DETROIT LAKES WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

DETROIT LAKES, MINNESOTA 56501

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1978

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREAS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U .S . F ISH AND WILDL IFE SERVICE

DETROIT LAKES WETLAHD MANAGEMEHT DISTRICT

R.A T 7 7040"

PERMANENT PERSONNEL

Eldon L. McLaury Manager GS-11 PET (Transferred 6-9-78 from Sheldon-Hart Refuge, Lakeview, Oregon)

A. Wayne Stanley Assistant Manager GS-9 PET (Transferred 10-22-78 from Benson WMD, Benson, Minnesota)

Larry E. Lewis Manager Trainee GS-7 PET

Richard Deike Maintenance Worker WG-7 PET (Transferred 9-10-78 from Tamarac NWR, Rochert, Minnesota)

Darlene M. Christen Administrative Technician GS-5 ;

TEMPORARY PERSONNEL •

From To

Larry Hanson Bio tech 5/08/78 3/02/79 Jeffrey Axton Bio tech 5/29/78 11/30/78

Charles Schwartz Bio tech 5/29/78 11/30/78

Samuel Miller Bio Aid 6/12/78 12/30/78 Shelly Townsend Bio Aid 4/30/78 11/30/78

Leslie Kvidera Bio Aid 5/29/78 6/23/78

Carol Taylor Bio tech 4/20/78 4/21/78

Kevin Craney Work Study 5/29/78 8/10/78

Doug Bellefeuille Work Study 5/29/78 8/10/78

Michael Bakken Work Study 5/29/78 8/11/78

Review and Approvals

^ VV'7/79 1/ Submitted by Di

Detrou? fd Wildllfe

x 4 Minnesota Wetland Complex

A^sga Ottice uaze

Regional CfficeDate

YCC STAFF - 1978

Phil Norrgard Tom Legeret Jan Gagne-Norrgard

Camp Director Group. Leader Group Leader

YCC ENROLLEES - 1978

Chris Adey John Archer Linda Eidenschink Amy Green Bob Henderson Brian Johnson

Paul Olson Tom Olson David Riedberger Kevin Sharp Robbie Sims Anthony Bosch

YACC

Jerry Webster

Joel Anderson Lloyd Bertek Frank Boswell Dawn Coryell Melody Covey Eleanor DeGroat Paul Drydahl Erin Fitzgerald Richard Goodman Debbie Halvorson Amy Imderrieden Curtis Iceman Debra Jenkins Robert Kertscher LaVerne Lefebvre Kenneth Malvick Jack Oelfke Jane Olson Ronald Rosell John Roy Brenda Smith Paul Theisen Donna Vange Cheryl Vilas

Group Leader

YACC ENROLLEES - 1978 Start Date 9/11/78 6/26/78 6/27/78 6/30/78 6/12/78 9/18/78 5/11/78 6/30/78 5/15/78 5/04/78 10/30/78 5/15/78 9/12/78 6/01/78 9/12/78 7/06/78 5/04/78 4/24/78 4/17/78 5/17/78 9/11/78 7/05/78 5/04/78 5/11/78

Term. Date * *

8/07/78 8/22/78

10/20/78 8/26/78 6/27/78 9/5/78 - Rehired 10/2/78

*

6/27/78 9/28/78 6/19/78 10/18/78 8/16/78 5/30/78-Rehired 10/2/78-6/26/78

•>v

6/1/78 *

10/20/78 -v

9/5/78

"Terminated in 1979

Detroit Lakes WMD permanent staff includes (left to right): Wetland Manager Eldon McLaury, Management Trainee Larry Lewis, Administrative Technician Darlene Christen, Assistant Manager Wayne Stanley, and Maintenance Worker Dick Deike. (Photo by L. Hanson - December, 1978)

Detroit Lakes WMD 1978 Summer Staff—a happy, hard working crew. Photo includes YCC, YACC, and WMD staff. (Photo by L. Hanson -July, 1978)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL Page

\ A. Introduction 1 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 1 C. Land Acquisition 2 D. System Status 3

H. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction 5 B. Maintenance 7 C. Wildfire 9

HI. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands 9 B. Grassland 10 C. Wetlands 13 D. Forest lands 19 E. Other Habitat.. 19 F. Wilderness and Special Areas 19 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 19

IV- WILDLIFE

A. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 20 B. Migratory Birds 20 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others.*. 23

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation 26 B. Recreation 27 C. Enforcement 28

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations 30 B. Cooperative Programs 30 C. Items of Interest 31 D. Safety 34 E. Acknowledgements 35

I. GENERAL

Introduction

The Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District includes the counties of Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, and Polk in northwestern Minnesota. The district is located in a transition zone extending from the timbered areas to the east, through the glacial Lake Agassiz beach line and into the Red River Valley flood plain to the west. The majority of the District's wetlands lie in the rolling hills between the beach line and the wooded areas. Agri­culture is the principal industry in the area, but rec­reational activities are increasing annually and may soon exceed farming as an economic factor to the local area.

Climatic and Habitat Conditions

Climatic conditions averaged near normal during 1978 in spite of deep winter snow and cold temperatures (average precipitation - 25 inches, average temperature - 39.250F). Eighty consecutive days of below freezing temperatures-were recorded at Detroit Lakes from 12/18/77 - 3/8/78. Deep snows coupled with the below normal temperatures made wintering conditions difficult for all wildlife. A record high of 93 was recorded in September and the low -38 was recorded in December.

Many rural roads and highways were graphic illustrations

of our snow cover. (Photo by L. Hanson - March, 1978)

Our equipment lay waiting for the spring thaw. The roof of the newly constructed storage shed peeks above the snow­bank in the background. (Photo by L. Lewis - March, 1978)

The spring runoff created water conditions not witnessed for several years. Ditch plugging efforts of the past two years were rewarded with a number of restored marshes filled to capacity. Near normal precipitation and temper­atures persisted throughout the remainder of 1978 and created ideal conditions for most flora and fauna.

Generally, 1978 was the year which ended the drought of 1976 and 1977, and set the stage for better water and waterfowl habitat conditions than have been available for several years.

Land Acquisition

1. Fee Title

In December, 1977, new procedures were established that required each proposed fee purchase to be pre­sented to the county board of commissioners. The procedure has improved our credibility with the county commissioners but not necessarily their rate of ap­proval of land sales. The commissioners now realize what our completed units will encompass and what our

3

objective is for each waterfowl production area. In spite of county commissioner denials of approval, we acquired 1,453 acres during 1978. We purchased 821 acres in Clay County where we have good rapport with the commissioners. Land acquisition in Becker County has been halted (only 4 acres purchased in 1978) due to a procedural agreement between the Wetlands Complex office and the Becker County Commissioners. This agreement prevents the FWS from acquiring land in Becker County until our shared revenue payments are 100% of what is actually owed the county. Mahnomen and Polk County commissioners continue to oppose our program, but lands in each county were acquired through approval of the State Land Exchange Board. In Mahnomen County 289 acres were purchased, and in Polk County 339 acres were purchased. There are currently 29,463 acres in fee title.

2. Easements

No easement acres were added to the District during 1978. Currently there are 26,616.37 acres of easement under our jurisdiction.

3. Other

None to report.

D. Sy s t em Status

1. Objectives

The Detroit Lakes WMD's broad management objectives are as follows:

1. Assure continued availability of habitat capable of supporting waterfowl and other wildlife popu­lations at desired levels.

2. Demonstrate to the public sound wi1d1ife/wiId 1ands management practices.

3. Expand the understanding and appreciation of wild­life /wi 1 d 1 and s ecology.

4. Optimize plant and animal populations on lands within the WMD.

4

5. Assure survival of each of this area's plant and animal species in a natural environment.

6. Direct public mse compatible with wetland manage­ment goals.

Prior to FY-78, funding and man-power was inadequate to meet these objectives. BLHP funding has done a great deal in helping us meet our objectives.

2. Funding

The following is a display of funding at this WMD over the past five years:

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY-75* FY-76 FY- 7 7 FY-78 FY- 7 9

0113 36.0

0116 6 . 6

1210 50 . 3 79 . 3 99.0 181.0

1220 1 . 7 3 . 0 3 . 8

1240 4.0 7 . 0 10 . 0

3110 8 . 2 2 . 25 4.0 5.0

9380 50.0

MARS 27.0

BLHP 129 . 2 426. 7

Totals 42.6 108.5 114.25 242 . 2 626.5

*WMD was a sub-station under the Tamarac NWR.

As can be seen in the table, O&M at the District has more than doubled over the past three fiscal years. Until FY-79, however, PFT staffing at the District was static at two; a Wetland Manager and an Assistant. In addition, the WMD experienced a complete (with ex­ception of the clerk) turnover in personnel. During a four month period, the WMD operated without benefit

J.

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of a Wetland Manager or Assistant. In 1979 our ob­jective is to transform the WMD's status quo image to one which is innovative and aggressive.

11• CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

1. Parking Lots

During 1978, increases in vehicle trespass made it necessary to emphasize parking lot construction on the District's WPAs. A new design was developed by the staff to replace the "standard steel post/barbed wire WPA parking lot." Seven of the parking lots were constructed on high hunter use WPAs. After the lots were constructed, the District was informed all parking lot cons true t ion should cease until the Reg-ional Office could develop a design for the Wetlands Complex.

Unit

1978 Parking Lot Construction

County N_o_. of Lots

Lee Mar she s (12) Doran Lake (34) S t ang1 and (32) Hoykens (12) Hotsie Lake (3) Nelson Prairie (6) Jacob son (12)

Becker Clay Clay Clay C lay Mahnomen Polk

Our new parking lot design provided hunter access and a clean, functional appearance that was aesthetically acceptable.

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District's parking lots provided a walk-through area (top) and a pole gate for equipment access to the WPA (bottom). (Photo by L. Hanson December, 1978)

7 2. Fence Construction

Boundary fencing in 1978 was directed toward elimi­nating vehicle and grazing trespass on four WPAs. The fences were constructed by YACC and YCC with a total of 2.1 miles contructed.

1978 Fence Construction

Unit County Miles Reason Fenced

Pederson (36) Becker .50 Olson (25) Clay .35 Christiansen (5) Clay .25 Nelson Prairie (6) Mahnomen 1.00

Grazing Vehicle Trespass Grazing Grazing

Maintenance

In 1978 YACC constructed a tool storage/workshop inside the equipment storage building. An 8'x8' wood frame storage shed was moved from a WPA in Polk County to the headquarters area and was transformed into an oil/grease shed by YACC. At the headquarters area an old barn, an eyesore for too many years, was burned in December. During the burn, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency personnel arrived at the headquarters and informed us we were in violation of open burning regulations since we did not have a permit and had not removed the asphalt shingles from the building prior to burning. Problems and concerns were resolved, and relationships between agencies was s t rengthened.

The "oil shed" provided a safe place to store flammables

away from other buildings.

After attempts to sell the old Headquarters barn failed, it was finally burned. (Photo by E. McLaury, December, 1978)

During 1978, the following maintenance related jobs were a c c omp1ished on WPAs within the

Boundary Posting New Posting Reposted

Becker County Clay County Mahnomen County Polk County

45 75 5 5

miles miles miles miles

6 12 1

13

05 43 0 45

miles miles miles miles

Totals 17.2 miles 32.93 miles

No Vehicle Trespass Posting

Becker County Clay County Mahnomen County Polk County

12 areas 13 areas 10 areas 14 areas

**•

9 Interior Fence Removal

Becker County Clay County Mahnomen County Polk County

Building Site Cleanup

Becker County Mahnomen County Polk County

Buildings Sold/Removed or Burned

Becker County

5.82 miles 1.0 mile .40 mile

2.85 miles

Lee Marshes WPA Moore Lake WPA Foot Lake WPA and Sollie Enterprises WPA

Clay County 4 Polk County 22

Parking Lot Mowing Prior to Hunting Season

Becker County 12 lots Clay County 3 lots Mahnomen County 7 lots Polk County 8 lots

Wildfire

One wildfire (unknown origin) on November 1 burned 60 acres on the Spring Creek Waterfowl Production Area in Becker County.

