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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Midwest RegionIowa Offices and Activities

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Table of Contents


Service Facilities in Iowa

Office/Program PageMap of Service Facilities in Iowa 2Introduction 3Midwest Regional Highlights 4Midwest Regional Offices Map 5Highlights of Service Activities in Iowa 6DeSoto NWR 7Driftless Area NWR 8Neal Smith NWR 9Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR 10Port Louisa NWR 11Union Slough NWR 12

Office/Program PageUpper Mississippi NWFR- McGregor Dist. 13Iowa Wetlands Management District 14Iowa Private Lands Office 15Fisheries Conservation 16Rock Island ESFO 17Des Moines LE 18Iowa NAWMP 19Iowa Federal Assistance 20Iowa Migratory Bird Conservation 21Iowa River Corridor Project 22

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Introduction

Quick Facts The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceis the principal federal agencyresponsible for conserving, protect-ing, and enhancing fish, wildlife, andplants and their habitats for thecontinuing benefit of the Americanpeople.

The vast majority of fish and wild-life habitat is on lands not owned bythe federal government. Partner-ships with Native American tribes,state and local governments, non-government organizations andprivate citizens are critical to theService fulfilling our mission. Pro-grams such as Partners for Fish andWildlife, Partners in Flight, theCoastal Program, and partnershipactivities with individuals are theprimary mechanisms for assisting involuntary habitat restoration onnon-Service lands and fosteringconservation practices throughoutthe Region.

The Service manages the 95 million-acre National Wildlife RefugeSystem that consists of 545 NationalWildlife Refuges and thousands ofsmall wetlands and other specialmanagement areas. The Servicealso carries out its mission throughthe 81 ecological services fieldstations, 69 national fish hatcheries,and 63 fish and wildlife managementoffices located nationwide.

The agency enforces federal wildlifelaws, manages migratory birdpopulations, restores nationallysignificant fisheries, conserves and

restores fish and wildlife habitat suchas wetlands, administers the Endan-gered Species Act, and helps foreigngovernments with their conservationefforts. The Service also administersa number of grant programs thatpromote the restoration of fish andwildlife resources and their habitat ontribal and private lands.

The Service also oversees the FederalAssistance program that distributesfederal excise taxes on fishing andhunting equipment to state naturalresource agencies. This program is acornerstone of the nation’s wildlifemanagement efforts, funding fish andwildlife restoration, boating access,hunter education, shooting ranges andrelated projects across America.

Approximately 7,500 people areemployed by the Service at facilitiesacross the United States. It is adecentralized organization with aheadquarters office in Washington,D.C., seven geographic regionaloffices, and nearly 700 field units.

• 545 nationalwildlife refuges• 96 million acres offish and wildlifehabitat• 81 ecologicalservices field stations• 69 national fishhatcheries• 63 fish and wildlifemanagement offices• 7,500 employees

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Midwest Regional Highlights

Quick Facts The Region is Committed to• Expanded partnerships offeringinnovative opportunities to enhancethe Region’s fish and wildlife re-sources• Healthy fish and wildlife trustspecies populations and habitats tosupport them• Providing the public with qualityhunting, fishing, wildlife watching,and other wildlife-dependent recre-ational opportunities on Servicelands• An organization dedicated toemployee excellence, reflecting thenation’s rich diversity, and providingquality service to and decision-making for the resources for whichwe have trust responsibility (migra-tory birds, threatened and endan-gered species, interjurisdictionalfish).

Regional Programs and Offices• 55 National Wildlife Refuges,including the newest – Glacial Ridgein northwest Minnesota• 12 Wetland Management Districts• More than 300,000 acres in water-fowl production areas• 6 National Fish Hatcheries• 6 Fishery Resources Offices• 2 Sea Lamprey Control Stations• 8 Private Lands Offices• 9 Ecological Services offices• 18 Law Enforcement offices

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin

• Employment: 1,088people• Acres Managed:1.29 million• The Fiscal Year 2006Budget for RegionalService activitiestotaled $86 million• More than 7.7million people visitedRefuges throughoutRegion 3 to hunt, fish,participate in interpre-tive programs, andview wildlife• More than 150,000school children partici-pated in Serviceeducational programs• 130,655 acres ofwetlands restored• 483 miles ofstreams restored• 105,747 acres ofupland habitat restored

Federal Assistance ProgramIn Fiscal Year 2006, the Region’sFederal Assistance Office managed$153 million to help strengthen sportfish and wildlife restoration pro-grams throughout the eight-stateregion.

