Audit report out of MN...PR grant misuse

[Bonasababy]

Long time coming, this audit report....from our non-partisan legislative auditor...just released yesterday.

A cautionary tale for other places given the move towards more public land giveaways/resource extraction.

Department of Natural Resources Timber Harvest Decisions in Wildlife Management Areas

www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us

Our natural resource department complied with demands by the timber industry to increase the amount of state wood put up for sale. To meet their demands, the state greatly increased timber sales on wildlife management areas...the majority of which had ties to use of Pittman Robertson Grant monies.

DNR staff and advocacy groups cried foul, warned and pleaded with the DNR commissioner to change the plans, and the US FWS took notice.

After several years of warnings by FWS that were not complied with, FWS pulled and froze tens of millions of dollars of PR grants to the state and put a stop to all timber sales on state WMAs (we have over a million acres of them).

The report checked on the status of this issue and surveyed DNR staff to see what they were seeing regarding progress at fixing the issue.

It's not a complementary report, makes recommendations for change and presents survey results showing field staff strongly disagree with the DNRs assertions that things are fine.

I should say most US FWS actions took place in the last federal administration....some of the staff we owe gratitude to are gone now, and further action on their part is now unlikely.

Hoping that our legislature steps in now....their auditor can only make recommendations. I can say many DNR staff and conservation groups are interested in a move back to timber sales only being conducted when it provides value to habitat goals. But despite words and assurances to the contrary from MN DNR leadership, progress has been minimal and most aren't buying their "everything's fine, nothing to see here" response.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I can say many DNR staff and conservation groups are interested in a move back to timber sales only being conducted when it provides value to habitat goals.

I can get on board with this as IMO timber harvest is often a good thing for habitat. I'm a bit worried that what good habitat means to me is different from what the weirdos running our state think though. They seem determined to remove a lot of the limited good timber cover/habitat in the prairie regions in the name of "restoring native ecosystems".

 

[SAJ-99]

Most of the USFWS grants by have been suspended by DOGE now anyway, so...

 

[th88]

Most of the USFWS grants by have been suspended by DOGE now anyway, so...

Not the PR dollars that are a large percentage of the funding for many state agencies.

 

[BrentD]

I can get on board with this as IMO timber harvest is often a good thing for habitat. I'm a bit worried that what good habitat means to me is different from what the weirdos running our state think though. They seem determined to remove a lot of the limited good timber cover/habitat in the prairie regions in the name of "restoring native ecosystems".

They may not be weirdos, and certainly are not just because they have a different idea of what good habitat is. I have been hunting WMAs a lot this year, as a brand new MN resident. It is pretty clear that a lot of state land management is treating popple management a lot like farming with trees instead of soybeans. Comparing state forest to national forest is kind of amazing actually,

 

[Wind Gypsy]

They may not be weirdos, and certainly are not just because they have a different idea of what good habitat is. I have been hunting WMAs a lot this year, as a brand new MN resident. It is pretty clear that a lot of state land management is treating popple management a lot like farming with trees instead of soybeans. Comparing state forest to national forest is kind of amazing actually,

What alternative method would you propose managing the aspen forest? Not letting it get to mature? Letting it stand mature until it rots, falls, and regenerates?

In regards to prairie regions.. Is a tree line, shelterbelt, or small wood lot in a sea of coverless ag or prairie really hurting the prairie ecosystem?

 

[NoWiser]

I can get on board with this as IMO timber harvest is often a good thing for habitat. I'm a bit worried that what good habitat means to me is different from what the weirdos running our state think though. They seem determined to remove a lot of the limited good timber cover/habitat in the prairie regions in the name of "restoring native ecosystems".

I used to think like you. Until I saw firsthand the benefits of restoring prairie ecosystems. Minnesota has no shortage of shelter belts and wood lots. We definitely have a shortage of prairie ecosystems. I’m in favor of the DNR restoring as many prairies as possible.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I used to think like you. Until I saw firsthand the benefits of restoring prairie ecosystems. Minnesota has no shortage of shelter belts and wood lots. We definitely have a shortage of prairie ecosystems. I’m in favor of the DNR restoring as many prairies as possible.

I’m open to being educated, what is the benefit? I get it if there is designated prairie getting grown in with invasive woody species but it seems like removal is more than just that. When I fly over sw mn in the winter and the only thing not flat white is roads and farmyards, it doesn't feel like there's much for shelterbelts and wood lots. Seems very limiting for wildlife.

 

[Wild Bill]

I’m in favor of the DNR restoring as many prairies as possible.

Nailed it.

When I fly over sw mn in the winter and the only thing not flat white is roads and farmyards, it doesn't feel like there's much for shelterbelts and wood lots. Seems very limiting for wildlife.

That's because it's all been tiled, drained, plowed, and farmed. In most areas there isn't jack for wildlife habitat.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

That's because it's all been tiled, drained, plowed, and farmed. In most areas there isn't jack for wildlife habitat.

Definitely. Which is why I have a hard time with removing the habitat that does exist.

 

[Wild Bill]

Definitely. Which is why I have a hard time with removing the habitat that does exist.

