DOCSLIB.ORG

North Shore Highlands S U B S E C T I O N P R O F I L E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
North Shore Highlands S U B S E C T I O N P R O F I L E for the Wild & Rare An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife North Shore Highlands S u b s e c t i o n P r o f i l e Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy North Shore Highlands North Shore Highlands SUBSECTION OVERVIEW The North Shore Highlands Subsection is a narrow strip 20 to 25 miles Quick facts wide that follows the shoreline of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Acres: 1,481,891 (2.7% of state) eastern tip of Minnesota. Lake Superior dominates the area and Ownership This map depicts the number of validated records of moderates its climate. The terrain varies from gently rolling hills to Public Private Tribal species in greatest conservation need since 1990 per steep cliffs. There are 20 lakes larger than 160 acres in size. Numerous 53.1% 43.1% 3.8% township and public land/conservancy land. It suggests relationships between known SGCN occurrences and short streams, 10 to 15 miles in length, run from the highland to the Population density (people/sq. mi.) shore of Lake Superior, most ending in waterfalls near the shoreline. A conservation management lands. Current Change mosaic of forest habitats stretches across this landscape, heavily (2000-2010) influenced by aspen-birch, with minor amounts of white and red pine, 56 +2.8 mixed hardwood-pine, and conifer bogs and swamp. Current Land Use/Land Cover Recreation, tourism, and forestry are the predominant land uses in this Developed subsection. There is tremendous development pressure along the 4% Row crop highly environmentally sensitive Lake Superior shoreline, and second- Water 1% tier development beyond the shoreline looks to be the next significant 4% Pasture growth area. The North Shore Highlands is host to the popular North 2% Wetland/ Open Shore State Trail, which is a major snowmobile destination. Parts of 17% this trail are currently being considered for possible summer season Forest ATV use, as are other areas along the shore. Much of the white pine- 72% red pine forests have been logged and replaced with quaking aspen- paper birch. This subsection contains significant old-growth northern hardwood and upland northern white cedar forest. The subsection also contains the highest density of designated trout streams in Minnesota. The source of water for most of these streams is surface runoff. HIGHLIGHTS SPECIES IN GREATEST CONSERVATION • The North Shore Highlands and NEED associated waters of Lake Superior 84 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are known or are home to bald eagles, peregrine predicted to occur within the North Shore Highlands. These SGCN falcons, common terns, Franklin’s include 25 species that are federal or state endangered, threatened, or ground squirrels, Connecticut of special concern. The table, SGCN by Taxonomic Group, displays warblers, boreal owls, merlins, by taxonomic group the number of SGCN that occur in the subsection, common ravens, northern myotis, deepwater sculpin, and kiyi. as well as the percentage of the total SGCN set represented by each Sources: MN DNR Natural Heritage database, MN DNR County Biological Survey (MCBS), MN DNR Statewide Mussel Survey, MN DNR taxon. For example, 10 mammal SGCN are known or predicted to • This is one of the most important Fisheries Fish database. Areas with no MCBS animal surveys may have had mussel and fish surveys, as well as reports of other species occur in the North Shore Highlands, approximately 46% of all and visible migratory corridors for occurrences recorded in the MN DNR Natural Heritage database. mammal SGCN in the state. songbirds and raptors in the entire SGCN BY TAXONOMIC GROUP Midwest as birds pass along the North Shore and over Hawk Ridge Taxa # of Percentage Examples of SGCN every fall. SGCN of SGCN Set by Taxon • Rivers and associated forests SPECIES PROBLEM ANALYSIS Amphibians 2 33.3 Eastern red-backed salamander within this subsection provide Birds 50 51.5 Black-throated blue warbler important habitat for wood turtles. The species problem analysis provides information on the factors influencing the vulnerability or decline of SGCN that are Fish 8 17.0 Lake chub known or predicted to occur in the subsection. The table lists the nine problems, or factors, used in the analysis, and the Insects 9 16.1 Extra-striped snaketail dragonfly • Areas important for SGCN include percentage of SGCN in the subsection for which each factor influences species vulnerability or decline. The results of the Cloquet Valley, Finland, Pat Mammals 10 45.5 Canada lynx species problem analysis indicate that habitat loss and degradation in the subsection are the most significant challenges Bayle, and Grand Portage SFs; and Mollusks 2 5.1 Black Sandshell facing SGCN populations. Reptiles 3 17.6 Wood turtle many SPs and SNAs along the North Shore of Lake Superior. NOTE: The inverse of the percentages for each problem does not necessarily represent the percentage of SGCN for which the factor is not a problem, but Spiders 0 0 NA instead may indicate that there is not sufficient information available to determine the level of influence the factor has