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future development by promoting movement,reducing human wildlife conflict,and protecting
<br /> prime food sources, shelter and mating areas.
<br /> Forests and Vegetation
<br /> Prior to European settlement, Pequot Lakes was covered primarily by Jack pine barrens. The
<br /> expansion of railroads to the area resulted in heavy logging from 1870- 1920. (Map of Pre-
<br /> Settlement Vegetation) Today,nearly XX%of the land within Pequot Lakes is forested,
<br /> featuring stands of pines,spruce, fir, aspen,and mixed hardwoods of varying ages4. (Map of
<br /> forest species diversity from County Biological Survey) The diverse mix of tree,shrub,and
<br /> ground cover species provides habitat for species requiring core forest habitat and those
<br /> requiring edge forest habitat. (Map of Core and Edge Forest)(Sidebar explaining difference
<br /> between core and edge and listing species found in both) Forests also contribute to natural beauty
<br /> and provide a buffer to development by reducing air and noise pollution,screening bright lights,
<br /> stopping soil erosion,and providing shade and wind protection. Lastly,the forestry industry
<br /> contributes to the local economy, accounting for nearly half of all manufacturing jobs in Crow
<br /> Wing Count?.
<br /> Most forested land in Pequot Lakes is privately owned,with nearly XX acres owned by the
<br /> Potlatch Company,which in turn leases much of its land to private individuals and entities for
<br /> hunting and other low-impact recreational uses. Although Potlatch plans to continue managing
<br /> its land as timberland,the company hopes to lease more of its land in the future and would
<br /> consider leasing or selling property to public entities6. Nearly XX%of forests in Pequot Lakes
<br /> are owned and managed by the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,and
<br /> another XX%by Crow Wing County. (Map of Publicly Owned Property)While the City of
<br /> Pequot Lakes owns only XX%of forests, it can work to acquire and better manage its remaining
<br /> forests by collaborating with private and public land owners.
<br /> Lakes
<br /> Part of Minnesota's"Northern Lakes and Forests Eco-region"',Pequot Lakes is home to nine
<br /> lakes including Sibley,Mayo, West Twin, East Twin,Mid-Cullen,Upper Cullen, Cloverleaf,
<br /> Rice,and Lund. (Map of Lakes) These lakes provide residents with breathtaking scenery,good
<br /> fishing, and a host of other recreational opportunities.Although the depth and size of these lakes
<br /> vary,the water quality in all lakes is below average for the area and nearly all are reaching the
<br /> eut aphic stage 8. (Sidebar on Definitions of Oligotrophic,Mesotrophic,Eutrophic,and
<br /> Hypertrophic Lakes)Many lakes well below average exhibit high phosphorous levels.
<br /> Phosphorous, a common component of fertilizers,poses a serious threat to the future health of
<br /> lakes,especially in the absence of natural lakeshore vegetation that acts as a filter. Despite low
<br /> water quality,most lakes feature diverse aquatic vegetation and fish populations 9. Threats to the
<br /> future health of area lakes include overuse,lakeshore development,rip-rap and other harmful
<br /> landscaping practices, faulty septic systems, fertilizers,and increased run-off due to increased
<br /> 4 Pequot Lakes Forestry Area Five Year Forest Resources Plan 1999-2003
<br /> s Crow Wing County Comprehensive Plan, 1994
<br /> 6 According to Shawn Sonnarburg,Land Manager at Potlatch,2003
<br /> 7 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,2003
<br /> 8 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Lake Water Quality Database,2003
<br /> 9 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake Surveys,2003
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