The Process:
After buying our property I invited several agencies out for a site visit. The USF&W service, NRCS, Itasca Woodland service and a Pheasants forever rep. I explained my vision for our property. That was to provide 80 acres for all wildlife all the time. As for the ponds it went like this. I wanted a 150′-200′ berm through the wetland in the center of my property so I could travel North/South on our East line. In doing so we could create an open water pond. John (USF&W) thought it was a great idea that would not only benefit wildlife but increase the usability of our property. He also suggested a secondary, smaller wetland as part of the overall project. From there it becomes a budget issue. How much money can he allocate and how much was I willing to cost share. John did all the paperwork with the county and DNR. He also lined up the contractors. He was onsite to supervise the project to my satisfaction. In the end, they covered the cost of the entire dig with my cost share only being any final grading I want done next year when the area around the pond dries up. He also provided me with 6 acres of upland pollinator prairie seed for some restoration I wanted to do. My contract is only that the wetland can not be filled in for at least 10 years and the prairie must remain for 10 years. My biggest take away after owning my property for 6 months. Get people on your property that are experts in what they do and have money to help along the way. He did say some Counties are easier to work with than others, mine was in Todd county. Good luck and happy habitat work.