on SGCN in the subsection. SPECIES SPOTLIGHT Problem Percentage of SGCN in the Subsection for Which This Is a Problem Black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) Habitat Loss in MN 73 Distribution Limited to selected areas of hardwood and mixed Habitat Degradation in MN 82 hardwood-coniferous forests of northeastern Minnesota. Habitat Loss/Degradation Outside of MN 38 Abundance Rare, and limited to specific habitat areas of northeastern Invasive Species and Competition 26 Minnesota, particularly along the North Shore of Lake Pollution 26 Superior at Tettegouche State Park. Social Tolerance/Persecution/Exploitation 25 Legal Status Federally protected migratory bird. Disease 1 Comments Population considered stable, but more assessment needed Food Source Limitations 2 to determine long-term trends. Other 6 Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare: An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife 166 Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare: An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife 167 North Shore Highlands North Shore Highlands SUBSECTION OVERVIEW The North Shore Highlands Subsection is a narrow strip 20 to 25 miles Quick facts wide that follows the shoreline of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Acres: 1,481,891 (2.7% of state) eastern tip of Minnesota. Lake Superior dominates the area and Ownership This map depicts the number of validated records of moderates its climate. The terrain varies from gently rolling hills to Public Private Tribal species in greatest conservation need since 1990 per steep cliffs. There are 20 lakes larger than 160 acres in size. Numerous 53.1% 43.1% 3.8% township and public land/conservancy land. It suggests relationships between known SGCN occurrences and short streams, 10 to 15 miles in length, run from the highland to the Population density (people/sq. mi.) shore of Lake Superior, most ending in waterfalls near the shoreline. A conservation management lands. Current Change mosaic of forest habitats stretches across this landscape, heavily (2000-2010) influenced by aspen-birch, with minor amounts of white and red pine, 56 +2.8 mixed hardwood-pine, and conifer bogs and swamp. Current Land Use/Land Cover Recreation, tourism, and forestry are the predominant land uses in this Developed subsection. There is tremendous development pressure along the 4% Row crop highly environmentally sensitive Lake Superior shoreline, and second- Water 1% tier development beyond the shoreline looks to be the next significant 4% Pasture growth area. The North Shore Highlands is host to the popular North 2% Wetland/ Open Shore State Trail, which is a major snowmobile destination. Parts of 17% this trail are currently being considered for possible summer season Forest ATV use, as are other areas along the shore. Much of the white pine- 72% red pine forests have been logged and replaced with quaking aspen- paper birch. This subsection contains significant old-growth northern hardwood and upland northern white cedar forest. The subsection also contains the highest density of designated trout streams in Minnesota. The source of water for most of these streams is surface runoff. HIGHLIGHTS SPECIES IN GREATEST CONSERVATION • The North Shore Highlands and NEED associated waters of Lake Superior 84 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are known or are home to bald eagles, peregrine predicted to occur within the North Shore Highlands. These SGCN falcons, common terns, Franklin’s include 25 species that are federal or state endangered, threatened, or ground squirrels, Connecticut of special concern. The table, SGCN by Taxonomic Group, displays warblers, boreal owls, merlins, by taxonomic group the number of SGCN that occur in the subsection, common ravens, northern myotis, deepwater sculpin, and kiyi. as well as the percentage of the total SGCN set represented by each Sources: MN DNR Natural Heritage database, MN DNR County Biological Survey (MCBS), MN DNR Statewide Mussel Survey, MN DNR taxon. For example, 10 mammal SGCN are known or predicted to • This is one of the most important Fisheries Fish database. Areas with no MCBS animal surveys may have had mussel and fish surveys, as well as reports of other species occur in the North Shore Highlands, approximately 46% of all and visible migratory corridors for occurrences recorded in the MN DNR Natural Heritage database. mammal SGCN in the state. songbirds and raptors in the entire SGCN BY TAXONOMIC GROUP Midwest as birds pass along the North Shore and over Hawk Ridge Taxa # of Percentage Examples of SGCN every fall. SGCN of SGCN Set by Taxon • Rivers and associated forests SPECIES PROBLEM ANALYSIS Amphibians 2 33.3 Eastern red-backed salamander within this subsection provide Birds 50 51.5 Black-throated blue warbler important habitat for wood turtles. The species problem analysis provides information on the factors influencing the vulnerability or decline of SGCN that are Fish 8 17.0 Lake chub known or predicted to occur in the subsection.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ecological Regions of Minnesota: Level III and IV Maps and Descriptions Denis White March 2020
