DRAFT Windy Bar Island Conservation Area

Fifteen-Year Area Management Plan FY 2019-2033

To submit a comment on this document, click on the following link: https://mdc.mo.gov/node/10013?ap=311068

November 2018 DRAFT Windy Bar Island Conservation Area Management Plan Page 2

OVERVIEW

• Official Area Name: Windy Bar Island Conservation Area, #200901 • Year of Initial Acquisition: 2008 • Acreage: 583 acres • County: Cape Girardeau • Region: Southeast • Division with Administrative Responsibility: Wildlife • Division with Maintenance Responsibility: Wildlife • Statements of Purpose:

A. Strategic Direction Provide a braided island/side channel complex to promote the recovery of native big-river fish populations and Missouri species of conservation concern; and provide habitats for migratory wildlife. Additionally, Windy Bar Island Conservation Area (CA) provides recreational opportunities on the Mississippi River, a distinctive setting for area users.

B. Desired Future Condition The desired future condition of Windy Bar Island CA is a healthy forest/side channel complex that provides habitat for Missouri species of conservation concern; while offering a variety of recreational opportunities on the Mississippi River.

C. Federal Aid Statement This area, or a portion thereof, was acquired with Endangered Species Act funds to protect and conserve habitats and ecosystems critical to endangered species and threatened species in perpetuity.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS

I. Special Considerations A. Priority Areas: Cape Hills Forest and Woodland Conservation Opportunity Area,

Mississippi River Stream Reach Conservation Opportunity Area B. Natural Areas: None

II. Important Natural Features and Resources

A. Species of Conservation Concern: Species of conservation concern are known from this area. Area managers should consult the Natural Heritage Database annually and review all management activities with the natural history biologist.

B. Caves: None C. Springs: None D. High Quality Natural Communities: None

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E. Other: According to the Missouri Atlas of Ecoregions (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002): Windy Bar Island CA occurs in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain Subsection, Ozarks-Mississippi Alluvial Plain Landtype Association. This small landtype association consists of a channel of the Mississippi River and separate portions of its narrow alluvial plain within the Ozarks. It is mainly river channel that has been highly altered. These fragments were formerly in riverfront timber as it still is today, except for a few small tracts of cropland.

III. Existing Infrastructure

There is no infrastructure on this area.

IV. Area Restrictions or Limitations A. Deed Restrictions or Ownership Considerations: Public access to Windy Bar

Island CA is by boat only. B. Federal Interest: This land must be used to conserve habitats and ecosystems critical

to endangered species in perpetuity. Federal funds may be used in the management of this land. Fish and wildlife agencies may not allow recreational activities and related facilities that would interfere with the purpose for which the State is managing the land. Other uses may be acceptable and must be assessed in each specific situation.

C. Easements: None D. Cultural Resources Findings: No known cultural resources. E. Endangered Species: Endangered species are known from this area. Area managers

should consult the Natural Heritage Database annually and review all management activities with the natural history biologist.

F. Boundary Issues: None

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

V. Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations

Management of the forested wildlife habitat will focus on natural successional cycles. River-level fluctuations limit the forested species composition on the island to riverfront species. Allowing the development of “old growth” cottonwood and sycamore mixed with early successional willow and cottonwood stands are prescriptive for the island. Management will be geared toward a diversity of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other water birds within the temporary forested wetland habitats and sand bar habitats of the island.

Challenges and Opportunities:

1) Maintain a diverse array of habitat for species of conservation concern.

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Management Objective 1: Maintain forested habitat to benefit wildlife, specifically species of conservation concern requiring forested habitats.

Strategy 1: Maintain large deadened trees, den trees, and loose bark trees specifically for the benefit of bat species as well as forest bird species and mammals. (Wildlife, Forestry) Strategy 2: Manage invasive species. Manage undesirable vegetation to maintain a diverse herbaceous structure. (Wildlife) Strategy 3: Promote the development of older age class timber stands on the island. (Forestry) Strategy 4: Accept riverine disturbance cycles and promote the fluctuation of species composition and stand dynamics. (Wildlife, Forestry)

Management Objective 2: Identify and report unique natural communities, species of conservation concern, and other species for Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) records.

Strategy 1: Continue monitoring fish species utilizing the side channel, particularly as habitat improvement projects are undertaken. (Resource Science) Strategy 2: Report and update MDC database records for species of conservation concern and imperiled natural communities on the area. (Wildlife) Strategy 3: Avoid or minimize human activity during the critical breeding season.

VI. Aquatic Resources Management Considerations

Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Maintain habitat for aquatic species of conservation concern.

Management Objective 1: Maintain habitats for aquatic species of conservation concern.

