03/13/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS-1 WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM To: City Council From: Marty Asleson Date: March 6, 2006 Re: Heron Rookery /Peltier Island Update The Peltier Lake Heron Rookery has been a focus of study since June 14, 2000 when it was discovered that the Herons had abandoned nests on the island. At that time the Heron colony was considered the second largest colony in the Metropolitan area. A task force was formed to investigate reasons for nest abandonment. Several hypotheses for abandonment were listed and the task force set out to investigate causes including: disturbance /human influence, predation, and loss of habitat. A Slow No Wake Ordinance was passed jointly with the City of Centerville on March 25th, 2002. The purpose of this ordinance was to minimize human disturbance to adjacent nesting birds and the shallow, resource - sensitive lake area around the island. On May 10th of 2004, the Lino Lakes City Council amended the Slow No Wake Ordinance to repeal a Sunset Clause written into the ordinance. The Heron Task Force meets on a regular basis to discuss the Heron issue and continue investigation into Heron nest abandonment. Council periodically has seen information on the Herons in the news media, DNR, University of Minnesota, and City Publications. The purpose of this update is to report to the Council findings of the Heron Task Force. In addition to myself, Jeff Perry, Glen Fuchs, Scott Noland from Anoka County parks and Andy Von Duyke from the University of Minnesota will be at the meeting. Page 1