Grant Opportunity in Minnesota

An RFP titled “Woody Biomass Harvest for Habitat Restoration” has been posted to solicit potential projects to be funded through the Woody Biomass Project of the MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. Launched in 2007 by the state legislature, the project to date has restored 273 acres at 13 sites. Current funding for this project comes from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

The Grant Opportunity (RFP) and application information can be found on the MN DNR Grants webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/biomass_grant.html Application deadline for the First Round is 5:00pm on September 10, 2010.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or for further information.

Barb Spears
Woody Biomass Project Coordinator
651-259-5849

Minnesota DNR
Division of Ecological and Water Resources
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
www.mndnr.gov

Fall Member Meeting, Grantsburg, WI

Join us September 24th for a special member meeting at beautiful Crex Meadows, where you will have the chance to see hundreds of cranes as they begin their southward migration. More details about the meeting to follow. To learn more about Crex Meadows visit their website www.crexmeadows.org 

Dinner Flyer

No "P" in Our River

Rural Handout
Urban Handout

Keeping Wisconsin's Totogatic River Wild

The Conservation Fund, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
preserve 2,100 acres along state-designated Wild River

Wausau, WI (June 24, 2010) – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle joined representatives of The Conservation Fund and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today to announce the protection of 2,100 acres along the Totogatic River – one of the few remaining near-wilderness streams in the state.

“These are incredible additions to public lands in Wisconsin that will now be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come,” Governor Doyle said. “Our natural resources are one of the main reasons why people want to live, vacation, and move here. They are why businesses want to locate here. The future of our state is closely linked to our natural resources, and I’m pleased that, today, that future is looking even brighter with the protection of these lands.”

The clear, cool waters of the Totogatic River flow for 70 miles through five counties in northern Wisconsin, forming a wild and pristine stream in the St. Croix River Basin and the Mississippi River watershed. Much of the Totogatic River remains in its natural state, with scenic waterfalls, forested banks and challenging rapids. It earned the state’s designation as a Wild River in 2009 – a designation shared with only four other rivers in the state – which ensures the river’s long-term protection from development threats.

“The Totogatic is an inspiring, wild river,” said Tom Duffus, upper Midwest director for The Conservation Fund. “We applaud DNR for recognizing its importance to the people of the state and the people who live near it. Pristine tributaries to the Mississippi River like the Totogatic play a role in the future of the Gulf of Mexico, even if a small one. We also applaud Wausau Paper Company for its 100 years of stewardship of these lands and its willingness to conserve the river.”

The Conservation Fund facilitated Wisconsin DNR’s purchase from Wausau Paper, headquartered in Mosinee, Wisconsin. The property includes 12 miles of river frontage and provides habitat for more than 20 Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan.

The Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship Fund provided a majority of the funding for the state’s purchase. Additional funding came from The Conservation Fund, through the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Upper Midwest Wildlife Initiative, a grant program that funds projects implementing State Wildlife Action Plans for conserving species and habitats of greatest conservation need. The McKnight Foundation, in recognition of the importance of connecting people to the waters of the Mississippi River and conserving pristine areas of the watershed, provided additional financing assistance.

DNR will manage the property and provide public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing/kayaking and hiking.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient. www.conservationfund.org

Contact:
Vanessa Vaughan, (703) 908-5809

SCRA has a New Office

St. Croix River Association

119 N Washington St.
St Croix Falls, WI 54024

+1 (715) 483-3300

Get Your Family Outdoors!

Greetings Friends of Wild River State Park!

Are you looking for fun outdoor family time this summer? Well, get off your sofa and join the SOFAS! The National Park Service, Wisconsin State Parks, and Minnesota State Parks are uniting this summer to offer the first of its kind, action-packed family adventure club in the St. Croix Valley!

Each Sunday afternoon we'll explore a new spot along the river. Join the club, get your passport book, attend seven or more activities, and receive the 2010 SOFAS collectible pin- all FREE!

From paddling the river and hiking the bluffs, to riding the antique train and banding trumpeter swans, every activity is suitable for ages 10 and up, and every-other activity for ages 6 and up.

Join the club. Enjoy time with your family, meet new friends, and discover the scenic St. Croix Valley this summer.

For more information view the PDF document attached, or contact your SOFAS guides:

Kacie Carlson, Wild River State Park, (651) 583-2925, kacie.carlson@state.mn.us
Diane Hedin, William O'Brien State Park, (651) 433-0500 x227, diane.hedin@state.mn.us
Julie Fox, Wisconsin Interstate State Park, (715) 483-3747
Alison Cordie, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, (715) 463-2739
Dale Cox, National Park Service Ranger, (715) 483-2272

We look forward to exploring the St. Croix Valley with you,

Kacie Carlson
Interpretive Naturalist
Wild River State Park
39797 Park Trail
Center City, MN 55012
651-583-2925
kacie.carlson@state.mn.us

Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/mnstateparks

SOFAS Brochure

Bob Burns Memorial St. Croix Watershed Stewardship Award

Bob Burns was a dedicated volunteer working to protect the St. Croix. He was an enthusiastic member of our association serving as president from 1973 to 1975. By governors’ appointment he served on the Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission for nine years, chairing the commission in 1979. Bob was instrumental in ensuring adequate federal funding for implementation of the first long-range management plan for the Lower St. Croix. His many other contributions include leading establishment of land use plans for subdivisions in the valley. Bob’s vision for the river and strategic leadership on a wide variety of issues achieved significant results toward our mission of “saving for our children the uses and beauties of the river and the valley”. He passed away in June of 1997.