    Ecological Regions of Minnesota: Level III and IV maps and descriptions Denis White March 2020 (Image NOAA, Landsat, Copernicus; Presentation Google Earth) A contribution to the corpus of materials created by James Omernik and colleagues on the Ecological Regions of the United States, North America, and South America The page size for this document is 9 inches horizontal by 12 inches vertical. Table of Contents Content Page 1. Introduction 1 2. Geographic patterns in Minnesota 1 Geographic location and notable features 1 Climate 1 Elevation and topographic form, and physiography 2 Geology 2 Soils 3 Presettlement vegetation 3 Land use and land cover 4 Lakes, rivers, and watersheds; water quality 4 Flora and fauna 4 3. Methods of geographic regionalization 5 4. Development of Level IV ecoregions 6 5. Descriptions of Level III and Level IV ecoregions 7 46. Northern Glaciated Plains 8 46e. Tewaukon/BigStone Stagnation Moraine 8 46k. Prairie Coteau 8 46l. Prairie Coteau Escarpment 8 46m. Big Sioux Basin 8 46o. Minnesota River Prairie 9 47. Western Corn Belt Plains 9 47a. Loess Prairies 9 47b. Des Moines Lobe 9 47c. Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Drift Plains 9 47g. Lower St. Croix and Vermillion Valleys 10 48. Lake Agassiz Plain 10 48a. Glacial Lake Agassiz Basin 10 48b. Beach Ridges and Sand Deltas 10 48d. Lake Agassiz Plains 10 49. Northern Minnesota Wetlands 11 49a. Peatlands 11 49b. Forested Lake Plains 11 50. Northern Lakes and Forests 11 50a. Lake Superior Clay Plain 12 50b. Minnesota/Wisconsin Upland Till Plain 12 50m. Mesabi Range 12 50n. Boundary Lakes and Hills 12 50o.
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Coleoptera from the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Cook County, Minnesota
    The Great Lakes Entomologist Volume 46 Numbers 1 & 2 - Spring/Summer 2013 Numbers Article 7 1 & 2 - Spring/Summer 2013 April 2013 Inventory of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Coleoptera from the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Cook County, Minnesota David B. MacLean Youngstown State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle Part of the Entomology Commons Recommended Citation MacLean, David B. 2013. "Inventory of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Coleoptera from the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Cook County, Minnesota," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 46 (1) Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol46/iss1/7 This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at [email protected]. MacLean: Inventory of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Coleoptera from the Grand Po 104 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 46, Nos. 1 - 2 Inventory of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Coleoptera from the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Cook County, Minnesota David B. MacLean1 Abstract Collections of aquatic invertebrates from the Grand Portage Indian Res- ervation (Cook County, Minnesota) during 2001 – 2012 resulted in 9 families, 43 genera and 112 species of aquatic and semiaquatic Coleoptera. The Dytisci- dae had the most species (53), followed by Hydrophilidae (20), Gyrinidae (14), Haliplidae (8), Chrysomelidae (7), Elmidae (3) and Curculionidae (5). The families Helodidae and Heteroceridae were each represented by a single spe- cies. Seventy seven percent of species were considered rare or uncommon (1 - 10 records), twenty percent common (11 - 100 records) and only three percent abundant (more than 100 records).
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report
    2011 Project Abstract For the Period Ending June 30, 2014 PROJECT TITLE: Scientific and Natural Areas Acquisition and Restoration PROJECT MANAGER: Margaret (Peggy) Booth AFFILIATION: DNR Scientific & Natural Area Program MAILING ADDRESS: 500 Lafayette Rd N, Box 25 CITY/STATE/ZIP: St. Paul, MN 55155-4025 PHONE: 651-259-5088 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.mndnr.gov/snas FUNDING SOURCE: Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund) LEGAL CITATION: M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04e APPROPRIATION AMOUNT: $1,640,000 Overall Project Outcome and Results The biologically significant 900-acre Badoura Jack Pine Forest SNA was acquired in part through appropriation. Twenty-two conservation easement baseline property reports at 11 SNAs are completed. The SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan has been completed which prioritizes places of ecological importance for protection as SNAs and by partners. Habitat restoration and enhancement actions are increasing the quality of habitat on SNAs through achieving: restoration of about 30 acres at 4 SNAs; woody invasive species control on 610 acres at 19 SNAs, herbaceous invasive species treatment on 487 acres at 33 SNAs, and installation of invasives control bootbrush kiosks at 6 SNAs; about 36 miles of burn breaks at 21 SNAs and completion of 1,190 acres of prescribed burns at 25 SNAs; and site development work (e.g. entry and boundary signs, new gates, and site cleanup) at 35 SNAs. Conservation Corps Minnesota was involved in 51 of these projects. Substantial monitoring was completed of pollinators at 10 SNAs, of snakes at 1 SNA, and of native plant communities at 2 SNAs.
