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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking
public comments from Dec. 1 to Dec. 30 on two recently completed draft
scientific and natural area management plans. The plans are for the
Winter Road Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), and the
Pine Creek Peatland SNA.
“These SNAs belong to all Minnesotans, so statewide public comment
is especially relevant,” said Katie Haws, DNR Nongame Wildlife
specialist, Bemidji.
The 18 peatland scientific and natural areas are protected by state
law and include some of Minnesota’s most ecologically diverse and
important peatlands. Rare species of plants and animals, rare plant
communities, and rare geological features are found within these
peatlands.
The 943-acre Pine Creek Peatland SNA is adjacent to the Canadian border, North of Roseau, Minn. in Roseau County.
Winter Road Lake Peatland SNA is 2,890 acres and located southeast
of Warroad, Minn., primarily in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties.
A process that included the Minnesota DNR and other local and state
agencies has resulted in proposed plans which include a focus on
conservation of peatland resources.
The Peatland Management Plans are available on the DNR Web site.
Plans are also available at public libraries in Warroad, Roseau and
Baudette or by mail from the plan preparer. Comments should be
submitted in writing, either by sending e-mail to
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or
sending a letter to: Katie Haws, DNR Ecological Resources, 2115
Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601. For more information call,
218-308-2641. |
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Many Minnesota lakes are experiencing low water levels due to an extended period of reduced rainfall, which is exposing large areas of lake beds.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds shoreline owners that permits are required for control of vegetation on dry lake beds. This includes cutting, chemical treatment, or other disruption. Removal of emergent aquatic plants without a permit is a misdemeanor and can result in a fine and restoration order.
Aquatic plants growing in lake beds are property of the state of Minnesota, even if the lake bed is dry due to drought or temporary drawdown.
Emergent aquatic plants are extremely valuable to the lake, fish, and wildlife. Emergent aquatic plants protect shorelines from erosion and wave action, stabilize bottom sediments, improve water quality by intercepting phosphorus before it reaches the water, and provides valuable habitat to fish and wildlife. Fluctuating water levels are a natural and important part of lake ecology and emergent aquatic plants, such as bulrush, rely on periods of low water to germinate and re-establish depleted stands. Removal of emergent vegetation destroys valuable habitat and can have negative effects on fish, wildlife, and the lake.
For more information, contact Steve Enger, Aquatic Plant Management Program, 651-259-5092, or your nearest regional fisheries office. Phone numbers are available at the following Web page or by calling 651-296-6157 or toll free 888-MINNDNR (646-6367). |
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Minnesota deer hunters have harvested about 96,000 deer since the
firearms season opened last Saturday.
This number is consistent with expectations from the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), which predicted the harvest would be down from
last year as a result of a slightly smaller deer herd and fewer
opportunities for hunters to take a deer of either sex.
The statewide antlerless harvest is down 14 percent from last year and
the buck harvest down 2 percent.
Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game coordinator said that warm, dry weather
this past week will benefit hunters in the agricultural areas of the
state because farmers have been actively harvesting corn, which has been
providing escape cover for deer. Earlier this week only 23 percent of
the state’s corn had been harvested compared to the five-year average
of 83 percent.
“As crops go down the potential for hunter success goes up,” said
Cornicelli.
Minnesota hunters harvested about 222,000 deer last year. The peak
harvest was 290,000 deer in 2003. |
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Leaves are down. Ruffed rouse numbers are up. Now is the time get out
and hunt.
That’s the message from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), whose field staff report ruffed grouse hunting has been quite
good this autumn.
“Most hunters are seeing or hearing about good numbers of birds,”
said Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention coordinator.
“This is a great year for introducing someone to grouse hunting, or
taking it up again if you haven’t been in the field in recent years
when the birds weren’t as abundant.” The season runs through Jan.
3.
Johnson said some of the best hunting reports are coming from the
northwest and north-central parts of the state. Hunters are finding
success in areas with extensive quality cover such as aspen forests with
stem diameters between two to three inches. Especially important are
thick patches of brush, such as hazel or dogwood within aspen stands.
Alder swamp edges can also be very productive. Grouse seek refuge in
this thick and tangled cover now that the canopy of leaves has fallen to
the forest floor.
Johnson reminds would-be grouse hunters that the firearms deer hunting
season remains open through Nov. 22 in much of north central and
northeastern Minnesota. As such, hunters may want to focus on other
parts of the state. Grouse hunters are always required to wear one blaze
orange article of clothing above the waist. When grouse hunting during
the firearms deer season blaze orange requirements are more extensive.
During this time the visible portion of a hunter’s cap and outer
clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, must be blaze
orange.
Hunters can find public hunting land by using DNR’s hunter walking
trail locator at the following site.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/hwt/index.html
Johnson said Google Earth also can be an effective tool for locating
and scouting grouse habitat. With practice, hunters can use the site’s
aerial photos to identify young forest stands, logging trails, swamp
edges and other features that contribute to success.
“A resourceful grouse hunter will be able to find more quality grouse
cover on public lands than they can ever hunt,” said Johnson. “Now
is the time to discover your niche in the forest and how fun grouse
hunting can be.” |
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New winter catalog highlights more than 130 family-friendly programs and special events at Minnesota State Parks.
Click here for more information.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing
revisions to its electronic licensing rules.
The proposed revisions pertain to the sales of licenses through the
DNR’s Electronic License System. Minnesota Rules 6213.0100 to
6213.0800 include such topics as selection, terms, and duration of agent
contracts; transferability; forfeiture of suspension of contract; and
sale of electronic licenses.
The DNR is accepting written comments about the proposed revisions, or
requests for a public hearing, until 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
For information on how to submit a request or for additional
information regarding the revisions to the rules, visit the DNR Web site here. |
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing
revisions to its electronic licensing rules.
The proposed revisions pertain to the sales of licenses through the
DNR’s Electronic License System. Minnesota Rules 6213.0100 to
6213.0800 include such topics as selection, terms, and duration of agent
contracts; transferability; forfeiture of suspension of contract; and
sale of electronic licenses.
The DNR is accepting written comments about the proposed revisions, or
requests for a public hearing, until 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
For information on how to submit a request or for additional
information regarding the revisions to the rules, visit the DNR Web site here. |
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DNR seeks comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area.
For complete article, click here. |
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