News Index
An index of archived News follows the article.

Dan Dessecker, Senior Biologist, RGS – January 2007

Minnesota:

Cass Bridge – Purchased a $14,000 transportable bridge for Cass County. Bridge will be
used to provide temporary wetland crossing in environmentally sensitive areas to provide
access for aspen regeneration harvests.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman – Contributed $2,500 toward weekend-long Becoming
an Outdoors Woman program.
Becklin Acquisition – Final contribution of $1,500 toward the purchase of a private tract
from a willing seller for transfer to the Department of Natural Resources. This tract
consolidates existing state holdings where the ownership and forest landscapes are
particularly fragmented.
Youth Days – Contributed $1,100 toward two Youth Outdoor Education Days held in
cooperation with other wildlife conservation organizations.

Met with US Department of Agriculture officials US Forest Service Chief to press
agency to institute aspen regeneration harvests on Chippewa National Forest at levels
consistent with the Revised Forest Plan.
Participated as a member of the DNR Non-toxic Shot Advisory Committee to provide
input regarding potential additional regulations limiting the use of lead shot. Final
recommendations presented to DNR Commissioner in December.
Addressed the annual Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Roundtable – a
gathering of 200 conservation leaders from across the state.
Helped draft Threatened and Endangered Resources insert for the Minnesota Landowner
Information Packet distributed through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Participated in revision of the Sustainable Forestry Incentives Act.
Named to the Biomass Harvesting Guidelines Team of the Forest Resources Council.
Co-wrote a PowerPoint presentation titled, “Biomass Harvesting as a Wildlife
Management Tool”. Presented “Biomass Harvesting as a Wildlife Management Tool” at
the Biomass Harvesting Workshop set up by UMN-Extension.
Served as Chair of the Department of Natural Resources Budgetary Oversight
Committee. Drafted a letter to legislators on BOC legislative recommendations. Met
with Natural Resource Committee chairs on the legislative agenda. Attended hearings at
the Capital.
Analyzed the Thunderhawk Environmental Impact Statement for expansion of the UPMKymmene
Blandin Paper Company facility in Grand Rapids, MN, and provided technical
input regarding the proposal.
Participated in initial development phase of a University of Minnesota-Extension pilot
on-line training module for private forest landowners.
Provided technical assistance to promote young forest habitats on one proposed project
on the Chippewa National Forest.
Provided technical assistance to promote young forest habitats on 2 proposed projects on
the Superior National Forest.
Inspected ongoing habitat management activities on the 760-acre Mary Sandstrom Ruffed
Grouse Management Area.
Assessed potential impacts of Forest Stewardship Council’s Corrective Action Requests
for the Itasca County Land Department and presented findings to Grand Rapids Chamber
Forestry Affairs Committee.
Served as guest instructor at Vermillion Community College in Ely to teach session of
the Wildlife Aspects of State-wide Site-level Forest Management Guidelines.
Facilitated the purchase of an Arctic Cat ATV for the University of Minnesota to
continue grouse research at Cloquet.
Gave presentation on ruffed grouse and woodcock biology and hunting to Becoming and
Outdoors Woman class.
Discussed potential for cooperative external relations opportunities with Minnesota
Forest Industries.
Reviewed project site potential with various state and county resource management
agencies.
Coordinated review of administration of administrative protocols associated with a grant
from the Legislative and Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Worked with two utilities companies to identify potential opportunities for cooperative
habitat management project on rights of way.

