Rum River - Cedar Creek Initiative, Phase 2
This program will acquire the remaining 328 acres of prairie, wetland, forest and shoreline habitat for fish, game and wildlife along the Rum River and Cedar Creek in the cities of Oak Grove and Andover and will provide additional opportunities for public fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation.
Problem Addressed:
The problem this acquisition project addresses is the urgent need to protect and enhance 275 acres of land that will provide an excellent conservation area along the Rum River and Cedar Creek. The proposed acquisition parcels are currently owned by a development group planning to sell the land for residential construction. The acquisition and protection of these parcels is of utmost concern, because without immediate action, this opportunity could be permanently lost. By acquiring this land, the LOHC has an excellent opportunity to increase and enhance the biological diversity in the area, as well as create additional hunting and fishing opportunities in the region.
Action Plan:
Once funding is appropriated, Anoka County would start the acquisition process immediately. Appraisals have been conducted and negotiations are underway with the seller for the purchase of 275 acres in 2010 and the remaining 275 acres in 2011 as proposed in the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations.
Relation to LOHC Goals:
This acquisition project relates directly to the ?restore, protect and enhance habitat? provisions outlined in the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Program. First, upon acquisition, the land will be protected by being under County ownership. Second, after acquisition, the County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. Restoring and enhancing the land back to a prairie/grassland habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support game populations, such as ring-neck pheasants, ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, white tail deer, wood ducks and mallards and furbearers. Acquired land will remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.
Habitat Changes:
Existing non-agricultural land on the site is recognized by the MNDNR as a high quality ecologically diverse corridor along two major greenways, the Rum River and Cedar Creek. With the acquisition, this corridor would be protected and enhanced to increase the number of species and increase the ease with which they move through this corridor.
After acquisition, County proposes to restore approximately 250 acres of the 550 acres to a prairie/grassland habitat. The ecological restoration plan will include restoring the forests, wetland and prairies. Restoration work will include introducing over 30 species of native grasses, sedges, and forbs to restore the mosaic of dry, mesic and wet prairie habitats. In addition, the existing high quality fens, wet meadows, shrub swamps and oak savannas will be managed to sustain their high quality value. Restoring and enhancing the land back to its native habitat will help provide the necessary biological diversity needed to support a diverse variety of wildlife.
The acquisition of these parcels will protect 550 acres of habitat at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek. There is approximately 1-1/2 miles of shoreline along the Rum River and about 3/4 of a mile of the Cedar Creek that runs through the property. The Rum River provides angling access opportunities for some of the most sought after game fish, such as walleye, northern pike, and small mouth bass; the river provides exceptional fisheries habitat for these game fish. As future funding is available, restoration of the flood plain and riparian edges along the Rum River and Cedar Creek will enhance habitat and cover for all migratory waterfowl species, white tail deer and wild turkeys.
Schedule:
Restoration work would start as soon after acquisition as funding allows. The majority of the restoration work is anticipated to be completed within three years of acquisition. Restoration monitoring and maintenance will be provided on an on-going basis.
Strategy:
The strategy for this project will work because the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department is a governmental agency that currently manages a large natural resource based parks and open space system throughout the County. The County has the budget, equipment and staff with the expertise to manage this project and the on-going maintenance required. In addition, it has the support of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and the local communities.
Support:
The Anoka County Board of Commissioners unanimously supports this project. The Andover City Council has written a letter of support for the acquisition. The Oak Grove City Council concurs with the County's plans to proceed with funding requests for the acquisition. Strong support in favor of the project has been expressed by area residents. There are no known barriers to the success of this project.
Final Accomplishment Plan Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2011/accomp_plan/2e.pdf
$1,900,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to acquire fee title to land at the confluence of the Rum River and Cedar Creek in Anoka County. Land acquired in fee must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined in writing by the commissioner of natural resources. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
Protect 100 acres of wetland, 150 acres of prairie, 75 acres of forests, 3 acres of Habitat and 1.125 miles of shoreline along the Rum River.
Anoka County