What are the Sandhills?
The Nebraska Sandhills is a unique area, both in
size and appearance. Native grassland covers 19,600 square miles of wind-deposited sand
dunes. Its geology makes the area rich for wildlife, water and ranching.
The
Land
19,600 square miles
Largest sand dune formation in America
95% grassland
1.3 million acres of wetlands
1 billion acre-feet of groundwater
2.4 million acre-feet of spring-fed streamflow discharged annually
Landscape Ecology
The
Sandhills Habitat Program is an ecosystem management approach based on an understanding of
the Sandhills' geologic and economic forces that shape the natural environment of the
region. Without knowing the land and the people, management is ineffective.
The sand dunes' influence
on the area's hydrology is the basis of the Sandhills ecology. Hundreds of feet of course
sand and gravel lie below the surface and contain one of the largest aquifers in North
America. The dunes act like a giant sponge that quickly absorbs precipitation, allowing
very little to run off. One fourth to one-half of the annual rainfall percolates downward
to the groundwater. In the lower interdunal valleys, the water table is elevated above the
surface and forms many of the 1.3 million acres of wetlands scattered throughout the area.
Groundwater movement is
relatively unrestricted (up to 500 feet per year) and excess water is discharged into
valleys, wetlands, and streams. As wetlands begin to fill, they buffer or restrict
groundwater discharge and maintain the high water table. Plants located in the valleys tap
into the constant water source and produce dense stands of vegetation for wildlife and the
ranching industry. In contrast, groundwater discharged into a drained valley maintains a
continual flow of water from the area. Ninety percent of annual stream flow (2.4 million
acre-feet) is groundwater.
Wetland drainage began in
the early 1900's to provide additional winter hay for livestock. The linear orientation of
the dunes allowed ditches to connect from one valley to the next until they reached
natural streams. Drainage extended the reach of natural streams and affected the balance
of groundwater and wetlands. Wetlands that once buffered the discharge of groundwater were
no longer effective and a continual discharge of groundwater occurs into the ditches. The
added flows cause natural streams to adjust their shape to wider and deeper channels. As
the streams cut downward, the lower streambeds capture more groundwater, lower the local
water table, drain adjacent wetlands, and lower the productivity of the valleys.
Effects of
Stream Degradation on the Local Water Table
(A) Normal Sandhill
stream.
(B) Downcutting of stream bed has captured more groundwater and
lowered the water table associated with subirrigated
meadows
and wetlands.
Cultivation attempts in
the early 1900's failed because the semi-arid climate did not provide adequate rainfall to
sustain row crops. Today, abundant groundwater supplies and center pivot irrigation has
made it possible to irrigate the porous and erodible sands. The sandy soils require large
amounts of water and fertilizer to grow crops. The excess water leaches agrichemicals
downward to the local water table. Domestic wells are becoming contaminated with nitrates
and pesticides. Pumping water from deep depths to the surface has flooded the local water
table and increased stream flows. Thus, adding to the impact of wetland drainage and
channelization.
Wildlife
Central Flyway migration
720 species of plants
314 species of animals
24-27 species of migratory birds of management concern visit the area
Ecosystem Management
Ranching has proven to be the best economic and
environmental use of the Sandhills. The natural resources which make the area suitable for
ranching also benefit a wide diversity of flora and fauna. In 1991, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service began an ecosystem approach to resource management in the Sandhills. A
Sandhills Coordinator was hired to bring a variety of people together to share their
common interests and to develop a management plan acceptable to ranching and the
environment.
The group, called the Sandhills Task Force, drafted
the Sandhills Management Plan which reflects their goal and management approach for the
Sandhills. In 1992, the plan was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Task
Force members.
The Goal
To enhance the sandhill
wetland-grassland ecosystem in a way that sustains profitable private ranching, wildlife
and vegetation diversity, and associated water supplies.
Strategies
The Sandhills Management Plan
identified six strategies to help attain the established goal. The strategies are not all
equal in need or value, but do give a full compliment of tools to accomplish specific
tasks:
Education
Education is cost effective and can have a long-term effect on the land. The
Service has joined with other partners to improve people's awareness of the Sandhill
resources. Over four dozen presentations have been given to a variety of audiences,
ranging from school and civic groups to professional organizations. The Sandhills Habitat
Program has also appeared in newspapers, magazines, and television programs. One chapter
in the book "Prairie Conservation: Preserving North America's Endangered
Ecosystem" focuses on the Program as one example of ecosystem management. Resource
management workshops and training courses have been given to both ranchers and
conservation personnel.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is the most active
part of the Sandhills Program. It not only involves the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, but other agencies as well. Partners have included landowners, the Natural
Resource Conservation Service (USDA), several local Natural Resource Districts, the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, The Nature Conservancy, county governments, and the
EPA.
Partnership agreements have been
written to improve a diversity of habitat. Wetlands have been restored or enhanced,
riparian habitat on streams has been improved, and fencing and planned grazing have
improved uplands.
The Sandhills Habitat Program has
provided technical assistance to landowners and various agencies which have given them a
better understanding of the hydrology and grassland ecology. The decisions they have made
with this information have affected thousands of acres.
Acquisition
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does
not have an active acquisition program in the Sandhills. But we have been involved in
assisting other organizations to solve resource issues. The Task Force has assisted The
Nature Conservancy in the restoration of two fens. The Service has worked with the
Nebraska Department of Roads and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to mitigate
wetlands in the Sandhills.
Legislation
No actions have been taken either by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Task Force on legislative issues.
Lease Agreements
Lease agreements have not been done by
the Service, but we have actively worked with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to
incorporate their lease program in wildlife projects.
Financial Support
Efforts are continuing to obtain
outside support for conservation projects. One such project obtained restoration funds
from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The project, sponsored by the Task Force, brought
matching money and support from local landowners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resource District,
Nebraska Cattlemen, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and local County
Commissioners.
"Win-Win" Solutions
The Sandhills Management Plan was built
on the belief that "win-win" solutions can be found if landowners and agencies
joined together. The Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has been the
backbone of the success experienced in the Sandhills. Nebraska Partners for Fish and
Wildlife has provided funds and staff to coordinate and complete projects in education and
technical assistance. The types of projects have varied to meet specific needs of
landowners and communities.
"I've never seen
government work like this. We get along real good. This was a unique opportunity to work
with them instead of against them. We're trying to get along, with the land, with the
wildlife, with the government."
John Lee,
Rancher
Brownlee, Nebraska
". . . This is a complete ecosystem management plan developed specifically for the
Sandhills of Nebraska. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has handled this area perfectly,
in my opinion, and the success of the activity verifies that opinion. The Service worked
with the ranchers and wildlife interests in the area to determine the needs of both groups
. . ."
J. Robert
Kerrey
United States Senator
|