I'd prefer restored prairie habitat over more shelterbelts and wood lots for SW MN. Just my 2 cents having grown up there.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I'd prefer restored prairie habitat over more shelterbelts and wood lots for SW MN. Just my 2 cents having grown up there.

Can they not have both? I'm not even advocating for more, just against removal of what little cover exists.

 

[NoWiser]

I’m open to being educated, what is the benefit? I get it if there is designated prairie getting grown in with invasive woody species but it seems like removal is more than just that. When I fly over sw mn in the winter and the only thing not flat white is roads and farmyards, it doesn't feel like there's much for shelterbelts and wood lots. Seems very limiting for wildlife.

It’s hard to explain without seeing it first hand. I’d encourage you to visit a prairie throughout the year, not just during hunting season. The variety of native grasses and forbs is awesome. The native insects and butterflies, the prairie songbirds and cranes. The harrier hawks, the salamanders and frogs. Gophers and mice followed by badgers and fox. It’s truly an ecosystem of its own, and is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world if I’m not mistaken.

If you prefer seeing woodland species of wildlife there’s nothing wrong with that and you’re entitled to your opinion. Myself, I love the prairies, which is historically what SW MN was. Maybe they don’t support quite as many “game” species as a woodland, but the species they do support are every bit as important.

Just one guy’s opinion. No more or less valid than yours.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

It’s hard to explain without seeing it first hand. I’d encourage you to visit a prairie throughout the year, not just during hunting season. The variety of native grasses and forbs is awesome. The native insects and butterflies, the prairie songbirds and cranes. The harrier hawks, the salamanders and frogs. Gophers and mice followed by badgers and fox. It’s truly an ecosystem of its own, and is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world if I’m not mistaken.

If you prefer seeing woodland species of wildlife there’s nothing wrong with that and you’re entitled to your opinion. Myself, I love the prairies, which is historically what SW MN was. Maybe they don’t support quite as many “game” species as a woodland, but the species they do support are every bit as important.

Just one guy’s opinion. No more or less valid than yours.

Maybe I'm ignorant, i just dont see that as being mutually exclusive to a little cover here and there or even how some of the species mentioned wouldn't utilize/benefit from a little cover.

If we're talking buckthorn, boxelder, or even eastern red cedar that risks encroaching/overtaking prairie, i get it! Kill it.

 

[NoWiser]

Maybe I'm ignorant, i just dont see that as being mutually exclusive to a little cover here and there or even how some of the species mentioned wouldn't utilize/benefit from a little cover.

If we're talking buckthorn, boxelder, or even eastern red cedar that risks encroaching/overtaking prairie, i get it! Kill it.

I don’t think you’re ignorant at all. I think it just goes to show that the DNR is fighting a losing battle. If they cut down grove of trees in favor of prairie, people like me are happy. If they don’t, people like you are happy. I just wish they had more land to work with to keep everyone happy.

 

[Gellar]

Maybe I'm ignorant, i just dont see that as being mutually exclusive to a little cover here and there or even how some of the species mentioned wouldn't utilize/benefit from a little cover.

If we're talking buckthorn, boxelder, or even eastern red cedar that risks encroaching/overtaking prairie, i get it! Kill it.

Tall grass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Besides the plethora of native plants, animals, insects and birds that rely on vast tracts of prairie the benefits also include flood control, erosion control, topsoil loss prevention, nutrient reduction, and QUALITY DRINKING WATER.

A quick Google search says 40% of new wells in MN have detectable levels pfas, petroleum products, agricultural contaminants, and industrial solvents.

 

[Bonasababy]

What alternative method would you propose managing the aspen forest? Not letting it get to mature? Letting it stand mature until it rots, falls, and regenerates?

In regards to prairie regions.. Is a tree line, shelterbelt, or small wood lot in a sea of coverless ag or prairie really hurting the prairie ecosystem?

Yes...depending on your goals.

 

[Bonasababy]

I’m open to being educated, what is the benefit? I get it if there is designated prairie getting grown in with invasive woody species but it seems like removal is more than just that. When I fly over sw mn in the winter and the only thing not flat white is roads and farmyards, it doesn't feel like there's much for shelterbelts and wood lots. Seems very limiting for wildlife.

Depending on how you define them, wood lots can be different and I dont see anyone taking them out for habitat purposes. One of the worst things for Pheasants and prairie species though is trees. Almost always attract and harbor predators.

 

[BrentD]

What alternative method would you propose managing the aspen forest? Not letting it get to mature? Letting it stand mature until it rots, falls, and regenerates?

Yeah, maybe. Depends on what your vision is. If you want to grow trees like corn for pulp, then no. Otherwise, one might do a hell of a lot of things differently

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Yeah, maybe. Depends on what your vision is. If you want to grow trees like corn for pulp, then no. Otherwise, one might do a hell of a lot of things differently

My experience with the current timber harvest programs in Northern MN is that it results in a wide variety of secession and maturity and creates solid habitat. Would I love a little more selective harvest, of course. Aside from wishing more selective harvest (leaving mature oaks and thermal cover in place), i'll take the current timber management over leaving it alone and preventing wildfire every time.