    [Show full text]
  • Magney Snively Natural Area Nomination
    DRAFT NOMINATION OF MAGNEY SNIVELY AREA TO THE DULUTH NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM April 2003 Nominated by: City of Duluth in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy Magney Snively DNAP Nomination Page 1 5/8/2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Nomination in Brief About the Nominators Background Eligibility Ownership Criteria Discussion of Site Characteristics and Issues Science Criteria Significant Native Plant Communities Area Special Species Area Geological Landforms Area Appendices Appendix A: Resource List Appendix B: Qualifications of Individual Nominators Appendix C: Real Estate Status and Legal Information Maps Map 1: Nominated Area Map 2a and 2b: Ownership Map 3: Native Plant Communities Map 4: Land Type Associations Map 5: Geologic Landforms Magney Snively DNAP Nomination Page 2 5/8/2003 NOMINATION IN BRIEF What: A nomination of land, referred to as "Magney Snively," for inclusion into the Duluth Natural Area Program (DNAP) in accordance with the Guidelines as directed by ordinance under Article XXIX of Chapter 2 of the Duluth City Code, 1959, as amended. This area is being nominated under the Significant Native Plant Communities Area, Special Species Area, and Geological Landforms Area as described in the DNAP Guidelines under Article IV, Sections A, B, and E. Who: The City of Duluth is nominating the Magney Snively area with technical support from The Nature Conservancy. Where: The Magney Snively nomination includes approximately 1,800 acres in west Duluth. Almost all of the lands nominated include available parcels owned by the City of Duluth, St. Louis County, and The Nature Conservancy (Map 1, 2a, and 2b). Why: Significant Native Plant Communities - Magney Snively is a highly functional viable ecosystem, an extremely rare occurrence in an urban area.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of a Comprehensive Conservation Strategy for the North Shore Highlands Region of Minnesota in the Context of Future Wind Power Development
    Development of a Comprehensive Conservation Strategy for the North Shore Highlands Region of Minnesota in the Context of Future Wind Power Development Final Report to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MN-T-34-R-1 December 31, 2011 Anna Peterson, Graduate Research Assistant Conservation Biology Graduate Program University of Minnesota, St. Paul and Gerald J. Niemi, Professor Natural Resources Research Institute University of Minnesota Duluth Award: CON000000026049 3013-10429-00017864 Natural Resources Research Institute technical report number: NRRI/TR-2012/13 Introduction Each autumn, millions of birds migrate from their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to wintering areas in the continental United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America (Rich 2004, Bildstein 2006). The North Shore Highlands parallels the Lake Superior shoreline from Duluth through Grand Portage, Minnesota to the US border with Canada. This region’s prominent ridgelines and Lake Superior coastline funnel migrating birds into this migration corridor (Hofslund 1966, Mueller and Berger 1967, Bildstein 2006). As a result, the North Shore Highlands hosts the largest migratory route for birds of prey in Minnesota and is among the highest in the US. In addition, recent data suggest that the numbers of non- raptor bird species moving along the north shore of Lake Superior are orders of magnitude larger than those for raptors. Migration periods constitute a critical life-stage for these birds as mortality rates may be higher during migration than during breeding or over wintering periods (Sillett and Holmes 2002, Smith and Moore 2003). Large bodies of water and other major topographical features cause a nonrandom distribution of migrating birds on the landscape in both periods of active flight and rest (Goodrich and Smith 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • DRAFT Desired Future Conditions for Jonvik/CRSP Project Area North
    DRAFT Desired Future Conditions for Jonvik/CRSP Project Area North Shore Till Plain Land Type Association developed for North Shore Forest Collaborative by Dave Ingebrigtsen 25 September 2012; revised 17 December 2012 Biodiversity Area –High (north of the powerline) Old white cedar –scattered trees and clumps Declining paper birch trees A few white pines (protected with fencing) Current Open canopy Condition Ground vegetation: bush honeysuckle LTA level/class level DFC Goals Table 1, LTA level/class level DFC goals Vegetation There is an ecologically distributed proportion of high-quality, representative native plant communities, and native plant Structure and community associations. Composition High quality, representative native plant communities and rare native plant communities are sustained or enhanced. Lands are managed or restored according to the forest system (e.g. MH, FD) defined in the Native Plant Community classification System. Growth Stages Increase the 81+ multi-aged conifer growth stage (MFRC NE Landscape Committee 2003). Tree Species Increase the white pine, white spruce and tamarack component (MFRC NE Landscape Committee 2003). Diversity Increase yellow birch and white cedar where appropriate. Native/Nonnative Maintain natives. Species Prevent introduction of nonnative invasive species. Eliminate or control nonnative invasive species populations. Restore the forests that have been encroached upon by grass. (primarily Calamagrostis Canadensis, Canada bluejoint). Rare communities Native plant communities with an S-Rank of S1(“Critically Imperiled”) or S2 (“Imperiled”) rare in the North Shore Subsection are protected or restored (see Appendix Tables 1-2). Native plant communities with an S-Rank of S3 to S5 that are rare or unique in the North Shore Subsection are sustained or enhanced (see Appendix Table 3) Woody debris and Maintain or create coarse wood debris and snags.
