REVIEW AND APPROVALS

DESOTO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Missouri Valley, Iowa

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1995

Asst. Reg. Dir., GEO III Date

ARD, Refuges and Wildlife DESOTO NATIONAL WILOL I FE REFUGE

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A. HIGHLIGHTS 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 1

C. LAND ACQUISITION 3

1. Fee Title ...... 3 2. Easements ...... Nothing to Report 3. Other ...... Nothing to Report 4. Farmers Home Administration Conservation ...... 3

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan ...... Nothing to Report 2. Management Plans ...... 4 3. Public Participation ...... Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates ...... 5 5. Research and Investigations ...... 7 6. Other ...... 9

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel ...... 10 2. Youth Programs ...... 14 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... 14 4. Volunteer Program ...... 14 5. Funding ...... 18 6. Safety ...... 19 7. Technical Assistance ...... 20 8. Other Items/Donations ...... 21

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General ...... 21 2. Wetlands ...... 22 3. Forests ...... 24 4. Croplands ...... 25 5. Grasslands ...... 29 6. Other Habitat ...... 31 7. Grazing ...... Nothing to Report 8. Haying ...... 31 9. Fire Management ...... 32 10. Pest Control ...... 32 11. Water Rights ...... Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas ...... Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring ...... Nothing to Report 14. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easement ...... 34 15. Private Lands ...... 34 16. Other Easements ...... Nothing to Report

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... 37 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ...... 38 3. Waterfowl ...... 38 4. Marsh and Water Birds ...... 40 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ...... 40 6. Raptors ...... 41 7. Other Migratory Birds ...... 41 8. Game Mammals ...... 41 9. Marine Mammals ...... : ...... Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... 41 11. Fisheries Resources ...... 42 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking ...... Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...... Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections ...... Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control ...... Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding ...... Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control ...... Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General ...... 45 2. Outdoor Classrooms- Students ...... so 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers ...... 51 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... 52 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... 52 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... 53 7. Other Interpretive Programs ...... 60 8. Hunting ...... 61 9. Fishing ...... 62 10. Trapping ...... Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation ...... 63 12. Other Widlife Oriented Recreation ...... : ...... 64 13. Camping ...... Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking ...... 66 15. Off-Road Vehicling ...... Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... 66 17. Law Enforcement ...... 66 18. Cooperating Association ...... 70 19. Concessions ...... Nothing to Report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction ...... 71 2. Rehabilitation ...... 72 3. Major Maintenance ...... 75 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement ...... 78 5. Communication Systems ...... 79 6. Computer Systems ...... 79 ,7. Energy Conservation ...... 79 8. Other ...... Nothing to Report

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs ...... 80 2. Other Economic Uses ...... 85 3. Items of Interest ...... 85 4. Credits ... : ...... 88

K. FEEDBACK 88 INTRODUCTION

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is located midway between the farming communities of Blair, Nebraska, and Missouri Valley, Iowa, ·on u.s. Highway 30. The refuge is situated astride the Missouri River, 20 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska. It lies in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa, and Washington County, Nebraska.

The refuge was established in March, 1958 to preserve habitat for migratory waterfowl. Acquisition was authorized by the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and Migratory Bird Stamp Act. It serves as a seasonal resting area for up to one-half-million waterfowl, primarily lesser snow geese and mallards.

The 7,823-acre refuge lies in the wide, fertile plain of the Missouri Valley Basin on the former meanders of the Missouri River. Portions of the refuge are characterized by cottonwood bottomlands. Approximately 2,200 acres are biologically managed as croplands and grasslands under ten cooperative farming agreements. Warm-season native grasses have been reestablished on over 400 acres to provide additional diversity.

The focal point for both man and wildlife is a former oxbow of the Missouri - the 788-acre DeSoto Lake. Recreational demand for its use has remained high since refuge establishment. The refuge provided active recreation throughout its early history, including fishing, picnicking, boating, waterskiing and swimming. Approximately 16- million-dollars worth of facilities accommodated public demand by up to 500,000 visitors annually. Within the last decade, management emphasis has been redirected toward a more balanced program between man and wildlife, emphasizing wildlife-oriented recreation.

The 1968 excavation of the steamboat Bertrand, which sank in 1865, adds a major historical emphasis to the refuge program. The 200,000 artifacts in the Bertrand Collection provide one of the most significant assemblages of Civil-War-era artifacts in the Missouri River region. The collection constitutes a time capsule of regional and national attraction.

In 1981, the DeSoto Visitor Center was opened. The visitor center is the permanent home of the Bertrand Collection. The five-million-dollar, 26,000-square-foot building contains exhibits interpreting the importance of the Bertrand, and the historical development and ecological change that occurred within the Missouri River Basin. In addition to environmentally-controlled artifact storage and museum exhibit areas, the building houses a laboratory for artifact treatment, a collection records area, and a reference library.

The visitor center also provides exhibits depicting the natural history of the area and its wildlife. Viewing galleries overlooking DeSoto Lake provide excellent opportunities to observe waterfowl and bald eagles during the spring and fall migration periods. A variety of audio-visual equipment provide effective interpretation to an average of 160,000 visitors who pass through the center each year. 1

A. HIGHLIGHTS

A long, hot summer, and some of the best fall flight conditions along the Missouri in years. Section B.

The radio-telemetry deer project continues. Section 0.5.

Back to full power and a complete staff for awhile. Section E.1.

Real progress made in reverting croplands to grasslands. Sections F.4 and F.S.

The fall snow goose migration blots out regional radar! Section G.3.

The Midwest Interpretive Association suffered a significant monetary loss during what should have been its busiest season, due to the government furloughs. Sections H.18 and K.

The contract for the visitor center energy retrofit finally went out for bids and came in too high, over twice engineering estimates! Section !.2.

Boyer Chute considerations are being refined, and an early 1996 public­ use opening is planned. Sections C.1 and J.1.

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The weather during 1995 was described quite accurately by Laurie Niles, staff writer for the Omaha World-Herald newspaper on January 7, 1996. She wrote:

'The weather in 1995 was close to normal in Omaha ... '

' ... But living in Nebraska is like putting your right foot in a bucket of cold water and your left foot in a bucket of warm water, then it all averages out to normal, ... '

' ... The weather was more like a roller coaster, with a cool and wet spring, abruptly changing into scorching summer heat. Then summer ended suddenly with a freeze that resulted in the shortest growing season on record in Nebraska and western Iowa.'

January was typical. Snowfall and total precipitation was slightly above normal. Temperatures averaged near normal, with the year's low occurring at -7°F. Lake ice was 3 to 8 inches thick on the 28th.

February started out relatively warm, with daily high temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, closing down ice fishing on the 17th. The last 10 days brought temperatures 20 to 40 degrees above normal. Precipitation was below normal.

Early March put everything back into perspective with temperatures fluctuating between 14 and 24 degrees. Late in the second week, the steady spring warmup began, with temperatures typically in the mid-SO's. Precipitation was above normal. The lake aeration system was shut off on the 16th. 2

The automated weather station was set up and began recording weather and fire management-related data on the Bth of April. April and May were very wet. Rainfall was recorded on 42 out of 63 consecutive days in April, May, and June. Surprisingly, April, May, and June rainfall accumulation was essentially normal (e.g., 11.25 inches received vs. 11.64 normal). There were many small rainfall events that severely interrupted field operations for extended periods. In between rains, cloudy weather inhibited drying. June was wet through the lOth. ·Then the faucet shut off, with generally small rainfall events scattered throughout the remainder of the summer.

July and August rainfall was well below normal. Sweltering heat waves swept across the area from late July into August. Average temperatures for these two months were above normal, +4°F and +6°F degrees, respectively. Typically dew points in Iowa rise into the lower 70's, but during July and August, dew points rose into the 80's. Dew points this high are usually confined to the tropical rain forests; needless to say they are very rare in Iowa and made the roughly "normal" heat much worse than normal. The highest temperature for the year was recorded on July 13 at 106°F.

September and October were near normal for both temperature and rainfall. October 21st brought a near-killing frost (29°F). Although frost injury was evident on most crops in the area, especially soybeans, significant damage was spotty. A true killing frost occurred on November 2. Cloudy weather, with light rainfall, began on October 23 and continued through the middle of November. Rainfall was recorded for 12 days out of 24. The single largest daily accumulation was 0.42 inches. Total rainfall was still below normal, with 2.42 inches recorded in October and November (normal = 3.64). The timing of the rainfall, although not interfering greatly with crop harvest, did delay fall tillage throughout-the river valley. The snow geese arrived in mass on November 3.

Mid-December brought the year's first severe winter storm during the annual muzzleloader deer hunt, with heavy snowfall, high winds and bitter cold. The lake froze over, except for a small area near the South Gate facilities, and most of the waterfowl left for a more hospitable climate.

The Missouri River was at peak flows most of the year. Above average spring rainfall, combined with record late season mountain snow, provided runoff at 153 percent above normal, the second highest flows in 98 years of record-keeping. Although river flows were high, at 50,000- 55,000 cfs, there was no significant flooding. Missouri River backwaters, marshes, and-shallow lakes were full through November, helping to disperse the largest duck migration in fifteen years.

The table on the following page summarizes precipitation and temperature at the refuge by month. 3

1995 WEATHER DATA DESOTO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Average Precipitation (inches)* 1993 Temperature ("F)

Month 1995 Average** Snowfal.l Maximum Minimum

January 0.96 0.95 11 29 12

February 0.25 0.86 3 42 19 March 2.59 2.26 8 48 27 April 4.02 2.93 57 36 May 5.62 4.15 70 49

June 1. 87 4.28 82 62 July 3.31 3. 71 90 65

August 1. 76 3.2 90 69 September 3.18 3.34 77 52

October 1. 80 2.61 67 43 November 0.62 1.52 46 25 December 0.48 1.24 9 35 20 Totals 26.48 30.96 31

*Includes snowfall **30-year average

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

Region 3 and Region 6 refuge personnel met at DeSoto in early February to discuss the possible transfer of operational responsibility for the emerging Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge to Region 3. Although the refuge lies totally on the Nebraska side of the Missouri, DeSoto is only four miles upstream. Fee title transfer from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is expected in March, 1996, for the 2,000-acre refuge.

Agreement between the Regions was negotiated during the year, with a permanent monetary and FTE transfer approved. so, DeSoto will permanently direct management operations and public-use activities on this new refuge. Nearly a million-dollars worth of public-use facilities are in place, and roughly seven million dollars have been spent by other agencies on this riverine restoration project.

4. Farmers Horne Administration Conservation Easements

DeSoto's Private Lands responsibility includes wetland restoration and management activities in 18 counties in western Iowa, as well 4

as assisting Region 6 in several counties in eastern Nebraska. One new FmHA-inventory property was reviewed in 1995. several other proposed or established easements also received some attention during the year.

The following table is a listing of pending or completed 1995 FmHA easement activities within the refuge's district:

FmHA Easement Status Report For 1995

Former Date Date Posting OWner County Proposed Accepted status Acres w. De in Washington,NE 10/93 Denied N/A 271.0 J. Nixon Woodbury 12/93 Denied N/A 35.0 D. Flanigan Monona 12/91 11/93 Yes 62.5 E. Schrodt Taylor 10/94 01/95 Yes 25.9 R. Burke Montgomery 09/95 09/95 Pending 58.6

In September, the 58.6-acre R. Burke proposed easement in Montgomery County was inspected and submitted to FmHA for acceptance as a permanent conservation easement. This property has been cropped rather heavily. However, there are two drainages, with one still lined with numerous hardwoods that should be preserved, and the drainages can be restored, as needed. We have not heard back from FmHA yet.

The 62.5-acre D. Flanigan property in Monona County was transferred from FmHA in fee title to the Monona County Conservation Board in 1994. Since then, we have provided technical assistance whenever needed. We provided tubes for a water-control structure and native grass seed to promote the restoration of this riparian wetland. The County is planning on opening this site up to limited hunting, with a road and small parking lot for access.

The 25.96-acre E. Schrodt property in Taylor County was surveyed and posted in January, and fenced by the landowner during the year. Fencing materials were supplied by the refuge.

The proposed W. Dein easement in Washington County, Nebraska, and the J. Nikon easement in Woodbury County, Iowa, were denied by FmHA, for one reason or another, during the year.

D. PLANNING

2. Management Plans

DeSoto's staff roughed out new drafts of several plans this year, which are being reviewed by our managers before submittal. The grassland management plan, the cropland management plan and the disease plan all received consideration. And, upon Regional Office request, we prepared a headquarter's shelterbelt management 5

plan, since we have been forced to use a fungicide and are involved in a long-term restoration project here.

With the mid-continental snow goose population reaching an all­ time peak of 3.4 million birds, there is ample concern about a major avian cholera outbreak. When we pulled out our dusty copy of the disease plan, which, of course, nobody had read for 10 years, we discovered a document sorely out-dated. So, we updated it. In researching new sources of burners, we found an improved type. We haven't purchased one, but several Midwestern refuges should, because one of these days we are going to have to effectively deal with a large die-off. Our disease control experiences have been tedious, time-consuming, primitive, and generally ineffective.

The following description should help managers get the job done. Animal carcass burners are becoming high-tech, like everything else. They come in every imaginable size and price. They are being manufactured for veterinarians, humane societies, and especially for hog-confinement operations. One thing to definitely consider is an "insulated" burner. For approximately $1,000 more, you can get a double-walled burner, with insulation or a fire-brick-lined burner. The fire brick is what most fireplaces are lined with. This feature raises the operating temperature, which utilizes the carcass itself as fuel. A fan also speeds the burning. These models require only half as much fuel of a conventional model. Also, the outside of the unit stays cool, which we are sure has to be some sort of OSHA standard now.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

Our conservation pursuits picked up this year because of a fiscal boost with funds from the Regional Office for the protection of museum property. We were able to accomplish several outstanding goals from the Bertrand Collection Comprehensive Conservation Plan.

The documentation and treatment of 5,724 objects was completed by the museum specialist, museum technician, and three seasonal museum aides (who were on board for two-and-one-half months) . Objects included buffalo boots, ladies shoes, howitzer cases, champagne bottles and lids, suspender grips and parts, hobnail boots, shovels, and wool and silk textiles. Numerous projects were completed, which included: intensive washing of the buffalo boots, treatment/storage upgrade of osteological objects, and re­ housing of nuts (almonds and peanuts) into inert polyethylene jars (to prevent abrasion and breakage). Treatments and a storage upgrade of all proteinaceous textile objects were completed this summer.

A microbiologist, Dr. Larrie Stone, performed the annual survey of foodstuffs. This survey resulted in the treatment of 12 bottled objects, which include pickles, lemon syrup, lemonade, essence of ginger, and brandied peaches. A second, partial survey of liquors resulted in the treatment of ten bottles of champagne. This is work normally associated with our preventative maintenance plan. 6

The seasonal employees (Jennifer Kasuboski and Kenneth Wear pictured here) relined all of the cabinet drawers (over 800 in all!) housing these 2,600 textile objects. Also, over 300 artifact labels in the basement and cooler were relabeled with new, laminated tags, which will resist humidity, water, and pest damage.

Soft support or storage mounts (360 in all) were fabricated and installed to protect objects, such as buffalo boots, men's and lady's hats, and coats. In order to protect fragile objects, some one-of-a-kind objects have been replicated for visitors viewing. For instance, staff ordered reproduction "Buffalo leggings" to be displayed in the museum. The original leggings are unique, but too fragile for restoration and display. Intern Mitzi Willis also fabricated a mannequin to display a reproduction lady's coat, as shown here.

The museum specialist prepared and published two professional museum conservation articles: "Disaster ~tigation for the Bertrand Collection Artifacts" in Cultural Resource Management, Volume 18, Number 6, 1995, and "Rust Never Sleeps, Preserving the Bertrand Collection" in the S & D Reflector, Volume 32, Number 4, December, 1995.

As in the past two years, our Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement with the National Advisory Council for Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officers of Iowa and Nebraska requires us to provide an annual assessment of our progress on the ten-year Bertrand Collection Comprehensive Conservation Plan. This annual report continued to reflect a summary of the original plan, and our accomplishments, or lack thereof, for the reporting year. It's getting thicker! 7

5. Research and Investigations

DESOTO-NR-91 - "White-tailed Deer Vulnerability and Movement Characteristics in the Missouri Valley Area"

The white-tailed deer research that was initiated by Master's candidate Kurt Vercauteren (shown here) and Professor Scott Hygnstrom of the University of Nebraska­ Lincoln in 1991 was revitalized in 1995 as a PhD-level study. They are building off the results of the first project, which prompted some important questions relative to the value of DeSoto refuge to deer as far away as 50 km. The new research is being conducted on a larger, landscape scale, but efforts are being centered on the refuge. The radio collars on 6 does from the first study are still transmitting! Nineteen more deer were captured, and 9 radio-equipped, early in 1995. We plan to get about 50 more deer on the air by April, 1996. All deer will be tracked until 1998. By examining the population over a period of 7 years, a wide range of fluctuations in environmental parameters will be observed, helping to determine which variables impact the movement characteristics of deer. A genetic component also has been incorporated; DNA will be examined in search of a "dispersal gene." Also, survival strategies of deer that successfully pass on their genes over a period of several years will be compared to those that do not. Further, data has been collected from harvested deer at the annual DeSoto muzzleloader hunt for the past 6 years. By the end of the study, a much better understanding of the dynamics and demographics of this deer population is anticipated.

DESOTO-NR-95-1 - "Habitat and Population Response of Soras (Porzana carolina) and Virginia Rails (Rallus limicola) To Water Level Manipulations in Moist Soil Units at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa"

Three U.S. F1sh and Wildlife Serv1ce field investigations co­ funded by a $6,415 grant from the Nongame Bird Conservation 8

Program were initiated by Northwestern College of Orange City, Iowa. The above is the first of these studies.

This study was initiated by Dr. Fred Van Dyke, biology professor at Northwestern College, this summer at the refuge. Research student Daron De Jung's objectives for this study were to determine: (1) habitat use by soras and Virginia rails using areas subject to different seasonal flooding treatments and (2) to determine the effect of such treatments on nesting density, clutch size, and nesting success of rails using the affected habitats. The goal was to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms of habitat choice, influences of habitat structure on population, and possible applications of seasonal water-level manipulation as a habitat management technique for sora and other rail species.

Preliminary results were not avaiiable for inclusion in this narrative report.

DESOTO-NR-95-2- "Effects of Prescribed Burning on Bird Density and Diversity in the Tallgrass Prairie at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa"

This study was the second initiated on DeSoto this summer by Dr. Fred Van Dyke, with investigations accomplished by Shawn Starkenburg. Objectives of the study were to (1) determine changes in vegetation structure and plant species diversity following burning in tallgrass prairie habitats; (2) determine the response of grassland-dependent nongame birds to prescribed burning of tallgrass prairie habitats; and (3) relate changes in vegetation structure and plant species diversity to responses on non-game, grassland dependent birds. The goal was to provide a greater understanding of the responses of plants and birds to prescribed burning for possible management applications that can be beneficial to this species group.

This study is scheduled to continue for two more years. Preliminary assessment suggests that burned sites increased avian species diversity and total number of breeding territories. It also was observed that four breeding bird species used only burned sites, suggesting that prescribed burning of grasslands may enhance overall levels of biodiversity for grassland birds. This. may be true even in small and highly-fragmented habitats, which is typical of the DeSoto area. Unburned sites had less avian species diversity, but did have higher total numbers of individuals. These sites tended to be dominated by a few species, especially field sparrows and yellowthroats.

DESOTO-NR-95-3 - "Effects of Water Level Manipulations on Shorebird Use and Diversity at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa"

This study was the third initiated by Dr. Fred Van Dyke this summer, with research conducted by student Jason Mouw. Objectives were to determine: (1) the effects of two management treatments, wetland draw-downs and flooding of recently disced soil, on shorebird use of otherwise similar wetland habitat, and (2) seasonal changes in shorebird use in each treatment. The goal is to integrate knowledge of shorebird response to such treatments 9

with existing techniques of wetland water-level management to develop season-specific objectives, to benefit both migrating and resident nesting shorebird populations.

Preliminary results were not available to be included in this annual narrative report.

DESOTO-NR-95-4 - "Coyote Food Habits at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge"

This study was conducted from October, 1994, through October, 1995, by Jeffrey J. Heubschman, a student at Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. Food habits of the coyote were determined from 490 scats collected during this period. Mammals occurred most frequently (73% of all scats), followed by vegetation (39%), birds (10%), and invertebrates (9%). White-tailed deer were the most frequently occurring mammal species (31%). Seasonal trends were apparent in coyote diet. Mammals occurred in greater than 75% of scats in all months, except July and August, when mammals occurred in 38% and 30% of the scats, respectively. In July and August, vegetation in coyote scats (primarily mulberries, Morus spp.) was highest at 88% and 83%, respectively. Invertebrate occurrence peaked in May at 40% (consisting primarily of Coleoptera spp.), and in September at 31% (consisting primarily of Orthoptera spp.). Birds occurred in 33% of scats in December, corresponding with the snow goose migration, and 24% of scats in May, corresponding with nesting of some ground-nesting birds. Results are consistent with other coyote food-habit studies.

