDGP area. This GIS information combines land cover, National Wetland Inventory data and waterfowl pair regression models. This information has allowed managers to make informed decisions by identifying optimal locations for grassland easements and acquisitions and wetland creations. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: In fragmented landscape portions of the North Dakota Great Plains Project (NDGP) area with high wetland densities, which attract large waterfowl breeding populations(> 100 pairs/sq. mile), waterfowl nest success may be below levels necessary to maintain populations. It has been determined that to maintain breeding waterfowl populations, between 30-40% of the landscape must be in perennial grass cover suitable to nesting. The conservation and wetland easements in this proposal will assure that perennial grass-wetland cover landscapes remain to provide productive habitat necessary to maintain waterfowl and wetland-associated migratory bird populations. We propose to establish 300 acres of wetlands by constructing approximately 75 embankments to impound runoff waters in areas with expansive grasslands which result in high nest success. The completion of this proposal and the former five grants will accomplish creating more than 2,794 acres of wetlands achieving 28% of our 10,000 established wetland acre goals. These created wetlands and the enhanced surrounding uplands will provide excellent breeding and migrational habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh, and wading birds. Most actions will be carried out on privately-owned, widely-scattered lands with some projects occurring on state-owned lands. By carefully selecting sites that will give optimum surface area with minimum dam height, ideal wetland habitats can be created. The selected wetlands will contain water depths from zero to 5 feet in more than 95 % of the basin, providing excellent palustrine emergent wetland habitats. The constructed wetlands will enhance existing wetland complexes and associated habitats, and will add new habitats to regions where wetlands are scarce. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The wetlands and associated upland habitats on public lands in this proposal will be open to public activities such as hunting, trapping, bird watching, photography, education and hiking. Private land projects will be open to the public at the discretion of each individual landowner. Ancillary benefits include flood control, water quality maintenance, erosion control, tourism, economic diversity and infrastructure protection. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal includes as new partners the North Dakota State Water Commission and 42 private landowners who have contributed $165,896 in non-Federal contributions toward this proposal. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project - Phase IV, Florida COUNTY, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Alachua County, Florida, Congressional District 3. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Alachua Conservation Trust $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,100,500 Grantee: Alachua Conservation Trust $0 Alachua County $400,000 Florida Communities Trust $1,500,000 Whitehurst $ I 00,000 Crevasse family $100,000 Friends of Paynes Prairie, Inc. $500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,100,500/749 (2,568) acres Fee Acquired - $3,100,500/749 (2,568) acres NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Alachua Audubon Society FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Alachua Conservation Trust will finish the fee simple acquisition of lands along Prairie Creek (totaling 749 acres). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This application is for Phase IV of the North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project (NFWCP). North Florida has a band of wetlands straddling the central part of the peninsula which provide a critical stopover for migrating neotropical birds, are over-wintering grounds for many others, and serve as the year-round habitat for numerous wetlands-dependant plants and animals. This project is a first-time partnership between Federal, State, regional, and local governments and non-profit conservation organizations in this area. The grant parcel to be acquired in Phase IV is the last large inholding remaining along Prairie Creek, the main tributary to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and has been on the acquisition lists for the Florida Park Service, the St. Johns River Water Management District, Alachua County Forever, and the local land trust for over two decades. For two decades, all of the partnering organizations have been working toward the goal of saving the remaining wilderness in this part of Florida's Ecological Greenway Network (FEGN). This decision model helps identify the best opportunities to protect ecological connectivity, and has recently been updated. The project also includes large areas within the Habitat Conservation Priorities of the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI). Finally, Alachua County's comprehensive plan recognizes Strategic Ecosystems, and this project will help in conserving important lands and will ensure that important wintering grounds, staging areas, and foraging and nesting habitat remain viable. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Paynes Prairie Preserve is one of the world's largest sinkholes ( over 15,000 acres) having been formed by the dissolution of overburden into the underlying karst formation. The resulting basin is a wet prairie that floods and drains periodically. Historically, it has been used by Native Americans as hunting and grazing lands, and by Spanish and American ranchers. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, acquired and created in 1973, is Florida's first preserve, and is also designated as a National Natural Landmark. The Prairie (called "Alachua Savannah" at the time) was described by William Bartram during his exploration in 1774: "The extensive Alachua is a level green plain, above fifteen miles over, fifty miles in circumference, and scarcely a tree or bush of any kind to be seen on at. It is encircled with high, sloping hills, covered with waving forests and a fragrant Orange grove, rising from a exuberantly fertile soil. The towering Magnolia grandiflora and transcendent Palm stand conspicuous among them. Herds of sprightly deer, squadrons of the beautiful fleet Siminole horse, flocks of turkeys, civilized communities of the sonorous watchful crane, mix together, appearing happy and contented in the enjoyment of peace:" Like in Bartram's time, thousands of sandhill cranes live on the Prairie. Migratory sandhill cranes visit the Prairie basin and surrounding upland habitats each winter, while several hundred non-migratory Florida sandhill cranes use the area year-round. In the past few years, Whooping Cranes have re-appeared; nine were documented during the Christmas Bird Count in December of 2008. The single largest inholding on the Prairie basin is the 749-acre Prairie Creek property, which is the grant target of this Phase IV project. The land contains much of Prairie Creek, the grant water source for Paynes Prairie. The property includes large areas of prairie basin as well as open and fore sted uplands. The landscape is about 60% palustrine emergent wetlands, evenly divided between wet prairie and forested/shrub areas. The land also contains small ephemeral wetlands and cypress domes. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The public will enjoy many significant benefits as a result of this project. Approximately 7.5 miles from downtown Gainesville, the county seat, the grant tract is an easy drive by four-lane state highway or bike ride on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. Both the tracts are located on water bodies that are available for public recreation, but are under-utilized. Protection of the grant tract of this proposal will benefit the public by limiting surface water runoff into Prairie Creek and Newnans Lake. Future urbanization would increase surface runoff which would be forced directly into the lakes and streams, potentially leading to problems like erosion, siltation, and water contamination. The public directly benefits ecologically by preserving land that is tied to the hydrological function of the Newnans Lake and Paynes Prairie watersheds. The grant tract is located on County Road 234 which has been designated an Old Florida Heritage Highway by the National Scenic Byways Program. It is also part of the Potano Paddling Trail, a project designated by the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails in September, 2008. This tract is also adjacent to Prairie Creek Preserve, a public park owned and managed by Alachua Conservation Trust with 3.5 miles of trails, access to Prairie Creek, picnic tables, and education kiosks. Trails in Prairie Creek Preserve are usable by hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and is accessible via the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. An additional 749 acres adjacent to Prairie Creek Preserve would buffer the preserve against development but would also provide an opportunity to extend trails and environmental education programs.' NEW PARTNERS: The North Florida Wetlands Conservation Project has brought together many partners to further wetlands conservation in the region. New organizations to the NA WCA process in this proposal Friends of Paynes Prairie, a 50l(c)(3) non-profit citizen's support organization, and Alachua Audubon Society, an organization involved in environmental classes, field trips, activism, and fundraising. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project, Phase IV, California COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties, California, District 02. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: California Waterfowl Association $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,079,118 Grantee: California Waterfowl Association $0 California Wildlife Conservation Board $1,137,199 California Department of Fish and Game $125,373 Bird Haven Ranch $447,816 Piper's Patch $102, 180 Private Landowners ( 12 contributing owners) $266,550 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,079, 118/6,656 acres Fee Acquired - $637, 199/257 acres Restored - $945,974/584 acres Enhanced - $ I ,470,945/5,815 acres Other Direct Costs - $25,000 / FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Fifteen different private landowners representing sixteen projects will maintain ownership and management of 4,479 acres; California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) 1,698 acres; US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 479 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal covers an area that has been described by the Central Valley Joint Venture as the "most important wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway." Results of the 2009 Winter Waterfowl Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game in January counted more than 5 million waterfowl present in a 9 day period. It is estimated that 60% of the Pacific Flyway's waterfowl population (excluding seaducks), representing 20% of the entire continental waterfowl population, either winters or migrates through the Central Valley. In addition, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds also visit throughout the year. Natural wetlands in California have declined by over 90% from an estimated five million acres historically, to less than 450,000 acres at the present. In the Central Valley alone, it's estimated that only 205,000 wetland acres remain as a result of land conversion due to agriculture, urban development, water diversions and flood control measures. However, with the guidance and support of the Central Valley Joint Venture and all the partners involved, the ability to develop successful collaborative projects are accomplishing great things for wildlife. This proposal builds on the accomplishments and partnerships that have been so successful at accomplishing three previously funded phases. Twenty-four projects on 15 private, 3 Federal, and 3 State owned properties, will be completed by de-leveling agricultural fields, constructing new levees, installing water control structures, improving water delivery systems, developing new water sources, rehabilitating degraded wetlands, planting of riparian trees and the seeding of upland areas. The completion of the projects will meet the goals and objectives of many partners, including landowners, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and California Waterfowl Association. The protection and establishment of these habitats will allow for broad landscape-scale improvements for migratory waterbirds and other associated wetland species for decades to come. In total, the partners are investing just over $2,079,000 into these projects. These vital commitments are critical to achieving the goals and objectives of each partner involved within the grant proposal, as well as those of the Central Valley Joint Venture and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITING: The 2006 Central Valley Joint Venture Implementation Plan Update of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan is the primary plan guiding long-term wetland conservation in the Central Valley. All of the 24 projects fall within four of the nine priority CVJV watershed basins or focus areas, including the American, Butte, Colusa, and Sutter Basins (collectively referred to hereafter as the northern Sacramento Valley). The proposal will contribute directly and immediately to these focus areas by protecting, restoring and enhancing 6,656 acres of habitat. Under the proposal, 257 acres of palustrine forested wetlands will be protected in perpetuity and 584 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands will be restored. In addition, 5,472 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands, 177 acres of palustrine forested wetlands, and 166 acres of associated uplands will be enhanced. The successful completion of these proposed projects on both private and public lands will provide protection, expansion, and improvements to a diversity of habitats that will benefit six "High Priority Species," seven "Other Priority Species" and sixteen "Other Waterfowl Species." Projects will also benefit other wildlife, including numerous NAWCA priority birds and hundreds of wetland associated bird species. In addition, twelve Federal and State listed species and numerous other fish and wildlife species will benefit from this project. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The three U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projects and five state Wildlife Area projects are taking place on properties that are open to the public year-round to provide outdoor recreation such as hiking, birding, hunting, fishing and research opportunities. Private land projects are improving a significant resource to wildlife that will help to maintain and increase populations throughout the year. Improved habitat conditions will be maintained by the landowners and agencies for the long term. These improvements will benefit not only wildlife populations, but those people who like to partake in outdoor recreational activities involving wildlife. Increased wildlife use of these projects may ultimately lead to improved opportunities for the public to experience wildlife throughout the Pacific Flyway. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal is unique in its combination of Federal agencies, State agencies, a non profit organization and 15 private properties (nine of which are new to NA WCA) encompassing four of the nine priority basins within the Central Valley Joint Venture. The partnerships that have been established within the past three grant phases have been very successful in accomplishing habitat goals and milestones. The measure of success is reflected in the numbers of acres benefited during the past three grants. In total, just those projects receiving NAWCA dollars for on the ground improvements have restored 3,718 acres of palustrine habitat and enhanced a staggering 13 ,286 acres. These previously funded grants have been successful due to dedicated partners and a great willingness to accomplish the goals set out within each proposal. NA WCA continues to be one of the greatest avenues for biologists to meet and work with private landowners and agency personnel to improve these lands which our migratory waterfowl and shorebirds are dependent upon for survival. The ability to continue to develop large scale projects, that affect thousands of acres annually, allows all of the partners involved to look to the future and strive to continue expanding our habitat base and improve management capabilities to ensure that our limited wetland, riparian, and grassland resources remain productive and continue to support healthy bird populations. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Piscataquis River/Alder Stream Wetlands, Maine COUNTIES, ST A TE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties, Maine, District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Northeast Wilderness Trust (NWT) $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,001,718 Grantee: Northeast Wilderness Trust $457,3 I 8 Sweet Water Trust $1,337,900 Maine Farmland Trust $100,000 Maine Community Foundation $100,000 The Nature Conservancy $4,000 Ducks Unlimited $2,500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,00l,718/9,428 acres Fee Acquired - $ I ,335,000/2,785 acres Easements Donated - $ I ,369,900/6,643 acres Endowments - $260,000 Other Acquisition Costs - $36,818 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Natural Resources Conservation Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service Atlantic Salmon Federation Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Maine Natural Areas Program American Chestnut Foundation Rudy Engholm, private landowner BioDiversity Research Institute FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Fee title to grant parcel (I, 172 acres) to be held by applicant Northeast Wilderness Trust; match lands: (I) Northeast Wilderness Trust (non-profit): fee title to 1,613 acres, conserved in perpetuity; (2) Sweet Water Trust (non-profit): fee title to 1,757 acres to be subject to a perpetual conservation easement with the holder to be determined; and (3) private landowner Charles Fitzgerald: fee title to (a) 4,453 acres subject to a perpetual conservation easement held by Sweet Water Trust and (b) 433 acres subject to a perpetual conservation easement held by Maine Farmland Trust. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Piscataquis River/Alder Stream Wetlands complex in central, inland Maine is one of the largest, most varied and intact freshwater wetland systems in the state and lies within the Piscataquis-Penobscot Rivers Focus Area of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The grant and match tracts contain a multitude of high value marshes, bogs, and swamp habitats that provide exceptional habitat for priority migratory birds and other wetland wildlife, along with ~51 miles of frontage along the Piscataquis River, Alder Stream and Brown Brook and numerous tributary streams. The current project's 9,428 acres (4,114 acres of them wetlands) are located within a larger landscape of contiguous, protected conservation land totaling nearly 20,000 acres, including an adjacent 6,500 acre State Wildlife Management Area. This complex of conservation lands is embedded within an even larger 88,000 acre area designated by The Nature Conservancy as a Tier I Matrix Forest Block due to its unfragmented, high quality forest and wetland characteristics. The landscape scale and context of this project, with large tracts of intact, permanently conserved land, and a wide diversity of management practices (including active and passive management for target bird species, a variety of habitat types, and sustainably managed forest and organic farm lands) greatly enhance the project's overall value. This proposal provides a fleeting opportunity to protect a large, I, 172 acre waterfront tract (the grant tract) threatened with development as a large lot subdivision, as proposed by its owner prior to this protection effort. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: This project will permanently protect 4,114 acres of freshwater wetlands (44% of total project acreage), including 96 acres of emergent wetlands, 2,895 acres of decreasing forested wetlands types, 1 18 acres of riverine wetlands, and 1,002 acres of shrub scrub wetland. The project will also protect ~51 miles of frontage along the Piscataquis River, Alder Stream, and Brown Brook (all classified by NWI as rivers) as well as tributary streams. Upland buffers comprise 1,024 acres within 100 ft along streams and wetlands, and 2,568 acres within 300 ft. Together, wetlands and upland buffers make up 6,682 acres (or 71 %) of the 9,428 acre project. These habitats provide confirmed breeding and migration habitat for American Black Duck and Mallard (both Highest Priority Species in the NA WMP), Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, and potential migration habitat for Redhead, Canvasback, and American Wigeon, all listed as Priority Species under the NA WMP. The project also provides confirmed breeding habitat for Priority species listed in the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan including American Bittern and Virginia Rail. Multiple species of continental importance in the Northern Forest Avifaunal Biome [BCR 14] as identified in the PIF North American Landbird Conservation Plan are very abundant in the project area. Management Priority Species confirmed in suitable breeding habitat include Olive-sided Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, Wood Thrush, and Rusty Blackbird. Long-term Planning and Responsibility species confirmed on-site (most of them abundant) include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Alder Flycatcher, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. This project's importance is enhanced by confirmed breeding season use by two high profile USFWS "Focal Species": Olive-sided Flycatcher and Rusty Blackbird, which have suffered continental declines of over 70% ( 1980-1998) and 95% ( 1970s to present), respectively. The project contains potential habitat for the federally threatened Canada lynx and confirmed occurrences of federally endangered Atlantic salmon. The project also supports 14 state Special Concern species including Wood Turtle and Creeper (a mussel), and what the American Chestnut Foundation considers "the largest known, old growth American chestnut grove in the natural range of the tree." PUBLIC BENEFITS: By allowing the applicant to purchase and permanently protect a I, 172 acre missing piece in this large jigsaw puzzle of conservation lands, this project will assure protect ion and linkage for more than another 8,256 match acres of significant habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife. Ecological research opportunities on this land abound. The vast majority of the land, including ~51 miles of river and stream frontage, will be available to the public for passive recreational opportunities, including fishing, canoeing, and hunting, and the lands will be managed in a manner that fully protects wildlife habitat values. With trips to Maine' s North Woods increasingly hard to afford, more people from population centers to the south are likely to seek recreational opportunities in central Maine. If this proposal is successful, moreover, additional large tracts along the river and its tributaries and associated wetlands may be added to this protected corridor, expanding the protected habitat for fish, wetland dependent birds, and other wildlife, while increasing recreational opportunities. NEW PARTNERS: This application brings numerous new and non-traditional partners to the NAWCA standard grant process, including the applicant Northeast Wilderness Trust, Sweet Water Trust, Maine Farmland Trust, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Community Foundation, and American Chestnut Foundation, as well as a private landowner. The diversity of partners and landowners represents a range of complementary management regimes as well. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Point-aux-Chenes - Grand Bayou I, Louisiana COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Lafourche & Terrebonne Parishes, Louisiana, District 3. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,545,817 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $67,536 Louisiana Department of Natural Resources $2,113,818 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation $100,000 Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation $100,000 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries$ I 09,463 ExxonMobil $50,000 Warren Coco $5,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,545,817 /3, 180 acres Restored - $3,428,545/3, 180 acres Indirect Costs - $ I 17,272 FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA Grand Bayou Unit (3,075 acres) is fee title owned by the State of Louisiana and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Point-au-Fer - 67 acres, and Grand Bayou Blue - 38 acres are both privately owned and managed. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal positively impacts 3,180 acres of estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands on 3 tracts located in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes in southeast Louisiana. The Grand Bayou tract (Tract A) consists of 3,075 acres in Lafourche Parish and is located on the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area. The Point-au-Fer tract (Tract B) consists of 67 acres and is located in Terrebonne Parish. The Grand Bayou Blue tract (Tract C) consists of 38 acres and is located in Lafourche Parish. Tract A is owned and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The tract includes a single management unit totaling 3,075 acres of coastal marsh habitat. Grant and match funds will be used to install 2 water control structures and construct and refurbish and vegetate nearly 22,000 linear feet of existing levees along the perimeter of the tract. The unit was originally developed more than 20 years ago using spoil banks along Grand Bayou, oil and gas, and pipeline canals. Canals significantly changed the hydrology in the area by increasing tidal exchange and salinity levels on the project area. Thus, management of water and salinity levels is required to maintain marsh habitat productive for migratory birds and other wildlife. Without management and adequate infrastructure, project sites will continue to deteriorate and ultimately convert to shallow open water, devoid of vegetation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains I water control structure and levees along Grand Bayou on the southeast side of the project area. Remaining levees along the southwest, northwest, and northeast are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Two new water control structures will be installed to introduce freshwater from the north and west. These structures will be used to flush saltwater from the area when salinities exceed desired levels. Tracts B and C are privately-owned and managed and include I 05 total acres of marsh created from dredged sediments. This work was completed in 2007 and its value serves as match in this proposal. The 2 tracts are located with in the Terrebonne Hydrologic Basin where marsh loss rates exceed 10 square miles per year. There are many causes of marsh loss in this area including subsidence, sediment deficits, and saltwater intrusion, among others. Once the vegetation dies the emergent marsh convert to large, turbid open water bodies of little value to wetland dependent migratory birds or other wildlife. Pumping dredged sediments into confined areas to increase marsh elevation to create suitable conditions for marsh vegetation is a useful restoration technique. While expensive, this method provides immediate results. Developing strong partnerships is central to meeting the challenge of conserving these coastal habitats for wildlife and people. This proposal includes six match partners: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, ExxonMobil, Mr. Warren Coco, and Ducks Unlimited. This project will contribute directly to the objectives of the GCJV Mississippi River Coastal Wetlands Initiative Plan of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and the draft Partners in Flight Coastal Prairies Bird Conservation Plan. