2002-03-13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

" Peltier Lake Natural Resource Management and Protection Recommendations The following factors were considered when developing the proposed surface use ordinance of a slow, no-wake zone in the north portion of Peltier Lake and surrounding the island: Unique biologv of herons and egrets and regional significance of the Peltier Island heronrv . herons and egrets are unusual in their breeding behavior - in order to nest successfuHy, they need the company of others of their kind, therefore they nest together in large groups in an area called a rookery. . these rookeries must be free from human disturbance and situated in places where there are large trees, preferable close to shallow water feeding areas. As we have developed our lake shores in the Twin Cities area, many areas are no longer suitable for heron nesting and feeding areas. The north arm of Peltier Lake is one of the few natural and undeveloped shorelines remaining in the metro area. . there are only 9 heron and egret rookeries (nest areas) in the 7 county Twin Cities area . Peltier rookery is the second largest in the metro area & the only one in Anoka County . many of the great blue herons which nest in the rookery feed along the shore and shallow water areas of Peltier Lake, particularly in the north arm, as do other waterbirds and waterfowl. . the herons and egrets that nest at Peltier Lake may also fly up to 20 miles away to feed in ponds, marshes, and along lake shores. Therefore, all the herons and egrets that citizens see in their backyards in Anoka and Washington Counties are mostly likely nesting in this one colony. Points of importance regarding the other natural resources of the lake and their protection needs A buffer zone to protect the rookery and the shallow north arm ofthe lake from human disturbance including no-wake boating is needed because: . such buffers are a standard protection strategy recommended by many scientists and managers to reduce potential disturbance around nest areas . other disturbance factors (for example - float planes, helicopter flights and fire fighting) have been/are being addressed but the colony failed in 200 I despite attempts to control other disturbances . no-wake boating is recommended for other considerations applicable on this lake which protect the entire lake ecosystem. Such considerations include reducing shoreline erosion, protection of aquatic vegetation and fish spawning areas and other wildlife habitat, reducing sediment resuspension and consequently nutrients that may cause algae blooms and other water quality and clarity problems, . shallow feeding areas along the shore utilized by the herons remain clear and undisturbed for foraging by these birds - the less distance the birds have to fly to find food, the more successfully they can be in raising their young Consequences of the no-wake zone to boaters on Peltier Lake . the no-wake zone is only proposed for the shallow, north portion of the lake, therefore all current recreational activity is still allowed on the deeper south end of the lake fishing is not restricted in the north arm, only a slower speed of travel is necessary to reach those portions of the lake, prepared by Joan Galli, Nongame Wildlife Specialist, MN. DNR, Nongame Wildlife Program 3/6/02