01/30/2002 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Estimated Slalom Water Ski Course Impacts On Peltier Lake Slalom water ski course size to scale 150' buffer 2 tum arounds course I Smallest version of official slalom water ski course 2,320' x 449' (largest is about 2,580' x 8 1000 Feet The geography of Peltier Lake does not allow for easy placement of a course without severely hampering other users of the lake. People tend to fish in a trolling circle around the lake south of the island right through the areas where the two vertical courses are shown. With a slalom water -ski course on either the east or west sides of the lake, the fishing area is essentially reduced by almost half. Because Peltier Lake is long and narrow instead of circular, the placement of a slalom water ski course anywhere dramatically affects the ability of others to use the lake. There is no reason tiny Peltier Lake should dedicate a third of its usable surface area to such a resource hogging specialized activity. There are alternatives for those who want a slalom water -ski course. Just across the road, on adjacent Centerville Lake, there is a water ski club that performs at least weekly. They already regularly obtain a permit for a water ski jump and it seems likely that something could be set up with this club to provide a slalom water -ski course in the same rough area. Centerville Lake is much bigger in its usable area. As another alternative, Goose Lake, just south of White Bear Lake, has a permanent slalom water -ski course installation. As boating pressures continue to increase in the future, it will be even more important to be careful that everyone has equal access to lake resources. Not permitting slalom water -ski courses just ensures that everyone can fish, boat, and water ski with equal access to the Peltier Lake resource. It also helps ensure protection of the rookery. Conclusion I'd like to see Peltier Lake given back to Black - crowned Night Herons, the Great Egrets, and Great Blue Herons. I'd like to see that fishermen, simple water skiers, sailors, canoeists, and other boaters have equal access to the Peltier Lake resource. The resources of Peltier Lake need formal protection. This is a unique situation with its rookery and relatively small size and requires unique regulation. The impact of a fishing boat or even a single water ski boat with skier is negligible compared with the 25 acre monster foot print of a 2,320 foot by 448 foot slalom water -ski course. See again the four points listed under "A Soulution" above. Thank you. Wayne LeBlanc