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CACHE RIVER WETLANDS P ROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION Location: Southern Illinois Project size: 60,000 acres Initiators: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited The Cache River is a 110-mile-long river in southern Illinois, which drains an area of 470,000 acres. The Cache River Wetlands project focuses on the wetlands corridor along the lower 50 miles of the river. The wetlands are characterized by bottomland hardwood forests (oak-hickory) and bald cypress-tupelo swamps, and are interspersed with low, oak dominated hills. The area supports a remarkable diversity of plant and animal species. Federallylisted threatened and endangered species that can be found in the project area include the gray bat, the Indiana bat, the interior least tern, and bald eagle. In addition, more than 60 state-listed species occur in the area. The wetlands are a major stop-over for migratory neotropical songbirds as well as for migratory waterfowl. The area is also graced by the presence of many raptors, a heron rookery, bobcats and river otters. Farming and timber management are important land uses in the surrounding watershed. ECOSYSTEM STRESSES As late as the turn of the century, the area remained almost entirely wooded. However, logging began as the area was settled, followed by agriculture. With the onset of agriculture, drainage projects started which continued until the seventies. Today, only approximately 20% of the original Cache River wetlands remain. The extensive drainage network and the lack of forest cover has led to rapid run-off of rain water, and has resulted in major stream bank erosion. The eroded materials subsequently settle in the wetlands, reducing water quality and smothering swamps. Another stress is the fragmentation of the remaining forest. Animal populations that cannot travel between forest patches may become genetically isolated. In addition, fragmented forests have too many edges, leading to parasitism and predation of the nests of migratory neotropical birds. P ROJECT DESCRIPTION Recognizing the natural values of the Cache River Wetlands 20 years ago, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC) started buying the land that is now known as the Cache River State Natural Area. After the passage of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991. Shortly thereafter, the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Partnership was formed to manage the Wetlands. This partnership consists of TNC, IDOC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Ducks Unlimited. Together, the partners have acquired more than half of the 60,000 acres targeted by the project. In 1993 the Cache River Consortium was established, which is a larger advisory body that comprises the four partners and several state and federal agencies. In order to "knit the ecosystem back together," the partnership uses several strategies which focus on restoration and water resource planning. To restore the bottomland hardwood forests TNC uses a mechanized tree planting operation. Five tons of the native hardwood nuts and acorns that have been planted were collected by local Boy Scouts. FWS has employed the services of prison crews to plant tree seedlings. ____________ 87 Ecosystem Management in the United States: An Assessment of Current Experience CACHE RIVER WETLANDS -- continued Hydrologic restoration is carried out through plugging ditches, building dams and other methods to flood old farm lands. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has just started a three year, $1.3 million feasibility study to evaluate a number of measures planned to mimic natural hydrologic processes. In addition to restorative efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has funded a Water Resource Planning Initiative. Its aim is to identify areas where erosion is a problem and to develop solutions to mitigate this problem. The Initiative is made up of 25 land owners throughout the watershed, and is cosponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and TNC. P RESENT STATUS & OUTLOOK It is still too early to determine if any of the goals of the project have been realized. However, 37,000 acres have been acquired, of which 2,500 have been reforested. In addition, hydrologic restoration and a water quality monitoring program has begun. Factors Facilitating Progress Factors contributing to the projects progress are the significance of the natural area, good planning, strong Congressional support, a dedicated local support group and a strong interest and commitment of all involved agencies and organizations. Obstacles to Progress Land is only acquired from willing sellers. As a result, the partnership has not been able to obtain some large key parcels. In addition, some concerns exist regarding the ongoing flow of appropriations from Congress ____________ 88 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. These funds are needed for continued acquisition of lands by the FWS. Contact information: Mr. John Penberthy Project Manager The Nature Conservancy Cache River Office Route 1, Box 53E Ullin, IL 62992 (618) 634-2524 Fax: (618) 634-9656 E-mail: [email protected]