The main objective of this project is to match a pool of nrda funds with existing available lower FOX river basin tmdl nonpoint conservation implementation grants such as glri and TRM cost share…

Outagamie County, Wisconsin received a $548,250 project grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 to enhance natural resource conservation and habitat restoration efforts in local watersheds under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program. Through July 2026, the County will match existing lower Fox River Basin water quality grants with NRDAR funds to complement best management practices on agricultural lands with added habitat components. Projects will include stream bank restoration, two-stage ditch construction, constructed wetlands, and wetland restoration. The County also plans to establish 10 acres of perpetual native riparian buffers with landowners. All proposed projects will be reviewed by the NRDAR Technical Committee prior to installation. The goal is to restore injured natural resources and services through integrated agricultural conservation and habitat projects in the Mud Creek, Plum Creek, Kankapot Creek, Apple Creek and Duck Creek watersheds, benefiting both water quality and wildlife in the region.

The main objective of this project is to match a pool of nrda funds with existing available lower FOX river basin tmdl nonpoint conservation implementation grants such as glri and TRM cost share funding for the enhancement of conservation bmps with added habitat components in the MUD creek, plum creek, kankapot creek, apple creek, and duck creek watersheds. Typical projects include streambank restoration, two-stage ditch construction, constructed wetlands, wetland restoration, etc. These projects are typically located in riparian areas and landowners utilize these funds to compliment the conservation bmps with enhanced habitat and nature based stabilization solutions. An example is streambank restoration using toewood structures in lieu of traditional rock riprap. We anticipate 70 outagamie county grant funds with 20-30 nrda grant funds, with careful attention not to exceed a 50 50 combination of cost-share provided dependent on project type. Proposed projects will be communicated with the nrda technical committee for approval in advance of contracting and installation. In addition to complementing conservation bmps, we also find value in having funds available to landowners to enter into a perpetual agreement to establish riparian buffers with native species in accordance with the U.S. Fish wildlife partner program. These riparian buffers compliment conservation bmps by connecting the habitat created with riparian vegetation in sensitive areas. Locations of these buffers will be included in annual nrda technical committee project verification meetings prior to install. We anticipate installing 10 acres of perpetual native riparian buffers in in the lower FOX river basin.