DESOTO-NR-95-5 - "Detection Survey for the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus: Silphidae) at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge"

A project was initiated this summer to determine whether the American burying beetle, an endangered species, occurs at DeSoto. National Wildlife Refuge. Three undergraduate biology students were recruited from nearby Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, to install and routinely monitor baited pitfall traps. Baited pitfall traps are used to attract and live-trap various insect species. In this study, the traps were baited with ripened beef or chicken liver, which is attractive to insect species that forage on carrion.

No N. americanus were captured. Two carrion beetle specimens (Silphidae), Oiceoptoma novaboracense, two Scarab species, and one rove beetle species were captured. There were many accidental captures (those not necessarily attracted to carrion) of various scarabs, ground beetles, and field crickets.

6. Other

A considerable amount of the manager's time and a fair amount of the outdoor recreation planner's time was spent on planning facility interpretation, and signing for the new Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge. See Section I1., Cooperation. 10

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

George E. Gage Refuge Manager GS-13 PFT Howard Phillips Sup. Refuge Op. Spec. GS-12 PFT (EOD, 6/11/95) Stephen Van Riper Refuge Operations Spec. GS-11 PFT Bruce Weber Outdoor Recreation Planner GS-11 PFT Marco Buske Wildlife Biologist GS-11 PFT (EOD 1/9/95) Melinda Sheets Refuge Operations Spec. GS-9 PFT James O'Barr Museum curator GS-9 PFT Jeanne Harold Museum Specialist GS-9 PFT Sarah Tuttle Museum Tech. (Registrar) GS-7 PFT Dean Wyckoff Refuge Law Enforc. Officer GS-7 PFT Regina Martinez Administrative Officer GS-9 PFT Wanda Harbottle Administrative Technician GS-5 PFT Cindy Myer Automation Clerk GS-4 PFT Joan Martin Refuge Guide GS-4 PFT Barbara Nielsen Refuge Guide GS-4 PFT David Kaiser Maintenance Mechanic WG-9 PFT Mark Cunard Heavy Equipment Operator WG-8 PFT Monty Storm Automotive Worker WG-8 PFT Kenneth Marquardt Maintenance worker WG-8 PFT Susan Cooper Tractor Operator WG-6 PFT Christina Hall Office Automation (PSIS) GS-2 TPT Travis Saladino Biological Technician GS-4 TFT (Resigned, 5/6/95) Bradley Taylor Biological Technician GS-4 TFT Jennifer Kasuboski Museum Aid GS-3 TFT (EOD, 7/11/95); (Terminated, 12/9/95) Paula Trudell Museum Aid GS-3 TFT (EOD, 7/17/95); (Terminated, 12/9/95) Kenneth Wear Museum Aid GS-3 TFT (EOD, 7/12/95); (Terminated, 9/15/95)

Personnel Actions

Marco Buske EOD on January 9 as our long-awaited Wildlife Biologist, a position which had been vacant since April, 1992.

Travis Saladino, a temporary Biological Technician, resigned on May 5.

Howard Phillips EOD on June 11 as our Supervisory Refuge Operation Specialist, coming to us from the Mattamuskeet Refuge in Swanquarter, North Carolina.

Jennifer Kasuboski EOD as a Museum Aid on a temporary appointment to assist with the work on artifact restoration on July 11, and terminated on December 9.

Kenneth Wear EOD as a Museum Aid on a temporary appointment to assist with the work on artifact restoration on July 12, and terminated on September 15 to return to school. 11

Paula Trudell, a Santee Sioux, EOD as a Museum Aid on a temporary appointment to assist with work on artifact restoration on July 17, and terminated on December 9.

NOTE: This photo has been purposely altered so that graying staff members can not be identified for early buy-offs!

First Row: L to R: Brad Taylor, George Gage, Steve Van Riper Second Row: L to R: Jeanne Harold, Barb Nielsen, Chris Hall, Sarah Tuttle Third Row: L to R: Cindy Myer, Susan Cooper, Mindy Sheets, Joan Martin, Wanda Harbottle, Gina Martinez Fourth Row: L to R: Monty Storm, Mark Cunard, Dave Kaiser, Marco Buske, Howard Phillips Missing: Dean Wyckoff, Ken Marquardt, Jim O'Barr, and Bruce Weber

Awards

Office Automation Clerk Chr~st~na Hall, Museum Specialist Jeanne Harold, and Office Automation Clerk Cindy Myer all rece~ved monetary performance awards. Refuge Law Enforcement Officer Dean Wyckoff received a Level V performance award. 12

Travel/Training

Administrative Officer Regina Martinez travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to receive an orientation of the refuge programs in Region 3 on January 8-10. She had just transferred in from Alaska.

Outdoor Recreation Planner Weber travelled to San Francisco Bay NWR in California to attend a Developing Teacher Training Workshop on January 9-13.

Tractor Operator Susan Cooper attended FLETC at Glynco, Georgia, January 9 - March 30. From August 7-18th, she returned to Georgia for the two­ week Refuge Officer Basic School (ROBS) course.

Administrative Officer Martinez travelled to Chicago, Illinois, to attend Small Purchase/Schedule Contract training from January 23-27.

Biological Technician Travis Saladino travelled to Savannah, Georgia, to participate in the Woodcock Wingbee from January 29 to February 3.

Museum Specialist Jeanne Harold attended the required Environmental Compliance for Fish and Wildlife Facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from February 6 to 8th. . / On February 7, all personnel attended a requ~r~H!V course, presented by Charlie Holbrook from the Crab Orchard Ref~e. Thanks Charlie for saving us lots of money!

Wildlife Biologist Marco Buske attended the annual Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society Meeting in Ames, Iowa, on February 7.

Project Leader Gage and Wildlife Biologist Buske travelled to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the annual state/federal coordination meeting on February 8, meeting with Region 6 and state personnel.

Project Leader Gage attended a Congressional representative meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 9.

Wildlife Biologist Buske and Maintenance Mechanic Kaiser attended the S- 130, S-190, and I-100 fire training in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, from February 21-24.

Museum Curator O'Barr travelled to Lincoln, Nebraska, to meet with Nebraska Educational Television regarding a grant project on several occasions throughout the year. Manager Gage and Outdoor Recreation Planner Weber accompanied him on the initial coordination junket.

Museum Specialist Harold and Museum Technician Tuttle travelled to Des Moines, Iowa, to inspect artifacts that were being loaned to other museums on March 9.

Station law enforcement officers attended LE Refresher in Des Moines, Iowa, during the last two weeks of March.

Outdoor Recreation Planner Weber travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to attend "Signs, Trail Panels, and wayside Exhibits" training during April 3-7. 13

Maintenance Mechanic Kaiser travelled to Columbia, Missouri, to attend a required Contracting Officer's Representative Workshop from April 17-21.

Maintenance Mechanic Kaiser attended a Pneumatic Fundamentals class i~ Minneapolis, Minnesota, during May 1-6.

Heavy Equipment-Operator Cunard and Biological Technician Taylor travelled to Valentine, Nebraska, to pick up a surplused truck on May 10-11.

Wildlife Biologist Buske travelled to Mound City, Missouri, to attend the Shorebird Management Workshop from May 2 through May 5.

Wildlife Biologist Buske attended the GIS Introductory Workshop in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 31.

Museum Specialist Harold attended the annual international AIC meeting at St. Paul, Minnesota, during June 6-11.

Outdoor Recreation Planner Weber and Refuge Operations Specialist Van Riper travelled to Walnut Creek NWR, Prairie City, Iowa, to attend an Endangered Species Act meeting on July 18 for outreach activities.

Office Automation Clerk Myer and Museum Technician Tuttle attended a Lotus 5.0 class in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 18.

Refuge Guide Martin attended training on Maintaining Self-Control in Stressful Situations in Ashland, Nebraska, on August 3.

Supervisory Refuge Operations Specialist Phillips and outdoor Recreation Planner Weber attended a Conflict Resolution and Confrontation Skills course in Omaha on August 4.

Museum Specialist Harold and Museum Technician Tuttle travelled to Winona, Minnesota to provide a museum property survey on October 16-19.

Wildlife Biologist Buske travelled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from October 25 to 29 to attend a conference on grassland bird conservation.

Manager Gage travelled to Brainerd, Minnesota, to attend the Project Leader's Conference the week beginning October 29.

Refuge Operations Specialist Van Riper travelled throughout the District and state on numerous occasions, working with the private lands program and attending related meetings.

Not a good year for our museum curator. He suffered from retinal tears and detachments in both eyes. A good portion of his time from May into the end of the year was spent off duty, recuperating from seven surgeries and numerous trips to the doctor, consisting of anything from laser surgery to injections of gas into his eyes; to checkups, and even a lens replacement! Fortunately, doctors have been able, thus far, to correct, with glasses, sight in his left eye back to 20-20. The prognosis for the right eye isn't as good. Although the verdict's still out on both eyes, he's happily back at work! 14

2. Youth Programs

This summer was the start of a two to three-year renovation of the Visitor Center's landscaped areas. Two Boy Scouts, Russ Fude (pictured) from Blair, Nebraska, and Kyle Johnson from Millard, Nebraska, volunteered to organize work parties to accomplish some of the needed tasks.

One task was to dig shallow trenches along the drip-line of the shrubs and trees, and cover the ground within the drip-lines with wood-chip mulch. The scouts' involvement were a community service projects that are part of the requirements to achieve Eagle Scout rank. Both youths recruited fellow scouts, parents, and friends to provide labor for the project. They also supervised their work crews and trained them to do the different tasks. Wildlife Biologist Buske worked with both scouts, providing guidance for the results the refuge expected. The refuge also provided tools and materials for the project. The Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District provided wood-chip mulch free-of-charge. The two work parties completed about 60 percent of the mulching needed to finish this part of the renovation, a significant effort.

3. Other Manpower Programs

Harrison County placed one male Iowa youth at the refuge through the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program. This program is designed for economically disadvantaged youths, ages 14-21, to provide career exploration and practical work experiences. The young man, Ryan Weaver, worked on a wide range of projects, mainly at the visitor center. This program participant was provided at no cost to the refuge. Ryan started work on June 12th and worked through July 27.

Several interns were hired and performed conservation activities under the watchful eyes of our museum specialist. Funding was secured through the Regional Histor~c Preservation Officer, who showered us with new-found cultural resource management money. The results are outlined in Section D.4.

4. Volunteer Program

We had a total of 12 volunteers who contributed 1,806 hours. A half-dozen volunteers are the mainstay of our environmental education program, and remain active throughout the year as interpretive guides, both on the nature trails and in the visitor center. 15

Volunteers were involved in a variety of specialized tasks, such as spring and winter bird counts, art and craft demonstrations, observation deck and entry kiosk assistants, and assisting in field investigations. Here, Sam and Essie Grill man the Bob Starr Overlook on a busy November weekend.

Boy Scouts were particularly helpful this year. Over 200 boys scouts participated in a three-day work "camporee" at Wilson Island State Recreation Area, planting trees and cleaning trails and the lakeshore throughout the refuge. Eagle Scout Luke Miller of Midland, Nebraska, built a bucket fish-habitat-structure for DeSoto Lake and other eagle scout candidates worked on landscaping projects at the Visitor Center (see E.2.).

DeSoto has been the recipient of Omaha Audubon's Adopt-A-Refuge program for many years. Nearly three dozen Audubon Society volunteers joined our regular volunteers to contribute 414 hours during the spring and winter bird counts, and the weekly fall waterfowl counts. Ione Werthman of Audubon gave the public an Earth Day slide show about the area's mushrooms.

Other volunteers did a variety of things. Rudy Evans, a professional designer, continues to work on the illustrated Steamboat Bertrand book, The Bertrand Stores. Student Interns, Mitzi Willis (pictured here), of the College of St. Mary, and Jennifer Van Evera from Midland College, assisted with cultural and interpretive projects at the visitor center during the busy fall season. 16

Long-time volunteer Bob Starr, who died suddenly in 1993, was honored with a framed fiberglass-embedded plaque at the new wildlife overlook, which was also named for him. Bob had a special and long­ lasting impact on school groups visiting DeSoto, and he is still missed.

You may recognize the graphic image above from the Service's volunteer brochure. Bob was used as the focal volunteer in this brochure. The following tribute to Bob Starr was published in the local Audubon Society Chapter newsletter.

A TRIBUTE TO BOB STARR

By Neal Ratzlaff

Many of us do not remember our first encounter with this quiet and unassuming, gentle man. It seems that he has always been there willing to lend a hand, unless consultation with his home-crafted appointment book revealed a conflict. Yes, at 78, he was one of the most active persons we know. Audubon was just one of a number of organizations he served as a dedicated volunteer. We knew him as a long-term board member, our adopt-a-refuge representative at DeSoto NWR, the person who invited us to participate in the DeSoto Goose and Christmas Bird Counts, an enthusiastic and willing volunteer at Audubon sales and promotional activities, and the only person who mastered the light system at our monthly meeting place. Bob loved children. To many of us, kids and field trips are synonymous with the name Bob Starr. Just how many kids he turned on to nature will never be known. It is surely a sizable number. We are told that some of the lights in or night sky come from stars that no longer physically exist. Surely the light of love and respect for the natural world will continue to radiate from the lives of those children, many now young adults, whose lives were touched by our won terrestrial star. Bob Starr - teacher, volunteer, naturalist, advisor - above all a genuine, good person whose friendship we all valued. We'll miss you.

The Audubon Society of Omaha offers its

deepest sympathy to Mrs. Starr. 17

In September, four volunteers hosted the annual Prairie Appreciation Week, which featured programs inside and outside the visitor center for 137 fourth-graders from four schools.

Volunteer Pat Jensen contributed 156 hours this year, upgrading our museum library. Last year, she contributed 76 hours to this enormous cataloging and reorganization switch to the Library of Congress system. Chris Anuson, a student at Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, interned in the conservation lab throughout January. Similarly, Jen Kasuboski, an intern from Dana College, also worked in the conservation lab on safety items.

Our volunteer recognition luncheon was held on December 15. The overall volunteer program and its highlights were discussed. Mugs and calendars were presented to each volunteer at the luncheon.

The uvolunteer of the Year" award was presented to Enid Heady, a 78-year-old retired teacher from the Blair Schools, who has contributed 536 hours. She has been volunteering at DeSoto since 1983, and works mostly with groups of students and senior citizens, teaching about the Steamboat Bertrand and American life in the mid-19th-century. She also is a teacher for Prairie Appreciation Week, and helps set up exhibits.

Shown below, with ORP Weber, are the vertebrae that make up the backbone of our environmental education volunteer program. From left to right they are:

Front Row: Linda Van Riper, Clint Orr Middle Row: Jack Brownrigg, ORP Weber, Myrle Nielsen, Harry Duncan Back Row: Paul Pecha, Enid Heady 18

1995 Volunteer Services

I ACTIVITDS I HOURS I Construction 149 Trail Work 27

Conducting Tours 123 Training 26 Special Exhibits 16 Education 160 Visitor Information & 94 Assistance Habitat Survey 550 Population Censusing 414 Library & Collections 249

TOTAL 1,805

5. Funding

This refuge has recently been unfunded for certain basic services. It requires a higher level of subactivity 1260 monies for operations. Three existing personnel were paper­ dropped in the 1995 budget, and no service contracts were funded, not even our $3,500 worth of garbage removal. Thus, we obligated salaries to the various little pools of money available - private lands, flood recovery monies, etc. We were only able to cover 1261 service contract costs through long periods of staff vacancies, but with the station at full staff strength again, the gap closes. This cannot continue!

We heard in early August that u.s. Senator Bob Kerrey was working on a $1.4K acquisition add-on to the Service's budget. Being on the Appropriations Committee, he assured that it made it through full Committee markup, and into the Conference Committee. His intent was to augment his Back To The River Program along the Missouri, but we don't know where this appropriation or the Service's budget is currently closeted.

Region 6 accommodated some initial costs at Boyer Chute. DeSoto was permitted to charge against their maintenance management system funds in the amount of $44,500, and charge up to $20,000 of salaries against their 1261 O&M funding. All Boyer Chute work has been completed by a team approach, using DeSoto force-account staff. A temporary employee, Biological Technician Taylor, has been rounding out our Boyer Chute responsibilities. 19

The following table details total DeSoto funding targets for the past five years:

Subject 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

O&M 869,291 933,621 857,624 820,386 669,187

YCC 0 0 5,800 6,300 0

Other 49,9151 31,0002 39, 6003 36, 7804 33,9885

MMS 487, 1007 71,000 248, 4006 105,000 40,000

Vision 16,500 N/A N/A N/A N/A Funding

Total 1,422,806 1,008,621 1,151,424 968,466 856,688

1This figure includes $900 for volunteer programs; $7,600 for Fire Management; $20,000 for Private Lands; $6,415 for cooperative non-game bird studies; and $15,000 for Watchable Wildlife. 2Funding for a $8,000 cost-share-matching fund project for development of an interactive computer program; $3,000- Volunteer program; $2,000- Fire Operations; $3,000 - 9120 Fire Pre-suppression; %15,000 - Private Lands monies. 3This figure includes $3,100 for Volunteer programs; $7,500 - Fire Management; $10,000 for Private Lands monies; $5,500 -Challenge Grant; and $5,500- Watchable Wildlife funds. 4This figure includes $5,200- Volunteer money; $17,500- Fire Management; $10,000 of Private Lands funds; $1,580- FmHA easement, and $2,500 - Law Enforcement. 5 Funding for $1,700- Volunteer Program, $5,000- Farm Bill; $12,500 - Fire Management; $6,000 - Coop Education student; $1,988- FmHA; and $6,700- Law Enforcement. 6Includes $130,000- for VC roof replacement; and $58,000- for relocation of headquarter's utilities. 7 Looks like a lot, doesn't it? Well, it didn't happen! The money ($225,000) was obligated, EN and CGS finally put it on the street, and the lowest bid came in at twice the estimate. See Section I.2 for more on this fiasco. We lost the MMS monies to other stations' high priorities.

6. Safety

Monthly safety meetings and quarterly safety committee meetings were scheduled and held accordingly throughout the year. Safety meetings are assigned to individual staff members, who are responsible for providing programs for monthly safety meetings. Topics this year included: horne burglaries, winter driving, tornadoes, fire pumper use, Hanta virus, stress management, Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant Safety Plan, computer use, chain saws, and CPR/first aid training. 20

Quarterly safety inspections were conducted, with concerns presented to the refuge manager monthly. All concerns were addressed, with many corrected or arrangements made on others. The MSDS's also were reviewed in the lab at the Visitor Center and updated, as needed. MSDS's also were made available in the carpentry and the mechanical shops.

The rehearsal evacuation drill for the nearby Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant was not conducted during the year, although it had been scheduled during the furlough in November.

The number of accident and incident reports was down from the last few years, with no lost-time accidents for the staff. Accidents reported: Biological Technician Taylor injured his back on April 17th, while pulling fence posts; and on September 18th, Officer Cooper bruised her left hand badly, while attempting to control a disabled personal watercraft on the Missouri River. She received a substantial hand injury, which has required extended physical therapy.

All fire extinguishers were checked, as needed; and either replaced and/or hydrostatically-tested in November. All vehicles and buildings were checked for proper first-aid kits. Refuge staff collected drinking water samples routinely, as required by law. Finally, all required physicals for fire and law enforcement personnel were arranged, as well as Lyme's disease testing.

This year, the museum specialist attended a two-day mandatory training class on "RCRA Waste Management Regulations" in Minnesota. Afterwards, she briefed the DeSoto staff on OSHA standards and RCRA regulations. She and the collateral duty safety officer completed a "Confined Space" survey of the refuge, as required.

An intern from Dana College updated our Chemical Hygiene Plan and the Materials Safety Data Sheets for the lab. She e. also surveyed and relabeled our chemical stores, as necessary.

The museum specialist insured "standard operating procedures" were implemented for· the signing authority for chemicals received from distributors. These national standards were set up in the wake of the Oklahoma bombing.

Staff attended a one-hour refresher on nuclear power plant safety and evacuation procedures pertaining to DeSoto given by the Fort Calhoun Plant training officers.

7. Technical Assistance

DeSoto staff responded to 110 technical assistance requests. Most dealt with wetland restoration, steamboat history, or museum conservation. Examples of other projects included: assisting individuals and agencies with live-trapping deer, grassland management, pesticide alternatives, visitor center design, snow goose interpretation, federal traffic sign 21

standards, and publication design and sales. Contacts ranged from local farmers and a variety of individuals to other agencies and publishers.

