ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSION - Illinois DNR

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The Commission grants final approval for dedication of a buffer addition to Colored Sands Bluff NaturePreserve in Winnebago County, as described in the proposal presented under Item 22 of the Agenda forthe 211 th Meeting.13(Resolution 2192)211-23) Winnebago Co. – Buffer Addition to Sugar River Alder Nature Preserve, DedicationRussell Heinrichs presented a proposal on behalf of the WCFPD for final approval for dedication of 317acres as a buffer addition to Sugar River Alder Nature Preserve. The proposed buffer addition, located inboth the Freeport Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division and the Winnebago Sectionof the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division, contains a complete cross section of natural communitiesrepresentative of this area of the Sugar River which range from wet-floodplain forest and sedge meadowto dry sand prairie and savanna to upland forest. These communities are part of the Sugar River INAIsite (#1466) and the INAI site provides habitat to at least nine species of state-listed animals and at least11 species of state-listed plants. Sugar River Alder Nature Preserve has three of these state-listed plantsonsite and includes or helps protect all nine of the state-listed animals. The Sugar River’s ripariancorridor serves as a critical migration route for many species of birds and is likely important nestingground for several imperiled species. The proposed buffer addition will serve as essential protectionaround Sugar River Alder Nature Preserve and the Sugar River. The recreated and restored prairies addvaluable native habitat back to the landscape of Illinois. The restoration work already completed byWCFPD staff serves as a solid indicator that the site will continue to more closely resemble its formerpresettlement conditions. Protection of the proposed buffer addition supports the action steps identifiedfor the prairie campaign, wetlands campaign, forests campaign, and invasive species campaign outlinedin the IWAP. Dedication of this buffer addition will increase the acreage of Sugar River Alder NaturePreserve from 184.7 acres to 501.7 acres. The site received preliminary approval for dedication at theCommission’s 210 th Meeting in January, 2012 (Resolution 2172).It was moved by Covington, seconded by Keating, and carried that the following resolution be adopted:The Commission grants final approval for dedication of a buffer addition to Sugar River Alder NaturePreserve in Winnebago County, as described in the proposal presented under Item 23 of the Agenda forthe 211 th Meeting.(Resolution 2193)On behalf of the WCFPD, Judy Barnard thanked the Commission for approving the additions to twoexisting nature preserves. She also thanked Russell Heinrichs and John Nelson for their efforts on theseprojects.Chair Rosenthal thanked the WCFPD for its commitment and for the great work that is being done inWinnebago County.211-24) Alexander and Pulaski Co. – Cache River Hydrology Demonstration ProjectHeidi Randala, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), presented a comprehensive PowerPointproposal regarding the Cache River Hydrology Demonstration Project. Two options were discussed in
detail. Approximately 25 years ago, resource managers developed a list of landscape-scale restorationalternatives that were thought to be essential for preserving the natural features and character found inthe Cache River State Natural Area located in the Lower Cache River Swamp (INAI #0610). Thesealternatives included structures to restore stream gradient and manage water surface elevation at theeastern and western boundaries of the Lower Cache River Swamp; selective dredging to restorepermanent open deep water within the river channel and hydraulically connected swamps, ponds andsloughs; and partial reconnection of the upper and lower river segments. Of particular importance at thistime is a project proposed by SIUC that would demonstrate the benefits of partial reconnection,particularly focusing on capturing the importance of impacts during very low flows that occur naturallyeach year during the dry summer months. This information will provide qualitative and quantitative datanecessary for selection of a reconnection pathway and structural modifications that will enablebiological and hydraulic connectivity.Kelly Neal presented the INPC staff recommendation, and it is attached as Exhibit C.It was moved by Riddell, seconded by Dann, and carried that the following resolution be adopted:The Commission grants approval for a special use permit for Option 1 of the Cache River HydrologyDemonstration Project in Alexander and Pulaski counties as described in the proposal presented underItem 24 of the Agenda for the 211 th Meeting, subject to the stipulations outlined in the staffrecommendation.14(Resolution 2194)211-25) Natural Areas Acquisition Fund Fiscal Year 2013 Defense ProposalsRandy Heidorn gave a presentation on the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) FY 2013 defenseproposals. The NAAF capital appropriation in FY 2012 included $75,000 to fund contractual naturalarea defense activities needed on properties included in one of the INPC’s protection programs. Fromthe FY 2008, FY 2009, FY 2010 and FY 2011 NAAF capital appropriation, $475,000, $225,000,$225,000 and $225,000 was appropriated as a part of the NAAF capital budget respectively to defendnatural areas statewide. Approximately $230,000 of the four years of appropriation authority remainedunassigned to specific projects at the end of FY 2011. Appropriation authority has exceeded revenuesactually in NAAF. The aforementioned appropriation authority remains available to address threats thatmay arise provided dollars are available within NAAF. NAAF defense projects that were begun in yearsprior to FY 2012 and continued or completed during FY 2012 include: funding the Illinois StateGeological Survey to collect and review groundwater data needed to assess impacts of proposed off-sitedevelopment, threats or damages, prepare Class III Special Resource Groundwater petitions to theIllinois Environmental Protection Agency for INPC program sites and provide groundwater consultingservices for the INPC staff. In FY 2012, there was a new contract for the continuation of theaforementioned groundwater consulting at $130,000. It is uncertain what will be appropriated in FY2013 for NAAF capital. Similar to FY 2012, $75,000 may be the allocation to defense from this year’sappropriation. Specific projects will be selected as needed but will likely include a continuation of theaforementioned groundwater data and consultation services at some level. Specific projects fundedduring FY 2013 will be reported in May, 2013.It was moved by Thomas, seconded by Covington, and carried that the following resolution be adopted:
Page 1 and 2: ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSIO
Page 3 and 4: It was moved by Covington, seconded
Page 5 and 6: opportunities for public education
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Page 11 and 12: A lunch break was taken from 12:00
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Page 19 and 20: Exhibit AF. Randy Heidorn, Kim Roma
Page 21 and 22: Exhibit A1. Participated in Lower F
Page 23 and 24: Exhibit Aoutlining the INPC’s win
Page 25 and 26: Exhibit Arecommended, legal action
Page 27 and 28: Exhibit Ac. Updated management plan
Page 29 and 30: Exhibit BFund (NAAF) and are matche
Page 31 and 32: miles of the Lower Cache River wate
Page 33 and 34: Exhibit Cdesign of the hydraulic pa
Page 35: Exhibit C• No more than 10 cfs of

ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSION - Illinois DNR

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