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Croplands

The Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District has only one food plot on Waterfowl Production Area lands. Located on the Helliksen Prairie WPA in Becker County, the food plot has been used extensively by deer, prairie chicken, and gray partridge. This food plot is a special condition of the purchase agreement for the tract.

Three previously cropped WPA's were retired to a mixture of alfalfa, sweet clover, and orchard grass during 1978. These areas included:

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Fuglie Tract/F1iekertai1 Prairie Unit 85 acres Marks Tract/Marks Unit 165 acres Moore Tract/Moore Lake Unit 47 acres

Only the Christiansen WPA in Clay County remains in agri­cultural production (95 acres) and is scheduled for native grass seed-down in 1979.

®• Grasslands

Because of an extremely wet spring, this district accom­plished no prescribed burning in 1978.

Weed control continues to involve much of our equipment and manpower during late spring and early summer. 1,521 acres of noxious weeds were treated in 1978. For thistle control, 877 acres were mowed and 316 acres were sprayed with 2,4-D, 22 acres of leafy spurge was treated with tordon beads and 14 acres of leafy spurge was plowed. We intend to keep that 14 acres (on the Halverson Unit in Polk County) fallow for at least three years in an attempt to reduce the leafy spurge problem. Our chemica 1-contro1 of leafy spruge on this unit has been unsuccessful; we hope the "fallow" operation will work. Plumeless (Scotty) thistle is beginning to invade a number of WPAs.

Plumeless (Scotch) thistle - - the areas new weed problem. (Photo by L. Hanson - July, 1978)

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This pest plant was first observed in 1976, and is in­creasing in density in DNC stands on WPAs. However, neighboring pasture lands with a history of overgrazing are infested even more. A number of control methods have been tried. The "invert" sprayer with 2-4,D works well, but low mowing when the thistle is in the bud stage seems to destroy the seed stalk stage of this bi-annual plant. Flail mowing and leaving a 6-10" stalk tends to cause the plant to "stool" and send up dozens of flowers where two to six were present before mowing.

Blue-wing teal nest destroyed on the Lethenstrom WPA during weed control efforts. (Photo by L. Hanson -July, 1978)

Like other Minnesota wetland districts, the Detroit Lakes District has stepped up its native grass seeding. BLHP funding has given us an opportunity to plant native grasses in an attempt to solve weed control problems x^ith a perma­nent grassland cover. Native grasses can be managed by fire, provide diversity, and provide adequate nesting cover for waterfowl as well as other wildlife. 204 acres were seeded to native grasses (i.e., big and little bluestem, Indiangrass, side oats gramma, green needle grass, and switch grass) in 1978. The areas seeded to natives were

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all in Becker County and included:

Donl ey / Ti 1 Iman WPA 80 acres Lee Marshes WPA 66 acres Bay Lake WPA 30 acres Lake Park WPA 28 acres

During late summer and early fall of 1978, this district contracted local farmers to plow up 1,600 acres of its worst weed problem areas in preparation for seed-down to native grass in 1979.

Two rare plants found on prairie grasslands in this District were an Albino Blazing Star (above) and a Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (next Page). (Photos by L. Hanson - August and July, 1978)

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Wetlands

"Outstanding" would be the term best used to describe the condition of wetlands in this district during 1978. We restored, with ditch plugs, over 600 marshes during the drought years of 1976-77. The following pictures taken by Rich Joarnt and Larry Hanson in the spring of 1978 illustrate our success:

Clay County, Doran Lake WPA - - Marsh restored by raising

a road culvert with Eglon Township permission.

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Mahnomen County, Nelson Prairie WPA - - The dike with overflow culvert (above) produced a beautiful brood marsh in the center of this 2,000 acre WPA (below). Note smaller marshes created by ditch plugs.

