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Freer' smsniatiltrAMMIMORI • MARGARET LANGFELD County Board of Commissioners District #3 Wick 4k- :)hug, Lark Wu. Az it Attachment 4 -1v -tit altaci .ct .2u1. COUNTY OF ANOKA The Honorable John J. Bergeson Mayor of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 Office of the County Board of Commissioners GOVERNMENT CENTER 2100 3rd Avenue • Anoka, Minnesota 55303 -2265 (763) 323 -5700 March 1, 2002 Re: Proposed Surface Water Restrictions - Peltier Lake Dear Mayor Bergeson: am pleased to offer my support of the City of Lino Lakes and the City of Centerville's, efforts in pursuing a proposed water surface zoning restriction on Peltier Lake which is intended to create a "Slow /No Wake Zone" on the north end of Peltier Lake surrounding Peltier Island. As you may be aware, Peltier Island is a 30 -acre island located on the north end of Peltier Lake and harbors the second largest heron colony iri the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and also contains an active Bald Eagle nest. According to Minnesota DNR and county officials, the island itself and the surrounding aquatic vegetation communities are biologically unique and contain rare plants and animals that are of local, regional, and state -wide significance. This resource area is considered to be the highest quality natural feature of the entire 2,500 acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve. Unfortunately, over the previous two nesting seasons (2000 and 2001), the herons and egrets have suddenly and unexpectedly abandoned their nests and their young in June of each year. A Peltier Island Rookery Task Force was assembled with representatives from the City of Lino Lakes, City of Centerville, Minnesota DNR (Conservation Officer, Non -Game Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquatic Plant Management), Anoka County (Parks and Recreation Department and Sheriff's Department), University of.Minnesota, Peltier Lake Citizen, Anoka County Citizen at large, Rice Creek Watershed District, and the St. Paul Water Utility. On January 23, 2002, the task force met to examine the following items: • • History and significance of the Peltier Island Heron Rookery and surrounding natural communities. • Rookery abandonment observations and theories discussion. • Identification and discussion of potential strategies and solutions to address rookery abandonment and Tong -term protection of the high quality habitat at the north end of Peltier Lake. • Roles and responsibilities to implement strategies. FAX: 763 - 323 -5682 Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer TDD/TTY: 763 - 323 -5289