Loons and Lakes

   The charismatic call of the loon reverberates across the water. The haunting sounds are synonymous with MN summer nights and fortunately, Cass County lakes are home to many loon families.  Their future was impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill, but a new three year initiative has begun. Here are some details.

   • As a result of the BP oil spill settlement, MPCA and DNR, USGS, and USFWS are commencing a three-year initiative.  The goal of the project is to reduce loon mortality and increase reproductive success of common loons in MN.

   • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees a portion of the BP settlement funds, granted an initial allotment of $5.5 million to Minnesota.

   • Restoration activities include: acquisition and/or easements of shoreline to protect common loon nesting and forage habitat, enhancing loon productivity via artificial nesting platforms, and engaging MN lake associations in loon conservation activities.

   • MPCA is taking the lead on the Get the Lead Out Initiative – MPCA’s Get the Lead Out was an existing program that was awarded additional funding from the settlement.

   • DNR will 

      - Hire three full-time DNR Loon Preservation employees for the project: one Program Coordinator and two Wildlife Specialists, for three years each.

      - Work with Lake Associations to create lake-specific management plan or augment the existing lake-specific management plan pacific management plan to include loon preservation activities

      - Focus additional resources on expanding Loon Watch and Loon Monitoring.

   • DNR Loon Watch and Loon Monitoring activities took a hiatus in 2019-2020 and have returned to DNR waters.

   • Rob Rabasco, DNR Brainerd, spends 1/2 his time on Loon Preservation and is leading the effort; this will be a three year term. His current focus is to communicate with lake associations and assess the next steps of Loon Preservation utilizing the BP Settlement monies in Minnesota.

   • The Association of Cass County Lakes (ACCL) will provide Rob a list of ACCL Lake Association members with Loon Preservation activities such as Loon Monitors and Loon Platforms.  Please let us know if your lake association is interested in participating.

   • The focus of DNR-related BP funding will be on acquisition and conservation easements to enhance/protect shoreline loon habitat, as this is much more effective in meeting project goals.

Kathy Wagner, 

ACCL President 

and Nick Bluhm, ACCL Treasurer

[email protected]