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Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation (LLAWF) in partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) have recently launched The Clean Water and Critical Habitat Protection Program, a new conservation effort focused on sustaining high water quality in key recreational lakes in the North Central Lakes region. Fisheries research has shown that healthy watersheds with intact forests are fundamental to good fish habitat. If a lake's watershed has less than 25 percent land disturbance and more of its landscape remains forested, the lake has a high probability of sustaining a healthy lake ecosystem to support fish. Historically, conservation efforts have been focused on protecting sensitive shoreland and that approach will continue under this program, but fisheries research concludes that intact forest is a critical partner for water quality.

According to Peter Jacobson, Fisheries Researcher with the Department of Natural Resources, "Maintaining abundant and healthy populations of fish in these lakes require investment in high quality fish habitat and promoting health watersheds. This program will provide important protections and ensure we maintain high water quality and support some of the best fishing in the state."

Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation is currently educating and recruiting landowner to participate in the acquired conservation easement program. According to John Sumption, LLAWF Conservation Director, "This is a great opportunity for landowners who want to keep their land undeveloped, support their lakes water quality and receive compensation". The Minnesota Land Trust will work with selected landowners to draft conservation easements that are individually tailored agreements through which landowners limit the use and development of their property to permanently preserve its natural or scenic features. These features - called conservation values - might include significant wildlife and plant habitat, lake or river shoreline, wetlands or important scenic or cultural lands which benefit the public. "The Minnesota Land Trust is pleased to support the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation's efforts in protecting sensitive shoreland," stated Director of Land Protection John Brosan. "we've already conserved nearly 19,000 feet of shoreland and are excited to do even more."

The Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation is excited to expand conservation opportunities in the Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard and Aiken Counties. According to Lindsey Ketchel, LLAWF Executive Director "LLAWF is working in partnership to protect these high quality, cold, deep, water lakes and with some strategic investment we can protect some of the highest quality fisheries habitat in Minnesota-perhaps in the nation-- to insure healthy and resilient fish populations and enjoyment of these lakes for future generations to come".

The Lakes selected for this program are known as "tullibee refuge lakes" because their high oxygen levels in the deeper waters and low nutrient content sustain tullibee, the fish that is the primary food for trophy sport fish such as northern, walleye, muskie, and lake trout.

Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and the Minnesota Land Trust will be working with landowners to permanently protect approximately 400 acres through a ranking system that guides the selection process for purchasing conservation easements. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. For more information and download a copy of the application, list of participating lakes and general question please visit LeechLakeWatershed.org, email info@leechlakewatershed or call 218-675-5773.

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