2002-02-13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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In the spring of 1999, I was canoeing around the island when I discovered a float just under the surface. I pulled it up and saw it appeared to be part of the slalom water-ski course from 1998. I looked around and saw another, then another. That's when I stopped looking. I don't know how many more were there. Permits do not extend through the winter. All material must be removed from the lake. In August of2001, I watched them take down their course in the main part of the lake in the evening. In every case I observed, they only removed the top float. They left all the other apparatus in the water overnight (which is illegal without a permit, but perhaps they had a permit). They set their course up in the only place where I have ever caught a walleye in the lake. With all kinds of lines, concrete blocks and who knows what down there, I wouldn't go fishing there. And even if they had a slalom water-ski course that sunk when not in use, there would be perhaps a 1,000 feet of hose, other lines and apparatus under water so you couldn't fish there. Estimated Slalom Water Ski Course Impacts On Peltier Lake SI.lom water ski CGurse size to scale I, I cours. I , 11~r~u:~unds Smallest version of official slalom water ski course about 2,300 x 400' North -t 1000 Feat ~ e , o u ~ e , o u There are alternatives for those who want a slalom water-ski course. Goose Lake, just south of White Bear Lake, has a permanent slalom water-ski course installation. 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 perhaps this club is also interested in a slalom water-ski course in the same rough area. Centerville Lake is much bigger in its usable area. 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. Details - Behavior Observed It may also serve some perspective to describe some observed behavior of the two individuals involved. One family is apparently quite insistent on their occupation of public waters. Perhaps they heard about my concern for the rookery. On July 10, I was visited by a husband and wife who rudely threatened me with a lawsuit saying I was somehow denying them the right of their disabled child to ski the slalom course, or something like that. They said the ADA was going to get me. They said they were going to sue the Peltier Lake Association for numerous offences. I said I wanted everything in writing. I never got anything. An attorney told me this is not an ADA issue. Regarding the other person, all the years he had his current boat on Peltier Lake, he apparently felt no need to license it. It wasn't until DNR and other vehicles started showing up that he finally got a license for his boat in July. I have seen him drive his boat right next to fishermen when the whole lake was clear. I was fishing once myself when he drove by within 50 feet pulling a skier. He happened to come back near us and my daughter called out to him, "Can't you see we're fishing here?" He said, "There aren't any fish there." I said, "No, not anymore." My opinion is that the behavior of these two individuals should not be rewarded by reserving 2,300 feet of 'eltier Lake for their private use. Strict enforcement of new clear regulations as described before are required to 'rotect the Heron rookery, the environment, and normal users ofthe lake.