Capt Jeff
10-22-2003, 03:20 PM
Conservation Programs Status Report: July - October 2003
The following is a summary of FY 2004 first quarter Conservation activities in the South Atlantic. Please feel free to use this information with other volunteers, potential donors, etc. Should you have questions or comments concerning the information provided or would like to learn more about a particular project please call me at (843) 745-9110.
First, I would like to announce that we hired a new Regional Engineer to replace Shawn Kooyman (new central NC Regional Director). Mr. Billy Webster joined the DU team on September 15th. Billy graduated from Clemson University and worked for the past 6 years as an engineer with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Hopefully, he will have a chance to meet many of you throughout the year.
NORTH CAROLINA Sound CARE: Efforts are underway to launch this 5-year funding initiative to conserve a minimum of 22,000 acres in NC and 42,000 acres on breeding ground areas that are important to NC. Total cost is estimated at $22 million. The official kickoff will be spring of next year. We are currently working on an informational brochure and securing lead gifts for the initiative.
WRP: Restoration activities are underway on 5 sites (2,000 acres). Although completion of these projects has been delayed by wet weather, plans are to have all projects completed this fiscal year. In addition, engineering surveys and designs are being completed on 8 more sites (3,500 acres). These restoration projects will be completed in FY 2005.
NC Partners: We received a $75,000 grant from the NC Division of Water Quality to restore 500 acres over the next three years starting in July 2004. This work will be completed on private lands in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins.
MARSH: Projects are underway on the Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (Martin Co.) – Conoho Farms Tract (49 acres) and the Whitley Tract (75 acres), and the Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land – Midgett Waterfowl Impoundment (32 acres). These projects will cost approximately $700,000 with funding provided by North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($348,000), Wildlife Resources Commission ($177,000), Park Foundation ($75,000), and DU ($100,000). Also, we will be completing a wetland restoration assessment on the Falls of the Neuse Game Land.
Several other projects will be surveyed and designed for restoration in FY 2005. These projects will be located on the Roanoke River and Currituck National Wildlife Refuges, and the North River Game Lands.
Land Acquisition: The 444-acre Saltworks Tract (Carteret Co.), purchased via an $860,000 grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, is being donated to the Wildlife Resources Commission and will be included in the Game Lands system. Two additional tracts (2,200 acres) are being evaluated for future acquisition.
NC Conservation Easements: Currently working on 3-5 potential easements to close by the end of 2003.
Ft. Bragg: We recently completed a wetland assessment on the army base. Conservation staff identified and evaluated 12 projects totaling 281 acres for restoration efforts. Hopefully, this will lead to future partnership opportunities.
Project Dedications: Dedications are being planned for several projects including the Futch Tract, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge (Kitchin Impoundment and Joseph Knapp Commemorative Trail), and Saltworks Tract.
SOUTH CAROLINA MARSH: Two projects are planned for FY 2004 including Francis Marion National Forest – Little Hellhole Reserve (20 acres; Berkeley Co.) and Pee Dee Research Center Wetland Enhancement (100 acres; Darlington Co.). These projects will cost approximately $170,000 with funding provided by provide by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($37,280), U.S. Forest Service ($12,500), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ($10,000), Clemson University ($15,000), Natural Resources Conservation Service ($50,000) and DU ($45,000).
In addition, we will be evaluating three potential projects including Santee National Wildlife Refuge (Clarendon Co.), Broad River WMA (Fairfield Co.), and Fants Grove WMA (Anderson Co.).
Conservation Initiative: We are currently working with the Department of Natural Resources and the DU Great Plains Regional Office to identify issues impacting waterfowl that winter in SC, especially identifying key breeding areas important to SC that need protection and/or restoration.
Lowcountry Initiative: Currently working on 11-16 potential easements that will close by the end of this year.
GEORGIA MARSH: Work is underway on the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area – Rhetts Island Project (McIntosh Co.) that will enhance 1,845 acres of managed wetlands. This project should be completed by the end of the year. In addition, the Bullard Creek WMA project (35 acres; Appling Co.) is under construction and should be completed within 2-3 months.
In addition, the DNR has identified 10 potential projects that we will be evaluating throughout the year.
The Penholoway Swamp NAWCA grant ($1,000,000) submitted by the Department of Natural Resources in March 2003 has officially been funded. This project will acquire 2,199 acres of bottomland hardwoods along the Altamaha River in McIntosh and Wayne Counties for inclusion in the Altamaha WMA. Partners include DU, Department of Natural Resources, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and International Paper Company. Total match provided by the partners is $1,750,470 (DU = $113,400).
FLORIDA MARSH: The Hickory Mound Impoundment Enhancement NAWCA grant submitted by DU in March 2003 has been officially approved. This grant will enhance 1,834 acres of forested and brackish marsh habitat along the Gulf Coast. Partners include Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ($486,000), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($100,000), Taylor County ($50,000), North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($391,249), and DU ($149,626). The initial planning sessions have been conducted and the project should be completed during the summer of 2004.
We recently met with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways and Trails and the Fish and Wildlife Commission to discuss a project on the 3,000-acre Marshall Swamp Tract (Marion Co.). DEP is interested in having DU conduct the restoration project to improve wetland management capability and enhance recreational opportunities, including hunting.
A preliminary meeting was held with the St. Johns River Water Management District to discuss a potential project on the 1,000-acre Pine Meadows Conservation Area (Lake Co.). In addition, we evaluated several potential projects on Merritt Island and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges.
WRP: The Levy Prairie Restoration Project (Alachua Co.) has been expanded to include 3,500 acres and the restoration work should commence next summer. Also, we continue to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify additional restoration opportunities.
Craig R. LeSchack
Director of Conservation Programs
South Atlantic Region
Ducks Unlimited
3896 Leeds Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-9110 (Office)
(843) 745-9112 (Fax)
cleschack@ducks.org
The following is a summary of FY 2004 first quarter Conservation activities in the South Atlantic. Please feel free to use this information with other volunteers, potential donors, etc. Should you have questions or comments concerning the information provided or would like to learn more about a particular project please call me at (843) 745-9110.
First, I would like to announce that we hired a new Regional Engineer to replace Shawn Kooyman (new central NC Regional Director). Mr. Billy Webster joined the DU team on September 15th. Billy graduated from Clemson University and worked for the past 6 years as an engineer with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Hopefully, he will have a chance to meet many of you throughout the year.
NORTH CAROLINA Sound CARE: Efforts are underway to launch this 5-year funding initiative to conserve a minimum of 22,000 acres in NC and 42,000 acres on breeding ground areas that are important to NC. Total cost is estimated at $22 million. The official kickoff will be spring of next year. We are currently working on an informational brochure and securing lead gifts for the initiative.
WRP: Restoration activities are underway on 5 sites (2,000 acres). Although completion of these projects has been delayed by wet weather, plans are to have all projects completed this fiscal year. In addition, engineering surveys and designs are being completed on 8 more sites (3,500 acres). These restoration projects will be completed in FY 2005.
NC Partners: We received a $75,000 grant from the NC Division of Water Quality to restore 500 acres over the next three years starting in July 2004. This work will be completed on private lands in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins.
MARSH: Projects are underway on the Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (Martin Co.) – Conoho Farms Tract (49 acres) and the Whitley Tract (75 acres), and the Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land – Midgett Waterfowl Impoundment (32 acres). These projects will cost approximately $700,000 with funding provided by North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($348,000), Wildlife Resources Commission ($177,000), Park Foundation ($75,000), and DU ($100,000). Also, we will be completing a wetland restoration assessment on the Falls of the Neuse Game Land.
Several other projects will be surveyed and designed for restoration in FY 2005. These projects will be located on the Roanoke River and Currituck National Wildlife Refuges, and the North River Game Lands.