Public and professional information requests continue about the collection, as well as general curatorial and conservation issues and problems. Contacts continued to be made with federal(14), state(S), and local government(S); college/university(6); and private organizations and individuals(23). Almost half of our inquiries again were in the private sector, including free-lance writers, living history enthusiasts, contract archaeologists, and antique collectors from across the United States and Canada.

Two graduate students continued looking at issues that pertain to the collection. An archeology student from East Carolina University at Greenville, North Carolina, Annalies Corbin Kiorness, earned her Master's degree with a thesis, entitled "Material Culture of Nineteenth Century Steamboat Passengers on the Bertrand and Arabia." A University of Iowa student is working on the architecture of the visitor center as a museum case study.

8. Other Items

For the first time in years, DeSoto actually got back to full staff strength for awhile. Our wildlife biologist came on board in January and the supervisory refuge operations specialist arrived by mid-year. At one point during the previous year, we had been down six positions. It is amazing how much more you can get done, and how much better communications flow, when you are fully operational. But, we are still having a hard time compensating for the recent loss of two station positions. The hardest part is not having a custodian within the visitor center. While we have been able to partially fill the void with custodial contracts, these people come 3-4 time a week, at night. All the slack has to be assumed by the professional staff, which they find both demeaning and demoralizing. There are some terribly nasty messes that have to be dealt with when 150,000 people pass (in more ways than one) through a visitor center. These little side jobs can really detract from what should be our staff's professional services. So, the center has none of the spit and polish that proper janitorial services used to provide.

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

DeSoto holds on to a small fragment of habitat lost to the past. From the channelized ditch of the once habitat-rich Missouri River, across the flat, wide Missouri River Valley, lies an immense area now dedicated to growing corn and soybeans. Modern agriculture allows no hedgerows, shelterbelts, wetlands, or even grassed waterways. Every square inch of ground must produce grain, and then is disced black, with little cover or food remaining by late fall to 22

sustain wildlife through the winter. 'Tis the way of the Midwest.

The weather this year was challenging. The area received above normal precipitation in April and May, followed by drought conditions for the remainder of the growing season, with some above-normal temperatures and extreme humidity. Wet soils interfered with field operations early in the year, delaying grassland seeding well past optimum planting dates. Summer rains were sparse, keeping newly planted grasslands from getting off to a good start. Crops suffered through the worst possible combination of weather events. Field corn was particularly hard hit. However, high spring rainfall, with above-average runoff from snow melt in the Missouri River Basin, kept basin water levels extremely high. This kept natural wetlands full, benefiting the refuge's managed wetlands and moist-soil units, as well as hundreds of former oxbows and chutes along the Missouri.

2. Wetlands

a. DeSoto Lake. The management strategy for DeSoto Lake is a combination of waterfowl management, fishery management, and pUblic recreation objectives - a compromise. Winter levels are kept high, around 989.0 to 989.5 msl, to reduce the possibility of a sportfish winterkill. To accommodate spring runoff, elevations are brought down in the late winter. The desired optimum summer elevation is 989.5 msl, to make the best use of boat ramps, docks, and fishing jetties that have been constructed around the lake for fishing access. Ideally, water levels are reduced through mid-summer evaporation to 987.0 msl by mid-September. This level helps concentrate predator and prey fish species, and it promotes the growth of aquatic vegetation along the shallows. This lower water level also exposes shorelines during the fall to provide loafing and gritting areas for waterfowl and shorebirds. But, it hasn't been happening in recent years.

The only way to maintain desired levels is to retain water from the inflow ditches, from adjoining farmlands, and to release water into the Missouri River by gravity feed. During the spring and summer, little opportunity usually exists to lower the lake, due to high river levels required by the Corps for navigation purposes. In contrast, good opportunities exist for water-level management during the river's winter drawdown and periods of low dam releases within the Missouri River Basin.

The lake's sophisticated aeration system was started on January 20th in response to dropping dissolved oxygen levels under the ice and snow. The system ran until the 16th of March. Lake drawdown began on February 21st, running until March 5th, and, again the gates were opened on March 6th through the lOth to boost dissolved oxygen levels. 23

DeSoto Lake monitoring was conducted throughout the year to determine changes in water clarity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen at specific depths and locations. Lake temperatures averaged 23 and 26 degrees c. in the summer. Highs in August were 31 degrees C. Secchi disk readings in early May averaged around 1.1 meters. Readings began to drop off in late June, to average lows of 0.5 meters. Disk readings dropped again to 0.3 meters in August and September, but improved thereafter. Dissolved oxygen levels did not fluctuate as widely as in past years. No winter or summer fish kills were noted. b. Managed Marshes and Potholes. DeSoto has seven managed wetland units, and one moist-soil unit, with another nearing completion. Runoff is held in these units to the fullest extent possible, in season.

Wood Duck Pond is a major focal point for environmental education and a favorite nature trail for the public. Because of this, water is kept in the pond year-round. Buchardt Pond, which lies across the road from Wood Duck, is fed by pumping out of Wood Duck.

The Visitor Center Ponds are comprised of three interconnected units; Coyote, Scoot's, and Osprey. All three of the ponds can be recharged via Crisafulli pumping from the lake into Coyote Pond, and gravity feeding thereafter. Water levels can be individually controlled, as each pond is separated by stoplog structures. Osprey Pond also can be recharged via a feeder pipe connected to the visitor center's water­ cooling system. The system can provide over an acre­ foot of water per day during the peak of the cooling season. The units required no spring pumping. Fall pumping totalled 12 hours. Waterfowl use in Coyote and Scoot's was good again this year. A brood of Canada geese were produced on Scoot's pond.

No spring pumping was required on Willow Pond, but 17 hours of pumping were needed to bring it up to desired levels in the fall. Willow is a hot-spot for nearly every species of waterfowl and shorebirds that pass through DeSoto. A pair of Canada geese reared a brood on this pond, also.

Young's Pond is a low-priority unit that has numerous problems. No pumping was done on this pond.

Botos Pond is managed for spring pair bonding and breeding habitat, and as fall migrational habitat. This unit required ten hours of pumping in the fall.

No management was conducted on the Missouri River Pond. This pond is low priority for recharge, because of its rapid water loss, due to highly permeable soils. 24

c. Moist-Soil Unit. This unit was almost completely overtaken with cattails and woody vegetation. In 1992, plans were made to drain the unit in December, so that it could be disced in the spring of 1993. However, due to extreme precipitation, no work could be done in the unit that year. During the summer of 1994, the unit was dry enough to begin discing. During that winter, areas with heavy woody growth were "shaved" off using a bulldozer, when the ground was frozen. Because the unit remained wet for most of the year, no work was accomplished. The unit will be planted to milo for two consecutive years, which will hopefully kill off the cattails and rough growth.

In 1991, work began on a new 40-acre moist-soil unit. Due to extremely wet years, work has been delayed over and over again. During 1995, work was finally completed with the last of the stop-log structures and some final dirt work. The unit required 15 hours of pumping in the fall, but for such a large unit, this can only be considered minimal pumping.

The bare outer sides of the unit, caused by the recent dirt work, were full of ducks this fall. The birds would land in these open areas and work their way into the heavy vegetation within the center. The pumping was completed early enough that the unit received fair use by blue-winged teal, but, then, later in the season, the mallards really packed into the unit.

3. Forests

The shelterbelt around the headquarters and residences has been in poor condition for several years. During the summer of 1994, trees appeared to be dying. The Iowa Department of Natural Resource's District Forester diagnosed the problem as a combination of two fungal diseases, Dothistroma and Diplodia needle blight. He recommended the trees be sprayed as needed, annually, with a fungicide until a long-range management plan to renovate the shelterbelts can be implemented. ROS Sheets consulted w1th the District Forester, and developed that management plan. The plan integrates four management practices; (1) thinning the ex1sting shelterbelts, to open up the plant canopy to increasing air movement, thereby altering environmental conditions and influenc1ng disease development; (2) replacing some thinned trees with white pine, Norway spruce, 25

Scotch pine, and cedars to increase genetic diversity; {3) sanitizing the area by removing infected ground litter; and {4) spraying with a fungicide as needed, until the ten to fifteen- year transformation is complete.

In March, 100 pine trees and 60 cedars were cut, and removed from four shelterbelt groves. Trees were selected and marked for removal, based on spacing and health of individual trees. In June, Keep Landscaping was contracted ($2,956.25) to spray the remaining trees with the fungicide, TennCop 5E, after acquiring Regional Office approval.

The refuge continues to loose its native cottonwoods, with essentially no regeneration to replace existing stands. This problem was addressed in a 1990 Forest Management Plan. Proposed forest management strategies included protection of existing mature cottonwoods as perching and roosting habitat for bald eagles, development of a forest management program to ensure a sustained source of roosting and perching trees for bald eagles, promotion of cottonwood regeneration in old .grasslands targeted for this management, and systematic flooding of identified reverted croplands to strategically promote cottonwood regeneration.

Experimental flooding was accomplished along the east dike in June, 1990, with excellent results. consequently, additional flooding has been planned, but limited staff time and higher priorities have curtailed activity. Natural cottonwood regeneration has occurred on about 115 acres at Boyer Chute NWR, with excellent results. This came about after the 1993 floods.

4. Croplands

Cooperative Farming- Ten cooperator's farmed 2,340 acres, using a one-third/two-thirds crop-share system, to provide food and loafing areas for migrating waterfowl, and food, cover, and edge for other species. Crop acreages are summarized below.

Biological Crop Conventional Crop Rotation Crop Rotation

corn 430.6 167.0 Soybeans 541.3 215.9 Clover/Oats 635.5 0.0 Alfalfa 127.8 0.0 Wheat 97.7 0.0

Milo 84.6 0.0

New Alfalfa Seeding 40.0 0.0 I Total I 1,957.5 I 382.9 I 26

The refuge also reimbursed two cooperators for aerially seeding winter wheat on 140 acres south of the visitor center, and on Center Island. Results were poor. The seeding was late (September 27). However, timely rains produced good germination and rapid establishment. Where it was seeded, the stand was good. Unfortunately, the wheat was seeded only in strips across two of the fields, instead of a solid stand, as we had specified. Where seeding did not occur, there was no wheat. We will strive for improvement in the future.

The 1995 crop season was very difficult. The refuge experienced excessive rainfall until June 10; thereafter, it was spotty and generally light. From mid-June through September, below normal rainfall was recorded. This combination of early rainfall and the lack of rainfall through the crucial pollination and seed fill growth stages was the worst possible combination of weather events for row crops, particularly field corn. Corn yields were near the 17-year low. Soybeans, being much more tolerant of dry weather during the critical reproductive growth stages, fared much better. Soybean yields were essentially equal to the 17-year refuge average.

Biological Conventional Biological Conventional Year Corn Corn Soybeans Soybeans 1991 102.3 80.1 39.1 34.7 1992 146.7 146.5 49.5 46.1 1993 129.0 88.8 40.9 34.7 1994 123.6 141.3 50.4 44.6 1995 78.3 67.1 33.3 36.7 1979-95 Avg. 101.5 99.5 37.3 35.0

This year was the start of a long-term effort to improve crop production practices on the refuge. The former IPM Demonstration and Education Project report identified three important areas to improve the refuge cropland program. These were to increase cash flow from the clover component of the biological crop rotation, critically evaluate the nitrogen contribution of sweet clover to the following corn crop, and employ IPM techniques to improve weed management practices. The refuge biologist scouted refuge crop fields during critical periods to collect information relevant to these three areas. This information will be used to consult with cooperative farmers during the winter months, trying to help them improve production practices. Also, field trials will be established to answer questions important to future development of the biological crop rotation. These are:

1. Improving cash flow from the crop rotation by planting a winter wheat nurse crop with sweet clo~er, and determining how the nurse crop may influence the 27

eventual nitrogen benefit from the sweet clover to a following corn crop.

2. Evaluate how well cooperative farmers shift from preplant incorporated and preemergence herbicide applications (i.e., prophylactic pesticide use) to postemergence applications, using IPM techniques.

3. Assess the nitrogen value of sweet clover to a following corn crop, using more direct methods than have been employed in the past, and evaluate how well cooperative farmers are actually doing with managing the sweet clover as a source of fertilizer nitrogen.

A small tract of cropland (105.8 acres of soybeans) was farmed by a local crop producer, Larry Stratbucker, at Boyer Chute NWR. This parcel was cash rented. The farmer was reimbursed for custom services (using the 1995 Iowa Custom Rate Survey) through a reduction in cash rent. He was responsible for seedbed preparation and mowing maintenance on newly established grasslands and weed beds. All cropland at Boyer Chute will eventually be reverted to grasslands, cottonwood regenerations, and moist-soil units as the Service acquires additional management responsibility and monetary resources allow.

Food Plots - Thirteen food plots, containing three rotational cover types, and totalling 180.7 acres, were custom farmed by a cooperative farmer, and left unharvested for wildlife use. Of these, 84.6 acres were in milo, 50.4 acres in sweet clover, and 45.7 acres in winter wheat. This includes approximately five acres of corn strips left standing for concealment of blinds for our Iowa controlled waterfowl hunting program. Milo also was grown and left standing on 14 acres as the refuge's share on two cooperator's fields. The primary objective of food-plot management is to provide food for resident and migratory non-game wildlife. This objective is accomplished year after year, with essentially 100% utilization of available food, by deer, upland game, and non-game birds. The refuge's turkey populations are almost totally dependent on these plots and poison ivy fruit during the winter bottleneck.

This summer, plans were put into place to gradually reduce the number of food plots. FWB Buske, ROS Sheets, and the cooperative farmer responsible for custom farming food plots worked together and identified three food plots (24.1 acres) for reversion to different land uses in 1996. Food plots without public viewing value, and their relative location making them difficult to farm, were the criteria used to target these plots for reversion. One plot is to be incorporated into an adjacent commercial-scale cropland, another into an adjacent grassland, and the third will be allowed to revert naturally.

In addition to small food plots, the refuge's share of field corn is managed to benefit resident wildlife and fall and spring migrating waterfowl. This has normally been done by 28 chopping standing corn as the snow geese arrive in the fall. The corn is readily accessible to the geese and provides, on average, about 30 percent of their energy requirements while at the refuge. Managing the refuge's corn in such a manner habituates migratory waterfowl to the refuge, and provides the public superior wildlife viewing opportunities. The spectacle of a half-million snow geese loafing near viewing stands and foraging in nearby refuge and private croplands is a major annual attraction at DeSoto. Corn has been managed in this manner at DeSoto since 1989.

However, in 1993 and 1994, snow geese, for many reasons, arrived later than normal, and did not remain long before continuing their southward migration. Foraging activity on private land near DeSoto was very limited. Hunting success diminished, prompting complaints from local hunters that the refuge cropland management practices were holding geese on the refuge. At the same time, snow geese have reached all­ time high population levels, creating concerns among wildlife managers regarding degradation of their Arctic breeding grounds and/or a disease-induced catastrophic population crash.

DeSoto's managers modified corn harvesting practices in 1995 in response to these concerns. The refuge's corn share was selectively withheld from foraging snow geese. This was accomplished by (1) mechanically harvesting corn in fields historically used by snow geese and not used extensively by other migratory or resident wildlife, and (2) leaving only large blocks of standing corn in those areas used extensively by other wildlife (thus, limiting snow goose access to the corn) . Past chopping practices were maintained in those fields ideally located for public viewing.

These above changes reduced the number of excess corn acres available for snow goose foraging by 37 percent. The reduced acreage, combined with near-record low corn yields, reduced available energy from "hot foods" to 11.2 percent of total needs of the snow goose flock this year.

We also reviewed the literature on "waste" grain, the amount of corn left during the harvest process. It is obvious that as efficiency of modern harvesting equipment increases, the spillage decreases. There just isn't much significant grain left, unless corn borer problems, wind, or hail take their toll.

Excess Grain - Each year, the refuge stores approximately 1,000 bushels of corn for potential depredation or disease management problems per existing management plans. Any additional grain stored in refuge bins is used to initially attract waterfowl to the vicinity of the visitor center during the fall migration, attract deer into live traps for an ongoing deer study, and for the visitor center's bird feeders. When spring arrives, any held-over grain is used to reimburse cooperative farmers for early custom work they have done for the refuge, or is transferred to other stations by inter-elevator exchange. 29

Under the current crop-share system, the refuge's entire share of· soybeans and some corn is harvested, and the monies used to reimburse cooperators (per the Iowa Custom Rate ·Survey) for refuge farming activities, such as planting and managing food plots. Any excess is made available for transfer to other refuges. In 1995, cooperative farmers were reimbursed a total of $19,610.61. The remaining grain monies resulted in the following inter-elevator transfers to other refuges for their banding, feeding, or farming needs, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Refuge Dollar Value Transferred

Region 3 Agassiz $3,700.00 Mingo 1,750.00 Shiawassee 3,000.00 Swan Lake 10,000.00 Tamarac 1,000.00 Necedah 900.00 Region 5 Blackwater 5,000.00 Erie 5,000.00 Great swamp 1,100.00

Region 6 Benton Lake 1,500.00 Fort Niobrara/Valentine 3,745.33 Medicine Lake 7,000.00 National Elk 19,343.07 ITotal I 63,038.84 I

5. Grasslands

The 104-acre site on Center Island designated for restoration as an interpretive native prairie, which also was the former sludge demonstration plot, was replanted this spring. The site consists of a 36-acre parcel of predominantly coarse-textured soils to the south, and 68 acres of medium-textured soils on the remaining land to the north. This field was planted during late June through early July. Seeding mixture and rates are listed for each parcel in the table that follows. It appears from an initial assessment that stand establishment was very poor. Planting was delayed past optimum planting dates because of 30

persistent rain and other delays. Rainfall did not slack off until mid-June. Once it did, rainfall was light and sporadic, interfering with stand establishment. This site will be evaluated in 1996 to decide whether stand establishment is acceptable.

DeSoto NWR: Mix for sandy soi.l.s: Mix for medium textured Indiangrass 2.0 PLS/acre Indiangrass 2.0 PLS/acre Big bluestem 2.0 Big bluestem 2.0 Little bluestem 2.5 Little bluestem 2.5 Switchgrass 1.0 Switchgrass 1.5 Sideoats grama 1.0 canada wildrye 0.5 Sand lovegrass 1.0 Needlegrass 1.0 Needlegrass 1.0

A five-acre site on the refuge's west side, previously in orchardgrass, was tilled in 1994, fallowed through the summer of 1995 and fall-planted to intermediate and tall wheatgrass. Stand establishment was good. Also, two winter wheat fields (52 acres) along the east levee were scheduled for fall-planting of intermediate and tall wheatgrass. However, due to the dry weather through July and August, the seedbeds were very cloddy, providing a poor seedbed for planting grass seed. So, planting of these two sites has been delayed until the spring of 1996.

One-hundred-and-fifty acres of cool- and warm-season grasses were planted at Boyer Chute. A 16-acre site with coarse­ textured soils was planted to switchgrass, sand lovegrass, and sand bluestem. A 67-acre site was no-till planted the week of June 12th to Indiangrass, little bluestem, big bluestem, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and needlegrass. Thirty acres of firebreaks and hiking trails were spring and fall seeded to smooth bromegrass and tall fescue. Native forbs were seeded in twenty-foot-wide strips on either side of the concrete trails (approximately 4 acres). Successful establishment of spring-seeded grasses was closely related to rainfall after seeding and soil types. Stand establishment was very good for those receiving adequate rainfall immediately after seeding and vice versa. The 67- acre field is a good example of this. About 2/3 of the field was planted before a half-inch accumulated rainfall, occurring over ten days. Establishment was good. The remainder was planted afterward, and received only a few light showers. Stand establishment was very spotty. Stand establishment on sites with coarse-textured soils was poorer than those with medium to heavy- textured soils. Assessment of fall-seeded sites will be accomplished this coming spring. Seeding rates used for different sites are listed below: 31

Boyer Chute NWR: I Standard Mi.x I Mi.x for Sandy Soi1s I Indiangrass 2.0 PLS/acre Switchgrass 2.0 PLS/acre Big bluestem 2.0 Sand lovegrass 1.0 Little bluestem 2.5 Sand blue stem 7.25 Switchgrass 1.5 Sideoats grama 1.0 Needlegrass 1.0

6. Other Habitat

Approximately 1,800 lineal feet of the former North Beach shoreline were disced once for vegetation control to promote potential nesting by endangered least terns and/or piping plovers. In addition, the Sand Bar area (35 acres) and a two-acre peninsula north of the Sandbar area were disced to meet the same objective. While it will probably take a catastrophic relocation to reestablish nesting by these species here, the shoreline area is a favorite loafing site for both Canada geese and snow geese, while the latter area is extensively used by Canada geese and mallards.

8. Haying

Back in the "hey-days" of this refuge, we bailed a lot of alfalfa hay ... up to 600 tons per year. The alfalfa was used to control shattercane and provide cropland rotations, even back in the early 1970's.