The contribution to be recognized must support good stewardship of the natural resources of the St. Croix River and/or its tributaries, have taken place recently and demonstrate observable/measurable results, not just activity. Individuals whose paid job involves protecting the river are not eligible unless their contribution is clearly above and beyond the usual accountabilities of the job. The award is for living persons and primarily for those who have not already received adequate public recognition for their contributions.

Awards have been made in each of the last ten years. Recipients of the past four years are Bill Neuman, Tom Salewski, Sheldon and Jacob Wert, Nancy Brown and Molly Shodeen.

The 2010 recipients of the award are Scoutmaster Bill Schmelzer, Hayward Boy Scout Troop 70 and the all-girl Venture Crew. They have conducted citizen-science in the Upper St. Croix National Wild and Scenic River. During 2008, in a combined period of nine days, they paddled 55 miles of the Namekagon River and 75 miles of the St. Croix, sampling water parameters including dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, pH, alkalinity, temperature, current, turbidity, and sediment, as well as recording GPS locations, auditory samples, and photo samples of tributary sites.

They organized the data, compiled it and shared it with the Wisconsin DNR, the United States Geological Survey, University of Wisconsin Extension, and National Park Service.

Just a few of their many other projects are: boulder and log placements in Hay Creek; boardwalk restoration on the historic Windigo-Namekagon portage trail and trail maintenance along Smith Creek.

The Troop, Venture Crew and Scoutmaster have promoted conservation on the St. Croix Scenic Riverway. Hayward Boy Scout Troop 70, with more than 50 years of service, has become a cultural and ecological institution in the region. Please join me in a SCRA round of celebratory applause.

Photo Verna Pitts Photography

Lower St. Croix River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers

Poorly Planned Development Threatens National Scenic Riverway
Washington— The Wild and Scenic Lower St. Croix River, a hotspot for anglers and boaters and a rare natural retreat from urban life, could have its character destroyed if poorly planned development along the river continues. This threat landed the Lower St. Croix in the number ten spot in America’s Most Endangered Rivers: 2009 edition.
American Rivers and its partners called on the Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources (DNRs) to, respectively, reestablish and expand their oversight of local zoning decisions that affect the unique qualities of the state managed section of the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

“This river is a national treasure but it is in danger of dying a death from a thousand cuts. Poorly planned development is slowly killing the very qualities that make the Lower St. Croix so special,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “Not only is this National Scenic Riverway at risk, but the integrity of the entire Wild and Scenic River System is being harmed.”

"Recent unwise zoning decisions along the state managed section of the Lower St. Croix River threaten the experiences of all river users and call into question the commitments made by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin to protect this nationally designated river segment. This designation by American Rivers is a call to action for citizens, nonprofits, and governments to protect this river segment before its too late," said Randy Ferrin, President of the St. Croix River Association.

The river is threatened by poor zoning decisions by local governments, made without effective oversight by the Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs. Pursuant to the Congressional designation of the Lower St. Croix Scenic Riverway, the states committed to review zoning decisions that affect the river’s unique values. However, over time, the states have allowed several of the 19 counties and municipalities along this protected stretch of the river to build large structures too close to the river, degrading the experience of river users, and disregarding the intent of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

For example, Denmark Township in Washington County, MN approved a 3500-square-foot structure just 13 feet from the riverbank, where the zoning standard is a minimum of 100 feet. Lakeland, MN approved a major expansion of a building on a small foundation within the bluff setback area. In Wisconsin, the town of Troy has relaxed its zoning rules without state objection, lessening protection for the river. If these examples become the norm, the integrity of the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway will suffer irreparable harm, and set a dangerous precedent for other rivers protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Both state agencies must request riverside counties and municipalities to establish moratoriums on zoning variances for development projects within or adjacent to the river boundary for the next two years and work with these communities to improve -- not weaken -- specific zoning standards to protect the river and the greater good of all users of the National Scenic Riverway. Likewise, local governments along the Lower St. Croix should support and help fund land protection options including conservation easement programs that encourage riverfront landowners to protect their land. These actions would set a new tone in protection for the state managed section of the Lower St. Croix River.

Surrounded by wooded bluffs and historic towns, the Lower St. Croix River corridor provides a wealth of scenic views and recreational opportunities for the nearby Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and western Wisconsin. Hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating the St. Croix every year, and these recreational industries depend on a clean, healthy river. It has also been called one of most biologically diverse rivers in the Upper Mississippi River basin because its sloughs, backwaters, and braided streams provide remarkably diverse habitat for native plants and animals, including 17 species of state- and federally-endangered mussels.
About America’s Most Endangered Rivers

Each year, American Rivers solicits nominations from thousands of river groups, environmental organizations, outdoor clubs, local governments, and taxpayer watchdogs for the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report. The report highlights the rivers facing the most uncertain futures rather than those suffering from the worst chronic problems. The report presents alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers, identifies those who make the crucial decisions, and points out opportunities for the public to take action on behalf of each listed river. 

American Rivers is the leading national organization standing up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. American Rivers protects and restores America's rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions. Visit www.AmericanRivers.org