NATIONAL/REGIONAL LEVEL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Finalized efforts with US Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to establish
a Council to advise the Secretaries to ensure that issues of importance to hunters
and wildlife are addressed during federal agency decision-making processes.
Formation of Sporting Conservation Council announced 23 March at the North
American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. Council was established
consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. RGS’ Director of
Conservation Policy is one of 12 members selected to serve on this Council.
• Chaired Sporting Conservation Council Subcommittee charged with sustaining
the health of forest, rangeland and wetland habitats. Prepared input from SCC to
Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior on improvements to the Endangered
Species Act.
• Prepared input from Sporting Conservation Council to Secretaries of Agriculture
and the Interior on the need to incorporate ecological relative risk assessments
into land management planning processes, particularly those that involve
threatened or endangered wildlife. Provided specific language to the Secretaries
designed to expedite project planning where ESA considerations are involved.
• Developed recommendation from Sporting Conservation Council to Secretaries of
Agriculture and the Interior regarding sage ecosystem conservation and energy
development.
• Worked with other partner organizations of the American Wildlife Conservation
Partners to establish a Memorandum of Understanding between the wildlife
conservation community and the various federal land management agencies. The
purpose of the proposed MOU is to enhance access and opportunity for hunting
on federal lands.
• Worked with other partner organizations of the American Wildlife Conservation
Partners to secure increased support for Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit
program.
• Worked with other partner organizations of the American Wildlife Conservation
Partners to generate support for HR 4200 (Forest Emergency Restoration and
Research Act) in the US House and Senate. Submitted letters of support from
RGS for HR 4200 to seven key fence-sitting Representatives just prior to floor
vote.
• Worked with other partner organizations of the American Wildlife Conservation
Partners to generate support for reauthorization of the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act.
• Worked with other partner organizations of the American Wildlife Conservation
Partners to assess implications of Administration proposal to sell selected federal
lands to generate funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act.
• Worked with the American Wildlife Conservation Partners to investigate
opportunities for standardizing data collection, storage and distribution among
federal land management agencies and between these agencies and the public.
• Met with representatives from 8 other leading wildlife conservation organizations
to begin the development of a strategy to provide funding through the 2007 Farm
Bill to enhance forest wildlife habitats on private lands.
• Served as Primary Editor of the Ruffed Grouse Conservation Plan, which was
developed under the auspices of the Resident Game Bird Work Group of the
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. This was a 3-year effort to coordinate
14 authors and input from approximately 40 additional resource professionals to
prepare a continent-wide status of ruffed grouse populations and habitats.
• Established woodcock habitat goals for the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic Regions
for the American Woodcock Management Strategy. The Strategy is a cooperative
effort between federal and state resource management agencies, RGS and other
non-governmental organizations and the forest products industry designed to
enhance woodcock conservation in North America.
• Met with staff from US House Resources and Agricultural Committees, Senate
Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee and Council on Environmental Quality to
promote legislation to secure the ability of federal land management agencies to
utilize Categorical Exclusions during land management planning processes.
• Met with House Agriculture Subcommittee staff on 2007 Farm Bill and proposed
FS use of Categorical Exclusions.
• Met with Senate Environment Subcommittee and House Resources Subcommittee
staff to outline opportunities to improve the Endangered Species Act and, thereby,
expedite on-the-ground habitat management projects.
• Met with US Department of Agriculture officials and approximately 30 key
players in forest management, agricultural commodities, forest products,
recreational management and wildlife advocacy interests to identify opportunities
for enhanced forest management on federal and private lands in the Northeast.
• Developed and submitted RGS comments on Council on Environmental Quality
proposal to alter the development and use of Categorical Exclusions on.
• Attended public Listening Session for Bush Administration Cooperative
Conservation initiative. Voiced RGS support for Farm Bill programs beneficial to
wildlife and for improvement of the Endangered Species Act.
• Summarized the analysis of ruffed grouse and woodcock data collected during the
first 24 years of the National Hunt. Summary provided to 2006 Hunt participants,
the media and MN legislators.
• Co-authored paper summarizing research on ruffed grouse population cycles
using data collected at the National Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Hunt.
• Edited RGS-authored chapters of book documenting the results of the
Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project.
• Reviewed data analysis procedures used in development of American Woodcock
Management Strategy.
• Attended 10th Woodcock Symposium, gave presentation on challenge to
woodcock conservation in the Great Lakes Region, and participated in Woodcock
Conservation Plan implementation session.
• Participated in the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association as a non-voting
Board Member.

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