The refuge currently maintains 127.8 acres of established alfalfa hay. Management of alfalfa changed in 1992, with all the alfalfa hay on the refuge being cash-rented to one cooperator for $18-per-acre. This rate remained constant for the duration of the three-year agreement, and was based on a five-year average for this locale. The cooperator was limited to two cuttings between July 15 and September 10, annually. The hay contract was automatically extended this year for one year. In August, as required by state law, the cooperator was notified that the hay contract would be opened to competitive bidding for the 1996 - 1998 crop seasons.

One new alfalfa field was planted in the spring as part of the biological crop rotation. This is a 40-acre field located on the Center Island area of DeSoto refuge. An oat nurse crop was harvested, producing 48.4 bushels per acre. 32

9. Fire Management

The wet spring weather tried to dampen our prescribed burns. But, we did succeed in burning six native grass units, totalling 77.5 acres. We had excellent success in killing encroaching woody vegetation. This large stand of willows in a native grass field near Wood Duck Pond, completely succumbed to the fire.

10. Pest Control

The 1995 Region 3 preapproved herbicide list, with the exception of Surpass, was provided to cooperative farmers to select herbicides for use on refuge cropland. Surpass was listed as vernolate on the preapproved list. However, Zeneca Ag Products markets acetochlor, which is not preapproved, under the trade name Surpass. To avoid confusion and possible unauthorized use of acetochlor on refuge, surpass was eliminated from the preapproved list at this station.

In addition to the herbicides contained on the preapproved list, a pesticide-use proposal was submitted and approved for Accent (nicosulfuron) . Accent is a postemergence grass herbicide for use in field corn. Historically, grass weed control in field corn grown on the refuge has been a difficult problem. The only grass herbicides labeled for field corn on the preapproved list are Sutan (butylate) and Eradicane (EPTC). Both materials have significant limitations. Efficacy is poor in cool, wet soils, a common occurrence at DeSoto in the spring. Enhanced degradation (e.g., a soil condition where soil microorganisms that break down pesticides build up to high levels, accelerating pesticide degradation, resulting in substantially reduced pesticide performance) is possible with repeated use of these particular herbicides. Application rates required to achieve control are very expensive, compared to other herbicides. Also, these herbicides are preplant incorporated. In other words, their use is prophylactic, which is not consistent with an IPM approach to pest control. Cooperative farmers were allowed to use Accent on an as-needed basis.

An emergency pesticide-use proposal was submitted and approved for use of Classic (chlorimuron ethyl) to control a heavy common sunflower infestation on one 40-acre soybean field. In this situation, mechanical cultivation was not 33 possible, since the soybeans were planted in narrow rows (7.5 inches). Weed size, weed population density, and environmental conditions were such that none of the herbicides on the preapproved list were considered suitable.

In total, eleven herbicides were used by cooperative farmers to control giant and yellow foxtail, velvetleaf, common lambs-quarters, common sunflower, common cocklebur, shattercane, pigweed species, and volunteer milo, wheat, and corn in agricultural fields. Mechanical cultivation also was used extensively.

Musk thistle really "took off" this season and infestations on refuge were mapped. Infestations clearly visible to the public were mowed after flowerheads emerged. Also, through scouting, it was discovered the musk thistle seedhead weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, il established on the refuge. Larvae of this insect were observed in eleven of twelve locations scattered throughout the refuge. An average of 15.8 percent of the seedheads dissected were infested with larvae of this beneficial insect. This population must have emigrated from releases made off­ refuge. This population is clearly well established, yet, none were observed during field work associated with the IPM Demonstration and Education Project, conducted 1n 1990-93. Although adult weevils were released by refuge staff this spring (Wildlife Biologist Buske is shown here making a release), this effort can not be credited for the current level of infestation.

The visitor center lawn was treated in early fall w1th 2,4-D and dicamba to control a very heavy common dandelion and 34

white clover infestation. Results will be assessed this spring.

Roundup was applied on gravel along entrance roads, bases of signs, and existing cracks on the paved roads and parking lots to control invading vegetation. Rodeo was spot-applied along the lakeshore to control new infestations of phragmites and cattails, slowing the spread of these invasive aquatic weeds. Previously existing infestations were not sprayed, but all infestations around the lake, including American lotus, were mapped to monitor future encroachment.

Ficam D (benthiocarb) was applied to window sills in the visitor center conference room to control a recurring carpenter ant problem. The treatment was successful.

14. Farmers Horne Administration Conservation Easement

A habitat management agreement was developed for the 47-acre R. Barry FrnHA easement in Harrison County by ROS van Riper, DC Kurth, and the new landowner, B. Bothwell. Mr. Bothwell will prepare a seedbed and seed the formerly cropped portion of the easement to native grasses. The refuge will provide the seed.

15. Private Lands

With the Service's increased emphasis on ecosystem management, the Private Lands program at DeSoto has continued to expand in responsibility, staff commitment, and habitat restored.

DeSoto had $20,000 available for 1121 Private Lands work again this year. Special 1993-flood monies distributed to this station under subactivities 4672 (habitat restoration) and 4673 (technical assistance) amounted to $106,000.

The cooperative agreement that was initiated in 1994 between the Carroll County Conservation Board and the Service was funded again this year, with a new appointee, Wetland Specialist Casey Sheley, hired. The former Wetland Specialist, Pam Rupiper, was able to find permanent employment in Carroll, Iowa. Casey works out of the Carroll County NRCS Office, and has been involved with contacting potential wetland project landowners, coordinating partnership funding for habitat projects, and restoring wetlands. Extensive time also was spent making landowner contacts for the WRP and EWRP programs.

In July, this agreement was extended to include two counties in Union Slough Refuge's coordination area, as well as four counties within DeSoto's coordination area. Another extension of DeSoto's original cooperative agreement has provided funding assistance toward NRCS's hiring of two additional wetland specialists out of their Sioux City Area Office. These two appointees will spend, at a minimum, 25 percent of their time on habitat restoration projects. The cooperative agreement format has helped significantly in 35 locating, communicating, and ultimately in restoring habitats that otherwise might never have been protected.

A cooperative agreement also was set up with the Golden Hills Resource, Conservation and Development Inc. This organization is funded by the Natural Resource conservation Service (NRCS) for $25,000. Our part of the agreement includes technical assistance and matching funds. Several projects have been earmarked for this mone~ like the Spring Lake restoration in Adams County, as shown here.

The Wetland Reserve (WRP) and the Emergency Reserve Programs (EWRP} have continued to play a major role in our Private Lands program. This year, a total of 22 WRP and 47 EWRP intents in ten different counties (totalling 5,136 acres} were inspected, ranked, surveyed, and designed within our 18-county District. Considerable 1993-flood money was still available, allowing all qualified EWRP requests to be funded, until the "well" finally ran dry late in the summer! Restoration efforts and management plans for the accepted intents are currently being developed. All require our review and approval.

Wetland and upland restoration or enhancement requests were slightly down from a year ago, possibly due to the increased availability of flood monies and greater interest in the EWRP program. However, 16 wetland projects, in seven different counties, have been inspected and are either completed or awaiting funding or approval from landowners or coordinating agencies. One of the completed projects involved the installation of this water control structure in Lyon County. There were approximately 12 to 36

15 other requests that were received that did not warrant field inspections.

The Shelby City wetland in Shelby County was approved for a state grant of $60,000-plus toward the restoration of a 15- acre wetland. Several landowners are involved with this project, and the total restoration may be several years down the road. The Walnut Creek wetland project in Pottawattamie County also received a sizable state grant, totalling over $50,000. However, land acquisition has slowed this project as well. The Blue Grass Creek habitat project is a FEMA 1993 flood restoration project in Audubon County. Planning amongst several agencies was ongoing throughout the year.

Native grass seed was provided to several county conservation boards for use on restoration projects. Counties included Harrison, Monona, Montgomery, and Adams.

Technical assistance requests have continued to increase each year, with calls coming from landowners, city and county governments, businesses, and other federal agencies . The funding and technical assistance we offer through the Partners For Wildlife program is heard about through conservation magazines, newspaper articles, and the many government agencies and landowners we work with. We also receive a considerable number of requests to speak about the Partners For Wildlife program from colleges, high schools, and conservation groups throughout the year.

Swampbuster/mitigation and minimal-effect requests continue to take up a considerable amount of time. The Harvey's and Ameristar casino boat mitigations in Pottawattamie County were resolved after several months of negotiations. Minimal­ effect requests for various projects {such as channelizing this drain) in Plymouth, Lyon, and Adair Counties required several long trips, and numerous telephone calls to reach a final conclusion. Even then, several landowners appealed agency decisions to the Area and State Offices, and quite often got decisions overturned. The new Farm Bill, being debated before Congress, may well eliminate our jurisdiction over many of these wetlands.

The number-one proposed land acquisition/wetland restoration project with1n our District was (and may be again someday) the 875-acre Honey Creek Marsh in Pottawattamie County. However, in February, the primary owner {Frost) sold the 37

property the night before we were scheduled to negotiate with him. Once this farmed-wetland property floods a couple times in the next several years, we may have another opportunity.

Grant requests were written and submitted for numerous habitat projects through the Service's challenge-grant program and also the Wildlife Forever organization. Nine grant requests were submitted during the year. Two have been funded, as of this writing. The Higman Wetland and Wildlife Area which received $3,750 in funding during 1994 has finally gotten underway and promises to be an excellent area, when completed in 1996.

Private Lands Coordinator Van Riper became a member of the Papio-Missouri River NRD Wetland Determination Team in late 1994, and assisted in developing a master plan for implementing wetland determinations throughout Nebraska. Several meetings were held in 1995 to put together a useable document. Other Private Lands activities in Nebraska during the year included: FrnHA reviews, technical assistance to landowners, coordination with NRCS on wetland restoration projects, and swampbuster concerns. Manager Gage outlines related activities along the Missouri River under Section J.

The refuge also has been working with the Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop a Water Quality Improvement Plan to monitor and improve the water quality of the DeSoto Lake ecosystem the fish and wildlife, and related recreational activities, which are primary objectives at DeSoto. NRCS District Conservationist Kurth and ROS Van Riper wrote and submitted a grant proposal to the State of Iowa, which was ranked as the number-one water­ quality project in the state. The refuge hosted a BBQ and tour of the refuge for the Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District in August. The purpose of the gathering was to show the County Comrrdssioners the resource involved, outline the problems involved and identify potential solutions. A conceptual idea at the beginning of the year has blossomed into, hopefully, a $295,000 rea·lity. Potential plans for the funding include: sediment basins, grassed waterways along drainages off refuge, experimental conservation tillage practices on refuge, and monitoring stations to measure sediment and pesticide loads entering the refuge through adjacent agricultural drainages.

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Efforts are underway between state, federal, and local agencies to reestablish the Missouri River ecosystem in a continuous corridor along segments of the river. All that remains today, of the once diverse Missouri River bottornlands are small fragmented islands of habitat. If these islands, including DeSoto, can be linked together in a corridor, the richness of this once vast ecosystem can truly be understood and appreciated. And, the land may once again support many of the nee-tropical migrants that are dependent on unfragmented habitats. A variety of management practices 38

maintain biodiversity on the refuge: through development and expansion of waterfowl breeding pair and brood habitat; placement of wood duck boxes and improvement of nesting habitats; shrub and tree plantings; native grass seedings; intensive grassland and water management; moist-soil unit development; other routine habitat manipulations, and biological farming rotations.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Only a few bald eagles were seen during January and February. By the end of February, over thirty birds were using the refuge. By the first of March over fifty birds were counted. By mid-month, the number climbed to 64 and, then, at the end of the month, they were gone. The bald eagles did not return until late October, with the fall migration of waterfowl. Our peak number of 71 birds was counted on Thanksgiving weekend. By early December, they were gone, along with the waterfowl.

Efforts continue to attract endangered interior least terns and threatened piping plovers. Roughly 1,800 linear feet of the former North Beach shoreline, 35 acres of the Sandbar area, and two acres of Sandbar Point are maintained as potential nesting sites. Tern decoys also are placed on these areas to try to lure in the birds. Six least terns were spotted on the refuge on September 20th, a rare sight today, but no activity was observed during the breeding season.

Peregrine falcons are being spotted more frequently over the last several years, both on and around the refuge. The city of Omaha has a hacking program on the Woodman Tower. We assume the birds are coming from the city. Wherever they come from, they are always an amazing sight.

3. Waterfowl

Winter Period (January - February>

Severe weather froze the lake over in early December, 1994, so no birds were left to sit out the winter. Fifty Canada geese and 30 mallards showed up in early February, and used the open water at the aeration site. Their numbers built slightly during the month. Spring Period (March - Mayl

Ducks began pushing through in early March, primarily diving duck species. Snow geese were seen heading north as early as March 11th. By the end of the month, Canada geese pairs were using the nesting structures around the refuge. The first broods were seen by the end of April.

Numerous wood ducks nested on the refuge, utilizing natural cavities and the 65 nest boxes. The nest box program has been active since 1967. Dump nesting was a tremendous problem until 1989, when the boxes were removed from over the water and placed in the timber. Since that time, there has been only 12 dump nests, compared to 66 dump nests in 1986, alone. Hatching success went from a low of 9.7 39 percent to hatches of 90-percent success. This is all very pleasing, but as each year since 1989 has come and gone, we continue to see more and more screech owl use. The first few years, we found four or five boxes in a line with an owl in one of them. Very definite territories. Each year, we see signs of more and more owl territories. But, we're doing such a fine job of raising owls that, in several places this year, we found owls in numerous boxes in a row. The little guys are using the boxes year-round for protection from great-horned owls, and for raising their own young. So far, nothing we have come up with will discourage the owls, without chasing off the wood duck hens. One idea was to put up two boxes in one spot. The thinking is that the owl will keep other owls out, but the hen will nest. Why this would be any different than the four or five boxes in an owl's territory (where no hens have had nests), we don't know, but it might work. This year wasn't a total wash. We did have an estimated 66 ducklings reach the ground, out of a total of 108 eggs laid.

Summer Period (June - August)

The Canada geese and their young had another successful year, and were enjoyed by the public and staff, as well. Iowa Department of Natural Resources personnel showed up to band the geese in early July. We were ready for the wily canadas this year! We caught and banded 28 birds, nearly all of them.

Fall Period (September - December)

The fall migration got off to a slow start at the very end of October, with several thousand mallards moving into the refuge. By the first of November, there were only 35 snow geese here. Telephone calls to the northern refuges let us know that the majority of the snows were still in Canada and along the North Dakota border. Hail storms before harvest had knocked down grain and the birds were in no hurry to leave. However, a blizzard across Canada and the Dakotas started on the 1st and continued into the 2nd. The snow geese waited it out until it became too severe on the 2nd, and they headed south amass. Small groups dropped into the refuge during the afternoon of the 2nd. But no huge flocks?? The next day we knew why. Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the 2nd, the maJor airports in Omaha, Kansas City, and Des Moines had major radar problems due to the massive flocks of geese. The radar could not keep track of 40

everything in the air, a simple case of "too much information", and they shut down. The mid-continent population of lesser snow geese, roughly 3.4 million birds, were moving through! The birds had overshot the refuge, but, as we expected, many came back during the next several days.

The snow goose numbers built up to 450,000 by the 8th. More birds were still coming in, but, due to the furlough, we will never know the peak number for 1995. By the time we were back on the job, their numbers were dropping. A storm on the 7th of December sent them packing. By the middle of the month, only the cripples remained, and they quickly fell prey to the eagles and coyotes.

Duck numbers peaked in early November, with 70,000 birds. They did not stay long because cold weather kept marshes and ponds frozen over. Fourteen species of ducks were seen during the fall migration, including a rare Eurasian widgeon.

Total waterfowl use days for the year were estimated at 13,660,495, which was slightly above the thirty-year average of 12,555,792. Total duck-use days totalled 862,394, which was significantly below the five-year average of 3,629,741. Goose-use days were 12,798,101, right on the five-year average. OK, so during our furlough, we had to extrapolate a fudge factor. We used the best data available. The peaks could have been higher.

4. Marsh and Water Birds

Several great blue herons, green-backed herons, black­ crowned night herons, snowy egrets, American and least bitterns, eared, horned, and pied-billed grebes were observed on DeSoto Lake. The majority of these sightings were in the spring and fall.

Peaks of 550 pelicans and 250 cormorants made their spring and fall stops on the refuge again this year. A group of about 50 immature cormorants spent the summer here.

5. Shorebirds. Gulls. Terns and Allied Soecies

The killdeer were nesting everywhere, as usual. Ring-billed and herring gulls, along with Forester's, common, and black 41

terns were observed on the refuge. Massive migrations passed through in mid-March, headed north westerly toward Lewis and Clark Lake. Other sightings included; greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, Wilson's phalarope, American avocets, common snipe, and serni-palmated, Bairds, solitary, least, western, pectoral and spotted sandpipers.

6. Raptors

Hawks have been observed throughout the year, including; northern harriers, rough-legged, Swainson's, Cooper's and sharp-shinned. Many other raptors were seen, including; osprey, merlin, American kestrels, turkey vultures, prairie falcons, and bald eagles. Red-tailed hawks were seen in substantial numbers throughout the year. Several pairs nested on the refuge.

This year, as in the past, eastern screech owls were seen in the wood duck boxes when the boxes were checked. Great horned owls were quite numerous, and nest here. An occasional barred owl was also spotted. Long-eared owls are spotted occasionally around the refuge. No barn owls were seen this year.

7. Other Migratory Birds

Woodcock, common crows, belted kingfishers, bluebirds, tree swallows, and northern rough-winged swallows were frequently observed during their respective nesting seasons. We can only guess that a lot of the woodcock's normal nesting habitat along the Missouri was flooded by the high flows this season.

The annual Spring Bird Count was held on April 30th. Many local Audubon members participated in counting 110 species.

The headquarter's shelterbelt continues to provide excellent nesting for hundreds of mourning doves.

The Christmas Bird Count was scheduled to be held on December 23rd. This fell during the second government shutdown. But, our local Auduboners would not be stopped. They held the Christmas count themselves. They could not get on the refuge, but they counted 47 species on the rest of the count area. They termed it an "un-refuge" count.

8. Game Mammals

The only resident big game animal is the white-tailed deer. No aerial counts were done this year. The usual spotlight count, before the muzzleloader deer hunt, was conducted on the 30th of November. This count is done only on the hunt area (Center Island). A total of 158 deer were observed with spotlights. The herd appears to be in good health.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Turkeys continue to be an enjoyable sight for the public and staff, alike. The birds have spread from the Center Island area, and are now regularly seen on the west side. Some 42

turkeys also have been seen between headquarters and the visitor center and around Bullhead Pond. By late December, up to 50 turkeys were roosting in undercut trees along the Missouri, on the west side of the channel. The limbs became so overloaded with turkeys that the birds had to move back toward the trunks of the trees to keep from being swept off in the swift current. We don't care what you turkey hunters say! They are incredibly stupid birds. Yea ... beautiful ... , but STUPID! !

The pheasant and quail populations are doing well. The pheasants are extremely numerous. There also are many raccoons and coyotes that roam the refuge. Neither species showed any disease problems this year.

Muskrats and their mounds continue to increase. Beaver have built several impressive lodges around the lake, much to the delight of the public. The staff is not so delighted when it comes to tearing out dams built on inflow ditches. The ditches have to be kept clear so off-refuge agricultural fields will not be flooded. A very low gradient exists throughout the valley, as water moves downriver, generally one foot per mile.

11. Fisheries Resources

DeSoto's fisheries program continued to receive attention, with two large-scale habitat improvement projects conducted in 1995. In January, ROS Van Riper coordinated (for the second year) a volunteer workday, building 93 fish habitat structures from donated materials. Thirty-five volunteers came from western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, with nail guns, hammers, and a desire to help the resource. The BASS-club­ dominated volunteers used 300+ pallets and 300+ concrete blocks, donated by Omaha businesses, to construct nursery, feeding, and loafing habitat, which was placed on the DeSoto Lake ice over water 8-10' deep. With the shortage of aquatic vegetation in DeSoto Lake, due in part to the heavy sediment loads that deposit in the lake after significant rainfall events, these artificial structures will provide long-term shelter, as well as benefit the recreational angler. In the last two years, a total of 168 structures have been built and located in the lake, where they will provide the most benefit. This was the third workday we've organized in the last two years, with the volunteer numbers, structures built, and enthusiasm increasing each time.

The second habitat project, which was initiated in late October, was funded primarily by the Service's recreational fisheries program. Thanks to the efforts of FAO's Columbia Project Leader Jim Milligan (the conceptual idea and the grant-writing were due to his efforts), this project involved the cutting, hauling, and placing of over 220 large red cedar trees in DeSoto Lake at predetermined locations. The trees were weighted down by 1,200 lbs. of concrete in two 55-gallon barrels attached by cable. A 43

Sicorky S-58 helicopter was contracted to airlift the tree bundles and weights out to the 45-buoyed locations throughout DeSoto Lake. ROS Van Riper coordinated the project, which couldn't have been accomplished without the assistance of several members of the staff.

