Existing vegetation. Vegetation conservation standards do not apply retroactively to existing legally established uses and developments. Vegetation associated with such uses and developments may be maintained.
Existing vegetation. Existing vegetation shall be preserved when to do so will not adversely affect the engineering soundness of the cut or fill involved.
Existing vegetation. Generally, you will want to avoid sites with excessive amounts of well-established, perennial vegetation. However, it may be possible to induce a disturbance where competing vegetation is significant. For example, where water control exists, it may be possible to reduce perennial vegetation with an over-winter drawdown of 2-3 feet as needed. Occasional increases in water levels may also be effective. Private individuals considering water level manipulation should contact their state and/or tribal natural resource depart- ments, as a permit is usually required for this activity. Boat traffic can exclude rice from otherwise suitable areas. GLIFWC Manoomin Seeding Guidelines Admin Report 18-09 Wave Action: Waves from heavy boat traffic can exclude rice from otherwise suitable areas (see picture previous page). However, if the boat traffic is restricted to channels, rice can generally establish itself on adjacent areas. Establishing defined boating channels or slow/no wake zones can minimize the negative impacts boats might otherwise cause. Manoomin Life Cycle Wild rice is an annual aquatic grass. It is unusual in that it goes through submerged, floating-leaf and emergent stages in the course of its yearly life cycle. Wild rice seed normally needs to spend several months under freezing or near freezing conditions in order for germination to occur. After spending the winter in the sediment, the seed begins to germinate in early spring, and by mid-May a cluster of short, underwater leaves begins to form. Subsequent leaves eventually reach up to the water’s surface and float upon it, in what is termed the “floating leaf stage,” typically by early to mid-June. This is often considered a critical growth stage, for the buoyant plants can be uprooted from soft sediments by high wind or waves. Manoomin can also drown at this stage if water levels suddenly increase and re-submerge plants, which begin exchanging gasses with the air after the floating leaf stage is reached. Manoomin in the floating leaf stage.
