Nikolaisen Project Receives Stewardship Award - January 4, 2006

Robert Shirek, Chairman of the Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board, presented the 2006 Devils Lake Basin Water Stewardship award to the Nikolaisen Waterfowl Production Area project at the Lake Region Extension Roundup in Devils Lake on January 4th.

The project is located 8 miles north of Cando in Towner County and involves land in Paulson and Gerrard Townships. The project included local landowners, local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. Benefits of the project include flood control, water quality maintenance, erosion control plus enhanced tourism, and economic diversity.

Shirek comments "Jobs were provided to local farmers, contractors, seed & fertilizer companies and culvert company for implementation of the project. The project is open to hunting, trapping, bird watching, photography, educational tours, and hiking."

The project was nominated by the ND Natural Resources Trust. The application noted "The project is a benefit to landowners, wildlife interests, and the community. It will support the Basin's fledgling livestock industry by using grazing as a grassland management tool."

The Devils Lake Basin Water Stewardship Award was created in 2002 as part of the 2002 Devils Lake Basin Water Management Plan which had just been updated this past year. Past Award winner include: Dry Lake-Grand Harbor Watershed Program (2004) and E.W. "Ernie" Hagen, and Minnewaukan School "OWLS" project in 2005.