Archive: St. Croix River Focus Area
Last updated: May 26, 2000
Background
The St. Croix begins in northwest Wisconsin and flows over 150 miles to its confluence with the Mississippi River below St. Paul, Minnesota. It is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which includes the entire St. Croix River and its major tributary, the Namekagon River. The St. Croix River upstream of St. Croix Falls and the Namekagon River were among the eight original components of the National Wild and Scenic River System (NWSRS) when the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1968. The downstream portion of the St. Croix River was established as a "study river" in 1968 and was subsequently added to the System in a 1972 amendment to the Act. The purpose of designatiing a river under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is to protect its free-flowing character, water quality and outstanding resource values for present and future generations.
Management
Rivers do not follow ownership or administrative boundaries. Furthermore, al land ownership within the Riverway boundary is limited. Therefore, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, like all components of the National Wild and Scenic River System, must be managed by partnerships. Federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, landowners and citizens are all involved.
Partnerships
Because of its location between Minnesota and Wisconsin; proximity to the Twin Cities Metropolitan area; its scenic, historic, and ecological significance; its status as a National Scenic Riverway; and the passion adorned on it by residents of the region, the Riverway claims many stakeholders and partnerships.
Our partnerships are many, but some of the more notable groups and efforts include:
The Lower St. Croix Management Commission (LSCMC)
The Lower St. Croix Management Commission manages the lower 25 miles of the Riverway. It consists of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the Boundary Area Commission. The Lower St. Croix Management Commission works cooperatively in the development of management plans for the lower river and to resolve controversial issues.
The Lower St. Croix Management Commission is nearing completion of a Cooperative Management Plan for the lower 52 miles of Riverway. Public review is expected in October.
Interagency Zebra Mussel Task Force
The Interagency Zebra Mussel Task Force includes the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Northern States Power Company. The task force works cooperatively to prevent the spread of zebra mussels into the St. Croix River.
Recovery Team – Winged Mapleleaf Mussel
The Recovery Team for the federally-endangered winged mapleleaf mussel, whose only known population exists on the St. Croix River, includes the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the University of Minnesota and Macalaster College. The Recovery Team works cooperatively on studies and actions aimed at preserving the winged mapleleaf mussel. One of the most notable study efforts taking place is the search for the host fish for the larval stage of winged mapleleaf mussel.
Native Mussel Conservation
The National Park Service has several cooperative studies underway with the U.S. Geological Survey – Biological Resources Division and others aimed at preserving the diverse native mussel fauna of the St. Croix. They include the "Effects of Ammonia on Mussels" and studies related to the establishment of native mussel refugia.
St. Croix River Interagency Water Resources Planning Team / Basin Planning Team
Members of the Basin Planning Team include the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey – Water Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Boundary Area Commission. It functions as an advocacy group for protecting the water quality in the St. Croix watershed.
Protecting Water Quality
The National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey – Water Resources Division, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Council are cooperating to monitor phosphorous on the Riverway, particularly in the Indianhead Flowage and Lake St. Croix.
Interagency Fisheries Management Team
The National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are working cooperatively to manage the fishery resource of the Riverway. A Fisheries Management Plan for the Riverway is currently on agency review.
Transportation Planning
The Lower St. Croix Management Commission is working cooperatively with the Federal Highway Administration, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to resolve the controversy regarding the proposed new bridge crossing near Stillwater, Minnesota. The National Park Service has developed a policy to integrate the requirements of Section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act with the Federal Highway Administration’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the proposed bridge. The mitigation package for the proposed bridge includes the development of a regional transportation, infrastructure and land use plan to protect the Riverway from future crossings and the effects of population growth in the watershed.
Conclusion
Congress established the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway as an area to be managed by partnerships. Since its establishment, strong federal and non-federal partnerships have been forged. We meet with our partners on a frequent and regular basis. It is difficult to imagine an action the National Park Service could take to protect the Riverway without the cooperation of our many partners. Because the Riverway enjoys strong partnerships, the objectives of including it as one of the 13 Focus Areas for the Midwest Natural Resources Group have already been met. Therefore, the St. Croix River no longer needs to be included as a Focus Area.
For More Information
Lead Agency: National Park Service
Contact: Tony Anderson