A good plan yields great results
Garrison Diversion's positive effect on wildlife populations in the state began with a well-conceived, conscientious plan featuring aggressive but achievable goals. The original Garrison Diversion plan called for the development of 140-thousand acres of mitigation and enhancement lands. With re-authorization of legislation in 1986, fish and wildlife impacts were reduced. This in turn reduced mitigation needs. Wildlife mitigation for construction was accomplished by replacing every acre of habitat impacted with an equivalent acre of habitat.
Since 1986, this original wildlife mitigation and enhancement plan has developed and enhanced a number of fisheries in lakes, rivers and streams that rely on Garrison Diversion-supplied water, and created more than 70,000 acres of publicly-owned habitat funded with $68 million... including $25 million for the highly-innovative Natural Resources Trust program.
Wetland Restoration Throughout North Dakota
The initial step in this mitigation program was highlighted by the acquisition of over 22,750 acres of wetland tracts located on 42 wildlife development and enhancement areas throughout the state. Thousands of wetlands, woodland and grassland acres, in excess of needs, were acquired. Replacement habitat now exceeds 140 percent of the original required acquisition and, as public land, is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Lonetree... A Major Success Story
Covering 33,500 acres in central North Dakota, the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area is the largest wildlife project in the state. This massive natural habitat area consists of:
- 26,000 acres grassland nesting cover
- 5,400 acres natural wetlands
- 1,500 woodland acres
- 600 acres wildlife food plots
The entire Lonetree Wildlife Management Area is set aside specifically for wildlife enhancement along with environmentally-friendly public use areas for primitive camping, nature tours and 32 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail. read more »
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