11/30/2011 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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to be of such a great concern that intentional introductions are prohibited, and accidental introductions are actively avoided. Additionally, as previously discussed, much of the City wetlands are a monoculture of reed canary grass, which is another invasive exotic plant. Balancing the benefits that aquatic plants provide with the nuisances they can create is a special challenge for urban lake management. Aquatic plants perform valuable ecosystem functions such as providing fish habitat, retarding beach erosion, providing a food source for some aquatic animals, and sometimes even minimizing algae blooms. Aquatic plants can also become a nuisance. When aquatic plants become too abundant or grow over extensive areas, they can interfere with swimming, boating and fishing. In the extreme, they can become blight. Because rooted, aquatic plants get their nutrients from the lake soils instead of the lake water, they cannot be simply "starved" by reducing the input of nutrients, as can be done with algae. Instead, control of nuisance aquatic plants is most often accomplished using mechanical methods (harvesting) or chemical methods (herbicides). In addition, fishing, over - fishing, selective fishing (preferentially taking certain species or sizes), and fish stocking all work to alter the nature of native fisheries. Also, alterations to a lake bottom or to plant communities could affect the ability of fish populations to sustain themselves. As a practical matter, the predominant fisheries management tool for urban lakes is stocking, which occurs in Centerville Lake. To some extent, urban fisheries are managed through regulations that specify the numbers, size and kinds of fish that can be taken. Urbanizing pressures on other animals is evidenced by the City Councils of Lino Lakes and Centerville moving quickly to protect the great blue heron nesting areas on Peltier Lake. The Councils acted (in 2002) by voting to establish a slow no -wake zone around the island, elocate water - skiers to the southern portion of the lake. To protect the rookery and the sensitive ecological zone on the north end of the lake, they passed joint ordinances creating a no -wake zone starting approximately 250 feet south of the island. The north end remains open to fishing, canoeing and slow -speed boating. It is hoped that this new buffer zone will protect the rookery from disruption and allow the herons to complete their nesting season.,The new ordinances will take effect this summer and will remain' in place through 2004. Goals & Policies Goal: Prioritize the important natural resources of the City and to preserve key components and characteristics of the terrestrial and aquatic communities necessary for basic ecosystem function. Policy: Manage water resources in a manner consistent with the need to maintain a diversity of plant and animal species. Policy: Assess and monitor colonization and continued distribution of harmful exotic species within City lakes and wetlands. Policy: Maintain riparian buffers along waterways within the City. Policy: Encourage orderly development of shoreline areas around lakes. Comp Plan Goal: Identify, protect and preserve the desirable natural areas and ecological and aquatic resources of the community. City of Lino Lakes SWMP j October 201: ! 8 • { Formatted: Highlight { Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Highlight • •