Land Acquisition: The 444-acre Saltworks Tract (Carteret Co.), purchased via an $860,000 grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, is being donated to the Wildlife Resources Commission and will be included in the Game Lands system. Two additional tracts (2,200 acres) are being evaluated for future acquisition.
NC Conservation Easements: Currently working on 3-5 potential easements to close by the end of 2003.
Ft. Bragg: We recently completed a wetland assessment on the army base. Conservation staff identified and evaluated 12 projects totaling 281 acres for restoration efforts. Hopefully, this will lead to future partnership opportunities.
Project Dedications: Dedications are being planned for several projects including the Futch Tract, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge (Kitchin Impoundment and Joseph Knapp Commemorative Trail), and Saltworks Tract.
SOUTH CAROLINA MARSH: Two projects are planned for FY 2004 including Francis Marion National Forest – Little Hellhole Reserve (20 acres; Berkeley Co.) and Pee Dee Research Center Wetland Enhancement (100 acres; Darlington Co.). These projects will cost approximately $170,000 with funding provided by provide by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($37,280), U.S. Forest Service ($12,500), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ($10,000), Clemson University ($15,000), Natural Resources Conservation Service ($50,000) and DU ($45,000).
In addition, we will be evaluating three potential projects including Santee National Wildlife Refuge (Clarendon Co.), Broad River WMA (Fairfield Co.), and Fants Grove WMA (Anderson Co.).
Conservation Initiative: We are currently working with the Department of Natural Resources and the DU Great Plains Regional Office to identify issues impacting waterfowl that winter in SC, especially identifying key breeding areas important to SC that need protection and/or restoration.
Lowcountry Initiative: Currently working on 11-16 potential easements that will close by the end of this year.
GEORGIA MARSH: Work is underway on the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area – Rhetts Island Project (McIntosh Co.) that will enhance 1,845 acres of managed wetlands. This project should be completed by the end of the year. In addition, the Bullard Creek WMA project (35 acres; Appling Co.) is under construction and should be completed within 2-3 months.
In addition, the DNR has identified 10 potential projects that we will be evaluating throughout the year.
The Penholoway Swamp NAWCA grant ($1,000,000) submitted by the Department of Natural Resources in March 2003 has officially been funded. This project will acquire 2,199 acres of bottomland hardwoods along the Altamaha River in McIntosh and Wayne Counties for inclusion in the Altamaha WMA. Partners include DU, Department of Natural Resources, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and International Paper Company. Total match provided by the partners is $1,750,470 (DU = $113,400).
FLORIDA MARSH: The Hickory Mound Impoundment Enhancement NAWCA grant submitted by DU in March 2003 has been officially approved. This grant will enhance 1,834 acres of forested and brackish marsh habitat along the Gulf Coast. Partners include Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ($486,000), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($100,000), Taylor County ($50,000), North American Wetlands Conservation Council ($391,249), and DU ($149,626). The initial planning sessions have been conducted and the project should be completed during the summer of 2004.
We recently met with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways and Trails and the Fish and Wildlife Commission to discuss a project on the 3,000-acre Marshall Swamp Tract (Marion Co.). DEP is interested in having DU conduct the restoration project to improve wetland management capability and enhance recreational opportunities, including hunting.
A preliminary meeting was held with the St. Johns River Water Management District to discuss a potential project on the 1,000-acre Pine Meadows Conservation Area (Lake Co.). In addition, we evaluated several potential projects on Merritt Island and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges.
WRP: The Levy Prairie Restoration Project (Alachua Co.) has been expanded to include 3,500 acres and the restoration work should commence next summer. Also, we continue to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify additional restoration opportunities.
Craig R. LeSchack
Director of Conservation Programs
South Atlantic Region
Ducks Unlimited
3896 Leeds Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-9110 (Office)
(843) 745-9112 (Fax)
cleschack@ducks.org