Fiscal Year 2006 Federal AssistanceProgram Grants by State

(In Millions)Wisconsin, 19, 13%

Ohio, 18, 12%

Missouri, 18, 12%

Minnesota, 24, 14%

Michigan, 31, 19%

Iowa, 13, 9%

Indiana, 12, 8%

Illinois, 19, 13%

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Midwest Regional OfficesIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin

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Fish and Wildlife Service Highlights


Iowa

Quick Facts Federal Assistance to State Fish andWildlife ProgramsIn 2006 Iowa received: - $7 million for sport fish restora-tion - $4 million for wildlife restorationand hunter education

DeSoto’s Sunken TreasureLocated in Missouri Valley, Iowa,DeSoto NWR is home to a premierarchaeological collection of 200,000artifacts excavated from the buriedhull of the steamboat Bertrand,which sank on the Missouri River in1865. The wreck was discovered onthe refuge in 1968. Visitors can viewhundreds of artifacts recovered fromthe wreck at the refuge visitorcenter.

Great Rivers, Restored Prairie MarkIowa RefugesTwo hundred years ago a vast prairieecosystem stretched unbrokenthroughout the Midwestern UnitedStates and into Canada. Thetallgrass prairie ecosystem encom-passed parts of 14 states includingnearly all of Iowa.

Deep organic soils formed by thecyclic degradation of prairie rootsleft a rich legacy to modern agricul-ture: the most fertile soil in theworld. As a result, 99 percent of theoriginal prairie landscape in Iowasuccumbed to the plow and otherforms of development in a matter ofa few decades.

Iowa State Facts• The Service employsmore than 67 people inIowa• The Fiscal Year 2006Resource Managementbudget for Serviceactivities in Iowa totaled$4.4 million• Seven NationalWildlife Refuges andone Wetland Manage-ment District in Iowatotal 108,000 acres• In 2004, more than612,000 people visitednational wildlife refugesin Iowa to hunt, fish,participate in interpre-tive programs and viewwildlife• Boyer Chute NationalWildlife Refuge, one ofthe first Missouri Riverrestoration refuges afterthe 1993 historic floods,focuses on tallgrassprairie restoration andMissouri River flood-plain wetlands restora-tion.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge,located just west of Des Moines, isworking to re-create more than 8,000acres of Iowa’s native tallgrass prai-rie and oak savanna. Similar prairierestoration efforts are being mountedat the 3, 300-acre Union Slough NWRnear Algona, in northern Iowa.

The Service also manages McGregorDistrict of the Upper MississippiRiver National Wildlife and FishRefuge, Driftless NWR and PortLouisa NWR on the MississippiRiver in eastern Iowa, and DeSotoNWR along the Missouri River innorthwest Iowa.

Located along the Mississippi RiverFlyway, the Port Louisa and theMcGregor District refuges wereestablished to protect migratorybirds. Key goals of these refuges areto conserve and enhance the qualityand diversity of fish and wildlife andtheir habitats; and to restore flood-plain functions in the river corridor.

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National Wildlife Refuge


De Soto

Quick Facts Natural History• 300,000-800,000 snow geese stopduring their annual fall migration• Refuge lies in the fertile plain ofthe Missouri River Valley• 788-acre DeSoto Lake is a formeroxbow of the Missouri River

Refuge Objectives• Protect and enhance refuge habi-tat for endangered species• Provide food, water and cover formigrating waterfowl, especiallysnow geese• Provide habitat for other migrat-ing and resident wildlife• Protect, preserve and display thesteamboat Bertrand and its cargo• Provide interpretation and envi-ronmental education opportunities

Priorities• Restore native warm seasongrasslands• Develop moist soil units• Conservation of Bertrand artifacts

Highlights• 200,000 artifacts were recoveredfrom the 1865 sunken steamboatBertrand• The refuge lies on a wide plainformed by prehistoric flooding andshifting Missouri River. Each springflights of ducks and geese havemarked the changing seasons alongthis traditional waterfowl flyway.

Refuge Facts• Established: 1958• Acres: 7,823 (3,499 inIowa; 4,324 inNebraska)• Home of the salvaged1860s steamboatBertrand and its cargo• DeSoto Lake reno-vated in 1985• Provide Private Landsassistance in 18 Iowacounties and fiveNebraska counties

Financial Impact ofRefuge

• 18-person staff• 448,000 visitors in2004• FY 2006 Budget:$1.9 million budget plus$3.3 million road con-struction project

Refuge LocationThe refuge is located insouthwestern Iowa,approximately 20 milesnorth of Omaha, Ne-braska

Public Use Opportunities• Auto tour route• Visitor center, steamboat Bertranddisplay• Hunting and fishing• Environmental education• Wildlife observation• Hiking trails• Photography blinds

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Larry Klimek1434 - 316th LaneMissouri Valley, IA 51555-7033

Phone: 712-642-4121Fax: 712-642 -2877TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/desoto

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National Wildlife RefugeDriftless Area

Quick Facts Natural History• Mainly algific talus slopes - anoutflow of cold air and water frombedrock creates cool and moistconditions on slopes• Essential habitat for many rareplants and land snails

Refuge Objectives• Protect and enhance refuge habi-tat for endangered species• Preserve and enhance populationsof the endangered Iowa Pleistocenesnail and threatened northernmonkshood• Protect and preserve area popula-tions of rare plants and land snailsto prevent the need for futurelisting under the Endangered Spe-cies Act

Priorities• Endangered/threatened speciesmonitoring program• Land acquisition• Habitat restoration

Highlights• Working in partnership with TheNature Conservancy and the IowaDNR in the recovery of endangeredand threatened plants and snails.

Public Use Opportunities(designated areas only)• Hunting and fishing• Environmental education• Wildlife observation and photog-raphy

Refuge Facts• Established: 1989• Acres: 811• Refuge consists ofsmall, scattered tractslocated in Allamakee,Clayton, Dubuque andJackson counties ofIowa• Refuge is adminis-tered by the McGregorDistrict of Upper Missis-sippi River NWFR


• 3,000 visitors in 2004- visitation is limited dueto endangered speciesmanagement• One person staff• FY 2006 Budget:$116,671

Refuge LocationThe refuge is located onscattered tracts innortheastern Iowa, co-located with UpperMississippi River NWR -McGregor District

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Cathy HenryP.O. Box 460McGregor, IA 52157

Phone: 563-873-3423Fax: 563-873-3803TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/driftless


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National Wildlife Refuge


Neal Smith

Quick Facts Natural History• Rolling tallgrass prairie and oaksavannas bisected by Walnut Creek• Habitat for prairie wildlife, raregrasses and flowers, and the endan-gered Indiana bat• Bison herd reintroduced in 1996• Elk reintroduced in 1998

Refuge Goals• Protect and enhance refuge habi-tat for endangered species• Restore original tallgrass prairieand rare oak savanna habitat• Protect and enhance habitat fornative wildlife• Provide wildlife-dependent recre-ational and environmental educationopportunities for the public• Conduct prairie research

2005 Priorities• With the city of Prairie City,promote “Bringing Prairie andPeople Together” partnership. Weassisted Prairie City in submittingan application for a state transporta-tion enhancement (TEA) grant. Thefive-phase proposal outlines nearly$600,000 for projects which provideunique opportunities in the commu-nity as well as the Refuge.• Develop a Prairie Science Classprogram in collaboration with theIowa Department of Education andPrairie City School District, focus-ing on using the environment as anintegrating context for learning.The Refuge will serve as the out-door classroom for this endeavorand support the specialized curricula.

• Enhance and expand 2,500 acres ofprairie restoration plantings by anadditional 340 acres.• Initiate a Prairie/Savanna LandManagement and Research Demon-stration program to advance problemsolving via land-based research,outreach and communication amongland managers in the Midwest

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Nancy GilbertsonP.O. Box 399Prairie City, IA 50228Phone: 515-994-3400Fax: 515-994-3459TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/nealsmith

Refuge LocationThe refuge is located 20 miles east ofDes Moines on Highway 163

Refuge Facts• Established: 1991• Acres: 5,366• Authorized to expandto 8,600 acres• Prairie LearningCenter opened in 1997• Formerly namedWalnut Creek NWR


• 13-person staff• 200,000 visitorsannually• FY 2006 Budget: $1.1million

HighlightsThe refuge offers a rarepeek at the incrediblecollection of life we callthe tallgrass prairie, ofwhich one-tenth of onepercent remains.

Public UseOpportunities

• Prairie LearningCenter• Environmental educa-tion• Hunting• Nature trails• Auto tour route• Hands-on prairie/savanna restorationworkshops

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National Wildlife RefugeNorthern Tallgrass Prairie

Quick Facts


Natural History• Native prairie was originallyNorth America’s largest ecosystem,but today it is one of the rarest andmost fragmented• Many believe the prairie ecosys-tem is functionally extinct• More than 99.5 percent of theoriginal tallgrass prairie in Minne-sota and Iowa is gone• Fragmentation of the prairieecosystem has led to the reductionof numerous migratory songbirds,other wildlife, plants and insects• 243 bird species rely on the re-maining prairies of Minnesota andIowa — 152 of these species breedwithin the project area• Estimates suggest that over 1,850different species of insects live inone square meter of tallgrass prairie

Refuge Objectives• Conserve, restore, manage andenhance the fragmented northerntallgrass prairie and aspen parklandecosystems, and their associatednative fish and wildlife populationsin project area• Develop partnerships with land-owners, communities, educationalinstitutions, local and state govern-ments and non-profit groups thatwill permanently protect ournation’s biological and culturalprairie heritage

Highlight• In Minnesota and Iowa therewere originally 25 million acres oftallgrass prairie habitat. Currently,less than one percent of this prairieremains. The refuge’s goal is to

Refuge Facts• Established: 1998• Authorized Acres:77,000• Establishing Legisla-tion: Fish and WildlifeAct of 1956


• Units are managed byexisting Service person-nel located at Minnesotaand Iowa field offices• FY 2006 land acquisi-tion budget: $498,000

Refuge LocationThe refuge is located inscattered tracts acrossIowa and Minnesota.The refuge is adminis-tered from the Big StoneNWR headquarters.

permanently preserve 75,000 acres ofthis endangered habitat in these twostates in perpetuity.

Priorities• Restore and manage prairie land-scapes in Minnesota and Iowa• Provide advisory services to otheragencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations in mat-ters relating to prairie ecology andmanagement• Coordinate watershed managementplanning

Public Use Opportunities• Provide quality, priority wildlife-dependent recreational activities

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Alice Hanley44843 County Road 19Odessa, MN 56276

Phone: 320-273-2191Fax: 320-273-2231TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/NorthernTallgrassPrairie

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National Wildlife RefugePort Louisa

Quick Facts Natural History• Major migratory bird corridor• Habitat consists of bottomlandtimber, backwater sloughs, marshes,wet meadows and grasslands• Provides riverine habitat andcontributes to healthy floodplainfunctions

Refuge Objectives• Protect and enhance refuge habi-tat for endangered species• Provide habitat for migratorybirds and resident wildlife• Protect and enhance habitat forwood duck and neotropical birdproduction• Provide wildlife-dependent recre-ation and public use opportunities

Highlights• The refuge marks the locationwhere the prairie meets the riverand is a mosaic of large tracts ofbottomland hardwood, riverine,wetland and prairie habitat thathosts thousands of migrating birds,endangered species, fish and resi-dent wildlife while offering thepublic excellent opportunities toenjoy these resources

Priorities• Enhance moist soil managementareas• Expand wildlife-dependent publicuse program• Upgrade public boat ramp on theBig Timber division• Provide technical and financialsupport to private landowners forhabitat restoration

Refuge Facts• Established: 1958• Acres: 10,780• Formerly known as theWapello District of theMark Twain NWR• Refuge is separatedinto four divisions:Louisa, Big Timber,Keithsburg andHorseshoe Bend


• Six person staff• 23,500 visitors in 2004• FY 2006 Budget:$780,534

Refuge LocationThe refuge is locatedalong the MississippiRiver, in southeasternIowa

Public Use Opportunities• Hiking• Hunting and fishing• Environmental education• Wildlife observation and photogra-phy

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Tom Cox10728 County Road X61Wapello, IA 52653-9477

Phone: 319-523-6982Fax: 319-523-6960TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/PortLouisa


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National Wildlife RefugeUnion Slough

Quick Facts Natural History• Produces approximately 1,000wood ducks annually• Remains of a pre-glacial riverbed• Oasis for wildlife amid mainlyagricultural land• Trumpeter swan reintroductionsite

Refuge Objectives• Provide resting, nesting andfeeding habitat for waterfowl andother migratory birds• Protect and enhance habitat forresident wildlife• Provide recreational and environ-mental education opportunities forthe public

Highlights• Native grassland restoration• Wetland restoration• Water management• Prescribed burning• Nest box program for wood ducks• Outreach and education

Public Use Opportunities• Hunting and fishing• Environmental education andinterpretation• Wildlife observation• Auto tour route• Wildlife photography

Refuge Facts• Established: 1937• Acres: 3,334• The refuge alsomanages a 19,823 acrewetland managementdistrict


• Six-person staff• 13,445 visitors in 2004• FY 2006 Budget:$604,000

Refuge LocationThe refuge is located justsouth of the Minnesotaborder, approximately 50miles west of Mason City

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: George Maze1710 - 360th StreetTitonka, IA 50480

Phone: 515-928-2523Fax: 515-928-2230TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/UnionSlough


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National Wildlife and Fish RefugeMcGregor District

Upper Mississippi River

Quick Facts


Natural History• Major migratory bird corridor• Habitat consists of bottomlandtimber, shallow basins, marshes,rivers, streams and agricultural land• Located between river bluffsrising 500 feet above the river

Refuge Objectives• Protect and enhance river flood-plain for the benefit of fish, wildlifeand people• Provide habitat for migratorybirds, fish, plants and resident wild-life• Provide interpretation, environ-mental education and wildlife-depen-dent public use opportunities

Management Tools• Moist soil units• Outreach and education• Wetland restoration• Law enforcement• Reforestation• Private landowner assistanceprograms

Public Use Opportunities• Fishing, hunting and trapping• Environmental education• Wildlife observation• Boating• Camping

Refuge Facts• Established: 1924• Acres: 91,503• Refuge coversNavigation Pools 9, 10and 11• Stretches 97 rivermiles along the Missis-sippi River in the statesof Minnesota, Wisconsinand Iowa• Visitor center locatedin McGregor, Iowa


• Six person staff• 3,000,000 visitorsannually (refuge-wide)• FY 2006 Budget:$610,117• Mississippi Riverannually contributes anestimated $1 billion inrecreational benefits tothe region

Refuge LocationThe refuge is locatedalong the MississippiRiver, approximately 37miles south of theMinnesota border inMcGregor, Iowa

Contacting the RefugeRefuge Manager: Tim YagerP.O. Box 460McGregor, IA 52157

Phone: 563-873-3423Fax: 563-873- 3803TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/mcgregor

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Natural HistoryThe Iowa Wetland ManagementDistrict is located in the area oncecovered by the Des Moines lobe ofthe Northern Iowa GlaciatedRegion.

As the glaciers receded, the lobethat extended into north-centralIowa left behind 7.6 million acres ofgrasslands and 2-3 million acres ofwetlands. However, in the late1800s, Iowa suffered significantlosses in wetland and grasslands assettlers began converting thesehabitats to cropland. All in all, Iowalost more than 90 percent of itswetlands and 99 percent of itsgrasslands to agriculture.

Highlight The Iowa Wetland ManagementDistrict is part of Union SloughNational Wildlife Refuge and is verydifferent from other wetland man-agement districts. Under a Memo-randum of Understanding with theIowa Department of Natural Re-sources (State), the State managesthe waterfowl production areas inthe district. This is a partnershipthat has been very beneficial to theService. Together, the State and theService have been able to developlarge complexes of habitat for wa-terfowl and other wildlife species.

Wetland Management District


Iowa

Quick Facts

District Facts• Wetland managementdistrict encompasses a35 county area in northcentral Iowa• 62 sites• 19,000 acres in 17counties

District OfficeLocation

The district office isroughly 2.5 hours south-west of Minneapolis andnorthwest of DesMoines. From Algona,take Highway 169 northto Bancroft; turn right(east) on county road A-42, and proceed six milesto the office at 1710360th St. From Interstate90, take the Blue Earth,MN, exit and follow Rt.169 south into Iowa. AtLakota, follow P60 southto A42, then west 0.5miles on A42 to theoffice.

Public Use Opportunities• Hunting• Wildlife observation, photography• Interpretation and environmentaleducation

Contacting the OfficeDistrict Manager: George Maze1710 - 360th StreetTitonka, IA 50480

Phone: 515-928-2523Fax: 515-928-2230TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/UnionSlough

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Overview of the Program• Working with others to restoreand enhance fish and wildlife habitaton private lands• Restoring habitat for migratorybirds, threatened and endangeredspecies, interjurisdictional fish andother wildlife• Restoring habitat within thewatersheds of our national wildliferefuges• Voluntary participation

Opportunities on Private Lands• Wetland restoration• Native prairie restoration• Stream restoration• Migratory bird habitat• Endangered species habitat• Invasive species control

Partner Involvement• Private landowners• Nonprofit organizations• Corporations• Local, state and federal agencies• Tribal governments

Program Benefits• Increased wildlife abundance• Enhanced wildlife diversity• Improved soil, water and air qual-ity• Increased recreational opportuni-ties• Broad coalition of partnershipssupporting voluntary habitat resto-ration on private lands

Contacting the OfficeJim MunsonIowa Private Lands Coordinator9981 Pacific StreetPrairie City, IA 50228

Phone: 515-994-3400Fax: 515-994-3459TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://www.fws.gov/midwest/Partners/iowa.html

Private Lands Office


Iowa

Quick Facts

Wetland Restorations(1987-2006)

• 1,306 sites• 8,105 acres

Upland Restorations(1987 - 2006)

• 616 sites• 24,534 acres

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Fisheries Conservation


Iowa

Quick Facts

Columbia Office Facts• Established: 1991• FY 2006 Budget:Base: $179,000;Corps of EngineersFunding: $1.1 million• Staff: four permanentand 14 temporary

Geographic AreaServed

• Missouri• Iowa• Illinois - lands border-ing the Mark Twain NWRon the Mississippi River• Kansas and Nebraska- lands bordering thelower Missouri River

La Crosse Office Facts• Established: 1981• FY 2006 Budget:$784,000• Staff: eight permanent

Geographic AreaServed

• Illinois, Iowa, Minne-sota and Wisconsin• Mississippi Riverbordering the UpperMississippi River Na-tional Fish and WildlifeRefuge to Rock Island,Illinois• Illinois Waterway

Providing Fisheries Services to IowaAlthough there is no fishery officelocated in Iowa, service in the stateis provided by the Columbia FisheryResources Office and the La CrosseFishery Resources Office.

Columbia Fishery Resources OfficeAreas Served• Missouri and Mississippi Rivers• Iowa Army Ammunition Plant• DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

Activity Highlights• Restoring fish - pallid sturgeon,Niangua darter and paddlefish• Restoring fish habitat and fishpassage• Manages the 23-state paddlefishtagging and stock assessment data-base

Contacting the Columbia OfficeProject Leader: Tracy Hill101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite AColumbia, MO 65203

Phone: 573-234-2132Fax: 573-234-2182E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/columbiafisheries

La Crosse Fishery Resources OfficeAreas Served• Mississippi River

Activity Highlights• Restoring fish and mussels - lakesturgeon, Topeka shiner, wingedmapleleaf mussel and Higgins eyepearlymussel• Restoring fish habitat and fishpassage• Combating aquatic invasive species- Asian carp, zebra mussels and roundgobies

Contacting the La Crosse OfficeProject Leader: Pam Thiel555 Lester AvenueOnalaska, WI 54650

Phone: 608-783-8431Fax: 608-783-8450TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/lacrossefisheries

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Ecological Services Field Office


Rock Island, Illinois

Our HistoryFor over 60 years Ecological Serviceshas protected and restored fish,wildlife, plants and their habitats.Our roots trace back to the RiverBasins Program that reviewedFederal water developmentprojects. Since 1945, EcologicalServices’ responsibilities haveexpanded to include reviews of mostFederal construction projects,endangered species, environmentalcontaminants, and a variety ofconservation partnerships andgrants.

Project PlanningThrough early and wise planning wework to conserve fish and wildlifeand their habitats by minimizing theimpact of Federal constructionprojects. Besides traditional Corpsof Engineers’ projects and permits,we work on energy developmentprojects (hydro and wind power),highway projects, and proposedactivities in National Forests.

Environmental ContaminantsThe Environmental Contaminantsprogram is the only program in theFederal Government solelyresponsible for evaluating the im-pact of environmental contaminantson fish and wildlife. We work toprevent, reduce, and eliminate theadverse effects of environmentalcontaminants.

Threatened and Endangered SpeciesOur responsibilities under theEndangered Species Act includeconserving declining species before

Quick FactsIowa is home to 17federally listedendangered, threatened,or candidate species,including the Indiana bat,Topeka shiner, Dakotaskipper, and westernprairie fringed orchid.For more informationabout these and otherrare and declining Illinoisspecies, please see ourwebsite at http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered

HighlightThe Rock Island FieldOffice has worked withthe U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers and five statesover the last ten years tofind a long-term solutionto the conflict betweencommercial navigationon the Upper MississippiRiver and the river’snatural resource valuefor millions of migratorybirds, waterfowl hunting,and sport fishing. Thecompleted feasibilitystudy for navigation andecosystem needs on theUpper Mississippirecommends a winningsolution for all parties.

listing is necessary, adding species tothe list of threatened andendangered species, working to re-cover listed species, and working withother Federal agencies to ensure thattheir projects do not irreparably harmlisted species.

GrantsWe administer Endangered SpeciesAct grants to provide funding toStates, Tribes, organizations, andindividuals for listed speciesconservation activities.

PartnershipsWe work to restore habitat on privatelands through the Partners for Fishand Wildlife Program. We work withothers to restore Great Lakes coastalhabitats through our CoastalProgram.

Contacting the Field OfficeSupervisor: Richard Nelson1511-47th Ave.Moline, IL 61265Phone: 309-757-5800Fax: 309-757-5807TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://www.fws.gov/midwest/RockIsland

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Law Enforcement Field Office


Des Moines

Quick Facts Law Enforcement Priorities• Investigate violations that have asignificant impact on wild populationsof federally protected species, such asthose violations involving commercialexploitation and/or habitat destruc-tion and modification• Investigate violations that involvewild populations of species protectedby state or foreign laws, with empha-sis on interstate and foreign commer-cial exploitation• Provide support and assistance toenforcement activities on Servicelands, such as National WildlifeRefuges, and to other federal agen-cies on lands they manage• Promote awareness of, and supportfor, federal wildlife laws and the roleof law enforcement in protecting ourwildlife resources and heritage

Laws Enforced• Migratory Bird Treaty Act• Duck Stamp Act• Bald and Golden Eagle ProtectionAct• National Wildlife Refuge Act• Lacey Act• Airborne Hunting Act• Endangered Species Act• Marine Mammal Protection Act• Archaeological Resource Protec-tion Act• African Elephant ConservationAct• Wild Bird Conservation Act

Office Facts• Established: 1982• Staff: One SpecialAgent• The Des Moines FieldOffice is administered bythe St. Paul ResidentAgent in Charge Office

Law EnforcementObjectives

• Protect and conservenative and foreignwildlife through theenforcement of federallaws• Promote and encour-age voluntary compliancewith federal wildlifelaws through publiceducation and thecreation of a deterrenteffect

Contacting the Office210 Walnut StreetDes Moines, IA 50309Phone: 515-284-4125Fax: 515-323-2910TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)http://midwest.fws.gov/DesMoines

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North American WaterfowlManagement Plan


Iowa

Quick Facts

State ContactDr. Dale GarnerIowa Department of Natural Re-sourcesWallace State Office Building502 E. 9th StreetDes Moines, IA 50319-0034Phone: 515-281-6156Fax: 515-281-6794E-mail: [email protected]

About the Plan• An international agreementsigned in 1986• Goal: return waterfowl popula-tions to levels of the mid 1970s• Achieve goal by restoring andprotecting wetland and grasslandhabitat• Includes 13 habitat joint venturesand three species joint ventures inthe U.S., Canada and Mexico

Partner Involvement• Private landowners• Nonprofit organizations• Corporations• Tribal, local, state and federalagencies

Iowa ProjectsWetland and grassland restorationswithin:• North-central Iowa• Upper Waspi Wetland Project• Iowa Glaciated Wetlands Initia-tive• Eagle Lake watershed, phase III

HabitatAccomplishments

• Over 44,000 acres ofhabitat protected,restored and enhanced• Seeded retiredcropland to nativegrasses• Protected floodplainand stream habitat

Financial Assistance• Matching dollars frompartners totaling over$26.2 million• North AmericanWetland ConservationAct grants; 17 grantstotaling over $6.5 million

• Cedar River watershed• Federal, state and county lands• Private lands statewide throughvoluntary participation

Public Benefits• Increased recreational opportuni-ties• Enhanced wildlife diversity• Improved community relations• Enhanced floodwater storage• Improved water quality• Broad coalition of partnershipssupporting voluntary wetland preser-vation

Contacting the ProgramJoint Venture Coordinator: BarbaraPardoBHW Federal Building1 Federal DriveFt. Snelling, MN 55111-4056

Phone: 612-713-5433Fax: 612-713-5393TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/NAWMP/Iowa

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Federal Assistance


IowaQuick Facts

How the Dollars are Administered• The goal of the Federal AssistanceProgram is to work with States toconserve, protect, and enhance fish,wildlife, their habitats and the hunt-ing, sportfishing, and recreationalboating opportunities they provide.• In fiscal year 2006 total grant fundsin the Midwest Region exceeded $153million. Iowa received $13 million.These monies were distributedthrough programs such as: Sportfishand Wildlife Restoration, CoastalWetlands Program, LandownerIncentive Program, Section 6 of theEndangered Species Act, BoatingInfrastructure Grant Program, StateWildlife Grants and the Clean VesselAct Program.

Where the Money Comes FromFunding for most Federal Assistanceprograms comes from federal excisetaxes paid by hunters, anglers, andboaters on hunting and fishing equip-

ment, a portion of the federal fuel tax,and import duties on fishing tackle andpleasure boats.

What the Money Can be Used ForFish and wildlife research, habitatenhancement, assistance to privatelandowners, environmental review ofpublic projects, land acquisition, opera-tion and maintenance of lands andfacilities, boating and angler accessimprovements, comprehensive plan-ning for fish and wildlife resources, andhunter and aquatic education.

Contacting the ProgramChief: Bob BryantBHW Federal Building1 Federal DriveFt. Snelling, MN 55111-4056Phone: 612-713-5130Fax: 612-713-5290TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov

IA Anglers andHunters Spent

• 8.5 million daysangling• 319 million dollars intotal fishing expenditures• 4 million days hunting• Over 185 milliondollars in total huntingexpenditures

IA Licensed Anglersand Hunters

• 524,000 licensedanglers• 203,000 licensedhunters

United States• Over 82 million U.S.residents 16 years oldand older fished, hunted,or wildlife watched in2001.

• Sportspersons spent atotal of $70 billion in2001—$36 billion onfishing, $21 billion onhunting, and $14 billionon items used for bothhunting and fishing (thesum of expenditurestotals $71 billion due torounding).http://fa.r9.fws.gov/surveys/surveys.html

Where Can I FindMore Information

Detailed grant informa-tion is available at ourpublic website—faims.fws.gov.

