Roseau County Projects

This listing is produced by the Minnesota State Lottery from information provided by project managers and the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. While we attempt to provide the most current information, specific project locations and allocations do change. Information on projects for the current biennium, in particular, should be regarded as preliminary.

Mussel Resource Survey − 1999-01 biennium. During the first two years of this project (this biennium), biologists and other staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sampled 886 sites in 32 Minnesota rivers, 64 tributaries and 12 lakes, including 13 sites on the Roseau River in Roseau County during August of 1999.

According to the website for this project, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/nhnrp/mussel_survey/index.html, freshwater mussels, commonly called clams, occur throughout the world but reach their greatest diversity in North America where about 300 species are found. Unfortunately, within the last 100 years mussel communities have declined in abundance and diversity due to dam construction, stream channelization, water pollution and sedimentation, over harvesting and the recent introduction of the exotic zebra mussel. In response, groups such as the American Fisheries Society and The Nature Conservancy have identified mussels as the most imperiled group of animals in North America. The primary goal of this project is to build the information base necessary to sustain freshwater mussels in Minnesota. Building this base of information is expected to take about six years to complete.

Native Prairie Prescribed Burns - 1999-01 biennium. Periodic fire is an essential to the health of the prairie ecosystem, but deliberately set and controlled burns interact far better with civilization than random wildfires. This cooperative project between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy accelerated the prescribed fire program in select areas of the state. In Roseau County, prescribed burning took place at the Two Rivers Aspen Parkland Scientific and Natural Area during the biennium.

Public Boat Access - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is increasing public access to popular lakes and rivers by installing 12 fishing piers, three shoreline accesses and two boat ramps. One of the boat ramps is being built on Lake of the Woods at Warroad. Sites for the fishing piers and shoreline accesses are being determined.

Red River Valley Planning and Management - 1997-99 biennium. The Pollution Control Agency is working with an array of political jurisdictions and governments to determine ways of managing the land and water in the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota. The project includes a U.S. Geological Survey study of causes of sediment in streams and rivers in the Red River Watershed such as the South Branch of the Two River. This study will lead to methods of protecting water quality from the effects of erosion.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1993-95 biennium. This program provides matching funds to those who want to buy or improve critical fish, wildlife and native plant habitats in Minnesota. Some of these funds are being used to buy natural areas for scientific study, education and nature observation; others are helping restore waterfowl populations to their 1970s level. In Roseau Count, this program allowed the acquisition of 108 acres of land to the Lost River State Forest, the acquisition of 260 acres at Camelback North Lowland Grass Regeneration Project and the acquisition of 100 acres at the Beltrami Alder Regeneration Project. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Wildlife Habitat Stewardship - 1993-95 biennium. About 29,000 acres of state land is being developed and improved to protect wildlife and native plants. The Department of Natural Resources is restoring prairies, brush land, forests and non-game habitat while planting and managing native vegetation to enhance hunting, observing nature and education. In Roseau County, the program financed grassland development.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1991-93 biennium. Since 1987, the Department of Natural Resources has been collecting information on plants and animals throughout Minnesota to identify the location of natural areas and rare plants and animals. This information is being collected on a county-by-county basis and will be used to better manage areas that have native species of plants and animals. The Roseau County survey was completed during the 1991-93 biennium.