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10 City ofCenterville February 13, 2002 Council Minutes IV. APPEARANCES/A WARDS 1. Mr. Wayne LaBlanc (Great Blue Heron Rookery - Peltier Lake) Mr. Wayne LaBlanc of 1677 Peltier Lake Drive showed a drawing of Peltier Lake and pointed out the large island within the lake that contains the great blue heron rookery. He then indicated that approximately 800 birds congregate on the north end of the island to nest. He also noted that the north end of the Jake has no development and is quiet and sballow with a lot of aquatic plants making a nice environment for the herons. Mr. LaBlanc explained that in 1998 a party obtained a slalom water skiing course permit and, at the end of that year, the bird population was down. He then indicated that a meeting took place to discuss the steps necessary to protect the rookery. He also indicated that in 2000 there was another big fiillure at the rookery and most of the chicks died. He then commented that no one is sure if it was the road construction in the area or the water skiing that caused the problem. Mr. LaBlanc indicated that in 2001 the same two people set up the water skiing course but rigged it so that it would sink and could not be seen. He then noted that the DNR bas been watching the area. Council Member Capra asked if the DNR manages the rookery. Mr. LaBlanc explained that Anoka County Parks has a naturalist who watches the rookery along with a DNR person who is assigned to monitor the rookery. Council Member Capra asked if all of the area around the northern part of the Jake belonged to the Anoka County park system. Mr. LaBlanc indicated that most of the area belonged to Anoka County. Mr. LaBlanc indicated the group of people that bad gotten together to discuss the status of the rookery have recommended putting forth a local ordinance to institute a no wake zone north of a certain line in Peltier Lake. He then indicated that there is some urgency with this matter because as soon as the ice is out water skiing could begin. He further indicated that they would be before Lino Lakes Council with the same ordinance as a Joint Powers Agreement is needed between Centerville and Lino Lakes because some of the Jake is in Lino Lakes. Mr. LaBlanc indicated that the no wake zone would be located just south of the island but that does not eliminate motors and would allow people to fish in there. He further clarified that the intent of the ordinance is to eliminate high speed boating and protect the rookery and the sensitive environment around the north end of the island. Ms. Joan Galley, the DNR's regional non-game wildlife specialist for the seven county metro area, indicated she lives in Arden Hills but comes out to Centerville to watch birds because Centerville bas some very special resources. She indicated herons and egrets are different from backyard birds because they nest all together in a group or colony and that Page 2 of25