06.03 Comprehensive Plan Update - Laserfiche WebLink

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NATURAL RESOURCES INTENT Preserve and enhance the health,beauty and ecological function of the area's natural resources,including plant and animal species, wildlife, forests, lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater, soils and slopes, air and other environmental amenities. WILDLIFE AND RARE SPECIES Pequot Lakes is home to a diverse array of wildlife species.Future development may threaten these populations. Buffers around prime habitat and corridors linking habitat patches can safeguard wildlife from future development. FORESTS AND NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES At one point,Pequot Lakes was covered primarily by Red and White Pine.The expansion of railroads to the area resulted in heavy logging from 1870-1920.Today,approximately half of the land within Pequot Lakes is forested with deciduous and coniferous trees.As growth and the number of people increase,air,light and noise pollution could become greater problems. WATER RESOURCES � Part of Minnesota's "Northern Lakes and Forests Eco-region," Pequot Lakes is home to a number of lakes including Sibley,Mayo,West Twin,East Twin,a small portions of Lower Cullen,Middle Cullen,and Upper Cullen, as well as Natural Environment Lakes Cloverleaf,Rice,and Lund.These lakes provide residents with breathtaking scenery,good fishing,and a host of other recreationa�opportunities Phosphorous,once a common component of fertilizers, poses a threat to the future health of lakes.The major cause of elevated phosphorous levels in Sibley and Mayo Lakes is some shoreline runoff, but primarily runoff from the Mayo Creek watershed.Continuous efforts are underway to determine areas of erosion on the creek with restoration efforts ensuing.A large portion of the phosphorous is from sediment download from areas that are bare of vegetation. Efforts are also focused on reducing runoff from cattle operations through the use of buffer zones and best practices for ranching All land use activities occurring within local watersheds impact area lakes.Specific adivities that threaten area lakes include lakeshore development, rip-rap and other harmful landscaping practices, faulty septic systems, fertilizers,increased impervious surface,soil compaction,and the removal of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation. Minnesota's natural resources are threatened by a number of invasive species.Aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil inhabit a small percent of waters throughout the state.Boaters,anglers, lake associations,and local governments must continue to work to stop aquatic hitchhikers and protect our water resources. Wetlands and streams perform invaluable functions in watershed health,providing habitat for a diversity of rare wildlife and fish species,controlling erosion and slowing surFace run-off,filtering pollutants and Comprehensive Plan Update-November 2018 18 � P a g e