The cedar trees used for this project will provide critically-needed vertical structure for numerous gamefish species. Trees were made available from a timber-stand . . improvement project in the Loess Hills State Forest. Nearly all of the anchoring materials were donated by local businesses. Arrival of the majority of our snow geese prohibited us from completing all of the helicopter drops. The remaining 25% of the trees will be placed early next spring.

This project almost ~made it "off the ground", with end of the year budget deadlines, contracting limitations, and waterfowl numbers quickly building. Then, after all 220+ trees were finally delivered, the weather started turning foul (no pun intended) and we were concerned about the boat operators, pilot, and helicopter, due to high winds and lowering temperatures. However, we were able to place the majority of the trees in the lake before the large waterfowl migration dumped on us. The last phase of this project has included adding additional weight to the trees piles, as they are considerably more buoyant than anyone had thought.

This year's stocking efforts in DeSoto Lake included: 350 four to fifteen-inch flathead catfish released on July 24th, another 5,100 seven-inch channel catfish delivered on the 26th of September, and 2,500 six-inch walleyes stocked on the 28th of September. Total stocking of sportfish within DeSoto Lake since the 1985 renovation is now over 34.7 million fish! 44

Commercial fishing permits were issued to three individuals again this year, with only one actively pursuing our roughfish population. Permits were issued for April 5th through September .30th, with date extensions granted thereafter. The total harvest for the year, including carp and buffalofish, increased to 34,028 pounds. The majority of the catch were buffalofish, weighing a total of 26,068 pounds, and carp at 7,960 pounds. Last year, the roughfish removed totalled only 10,272 pounds. Six largemouth bass and four walleye died during the seven months of netting. However, this is insignificant compared to the seventeen tons of roughfish removed from the lake.

During the week of September 18th, FAO Project Leader Jim Milligan, his assistant, and fishery bi~logists from Nebraska and Iowa conducted the refuge's annual electro­ shocking survey of DeSoto Lake. The purpose of the survey is to monitor fish species composition and relative abundance and to conduct a mark-recapture population estimate on largemouth bass. Results indicated that large­ mouth bass recruitment has continued to improve, with survival through the winter months. A number of large 5+ pounds bass were caught during the survey, showing good brood potential. Walleye samples were too small to provide any indicators. However, several age classes were noticed in this survey, as well as during the spring creel checks. Northern pike numbers continue to remain quite small, with reproduction minimal, at best.

Flathead and channel catfish numbers and size continue to improve, from the commercial fishing reports and our creel checks. Bluegill numbers continue to remain high, with only a small increase in their size. However, crappie proved to be the success story this past year. Large numbers of 10" or better crappies were harvested throughout the majority of the late spring and summer months. The bullhead population has been decreasing the last couple of years and, as expected, their size has improved. Bigmouth buffalofish appear to have declined in 1995, however, our electro­ fishing samples generally under-represent the true abundance of these species. They lie deep, and it takes a concerted effort to pull them off the bottom.

The balance of DeSoto Lake's fisheries appears to lean toward forage species. Carp, bluegill, and gizzard shad make up the bulk of the fish sampled. This is the first year since the 1985 renovation that large numbers of gizzard shad have been collected during the sampling survey, in two early age classes. Action needs to be taken to begin controlling the gizzard shad population, while we still can. The gizzard shad may have been reintroduced during the 1993 flood, possibly migrating through our inflow agricultural drainages during the peak of the flood along the Missouri. 45

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Our weather, in general, was mild, although there were extreme highs and lows in July and January, respectively. Then too, we had a furlough during our busy fall season. The net result was that the refuge visitation of 305,296 people was two percent less than in 1994. This remains well below the 10-year-average of 354,079 visits.

The DeSoto Visitor Center is normally open every day of the year, except for four holidays. The visitor center hosted 147,457 people this year, a three percent increase over last year. This was despite 20 days of furlough closings in November and December. The ten-year average for visitor center use is 159,716 visits.

Visitors were encouraged to come and participate in a full­ range of activities. Interpretative visitation was at an all-time record, much above the 10-year average. Non­ wildlife recreation remained low, because it is no longer encouraged. A decade ago, people used the refuge for a high level of sunbathing, swimming, powerboating, and waterskiing. Increasingly, the refuge is attracting those visitors who genuinely appreciate it for passive wildlife observation and environmental education.

We have several consumptive uses on the refuge. The hunting programs consist of a controlled waterfowl hunt, a muzzleloader deer hunt, and two archery deer hunts. We had about the same number of waterfowl hunters this year, and a decrease in warm-water fishing use. The number of mushroom hunters increased.

Non-consumptive wildlife recreation increased this year to well above the 10-year average. These uses, including wildlife observation, trail use, boating, photography, and related picnicking, have steadily increased since the 1984 closure of DeSoto Lake to active (non-wildlife) recreation. Non-wildlife use in the 1970's was nearly 200,000 people, compared to the few who now use the refuge for family reunions, club picnics, regattas, etc. today.

Summer visitation, through Labor Day, totalled 110,464 people; with 8,904 on Memorial Day weekend, 5,409 on the July Fourth weekend, and 5,589 on Labor Day weekend. In the past, water recreation attracted up to 10,000 people on any of these holidays. The public use season was extended from September 30 through October 14 (like last year) to maximize the potential for fishing, but use remained light during the period. overall, this season's use was down two percent from last year, when we had 112,959 visits during the summer.

The fall snow goose migration was early and superb. Geese concentrated at the Bob Starr Wildlife Overlook, and the crowds came. November is normally our busiest month of the year. Last year's visits to the refuge in November totalled 46

51,551. This year, 54,186 came, even though we were closed six days in November due to the federal shutdown.

November is often a nightmare of traffic backed out onto U.S. Highway 30, parking lots overflowing, with officers directing traffic all weekend, etc. This happened on three November weekends this year. Generally, weekday visitation was well-paced, and everyone was pleased with the sights and sounds of our snow goose spectacle. However, DeSoto was overrun on Sunday, November 5th, by 6,500 people. Only 3,000 were able to get in the visitor center, and hundreds were turned away. Refuge officers directed traffic for over four hours and the entrance fee booths had to be shut down for two hours in the afternoon as unsafe traffic backed up a mile, and on to high­ speed u.s. Highway 30. And then, on Sunday, November 12, the interior traffic got so bad that cars were backed up to the cottonwood Trail, with people walking over a mile to the Bob Starr Wildlife Overlook.

The three-day Thanksgiving weekend's good weather and the presence of nearly a half million snow geese attracted 10,845 visitors, down 19 percent from last year. Since we were furloughed November 14-19, there was probably public doubt about whether the federal agencies were "really open again."

COMPARATIVE VISITATION DATA (Activity Hours) ACTIVITY TEN-YEAR AVERAGE 1995 Interpretation 472,421 628,624 Visitor Center 159,716 147,457

Environmental Education 8,475 7,114 Consumptive Wildlife Recreation 35,126 23,224 Non-Consumptive Recreation 263,288 309,053 Non-Wildlife Recreation 1,898 7,312 I TOTAL PUBLIC USE 781,207 975,327

a. Entrance Fee System

This was the eighth year of entrance fee collection. Convenient self-registration stations are located near 47 both entrances to the refuge, and another is located in the visitor center. The daily fee is $3 per vehicle. Commercial vehicles pay $20 daily, or $30 if more than 21 people are aboard. Compliance appears pretty good and we make no special effort to enforce it, other than cursory checks.

The cost effectiveness of this program remains poor. A total of $85,832 was collected, but collections cost the refuge over $35,000. The refuge gets to keep 30 percent, but this does not cover administration. There is no gain for the refuge, and it takes staff time away from more important wildlife and people management responsibilities. In addition to the time spent dealing directly with the receipts, the staff also spends a great amount of time trying to explain the fee system and the variety of passes to the confused public.

The fee booths cause traffic tie-ups during busy November weekends, and, on two occasions, they had to be closed for public safety, as long traffic lines formed. During such times, we try to catch the public at the visitor center, if they are lucky enough to get into the parking area.

Entry fees were up 12 percent this year, and we sold 23 percent more permits. Sales of single-day permits were up 24 percent, and sales of Golden Eagles were up 7 percent. Duck Stamp sales increased 9 percent. Golden Age Passes increased 36% and we sold 24% more group and commercial permits. What looks like snow in this graphic image is actually a pile of money from the fee boxes being counted (computer technology still has some limitations) .

We still believe our entry fees drive away many potential visitors who pass right by our entrance on busy U.S. Highway 30, and who live in nearby towns. Iowa parks, such as the adjacent Wilson Island State Recreation Area, do not charge entrance fees. 48

Entrance Fee Permits

Type of Permit Number Receipts Single Visit 24,381 $65,967

Groups/Commercial 68 $1,935 Golden Eagle 203 $5,075 Golden Age 411 $4,110 Golden Access 84 N/A Federal Duck Stamp 583 $8,745 I TOTAL 25,730 $85,832

b. Public Information

The staff responded to 19,450 public inquiries, about the same number as last year. This includes 16,812 telephone responses, and 2,638 written responses. All of this keeps the phones ringing and the computers humming.

Twenty-eight news releases were sent to news media in Iowa and Nebraska, as-well as major Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota media resources. Our mailing list consists of 225 television, radio, and newspapers; this covers the major small towns in our two-state area. Special information was provided to the Omaha World Herald, Blair Enterprise, Missouri Valley Times News, Des Moines Register, Council Bluff's Nonpareil, and Lincoln Journal-Star newspapers.

Twenty-six interviews were granted to newspapers, and 24 to TV/radio representatives. Topics included goose migrations, art show, fishing, teacher-training workshop, auto-tour, and the Bertrand collection.

c. Public Relations

Most television and newspaper coverage this year was focused on waterfowl. We had much coverage by local and regional stations and newspapers. In fact, it seemed, at times, like a game of one-up-man-ship was underway, each company trying to do a better story than the other. Special arrangements involved considerable time from the refuge staff, but the net result was continued excellent coverage for the refuge.

Increased publicity brought new "friends" to the refuge from hundreds of miles away; i.e. Denver, Sioux Falls, Kansas City and Davenport. We are a major regional attraction. Once they arrive for the waterfowl spectacle, they usually get turned-on by the steamboat cargo/collection and Missouri River history, also. 49

Museum staff provided a variety of media agents with assistance. Robert H. Smith included us in his book, "Smith's Guide to Maritime Museums, Lighthouse, Canal, and Canal Lock Museums". The Denver Post ran an article by Nancy Peterson on June 4. Diane L. Beetler wrote an article for The MidAtlantic Antiques publication and Rebecca Christian entered an article in Home and Away. All of these articles included information that we provided to the authors about the museum or collection.

Locally, we again sponsored Iowa Archaeology week in September. Our permanent exhibit was featured in the Calendar of Events for that celebration of archeology endeavors.

Elanor Guralnick of the Archaeological Institute of American at Boston University contacted us about educational materials on the Bertrand. That information was published in the Institute's Archeology in the Classroom: A Resource Guide for Teachers and Parents. d. Off-Refuge Programs

Members of the staff gave 11 off-refuge programs. Wildlife Biologist Marco Buske gave a program in March to Pottawattamie County's Master gardener program on area soils, soil fertility, and weed control that included both chemical and non-chemical methods, and safe pesticide use. At the other extreme, Conservator Jeanne Harold gave a presentation to Dana College Students about federal careers and artifact conservation in the USFWS. Outdoor Recreation Planner Bruce Weber gave refuge programs in Mondamin and Modale, while Refuge Operations Specialist Steve Van Riper spoke about careers and wetlands to other groups. The programs were given to service clubs, history clubs, libraries, and schools, and covered a variety of requested topics.

The refuge film library loaned 23 films and videos, reaching a combined audience of 1,600 people. Films were loaned to schools, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, scout groups, historical societies, senior citizen centers, and other national wildlife refuges.

The museum specialist gave workshops on museum conservation, with a host of other high-powered professionals, to 700 Nebraska Junior High students at the Dana College's "Expanding Your Horizons" career days. The program encourages girls to pursue careers in math and sciences. e. Signs and Publications

We received a fiberglass-embedded wayside exhibit, made by Wilderness Graphics Company, commemorating deceased volunteer Bob Starr, which was mounted at our new Bob Starr Wildlife overlook. The Winona Sign Shop provided 50

us with 3 different standardized service signs for new projects, and as replacements, and we ordered 100 "Area Closed" signs from UNICOR for Boyer Chute placement.

our Wood Duck Pond Nature Trail brochure was updated and reprinted. We got 10,000 copies, which should last at least three years. We updated the Cottonwood Trail brochure last year. We continue to use about 30,000 DeSoto Refuge brochures each year, despite efforts to hold back distribution to tourist outlets and tour companies. There is a great demand for these.

We also photocopy numerous flyers: "1995 Events Schedule," "Student Wildlife Art Show", "DeSoto Art Show and Sale," and "Photo Show Information flyer" for limited distribution. By putting the information in "flyer" form, we save the multiple sheets of paper we formerly consumed.

2. outdoor Classrooms - Students

Students visited the refuge most of the year. A total of 7,343 students (369 classes) visited and were involved in environmental education programs. Teachers supervised many of their own classes at the refuge, and also borrowed films, slides shows, and videos to use back in their classrooms.

January through April brought 995 students to the refuge. May was, by far, the busiest month with 2,635 students (153 classes). During the summer, class visitation is normally low, and this year we had just 476 students. During September through December, we had 3,237 students (133 classes) . In the fall, most students come to learn about "Birds in Migration". The majority of classes work on the "Artifacts and Lifestyles" cultural resources packet provided by the refuge as part of their spring visit. As part of a full two-day EE program on the refuge, the four, fifth-grade classes from Blair even got instruction in canoeing and cooking breakfast over an outdoor grill.

The second week in September is set aside for Prairie Appreciation Week. This program teaches the students the historical importance of prairies, with both indoor and outdoor lessons. A total of 137 students (four schools) were accommodated during the three-day program. The weather was marvelous and grass colors were at their peak. We conducted 14 separate 51

sessions, and used the grasslands adjacent to our main entrance as the field site, because it was lush, having been burned in April. Four volunteers conducted the classes, along with the outdoor recreation planner.

Because of limited interpretive staff, we must depend on refuge volunteers to help with most education programs. Volunteers are first assigned to new groups, and then to as many repeat-user groups as can be scheduled.

About a dozen college classes used the refuge, including Dordt College, Tarkio-Westmar College, the University of Nebraska, Iowa State University, Iowa Western Community College, the University of South Dakota, Morningside College, Hastings College, and Northeastern College.

Outdoor Education - Fishing Clinics. In observance of National Fishing Week, over 80 Omaha boys and 30 minority adult volunteers from inner-city Omaha enjoyed a day of refuge fishing and boating on Saturday, June 3. Commercial fisherman Jesse James and over a dozen volunteers from the Service, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, F.B.I., U.S. Marshal's Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assisted in providing everything from fish and reptile identification, to knot-tying and casting, and even a Corps boater-safety program. The day culminated with a fish fry, in which over 100 pounds of buffalo-fish and walleye were consumed. The kids also caught about 150 pounds of carp during the event. The youths received instruction in fish cleaning and performed a litter clean-up.

A second clinic was held on August 12th, with another 80 youths participating. Retired Special Agent Cleve Vaughn, now the u.s. Marshall for Nebraska, organizes these clinics and does a fine job of sparking the outdoor interests of urban minority youth.

3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers

Mark Baldwin (shown here), in cooperation with The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Jamestown, New York, conducted an all-day, environmental­ education workshop on Saturday, September 16. Twenty eight teacher and professional nature center staff participated in the workshop called "The Naturalist's Journal -- A Way to See, Draw, and Write about Nature". This was the second year we hosted 52

this workshop. We had positive feedback from the participants about the excellent instruction. We recommend the institute as a potential educational resource for other refuges.

4. Interpretive Foot Trails

The four refuge foot trails were used by over 45,416 visitors. Volunteers Dorothy and Frank Hardy preformed a sixth season of 'trail patrol', picking up litter and pruning overhanging branches, plus periodically restocking the Wood Duck Pond and Cottonwood Nature Trail dispensers with interpretive leaflets. Guided tours of the trails were provided to 2,429 visitors (121 groups). Volunteers provided the majority of these tours - mostly for conservation-oriented tour groups that called ahead for reservations.

5. Interpretive Tour Routes

The Auto Tour usually runs from October 15th through November 30th. We were, of course, closed November 14-19 due to the partial Federal government shutdown. This is sad, because it happened at the peak of the fall waterfowl migration. The current route ends at the new "Bob Starr Wildlife Overlook", and people return on the same seven miles of paved road. Generally, this change in the route continues to be well accepted by the public, even though it means they are excluded from the unpaved (and dusty) gravel part of the road that continues the loop around Center Island. There were only a couple complaints, but they were insistent, as reported under Section J3, Congressional Contacts.

While the best overall viewing is usually from the visitor center windows, this year the overlook overwhelmed visitors and staff by its popularity with the snow geese. Even though it was a new, strange structure, the geese "loved" it. Geese gathered in abundance despite the crowds behind the overlook. Geese even wandered around the overlook and waddled up to the parking lot fence, which is unusual for these usually skittish waterfowl. To say the least, goose photography and goose watching were excellent this year.

Cottonwood picnic ground was kept open during the auto tour, as was the Bertrand Excavation Site and Missouri River Overlook. These sites help to disperse traffic during peak- 53

visit periods. More than 65,000 people drove the tour route during the 47-day period. The new route reduces law enforcement problems, reduces the amount of special signing that had previously been required, and eliminates traffic disturbance at the eagle roost site, since it no longer passes nearby.

6. Interpretive Exhibits and Demonstrations

Rehab of our interpretation facilities is underway. Tom Worthington visited the refuge during July 12-14 with Marvin Cook of Wilderness Graphics to work on a plan for solving interpretive needs in the visitor center, on the refuge, and particularly at the nearby Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (proposed) . It was a very worthwhile visit, with lots of brain-storming, idea-sharing, and "visioning" for the future. over the long haul, we expect exhibits to be reworked on the refuge and in the visitor center, and new signs and interpretive exhibits developed for Boyer Chute. So far, we have planned only the Boyer Chute exhibits, to prepare for its opening in the spring of 1996.

All this follows our September, 1994, station evaluation, in which a high priority was given to upgrading the refuge's interpretive message; including the 15 year-old visitor center exhibits and the Service's ecosystem message, (i.e. the Missouri River story).

a. Self-guided Exhibits

Visitation at the DeSoto Visitor Center was 147,457 people, a three percent increase over the previous year, but below the ten-year average of 159,716. The early months of the year are cold, windy, and sparse in visitation. Spring use of the center picks up, and, of course, fall use is usually very heavy. Fifty-four percent of our visitation usually occurs in September, October, and November.

November drew 54,186 people to the visitor center, thirty-seven percent of the year's total. Even though we were closed by furlough for six days, this November's visitation was 41 percent greater than last November (i.e. 38,367). Since this was the peak of the migration, the center would have probably had 64,000 visitors in November. Over 4,000 people visited the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and on the following Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We become "maxed out" (i.e. parking lots, fee collecting and toilets) when this happens. Although the meager refuge staff was heavily stressed, 450,000 geese provided an awe­ inspiring spectacle for the viewing public.

One of our orientation films,. "Seeds of Change" or "Off The Beaten Path", is generally shown hourly during the week, and on the half hour on weekends and during heavy-use periods. A total of 21,998 people viewed these introductory films, in addition to all school groups. Our special weekend wildlife films were viewed by 4,151 people, even though they are not shown in 54

November due to our policy of relieving crowding in the center by limiting activities that cause visitors to stay longer.

The DeSoto Visitor Center contains exhibits on cultural history, natural history, wildlife, conservation, and Service-oriented displays. Two galleries feature displays about the Steamboat Bertrand, which sank in 1865, and the effects of westward expansion on the habitat and wildlife of the Missouri River Basin. There also are two lakeside wildlife-viewing areas that are often filled to human capacity when the snow geese are present on DeSoto Lake.

Various exhibits are displayed in the visitor center throughout the year. A wildflower photo book, a morel mushroom photo book, and a bird reporting book were placed at the information desk during the appropriate seasons, and these are regularly updated. Taxidermy mounts of waterfowl and information on the flyways were set up in the fall.