    [Show full text]
  • First-Page-Version from October 2010
    Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 2011-2012 Request for Proposals (RFP) Subd: 04u Project Title: Restoring North Shore Forests Category: C3+4. Technical Assistance and Community-Based Planning Total Project Budget: $ $63,000 Proposed Project Time Period for the Funding Requested: 3 yrs, July 2011 - June 2014 Other Non-State Funds (secured): $ 32,500 Summary: Provide forest stewardship plans, training and tree planting assistance for Lake Superior coastal landowners with property sizes less than 20 acres, which are not eligible for other state stewardship programs. Name: Molly Thompson Sponsoring Organization: Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association Address: 6008 London Rd Duluth MN 55804 Telephone Number: 218-525-0001 Email [email protected] Web Ad www.sugarloafnorthshore.org Location: Region: NE Ecological Section: Northern Superior Uplands (212L) County Name: Cook, Lake City / Township: Page 1 of 6 11/14/2010 Sbud. 04u 2011-2012 MAIN PROPOSAL PROJECT TITLE: Restoring the North Shore’s Lost Forest I. PROJECT STATEMENT The North Shore of Lake Superior is home to a unique native forest, dominated by conifers such as spruce, fir, and cedar and is ecologically classified as The North Shore Highlands. Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for the North Shore Highlands notes that “there is tremendous development pressure along the highly environmentally sensitive Lake Superior shoreline…” and that the North Shore Highlands “also contains the highest density of designated trout steams in Minnesota.” It also states, “habitat loss and degradation...are the most significant challenges facing species in greatest conservation need populations.” The combination of lakeshore microclimate, bare glacial-scoured soils, and periodic fire created the North Shore Highlands forest type, but human factors including logging and slash fires in the last 120 years have seriously set it back.
    [Show full text]
  • Cascade River State Park Management Plan Was Approved by the Commissioner of Natural Resources in 2002
    This document is made available electronically by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library as part of an ongoing digital archiving project. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl.asp Cascade River State Park Management Plan Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation February 2003 OEPARTMEHT_.OF !fNATUAAL RESOuRCES Iii --- Minnesotann~~sotn DcpanmcnlDel'lIarlJ1nen of Natural Resources 0fl'1CI! Of'1'lU! COMMlSSlCIf'Ell "'-,_"'ll-«D'In~_ t~ofS--' _,,~ of\l u ...... _r.C_Rh.... s.... ....... 114_s.-IOA 109, _._ 1.......... _ =_,...11< I'ftP"'O'Ib_at 101_',__ ,,..._~ .. l*b..... _.= -. T'Io< r-. aI M' Co b 1951 (........ 4lOl. _I .. n'" t. • 1 c..- Rl __ l'1li. .,.."'M' ··.~=-_S,..(MSl:I.OIJ. ..... ~ _Mo,:::::.~~::~::;_::.:"' ...._ ~ M ..... ....... I II , __...... • c..-Rl__ T'Io< • ••_ dlor ..O'_"'''-b..... Ac4 .. • -.-. -____ Ilf'o.... 5 .1 II J~_ ",-.-... ......- D l!!OIll DrlO: IM'ClUIAnotI." l'M'J'T,' _ ......, mY "" __• ,_.,.,,..1·liOi~7.Jln9J FAX.""""'_ -_-...-_.-._• ... .....-­-, p ___......--- O -"'........-.-..... iii For more information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 (651)296-6157 (Metro Area) 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) TTY: (651) 296-5484 (Metro Area) 1-800-657-3929 © Copyrighted 2003 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources. “Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed or religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age or disability.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Final Environmental Impact Statement
    United States Department of Final Environmental Impact Statement Agriculture Forest Service May 2012 Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Superior National Forest Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching Counties, Minnesota The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720- 6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Final Environmental Impact Statement Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Final Environmental Impact Statement Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching Counties, Minnesota Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Land Management Responsible Officials: Tim Dabney, Acting Forest Supervisor 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808 Steven Wells, Deputy State Director 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200 Milwaukee, WI For Information Contact: Peter Taylor, Environmental Coordinator 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808 218-626-4368 or [email protected] Superior National Forest i Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Abstract: The Superior National Forest (SNF) proposes to consent to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issuing 29 federal hardrock mineral prospecting permits.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Northeastern Minnesota Route Assessment and Environmental
