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Transfer of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Administrative Jurisdiction from
NRCS to FWS
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l. to r. Robyn Thorson, Regional Director for FWS,
Fort Snelling, Minnesota and William Hunt, State Conservationist for
Minnesota NRCS sign
formal agreement which streamlines management of Wetlands on Glacial Ridge
National Wildlife Refuge
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Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Secretary of Interior Gale A.
Norton have agreed to the first transfer of administrative jurisdiction in
Minnesota from NRCS over to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). This is one of
the first such agreements in the country. This supports the establishment of a
new National Wildlife Refuge at Glacial Ridge that started with approximately 2,000
acres donated from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to FWS.
As more donations follow, NRCS will reciprocate with further transfer of
administrative jurisdiction. The transfer will allow FWS to maintain vegetation
that comprises two-thirds of the acres on these sites. This will protect the
restored wetlands and benefit all species that utilize grasslands. Additionally,
the transfer will allow FWS to manage water in order to optimize wetland
functions and values for the benefit of all species, but especially migratory
waterfowl and other wetland dependent species.
The FWS plan to establish walkways and paths to allow the
public to view this unique resource in north western Minnesota.
Your contact is Julie MacSwain,
NRCS public affairs specialist, 651-602-7914.
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