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Mahnomen County, Nelson Prairie WPA - - Marsh created by a ditch plug built fall of 1976. Note how quickly the plug revegetated itself. All of our ditch plugs were designed with an emergency grass spillway as seen on the right side of the plug.

Becker County, Spring Marsh WPA - - L. Hanson inspects large ditch plug and resulting marsh basin.

Polk County, Sollie Enterprises WPA - - A series of three marshes all restored with ditch plugs. Note that ditch plug materials were taken from the marsh basin to prevent scars on the upland. This also deepened the basins and provided better materials for the plug.

Becker County, Read WPA - - 76 ditch plugs produced these beautiful marshes.

Polk County, Gustafson WPA - - Marsh restoration efforts on our wooded WPA's was also extremely successful.

Becker County, Helliksen Prairie WPA - - Before (above) and after (below) marsh restoration. This unit has 134 ditch plugs. Note the "oasis effect" of the WPA as it is surrounded by cropland.

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D. Fore s 11 and s

Nothing to report.

E. Other Habitat

Nothing to report.

F. Wilderness and Special Areas

In response to a program aimed at protection of "unique or nationally significant wildlife ecosystems", personnel from this office delineated unique areas that could be included in the project when it receives funding. These funds will be available through the Land and Water Con­servation Fund Act (LWCF) beginning in 1980. Many of the "unique ecosystems" involve tracts of native grassland along the beach-line of glacial Lake Agassiz in Clay and Norman counties. These unique areas will not qualify for inclusion in the WPA acquisition program. However, should the program become a reality, it is possible this District will administer management of those lands purchased in counties within the District.

G. Easements for Waterfowl Management

Easement mapping continued during 1978 and at the close of the year 34 easements remained to be mapped. The ease­ment maps identify wetland basins, ditches and significant wildlife habitat. The mapping process will aid in ease­ment enforcement efforts and monitoring land use changes. Our easement enforcement efforts during 1978 were, at best, futile. At the close of 1978 the WMD had 56 documented violations on which no legal action has been taken. The large backlog is the result of a "waiting game" where WMDs within the the Minnesota Wetlands Complex are waiting for a precedent to be set in the Minnesota courts on an easement violation. The "waiting game" has been played for several years with the violator the winner and the re­source the loser. It is hoped a precedent setting court case is resolved early in 1979. If not, it is the opinion of this District that Minnesota's Waterfowl Easement Program will be in serious jeopardy.

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Mahnomen County Easement 67X in the process of being drained. Note the 4-wheel drive tractor and scraper in operation at the upper left in the photo. (Photo by L. Lewis - November, 1978)

IV- WILDLIFE

A. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Nothing to report.

B. Migratory Birds

1. Waterfowl

Excellent water conditions in 1978 greatly increased waterfowl numbers from the past two years. Blue-winged teal breeding pairs and broods were at the highest level ever recorded in this district. Canvas back breeding pairs have increased annually since 1975 and were up 26% from 1977. Redheads responded favorably to high water conditions with an increase of 1,700% over last year. They are now back to 1975 population levels in the District. Ringnecked ducks,

4hf

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shovelers, pintails, ruddy ducks, and wood ducks also increased, but are far from optimum levels. Canada geese, possibly for the first time, raised broods on several restored WPA marshes in Becker County.

One of the two Canada goose broods raised on the re­stored marshes of the Lee Marshes WPA in Becker County. (Photo by L. Hanson - June, 1978)

Mallards are the only "dull spot" in this, otherwise bright picture. Mallards showed a decline of 38% in their breeding population. We expected mallard numbers to be higher with the excellent water conditions. Perhaps over-shooting or destruction of winter-habitat has adversely affected this species. Estimated duck production on WPAs in this district was 15,700 (more than twice the production of 1977). Estimated produc­tion on our easement lands was 8,600.

