Superior Basin/GMU IEM Projects

• Coastal Wetlands and Uplands Protection and Restoration
• Brule River State Forest Master Plan,
• Dam Removal on the Iron River,
• Northern Rivers Habitat Protection

NAME: Robert Gothblad
ADDRESS: NOR-Spooner
PHONE: 715/635-4056
E-MAIL: gothbr@dnr.state.wi.us

NAME: Alan T. Naas
ADDRESS: NER-Green Bay
PHONE: 920/492-5861
E-MAIL: nassa@dnr.state.wi.us

PARTNERS: There are many partners included in this project. Among them are: DNR Water and Lands Division plus The Whittlesey Creek Refuge Coalition, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Chequamegon Chapter of the Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, counties (Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron), Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Wildlife Federation, and landowners.

DESCRIPTION: This project will focus on protection and restoration of coastal wetlands and associated uplands by emphasizing land stewardship combined with protection and restoration of 8,180 acres of wetlands and 6,359 acres of uplands in the Lake Superior watershed in Wisconsin. The two most critical threats to coastal wetlands in Lake Superior are development and nonpoint source pollution, particularly sedimentation. The DNR share of the project will be used to put some sensitive lands and wetlands in public ownership.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE/NEED: The Whittlesey Creek Refuge Coalition, a broad based partnership group focusing on natural resource issues in the Chequamegon Bay area has targeted protection of wetlands, and reduction of erosion and sedimentation, as major environmental issues affecting Lake Superior and its tributary streams. In addition, there was a very successful cooperative effort to obtain a grant through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) coastal wetlands protection and restoration within the Lake Superior Basin.

This project would build on those efforts and bring together all of the major natural resource entities in the basin to combine technical, biological, and cultural expertise to created the most efficient working group to address the resource needs of the basin. This project will result in a great benefit to the resources and to the public, but the most significant feature of the project is the very long and diverse list of partners who are working to make it successful.

Many of the Lake Superior coastal wetland acres remain in tact, and if preserved through easement or acquisition, the basins themselves will remain protected from development. A far greater threat remains in the form of nonpoint pollution. It is essential to reduce the sediment load into tributary streams and thus the emphasis on upland activities in the project. No componet can be singled out, all of the players and elements will work together to preserve the greatest concentration of coastal wetlands, dunes, and bottomland forest in the Upper Great Lakes and the migratory birds and other wildlife these habitat support.

The DNR's portion of this initiative will focus on acquisition of 1,023 acres of highly erodible forested uplands adjacent to a 1,300 acre coastal wetland estuary on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. This estuary is a critical nursery habitat for walleyes and Lake Sturgeon, as well as numerous birds and other wildlife. Restoration of another 50 acres of shallow wetlands will be completed on private lands.

Future DNR projects could focus on land acquisition in individual watersheds with highly valuable and unique receiving waters and wetlands ecosystems. The include:

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT OR PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT: Contact the project manager listed above.

Brule River State Forest Master Plan

LOCATION:Lake Superior Basin, Douglas County, Northern Region

CONTACT: Bob Gothblad, Land GMU Leader, (715) 635-4056, Chuck Zosel, Sub-Land GMU Leader, (715) 372-4866, Jim Rau, Forest Manager, (715) 372-4866, and Lyle Hannahs, Northern Region Planner, (715) 365-8946

DESCRIPTION: This project involves revising the Master Plan for the Brule River State Forest. The Brule River State Forest is 40,000 acres and is located in Douglas County. The current Master Plan was prepared in 1979, but the DNR has determined there is a need to revise the Master Plan and potentially to adjust the property management due to what may be changing ecological, economic and social conditions since that time. The Department will seek to incorporate new information learned about the Brule River State Forest since 1979 and will consider the forest in context of the larger landscape. A plan revision means that the management goal and objectives approved for the current Master Plan may change.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the Master Plan is to guide management decisions on the forest for the next 15 years. It also will provide special interest groups, neighbors and visitors with a clear understanding of future management actions; and build relationships with local, regional and statewide organizations, forest users, individuals with an interest and neighbors. The planning process will be an educational opportunity.

PROJECT PARTNERS: A detailed public involvement plan will be developed for public review. The Department will attempt to develop a large base of individuals and interest groups to participate in the three-year planning process. Many people already have expressed an interest. Interested parties include representatives from the forest industry, environmental groups, recreation user groups, fish and game groups, neighbors, town and county governments and Native American tribes.

PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS: This project likely will require hundreds of hours of involvement from writing comments to attending meetings.

Dam Removal On Iron River

LOCATION:Lake Superior Basin, Bayfield County, Northern Region

CONTACT: Ted Smith, Water GMU Leader, (715) 635-4071

DESCRIPTION: This project will restore the Iron River to its natural potential and increase production of sport fish in western Lake Superior. Removal of the Orienta Dam near the mouth of the river is an opportunity to renew the natural scenic beauty of a sandstone gorge which was famous in the early part of this century. Habitat will be restored and improved, and land uses in the watershed will be evaluated for application of best management practices (BMPs).

OBJECTIVES: The goal is that following dam removal, a lamprey barrier and a fish barrier will be constructed to protect the stream and a nearby federal fish hatchery. Habitat restoration and improvements as well as application of BMPs will be made throughout the watershed. An additional objective is to add the Iron River Watershed to the South Shore Fish and Wildlife Area.

PROJECT PARTNERS: This is part of a larger project involving the DNR Land Division. Northern States Power is the current owner of the Orienta Dam. The federal fish hatchery is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Potential partners include County Land Conservation Departments, and local landowners.

Northern Rivers Habitat Protection

LOCATION: Upper Chippewa, St. Croix, Upper Wisconsin, and Lake Superior Basins, Northern Region

CONTACT: Bruce Swanson, Upper Chippewa Water Basin Leader, (715) 779-4035-11, or John Gozdzialski, St. Croix Water Basin Leader, (715) 635-4055

DESCRIPTION: A majority of residents and visitors participating in Northern Initiative surveys were concerned over the impact of northern shorelands development. With lakeshore property at a premium, increasing development pressure is shifting to rivers and streams. This project will identify river corridors, segments and adjacent areas of high ecological significance and/or exceptional natural scenic beauty for protection. Many northern counties are reviewing their shoreland zoning ordinances, providing an opportunity for increased protection. Other means of protection include application of protection guidelines in forestry best management practices (BMPs); protection through federal, state or county forest management plans; consultation on management plans for private and industrial forest; and on highest value sites/corridors either purchase of timber/development rights, easements, or possible acquisition by local, state, or nonprofit conservation organizations.

OBJECTIVES: The goals are to work with key stakeholders as a guidance committee, and develop a prioritized list of areas and corridor segments on streams and rivers in the Northern Region basins which are of high ecological significance and/or of outstanding natural scenic beauty.

PROJECT PARTNERS: This project will be highly integrated within DNR. Initial partners include The Nature Conservancy, Gathering Waters, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Other partners have been identified for involvement following the initial prioritization listing.