Seminary Fen Restoration

Cook SWCD has partnered with landowners on Caspers Hill Rd, TSA3 and the Laurentian RC&D Council to address erosion and fish passage problems at 2 crossings on Caspers Hill Road. The proposed culvert replacements are at the Gauthier Creek and Little Brule River crossings, both of which are designated trout streams and spawning areas for Lake Superior migratory trout. The culverts are inadequately sized and placed creating barriers to fish and other aquatic organisms. In addition, the both crossings receive a significant amount of erosion due to inadequate road grading and ditching. The eroded sediment degrades habitat for trout spawning and nursery conditions. The primary activities of this grant would be to improve fish habitat by replacing the 2 crossings and reduce erosion into the streams with erosion control methods. Funding currently in place from Cook SWCD's GLC grant will be used for the roadway erosion control methods and would be used as match to the culvert replacements.