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An unusual sighting of a swan on Felton State Game Refuge in Clay County was made by Larry Hanson. The swan remained in the area throughout the summer. (Photo by L. Hanson - June, 1978)

2. Marsh and Water Birds

Again, good water conditions seemed to encourage production in these species. Coot breeding pairs and production were at their highest level ever recorded in this wetland district. Sora and Virginia rails were also abundant. Pied-billed grebe populations soared. And this district observed its first pair of nesting western grebes on the Doran Lake WPA in Clay County. They were seen building a nest, but it is unknown if they successfully raised a brood.

3. Shoreb i rd s , Gulls , Terns, and Allied Species

Shorebirds common to the district are killdeer, mar­bled godwit, upland plover, spotted and pectoral sand­pipers, Wilson^s phalarope, greater and lesser yellow legs and common snipe. Herring gulls, ring-billed gulls, and Franklin's gulls were frequently observed throughout the summer. Black and common terns were also common summer residents.

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4. Rapt o r s

At least 20 species of raptors utilize waterfowl production areas in this district. Marsh hawks, red-tailed hawks, rough legged hawks, sparrow hawks, barred owls, great horned owls, and short and long eared owls are among the most common. On April 22 , 1978 , Larry-Hanson and Rich Joarnt observed an osprey on the Moore Lake WPA in Mahnomen County. The osprey was perched on a wooden fencepost eating a small northern pike.

5. Other Migratory Birds

Little information was gathered on the many species of small, non-game migratory birds in this district. Mourning dove reproduction appeared to be very good.

The tremendous increase in production of sunflowers has encouraged the blackbird population. Waterfowl production areas and state owned wildlife management areas are blamed by sunflower growers for the blackbird problems. This office has hosted control seminars by A.B.C. and local state government officials in a search for solutions to the blackbird problems. Scare devices may be the answer, but it is obvious the problem will probably get worse since sunflower fields are increasing at an almost exponential rate annually.

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others

1. Game Mammals

Deer populations suffered major reductions during the winter of 1977-78. Many deer starved, others were killed by dogs and reproduction was low from survivors. State game enforcement officials now estimate that for every two deer killed legally, three deer are killed illegally. All these problems led to a tremendous drop in deer numbers in 1978.

24

Many deer did not survive the winter of 1911fl8 -Mahnomen County, Nelson Prairie WPA. (Photo by L. Hanson - May, 1978)

Muskrats all but disappeared during 1976-77, but their numbers are increasing once again. A restrictive trap­ping season and much improved water conditions encour­aged muskrat populations on many WPAs.

Rabbit, squirrel, beaver, mink, and raccoon populations remain stable. Fox populations remain very low due to the high price of their pelts.

Other Mammals

Moose inhabit more WPAs in this district each year, and their numbers are increasing. Small rodent popu­lations appear to be stable. Skunk numbers remain high.

25

A bull moose about to enter the Kenyon WPA in Clay County. (Photo by L. Hanson - August, 1978)

3. Resident Birds

Pheasants decreased — they suffered major losses during the winter of 1977-78. Prairie chicken, gray partridge, and ruffed grouse populations remained stable. No changes were seen in populations of smaller birds such as downy, hairy, and pileated wood­peckers, chick-a-dees, blue jays, etc.

4. Other Animal Life

Generally, animal life dependent upon marshes increased in 1978. Such things as frogs, salamanders, painted turtles, and water dependent invertebrates such as mosquitos and dragonflies all showed dramatic increases.

Jfrl

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v• INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Re fuge

A new Wetlands District sign denotes location of the headquarters, one mile north of Detroit Lakes. Before the sign was set, many area residents believed we were just another farm. Visitors directed to the headquar­ters from the west frequently missed us because of "mounds" of dirt hiding the former farm house converted to an office. Our new signs coupled with the removal of the "the old red barn" gave the headquarters quite a facelift.

Original concern that our sign would be used as a target has proven unfounded. (Photo by L. Lewis - Dec., 1978)

The nature trail on the Struss WPA two miles east of Detroit Lakes was groomed by YCC this year. The trail received little use. Further trail development has been halted in anticipation of abandonment and eval­uation of need for a trail on the district.