Fiscal Year 2006 Funds Granted to the State Through Federal Assistance Programs(in thousands)

Clean Vessel Act, 29, 0%

National Coastal Wetlands Grants, 0, 0%

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, 100, 1%

Landowner Incentive Program - Tier I, 180, 1%

Endangered Species Grants, 258, 2%

Landowner Incentive Program - Tier II, 475, 4%

Aquatic Education, 629, 5%

State Wildlife Grants - Apportioned, 1,253, 9%

Hunter Education - Sect. 10 Enhanced, 119, 1%Wildlife Restoration, 3,499,

26%

Hunter Education - Sect. 4c, 502, 4%

Boating Access, 853, 6%

Sport Fish Restoration, 5,506, 41%

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Migratory Bird Conservation


Iowa

Inventory and Monitoring• Four Square-Mile Breeding DuckSurvey• Mourning Dove Call Count Sur-vey• Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey• Waterfowl banding program• Nongame bird inventories onNational Wildlife Refuge Systemlands• Resident Canada goose breedingpopulation survey

Research• Delineation of restorable wet-lands in the prairie pothole region

Management• Wetland and grassland protection,restoration and enhancement• Bottomland hardwood restoration• Develop hunting regulations• Issue migratory bird permits• Integrated bird conservationplanning at state and Bird Conser-vation region levels

Outreach• International Migratory Bird Day• Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Partnerships• Iowa Department of Natural Re-sources• Iowa State University• Ducks Unlimited• Iowa Cooperative Fish and WildlifeResearch Unit (U.S.G.S.)• Partners in Flight• North American Waterfowl Man-agement Plan• U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan• North American Waterbird Conser-vation Plan

Contacting the ProgramChief: Steve WildsUSFWS Division of Migratory Birds1 Federal DriveFt. Snelling, MN 55111-4056

Phone: 612-713-5480Fax: 612-713-5393TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)E-mail: [email protected]://midwest.fws.gov/midwestbird

Quick Facts

• 813,000 bird watchingparticipants

• 118 million birdwatching days

• More than 22,000duck hunters

• 30,951 Federal DuckStamps sold (2002-2003)

• Two Important BirdAreas on U.S. Fish andWildlife Service lands inIowa:• DeSoto NWR• Neal Smith NWR


Iowa River Corridor Project

Quick Facts Project Goals• Provide landowners a menu ofland use and land managementassistance options that representsound floodplain management• Manage public lands and ease-ments in the project to provide forthe natural diversity and functions ofthe Iowa River system• Use the characteristics of thefloodplain to improve the Iowa Riverquality for fish and wildlife• Provide an interpretive opportu-nity to illustrate floodplain systemmanagement• Demonstrate and illustrate theeconomic outcomes of alternativefloodplain management and land uses• Use private and public partner-ships to the fullest extent of eachagencies’ resources to accomplish theobjectives

Management Responsibilities• In addition to the involvement ofthe Natural Resources ConservationService in obtaining easements toreduce annual crop loss in the flood-plain, the Iowa Department ofNatural Resources is a partner withthe Service in managing purchasedlands• Through a Memorandum of Un-derstanding the Iowa DNR hasassumed day-to-day managementresponsibility for the Service pur-chased lands• The Mark Twain National WildlifeRefuge complex and Port LouisaNWR staff works closely with theDNR on purchased land managementissues

• The Service’s Iowa Private LandsOffice assists with privately heldeasement projects

Service ContactTom CoxPort Louisa NWR10728 CR X61Wapello IA 52653-9477Phone: 319-523-6982Fax: 319-523-6960TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)http://midwest.fws.gov/PortLouisa

State ContactRick Trine2501 S. Center Street, #LMarshaltown, IA 50158Phone: 641-752-5521

Inter-Agency ProgramThe Service is engagedwith other agencies inpromoting biologicaldiversity and naturalriver floodplain structureand function by pur-chase, restoration, andmanagement of flood-prone farm land andfloodplain wetlandsalong the Iowa River inBenton, Tama and Iowacounties.

Approximately 10,000acres have been pur-chased by the Service onWetland ReserveProgram (WRP) ease-ments allowing for thedevelopment, manage-ment, and protection offish and wildlife re-sources. Service owner-ship also affords publicuse opportunities whichwould not be availableon privately held WRPeasement areas.

24

This publication is available on-line at: http://midwest.fws.gov/maps/iowa.pdf

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isavailable to all individuals regardless of physical or mental disability. For more information please contact the U.S.Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240

Federal Relay Number: 1 800/877-8339

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strives for a work force that reflects the cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity ofthe Nation, including people with disabilities.

Produced and printed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Office of External Affairs, in accordance withGovernment Printing Office Standards and Regulations.

Available in alternate formats upon request.

Iowa State Briefing BookJanuary 2007

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceMidwest Regional OfficeBHW Federal Building1 Federal DriveFt. Snelling, MN 55111

612-713-5360http://midwest.fws.gov

iowa - united states fish and wildlife service · service facilities in iowa ... listing under the...

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