The sault STE. Marie tribe of chippewa indians natural resources division (sault tribe) is leading a coastal initiative to restore and protect the ST

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 3 awarded $122,372 to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians under the Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630) for a two-year coastal habitat restoration initiative spanning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The Sault Tribe's Natural Resources Division will implement targeted conservation actions within the St. Marys River and Straits of Mackinac focus area to protect and restore habitat for two focal species designated by the USFWS Midwest Coastal Program: the black tern (Chlidonias niger) and mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus). These on-the-ground conservation actions will address the specific ecological needs of these species while advancing the tribe's broader stewardship mission across its 1836 Treaty ceded territory.

The project leverages the Coastal Program's collaborative, community-based approach to voluntary habitat restoration. Through an adaptive management framework, the Sault Tribe will deliver conservation deliverables that create tangible ecological improvements while establishing sustainable, long-term management practices within the St. Marys River watershed. This initiative aligns with the tribe's commitment to Anishinaabe cultural stewardship and honors its inherent sovereignty and treaty rights while supporting the conservation objectives of federal trust species that are integral to subsistence, cultural practices, and broader ecosystem health across the region.

Marys river a key waterway for ecological health and anishinaabe cultural heritage. The ST. Marys river is a vital lifeline to the sault tribe, BAY mills indian community, batchewana first nation, garden river first nation, and surrounding communities. Historically known as bahweting, meaning place of the rapids the area is a hub for trade and connection, with its location near the rapids making IT a traditional meeting point. While the sault tribe s land base is relatively modest, encompassing fewer than 4,000 acres, IT is the largest tribe east of the mississippi river, with a membership of over 52,000. The sault tribe s commitment to stewardship extends across the 1836 treaty ceded territory. We uphold our off-reservation treaty rights in this realm and honor our inherent sovereignty and ancestral responsibilities. As anishinaabe, our commitment to these rights is not passivewe actively champion sustainable conservation practices that safeguard essential habitats for all of our relatives, including species integral to subsistence and culture. By protecting species, the sault tribe reaffirms the interconnectedness of all living beings, understanding that the health of one species is a reflection of the health of an entire ecosystem. This proposal seeks to implement targeted conservation actions to support two U.S. Fish and wildlife service midwest coastal program focal speciesblack tern (chlidonias niger) and mudpuppy (necturus maculosus)within the straits of mackinac focus area. These projects will directly address the conservation needs of these species within the ST. Marys river over a two-year period. Through on-the-ground actions, this initiative will create tangible improvements while setting the stage for long-term success through an adaptive management approach. We aim to establish a sustainable, ongoing program that will support these species preservation and recovery, contributing to the overall health of the ST. Marys river and its ecosystems for generations to come.