27

2. Off-Re fuge

Off-refuge I&R activities were limited by staff limi­tations. Slide talks were presented to sportsmens clubs and other groups upon invitation, but invitations were not solicited.

The WMD again participated in the 5th and 6th grade Conservation Day. The program was a cooperative effort with SCS, DNR, Agricultural Extension Service, and 4-H. Wetland Manager McLaury put on the program for the Hawley Rod & Gun Club annual "Stag" party (300 men).

There is a need to broaden information dissemination of wetlands program goals, policies, and procedures. Most everyone is informed or misinformed about our pro­gram and confuses U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We hope to improve the situation with time and the opportunity to get to the people.

Recreation

1. Wildlife Oriented

Wildlife and wildland observation demands seem to be increasing, possibly because of the decrease of these opportunities on private land, and the locally increasing human population.

Hunting programs were conducted in accordance with state regulations. Waterfowl hunting was the most popu­lar activity on WPAs. Preseason waterfowl census figures indicated the population was up 160% from the average. Based on an aerial car count, an estimated 477 water­fowl hunters hunted on WPAs in the Detroit Lakes WMD opening day. An estimated 180 deer hunters were on district WPAs opening day. No measure of success for waterfowl or deer hunting was determined. However, deer hunter success was believed very low based on general comments.

Hunting pressure for rabbits, pheasants, grouse, and other small game appeared average. High fur prices generated much trapping and hunting activity for fox, raccoon, and mink. Muskrat trapping activity was al­most nill because of the low muskrat population. Mus­krat "sign" indicates their population is on the re­bound after the severe plunge it took during the drought years of 1976 and 1977.

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2. Non-Wildlife Oriented

A special use permit was in force through April, 1978, on Becker County Management Unit #6. No other non-wildlife oriented recreation was supported.

Other than the above mentioned unit, only one person was known to have used a WPA in this District for cross­country skiing. Photo taken on the Nelson Prairie WPA in Mahnomen County. (Photo by L. Hanson - Dec., 1978)

Enf orc ement

Six citations were issued by WMD personnel as follows:

Violations Cited Citations Disposition

Lead shot in steel Lead shot in steel Unplugged shotgun Vehicle trespass Vehicle trespass (Written by DNR)

zone zone

Forfeit, $50.00 Guilty, fine suspended* Forfeit, $35.00 Forfeit, $50.00

Forfeit, $50.00

^Subject was found guilty and fined in an open court hearing.

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Later the fine was suspended by the magistrate after meeting alone with the defendant in the magistrate's chamb er s.

Vehicle and agricultural trespass, hunting and ease­ment violations continue to be the District's major problems. Of these, snowmobile trespass seems to be the toughest to control. Snowmobilers continue to trespass on units, disturbing wintering wildlife with little regard for wildlife or their own responsibili­ties as motor vehicle operators.

"On-line markers" were set along ten miles of boundary in an attempt to reduce agricultural trespass without fencing. The markers seem to have solved the trespass problems in every case. The markers are easier to con­struct than fences, cheaper, and do not present a bar­rier to wildlife populations. The markers, are also cheaper to maintain than fences, and do not hinder or endanger visitors crossing (walking) WPA boundaries. There are differences of opinion among wildlife managers over the use of these markers versus fencing WPA boun­daries, especially in controlling trespass. FWS pol­icy states that "fences are to be built only after other alternatives have been exhausted".

Placement of "on-line markers" every 48 feet instead of fencing has been very successful in eliminating ag. tres pass. (Photo taken by L. Hanson - Dec., 1978)

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Theft by breaking and entering was a problem at the WMD headquarters in 1978. "Break-ins" occurred on May 30, June 11, September 25, and December 8, with a total property loss of $1,500. Items taken were a welder, two air compressors, a battery charger, and other miscellaneous tools and shop items. Entry was forced each time, and suspicions remain that the thief "knew what he was after" in each case.

V!. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations

An inventory of habitat on waterfowl production areas and refuges is currently being carried on by the Northern Prairie Research Center of Jamestown, N.D. The study will establish the ecological succession of introduced nesting cover in the glaciated prairie pothole regions.. This pro­ject began in late 1976, and will continue indefinitely.

B . Cooperative Programs

The Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District hosted its second Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) camp in 1978. The camp was non-residentia1 with 12 enrollees and three staff members. Their accomplishments included boundary posting, fence construction, interior fence removal, building site clean-up, interpretive trail clean-up, and environmental education. The YCC crew also constructed and put up wood duck boxes on the wooded Lyman Lakes WPA in Becker County.

The wood duck nest boxes utilize a new box design to

alleviate the starling problem. (Photo by T. Legeret -July, 1978)

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"Testing" of the new management was frequent. County commissioners and landowners requested meetings with the new manager concerning ditch plugs and flooding. A Mahnomen County session included two farmers with the flooding problems, their children, their wives, brothers, grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, and of course, a county commissioner. At one time seven cars and 15 or 16 people were parked along Highway #59 north of Mahnomen. The group attracted passers-by, some of whom slowed down to ask questions or offer assis­tance. For awhile, it was thought it might be needed!

Another problem resulted from a township borrowing dirt from a knoll on a WPA to repair flood damage for an ad­jacent township road. The problem was partially corrected by a town board member who arranged restoration of dirt removed, and seed bed preparation of the disturbed area. YCC seeded native prairie grass species on the area, but the scar will remain for years.

YACC boundary line clearing on the Gustafson WPA in Polk County. (Photo by L. Hanson - Dec., 1978)

The raised road (left) and the barrow areas (right fore­ground and background) show the bold disrespect the township has for Federally managed WPA's (top). A closeup view of the cut through the knoll (below).

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Spring Creek Township, Becker County continued their battle against the District with staking of a road R.O.W. thru the 1,295 acre Hellikson Prairie WPA. The R.O.W. crossing virgin native prairie lands was marked following judicial decree upholding the minutes of a 1912 townboard meeting that vaguely designated the site for a road. We were forced to post the R.O.W. with WPA signs for enforce­ment purposes. That the township board will construct the road or perhaps dig a ditch along the R.O.W. to drain the prairie is a likely possibility. Townboard members in­dividually admitted there was no need for the road. How­ever, out of spite, a road or ditch remain high in proba­bility.

D. Safety

Detroit Lakes WMD maintained its safety record with no lost time accidents in 1978. Considering the nature and extent of duties as well as the number of temporary em­ployees, this was rewarding.

Nine safety meetings were held during 1978. At each meeting a film was shown followed by a discussion of the film topic and other safety concerns. The following is a sched­ule of films and meeting dates:

"Isolate and Stabilize" January 11

"What Do You Know and Get on the Edge February 14 of Emergencies"

"A Mat ter of Darkne s s" March 12*

"A Matter of Intersections" April 10*

"A Matter of Passing" May 9* -

"A Matter o f Speed" May 18*

"A Ma 11 er of Distance" June 9 *

"A Ma11er o f Ad j us tment" June 9 *

"The Safe Way Around Machines" July 13

"Survival For Sportsmen" October 30

"By Nature Rules" October 30

"Each of these films can be counted toward one hour of defensive driver refresher credit.

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On February 23 the wetland staff attended a job training and safety program presented by the state of Minnesota Department of Education. The program topics were driving safety, use of chemicals and first-aid. It was a relevant and worthwhile progrhm.

Throughout 1978 efforts were directed at providing safe equipment to work with, providing adequate training, and developing safe work habits. With conscientious effort and a little luck our safety record will be extended for several years.

Acknowledgements

Credit for this report goes to the following people:

Larry Lewis: Section I, Parts A, B & D, Section III, Part G, Section V, Parts A, B & C, Section VI, Part A & D.

Larry Hanson: Section I, Part C, Section II, Parts A, B & C, Section III, Parts A, B, C, D, E, & F, Section IV, Parts A, B & C, Section V, Part C, Section VI, Part B.

Darlene Christen: Section VI, Part C, and editing.

Wayne Stanley and Eldon McLaury, editing.

Vivian Sunram typed the report.