05/10/2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 1, 2004 Marty Asleson Lino Lakes Environmental Coordinator 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, Minnesota 55014 Dear Mr. Asleson: The Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) is writing to encourage the City of Lino Lakes and Anoka County to continue to support a no -wake zone at the northern end of Peltier Lake to protect the sensitive aquatic and terrestrial habitat in the lake and adjacent shoreland. MLA is a statewide non - profit dedicated to citizen stewardship of Minnesota waters and development of public policy for lake protection. MLA represents over 60,000 lake user interests in Minnesota, including over 250 lake associations. Our concern stems from the following facts. High speed boat use in shallow areas of the lake will destroy the aquatic vegetation, which is already happening as is evidenced by photos. Healthy aquatic plant communities support fish and other aquatic life that are important to the healthy functioning of the lake. It also stirs up lake sediments releasing nutrients into the water column which will adversely impact the lake ecology and water quality and adversely impacts the nesting ability of the high quality wildlife resources in the adjacent shore areas. We recommend, as a matter of policy for both the city and the county, that high speed boat traffic be prohibited in lake areas less than five feet in depth and where healthy aquatic plant communities are established. Having such a policy will help protect Peltier Lake as well as help to address the inevitable future water surface conflicts that will arise on other waterbodies within your jurisdictions. In summary, the Minnesota Lakes Association hopes that Anoka County and the City of Lino Lakes will keep the present no -wake zone on Peltier Lake and at the same time put this decision into the context of a county -wide surface water management policy that is fair and balanced to sustain your valuable lake resources. Sincerely, Paula West Executive Director George Orning Board Director Cc: Jeff Perry, Anoka County Natural Resources Specialist; Dan Erhart, Board of Commissioners, Wayne LeBlanc, Peltier Lake Association. - 3 9 - LAKES ASSOCIATION 19519 Highway 371 N Brainerd, MN 56401 Phone: 218- 824 -5565 Fax: 218 - 824 -5566 lakes@mnlakes.org www.mnlakes.org Board of Directors President Kay Cook Richmond Vice- President Jack Wallschlaeger Pequot Lakes Vice- President Judy Sawyer Glenwood Secretary/Treasurer Judy Wallshlaeger Pequot Lakes Chuck Ericksen Moose Lake Dick Osgood Shorewood Tom Beaver Nisswa Fred Bliss Remer Carol Crust Brainerd Jim Halloran Nisswa George Oming New Brighton Marilyn Bayerl Alexandria Terry Frazee Spicer Dale Gustfason Golden Valley Louis Mertz Osage Executive Director Paula West