2002-03-13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1'. Glenn Fuchs 7124 Progress Rd, Apt 2 Centerville, MN 55038 ;.,~ Dear Mayor Swedberg and Council Members I am writing this letter as a citizen concerned about the activities around the island on Peltier Lake. The main activity that concerns me is the use of a water ski course that is set up just off the north end of the island and its impact of the birds which nest on the island. The island is the location of one of only four multi-species rookeries in the seven County Metro region. The birds that utilize the rookery include Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and other shore birds. The island is also home for one pair of Bald Eagles who have already shown some activity around their nest this year. Studies by the University of Michigan, the Texas Dept. of Parks and Wildlife, the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection for the province of British Columbia, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Dept., and others have concluded that human disturbance is the primary cause for nest abandonment for these birds, especially Great Blue Herons. Nest abandonment can have a major impact on a population of birds. Using conservative estimates (400 nests, 4 eggs/nest with 113 of the young surviving to adulthood) the number of young birds left to die in the nests each year is::: 480 birds. By my observations the nests have been abandoned at least the last two years. This means the population has suffered a potential loss of recruitment of over 900 birds. This can be devastating to a population, as young birds are not replacing the birds that are lost to adult mortality. This, in effect, makes the rookery a population sink instead of its normal function as a population source. Being located in the shallow part of the lake, the ski course has another major impact on the lake. Bottom sediments are disturbed which frees the nutrients that were locked up in the sediments. These nutrients, especially phosphorus, are then made available to algae and this results in an algal bloom. These blooms not only degrade the aesthetics of a lake, they also make it more difficult for the wildlife that are sight feeders to find food in the water. Wildlife that may be hindered by poor water quality includes many species of fish, birds, and reptiles. I can think of several solutions to the problem. One solution would be to move the course to the area to the south of the island. This area has deeper water and is farther from the north side of the island where the greatest nesting activity is located. Another solution would be to move the course to Centerville Lake. This lake already has an area dedicated to a water ski dub and the addition of a course there could expand and enhance their use of that area. Another option would be for the advocates of the ski course to use the course I understand to be in place on Rondeau Lake. Given the impact the ski course has, in its present location, on the natural resources and the water quality of Peltier Lake, along with the alternatives that are available to us, I expect there will be a solution that can be worked out that will be equitable to ALL the users of the lake, including the wildlife. Thanks for taking the time to listen to some of my concerns on this issue. I am looking forward to being a part of the council meetings that will be addressing this issue and its impact on our quality oflife. Sincerely, _ /l;L4~L Glenn Fuchs