The visitor-activated three-minute steamboat excavation video is viewed on a 21-inch monitor in a 'shipping crate' in the Cargo Viewing Gallery. The Panasonic VCR, and monitor generally work well in the 'crate'. In the visitor center lobby, we show a four-minute video of DeSoto's wildlife, produced by volunteer Bob Horton, who has captured hundreds of hours of our wildlife on tape. Both visitor-activated videos are popular, but tapes and machines need regular maintenance when they are viewed 15-20 times a day, throughout the year. Also requiring increased maintenance are the three LaBelle S-track audio interpretive systems, which operate 22 telephone handsets. After 15 years, tapes are wearing out, hand sets and cradles are breaking, and the LaBelle players themselves are developing irreparable buzzing problems. This year, we sent two LaBelles to North Carolina, the only shop in the nation where they are still serviced. This is now "old" technology and we plan to replace the machines with solid-state-chip players. 55

A new public address system was installed in the visitor center in November by Midwest Sound Co., which installed the original equipment 14 years ago. In addition to an amplifier, we have a new microphone, 7- disk CD player, double cassette player, and FM tuner. This gives us the option to play appropriate background nature sounds, and music, as people tour the center. It also makes the center more pleasant for staff. The old equipment was in poor condition.

Binoculars are available to visitors for free use in the visitor center. We use nine rubberized, Minolta 8 x 40s. This service is very popular with waterfowl and eagle observers. Damage to loaned binoculars is infrequent; we keep a driver's license as security. The station also issues three copies of National Geographic's Birds of North America for visitor loan.

The center offers a variety of excellent special exhibits. The first notable occurrence is the Student Wildlife Art Show throughout the month of March. This year was the twelfth annual showing. There were 146 works, from 58 classes in 18 Iowa and Nebraska schools (K-12} in the exhibit. Award ribbons were provided, and all participants received a personalized parchment certificate. Over 8,058 visitors enjoyed the exhibit in the center's multi-purpose room.

From May 20 to June 24, the center hosted the Twelfth Annual Wildlife Photography Exhibit and Sale. The exhibit included 699 photos by 12 Iowa and Nebraska photographers. A fifteen percent commission and $25 per photographer entry fee brought $509 to the co­ sponsoring Midwest Interpretive Association. A total of $1,093 worth of local photography was sold. We had a 28-percent increase in sales over the previous year. More than 10,000 people saw the show.

During August, we had an exhibit about "Federal Archeology on the Plains." The exhibit summarized the work of the Smithsonian Institution and National Park Service in discovering and protecting Missouri River archeological sites. The topic is important to us, because unless this activity and organization was in place at the time, the excavation of the steamboat Bertrand wouldn't have been so thoroughly professional and scientific. The Midwest Archeological Laboratory was up and running when the Bertrand was excavated in 1968-69. The federal government was prepared, and the historic Bertrand artifacts witness that fact. At DeSoto, the archeology story is second only to the goose migration spectacle.

During September 9-17, Prairie Appreciation Week was held for students. A multi-purpose-room exhibit of grasses and wildflowers was set up for environmental education purposes during the weekdays, and also was open to general visitors during the weekends. Volunteers went afield with the students to conduct prairie appreciation exercises. 56

The Thirteenth Annual Wildlife Art Exhibit and Sale was held during september 30-0ctober 28. Some 222 two-and­ three-dimensional works by 20 Iowa and Nebraska artists were displayed. Sales totalled $3,069, double the previous year's. The Midwest Interpretive Association retained $985, from a 15-percent commission and a $25 entry fee. Volunteer artist/demonstrators were featured on weekends during the show, sharing their skills and personalities with visitors. More than 16,300 visitors saw this show.

1995 VISITOR CENTER EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES

Dates of Exhibits/Activities Tit1e of Exhibit/Activity

March 1 - 31 Student Wildlife Art Exhibit April 1 - 30 Jim Fox Photo Exhibit April 5 - May 10 Mid America Woodcarvers Exhibit

April 17 - 22 National Wildlife Week Exhibit-(Suitcase for Survival)

May 20 - June 24 Wildlife Photography Exhibit & Sale

June 25 Raptor Recovery Talk ' July 1 - 31 Outdoor Writers of America Exhibit August 1 - 31 Federal Archeology on the Plains September 9 - 17 Prairie appreciation Week Exhibit

September 30 - October 28 Wildlife Art Exhibit & Sale October 15 - November 30 Wildlife Auto Tour November 1 - December 30 Birds in Migration Taxidermy Exhibit November 1 - December 15 Fantasy Insect Exhibit December 1 - 30 Iowa's Wetland Heritage Exhibit b. Bertrand Museum

Curation. We continued the loan process with three separate institutions in 1995. The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in Montana exhibited 132 Bertrand object's throughout the year, in honor of the town's founding father, Frank Lyman Worden. Worden had consigned much of the cargo shipped on the unfortunate steamboat. Fort Missoula staff reported that 40,000 57 visitors viewed the exhibit throughout 1995. The Putnam Museum of Davenport, Iowa, completed their exhibit, which included eight of our objects. The conservator and registrar met with Putnam personnel in Des Moines at the Iowa Historical Museum, photographed and inspected the objects, and passed them on to the Dubuque County Historical Museum at Dubuque, Iowa, where they were on display for an additional six months. Nearly 8,000 visitors saw the Putnam exhibit in the first two months of 1995, and 37,500 visited Dubuque during the six-month period. So, the Bertrand Collection has received excellent exposure this year.

Information was sent to a Civil War ordinance connoisseur for a free appraisal of collection ammunition. After seeing our exhibit, the individual happened to spark up a conversation with the museum specialist, while she was on front-desk duty. After he began to talk prices, we later took him up on his offer to appraise these materials for us. He indicated that a conservative estimate of the ordinance alone is $200,000. This was our first major appraisal since the alcoholic beverage bottles in 1974, which was required for GSA/salvor litigation. We hope to pursue more in the near future.

The Bertrand Collection now can be found on its own "Horne Page" on the World Wide Web of the Internet. Staff sent the Washington Office Blue Goose Server administrator digitized images and text about the collection. Several professional web sites have placed pointers to us on their "Home Pages", notably, The ArcNet from the University of Connecticut, Nebraska Game and Parks, and the City of Omaha. The Bertrand site can be reached through the USFWS Horne Page, Region 3 Horne Page, or directly at the following address on the Web:

http://bluegoose.arw.r9.fws.gov/nwrsfiles/ culturalresources/bertrand/bertrand.html

Work continues to send digitized brochures about the refuge also. Hopefully, access to the entire collection will soon follow. With access to CC:Mail and the Internet, the museum staff can now send reference information around the world to interested parties with access to the Internet. This format saves a lot of time and photographic processing costs, so its certainly worth the effort.

A variety of activities continued to center around a multimedia grant project with NETV. Staff continued to develop ideas and information for the design of the program. The product will be an interactive computer through which visitors will be able to find out more about the museum collection and the history of the Bertrand. 58

MuSeum Displays/Cargo Storage. A variety of tasks continued to mitigate adverse environmental conditions in the storage area and exhibits, with the assistance of add-on monies from the RHPO for museum property protection. We placed UV- resistant film over all large windows near museum exhibits, 39 windows in all. Two new exhibit cases (one is shown here), made according to professional standards of museum conservators and with detailed specifications provided by the museum specialist, were purchased and installed. A protective vitrine was placed over the exhibited hand truck and mud drum in our theme gallery and Cargo Viewing Area, respectively. A similar exhibit was ordered for the Theme Gallery plow. The old museum cases were used to permanently store our waterfowl mounts, as shown below.

Staff continued the routine management of hygrothermographs and environmental monitoring with digital recorders. Monitoring levels of RH and temperature are critical to maintaining and preserving the museum collection. Likewise, pest monitoring traps were maintained biweekly as part of our museum IPM program.

Special shelving for museum objects in the basement crawlspace and specimen storage cabinets for the Cargo Storage Area were purchased for space that would have been freed up during the proposed HVAC renovation of the visitor center. Unfortunately, the project came in over bid. Not to worry; the equipment will still be put to good use. Two additional dehumidifiers were purchased also, 59 since the bids fell through to help alleviate the adverse humidity conditions in the summer months ahead.

The museum specialist, museum technician, and Intern Chris Anus on (pictured here) installed 195 acrylic straps on the open shelving in the cargo storage areas to protect bottles and liquors on display and in storage. Ten shelves of bottles were moved in an effort to keep them from falling or breaking, since they were in the direct line of fire-suppression, halon gas discharge heads. The halon would discharge at a window-shaking 400 psi!

Interpretation. Numerous tours were given to commoners and dignitaries alike! Over 30 foreign ambassadors and their entourages were given the grand tour in June. Regional Director Bill Hartwig and USFWS Computer Specialist Sean Furniss from the Washington Office, as well as the directors of the Ding Darling Wildlife Society, Congressman Doug Bereuter's administrative assistant, a group of German foreign exchange students, and the Second Brigade of the Iowa Light Artillery Civil War Reenactment Group all received our informative guided tours.

The staff completed work with a volunteer designer, Rudy Evans, to finish The Bertrand Stores. We now await funding and a publisher.

Information was sent to Region 3 Historic Preservation Officer, John Dobrovolny, for inclusion in an Annual Report to Congress concerning interpretation and public-relations activities associated with Federal archeological sites and cultural resources throughout the u.s.

The staff at FWS Pacific Islands Eco-Region, Honolulu, Hawaii, were sent a hefty package containing information regarding the management of shipwrecks, submerged resources, and our museum exhibits, for a Congressional inquiry about the FWS's record on this type of cultural resource management program. The information was used to illustrate how the Service might manage Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

Research. Fervent steamboat enthusiast and long-time DeSoto volunteer, Clint orr donated some copies of his 60

steamboat research. He also let us copy the "Bible" of all steamboat wreck researchers, Army Corps of Engineers Captain Hiram M. Chittenden's Report on Steamboat Wrecks on the ~ssouri River in the 1897 Annual Report of the War Department, Report of the Chief of Engineers, Part 6, Missouri River Commission, Appendix. Whew!

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Our international highlight came August 17th, when Iowa's U.S. Senator Grassley brought 60 Ambassadors and embassy leaders to the refuge to learn about Iowa history. They came from across the globe, and arrived nearby via special Union Pacific train. This was the second time in seven years that Senator Grassley has organized the tour.

The refuge continues to attract an impressive variety of visitors. They came from Moldavia, Czechoslovakia, Zimbabwe and 76 other nations. Our registration book also records people from all 50 states, and Puerto Rico. We gave a tour to 25 German exchange students who came in July, and 20 Japanese exchange students who came in August.

Many foreign visitors self-tour the refuge and visitor center, and we discover they are foreign visitors only after they sign the registration book, or do something uncommon, like rolling out their prayer rug to pray.

The staff presented talks and programs to a variety of groups, other than educational groups. A total of 87 organized groups and bus tours, containing 2,670 persons, visited the refuge. Programs on endangered species, wetlands, wildlife management, and the steamboat Bertrand were all subjects for numerous programs given to visiting groups by staff and volunteers. 61

"SPECIAL" INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS GIVEN IN THE VISITOR CENTER

Date Exhibit Ti t1e Artist January 21 "My Photographic Life" Don Poggenssee April 22 "Earth Day Mushroom Talk" lone Werthman June 25 "Raptor Recovery Talk" Jenny Hendricksen

August 12 "Coyote Research" Jeff Heubschman September 16 "Roger Tory Peterson Workshop" Mark Baldwin October "Wildlife Art Show" (weekends) Demonstrations

The weekend wildlife film series was enjoyed by 4,151 visitors throughout the year. Many of the same local folks come each Saturday or Sunday to enjoy a film. Each feature is now shown three times, on both Saturday and Sunday. The series included special programs for Earth Day, Prairie Appreciation Week, and a Lewis and Clark weekend. Weekend films were discontinued in November, on days of high public visitation during the peak waterfowl migration.

8. Hunting

a. Waterfowl. The Iowa southern snow goose zone hunting season ran from October 14th through January lOth. The daily bag limit was ten geese. The Iowa southern duck zone early season ran September 23rd through the 25th, and from October 21st to December 6th. The daily bag limit was five ducks ... a return to the distant past.

This was the twenty-second consecutive year for DeSoto's controlled waterfowl hunt. The hunt is a four-day-a-week hunt (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings only). This year, however, four of those days were lost due the Federal government shutdown. On the other days, a total of 111 birds were bagged, which included 100 geese and 11 ducks. Hunters logged 1,112 activity hours during 250 visits. It took an average of 10.2 hours to bag a bird, and 11.07 shots to do it.

b. Muzzleloader Deer Hunt. The three-day muzzleloader deer hunt ran from December 9th through the 11th. A Scout Day was held on December 3rd. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission issued permits to 100 hunters. A total of 84 hunters took the opportunity to look over the hunting area and erect tree stands. Then, a total of 92 hunters participated in the hunt, and logged 1,475 hours to harvest 49 deer. 62

The Muzzleloader deer hunt success rate was 53 percent. Some very nice bucks were taken, among the 29 adult males. Students, from University of Nebraska at Lincoln, weighed and aged the harvested deer. We had a good turnout, considering the 40-below windchills. Snow cover helped the hunters achieve their high success ratio.

c. Archery Deer Hunt. The refuge hosts an archery deer hunt for both Iowa and Nebraska residents, during their respective seasons. The hunters are requested to voluntarily sign in and report any deer taken or shot. Of course, not every hunter does this , therefore, our information is sketchy. But administrative costs are low, and these hunts provide a lot more recreation than is ever recorded. The manager took a nice 10-point from the Nebraska side on November 20th, and then, found the remains of a huge 181.28 Boon & Crockett antlered three-and-one-half year old buck in early January, 1996 ... on the Iowa side, only 100 yards from our south bowhunter parking area.

I State 11995 Season I Bunters I Hours I Deer Taken Nebraska 09/15 to 11/10 294 845 7 adult males 11/21 to 12/31 5 adult females Iowa 10/01 to 12/01 230 757 13 adult males 12/18 to 01/10 2 adult females

9. Fishing

Ice fishing opened on the 7th of January, and closed with warmer weather on the 17th of February, with only 3.5 inches of ice, at best. Limited success was experienced during the ice fishing season. Only small bluegill and average-size crappie were witnessed while checking anglers.

The general fishing season opened, as usual, on the 15th of April, with only limited numbers of anglers taking advantage 63

of the highly successful fishing the season was to offer. Ten registered area bass clubs held their catch­ and-release tournaments with mixed success early in the season. A total of 439 anglers caught 120 legal bass, averaging 3.2 pounds per fish, with several running over seven pounds. One archery club had reasonable success with our roughfish population. However, weather conditions provided for excellent success on bass and walleye throughout the late spring and early summer months. Reports were turned in showing several bass weighing over seven pounds, and even one trophy bass tipping the scales at nine pounds! With the warmer weather, the crappie fishing kept many local anglers busy in the evenings, well into September. It wasn't unusual to see twenty-five or thirty crappies in the majority of the baskets or stringers that were checked. Channel catfish also were more prevalent on stringers than what we have seen in many years. In September, several channel cats in the 8 to 11 pound weight class were caught by happy anglers. Several local anglers stated that this was the best crappie and overall fishing success that they had seen at DeSoto since renovation in 1985. Normally, the hot and humid days of July and August slow fishing success considerably; but the evening cooler fishing for crappies and catfish changed that this year. Total fishing visits for the year included 4,991 anglers and 14,626 activities hours for both warm­ water and ice fishing.

11. Wildlife Observation

Since DeSoto is within 25 miles of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, there are many people attracted to the refuge's more natural habitats. Wildlife viewing from the visitor center is good in season, especially for waterfowl. The 12-foot-tall wooden platform at the North Beach was in poor shape, and was replaced in 1994 with the Bob Starr Wildlife Overlook, which is accessible to the disabled and can accommodate a lot more visitors at one time . . In fact, we can accommodate them by the bus load. Humans and snow geese both quickly adjusted to the new overlook. 64

Never before this year was the area better used by both species. Visitors could get so close to geese that a telephoto lens wasn't even needed. The road remained open to the overlook throughout the year, except during the federal shutdowns.

More and more, visitors today are seeing turkeys and coyotes. Viewing the refuge deer herd has always been popular. Ring-necked pheasants are usually visible along the roads. Many local people come out to the refuge toward the end of the day to simply drive through and see wildlife. There are even occasional sightings of mink, beaver, muskrats, and opossum.

One of the most sought-after sightings is a bald eagle. Thousands of people come to the refuge in the fall and winter to get a glimpse of one. The eagles cooperate quite well. Not many visitors leave unhappy, even though the eagles are usually farther off than the close-up lenses of TV cameras lead the public to expect. Our new Missouri River Overlook has increased the potential for viewing eagles along the river, in season.

12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation

a. Nature Trails

There are four nature trails. The Missouri Meander Trail, adjacent to the visitor center, is the most used. Its short, paved trail is a draw even for the non-disabled. The Bertrand Excavation Site trail continues to be popular. We also have two interpreted trails, at Wood Duck Pond and Cottonwood Trail. All are looped trails and cross relatively flat bottomland terrain.

b. Mushroom Hunting

Mushroom hunting is permitted on approximately half the refuge, from April 15 through May 31. The search is mostly for the tasty "morels." This popular activ1ty, is akin to blueberry or blackberry picking in other refuges. We recorded 4,991 visits this year, a significant increase due to the wet spring weather. A morel mushroom information sheet and mushroom slide show were provided to reinforce public safety in this activity. False morels, which are toxic, usually occur 65

here in limited numbers. But, we saw a lot of them this season.

One poisonous species of false morel, Gyromitra brunnea, was found this May which weighed 3.6 lbs.--a record size according to scientists at Iowa State University, who were eager to have the specimen. c. Boating, Canoeing, Sailing

Less recreational boating is recorded each year. Three dozen boats might use DeSoto Lake on good days, half of that on other days. It reflects the public's difficult time in catching fish, although the fishing was pretty good during the first half of the summer. The lake has a 5-mile-per-hour, "no wake" speed restriction, which discourages the powerboaters (up to 41,000 during the 1970's), who used to race around this seven-mile-long lake.

Canoeing and sailboating were down, also. The lack of canoeists is unfortunate, because the lake has interesting diversity long its shoreline, which can provide an enjoyable day on the water. The Eastern Nebraska Sailing Association held its annual regatta on Saturday, July 29. Ten small sailboats participated, despite 100-degree temperatures. Boats set sail at the Bertrand Ramp about 2 pm., maneuvered through an obstacle course near the visitor center, and proceeded to the South Gate Ramp, where members picnicked and observed wildlife. d. Bicycling and Walking

Many people enjoy bicycling on the refuge roads, particularly persons camping in the adjacent Wilson Island State Recreation Area. They usually carry their bikes along in their recreational vehicles. Walking is generally only along our four maintained trails, none of them over a mile long. 66

14. Picnicking

Approximately 100 picnic tables are located throughout the refuge; 50 of these are located at the South Gate Recreation Area. Most of the use occurs during the summer. The refuge accommodated over 18,809 picnickers, including family groups and school groups. The picnic tables at Cottonwood Nature Trail (shown here) are used especially by school children on EE outings, and are now kept open through the fall auto-tour period. Two wheelchair­ accessible picnic tables and pads are available, one each at the Cottonwood and South Gate facilities. Several picnic areas were reduced--in numbers and maintained area--to reduce the stations maintenance overload. We used to mow 95 acres of picnic grounds bi­ weekly.

16. Other Non-Wildlife-Oriented Recreation

About the biggest event in this category was the five mile­ long "Crop Walk for Famine Relief," attended by 80 people on Sunday, October 8. Back again this year was 98-year-old Moses Miles, part of a four-generation family group of walkers. Non-wildlife-oriented use is practically non­ existent today, except for the occasional business picnic, regatta, or walk-a-thon. A decade ago, it was normal to have half of our visitation engaging in active, water­ oriented recreation: swimming and sunbathing, waterskiing, and high-speed powerboating ... and most people seemed oblivious to the refuge's wildlife and its habitat requirements. The 'Crop Walk' described above was a relatively low-impact event. It was primarily a positive public-relations gesture in our horne community.

17. Law Enforcement

Law enforcement strength was almost adequate this year, at least in the latter months. The number of refuge officers on station increased from three (1 full-time, 2 collateral duty) in January to five (1 and 4) at year's end. Susan Cooper attended FLETC early in the year, and completed Refuge Officer Basic School in August. SROS Phillips reported for duty in June, bringing the total number of officers to five, with three living on station. The only thing we lacked was the FTE for our second, full-time officer (which has not been filled since 1993) . 67

SUMMARY OF 1995 VIOLATIONS

NOVs TOTAL WARN:ING :ISSUED F:INES CASES T:ICDTS V:IOLAT:ION & CLOSED PA:ID PEND:ING :ISSUED Over bag ·limit of wood ducks a 2 $500 0 0

Possession of a controlled substance 1 $250 0 0 Fishing w/o a state license 6 $600 sb 2 Fishing wl more than 2 lines 5 $250 1 2 Possession of under-size bass 2 $100 0 1 Exceeding the no- wake (5 mph) speed limit 2 $100 0 4 Trespass in a closed area 18c $1,800 3d 17

General trespass 0 0 0 6

Trespass after hours 0 0 0 10

Allow pet on refuge 1 $50 2 0 Entry w/o permit 0 0 0 17 Disturbing wildlife 0 0 0 1

Off road travel 0 0 0 1

Speeding 0 0 0 2 I TOTALS 37 $3,650 11 63 11994 TOTALS 17 $1,425 7 68

aThese violations occurred off-refuge on nearby Wilson Island State Recreation Area. bone of these was issued in 1993. cThirteen of these were associated with the government shutdown, and four were associated with mushroom hunting. ~ne of these was issued in 1993 and one in 1994.

