Integrated Stream & Wetland Restoration: Lower Green Bay-Fox River AOC
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Purpose

This proposal addresses two interrelated BUIs in the Lower Green Bay-Fox River AOC: Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations, and Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Additionally a third BUI, Degraded phytoplankton / zooplankton populations, is addressed through one component in the proposal. To advance delisting, specific actions will restore, improve or create habitat for fish and wildlife populations specifically noted in the delisting targets (WDNR 2009). Quality fish spawning habitats, hydrologic connectivity between interior and coastal wetlands and the AOC, and habitat diversity supporting multiple life stages of target fish and wildlife species were specifically listed as essential for the delisting of these use impairments (WDNR 2009) and will be restored through actions in this proposal. Fish and wildlife populations expected to benefit from this work include top predator fish (northern pike), native forage fish, native furbearers, amphibians, wetland associated reptiles, dabbling ducks and marsh nesting birds. Long term benefits will accrue through effective protection and restoration of priority habitats identified by this project. Degraded phytoplankton / zooplankton populations will be advanced through the development of a nutrient and sediment management framework for this watershed.

Objective

The Nature Conservancy with non-profit, government agency, tribal, and academic partners proposes a 2-year project to advance delisting of three impaired beneficial uses in the Duck–Pensaukee Watershed of the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern. This project will improve habitats and populations of degraded fish and wildlife species and water quality through integrated inventory, research, analysis, design and restoration activities. The project will improve priority wetlands, tributaries, and riparian habitats, focusing on native migratory fish and wetland associated wildlife.

Outcome

Increased acres of BUI coastal wetland fish and wildlife habitat protected and restored, and increased the populations of wetland associated BUI fish and wildlife. Most critical connectivity barriers remediated, stream miles reopened to BUI fish populations, and hydrologic flow improved in this and similar Great Lakes watersheds. Increased the acres/miles of productive pike spawning habitat by 25%. N. pike fisheries restoration plan that takes into account habitat and reproduction strategies. Natal homing analysis replicated in other Great Lakes systems. Increased acres of new, functional habitat for BUI listed fish and wildlife populations. Nationwide alignment of mitigation dollars to watershed specific conservation goals. Reduction in sediment and phosphorus loads entering the AOC from this watershed by 50% to achieve improved water quality in BUI fish and wildlife habitat. BUI listed fish and wildlife populations in Sensiba increased by 30-50%. Replicated restoration methodologies at other sites in Green Bay and the Great Lakes basin. Watershed conservation projects in the Green Bay basin have a common format for measuring and reporting effects of conservation activities. Other Great Lakes projects implemented the methods and/or results developed in this project at their location.

Related Reports

Run Project Summary Report
View Umbrella-Projects
View Related-Projects

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Habitat
GLRI_00E00548-0
2010
Active
 
Reports and Documents
GL-00E00553-0 Sept 2011 to March 2012 project report to EPA
Semi-Annual Progress Report #3 for GL-00E00553-0 Sensiba State Wildlife Area Wetland Restoration (pending project title change from “Integrated Stream and Wetland Restoration in the Duck-Pensaukee Watershed of Lower Green Bay").
Integrated Stream & Wetland Restoration: Lower Green Bay-Fox River AOC Project Documents, GLRI proposal, Thompson
Stream re-meander project – South Branch Suamico River (Oneida Nation) Two fish passage projects – South Branch Suamico River (Oneida Nation) Re-meandering of creek around a golf course pond – Duck Creek (Oneida Nation) Wooded wetland restoration – Trout Creek (tributary to Duck Creek) (Oneida Nation) Unnamed tributary and riparian wetland restoration (Brown County ) Culvert removal – Lancaster Brook (tributary to Duck Creek) (Oneida Nation) Stream restoration at Sensiba Wildlife Area – Suamico River (WDNR and DU).
 
Activities & Recommendations
Habitat Restoration - Instream
This proposal addresses two interrelated BUIs in the Lower Green Bay-Fox River AOC: Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations, and Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Additionally a third BUI, Degraded phytoplankton / zooplankton populations, is addressed through one component in the proposal. To advance delisting, specific actions will restore, improve or create habitat for fish and wildlife populations specifically noted in the delisting targets (WDNR 2009). Quality fish spawning habitats, hydrologic connectivity between interior and coastal wetlands and the AOC, and habitat diversity supporting multiple life stages of target fish and wildlife species were specifically listed as essential for the delisting of these use impairments (WDNR 2009) and will be restored through actions in this proposal. Fish and wildlife populations expected to benefit from this work include top predator fish (northern pike), native forage fish, native furbearers, amphibians, wetland associated reptiles, dabbling ducks and marsh nesting birds. Long term benefits will accrue through effective protection and restoration of priority habitats identified by this project. Degraded phytoplankton / zooplankton populations will be advanced through the development of a nutrient and sediment management framework for this watershed.
 
Watershed
East River
 
Waters
Fox River
Monitoring Data