Description: The M.U. Payne site is located along the left descending bank of the Missouri River and places about 1.1 miles of Missouri River frontage in public ownership.
- The acquired land was all cropland except for the northwest corner which is encumbered by a NRCS Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) easement.
- A levee setback, approximately 4 miles long, opened up approximately 900 acres of previously levee-protected floodplain. During the winter of 2013 some parts of the area were excavated as borrow sites for material to be used to relocate the levee.
- Two hundred and forty acres of wetlands were created at these borrow sites. High water throughout 2013 prevented reseeding; however, natural succession of the site has produced many desirable grasses, forbs, and multiple different wetland species that have emerged across the previously farmed landscape.
- Further management of the site will include regeneration of riparian timber, wildlife food plots, control of noxious/invasive plants, and maintaining public access.
Status: Open to the public. Site/Habitat is in operations and maintenance status.
Site Use: The site is open to the public for a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, bird watching, hiking, and hunting when in season.
Site-use Regulations:
- People visiting these areas must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including hunting, fishing, etc. In general Title 36 Part 327 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs the use of Corps property. Other regulations may apply to properties owned by other federal agencies.
- Special regulations and restrictions may be posted on site.
Special-use Regulations: No target shooting or primitive camping permitted.