Project Area Development
These areas were the actual areas identified for focusing projects within the LCMR
proposal and work plans. Project areas included spatial and linear corridors but
were modified by political, cultural, and practical considerations. While the two
types of corridors were driven primarily by natural resource considerations, the
project areas were driven by organization resource considerations. There were spirited
discussions concerning the appropriate size and configuration of the project areas
as they were identified on maps. Some partners wanted to limit the size of the areas
in order to concentrate project dollars in specific areas of high priority to their
organization. Others favored larger areas to allow flexibility in identification
of projects for funding and completion.
Meetings were held with the 14 Restoring Minnesota’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Project Partners to determine which spatial or linear corridors in the State projects
will be performed for the LCMR grant. Each Project Partner selected a combination
of 3 linear and/or 3 spatial corridors throughout the State where they will perform
restoration & management programs, conservation easement programs, or habitat acquisition
programs for the grant. Those corridors that were selected became the boundaries
for the Corridor Project Areas theme. Community GIS Services then on-screen digitized
the polygons.
In the end, eleven project areas were identified that sought to balance opportunities
for all the partners while focusing the habitat protection and restoration efforts
on key areas of Minnesota. Phase I of the Minnesota Habitat Conservation Partnership
completed work within the eleven identified project areas. In Phase II, only minor
changes were made to the some project areas.