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Upper Sucker BlueBerry

In recent years the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management and United States Forest Service (USFS)- Chippewa National Forest have been working towards establishing a brighter future for the Leech Lake Reservation.  There are still many obstacles to overcome but both governments are learning that past mistakes and lack of collaboration do not have to define the future relationship between the two respective governments.

The Chippewa National Forest operates under the umbrella of the Department of Agriculture – USFS and is delegated the task of ensuring federal trust responsibilities are met. In the past, this relationship  has been strained  due to the lack of information and communication. Today, the relationship is a sharp contrast from the past; both staffs currently work hand and hand on special use projects ensuring tribal rights are protected and natural resource projects including resource enhancement throughout the entire forest.

Both agencies agreed there was a need to increase acres of fruiting blueberries back across the landscape of the Leech Lake Indian reservation. There has not always been unanimous consent, but blueberry enhancement has been achieved. The photo above is a site located 7 miles east of Cass Lake, nestled amongst 90 year old red pine  between Upper Sucker and Foot Lakes. (see picture below)

In 2007 the Chippewa NF executed a pine thinning and then followed it up with prescribed burns in 2009. This allowed the forest plants to propagate and have a natural transition into their current state. In the spring of 2013, the site was reviewed for timber salvage harvest due to the windstorm of 2012.  After diligent review by CNF and LLDRM staffs it was decided that no further management activity was needed at this time since the results desired are currently occurring. All these decisions have led to a vibrant and bountiful blueberry patch which is accessible to both tribal members and non-tribal individuals.

This story is an example of what human beings can do together when they look past regulatory, jurisdictional, political boundaries and believe we can leave a brighter future for our future generations. Special thanks to Darla Lenz, Christine Brown, David Morley, Todd Tisler, Carolyn Upton, Deb Overton, Neil Peterson and anyone else who has been brave enough to cross boundaries.

Division of Resource Management
(218) 335-7400