MN DNR under scrutiny for WMA logging

[Bowmannate2000]

I grew up hunting Mille Lacs WMA which is referenced in the article. It always seemed like the regrowth in recently logged areas was great habitat for deer and grouse, and didn't seem to be done excessively.

Federal officials criticize MN DNR for logging habitat areas

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report finds examples of MN DNR misusing federal funds to facilitate logging in Wildlife Management Areas.

queticosuperior.org

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I’ve seen this mentioned over the past year but never a detailed description of why the harvests were or weren’t beneficial.

My hunting land is close to the Mille lacs wma and I don’t have enough time to cut all the trees I want to for habitat improvement!

 

[Bonasababy]

It all started when the DNR mandated a timber quota designed to please the forest industry be applied to lands bought and paid for by sportsman and required to be managed for fish and wildlife.

Following that action, 28 MN Wildlife managers took the unusual step of sending a letter of strong concern to the Commissioner of the DNR.

Bowmannate and Wind Gypsy, you may want to take note that impacts on Mille Lacs WMA are noted in that letter.

That letter has been widely distributed but it much longer than us allowed to be posted here it appears, unless a mod can free that up I can probably try to paste pieces in multiple posts.

Here's a link to a news article to get you started though.

Rift within DNR over logging in state wildlife areas

Wildlife managers say increased timber harvest could harm some species.

www.duluthnewstribune.com

 

[Bowmannate2000]

It all started when the DNR mandated a timber quota designed to please the forest industry be applied to lands bought and paid for by sportsman and required to be managed for fish and wildlife.

Following that action, 28 MN Wildlife managers took the unusual step of sending a letter of strong concern to the Commissioner of the DNR.

Bowmannate and Wind Gypsy, you may want to take note that impacts on Mille Lacs WMA are noted in that letter.

That letter has been widely distributed but it much longer than us allowed to be posted here it appears, unless a mod can free that up I can probably try to paste pieces in multiple posts.

Here's a link to a news article to get you started though.

Rift within DNR over logging in state wildlife areas

Wildlife managers say increased timber harvest could harm some species.

www.duluthnewstribune.com

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[Bonasababy]

Found an internet archive link to their letter, see here:

DNR Timber Harvest Memo : DNR : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Internal letter showing area wildlife manager and scientists' concerns with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' sustainable timber harvest analysis.

archive.org

They address concerns from this change all over the state in the back end of their letter.

The portion describing the concerns at Mille Lacs WMA I will copy here:

"Mille Lacs WMA Mille Lacs is an extremely popular, heavily visited WMA with a long history of research and management focusing on sustainable habitat and timber production. Existing age classes are well balanced in most cases due to past management. However, STH goals have significantly increased harvest pressure on the Mille Lacs WMA over any previous timeframe and will have long term impacts on wildlife habitat and wildlife populations. In order to meet the cord targets in aspen, all stands over age 28 will be harvested, including all previous reserve patches. All black ash stands will be harvested to meet goals. Overall, 36% of the forested habitat in the Mille Lacs WMA will be treated in a ten-year period."

 

[Bonasababy]

There have been two more recent actions regarding MN DNR's timber harvest plans.

Because many of the lands where the huge increase in timber harvest is mandated under their plan are lands purchased with YOUR money--Pittman Robertson funds given to the states in matching grant-- that come from the 11 percent tax on guns, ammo and sporting goods you pay when you purchase those items--the US Fish and Wildlife service has restrictions on those lands.

In this case, they can't be used primarily to make money especially if habitat or recreation is harmed while doing so.

My sources tell me that MN DNR has not been working well with the US FWS--kind of thumbing their nose at them-- and the FWS is trying to decide what to do.
I have also heard that in the FWS's experience--other states have tried similar things with lands purchased with OUR grant money, but have always backed down when threatened with loss of that money.

Not MN.

This is a big deal--if the feds don't crack down this funding source which supports so much more of hunting management costs than many know--is at risk of being abused by any industry or big wig looking to make a buck on state owned and managed public hunting lands.

Here's a good take on this:

Federal officials revise grant conditions to ensure DNR logging on hunting lands serves wildlife

The DNR must follow more detailed reporting requirements to show, in advance, how each timber sale will improve wildlife habitat.

www.startribune.com

 

[Bonasababy]

The other thing going on is that the state is auditing itself--the legislative auditors office is investigating the MN DNR's handling of this manner.

Here's some reading on that.

OLA to review DNR’s use of federal wildlife funds - The Timberjay

REGIONAL— The Office of the Legislative Auditor, or OLA, has announced it will undertake what’s known as a “special review” to examine the Minnesota Department of Natural …

www.timberjay.com