Longtime Whitewater State Park naturalist Dave Palmquist to retire

After nearly 38 years of public service as a full-time, year-round interpretive naturalist at Whitewater State Park in southeastern Minnesota, Dave Palmquist is preparing to retire, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Palmquist’s last day at the park will be Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Over the course of his career, Palmquist has provided interpretive programs for more than 400,000 visitors. Through fun activities and other interpretive services, he has shared important resource stories, issues and recreational skills. Activities included rare baby turtle rescuing, geocaching and maple syrup making. On his field trips, visitors explored caves, found fossils, came to better understand watershed management and saw hundreds of migrating bald eagles in a day. About a third of the participants in Palmquist’s programs were school students.

“Perhaps I’m most proud of youngsters that participated regularly in programs with their families or school classes and then went on as adults to work in fields of natural and cultural resource management, research and education,” he said. “I have found that enthusiasm for the natural world – author Rachel Carson’s ‘sense of wonder’ – is contagious and very important in creating an environmentally aware and involved citizenry.”

In his nearly 38 years at Whitewater State Park Palmquist:

• Witnessed the dramatic 2009 return of nesting peregrine falcons to Whitewater State Park (where they had not nested in 47 years).
• Worked with volunteers to help restore the park after the massive flood in 2007.
• Served on the design team for the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center and designed exhibits.
• Helped save the Marnach House (a pioneer stone house) and the Elba Fire Tower for educational and recreational use.
• Shared park and nature news during a twice-a-month radio show on KNXR in Rochester.
• Planted more than 20,000 trees with volunteers.

Palmquist has also served as a mentor for other park naturalists, interns and volunteers, readily sharing his techniques and tools of the trade to foster budding interpreters.

“Dave’s passion and enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring, especially in that it hasn’t changed over the 20 years I have had the pleasure of working with him,” said Kathy Dummer, interpretive operations coordinator for the DNR’s Division of Parks and Trails. “Dave has been instrumental in shaping the high-quality interpretive program Minnesota state parks is recognized for today.”

Palmquist added, “It has been a privilege and honor to work with the wonderful visitors, staff, volunteers and resources at Whitewater State Park. The park is part of my soul and will be forever. I will continue to care about the park and be involved in some capacity.”

Year-round interpretive services at Whitewater State Park will continue under the leadership of Sara Grover, the park’s other interpretive naturalist.
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Southeast stream trout season offers break from ice fishing

While most Minnesota anglers focus on ice fishing this time of year, those hankering for something different might want to cast their attention toward southeastern Minnesota, where the stream trout season opens Jan. 1.

The southeast’s winter trout fishing season is the result of the increasing popularity of trout fishing and requests from anglers to expand the number of streams open to winter fishing. The season is catch-and-release, and only barbless hooks may be used. Currently, about 135 miles on 38 streams are open to winter trout angling through March 31. Maps of open streams can be found at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_streams/winter.html.

DNR Lanesboro Area Fisheries Manager Steve Klotz offers several suggestions for a safe and productive winter trout fishing adventure.

• Use caution when approaching trout streams, because trout are normally skittish, and a dry fall has resulted in low flows and clear water in many streams.
• Trout have just finished spawning for the year, so anglers should minimize walking in streams to avoid disturbing trout eggs.
• Avoid handling trout out of the water when temperatures are cold as it can stress the fish.
• Be careful about parking and walking when there is snow and ice on the ground. Also, don’t take any chances with shelf ice that may form along stream banks.
• Anglers who stay dry will stay warm.
• Tell someone about your trip plans.

The DNR implemented the winter trout fishing season in 1988 following improved water quality in the 1980s, which created good natural trout reproduction in southeast coldwater streams. The goal has been to provide additional recreational opportunities without harming the trout resource. This resource is particularly vulnerable during fall spawning and the stress of winter. DNR creel surveys and other studies have shown that the winter catch-and-release season does not cause any negative impacts to trout populations.
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DNR seeks comments on EAW for Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground expansion project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting public comments during a 30-day public review period from Dec. 26 to Jan. 25 on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that was prepared for Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground expansion project in Lake County.

The state park is located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, approximately 40 miles northeast of Duluth, near the towns of Beaver Bay and Silver Bay, Minn. 

The DNR proposes to expand the campground at the park by constructing access roads and adding up to 77 additional campsites and four camper cabins within the existing state park.

A copy of the EAW is available online at mndnr.gov. (Click on “Public Input,” then under “Environmental Review,” select “Split Rock EAW” from the scroll-down list). Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

 A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:

• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
• DNR Northeast Region --1201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
• Minneapolis Public Library, government documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401.
• Silver Bay City Library, 9 Davis Drive, Silver Bay, MN 55614.
• Two Harbors Public Library, 320 Waterfront Drive, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
• Reg. Develop. Library (RG 3), Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802.

The EAW was published in the Dec. 26 EQB Monitor. Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to the attention of Ronald Wieland, EAW project manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Division of Ecological and Water Resources, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025. 

Electronic or email comments may be sent to Environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with “Split Rock EAW” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address.  Written comments also may be sent by fax to 651-297-1500. 
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DNR offers grants to diversify Minnesota’s community forests against pests, disease and damage

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting project proposals to diversify community forests using Community Forest Bonding grants for 2012-2014. Grants are open to all cities, counties, townships, and park and recreation boards in cities with more than 100,000 residents. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 17.

Grants will be made for the planting of native Minnesota shade trees on public land to: replace trees lost to forest pests, disease and storms; establish a more diverse and resilient community forest; and remove and replace ash trees in communities with a known emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation within their boundaries or that have public lands within a one-mile radius of state-designated “known EAB infested areas.”

The maximum grant award for planting for diversity projects is $25,000 and the maximum grant award for forest pest removal and replanting projects is $150,000. There is no match requirement for this grant.

Grant projects will be financed using state general obligation bond dollars, authorized by the 2010 Minnesota Legislature. This appropriation provides $3 million for a four-year period ending in June, 2014. The use of these funds is specifically restricted to activities of a capital nature and must be conducted on publicly owned land.

According to results from the 2010 Minnesota DNR Community Tree Survey, nearly every city in Minnesota has an overabundance of maple and ash.

“With its brilliant fall colors, sugar maple is the tree of choice for homeowners. And the ash tree was an ideal replacement for American elms lost to Dutch elm disease because ash tolerates a wide range of soil conditions,” said Ken Holman, DNR community forestry program coordinator.

However, EAB now threatens to eliminate the hardy ashes that line many streets in Minnesota. Communities close to or within EAB-infested areas should start to prepare for its arrival. Having a plan that includes an inventory of public ash trees will help to identify trees worth protecting and those that should be removed. This will spread out the costs of removing ash trees and replanting new trees over a few decades instead of a few years.

“A diverse community forest is far less susceptible to devastation by a pest or diseases that affects a single type of tree,” said Holman. “Selecting a wide variety of trees native to specific areas of Minnesota and providing proper care can help ensure that community trees stay strong and healthy, while reducing the vulnerability to future forest pest invaders.”

For more information, visit www.mndnr.gov/grants/forestmgmt/commforestbondgrant/index.html or contact Ken Holman at 651-259-5269 or ken.holman@state.mn.us.
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Minnesota’s Coastal Program accepting applications for land acquisition in the St. Louis River watershed

Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program is accepting applications for land acquisition grants through the national Great Lakes Areas of Concern Land Acquisition Grant program. Applications are due Jan 25 from state, county, city or township governments for projects that would begin between July 1 and Oct. 1, 2012.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) developed the program to support acquisition projects that will assist in the delisting of fish and wildlife habitat-related beneficial use impairments in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The Coastal Program is coordinating the selection of Minnesota projects and will forward applications to NOAA for funding consideration.

Eligible projects must be located within the St. Louis River Area of Concern or the St. Louis River watershed, and must be endorsed by the associated Remedial Action Plan implementation group. Support will be given for acquisition of fee simple interests in lands or conservation easements from willing sellers. Land must be held by a non-federal public entity and preserved in perpetuity for conservation purposes. 

Project proposals may range from $100,000 to $1 million. A match is not required, but applicants are encouraged to provide 50 percent non-federal match, because cost sharing is an element considered in the project scoring.

NOAA anticipates approximately $1 million will be available for grants. Grant funding is through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and contingent on fiscal year 2012 appropriations. Funds will be administered by NOAA in partnership with Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program.

Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program is dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing and restoring the state’s coastal resources. The program works cooperatively with its partners to manage the ecological, economic and aesthetic assets of Lake Superior and the coastal area.  The program is part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Division of Ecological and Water Resources.

Information about the grant competition, including the application template, is available at http://www.mndnr.gov/waters/lakesuperior/grants-aoc.html. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Lisa Angelos at 218-834-1443 or lisa.angelos@state.mn.us prior to applying. 
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