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Habitats restored by work proposed herein include 3,180 acres of decreasing estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes in southeast Louisiana. The proposal area contains migration and wintering habitat for 4 high priority waterfowl species (northern pintail, lesser and greater scaup, and mallard), year-round habitat for I high priority waterfowl species (mottled duck), and migration and wintering habitat for 5 other priority waterfowl species (American wigeon, wood duck, redhead, canvasback, and ring-necked duck). Additionally, IO other waterfowl species will benefit from this project. Thirty-nine NA WCA priority species of other wetland-dependent or wetland-associated birds in the Gulf Coast Prairie (BCR 37) will benefit directly or indirectly from restoration of coastal marsh and prairie habitats. Also, at least 40 species that breed, winter, or migrate through the Gulf Coast will be positively affected by work completed via this proposal. Furbearers, American alligators and numerous other species also use these habitats. Marshes throughout the project area provide extensive nursery habitat for estuarine-dependent species such as brown and white shrimp, blue crabs, Gulf menhaden, Atlantic croaker, striped mullet, spotted sea trout, red drum, black drum, and southern flounder. Numerous species of shorebirds use wetlands across the project area, as do herons, egrets, ibises, bitterns, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and rails. Two recently delisted species, Bald Eagle and Brown Pelican, will benefit from this restoration project. Brown pelicans feed in marsh ponds in the project area. Bald eagles also benefit indirectly from work that will be accomplished herein. Incidental numbers of piping plovers and least terns may also benefit from the work. This project will contribute to the long-term health of this ecosystem by restoring fresh and intermediate wetlands, thus benefiting all marsh-associated species. PUBLIC BENEFITS: These projects directly address the need for marsh restoration identified in the Mississippi River Coastal Wetlands Initiative Plan of the GCJV and will increase foraging opportunities for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds and other migratory birds that regularly use coastal wetland habitats in southeast Louisiana. Approximately 3,075 acres of restoration are proposed on the Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA owned and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. This WMA is one of the most heavily used pubic areas in coastal Louisiana and is open to hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, boating, shrimping, crabbing, among other uses regulated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. A resulting benefit of the work proposed herein to humans and wildlife will be the restoration of wetland functions and values in an effort to return this vast area to a sustainable ecosystem. NEW PARTNERS: One new partner is included in this proposal. Mr. Warren Coco is contributing $5,000 to the contracts portion of this project. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Prairies Without Borders, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota COUNTIES, ST ATES, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: The Prairies Without Borders Grassland Preservation Project (PWB) consisting of 23 counties in eastern South Dakota and 50 counties in Minnesota; and 9 counties in North Dakota. The focus area will be in the counties of Roberts, Grant and Deuel in South Dakota, l st Congressional District. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Northern Prairies Land Trust $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,107,128 Grantee: Northern Prairies Land Trust $0 South Dakota Game Fish and Parks $200,028 Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources $807, l 00 The Nature Conservancy $100,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2, l 07, 128/3, I 06 acres Fee Acquired - $1,094, 163/699 acres Easements Acquired - $962,965/2,407 acres Other - $50,000 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will own a perpetual wetland and grassland conservation easement interest on 2,407 acres. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will hold fee title interest on 304 acres. The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks will hold fee title interest on 316 acres. The Nature Conservancy will hold fee title interest on 79 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The goal of this initial phase of the Prairies Without Borders (PWB) is to perpetually protect 2,407 acres with an overall goal, using multiple PWB grants, to protect 26,000 acres of wetlands and grasslands in the eastern regions of the Prairie Pothole region. This project is based on landscape wide protection of grassland and wetland habitats, but focuses primarily on the recognition of the quality of habitat remaining on the northern portions of the Prairie Coteau landscape in northeast South Dakota. At approximately 2.3 million acres, the Prairie Coteau region is one of the largest landscapes within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. The landscape also harbors over 1 million acres of native northern tallgrass, making it the largest remaining area of northern tallgrass prairie in the United States, This project will not only build on 50 years of grassland and wetland easement acquisition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service' s Small Wetland Acquisition Program (SW AP), but it will also solidify the recognition and commitment by federal, state, and private conservation organizations across three states to work together with a landscape level approach. The PWB proposal was created to accelerate the perpetual protection of wetland and grassland habitats by acquiring conservation easements on private rangelands. Easements will be acquired in some of the highest density wetland and waterfowl breeding areas in the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) as defined by the focus area. This unique portion of the PPJV consists of high wetland densities, diverse bird communities and some of the largest remaining tracts of northern tallgrass prairie on the North American continent. Despite ongoing conservation measures, the defining landscape of the project area continues its erosion from an extensive and biologically rich native tallgrass prairie-wetland system utilized for livestock ranching to a sterile landscape dominated by tillage agriculture. Perpetually protecting threatened wetlands is well known to be of great value to waterfowl. Although, in many cases, wetlands have been protected, much of the surrounding upland habitats have been, and continue to be, converted to crop production. Today, waterfowl and other grassland nesting birds are forced to nest in the few remaining parcels of fragmented grassland cover where nest success rates for many species of waterfowl have fallen below levels necessary to maintain populations. In addition, agricultural and energy markets forces have added unprecedented pressure on private rangeland managers to consider alternative uses of their grasslands, often to the detriment of waterfowl and other species. The PWB partners are committed to working together to conserve this unique landscape by fostering a sustainable grassland economy based on family livestock ranching. Conservation easements purchased via the PWB NAWCA grants will perpetually protect the grazing lands utilized by ranchers and the vital wetland and grassland landscapes required by all prairie bird communities. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Wetland habitats in the PWB area are primarily classified as palustrine emergent wetlands exhibiting temporary, seasonal, semi-permanent and permanent water regimes. These wetland types are critically important migratory and breeding habitats for many waterfowl and wetland-dependent species. Protection of native prairie and restored grasslands surrounding these critically important prairie wetland habitats provides essential nesting habitat for waterfowl and other species. Most estimates indicate that less than 5% of North America's tallgrass prairie remains and the PWB area contains several of these remaining tracts. As such, the 2,407 acres of habitat preserved by this proposal will not only provide direct benefits to waterfowl, but numerous species of shorebirds, wading birds, marsh birds, other wetland-dependent wildlife species, grassland songbirds and other grassland-dependent wildlife species will also benefit. Valuable breeding, migration and, for some resident species, wintering habitat will be protected by this project. Northern Pintail, Mallard, American Wigeon and other upland nesting waterfowl will benefit from the protection of grassland adjacent to palustrine wetlands. Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Greater Prairie Chicken, and grassland passerine birds will benefit as well. Lesser Scaup, Redheads, Canvasbacks, and Ring-necked Ducks will benefit from the protection and enhancement of diverse wetland types in the proposal. PUBLIC BENEFITS: At very tangible levels, the public will benefit from this project by the protection of habitat and by meeting the needs of various wildlife species. It will also provide some ranchers with the financial means to help them stay in the ranching business and preventing grassland from being converted to cropland. This proposal will simultaneously provide benefits to the landowners and landscapes of the PPJV. These benefits will go well beyond the project area boundaries in the form of cleaner water, more abundant wildlife and a grassland/wetland legacy for future generations. This project will help protect the remaining grassland vistas that the early pioneers witnessed. There is growing recognition that we must learn from our past, and it is understood that within the eastern portions of the PPJV land conversion of native grasslands and wetlands is the single most threat to longevity of the landscape. NEW PARTNERS: This initial phase of the Prairies Without borders project brings together a federal agency, two storied state wildlife departments, two established NGO's in The Nature Conservancy and Pheasants Forever, and one emerging conservation NGO in the Northern Prairies Land Trust. All committed to accomplishing a common goal of protecting some of the best habitat in North America for breeding waterfowl, other grassland nesting birds and many other wetland-dependent bird species. The SD Game Fish and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are continuing their support for wetland conservation work in eastern South Dakota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is very active on the Prairie Coteau in MN, and recent project work by the department lies in close proximity to the focus area. The Nature Conservancy and Pheasants Forever continue their cross-boundary work in the three state region, and Northern Prairies Land trust has worked to identify critical conservation niches in South Dakota in regard to offering landowners additional protection options. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY San Luis Valley Rio Grande Initiative II, Colorado COUNTIES, ST ATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Mineral, Rio Grande & Alamosa Counties, Colorado, Congressional District 3. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,243,800 Grantee: Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust $100,000 Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund $1,000,000 Colorado Water Conservation Board $342,500 The Nature Conservancy $200,000 Colorado Conservation Trust $300,000 Rio Oxbow Ranch, Inc. $1,200,000 River Valley Ranch III $100,000 Mineral County $300 San Luis Valley Irrigation District $100 Broken Arrow Ranch and Land Company $100 Rio Grande Silver, Inc.$ I 00 Pinyon Environmental Engineering Resources $100 Allan Beezley, PC.$ I 00 Rio Grande Water Conservation District $500 GRANT & MATCH-ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4,243,800/2,576 acres Easements Acquired - $4, I 12,500/ I ,426 acres Other Acquisition Costs - $16,300 Enhanced - $100,000/ 1, 150 acres Other - $15,000 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Private landowners Rio Oxbow Ranch, 503 acres; private landowners Rio Oxbow Ranch, 568 acres; private landowners River Valley Group, LLC 355 acres; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1,150 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The San Luis Valley Rio Grande Initiative II (SLY RGI II) will protect 1,426 total acres of private land and enhance I, 150 wetland acres on the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), all encompassing key riparian wetlands and important senior water rights on the Rio Grande river in Colorado. Protection Components: three permanent conservation easements (with no house sites on any of the proposed properties) all to be held by the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT). I) Rio Oxbow Ranch Phase I, (ROR I) 503 acres of river bottomland on one of the largest private holdings on the Rio Grande near its headwaters, protected in 2008. 2) Rio Oxbow Ranch Phase II, (ROR II) protection of the remaining 568 acres of the Rio Oxbow's riverine bottomlands will complete conservation of the entire river corridor of the property. The Rio Oxbow's important riparian qualities, encompassing six miles of both sides of the Rio Grande, its associated wetlands (including a 9 I acre fen), its natural riverine function, exceptional bird habitat, fishery and associated water rights, and its close proximity to the Rio Grande National Forest, all make it ideal for conservation. This is a rare opportunity to perpetually protect the Rio Oxbow's extensive riverine and wetland habitat at the very headwaters of one of the nation's most important river systems and is RiGHT's current top priority. 3) River Valley Ranch III (RV3) includes 355 acres of river bottomlands, two miles of the Rio Grande, extensive sloughs, cottonwood gallery, and wet meadows, and the unique opportunity to conserve shares of the most senior water right on the Rio Grande in Colorado, the Silva Ditch, which along with additional senior water rights will sustain its exceptional wetlands and bird habitat. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The SL V RGI II will provide protection and restoration of critical migration and breeding habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and waterbirds. The project will benefit numerous waterfowl species: (Note: B=Breeding, M=Migrating, W=Wintering) mallards, northern pintail and lesser scaup/B, M, W; redheads, American wigeon, teal species/B, M; canvasback, ring-necked ducks and wood ducks/M. Shorebirds that will benefit are: Wilson' s phalarope and American avocet/B, M. Waterbirds such as sora, Virginia rail, white-faced ibis, American bittem/B, M, and many wetland dependent species such as the American dipper, short-eared owl/B, M, W; Swain son's Hawk, Wilson's warbler/B , M; and 95 % of the Rocky Mountain population of the Greater Sandhill crane/M. The proposal will specifically protect and enhance exceptional habitat for the federally endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, the threatened Western yellow-billed cuckoo and the recently delisted Bald eagle. It will al so benefit the Northern leopard frog and boreal toad and provide an important buffer zone for the state-endangered Canada lynx. Wetland types benefited include 1,940 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands identified as "decreasing" by NAWCA and 146 acres of riverine habitat at altitudes from 7,500 to 9,000 feet. PUBLIC BENEFITS: As evidenced by the in vestments of over $13 million to date in the overall Rio Grande Initiative, there is broad-based local, state and national support for the protection of the river corridor's important wildlife habitat and other benefits. Colorado's Rio Grande retains much of its natural function and wetland characteristics as compared to many other western rivers that are highly fragmented and "dewatered." Private land conservation I) supports critical habitat by protecting this narrow ribbon of life against the ri sing demands for residential development and water reallocation, 2) provides important buffers to public land wildlife habitat, and 3) sustains valuable open space, agricultural, recreational and scenic values. Keeping the Rio Grande's land and water intact al so allows for more effective flood plain function, secures historical water use patterns and is also vital to groundwater recharge of the SL V's aquifers. All of these functions are critical to the long-term sustainability of water supply for the SL V's diverse wetlands in this high, dry valley with annual precipitation of only 6" to 8". This project is also key to the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) currently being prepared for the Southwestern willow fl ycatcher in Colorado. NEW PARTNERS: The diverse partners associated with this proposal underscore the widespread and enthusiastic support for wetland conservation efforts in the SLV and include 14 non-federal partners and one federal partner. Seven of these are major partners and ten are new partners to the NA WCA process. Our coalition includes the core Rio Grande Initiative partners: RiGHT and TNC; private landowners: the Rio Oxbow Ranch and River Valley Ranch Ill; the USFWS; state government: Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Water Conservation Board; local government: Mineral County, Rio Grande Water Conservation Di strict and San Luis Valley Irrigation District; a Colorado private foundation: the Colorado Conservation Trust; and profit making corporations: Broken Arrow Ranch and Land Company, Rio Grande Silver, Inc. - a mining company, Pinyon Environmental Engineering Resources, and Allan Beezley, PC. These groups form an active and lasting partnership in the SL V that provides for conservation and restoration successes in our region. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY San Pablo Bay Tidal Wetland Restoration Project III, California COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Napa, Solano, and Sonoma Counties, California; Congressional Districts I and 6. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,348,956 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $56,232 North Coast Rail Authority $1,018,550 Viansa Winery $124,200 Petaluma Wetlands Alliance $116,821 City of Petaluma $31,000 Camelbak $1,670 Whole Foods $483 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,348,956/ 1,663(248) acres Restored - $650,000/ 1,500 acres Enhanced - $1 ,578,956/163 (248) acres Other - $40,800 Indirect Costs - $79,200 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Coast Guard FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - 1,500 acres; California Department of Fish and Game - 248 acres; Viansa Winery - 90 acres, City of Petaluma - 73 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The San Francisco Estuary is surrounded by the second largest urban area in the west. In the past I 50 years over 96% of historic tidal wetlands surrounding the estuary have been developed, filled, or converted for agriculture. By the 1970s, declining populations of many wildlife species, increasing population pressure, and shifting environmental awareness led to the re-valuation of wetlands in the estuary for their importance in providing habitat for native species, flood protection, water quality, nutrient filtration and cycling, feeding grounds for resident and migratory birds, and nursery grounds for migratory salmonids and steelhead. This recognition led to the current push for wetlands restoration. Despite considerable habitat loss, San Francisco Estuary is widely recognized for its importance to resident and migratory bird species. It is one of three sites given the highest ranking as a Site of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and as an Area of Continental Significance for waterfowl by the North American Waterfowl Conservation Plan. In the northern reaches of the San Francisco Estuary lies a distinct bay, known as San Pablo Bay. The surrounding marshlands are known as the San Pablo bay lands, the project area of this proposal. The bay lands consist of approximately 40,000 acres of tidal wetlands, non-tidal perennial and seasonal wetlands, riparian corridors, and uplands. Historically, the project area was characterized by broad expanses of shallow bays and brackish tidal marshes fringed by grasslands, wet meadows, and oak savannas supported by substantial amounts of freshwater runoff from several watersheds including the Napa River, Petaluma River, Sonoma Creek, Tolay Creek, and Novato Creek. Reclamation and conversion have led to the loss of approximately 82% of historic wetlands in the project area, which are among the most important staging and wintering habitat complexes in the Pacific Flyway. Over 30 species of waterfowl occur in the project area. The project area supports one of the largest concentrations of canvasbacks in North America and approximately 50% of the Pacific Flyway diving duck population. Peak waterfowl populations approach 280,000 ducks. However, these estimates suggest a decline of 25 % from 1950s estimates. In addition, the project area supports nearly 600,000 shorebirds during peak migration periods. The tracts identified in this proposal will help to reverse the impacts this region has experienced in the previous 150 years. The proposed activities will recontour converted agricultural lands to provide seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands for migrating and wintering birds; establish permanent freshwater sources for brooding waterfowl through the selective use of levees and water control structures; enhance salt pond habitat for foraging shorebirds and waterfowl; and restore healthy tidal marshes with fringing mudflats by breaching and lowering existing levees. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The projects identified in this proposal have or will acquire 1,663 new acres and restore and enhance 1,326 previously protected acres of habitat including tidal and brackish estuarine wetlands; seasonal, semi-permanent, and permanent palustrine wetlands; and associated upland habitats. Both estuarine and palustrine wetlands have been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as nationally decreasing wetland types. Match acquisition and proposed restoration and enhancement activities will benefit numerous waterfowl, shorebird, and waterbird species that use this region during breeding, migration, and wintering seasons. These actions will benefit high priority waterfowl species such as northern pintail, mallard, lesser scaup, and greater scaup. Other noteworthy species benefited include redhead, canvasback, American wigeon, ring-necked duck, gadwall, cinnamon teal, ruddy duck, bufflehead, American avocet, black-bellied plover, marbled godwit, long-billed curlew, and willet. The proposed project will also benefit various threatened and endangered species including California clapper rail, salt marsh harvest mouse, western snowy plover, and chinook salmon. PUBLIC BENEFITS: This project will have both indirect and direct benefits to the public for the surrounding metropolitan region of 7 million people. Restored estuarine and palustrine wetlands will improve water quality regionally. In addition, implementation of this proposal will create a wide range of opportunities for the public. Property owners will allow public use on the projects sites in accordance with their overall ordinances, regulations, and operations. Viansa Winery has a hilltop view of the surrounding Napa Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area and will provide an important public access and outreach role in bringing visitors to its wetlands. Bird counts, tours, photography opportunities, trails, and conservation-oriented wine collections will enhance the visitor experience to the winery. East Wingo provides additional connectivity between the Napa Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area and Viansa Winery. The property is accessible to kayakers and boaters, and improved waterfowl and waterbird health from associated habitat improvements will benefit hunters and birders alike. Cullinan Ranch will ultimately include safe access lanes from Highway 37, use of existing parking lot facilities, a kayak launch point, a visitor' s kiosk, a fishing pier, and a levee top trail. At Shollenberger Park, enhancement will be complemented by continued volunteer, grassroots, and collaborative restoration and interpretation efforts galvanized by the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, an active committee of scientists and concerned citizens who support public access, outreach, and habitat restoration at the park. Shollenberger Park draws several hundred visitors daily. NEW PARTNERS: The proposed project includes many partners that have not previously participated in a NAWCA grant, including: Viansa Winery, North Coast Rail Authority, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, City of Petaluma, Camel back, Whole Foods, and a new non-match partner, U.S. Coast Guard. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Sonoran Wetlands Restoration II, Arizona, California COUNTIES, STATES, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: La Paz, AZ; Imperial, Los Angeles, Riverside, CA; 7, AZ; 51, 25, 41, CA. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,204,107 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $43,770 California Wildlife Conservation Board $2,000,000 California Dept. of Fish and Game $29,203 Los Patos Bravos Duck Club $10,500 Splatter S Duck Club $120,634 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS, AND ACRES $3,204, I 07 /3,212 (930) acres Fee Acquired - $2,000,000/(930) acres Restored - $677 ,254/830 acres Enhanced - $406,880/2,382 acres Other - $30,000 Indirect Costs - $89,973 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: California Dept. of Fish and Game, 1,874 acres; California Wildlife Conservation Board, 930 acres; private landowner Los Patos Bravos 73 acres, private landowner Splatter S Duck Club 82 acres; U.S. Air Force 680 acres; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 503 acres . PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal represents phase 2 of a long-term effort by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) and our partners to conserve important wetlands and associated habitats in the Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) region. The project area is located in one of the most arid parts of the continent, yet contains the most important and threatened wetlands remaining in this region. This proposal seeks to protect, restore, or enhance 3,212 acres of wetlands and associated habitats using grant and matching funds, and non-match funds will contribute to restoration of an additional 32 acres. The core of the work will be the restoration and enhancement of wetlands and associated habitats adjacent to the Salton Sea, which is a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site, a California Important Bird Area (IBA), and annually hosts millions of wetland-dependent birds. We are proposing the restoration or enhancement of 1,874 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands and associated uplands at the California Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit (Wister) by restoring wetland topography and hydrology, and improving water conveyance. The proposed water delivery pipelines at Wister will eliminate water delivery evaporation losses and annual open ditch maintenance associated with earthen delivery ditches choked out by exotic plant species. At the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR (SSNWR), we will restore 60 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands and associated uplands and enhance 345 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands by restoring wetland topography and hydrology and improving water conveyance. Further south, we will enhance 73 acres of palustrine emergent privately owned wetlands by improving water conveyance and wetland infrastructure. Along the Lower Colorado River, we will restore 90 acres and enhance 40 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands by restoring natural plant communities and improving water conveyance capabilities at the Cibola NWR (Cibola). Finally, we have two projects in inland southern California, the first will restore 82 acres of palustrine forested and emergent wetlands along the Santa Ana River in the Prado Basin by restoring wetland topography and riparian habitat hydrology. The second will restore 300 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands, IO acres of associated uplands and 30 acres of riparian habitat, and enhance 300 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands and 40 acres of associated uplands at the Piute Ponds tract near Rosamond Lake on Edwards Air Force Base. Proposed project activities for this tract include wetland topography and water conveyance enhancements and restoration of wetland hydrology and riparian plant communities. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The proposed projects will protect, restore, or enhance a diverse array of wildlife habitat including 3,058 acres of palustrine emergent and 65 acres of forested wetlands (both decreasing), and associated uplands to benefit a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, waterbirds, and a myriad of other wetland-dependent wildlife throughout the year, including 6 federally and 9 state listed species. The proposed seasonal and semi-permanent wetland restoration and enhancements will benefit migrating and wintering waterfowl, including northern pintail, mallard, northern shoveler, green-winged teal, American wigeon, cinnamon teal, and others. In addition, these projects also will improve breeding habitat for mallard, cinnamon teal, and gadwall. The Salton Sea is a remnant of the once massive Sonoran Desert wetland complex, and historically was known as Lake Cahuilla. The Salton Sea was recently formed by a breach in the Colorado River in the early 1900' s, and is largely maintained from agricultural runoff via the New and Alamo Rivers. This area supports a diverse array of wetland dependent wildlife throughout the year, and supports the largest wintering populations of ruddy ducks and eared grebes in the Pacific flyway and North America, respectively. The restored and enhanced wetlands on the SSNWR and Wister tracts will benefit migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and waterbirds, most notably the endangered California least tern and Yuma clapper rail. Wetland restoration and enhancements on the Cibola tract will improve habitat conditions for State listed species, the California black rail (CA-T, AZ-E) and Gila woodpecker (CA-E). Riparian habitat in the region has decreased from historic levels by as much as 98%, and the remaining habitat is threatened. Two inland projects seek to slow this trend through proposed restoration of 65 acres of palustrine forested wetlands and 345 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands on the Piute Ponds and Splatter S duck club tracts. This proposed restoration will improve breeding and foraging habitat for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and western yellow-billed cuckoo, a Federal candidate species. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Improved habitat diversity coupled with excellent public access at public areas will improve hunting opportunities, bird watching, photography, and increased aesthetic enjoyment of wildlife and their habitats. This proposal area is home to 15 million people, and the large number of visitors to the public areas will increase public awareness of the NA WCA grant program and its benefits to wetlands conservation. Neighboring landowners managing similar habitats will benefit from the increased wildlife use on adjacent lands. Additional wetland values include groundwater recharge, improved water quality through natural wetland filtration processes, carbon sequestration, and reduction in flood damage. NEW PARTNERS: The NAWCA program has been successful in promoting strong and diverse partnerships and the continuation of the long-term partnership between the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), DFG, and DU in this proposal is testament to this. This proposal will be the 2nd time these partners have united for wetlands conservation in the SJV. The Splatter Sand Los Patos Bravos Duck Clubs are new NA WCA partners, and the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and Wister are prior NA WCA partners looking forward to conserving additional wetlands and associated habitats on their land. With the completion of this project, nearby landowners will witness first-hand how well the NA WCA program works. Ducks Unlimited has received increased landowner interest for future projects from the development of this and previous proposals. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY South Carolina Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative I, South Carolina COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Georgetown (I) Charleston (I), Beaufort and Counties (2), South Carolina. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,243,798 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited $10,888 Wetlands America Trust $3,000,000 The Yawkey Foundation $102,910 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources $100,000 Lucille V. Pate $30,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4,243,798/8, 147 (40) acres Easements Donated - $3,055,888/3,6 l 2 acres Enhanced-$1,133,247/4,535 (40) acres Indirect Costs - $54,663 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: This proposal includes multiple.tracts on 4 project sites in public and private ownership. The USFWS owns and manages 209 acres in Bonny Hall as part of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (Tract BH in 3 managed wetlands impoundments). The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) owns and manages 3,036 acres on the Santee Coastal Reserve (Tract SCR in three managed wetlands) and 1,290 acres on the Yawkey Wildlife Center (Tract YWC in 11 managed wetlands). Wetlands America Trust (WAT) holds a conservation easement on Arcadia Plantation West tracts of land totaling 3,612 acres (Tract AP) that is in private ownership. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Over 27 percent of South Carolina's original wetlands have been lost. In response to this dramatic decline, DU established the South Carolina Lowcountry Initiative over 20 years ago to curtail the continuing loss of important wetland habitat. Today the Initiative is a nationally recognized wetlands conservation effort that covers 3 million acres across 14 coastal counties in cooperation with the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The Initiative seeks to protect, enhance and restore important wetlands and uplands located in 5 focus areas: Winyah Bay, Santee River, Cooper-Ashley-Wando-Stono (CAWS) Basin, Ashley-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin and the South Lowcountry. Since its inception, DU and partners have worked through the Lowcountry Initiative to protect 113,000 acres of wetland and upland habitats using conservation easements on private lands. The perpetual protection of large, undeveloped upland and wetland ecosystems on private lands benefits waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and other native species and also protects the natural landscapes and the outdoor heritage that is part of the Lowcountry way of life. DU and partners are now shifting the Initiative's focus to restoring and enhancing wetlands in coastal South Carolina on public and private lands. Though the Initiative Area is considered by the USFWS to have international ecological significance, intense pressures from residential and commercial development continue to threaten fragile coastal habitat, and wetlands loss, degradation and fragmentation increase each year in the region. This South Carolina Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative I project seeks to combine the financial contributions, expertise and management skills of government agencies such as SCDNR and the USFWS, non-government project partners DU, WAT and the Yawkey Foundation (YF), and private landowner Lucille Pate with grant funds to support the goals and objectives of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative (ACJV SAMBI) within South Carolina through a mix of wetlands protection and enhancement projects. The 4 projects proposed herein will permanently protect important wetland, associated upland and riparian habitats along the Waccamaw River on private land and will enhance managed wetlands in 2 State wildlife management areas, I private easement and I Federal refuge. The long-term strategy of this proposal is to build on the long-standing network of public and private conservation lands within key watersheds in the Lowcountry Initiative Area that will provide critical wetland and upland habitat for waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds, landbirds and other wetland dependent wildlife and plants. This proposal seeks to enhance 209 acres of managed wetlands on the ACE Basin NWR on Tract BH by installing 2 water control structures (rice field trunks), resetting one structure and excavating three canals that will improve water delivery to 3 freshwater impoundments for moist soil management with grant and non-match funds from the USFWS. Enhancement work proposed for the Tract SCR combines match from the SCDNR and grant funds to install 5 rice trunks and 6 spillway boxes on 3 impoundments and to construct 2 cross dikes in a 2,085-acre impoundment to increase water delivery, lower salinity and allow more seasonal water management of the new units. Similar work is proposed for 11 managed wetlands on the Tract YWC. Enhancements include installation of 8 rice trunks and 4 spillway boxes, invasive vegetation control and re-topping and new dike creation that will improve water management capabilities and flow on 3,036 acres in 11 impoundments. A Matching Contributions Plan (MCP) is included in this proposal that provides match for these projects and requests preservation of the remaining donation for future NA WCA proposals in the Lowcountry Initiative Area. The conservation easement donated on Tract AP by landowner Lucille Pate to WAT is offered as match for this and at least 4 future Lowcountry proposals through the MCP. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Actions described herein will protect and enhance a total of 8,147 acres of diverse wildlife habitat in the Southeastern Coastal Plain in South including 6,536 acres of wetlands and 1,611 acres of uplands on four tracts as follows: Tract BH (209 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands); Tract SCR (3,036 acres of estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands); Tract YWC (1,290 acres of estuarine intertidal vegetated wetlands); and Tract AP (1,624 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands, 377 acres of palustrine forested wetlands and 1,611 acres of uplands such as longleaf pine flatwoods, mixed pine hardwoods, mesic hardwoods, agricultural fields and wildlife openings. Upon completion, proposal activities will provide increased foraging capacity and important habitat for pair isolation, thermal refuge and roosting for 6 NA WCA Priority waterfowl species, 5 NA WCA Other Priority waterfowl species, and 7 other species of waterfowl. Additionally, IO NA WCA Priority Species of wetland-dependent migratory birds from Bird Conservation Region 27 will benefit from increased foraging, nesting, or roosting habitat. At least 50 other species of wetland-dependent or wetland associated species will also benefit directly from this work, including 4 federally listed, threatened or candidate species and 4 State-listed endangered or species of concern. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Tract BH and SCR are managed to provide habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species and to provide opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation and education consistent with their habitat conservation efforts. Tract YWC is similarly managed, but with emphasis on research and as a refuge with restricted public access. Additional public benefits are related to ecological goods and services provided via enhanced wetland functions and values that contribute toward a sustainable ecosystem. The private land protected through an easement will not be open to the public, but will help expand and protect wetland habitat consistent with the goals of the ACJV. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal includes 2 partners new to the NAWCA process, the Yawkey Foundation and private landowner Lucille V. Pate. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Southeastern Lake Michigan Coastal Habitat Project, Michigan COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Montcalm, Newaygo, Mecosta, Oceana, Mason, Lake, and Osceola; Ml; Congressional Districts: 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. GRANT AMOUNT $989,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $989,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $1,979,451 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc . (DU) $122,992 Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $157,500 Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) $1,015,531 The Nature Conservancy (TNC) $350,000 Michigan Nature Association (MNA) $280,000 Potawatomi Resource Conservation and Development (PRCD) $1,000 Great Sauk Trail Council of the Boys Scouts of America (BSA) $2,500 R. T. Groos, LLC (RTG) $49,928 . GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,968,451/l ,869 (81) acres Fee Acquired - $ 1,230,076/634 acres Fee Donated - $604,656/ 171 acres Easements Donated - $554,328/173 acres Restored - $345,389/598 (43) acres Enhanced - $190,290/293 (38) acres Other - $22,944 Indirect Costs - $20,768 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Michigan Private Lands Office (FWS) Fort Custer Training Center Environmental (FCTC) U.S. Forest Service - Baldwin Ranger District (USFS) FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Michigan Department of Natural Resources 56 acres; Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy 705 acres; The Nature Conservancy 161 (38 PA) acres; Michigan Nature Association 174.2 acres; Great Sauk Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America 19 acres; R. T. Groos, LLC 34 (43 PA) acres; Ft. Custer Training Center Environmental 220 acres; U.S. Forest Service - Baldwin Ranger District 200 acres; and multiple private landowners 300 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal focuses on wetland and associated upland habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement in the southeastern Lake Michigan watershed. It targets protection, restoration, and enhancement of waterfowl breeding habitat within the Coastal Zone, expansion of nature preserves, and restoration of private wetlands and nearby uplands important for waterfowl production and other wildlife. This is consistent with the habitat goals of the Michigan North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NA WMP) Implementation Strategy (I 998-2013). It also helps meet DNR wetland conservation goals defi ned by "A Wetland Conservation Strategy for Michigan." The proposal area is in a primary focus area of the Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Region Joint Venture and all 23 of the proposal area counties are partially or entirely located in the Coastal Zone of the Great Lakes as identified by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council. The proposal committee estimates that 90% of total project acreage will occur within this Coastal Zone. Agriculture and urban development dominate the landscape and have resulted in drained wetlands, greater than 98% loss of historic prairie, fragmented forests, eroded stream banks, nutrient loading in streams, and general habitat destruction. To our knowledge, no NA WCA proposal has been funded for this Coastal Zone of southwest Michigan. This proposal is focused on the protection, restoration, and enhancement of emergent, forested, and scrub shrub wetlands, and the restoration and enhancement of native warm season grasslands for waterfowl, other migratory birds, other wildlife, and society. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Region Joint Venture's (JV) 2007 Implementation Plan combines the habitat needs of four bird-groups (waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and landbirds) into one comprehensive all-bird habitat conservation plan, and identifies the acreage goals of specific habitat types for the purpose of sustaining and increasing priority bird species populations within each bird-group. Through planned protection, restoration, and enhancement actions, this proposal contributes to the acreage goals of five habitat types identified in the 2007 Implementation Plan: shallow semi-permanent marsh (hemi-marsh), forested wetland, shrubland, grassland, and mixed wooded openlands. The JV has identified the need to maintain/protect 136,875 acres and restore/enhance 38,065 acres of hemi-marsh within the Michigan portion of Bird Conservation Region 23 (BCR 23). This proposal will address this acreage need by protecting, restoring, or enhancing more than 900 acres of hemi-marsh. The conservation of this habitat-type is the main component of this proposal. Waterfowl were identified as the bird-group with the greatest need for the conservation of hemi-marsh habitat, and the conservation actions identified in this proposal will provide vital migration, breeding, and brood-rearing habitat for this bird-group. Shorebirds, waterbirds, and landbirds will also benefit from the conservation of shallow hemi-marsh habitat. The JV has identified the need to maintain/protect 11,609 acres and restore/enhance 5,681 acres of forested wetlands within the Michigan portion of BCR 23 . This proposal will address this acreage need by protecting, restoring, or enhancing more than 300 acres of forested wetlands. Landbirds were identified as the bird-group with the greatest need for conservation of this habitat type, and the conservation actions identified in this proposal will provide vital migration, breeding, and brood-rearing habitat to this bird-group. Waterfowl will also benefit from the conservation of forested wetlands for migration, nesting, and brood-rearing. Finally, the JV , ; identified the need to conserve (maintain/protect and restore/enhance) 758,290 shrubland acres, 339,872 grassland acres, and 329,498 mixed wooded openland acres within the Michigan portion of BCR 23. This proposal will address these acreage needs by protecting. restoring, or enhancing more than 700 -"" of tilese habitat types. Each of these habitats types were identified as providing the greatest benefit to 1a1 1Jbird populations, but will also contribute greatly to nesting habitat for waterfowl. As identified within this proposal, the location of these habitat types within close proximity to hemi-marsh and forested wetlands will provide the crucial wetland/upland complexes vital to waterfowl production. PUBLIC BENEFITS: This proposal marks the beginning of a coordinated, multi-year effort to protect ,rnd restore wetlands and adjacent upland communities on public and private land within the 23-county proposal area. A strong coalition of conservation partners has pooled resources to accomplish the habitat work identified in this proposal. The acquisition by MNA and the restorations on DNR, BSA, and USFS properties will be open to a variety of different public recreational uses, including hiking, birding, camping, fishing and hunting. Both SWMLC and TNC provide public access with permission, and encourage public use of their properties. Additionally, FWS and DU will combine their resources to conduct hundreds of acres of private lands wetland and native prairie restorations to re-establish quality waterfowl, upland gamebird, and grassland songbird nesting and brood-rearing habitat. NEW PARTNERS: This proposal has been prepared by a new NAWCA partnership for this region of Michigan. Five of the eleven partner organizations are new to NA WCA and include SWMLC, FCTC, RTG, BSA, and PRCD. This reflects an increased support of migratory bird conservation. DU, DNR, TNC, MNA, USFS, and FWS have been involved with previous NA WCA proposals. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Southern Tip Ecological Partnership III (STEP 3), Virginia COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Northampton and Accomack Counties, Virginia, District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $919,774 Allocation: The Nature Conservancy $919,774 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,419,000 Grantee: The Nature Conservancy $572,000 Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust, Inc. $921 ,000 Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District $921,000 Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries $5,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,338, 774/1, 195 acres Fee Acquired - $250,000/ IO acres Easements Donated - $2,414,000/762 acres Restored - $497 ,695/408 acres Enhanced - $3,900/10 acres Wetlands Established - $5,000/5 acres Other - $41,700 Indirect Costs - $126,479 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Commonwealth of Virginia, 193 acres; The Nature Conservancy 119 acres; Private landowners, 883. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Representing the next step in a legacy of cooperative efforts among partners working together to conserve migratory bird habitat in the Southern Tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Southern Tip Ecological Partnership III (STEP 3) is focused on protecting and restoring migratory bird habitat located close to the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay and the seaside coastal bays. The objective is to increase the availability, quality, and security of migratory bird habitat by protecting 772 acres and restoring another 423 acres of habitat. Habitat protection goals will be achieved through one fee acquisition and four conservation easement donations harboring salt marsh, estuarine and forested wetlands of exceptional habitat value. Habitat restoration objectives will be fulfilled on multiple sites with multiple partners. In contrast to STEP I, many STEP 3 restorations are slated for non-public lands protected under conservation easements. For most projects, design and implementation duties will be shared between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife/Coastal Program. While TNC will take the lead in coordinating with private landowners, designing projects, purchasing materials, managing contracts and overseeing all projects, TNC will work closely with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Natural Heritage Division to implement a major grant-funded restoration at Muttonhunk Fen Natural Area Preserve, which supports a globally rare community type. In addition, TNC will contract with Ducks Unlimited to provide construction designs on one wetland restoration project on privately owned land. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The proposal area and the lands protected under our plan contain some of the most valuable estuarine and coastal habitats found anywhere on the Atlantic I Coast and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV) has identified the Delmarva Peninsula as a Focus Area and describes it as 'a globally important coastal migration corridor for passage of millions of songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, seabirds, waterfowl, and wading species.' Our projects lie in two ACJV Sub-Focus areas for waterfowl, and land acquisitions will ensure the long-term protection of over 300 acres of forested freshwater and salt marsh wetlands and I 00 acres of wetland buffers and riparian corridors, habitats recognized in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Black Duck Joint Venture priorities for their high value to wintering, migrating and breeding black ducks, a high priority species. These habitats will provide breeding, wintering, or migrating habitat for four other high priority waterfowl species: northern pintail, mallard, lesser scaup and greater scaup. STEP 3 actions will restore, enhance or create another 423 acres of forested wetlands, estuarine and freshwater emergent wetlands, and upland habitat to benefit waterfowl and other migratory birds on 12 properties located on the seaside and bayside of the Southern Tip. Wetlands protected or restored will provide over-wintering habitat for other priority waterfowl species such as redhead, canvasback, ring-necked duck and American wigeon. Palustrine forested wetlands and freshwater emergent wetlands protected and restored under this proposal will also support breeding wood duck pairs. Estuarine and emergent habitats protected or restored under STEP 3 will deliver unquestionable benefits to many other wetland-dependent migratory birds with high conservation priority status such as American oystercatcher, whimbrel, willet, snowy egret, glossy ibis, marsh wren and saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow. Forested wetlands and uplands protected and restored will benefit many high conservation priority species such as American woodcock, prairie warbler, Acadian flycatcher, wood thrush and red-headed woodpecker. The acquisitions and restorations will also protect water quality, promote submerged aquatic vegetation growth, and reduce human disturbance in critical habitats. The large majority (92%) of wetlands associated with the proposal are declining types, mostly palustrine forest and estuarine emergent wetlands. This proposal will contribute to many national and regional habitat and species-specific goals for protecting, increasing or restoring salt marsh, flats, forested wetlands, and freshwater emergent habitat types used by priority waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds and landbirds. The restoration of fall stopover habitat for neotropical landbirds is one of the most critical conservation purposes of our mainland habitats as determined by many science-based conservation planning efforts. Forested wetland restoration goals depend on restoring hydrologic regimes, planting a diversity of locally-derived native nursery stock, and then relying on community succession that will lead to the development of mid/late succession types which are highly valuable to migratory landbirds stopping over in the Southern Tip. Therefore, the forest restoration projects can be expected to continue delivering their intended benefits indefinitely after they are established. Larger, healthier, more diverse forests benefit biodiversity and wildlife in general. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Recreation at a state Natural Area Preserve will be much enhanced following habitat restoration. The projects will benefit the public by improving the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater supplies (a growing concern for communities on the Eastern Shore) and by protecting and restoring habitats critical to wildlife, including game and non-game species. Facing recent development pressure, local privately owned tracts will be protected from incompatible development and remain secure as valuable and scenic open space. Undeveloped open space, and healthy forests, waters and natural areas, provide a requisite setting for a long-cherished way of life and provide for a resource and tourism-based local economy. NEW PARTNERS: We are welcoming the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District and eight private landowners to partner with NA WCA for the first time, and we are welcoming the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to the Southern Tip Ecological Partnership for the first time. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Teton Basin V, Idaho, Wyoming COUNTIES, STATES, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Teton County, Idaho and Teton County, Wyoming; Idaho Congressional District 2, Wyoming Congressional District I. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Teton Regional Land Trust $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,394,327 Grantee: Teton Regional Land Trust $190,686 The Nature Conservancy, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation $133,000 Idaho Department of Fish and Game $17,875 Ducks Unlimited$ I 0,000 Intermountain Aquatics $2,500 Hoopes Green $1,800,550 Blaine and Nancy Huntsman $269,524 Melissa Pangraze and Edward Schauster $942 David Breckenridge $73,500 Justin Hokin $594,000 Fred Hanson $500 Ruskin Vest $300,000 Gillilan Associates $1,250 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4,394,327 /l ,590 (830) acres Easements Acquired- $1,640,687/274 acres Easements Donated - $2,041,3 13/ 1,034 acres Restored - $ I 62,617/248 (782) acres Enhanced - $5,480/34 acres Wetlands Established - $536,630/(48) acres Other - $7,600 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Teton Regional Land Trust USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Idaho Department of Fish and Game, USDA Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Landowner Incentive Program Blaine and Nancy Huntsman National Fish and Wildlife Foundation FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Teton Regional Land Trust as grantee for conservation easements: 1,308 acres. Landowners for all 5 tracts will retain title to their residual fee ownership: 1,308 acres. 282 acres restored/enhanced/established - private landowners. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Teton Basin is a geographic priority in the North American Waterfowl Plan (NAWMP), the US Shorebird Conservation Plan (USSCP), the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (NA WCP) and the National Partners in Flight Plan (PIF Plan). It is identified as an Idaho Priority A Bird Habitat Conservation Area by lntermountain West Joint Venture. It is the largest wetland Important Bird Area (IBA) in Idaho. The objectives of this proposal are to conserve and restore key wetland and associated upland habitats on tracts that compliment the function of existing protected lands and maximize benefits to priority wetland birds. Proposed activities will compliment public lands and conservation/restoration completed in past NA WCA phases. The project also addresses a key element for increasing waterfowl nesting - restoring and protecting highly functional upland habitat in proximity to protected wetlands. Affected habitats in this proposal are: l) the greater Foster's Slough wetland complex, which is a large emergent wetland in the upper Teton Basin and is the most productive waterbird nesting habitat in the project area; 2) the Teton River corridor including a mosaic of emergent and riverine wetlands, flooded sloughs and backwaters, willow riparian and restored grass uplands. The Teton River and associated habitats provides crucial nesting, migratory and wintering habitat for waterfowl, other waterbirds and wetland-dependent landbirds; and 3) The West Rim Teton Canyon, which is the first installment of a large block of protected lands that will be managed for birds and that will be a mosaic of restored/enhanced wetlands and riparian habitat and sage-steppe. The west rim will significantly enhance waterfowl nesting and productivity for a variety of priority passerines and waterbirds. Proposed activities support key wetland functions including flood-low attenuation, water quality. maintenance of late season flows in the Teton River, Fox Creek, Muddy Slough, Milk Creek and South Leigh Creek, and protection of key fish and wild! ife habitat. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The project Tracts will protect and restore palustrine emergent wetlands (decreasing), palustrine scrub-shrub wetlands (decreasing), productive riparian habitats on river corridors and spring creeks, and uplands that provide valuable nesting, migration, and wintering habitat for priority wetland birds. The Teton Basin provides habitat of continental significance to three primary species: long-billed curlew, sandhill crane, and trumpeter swan; and is a waterfowl production area of regional significance, particularly for the priority waterfowl species mallard and wigeon. Teton Basin features very high curlew nesting densities in two of the focus areas for this proposal. Most of the northern Rocky Mountain sandhill crane breeding population stages in Teton Basin. Large numbers of trumpeter swans winter here, with strong potential for recovery of swan nesting. The project focuses on NA WMP and IWJV priority waterfowl and other priority wetland-dependent species. The following species occur on both the Bird Conservation Region and Partners in Flight lists and breed or otherwise occur in the Teton River Basin: Barrow's goldeneye, long-billed curlew, calliope hummingbird, short-eared owl, Swainson's hawk, willow flycatcher, American dipper, MacGillivray's warbler, American white pelican, white-faced ibis, trumpeter swan, cinnamon teal, redhead, sandhill crane and American avocet. The Project focuses on habitat protection and restoration for long-billed curlew, which is listed in the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan as a Catergory 5 - Highly Imperiled Species; and Wilson's phalarope, which is listed as a Category 4 - Species of High Concern. Shorebird species of Moderate Concern (Category- 3) that will directly benefit are killdeer, American avocet, willet and Wilson's snipe. Among wildlife species with special status, Teton Basin is a stronghold for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, bald eagles, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Public benefits of the proposed Teton Basin V include conservation of critical habitats for species of continental concern as described above. Several of the properties protected are along waterways used for public recreational access. The Teton Basin economy is heavily supported on tourism and visitor numbers. Public access on the properties will be governed by the private landowners-many grant access to the public for fishing and hunting, although access may be discouraged in sensitive nesting and staging seasons. NEW PARTNERS: New partners for this NAWCA project include the following Teton River Basin Landowners: David Breckenridge, Melissa Pangraze and Edward Schauster, Justin Hokin and landowning business Hoopes Green. New businesses involved include lnterrnountain Aquatics and Gillilan Associates. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wetlands Restoration and Enhancement 11, Mississippi COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Holmes, Humphreys, Quitman, Yazoo Counties, Mississippi, Congressional District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $921,209 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited $921,209 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,488,502 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited $41,053 Wetlands America Trust $2,323,350 Walker Foundation $100,000 Hal D. Crenshaw $5,000 Steve Ingram $2,189 William Yandell $16,910 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,409,711/2,792 acres Easements Donated - $2,377,44911,952 acres Enhanced - $938,070/840 acres Indirect Costs - $94,192 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: This proposal includes protection and enhancement of wetlands in public and private ownership. Public lands: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) owns and manages the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex (TRNWRC) where proposed enhancement activities will occur on 2 tracts - Panther Swamp NWR (Tract PS - 460 acres), Morgan Brake NWR (MB - 380 acres). Private lands: Match partner Wetlands America Trust (WAT) offers matching contributions in the form of conservation easement acquisitions on 3 tracts of privately owned and managed lands in Mississippi named for landowners - Hal Crenshaw (Tract HC - 1,011 acres), Steve Ingram (Tract SI- 224 acres) and William Yandell (Tract WY-717 acres). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal is a continuation of long-term efforts to protect, restore and enhance important wetland habitats in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMA V) with a focus on public and private lands within the TRNWR Complex. Wetlands in the LMA V support a rich diversity of wildlife species. Forested, scrub-shrub and emergent wetlands and associated uplands in the region provide migration and wintering habitat for millions of wetland dependent and associated migratory birds. Completion of proposed work will help ensure that the LMA V continues to fulfill its historical role as one of the most important landscapes in North America for continental populations of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and other wetland-dependent migratory birds. Seven partners involved in this project will work together to protect and enhance 3,592 acres of wetlands on public and private lands in 4 Mississippi counties. This proposal includes enhancement of 520 acres of moist soil habitat and emergent/agricultural wetlands and 320 acres of scrub-shrub on public lands (Tracts PS and MB), acquisition of 800 acres of forested wetlands on public lands (Tract TB) and protection of 983 acres of forested wetlands and 969 acres of emergent wetlands on private lands (Tracts HC, SI and WY) with grant, match and non-match funds. The partnership combines the habitat management capabilities of the USFWS with the wetland enhancement expertise of DU, the land protection expertise of WAT, the financial support of the Walker Foundation (WF) and the commitment to stewardship of private lands in the LMA V by three private landowners. Lands conserved by WAT are protected forever from future development and managed for wildlife habitat. Under this proposal, all project tracts are permanently protected via public ownership or conservation easements and provide significant long-term benefits to migratory birds. Enhancement work in the TRNWRC will be accomplished on three tracts: Morgan Brake NWR (Tract MB) includes installation of water control structures and construction of levees to vastly improve water management capability and moist soil habitat quality on 9 units. Grant and partner funds will be used to renovate and construct new levees, install 17 water control structures and add discharge piping to facilitate better management of moist soil plants in rotation with agricultural crops and enable timely flooding for migratory birds. Work on Panther Swamp NWR (Tract PS) includes the development of 3 impoundments managed in moist soil agricultural rotation, and restoring hydrology to the Whittington Channel unit managed as moist soil habitat, and one scrub-shrub/forested wetland impoundment by constructing earthen levees, installing 11 water control structures and establishing 2 new well and pump systems. This work will create a dependable source of water to irrigate moist soil vegetation or row crops and flood the units in late summer/early fall for early migrant waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. The donation of 3 conservation easements on 1,952 acres on private lands in (Tracts HC, SI and WY) is offered as match from WAT. Non-match partner funds from the USFWS were used to purchase 800 acres (Tract TB) of forested wetland now part of the TRNWRC. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: This proposal will enhance 840 acres of Federal lands, protect 1,592 acres on private lands via 3 donated conservation easements and protect 800 acres of land through fee acquisition by the USFWS. The ecologically diverse habitats conserved through this proposal include: 380 acres of palustrine emergent wetlands (managed as moist soil units or moist soil rotation on Tract MB) and 108 acres of cleared palustrine forested wetlands (managed in moist soil rotation), 32 acres of moist soil , and 320 acres of scrub-shrub wetlands on Tract PS, and will permanently protect 1,592 acres of private lands with conservation easements (969 acres palustrine emergent and 983 acres of palustrine forested wetlands). Upon completion, enhancement and protection activities will provide approximately 3 million duck-use-days of foraging capacity and important habitat for pair isolation, thermal refuge and roosting for 6 NA WCA Priority waterfowl species, 5 NA WCA Other Priority waterfowl species, and IO other species of waterfowl. Additionally, 22 NA WCA Priority Species of wetland-dependent migratory birds from Bird Conservation Region 26 will benefit from increased foraging, nesting or roosting habitat. At least 58 other species of wetland-dependent/wetland associated migratory birds will also benefit from this work. The federally listed endangered or threatened wood stork and Louisiana black bear also will benefit directly from habitat protected or enhanced herein. Proposed work will partially compensate for the region's loss of seasonally flooded forested wetlands. The proposal will enhance other wetland values and functions by improving local and regional water quality, providing natural flood storage capacity and enhancing soil conservation by reducing sediments and nutrients in precipitation runoff. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The TRNWRC is managed by the USFWS to provide habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species and to provide opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation and environmental education consistent with their wildlife habitat conservation efforts. Work proposed herein enhances additional wetland habitat on two refuges in the TRNWRC and will significantly improve quality of hunting and birding activities as well as improve habitat for other waterbirds and wetland dependent wildlife. Public use may be re stricted during certain times to protect migratory bird populations NEW PARTNERS: The three private landowners are new partners under NAWCA. Hal Crenshaw, Steve lngram and William Yandell have donated conservation easements on wetlands and are contributing the stewardship endowments for these easements as match for this proposal. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Upper Iowa Prairie Pothole Partnership - Phase I, Iowa COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Palo Alto, Clay, O'Brien, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Wright and Franklin, Iowa, Congressional Districts 4 & 5. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $ I ,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $2,005,500 Grantee: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $100,000 The Nature Conservancy $I,666,481 Iowa Department of Natural Resources $213,519 Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board $15,000 Vermeer Charitable Foundation, Inc. $10,000 Kossuth County Pheasants Forever $500 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,005,500/865 acres Fee Donated - $1,666,481 /242 acres Fee Acquired - $898,994/483 acres Restored - $98, 150/21 acres Enhanced - $252,875/119 acres Other Direct Costs - $50,000 Indirect Costs - $39,000 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: This proposal includes habitat protection, restoration and enhancement projects on both public and private lands. All private lands will be owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC; 565 acres). The Conservancy will permit public access and passive use on all of these properties and their long term goal is to eventually transfer ownership of these tracts to the state (Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources) or another qualified conservation fee title holder. Other public lands include: the Fen Valley Complex WMA - Burkhart Addition (160 acres) and Kettleson-Hogsback Complex WMA - Koppen Wetland ( 15 acres), which are owned and managed by the Iowa DNR; Zirbel Slough ( I 04 acres), which is owned and managed by the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board (CGCCB) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Bison WPA (21 acres). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal will protect, restore and enhance 865 acres (1,025 acres total including non-match tracts) of critical wetland and upland habitat within the northern portion of Iowa's Prairie Pothole Region. Portions of this project area have been included in 14 previous standard NA WCA grants, as well as a number of other NA WCA small grants. Significant conservation planning efforts have been invested by a diverse group of corporate, county, state, federal and non-governmental partners to shape the scope of this project and leverage our limited conservation resources. By integrating diverse partner resources, expertise and geographic priority areas, we will be able to maximize our collective resources and achieve our mutual conservation goals. This proposal represents a continuation of a long term partnership effort (20+ years) to conserve critical wetland and associated upland habitat within Iowa's PPR for the benefit of migratory waterfowl and other high priority shorebird, waterbird and landbird species. Specifically, this project will: (I) accelerate TNC's land protection efforts within the Little Sioux River Valley; (2) restore drained prairie pothole wetlands on USFWS - Waterfowl Production Areas; and (3 ) greatly expand DU's and the DNR's Living Lakes Initiative Partnership in Iowa by restoring and enhancing severely degraded wetland habitat. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: A diversity of habitat types will be restored, enhanced and protected under this proposal including decreasing palustrine and forested emergent wetlands (259 acres), stable riverine wetlands (IO acres) and native tall grass prairie and oak savannas along riparian corridors (596 acres). Over 2,700 feet and 242 acres of undeveloped shoreline and shallow lacustrine habitat will be protected as a result of this project. Rare calcareous fens will also be targeted for protection under this proposal as part of TNC's Little Sioux Valley watershed conservation initiative. Fens represent some of the rarest wetland types in Iowa and contain plant remains dating back over 5,000 years. Over 200 different plant species can be found in fens, including 20 that are rare, endangered or threatened in Iowa. The scope of work outlined in this proposal will help to partially compensate for the region's wide-spread loss of seasonal, temporary and semi-permanent wetlands. This project also builds on over 22 years of past partnership efforts to create and expand large grassland/wetland complexes and functional landscapes within Iowa' s PPJV Priority Areas to benefit high priority waterfowl, shorebird, wading bird and other landbird species. This proposal will provide critical breeding and migration habitat for 10 "high priority" (Northern Pintail, Mallard, American Black Duck, Lesser and Greater Scaup) and "other priority" (Wood Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon) waterfowl species and provide direct and indirect benefits to 22 other NA WCA priority bird species found in Bird Conservation Region 11. Five federally-listed threatened or endangered plant and animal species will also receive benefits from this project including whooping cranes (endangered), Topeka shiners (endangered), piping plovers (threatened), prairie bush clover (threatened) and Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (threatened). PUBLIC BENEFITS: The public will receive significant benefits as a result of this project. All public and private lands protected, restored and enhanced under this proposal will remain open to public access. Clausen' s Cove (Tract A) is owned by TNC and is open to public passive use including swimming, hiking, bird watching, natural resource interpretation, scientific education and research and scenic enjoyment. Certain hunting and plant collection restrictions do apply, however, per the property donor's request. Public fishing is also permitted along the Clausen's Cove shoreline and the public is encouraged to use the lake access to launch boats. The Gould tract (Tract C) and other future unidentified land acquisitions by TNC (Tract G) will provide public access as well, although some consumptive use (hunting, plant collections, etc.) restrictions may apply. The Fen Valley Complex - Burkhart Addition (Tract B) and Kettleson-Hogsback Complex - Koppen Wetland (Tract D) are both owned by the Iowa DNR and managed as public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Both WMAs are open to public hunting, hiking, bird watching, photography and education. Zirbel Slough (Tract E) is part of a 330-acre restored grassland/wetland complex that is owned by the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board, who allows public hunting and other non-conflicting recreational uses. The Bison WPA - Harms tract (Tract F) and Maynard Reese WPA- Bernhard Tract (Tract H) are owned and managed by the USFWS and are part of the Union Slough NWR - Wetland Management District. Both WPAs are open to public hunting and other recreational uses. Collectively, these projects will help improve water quality, recharge ground water supplies, reduce soil erosion and provide increased flood protection for neighboring urban and rural areas. NEW PARTNERS: This project includes two new NAWCA partners: the Vermeer Charitable Foundation, Inc . and Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board, as well as 5 other partners that have participated in previous NAWCA grants. Five out of 7 partners on this grant serve on the PPJV Management Board and/or Technical Committee. Using the NAWCA partnership model, this proposal will greatly expand TNC's land protection efforts within the Little Sioux River Valley; restore drained prairie pothole wetlands on Iowa' s Waterfowl Production Areas and create new partnership and funding opportunities for DU's Living Lakes Initiative in Iowa. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I, Maine COUNTY, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Washington County, Maine, District 2. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: Downeast Lakes Land Trust $1,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $3,825,000 Grantee: Downeast Lakes Land Trust $2,135,000 The Conservation Fund $1,000,000 The Open Space Institute $500,000 The Nature Conservancy $145,000 Grand Lake Stream Plantation $40,000 Grand Lake Stream Guides Association $5,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $4,825,000/ 13,050 acres Easement Acquired - $4,525,000/13,050 acres Acquisition Costs - $150,000 Stewardship Fund - $150,000 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS Downeast Lakes Land Trust FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Conservation Easement holder on 13,050 acres. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: West Grand Lake and its outlet, Grand Lake Stream, are widely-renowned cold-water fisheries and recreational resources. Big Musquash Stream winds through the largest contiguous wetland complex in the entire St. Croix Ri ver watershed, hosting hundreds of waterfowl during migration and providing important breeding habitat for black ducks and other priority wildlife species. The West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I Project's goal is to permanently protect with a conservation easement a 13,050-acre property with important wildlife habitats that connects these two water bodies. The project area represents a critical gap between prior conservation investments by NA WCA in the Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership, Wabassus Lake Project, and Machias River Project (totaling 353,000 contiguous acres that received funding through the NA WCA program). It will permanently protect 2,20 I acres of wetlands, eight and a half miles of undeveloped lakeshore on two lakes (totaling 14,808 surface acres), over eight miles of frontage on Big Musquash Stream, over 20 miles of interior streams in the St. Croix River watershed, and vital upland buffers for all of these habitats. These valuable habitats for migratory birds, endangered species, and other wildlife are within 20 miles of the relatively pristine coast of Downeast Maine. Completion of this project will fill a hole in the middle of a landscape that will comprise nearly 500,000 acres of contiguous conserved lands in Downeast Maine, connected to Crown lands in New Brunswick for an international conservation expanse of 1.4 million acres. The undeveloped lakeshores, wetlands, and upland wildlife habitats of the West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I are critically important to the economy of the region, which is dependent upon the state's highest concentration of Registered Maine Guides, traditional sporting camps, and the recreational anglers, hunters, and other visitors who are drawn to these resources from throughout the United States and beyond. The project is proposed in partnership with the Maine Department of Conservation by Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT), a community-based conservation organization in Grand Lake Stream that is committed to the long-term economic and environmental well-being of the Downeast Lakes region through the conservation and exemplary management of its forests and waters. Downeast Lakes Land Trust owns and manages the 33 ,708-acre Farm Cove Community Forest, which was expanded in 2008 with the NAWCA-funded Wabassus Lake Project. The conservation easement on West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I is to be held by the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands. The Bureau manages the adjacent Hardwood Island in West Grand Lake, along with the Machias River Project fee and easement lands and the nearby Duck Lake Unit Public Reserved Lands. The working forest conservation easement will meet Maine' s high standards for wildlife habitat and water quality protection as well as public recreational access, will also meet the standards of the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, and will require third-party certification of forest management practices. Phase II of the West Grand Lake Community Forest will involve acquisition of a conservation easement on an additional 8,650 acres, the final large tract of unprotected forestland in the area. After both easements are in place, Downeast Lakes Land Trust will acquire the fee ownership of the combined 21 ,700 acres for management as the West Grand Lake Community Forest. This proposal is specific to the Phase I conservation easement. American Bird Conservancy identifies the Downeast Lakes area as a Globally Important Bird Area with at least 180 species of birds, including 19 species of breeding and/or migrating waterfowl, ten percent of northern Maine' s Common Loons, 23 warbler species, numerous species associated with boreal forests, and neotropical migrants. West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I will directly benefit all four North American bird conservation plans through conservation of targeted wetland and buffering upland habitats for many priority species. HABIT AT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: This project will permanently protect 2,20 I acres of wetlands, including 228 acres of palustrine emergent wetland, 663 of palustrine scrub-shrub wetland, 1,211 of palustrine forested wetland, 32 acres of palustrine unconsolidated bottom wetland, 8 acres of riverine unconsolidated bottom wetland, and 58 acres of ponds (totaling 17% of the project area). An additional 2,063 acres of uplands are within I 00 feet of wetlands or open water, resulting in 33 % of the total project area comprised of wetlands (including open water) or immediately (within 100') buffering uplands. These acres benefit birds of national conservation concern such as the American Black Duck, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, American Woodcock, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Common Tern, Sedge Wren, Canada Warbler, and Rusty Blackbird. Bird species of more regional concern include the American Bittern, Common Loon, Solitary Sandpiper, Bay Breasted Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Least Bittern, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Wood Thrush, Spruce Grouse, Bobolink, Palm Warbler, Northern Harrier, and Sora. PUBLIC BENEFITS: The West Grand Lake Community Forest Phase I preserves 13,050 acres adjacent to and nearly surrounded by prior conservation investments of the Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership which in tum are contiguous with the Wabassus Lake Project and Machias River Project. It conserves 2,20 I acres of wetlands, eight and a half miles of lakefront, over eight miles of frontage on Big Musquash Stream, over 20 miles of interior streams in the St. Croix River watershed, and valuable upland wildlife habitats. It fill s a key gap between prior NA WCA-funded conservation lands and protects a major portion of the largest contiguous wetland complex in the St. Croix River watershed. The project offers diverse public recreation opportunities that include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, canoeing, swimming, camping, snowmobiling, and ATVing. Maintaining the project's undeveloped lakeshores, wildlife habitats, and working forests will provide economic benefits to Grand Lake Stream area residents and local businesses, including guides, sporting lodges, craftsmen, and forest products workers. NEW PARTNERS: The municipal government of Grand Lake Stream Plantation and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association each has made a contribution to the project. The municipal contribution of $40,000 was approved by a unanimous vote at town meeting. The project is supported by a wide array of local, county, statewide, regional, and international groups. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY Winyah Bay Protection Project, Phase II, South Carolina COUNTIES, STATE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg Counties, SC, Districts I And 6. GRANT AMOUNT $1,000,000 Allocation: The Nature Conservancy $1 ,000,000 MATCHING PARTNERS $14,304,022 Grantee: The Nature Conservancy $2,170,022 Pee Dee Land Trust $729,000 Ducks Unlimited $11,400,000 Thome Foundation $5,000 GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $ I 5,304,022/3,925 (957) acres Fee Acquired - $993,310/442 acres Easements Donated - $ I 4,299,000/3,483 (957) acres Indirect Costs - $11,712 NON-MATCHING PARTNERS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FINAL TITLE HOLDERS/MANAGERS AND ACREAGE: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will purchase the grant tract: RMS Big Dam Swamp Tract (442 acres). This fee simple purchase will be added to TNC's Black River Swamp Preserve to protect Swallow-tailed Kite nesting habitat. Four easement-donated tracts (3,483 acres (957)) are all in private ownership. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This proposal represents the second of a four-phase project to permanently protect strategic tracts consisting of palustrine and estuarine wetlands and associated uplands in the Winyah Bay system which is comprised of the Waccamaw, Little Pee Dee, Great Pee Dee, Black, and Sampit Rivers. The project is located in the Winyah Bay and Little Pee Dee-Lumber River Waterfowl Focus Areas of The North American Waterfowl Management Plan's Atlantic Joint Venture and significantly contributes to the goals of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan through planning and implementation framework of the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative (SAMBI). Phase II will protect five tracts, totaling 3,925 acres (957), including 2,842(456) wetland acres and 1,083 (50 I) acres of associated uplands to benefit breeding, migrating, and wintering birds in accordance with the recommendations of SAMBI. In this project, grant funds will be used to support the acquisition of one tract in the Black River watershed. This tract is strategically located along the Black River corridor and would serve to connect over 11 ,000 acre of privately protected land within that watershed. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: The project area's tidal freshwater wetlands are some of the most diverse fre shwater wetland systems found in North America, and offer important habitats for migratory birds, fish, and resident wildlife. The Winyah Bay river system, the third largest on the Atlantic coast, plays an important role for many species of migrating waterfowl by having the most extensive intact wetland complexes in the southeastern United States. Waterfowl species that will benefit from this project include priority species American Black Duck, Mallard, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, and Wood Duck. The project will also support neotropical migratory birds during the breeding season and migration, such as Swallow-tailed Kite, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson' s Warbler, and Painted Bunting. Of 39 species of shorebirds present in the Atlantic Region of North America, 29 of these occur in the project area. Federally listed species that would benefit from the habitats being protected by this project include: Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Wood Stork, Shortnose sturgeon, Pondberry, and American Chaffseed. This project includes the acquisition of 442-acre RMS Big Dam Swamp Tract, which is comprised primarily of mature bottomland hardwood forest, a declining wetland type. The grant acquisition tract is located on the Black River and contains approximately 1.25 miles of river corridor and will be included in the boundaries of TNC's Black River Swamp Preserve - specifically, to preserve nesting habitat for the state-endangered Swallow-tailed Kite within the Black River watershed. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Funds acquired through this grant will be used to purchase a strategic property for inclusion in TNC's Black River Swamp Preserve. Phase II of the proposed project will expand TNC's ownership from 1,276 to 1,718 acres. The Black River Swamp Preserve protects bottomland hardwood forest, a declining wetland type in the Black River watershed where there are no state or federal publicly owned lands. The project will benefit numerous plants and animals that form an integral part of the ecological functions and productivity of the Winyah Bay Focus Area, but specifically will protect important nesting habitat for the state-endangered Swallow-tailed Kite. The Black River Swamp Preserve is also managed to provide public access for compatible recreational uses such as canoeing, kayaking, and birdwatching. The project will protect water quality and enhance functional habitat connectivity values in the larger project area, the Winyah Bay river system where substantive federal investments have created or expanded the following public sites: Waccamaw NWR (22,500 acres), Sandy Island Preserve (9,000 acres), Woodbury Tract WMA (25 ,668 acres), and Bucksport WMA (7,661 acres). NEW PARTNERS: Daniel K. Thome Foundation.