Strategy 1: Monitor populations of big river fishes within Schenimann Chute and the Mississippi River. (Fisheries, Resource Science) Strategy 2: Encourage improved hydrologic connectivity between the side channel and the main channel during all river stages.

VII. Public Use Management Considerations

Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Provide hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities. 2) Build relationships with neighboring landowners.

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Management Objective 1: Provide area users with diverse recreational opportunities on the area that are consistent with defined management objectives and sensitive to the natural communities and features of the area.

Strategy 1: Maintain accurate area information and regulations through the MDC database, area brochures, posted information, and staff contacts with area users at Red Star Access. (Wildlife, Protection, Fisheries) Strategy 2: Repost boundary lines every five years or as needed. (Wildlife) Strategy 3: Monitor and document multiple use conflicts or concerns. Identify potential timing/seasonal use conflicts and modify special use permit conditions and dates as needed to minimize concerns. (Protection, Wildlife)

Management Objective 2: Facilitate a good working relationship with neighboring landowners.

Strategy 1: Promote habitat management and adequate riparian corridors on neighboring landowner properties. (Private Land Services, Wildlife)

VIII. Administrative Considerations

Challenges and Opportunities:

1) Deter illicit activities on the area such as poaching, littering, vandalism, etc. 2) Consider land acquisition, when available.

Management Objective 1: Deter illicit public use on the area.

Strategy 1: Use Cape Girardeau County conservation agents to enforce area rules and regulations and deter any illicit activities on the area, e.g., poaching, littering, vandalism, etc. (Wildlife, Protection)

Lands Proposed for Acquisition:

When available, adjacent land may be considered for acquisition from willing sellers. Tracts that improve area access, provide public use opportunities, contain unique natural communities, and/or species of conservation concern, or meet other MDC priorities, as identified in the annual MDC land acquisition priorities, may be considered.

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MANAGEMENT TIMETABLE

Strategies are considered ongoing unless listed in the following table.

FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 FY30 FY31 FY32 FY33 Public Use Management Considerations Objective 1 Strategy 2 X X X

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APPENDICES

Area Background: Windy Bar Island (CA) is located in Northeast Cape Girardeau County, about 6 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Windy Bar Island and Schenimann Chute (side channel) are located along the right descending bank of the Mississippi River between River Miles 62.5-56.5, within the Middle Mississippi River Regional Corridor. The side channel is unique in that it has an interior tributary on the upper end that drains hundreds of acres of wooded upland. Bainbridge Creek is a wet weather stream and may be inundated by the Mississippi River under high stages. The side channel is dissected by closing structures, which create four distinct and isolated chambers during moderate to low river stages. The side channel is 4.5 miles long, averages 200 ft. wide, and has approximately 273 surface water acres between its banks. Windy Bar Island is mostly forested with primarily cottonwood and willow stands. Although, some bottomland hardwoods are present. Forested wetlands are present as are sand bar and riparian habitat types. Windy Bar Island provides habitat for both federally endangered and state-listed species. The big river island habitats provided by Windy Bar Island support assemblages of imperiled river fishes and invertebrates. Prior to acquisition by MDC, the property was under the ownership of the Mead-Westvaco Corporation and was utilized for the production of wood products. Upon dissolution of the Westvaco Corporation, the property was purchased by Cypress Creek LLC of Sturgis, Kentucky. A Section 6, Recovery Land Acquisition grant was developed by MDC in early 2007, requesting funds to purchase the island for pallid sturgeon recovery efforts. The grant proposal was funded to the degree requested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The American Land Conservancy conveyed Windy Bar Island property to the MDC in a joint closing (June 4, 2008) with Cypress Creek LLC. Windy Bar Island did not exist before 1930. The installation of pile dikes along the right descending bank caused accretion of sediment and the development of the extensive island complex that is present today. Windy Bar Island was popular during its development (mid-1960s) as an area for local waterfowl hunters. The island was not forested at that time and the open sand bars provided optimum loafing areas for migratory waterfowl. Forested cover eventually developed on the island, succeeding to the riverfront forest cover type that is characteristic of the island today.

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Current Land and Water Types: Land/Water Type Acres % of Area Miles Forest 564 97 Wetlands 19 3 Open Water <1 <1 Total 583 100 Mississippi River Frontage 4.6 Schenimann Chute Frontage 4.5

References: Nigh, T. A., & Schroeder, W. A. (2002). Atlas of Missouri ecoregions. Jefferson City, MO:

Missouri Department of Conservation. Maps: Figure 1: Area Map Figure 2: Aerial Map Figure 3: Topographic Map Figure 4: Land Cover Map

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Figure 1: Area Map

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Figure 2: Aerial Map

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Figure 3: Topographic Map

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Figure 4: Land Cover Map

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To submit a comment on this document, click on the following link: https://mdc.mo.gov/node/10013?ap=311068