|
1 reducing air and noise pollution, screening bright lights, stopping soil erosion, intercepting stormwater, and
<br /> 2 providing shade and wind protection..
<br /> 3 Most forested land in Pequot Lakes is privately owned, with nearly 800 acres owned by the Potlatch Company.
<br /> 4 Potlatch leases much of its land to private individuals and entities for hunting and other low-impact recreational
<br /> 5 uses.Although it continues to manage its land for timber, Potlatch is trying to sell the land it owns within Pequot
<br /> 6 Lakes. Nearly 23 percent of forest land in Pequot Lakes is owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of
<br /> 7 Natural Resources, while 14 percent is owned by Crow Wing County, and eight percent is owned by the United
<br /> 8 States Bureau of Land Management. Pequot Lakes can work to acquire and better manage its remaining forests by
<br /> 9 collaborating with private and public land owners.
<br /> 10 WATER RESOURCES
<br /> 6
<br /> 11 Part of Minnesota's "Northern Lakes and Forests Eco-region" , Pequot Lakes is home to a number of lakes
<br /> 12 including Sibley, Mayo,West Twin, East Twin,a small part of Lower Cullen, Middle Cullen,a small portion of Upper
<br /> 13 Cullen, Cloverleaf, Rice, and Lund. These lakes provide residents with breathtaking scenery, good fishing, and a
<br /> 14 host of other recreational opportunities.Although the depth and size of these lakes vary,the general water quality
<br /> 15 in most lakes is below average for the region and nearly all are reaching the eutrophic stage. Several lakes -
<br /> 16 including Sibley, Mayo,and Rice lakes-exhibit high phosphorous levels and poor water clarity.
<br /> 17 The Pequot Lakes central business district lies completely within the Sibley Lake watershed. Storm water runoff
<br /> 18 from impervious surface in this downtown area— including roads, roof tops, and parking lots - likely contribute
<br /> 19 significantly to this problem in Sibley Lake. Phosphorous, once a common component of fertilizers, also poses a
<br /> 20 threat to the future health of lakes,especially to shallow wetland lakes such as Lund and Rice lakes,as well as lakes
<br /> 21 cleared of the natural lakeshore vegetation that acts as a filter. Phosphorous is naturally occurring in the
<br /> 22 environment, but care must be taken not to dramatically increase the phosphorous load in area lakes. High levels
<br /> 23 of phosphorous lead to increased algae and weeds and decreased oxygen and clarity over time. Most lakes feature
<br /> 24 diverse aquatic vegetation and fish populations.
<br /> 25 All land use activities occurring within local watersheds impact area lakes. Specific activities that threaten area
<br /> 26 lakes include lakeshore development, rip-rap and other harmful landscaping practices, faulty septic systems,
<br /> 27 fertilizers, increased impervious surface, soil compaction, and the removal of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation.
<br /> 28 Nearly 83 percent of lakeshore property in Pequot Lakes is developed,contributing significantly to these problems.
<br /> 29 A 2003 study by Bemidji State University has shown that lakes with higher water quality boost lakeshore property
<br /> 30 values. To ensure lake water quality and the natural beauty of lake shorelines, the City of Pequot Lakes must
<br /> 31 protect shorelines with natural buffers and encourage responsible future development that won't damage lake
<br /> 32 health or appearance,and promote better alternatives for drainage,retaining stormwater runoff,and building and
<br /> 33 landscaping practices throughout the entire watershed.
<br /> 34 Wetlands and streams perform invaluable functions in watershed health, providing habitat for a diversity of rare
<br /> 35 wildlife and fish species, controlling erosion and slowing surface run-off, filtering pollutants and sediments,
<br /> 36 allowing for groundwater recharge and discharge, minimizing flood damage, and providing opportunities for
<br /> 37 recreation, economic development, and education. Nearly 52 percent of Minnesota's wetlands have been filled in
<br /> 38 for development(mostly in the western part of the state), which places increased pressure on existing wetlands.
<br /> 39 Today, Pequot Lakes contains over 500 acres of wetlands, most of which are located around lakes.The wetlands
<br /> 40 vary from inland swamps and herbaceous wetlands to open ponds. Because of their contribution to environmental
<br /> DRAFT—April 2011 30 I P a g e
<br />
|