NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a pair of voluntary, perpetual habitat (grassland) easements and certified the acquisitions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tuesday.

The easements are designed to provide wildlife cover, protect 96 acres of floodplain and grassland from KTJ Investments, LLC in Section 15, Bashaw Township, about three miles north of Comfrey and three acres of grassland about three miles south of Leavenworth in Section 3, Mulligan Township, from Danelle Wersal.

The easements are legal agreements signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that pays landowners to permanently keep their land in grass.

USFWS Realty Specialist Jacob Gross said haying must be delayed until after July 15 each year. The wet meadow floodplain land with sandy soil in Bashaw Township is not primary cropland and is not open to the public.

“Landowners continue to pay taxes on the land and decide who enters the property. They may do weed removal or treatment in the spring. Restoration would not affect adjacent landowners. The easements are funded by the Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Act, also known as the Duck Stamp and are not funded by tax dollars. No signs will be posted on the property,” said Gross.

He said land restoration could include cedar tree removal, wetland restoration and upland enhancements funded and done by the USFWS.

Gross said the Wersal land is a long, narrow strip of unprotected grassland, 45 to 50 feet wide, near another habitat easement with a family to the north and an easement to the south.

“I think this is a very good use of this land. Obviously, it will make it even better for wildlife,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.

Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp’s motion, seconded by Windschitl, moved the 96 acres of Bashaw Township floodplain and grassland easement.

Commissioner Veerkamp’s motion, seconded by Tony Berg moved the three acre Mulligan Township grassland habitat easement.