Tribal Conservation Projects in 2003 (EQIP  funding)

One of the responsibilities of WTCAC, at the request of the NRCS State Conservationist, is to review and recommend funding for conservation proposals from the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin. The WTCAC was allocated up to $440,000 in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds for Fiscal Year 2003 (FY 2003).
 

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas:

• Forest Restoration Project: Plant white pine, red pine, balsam fir, and white spruce on 1,120 acres of tribal lands that, left untreated, would regenerate to aspen. This is the first step in promoting and restoring forest biodiversity on lands cut-over in the 1920’s. Total cost of the project is estimated at $53,700. EQIP will provide $40,000 in cost share assistance.

• Bad River Well Decommissioning Project: The Bad River Tribe has a number of abandoned wells on the Reservation that are a potential source of groundwater contamination. The Tribe proposes to have the Bad River Natural Resources Department decommission the wells according to NRCS technical standard 351. Total cost of the project is estimated at $7,400, with EQIP provided $5,550 in cost share assistance.

Forest County Potawatomi:
 

• Erosion Control on Forest County Potawatomi Lands: Erosion control projects are: stabilization of an eroding bank at Bug Lake which is contributing sediment to waters important to the tribe; critical area planting of native grass species to reduce runoff, stabilize soil, and improve wildlife habitat; treatment of erodible areas contributing sediment to Devils Lake, and provide access to important tribal waters for subsistence food-gathering. The total project cost is $53,050, with EQIP providing $39,787 in cost share funds.

Ho Chunk Nation:

• Muscoda Bison Prairie: This project will provide critical area planting to stabilize one large gully and two smaller gullies on sandy soils in Richland County. Total project cost is $5,600, with EQIP paying $4,200 of this amount.

• Native Grass Planting: This project will plant 30 acres of native prairie grasses on 30 acres in Richland County, with a total cost of $6,000. EQIP will provide $4,500 in cost share.

• Streambank Protection and Habitat Improvement: This project will be installed in Vernon County on the main stem of the Kickapoo River and Billing Creek. Eroding streambanks will be stabilized on both streams. In addition, lunker structures and weirs will be placed in Billing Creek to provide additional fish habitat. The total cost of this project is $53,333. EQIP will cost share on $40,000 of the total amount.

• Whirling Thunder Grade Stabilization: This project will stabilize areas of excessive erosion on tribal lands in Monroe County. The project will also provide access for moving animals between pastures. Total cost is $2,500, with EQIP cost share at $1,875.

• Native Grass Planting at La Farge: This project proposes planting of native grasses of 92 acres of Ho Chunk lands in Vernon County. The total project cost is $18,400 with EQIP cost share of $13,800.
 

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewas:

• Shoreland Protection: Three erosion prone areas will be treated including two located on Flambeau Lake and one located on Pokegama Lake. Undercutting and sloughing of banks is occurring due to wind and wave action. The erosion is causing sedimentation, adverse effects on water quality, as well as aquatic and riparian habitat damage. Streambank and shoreline stabilization, critical area planting, tree and shrub establishment, grade stabilization structure, and heavy use area protection will protect these sites. Total project cost is $53,350, with EQIP providing $40,000.

• Well Abandonment: Six abandoned wells will be sealed according to NRCS standard 351, protecting groundwater resources. Total cost is estimated at $13,400. EQIP cost share is $10,026.
 

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin:
 

• Garlic Mustard Control: The Menominee Nation wants to gain control of an infestation of garlic mustard, before this invasive species becomes unmanageable. It is currently limited to small areas on the Reservation north of Neopit. Approximately five acres will be treated at a total cost of $845. EQIP costs are $549.

• Little W. Branch Trout Stream Improvement: This project will remove woody vegetation along both sides of the stream to allow grassy vegetation to dominate on the streambanks. This should result in the growth of aquatic plants and increase the abundance of aquatic invertebrates, and eventually, a narrower and deeper channel, with a bare gravel bottom. Total cost of this project is $15,000. EQIP will cost share $11,250.

Oneida Nation:

• Oneida Nation Nutrient Management: As part of the overall strategy to reduce pollutants entering surface and groundwater, and improve fish habitat, the Oneida Nation Farm will utilize the new NRCS 590 standard on 1800 acres of cropland. EQIP will provide $37,800 in incentive payments spread over three years for this project. A separate nutrient management project will develop nutrient management plans on 1322 acres with EQIP incentive payments of $27,762 on this portion.

• Tsyunhehkw^ Grazing: The Oneida Nation organic farming operation will utilize a certified crop advisor to assist with nutrient and pest management on 29 acres of cropland consistent with organic crop production. An additional 30 acres will be separated into paddocks and managed under a prescribed grazing system. EQIP will provide incentive payments totaling $2,586.

• Managed Grazing System: The Oneida Nation Farm beef operation will establish a managed grazing system at the farm headquarters. Ninety two acres of cropland will be converted to a prescribed grazing system. EQIP will provide $9,660 in incentive payments.

St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin:

• St. Croix Grade Stabilization Structure: An eroded area just upstream of the confluence of the Yellow River and the St. Croix River is impairing wild rice beds downstream on the St. Croix River. The Grade Stabilization Structure will have a total cost of $25,000, with EQIP funds totaling $18,750.

• Waste Storage Facility: This storage facility will be installed to deal with effluent generated from the aquaculture facility. The facility will deal with deal with waste only, no offal from the fish processing will be routed through this system. Total cost of the system is $61,660. EQIP will provide $43,162 in cost share assistance.

• Aquaculture Facility Well: The well will provide water for the rearing of food fish and walleye and perch fingerlings for restocking efforts. Total estimated cost is $19,918. EQIP will provide $2,000 in cost share assistance.

Sokaogon Chippewa Community:

• Stream Corridor and Wetland Restoration Project: The natural flow has been altered in Swamp Creek, providing suitable conditions for a cattail stand at the mouth of Swamp Creek to increase in size. This acts as a false bank deflecting stream flow from its natural channel through Rice Lake. This in turn limits nutrient cycling and water flow in Rice Lake. As a result, yellow pond lily has been increasing, and wild rice beds important to the Sokaogan Chippewa have decreased in size. Wetland restoration including the removal of nuisance plant species and the reseeding of wild rice, removal of debris from stream banks and beds, and an access road for tribal use are planned for this project. The total cost of the project is $64,710. EQIP will provide $47,780 of this amount.

Stockbridge-Munsee Community:

• Prairie Establishment: The Stockbridge-Munsee propose the establishment of permanent warm season grasses and forbs on fields that lie in areas of high ground water nitrate concentrations. This will ensure no further addition nitrates to these fields. Upland habitat management will be utilized to implement this proposal. EQIP will provide $14,940 towards this project.

< Back to Partnerships