New Public Land Acquisition a Win for Us All!
As you’ve probably already heard, Indiana DNR recently acquired 4,000 acres in Sullivan County. In a world where so much conservation news is about the loss of habitat, access, and opportunity, this is fantastic news!
The new conservation area, Busseron Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA), will be familiar to some Hoosier hunters and anglers. The property, once leased by the DNR, used to be known at Minnehaha FWA. In 2016, the leasing arrangement fell apart, and the property was lost. But, not to fret, public landowners now have regained those 4,000 acres of forest, marshland, and upland habitat, and this time permanently.
(Courtesy Conservation Law Center, https://conservationlawcenter.org/press-center/ )
Michael Spalding of Indiana Sentinel Landscapes was behind the scenes as the purchase came together. When asked how an acquisition of this size was made possible, he told us, “A strong partnership emerged to protect a 3,950-acre property near Lake Glendora Test Facility (a US Navy property) in Sullivan County, Indiana. The Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape (SISL) partnership, led by the Conservation Law Center (CLC), works to preserve and protect military missions, support sustainable farming and forestry, restore and sustain ecosystems, ensure thriving human communities, and improve climate resiliency.”
This property is unique. It opened as the Minnehaha FWA in 1985, well before the famous Sullivan Co migration stop, Goose Pond FWA, was acquired. For many Hoosiers, this was their go to spot for waterfowl, deer, upland, and fishing.
(Oak-Hickory stands, Busseron Creek FWA, Courtesy Conservation Law Center, https://conservationlawcenter.org/press-center/)
Busseron Creek was named after Francois Riday Busseron, a Canadian fur trader made famous for bailing out George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War commander who fought for the Americans in the frontier range. Minnehaha was just the name of the coal mine, and Busseron Creek feels like a better fit, especially considering the pride Hoosiers have in their French fur trade history.
Hickory Grove Coal Mining Company started mining the property in 1936. By 1937 the Busseron Creek Conservation Project had already begun, so the current project was a long time in the making. In 1954, AMAX, Old Ben, and Peabody signed a 20-year wildlife management lease covering 7,000 acres of former surface mining land. AMAX is the company that donated 453 acres near Brazil, IN that became the Chinook FWA.
Come 1984, AMAX Coal Co. leased out 1800 acres to create the Busseron Bottoms deer-hunting grounds. This wasn’t just out of the goodness of their hearts but was a response to trespassing hunter issues and the potential for liability. Whatever the motivation, the arrangement worked out so well that AMAX decided to lease out the entire 12,500 acres.
Over the years, the property was reduced to about 3,500 acres, which is what remained when in 2016 American Land Holdings of Indiana, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, terminated the lease with DNR. The property then closed that April.
On the Hunt-Indiana message board, in response to the news of Minnehaha closing, contributor “76chevy” posted a thread titled “Is this the future of hunting in Indiana?” The respondents to the thread were not optimistic.
In a similar tone, Jack Spaulding, who used to write an outdoor column for Daily News, opined back in 2016, “Minnehaha closing is a loss for us all.”
Today, we can happily say, “Busseron Creek opening is a win for us all!”
Jameson Hibbs, the BHA Regional Coordinator for Indiana, shares that sentiment: “In a state that is 97% private, increasing public lands by 4,000 acres is huge for hunting, angling, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Indiana residents seek solace in the outdoors and this unique region offers the experiences and adventures residents are seeking. Hunting and fishing are deeply rooted in this region of the state. The additional 4,000 acres will allow residents opportunities to share their stories, traditions, and heritage with future generations.”
And this was no accident, but the result of collaboration, careful planning, and hard work.
When asked how a partnership such as this came together, Indiana Sentinel Landscape’s Michael Spalding explained “In November 2022, SISL identified a real estate listing for a 191-acre property for sale in the heart of this nearly 4,000-acre contiguous land holding. If this piece had sold, the entire property would have been fractured, likely permanently. SISL swiftly began engaging partners to gauge interest to assist. The Conservation Fund (TCF) and the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) both stepped into action with SISL almost immediately. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNR) enthusiastically supported being the eventual owners of this property.”
The multi-agency collaboration, which included NGOs and government agencies, is truly inspiring. They included Conservation Law Center, The Conservation Fund, Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, acting through the US Navy, US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program, The Nature Conservancy, the State of Indiana, and a competitive grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America Program.
Spalding also notes that national security was a motivation. Across the nation, encroachment on rural military installations is a serious issue, and development near such properties poses a security risk. In this case it was the U.S. Navy that was the concerned neighbor, and their concern was compatibility with the military installation. The former mine property was on the open market, so a foreign agent could have bought it, but even housing developments could hinder military operations.
The property will be managed by Kalli Dunn, who also oversees Goose Pond, Hillenbrand, and Fairbanks Landing FWAs. Asked about the acquisition, Dunn said “this is a huge conservation success adding 4000 acres of public land for recreation to the area. The now permanently protected habitat includes uplands, bottomland hardwoods, and wetland habitat. This is one of the largest single acquisitions ever made by the Indiana DNR.”
Dunn also said Busseron will provide “excellent opportunities for turkey, deer, waterfowl, and quail hunting. There will also be trapping, angling, and wildlife viewing opportunities.”
Hunting will be on a sign-in basis, as Hoosier hunters are used to at our state FWAs. There will be some drawings for spring turkey and the opening weekend of deer firearm season.
The Indiana Chapter of BHA is excited to work with Dunn and the folks at the Division of Fish and Wildlife on stewardship opportunities in the future. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to give your time to help shape the future of this excellent property!
To learn more about the property acquisition:
Conservation Law Center
https://conservationlawcenter.org/press-center/
Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program
About Indiana BHA
Our chapter is dedicated to serving the interests of conservation and access to clean public lands and waters. Through planning, collaboration, and dedication, we will make a difference.