The specific purpose of this district is to expand the FWS effort to acquire and manage Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) in Lincoln and Lyon Counties. In addition to WPA acquisition, private land resource interests are served through involvement with Department of Agriculture programs in a technical assistance role and also through Service wetland restoration projects on private lands. Currently there are six WPAs, two FmHA conservation easements and four wetland or habitat protection easements totaling 1748 acres in these two counties. The area remains a critical waterfowl breeding and migration area and offers great potential for a large number of resource protection/enhancement projects within several watersheds all entering into the Minnesota River.

All WPAs are open year round to hiking, bird watching, nature photography and general wildlife observation. These areas are open to hunting of migratory birds, resident upland game, deer and trapping in accordance with state seasons and regulations.

As WPAs are acquired wetland restorations by ditch plug or tile breaks will be done. Uplands that are in crop production will or have been eliminated and mixtures of warm season native grass nesting cover are planted. Prescribed burning will be used to maintain these restored grasslands as well as any native prairie that is acquired. Where practical and livestock operations are nearby grazing as a management tool will be used. Chemical, mechanical and eventually biological control of noxious weeds are accomplished each year.

Some farming may be implemented when management plans for each unit identify the need and suitability for food plots. Otherwise farming is used as a short term practice to prepare land for seeding and nesting cover establishment.