    North Country National Scenic Trail North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York National Park Service Draft Northeastern Minnesota Route Assessment U.S. Department of the Interior And Environmental Assessment 2 Chapter 1 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................7 1.1 Purpose and Significance of the North Country National Scenic Trail......................................7 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Route Assessment.............................................................................8 1.3 Decision to be Made...................................................................................................................8 1.4 Scoping and Public Involvement................................................................................................9 1.5 Primary Issues and Concerns....................................................................................................10 1.6 Impact Topics Considered but not Analyzed in Detail ............................................................11 1.6.1 Environmental Justice .........................................................................................................11 1.6.2 Soundscapes ........................................................................................................................11 1.6.3 Prime or Unique Farmland ..................................................................................................12 1.6.4 Northeastern
    [Show full text]
  • Groundwater Report Lake Superior North Watershed
    Groundwater Report Lake Superior North Watershed December 2016 Authors The MPCA is reducing printing and mailing costs by using the Internet to distribute reports and Sophia Vaughan information to wider audience. Visit our Jane de Lambert website for more information. Editing MPCA reports are printed on 100% post- consumer recycled content paper David Duffey manufactured without chlorine or chlorine Andrew Streitz derivatives. Support Project dollars provided by the Clean Water Fund; from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North | Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194 | 651-296-6300 | 800-657-3864 | Or use your preferred relay service. | [email protected] This report is available in alternative formats upon request, and online at www.pca.state.mn.us. Document number: wq-ws1-13 Contents I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 The watershed monitoring approach ............................................................................................................... 2 Watershed overview ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Land use ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 Ecoregion and soils ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Hydrogeomorphic Region, Catchment Storage and Mature Forest on Baseflow and Snowmelt Stream Water Quality in Second-Order Lake Superior Basin Tributaries
    Freshwater Biology (2003) 48, 912–927 APPLIED ISSUES Effects of hydrogeomorphic region, catchment storage and mature forest on baseflow and snowmelt stream water quality in second-order Lake Superior Basin tributaries NAOMI E. DETENBECK, COLLEEN M. ELONEN, DEBRA L. TAYLOR, LEROY E. ANDERSON, TERRI M. JICHA AND SHARON L. BATTERMAN US Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. In this study we predict stream sensitivity to non-point source pollution based on the non-linear responses of hydrological regimes and associated loadings of non-point source pollutants to catchment properties. We assessed two hydrologically based thresholds of impairment, one for catchment storage (5–10%) and one for mature forest (<50% versus >60% of catchment in mature forest cover) across two different hydrogeomorphic regions within the Northern Lakes and Forest (NLF) ecoregion: the North Shore [predominantly within the North Shore Highlands Ecological Unit] and the South Shore (predominantly within the Lake Superior Clay Plain Ecological Unit). Water quality samples were collected and analysed during peak snowmelt and baseflow conditions from 24 second-order streams grouped as follows: three in each region · catchment storage · mature forest class. 2. Water quality was affected by a combination of regional influences, catchment storage and mature forest. Regional differences were significant for suspended solids, phosphorus, nitrogen: phosphorus ratios, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and alkalinity. Catchment storage was significantly correlated with dissolved silica during the early to mid-growing season, and with DOC, specific conductance and alkalinity during all seasons. Total nitrogen and dissolved nitrogen were consistently less in low mature forest than in high mature forest catchments.
    [Show full text]