By SUSAN HAYHURST
Indiana Correspondent

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Avid outdoorsmen and conservation-minded folks are just a few of the many people who will benefit from the newest state fish and wildlife area near Terre Haute, Ind. The Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area, named for the Miami Indians moniker for the Wabash River, is being developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.

Enthusiasm for the project has continued to grow since its inception a few years ago, according to Eddy Adams, district conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
“The 17-mile long project has mushroomed from the original 1,200 acres designated for wetland restoration to 7,000 acres,” Adams explained. “It encompasses a flood plain located immediately west of the Wabash River between the city of Terre Haute and the town of West Terre Haute and extends up river, just south of Vermillion County and south as far as Dresser Sub Station.

“It’s important to note NRCS began voluntarily enrolling Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) easements in Vigo County in 1995. The Nature Conservancy later announced its partnership of WREP with NRCS for the six-county area.”

To kick start Wabashiki in 2008, Gov. Mitch Daniels traveled to West Vigo Elementary School to present the Vigo County parks department with a $295,000 check on behalf of the Indiana Heritage Trust (IHT) and the IDNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“Our efforts since 2005 have resulted in twice as many protected areas of wildlife habitat than in the previous five years,” said Daniels.

“This joint effort will conserve another beautiful habitat as well as enhance the quality of life for Hoosiers.”

The state’s contribution consists of $220,000 from the IHT program accrued from the sales of the environmental license plate and $75,000 from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. USDA is contributing nearly $1.3 million to enroll 716 acres of the project into the USDA’s WREP.

“We couldn’t complete such an encompassing project that benefits conservation in our state without so many key players,” said Max Miller, chairman of the Wabash River Beautification and Development Commission Wetlands Committee.

“The Wabashiki project will focus on the critical elements of recreation, education, conservation and wildlife encouragement and habitat.”

First and foremost, according to Miller, is the protection and restoration of wetlands and wildlife habitat including fishing lakes, bottomland hardwood forests, emergent shallow water marshes, moist soil wetland areas, and upland habitat/native grass areas.
“This area will provide exceptional habitat to resident and migratory wildlife and managed hunting for small and large upland game and waterfowl,” Miller said. “Recreational, educational and research opportunities for public, local schools and universities will be available.”

Hiking/biking trails, observation decks, boat ramps and other recreational amenities will be incorporated into the park design and fish and wildlife area.

“The project’s location immediately across the river from downtown Terre Haute and near West Terre Haute creates a very unique setting,” said Miller. “Riverfront development is planned, including a walking/biking bridge connecting the riverfront development on the river’s east side to the new Visitors Center and Outlook on the west side.”

Conservation work is expected to take place over the next five years to protect and restore emergent and forested wetlands. Thus far 200 acres of mixed hardwood trees and shrubs have been planted with total planting to surpass 4,000, said Miller. “With good woodland management, the benefits of this large tree planting will definitely improve the air quality of Terre Haute,” Miller reported.
This spring wetland enhancement construction will begin in the river basin, and native prairie grass plantings are planned on suitable locations.

Wabashiki’s wildlife habitat projects will target waterfowl migration, wintering, and breeding habitat within the largest corridor in Indiana, while also creating expansion of existing nature preserves. Schools and higher education look forward to research and environmental education opportunities at the site.

Agriculturally, approximately 1,825 acres of flood plain farm ground is now in the Wabashiki project through land purchases and by interested farm families. The project will also enhance erosion control. “The original intent of the flood plain farm ground was to raise successful crops,” said Adams. “It’s always a coin toss though for farmers farming in the bottoms. Concerns for such farmers are how much of inputs wash downstream and how much crop insurance is needed.”

Wabashiki’s short- and long-term goals are moving the project forward, according to Miller. “We want to finish land acquisition - especially the land north of U.S. 40 - in two years,” Miller said. “Continuing land improvement by Eddy’s NRCS projects falls under that time frame. In five years we will have a world-class fish and wildlife area next to an urban area and on the Mississippi flyway that is projected to contribute $2 million to the local economy annually. We are thrilled for the public’s involvement, and developing a website and Facebook page are on the horizon.”