Some of the more noteworthy law enforcement situations this year included the following: 68

On January 7, Officer Wyckoff found vehicle tracks in the snow leading into a closed area. Wyckoff located an occupied vehicle in the closed area. Initially, the driver appeared to be nervous, but became irritated and belligerent as Wyckoff questioned him and obtained his Wisconsin driver's license. He then sped away, without his license. Wyckoff followed at a slower rate of speed due to the hazardous, snow-packed road conditions. The suspect left the refuge and got nearly 10 miles from where he was initially stopped before he lost control of the vehicle and skidded into a ditch. In the meantime, Wyckoff had called for assistance from local authorities. Upon reaching the vehicle, Wyckoff took the suspect into custody. An NCIC check revealed the vehicle was stolen, the suspect was wanted on drug charges, and should be considered armed and dangerous. Two loaded pistols were found on the seat next to the driver's seat, and an unloaded shotgun was behind the seat. One gun on the seat was cocked! The suspect stated that he had intended to kill himself, and that he was wanted for drug violations in Illinois. Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Deputies hauled him to jail.

On August 29, while investigating a report of someone fishing in a closed area of the refuge, officers took an individual into custody at the request of Council Bluffs, Iowa, authorities. For some unknown reason they would not say why the individual was wanted. We later learned that the offense may have been only a minor traffic violation.

On September 18, Officers Wyckoff and Cooper rescued two individuals from the Missouri River after the personal watercraft (Wave Runner) they were riding became disabled. The owner of the watercraft requested help from the officers as they were loading their patrol boat at the Wilson Island boat ramp. The owner stated that two of his friends were riding the Wave Runner when it broke down, and they were being carried down-river by the swift current. The officers found the vessel several miles downriver with a female rider still hanging on. The other rider, a male, was found clinging to a tree back up-river from where the Wave Runner was found (he had tried to swim for shore) . Both individuals and the watercraft were safely returned to the boat ramp, although the male victim did appear to be somewhat hypothermic. Unfortunately, Officer Cooper sustained an injury to her hand while trying to control the watercraft in the strong river current. She was still receiving treatment (therapy) for the injury at year's end.

From November 14 to November 19, the refuge was closed due to a partial Government shutdown. The shutdown could not have come at a worse time, with snow goose and visitor numbers at peak levels. Two refuge officers were kept on to protect the resources on the refuge (especially the hundreds of thousands of migrating snow geese using the refuge), and to enforce the refuge closure. A total of 13 NOVs for trespass were issued during the period, all of which involved people entering closed areas to view the snow geese and eagles. In nearly all of the cases, the individuals admitted seeing and ignoring a "closed area" 69 admitted seeing and ignoring a "closed area" sign along the boundary. A public television station doing a story on the Government shutdown and resulting refuge closure actually filmed one of the trespass cases and interviewed the alleged violator. Even though a few of the violators threatened to "see us in court" (including the one that got filmed), all of the individuals cited paid their $100.00 fines without going to court.

The second Government shutdown, which occurred in late December and early January, and lasted three weeks, had less of an impact on public use and, therefore, on the law enforcement program at DeSoto. The snow geese had pushed on further south and visitation, as is normal for this time of year, was slow. No NOVs had to be issued during the second shutdown. on November 14, an individual hunting deer on the adjacent Rand's Bar state hunting area reported that a deer he had shot ran onto the refuge. The individual demanded assistance in retrieving his deer from the "essential staff" left on the station during the shutdown (he had been issued an NOV for trespass last year after crossing into the refuge after a wounded deer without authorization). SROS Phillips, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Dwane Kennedy met the individual at Rand's Bar and helped him retrieve his deer. Kennedy also charged the individual with hunting out of three illegally erected deer stands.

On December 9, during the refuge muzzleloader deer hunt, a lost hunter was found by refuge staff after approximately two hours of searching. While making a sweep of the hunt area following the day's hunt, Officer Wyckoff discovered a vehicle parked within the hunt area. A registration check revealed the vehicle was owned by an individual participating in the refuge hunt. With wind chill factors in the minus-30-degree range, and darkness approaching, refuge staff began fearing the worst. However, the hunter was found unhurt, but apparently very fatigued. He stated that he had shot a deer and became disoriented while tracking it. A£ter the clouds cleared, and he could he see the moon, he found his way out of the woods to a refuge road. He did find his deer the following day.

On December 11, also during the muzzleloader hunt, a report of an injured hunter (broken leg) was made to a refuge 70

employee. This was potentially very serious as well, given that temperatures were still below zero. The employee receiving the report contacted Officer Wyckoff. Wyckoff and Manager Gage responded to the Wood Duck Pond area and contacted the individual who had made the report (the injured hunter's son). The hunter was located and stated that he had pulled some ligaments in his leg. Wyckoff and the hunter's son helped the man walk, while Gage cleared a path. This was no easy task as the hunter's estimated weight was nearly 400 pounds! After the man was loaded into a refuge vehicle, Gage transported the hunter to a local hospital (after deciding the potential problems associated with moving the man to another vehicle were too great).

The visitor center security and fire alarm systems kept officers busy all year. We experienced 18 false security and 6 false fire alarms. Ten of the alarms occurred between midnight and 6 am. We could find no reason (not even a guess) for 11 of the security and three of the fire alarms. Two of the security alarms (in a single night) were due to mistakes made by the contracted cleaning crew. The remaining eight alarms (5 security, 3 fire) were attributed to various causes, including power surges, power outages (from thunder storms, etc.), and high winds rattling doors, windows, etc.; although none of these causes could be substantiated.

18. Cooperating Associations

The Midwest Interpretive Association (MIA) has completed its fourteenth year of operation, with a 3.9 percent increase above last year's receipts, despite not having any revenue generated during the peak sale's time period, because of the government shutdown. (See Feedback, Section for more details.)

Bruce Barkley serves as the MIA's full-time Business Manager, a non-government employee, operating a $108,000 business from the DeSoto Visitor Center. Along with DeSoto, the Association also administers refuge outlets at Mingo, Squaw Creek, Swan Lake, Horicon; and at Lewis and Clark Lake, which is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Center, near Yankton, South Dakota.

This past August, Horicon NWR started a new MIA sales area at their facility. A three-year, low-interest, $10,000 loan from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation was obtained to get them up and running. Business Manager Barkley travelled to Horicon a couples times to assist them in becoming operational. They are doing well!

Revenue received from the sale of a variety of educational books, artwork, photographs, t-shirts, postcards, and posters at the DeSoto Visitor Center totalled $57,891.56. The Association made its final payment on the DeSoto three­ year, low-interest, $10,000 loan from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 71

A breakdown of MIA sales activities during the year follows:

% OF MONETARY OUTLET GROSS SALES MXA SALES CONTR:IBUT:IONS DeSoto $57,891.56 53.5 $1,800.08 Mingo 9,118.95 8.4 622.78 Squaw Creek 14,000.34 12.9 1, 761. 00 Swan Lake 1,523.07 1.4 444.86 Horicon 7,502.60 6.9 - 0 -

T.~wi ~ and Clark lfl ?S? 4S 1 f) g ? lf>Q fl7

TOTAL $108,288.97 100.0 $6, 79R c:,q II

Direct monetary contributions to the refuge totalled $1,800.08. This included sponsoring both photography and wildlife art shows, a teacher's workshop, printing of the Fall Auto Tour leaflet, and providing educational materials for the refuge's fishing clinic. The business manager also participates in DeSoto's operational programs in a variety of ways, and contributes to refuge interpretive programs, in person and through his computer skills. Contributed assistance to the refuge from MIA totalled an additional $2,885.

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

The three refuge residences received additional up-grades this year. An 8' x 12' wooden storage shed, constructed by local carpenter Bill Briggs, was placed in each of the three residence's back yards at a total cost of $2,652. In July, 10' x 14' concrete pads were poured for the sheds to sit on. Refuge staff built the forms and worked the concrete, which was provided by Wilson Concrete at a cost of $625.

Concrete was poured again in October; this time for carports, at a cost of $1,425. The carport pads are located on the west side of the residences, next to the garages. At year's end, we were researching alternatives for placing aluminum or steel covers over the carport pads. We hope we get them erected before the summer hailstorms commence, because most residences house two-car families, today. 72

Force account construction of a disabled­ accessible fishing pier at the refuge's South Gate Recreation Area was initiated in April, using $11,805 worth of cedar lumber purchased in January. Pilings for the pier were driven by Shearer Contractors, Co. of Little Sioux, Iowa, at a cost of $1,438.

The runners and trusses for the disabled accessible pier were added by refuge maintenance staff in August and September. Decking and hand rails will be constructed in early 1996, completing the work in time for the spring fishing season.

2. Rehabilitation

Drew McDermott from the Regional Engineering Office visited the refuge on November 7-9 to look over our retrofit needs regarding complying with uniform accessibility standards in federal facilities. He was particularly helpful in describing how we might make our viewing galleries, restrooms, entry, information counter, sales counter, and conference room barrier-free. He also gave guidance on the new accessible fishing pier at the South Gate facilities, the Bullhead Pond stairway replacement, curbing our concrete jetties, and providing accessible porta-toilets whenever we rent them.

We get a large number of disabled visitors (i.e. wheelchair­ confined, blind, hearing-impaired, etc.) and senior citizens. They generally get around and have a good tlme. However, we are always working to make thlngs better for them. We have a wheelchair available in the Visitor Center and have put the text of our films and audio messages in print for the hearing impaired. We recently installed 73 ,. automatic door openers on both of the public restroom doors at the visitor center. The openers are similar to those installed on the entrance doors last year. They were procured from, and installed by, Bil-Den Glass, Inc. of Omaha at a cost of $2,900. Maintenance Mechanic Kaiser demonstrated a remarkable ability to fit into tight places when he installed 110-volt electric receptacles above each door to service the openers.

After months and months of development by the Regional Engineering Office, the scope of work for the visitor center's energy retrofit was finally let for bids at the very end of the fiscal year. The contract included. replacing, up-grading, and computerizing HVAC, water, and alarm systems in this multi-million-dollar facility. An excess cooling tower (water chiller), to be used with the new system, was picked up from the National Wildlife Health Research center in McFarland, Wisconsin in May. Keep Landscaping then poured a 12'x12'x8" concrete pad for the tower at a cost of $835. But, in September, disaster struck. The contract fell through, because all of the bids received far exceeded the government's cost estimate for the work (the lowest bid was over twice the government's estimate).

For many months, we had been forgoing costly repairs and preventative maintenance projects to various system components in the visitor center that would have been replaced by the above contract. But, when the word come down of the contract's demise, we immediately began working on this backlog of needs. Even so, at year's end, air handler unit No. 6 was non-functional, and being cannibalized to keep other failing units running. There were numerous air leaks throughout the pneumatic system. The well was making bad "noises", and causing much concern. The chlorination system (needed to comply with Iowa drinking water standards) had not been installed. A hurricane filter, which had been purchased for the contract, was on hand, but not installed. The water-softener system was taking extensive maintenance time, but still not working properly (the water at the VC turns brown on a regular basis, due to iron and magnesium content). Add to this a dead short in the electrical wiring running through the building to the sewer lift station, and a myriad of other breakdowns, and the new SROS was ready to head back down south. We've come to expect weekly breakdowns and unfathomable glitches as a way of life, but certainly not a desirable one! 74

In November, the old 10,000-gallon, single-wall underground storage tank (UST) at the visitor center was replaced with this 5,000-ga1lon, double-wall, "Permatank" brand UST. Why a smaller tank? Why, for all the anticipated energy savings we were supposed to see with the energy retrofit, of course. The tank supplies fuel for heating the visitor center, and for operating the emergency generator. The new tank is equipped with an electron~c, programmable, AutoStik II tank­ monitoring system, and, of course, has all the new double­ walled lines anti-flow-back preventer and good stuff, as now required by law, order, and God's Will. The contract cost for removing the old tank, testing for soil and groundwater petroleum contamination (none found), and installing the new tank was an incredible $45,916.10, as was gladly performed by Clay's Pump and Equipment, Council Bluff, LA. Prior to removing the old UST, it was pumped out by Milder Oil Company of Omaha, NE at a cost of $120. The fuel that was removed was replaced by Milder after the new tank was installed.

Our curator~al folks continued to work with Regional Engineering staff to develop a new contract for the v.c. HVAC system, as well as contracted technicians in Cargo Storage Area. Much of the museum staff time, especially the museum specialist in the curator's absence, seems to have been devoted to working on associated problems with the physical plant. Since the HVAC bid fell through, we cont~nued to contract weekly repairs and winterizing of the lab and Cargo Storage Areas units. Taylor Industries attempted to correct unacceptable humidity swings in the cooler in the Low-Humidity Cargo Storage Area. Temperature and humidity controls were upgraded, but the problem persisted, and will have to await further funding.

Implementation of a 24-volt (as opposed to an 18-volt) control panel for the halon fire suppression system in the Cargo Viewing Gallery, Lab, and Cargo Storage Areas occurred. New heads and bases also were secured. Another long-anticipated proJect completed!

Unfortunately, the problem of exterior cold meeting moist, warm air ~ns~de the Cargo Storage Area, which encourages dew-point conditions, continued. Condensation on walls resulted in water puddl1ng on the floors of the high­ humidity Cargo Storage Area. Engineers continue to agree that the only way to really address the problem is by 75

insulating the exterior walls of the facility. The interior of the exterior walls was insulated during the winter of 1990-1991. The interior insulation of the wall simply didn't get the job done.

Museum staff again filled out a pesticide-use proposal to be sent to the Regional Office, and obtained permission from the Contaminants Office to apply pesticides for carpenter ants. The Visitor Center Viewing Gallery was treated by Terminex Pest Control personnel at a nominal cost. Pest-trap monitoring guards against infestations and prevents having to use pesticides unnecessarily. We found from our trapping that the incidence of mice has decreased in the visitor center public area by one~third since non-chemical integrated pest management methods have been employed.

Iowa DNR personnel inspected the water systems at the headquarters, visitor center, and South Gate Comfort Station in March. There was no doubt that the visitor center meets the definition of a "non-community, public water supply" (i.e. >25 people per day, based on a 60-day average use of the system), and that the headquarters water system does not. This means that the visitor center system now needs a chlorination system (which was belatedly made part of the failed retrofit contract) . The refuge also contended that South Gate Comfort Station water system does not meet the definition of a "public water supply", and Iowa DNR begrudgingly concurred. However, one of Iowa's inspectors disagrees, and is expected to try to collect public use data in the spring, when visitation increases, to prove his point. Regardless of the outcome, and even though the water has always tested "clean", we plan to continue classifying water at the comfort station as non-potable. The drinking fountain and outside faucets have been disconnected and signs will be erected indicating that the water is non­ potable. After the system broke down this past summer and was patched together, a parts list totalling approximately $10,000 was prepared for a complete rehabilitation. When funded, the project will include installing a hurricane filter and a new retention tank (just in case regulations change again later, and we have to install permanganate and chlorination systems) .

3. Major Maintenance

Staff from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District demolished and buried an old house and other debris at the soon-to-be Boyer Chute NWR. Refuge staff spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up dump sites, removing old fences, and cleaning up other areas. In June, all the parking islands were seeded with native grasses and SEI Security Equipment re-keyed all of the bathroom locks to work on the same key ($265). In July, 100 parking bollards were procured ($1,474) and 60 were installed at various parking areas by Keep Landscaping ($900). The information kiosks were re-stained in October. Two gate locking mechanisms, which were real "knuckle-busters", also were rehabilitated (very soon after nailing the SROS's hand). 76

In August, Western Engineering Company, Inc. of Harlan, Iowa, was contracted to repair and maintain sections of asphalt road and parking areas. They patched transverse cracks and pot-holes along the refuge's entrance road (US Highway 30 to the visitor center entrance), approximately one mile of road along the auto tour route (Bertrand Site turn-off and northwest to the end of the river levy), the service road leading to the Headquarters buildings and residences, and the staff parking area at the visitor center. They also repaved a section of the entrance road leading into the main visitor center parking lot. Some of these roads were first paved in the 1960s and have not been overlaid with asphalt since then. They experienced a lot of damage (cracks, potholes, etc.) during the 1993 flood.

Sta-Built, Inc. also of Harlan, was subcontracted by Western Engineering, and applied a bituminous sealcoat and aggregate cover (chip-n-seal) to the entrance road, section of road along the auto tour route, the service road, and to most of the asphalt area within the headquarters compound. All of the work was completed in late August and early September, except the final sweeping which was done in late September. In the process, the contractors knocked down the station's mail box, broke a water pipe, and bent one of the supports on a sign at the refuge entrance. We weren't especially happy with the quality of their work, and they weren't especially pleased with the sodden subgrade their equipment kept sinking into.

The total cost of the above contract was $74,547.69, much higher than what it was worth. The amount of excess loose aggregate rock was tremendous. Driving on the roads was supposed to pack the rock into the tack coat. But at year's end, it looked as though little of the aggregate was actually adhering, while a lot of loose rock was collecting on the sides of the road. We suspect that the tack was not hot enough when it was applied. Even more disturbing is the fact that many of the patches made to the transverse entrance road cracks, have started cracking themseives, on both sides. This effectively doubles the number of cracks we had in the first place. The patches made in the visitor center staff parking area were literally breaking up before the contractors were gone. All in all, the workmanship was very unsatisfactory.

Also in August, the visitor center sewer lift station went down. The problem was a dead short in the main power supply wire (3-phase) somewhere between the electrical panel in the basement, and the lift station (on the far side of the building) . Because a lot of the well water used to cool the building is discharged through the lift station, the breakdown also resulted in a loss of cooling capability within the building. The situation was temporarily fixed by running wire out of the basement, across the roof, and down to the lift station. All of the permanent electric wire servicing the lift station was then replaced by OK Electric of Omaha at a cost of $1,650. This proved to be quite an undertaking, due to the small diameter of the available conduit in the walls and foundation of the building. The 77

insulation on the new wire was almost certainly nicked, as it had to be forced through the constricted confines of the conduit.

In September, the lift station went out again. This t£me, a control circuit wire {not the main power wire) shorted. Omaha's OK Electric replaced the wire at no charge. Because the control wire is 110 volt {vs. 3-phase), we were able to use outside electrical outlets and an extension cord to run a temporary power source this time.

In September, three-inch shoulder stone ($1,300), and 3/4- inch crusher-run road rock {$5,000) were procured from Fort Calhoun Stone to repair and maintain refuge gravel roads. Approximately 32 tons of three-inch stone were used at Boyer Chute to build up a curve near the main parking area. Approximately 137 tons of 3/4-inch rock was placed on the gravel road leading to the residence on Boyer's "island". At year's end, another 98 tons of 3/4-inch rock were scheduled to be delivered to Boyer. Another 114 tons of three-inch stone, and 341 tons of 3/4-inch rock were scheduled to be delivered to DeSoto for repairs.

Omaha Gutter installed gutters under the sloped windows (conference room/front off1ces and library/lab areas) at the visitor center at a cost of $336. The gutters were needed to stop erosion that was occurring at the base of the building below these windows. Bil-Den Glass replaced six double-pane windows at the visitor center and one at the headquarters building at a cost of $1,569 . The seal on these windows had failed, and had allowed moisture in between the panes.

The visitor center landscaping has been in dire need of renovation. The buffalograss and blue grama lawn has declined and is heavily infested with weed species, primarily common dandelion, white clover, and Kentucky bluegrass. Also, trees and shrubs planted in the landscaped areas were not mulched.

The turf is a significant competitor for moisture and nutrients, the bases of trees are vulnerable to mower damage, and overhanging branches are hazardous to the maintenance staff trying to maintain the turf. A two to three-year renovation was begun this summer when woodchip 78

mulch was placed around approximately 60 percent of the trees and shrubs by local boy scouts (see Section E.2}.

Heaving sidewalks at the new headquarters and the visitor center buildings caused some problems this year. The contractor who constructed the headquarters building, Barry Larson and Son General Construction of Omaha, warranty­ repaired several sections of sidewalk in the breezeway. Refuge staff rented a grinder in October to reduce a significant tripping hazard on the main walkway to the center.

The asbestos shingles on the old excessed concession building at the former North Beach were removed this year by McGill Abatement Co. of Omaha at a cost of $1,240. This building will be torn down next year.

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Two new light-duty, 4x2" pickup trucks ($12,442.95 each} were received in February, and were assigned to the maintenance program. A 1979 Ford F250 pickup and a 1981 Ford Fairmont station wagon were surplused. A Polaris Big Boss 6x6 ATV ($5,200} and a trailer ($550} to haul it also were acquired this for Boyer Chute. An excess Mott mower was obtained from Tamerac NWR in November.

To meet OSHA safety standards, a new 14" band saw ($630} and 14" drill press ($310} were acquired and installed in the carpentry shop in September.

A 20-ton, all-terrain crane (estimated original acquisition cost $67,300} was acquired from Whiteman AFB in December ($975 transportation cost}. The crane appears to be in excellent shape, and will be useful at Boyer Chute.

Several other pieces of equipment were acquired this year for future use at Boyer Chute. These included:

a 16-foot Alumacraft modified-V jonboat ($3,275) with a 50- horsepower Johnson outboard motor ($2,804}, and a Shore Land'r galvanized trailer ($870}. The motor was installed on the boat by Steinbaugh Marine ($824}; a Grasshopper-brand riding lawn mower ($4,999}; • two Shindaiwa grass trimmers ($369.99}; a Sarlo 22", high-wheel, push mower ($600); a 4.5-hp air compressor ($379}; three Stihl chain saws ($1,350); a 12-volt-operated, 15-gallon spray tank for use on an ATV.

A center-pivot diesel motor was removed from Boyer Chute early in the year, and taken to a local mechanic to be rebuilt. At year's end, the vendor had not started the job. A well and well head from another center pivot at Boyer were removed by contract ($1,115} in the fall, stored on DeSoto's Center Island, and two wells were properly closed. 79

A Boom-Axe mower was borrowed from Squaw Creek NWR in October to remove encroaching vegetation from several refuge roads. The work was in progress at the end of the year.

We would like to thank Litchfield WMD and ~ngo NWR for the use of their lower-priority vehicles this past year. With all .the studies in progress, we came up short on transportation, and these folks helped us out.

5. Communication Systems

We put an MMS project request in to replace the current phone systems. We have a System 25 at the visitor center and a Merlin system at the headquarters (we have two systems because of the 1/2 mile distance between the visitor center and headquarters buildings). These systems have different features and are not compatible with each other; the only advantage is that we £Sn transfer calls among all our buildings. But, a gleam of hope appears to be on the horizon. The local phone company has been talking about burying additional phone lines along highway 30. This would allow us to expand the number of lines that come into our system; therefore, we could have a dedicated line installed to be used for the fax machine. It also would give us greater flexibility for using our modems.

6. Computer Systems

We are catching up with our technological society. We purchased three 486 computer systems, one 486 CPU, a motherboard to upgrade a 386 to a 486, and one color-laser printer. In addition to the 486 computers, we purchased an interactive computer that functions as a 586. It has a 20- inch touch-screen monitor. This computer will be home to the software being developed by NETV, per an FY94 cooperative agreement. The software should be completed and installed by mid-summer, 1996.

With FY95 Regional Office end-of-year monies, we bought a computer networking system, Lantastics, for the headquarters building and a 486 computer system. We are still working out the kinks related to the network, and are hoping to get the visitor center networked in FY96, if money becomes available. Even with the recent purchase of three 486 computers, we still have three 286 computers in use.

7. Energy Conservation

The conservation of energy in the new headquarters/shop has been amazing. Since 1992, our last full year in the old building, our energy consumption has dropped from 4,040 to 2,719 gallons of propane used, a difference of 33 percent. If only all areas of the government were this efficient! Part of this energy conservation has to be the new radiant heating system in the shop. We really like it, although some doubts existed prior to installation. 80

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

Several cooperative programs are detailed in other parts of this report, including activities with NRCS, Pheasants Forever, and even with the Nebraska Educational Television Station. The refuge also has excellent relationships with both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and common interests with local police agencies and fire departments.

Refuge personnel spent a lot of time cooperating with the u.s. Army Corps of Engineers and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) on Boyer Chute developments and other floodplain considerations along the Missouri River. The manager spent more time with the Corp's Planning Division than he cares to remember. Some of the activities are detailed below.

a. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge. This partnership restoration project is progressing very nicely. DeSoto's managers have been involved in oversight and planning since its conception, due to its close proximity. And, now, the refuge is being officially transferred to Region 3 for operations and maintenance. See Section C.l, also.

The Papio-Missouri River NRD is expected to transfer fee title in March and the refuge is tentatively expected to open to public use on April 15th.

The Clark family was given a relocation allowance by the NRD, and they finally moved out of their badly­ deteriorated residence on the "island" portion of the refuge early in the year.

The Bruce Sill family remains in residence on the island under terms of Riverview Farms negotiated agreement through March, 1996. A James Beck resides in a small residence along the chute, renting from the NRD, and serving as a watchdog over the otherw~se unattended public-use facilities. While public trespass was frequent from a curious public, the incidences of vandalism were comparatively low this year.

The NRD contracted removal of a 40 x 140-foot grain storage building and a 30-foot-diarneter grain bin on the Taylor tract. Two center pivots also were sold as salvage materials. In the early spring, the foundations of the above buildings and the remains of the former Clark residence were buried during a joint NRD-FWS on-site workweek. A large pile of rip-rap materials was moved to the "island" portion of the refuge and additional, unsightly dumps were cleared from the property. The NRD also reseeded roadsides, but with mixed results, as the weather turned dry. 81

The manager responded to the Corp's draft Operations and Maintenance Manual for Boyer Chute, hoping to reconcile a couple maintenance problems: namely, the accumulation of debris against the bridge (the only constriction in the channel); and consideration of a kicker dike at the mouth of the chute, to deflect flotsam back into the main channel. Boyer Chute lies on an inside river curve and catches a lot of debris. The accumulation of logs and debris against the bridge piles will constitute a constant safety hazard for canoeists and tubers, and will require a burdensome, repetitious cost for clearing. The final Operation and Maintenance Manual arrived in August. It fully delineates our responsibilities as the sponsor's (NRD's) "agent", but the problems remain unresolved.

Another problem is envisioned with the two disabled­ accessible fishing piers being des1gned by HGM Associates, Inc. for the NRD's funding. While the manager was able to integrate concrete piles and hardware cloth on the wooden railings to protect the piers from beaver gnawings, the plan shows the piers jutting out into the channel, where they are sure to catch some of the high volume of debris which passes down the chute. The estimated cost of these fancy facilities is about $115,000, which brings the NRD's public-use facility cost here to over one-million­ dollars. We end up with a seven-million-dollar project, but it's not free! Our cost is down the road.

We continued reverting farmland into native grassland on the "island" portion and spent considerable time and effort in weed control, both there and around public­ use facilities west of the chute. All parking sites were roto-tilled, compacted, and seeded with buffalograss/blue grama and a variety of native forbes. Again, the success was spotty due to the dry, hot weather in late June and July.

Attempts were made to get other agencies to reroute and place underground electric lines into the island portion of the property, where a residence and shop facility will be retained. And, while we were _... ----·-· ------.. -·-··--- /_.,--o GW>SED LOOP ------·--·------.... --- :/ TRAL (4 I.LES)

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and lines removed, we couldn't talk the Corps, the NRD, or the Omaha Public Power District into a "freebie" on the necessary underground run. It appears that, if we want to go underground for 3,100 feet for aesthetics and safety, we will have to assume the $14,000 cost of doing so. The overhead lines along the bridge present a special safety hazard during debris clearing operations, since equipment arcing could easily occur. They also run directly over and along our only public walking trail into the interior of the refuge, which will be periodically subject to flooding.

A lot of planning went into signing and interpretation for this new refuge. It is expected to be open for fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife observation, and environmental education. Facilities were identified in last year's annual narrative report. The inserted map gives you some idea of the extent of the refuge's public-use accommodations. Wilderness Graphic's Marvin Cook, who was already retained for revamping the DeSoto Visitor Center's interpretive messages, has provided some excellent ideas, which he, and we, are working on. b. Nathan's Lake. We started recommending Service acquisition of Nathan's Lake in 1991, and it happened ... but, not by the Service. The Papio-Missouri River NRD received a $300,000 grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, added another $140,000 and purchased the 250-acre Anton Jensen property by mid­ year. Mr. Jensen retains a farming reservation through 1996. The property includes over 30 acres of periodically farmed wetlands.

We talked the Corps into spending $150,000 of available EPA flood monies for scoping and design of wetland restorations and enhancement at Boyer Chute and the Nathan's/Mud Lake site.

The Corps contracted Greenhorne and O'Mara, Inc. of Aurora, Colorado, to complete the scoping document. An 83

on-site multi­ agency meeting was held July 12-13 to define the most beneficial alternatives for enhancing wetland habitat. Representatives from the Corps of Engineers, Nebraska Game and Parks, Papio-Missouri River NRD, River Ecosystems Inc., Fontanelle Forest Association, omaha Audubon, the Nebraska Audubon Council, our Service, private citizens and the media were present. The final scoping document, Nathan's Lake -Boyer Wetlands Environmental Restoration Scoping Report, was published in December.

Now, the NRD is negotiating the purchase of another 400-acre tract, the George Stratbucker property, which adjoins the Nathan's/Mud Lake property and Boyer Chute. A grant from the Trust has been applied for. These valuable floodway/floodplain properties could come under Service jurisdict1on as an expansion of Boyer Chute Refuge. Stay tuned.

Just to the south of Nathan's lake, the Fontanelle Forest Association has just purchased 276 acres of river bottornlands for an addition to their Neal Woods Nature Center. This property was purchased from the Nebraska Conference of Seventh Day Adventists for a mere $249/acre! The wetlands are being cleared of trash piles, and a peripheral hiking/biking trail will evolve. Only a few private properties separate these large holding from Nathan's Lake and Boyer Chute. As the greenbelt expands along the Missouri under partnership programs like the NRD's Missouri River Corridor Project and Senator Kerrey's Back to the River Program, these "links" are certain to receive future consideration. c. California Bend (Nebraska). An interagency scoping meeting and public open house were held on July 26 to consider alternatives for Corps of Engineers' acquisition and development of an old chute on the Nebraska side of the Missouri, just north of U.S. Highway 30. Greenhorne and O'Mara, Inc. also conducted this scoping meeting, under contract with the Corps. Manager Gage participated. A flow-through development, similar to Boyer Chute, appears feasible, but the mitigation project is meeting some resistance from local developers, who envision a barging facility for 84

Blair's industrial development. Since the project site is completely in the river's floodway, approval for such a development is doubtful. d. California Bend (Iowa). A scoping document also had been prepared for the California Bend Wildlife Management Area on the Iowa side of the river, also known by locals as the "First Reserve". Greenhorne and O'Mara were contracted during 1994 to provide this document, but neither the Corps nor the Iowa DNR are too pleased with the final recommendations. It calls for a backwater impoundment, with a low-sill dike, three feet above the river's normal summer navigation level at its outlet. The feasibility of maintaining a pool within the former chute is questioned. It is generally felt that inadequate hydrologic data was gathered to reach these recommendations. The Corps is now designing a flow-through system for a future mitigation project. e. Hidden Lake Wetland Restoration Project. Hidden Lake lies along the Missouri within the Fontanelle Forest Association property, south of Omaha, Nebraska. It was lost as viable wetland habitat after the Corps straightened and channelized the river, decades ago. A $3.2-million restoration project began in 1990 when the site was prioritized by the Missouri Chutes Working Group, of which Manager Gage was a member. The Corps, in partnership with the Papio-Missouri River NRD, is beginning the process of restoring the lakebed and a mile-long chute under Section 1135 funding, authorized by the 1986 Water Resources Development Act. The NRD will act as a sponsor, and fund 25 percent of the development cost, as they did at Boyer Chute. More than 600,000 cubic yards of material will be removed from the lakebed and marsh - cast into the muddy waters of the Missouri - creating viable backwater fish and wildlife habitat for future public use and enjoyment. f. B-T-D Bend. The Corps is proceeding with acquisition of riverine properties along the Missouri, on what is now termed as "B-T-D Bend", between river miles.698 and 686.2 in Monona County, Iowa. A major wetland mitigation project is in the works on about 8,000 acres. This project overlays a major portion of the Blackbird Bend National Wildlife Refuge, which we had envisioned in the area of Blackbird, Tieville, and Decatur Bends in the early 1990's. Region 6 had gone so far as to complete an EA and engineering estimates for restoration, but gave up further consideration after evaluating the high costs of construction and maintenance in the "wake" of the Great Flood of 1993. Maybe, we were short-sighted. The Corps anticipates spending $8.6-million there on development. g. Louisville Bend. The Corps completed the first funded mitigation project in the Omaha District this year, a $2-million-dollar endeavor on Iowa DNR's Louisville Bend. A dedication ceremony was held in October. 85

Ironically, all the dikes and most structures were under water, as the Missouri River releases at Gavins Point Dam were still exceeding all previous records, at over 50,000 cfs. Only the new intake control gates struggled to keep their headwalls above flood stage.

The next Iowa priority is Winnebago Bend, which also is the property of Iowa DNR.

2. Other Economic Uses

A special use permit has been issued to Valdemars Deklavs from Blair for a couple decades to keep 25-30 bee hives on the refuge in three apiaries. The annual fee is fifteen dollars to cover administrative costs, and the bees provide us a valuable service.

A free· Special Use Permit was issued to three commercial fishermen to remove roughfish from DeSoto Lake. See Section G.11.

3. Items of Interest

a. Nebraska Environmental Trust. The Trust was established in 1992 to enhance the quality of Nebraska's environment, .using State lottery proceeds. And, it's been doing a heck of a job, as mentioned in the Cooperation section. Project priorities must advance one or more of the following: critical habitat, surface water quality, groundwater quality, recycling markets, or solid waste reduction. Currently, the Trust receives 25 percent of State lottery proceeds; after 1997, the Trust is scheduled to receive 49.5 percent of these funds ... a lot of money ... which will mean future wetland acquisitions and enhancements.

b. ASARCO Fined. The federal suit against Omaha's ASARCO, Incorporated, was finally settled. They were fined one million dollars for their decades-long pollution of the Missouri River and ordered to clean up their production procedures. U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, Governor Nelson, and Mayor Daub have asked the NRD to coordinate plans for the purchase of wetlands with the available enhancement monies, so here's more money that will go back into restoring the Missouri River ecosystem.

c. Tours. In June, manager Gage toured the Boyer Chute facilities with Steve Oltmans, Director of the Papio­ Missouri River Natural Resources District, and two Nebraska senators who sit on the Nebraska Natural Resources Council. The NRD has had several other tours of the area, including Corps officials and the Omaha League of Women Voters.

The refuge hosted a Native American Field Tour on August 16-17, during the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Conference in Omaha. Approximately 80 were in attendance, and participated in a steak fry at the neighboring Wilson Island State Recreation Area. 86

Other tours included the Iowa State University cropland specialists, who were interested in our cropland and grassland management practices; and the Annual Crop Walk, a community food drive (walk), sponsored by local churches. d. Comolaints. What a year for complaints! We heard the full spectrum. The entrance fee system always irks some. But, this year, people seemed to complain over just about everything, but primarily about access: to mushroom picking, to observing deer and eagles, to fishing, hunting, and seeing the snow geese. One fellow complained to the manager at the Bob Starr Overlook that he wanted to "get where" he could see eagles. There were four within sight of him, and one in the trees along the lake's shoreline no more than 60 yards from the overlook. e. Congressional Contacts. Manager Gage participated in the Nebraska Federal-State Coordination meeting on February 8, followed the next day with a Congressional staff briefing on Service issues. Congressman Bereuter's Assistant, Jim Barr, was quite confused by our reorganization based on ecosystem management, and especially frustrated by our explanations of our seemingly disjointed approach on the Missouri River (two Regions and four ecoregions).

Then, former Governor Lamar Alexander's wife was present on July 26 for a press conference as part of her campaign tour, after his announcement that he would be running for President. Nope! No flannel shirt.

Iowa's Senator Grassley lead a group of 60 foreign delegates including 30 ambassadors through the DeSoto Visitor Center on August 16, which is mentioned elsewhere.

Finally, Congressman Bereuter's Administrative Aid was here on November 8th as the result of a constituent's complaint about restricted access for photographers. Manager Gage had the opportunity to spend the better part of a day touring DeSoto and Boyer Chute refuges with him. His parting statement was that he had "no idea" of the extent of our "world class facilities". We took that as a neat compliment! f. Congressional Inquiries. There were two formal Congressional inquiries this year. The complainants are well known to us. One individual, a hunter, went on a letter-writing spree about the refuge "feeding" the geese, and holding them. The other, who spends a lot of time videotaping at both DeSoto and Squaw creek, complained to several Congressional offices and our Regional Office about public access for eagle-watching and videotaping. His contention is that public access at both refuges should be the same, although our roads closely follow the configuration of the narrow lake, having a far greater disturbance factor on perching and 87

roosting eagles. We are never going to satisfy everyone. But, so it goes ... g. Economic Growth. It is all too obvious on the north and west sides of the refuge. The new $200 million Cargill corn wet-milling plant in Washington County is fully operational, employing over 160 people, with plans for expans1on. A $36-rnillion corn-germ processing facility is expected to be built this next year. The new facility will process corn germ, a product of wet-milling, into corn oil for food­ manufacturing and food-service industries. Truck traffic has increased dramatically across U.S. Highway 30. They are processing 120,000 bushels of corn a day, which equates to 130 truckloads of corn delivered per day!

Our neighbors on the west boundary, the Rand family, have never been very friendly towards the refuge, because of condemnation proceedings in the late 1950's. A few years ago, while clearing their woodlands for more corn ground, they bulldozed the State's WMA fence under and pushed their trees into state ground. They have never allowed Service or student access to their lands for field investigations, and, this year, we got into it over their continued clearing of bottomlands for production agriculture. This fall, a couple of goose hunters, legally hunting from a County road within the Rand property, got the hell beat out of them in a confrontation with two Rand males. Bob, Jr. ended up with a broken arm during the fight, which started when the hunter's retriever (with a goose in tow) got kicked by the younger Rand.

But the real "kicker" for the year was the Rand's filling of this 10-acre artificial wetland, created a few years ago in a borrow area for the new Blair bridge. There was nothing we could legally do, but it was a darn shame to see it completely filled. They 4-205-95 sv spent weeks pushing blow sand around with heavy equipment. 88

h. Other. The museum curator's daughter accompanied her father throughout a whole day of work for Bring Your Daughter To Work Day, an effort sponsored by the Girl Scouts of America. Although the refuge manager's staff meeting was a little long for her young eyes, she helped process some photos in the collection in a truly archival manner. She indicated that the experience was an eye opener (especially after that staff meeting) to the work world, and that she now has a much greater appreciation and enthusiasm for "what dad does."

4. Credits

All managers, and selected personnel wrote segments of this narrative. All compilation and computerization was finalized by the administrative staff. Project Leader Gage edited the final report. Credits for photos are shown in individual captions, but don't try scanning in photo's yet! It is too slow a process, and our photo's required 45 MB of RAM! Maybe, in a couple of years ...

K. FEEDBACK

1. The Shutdown (Bruce Barkley)

The purpose of a cooperating association, like the Midwest Interpretive Association, is to assist the Service in their mission and special needs, basically through their public­ use sector. Areas in which they can assist a refuge facility are nearly unlimited: printing of brochures (no GPO contract, which means a quick turn-around), purchasing items for volunteer programs, sponsoring an open house, etc. This past fall, cooperating associations, concessionaires, and other government-related businesses were dealt a serious "hurt" when the government was shut down . The effect that this shutdown had on the businesses is that revenue lost, is revenue that can not be made up. The loss in income will vary from state to state, facility to facility, but the NPS estimates that it equated to roughly $2-million for their people.

A case in point, our own cooperating association. With the peak season upon us, the fall waterfowl migration, the prime time for generating sales, we were told, "sorry, your closed until ... whenever. This not only effected DeSoto, but five other sales areas that the Association operates. The price of this shutdown is/was ten-percent of its budget, about $11,000, right off the top, without any way to recoup this loss. No one is going to provide these funds at a later time. We operate on a thin margin. At this time, it 89

appears the Association will not be able to assist the refuge(s) with their requests for fiscal year 1996, because of the lack of reserve revenue. Many projects that are on the "wish list", will continue to remain there. The business manager may either take a pay cut, or will take a "vacation" for awhile, just so that the Association can get through the year. In the meantime, the Association has been asked to start three new sales areas this fiscal year. Those requests will probably be turned down, unless we ask for another loan.

The point of this, the government shutdown has a continuous consequence on everyone, whether it's within the government or the private sector. Usually, nothing comes out on the positive side when we have to suffer through "the games that people play."

THE END