By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A modern-day ecological success story is playing out in a recently restored floodplain in Illinois.

In February, a pair of endangered migrating, breeding whooping cranes were seen foraging in a Lawrence County floodplain restored with funding provided by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the 2010 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Along with the cranes, mallard ducks, teal, shoveler and pintail ducks were seen feeding in shallower areas of the floodplain. “It was spectacular,” reported Dave Hiatt, USDA-NRCS wildlife biologist, who witnessed the migrating whooping cranes in the 330-acre floodplain located in the historical Purgatory Swamp, which lies between the Wabash and Embarras rivers.

“When I first saw this land I thought it was fantastic for restoration,” stated landowner Ray McCormick. “It was a restoration just waiting to happen.”
Eleven floodplains have been established to date through the Recovery Act in Illinois. Candidates for floodplain restoration can apply through the Emergency Watershed Protection-Floodplain Easement Program (EWP-FPE) at their local USDA-NRCS offices.

The program’s goal is to remove flood-prone cropland from agricultural production and restore it to its original condition. While floodplain restoration is a process that can span years, if not decades, some benefits can become apparent much sooner – such as the appearance of the migrating whooping cranes.

“To see an endangered species return to former migration patterns so soon is remarkable,” Bill Gradle, NRCS Illinois state conservationist, said. “This is a real testament to what these restored floodplains have to offer.”
Those interested in Illinois-NRCS services may access its website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov