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I requiring edge forest habitat. Forests also contribute to natural beauty and provide a buffer to development by
<br /> 2 reducing air and noise pollution, screening bright lights, stopping soil erosion, intercepting stormwater, and
<br /> 3 providing shade and wind protection..
<br /> 4 Most forested land in Pequot Lakes is privately owned,with nearly 800 acres owned by the Potlatch Company.
<br /> 5 Potlatch leases much of its land to private individuals and entities for hunting and other low-impact recreational
<br /> 6 uses.Although it continues to manage its land for timber,Potlatch is trying to sell the land it owns within Pequot
<br /> 7 Lakes. Nearly 23 percent of forest land in Pequot Lakes is owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of
<br /> 8 Natural Resources,while 14 percent is owned by Crow Wing County, and eight percent is owned by the United
<br /> 9 States Bureau of Land Management.Pequot Lakes can work to acquire and better manage its remaining forests by
<br /> 10 collaborating with private and public land owners.
<br /> 11 WATER RESOURCES
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<br /> 12 Part of Minnesota's "Northern Lakes and Forests Eco-region", Pequot Lakes is home to a number of lakes
<br /> 13 including Sibley,Mayo,West Twin,East Twin,a small part of Lower Cullen,Middle Cullen,a small portion of Upper
<br /> 14 Cullen, Cloverleaf, Rice, and Lund. These lakes provide residents with breathtaking scenery, good fishing, and a
<br /> 15 host of other recreational opportunities.Although the depth and size of these lakes vary,the general water quality
<br /> 16 in most lakes is below average for the region and nearly all are reaching the eutrophic stage. Several lakes -
<br /> 17 including Sibley,Mayo,and Rice lakes-exhibit high phosphorous levels and poor water clarity.
<br /> 18 The Pequot Lakes central business district lies completely within the Sibley Lake watershed. Storm water runoff
<br /> 19 from impervious surface in this downtown area—including roads, roof tops, and parking lots- likely contribute
<br /> 20 significantly to this problem in Sibley Lake. Phosphorous, once a common component of fertilizers, also poses a
<br /> 21 threat to the future health of lakes,especially to shallow wetland lakes such as Lund and Rice lakes,as well as lakes
<br /> 22 cleared of the natural lakeshore vegetation that acts as a filter. Phosphorous is naturally occurring in the
<br /> 23 environment,but care must be taken not to dramatically increase the phosphorous load in area lakes.High levels
<br /> 24 of phosphorous lead to increased algae and weeds and decreased oxygen and clarity over time.Most lakes feature
<br /> 25 diverse aquatic vegetation and fish populations.
<br /> `.16 All land use activities occurring within local watersheds impact area lakes.Specific activities that threaten area
<br /> 27 lakes include lakeshore development, rip-rap and other harmful landscaping practices, faulty septic systems,
<br /> 28 fertilizers, increased impervious surface,soil compaction, and the removal of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation.
<br /> 29 Nearly 83 percent of lakeshore property in Pequot Lakes is developed,contributing significantly to these problems.
<br /> 30 A 2003 study by Bemidji State University has shown that lakes with higher water quality boost lakeshore property
<br /> 31 values. To ensure lake water quality and the natural beauty of lake shorelines, the City of Pequot Lakes must
<br /> 32 protect shorelines with natural buffers and encourage responsible future development that won't damage lake
<br /> 33 health or appearance,and promote better alternatives for drainage,retaining stormwater runoff,and building and
<br /> 34 landscaping practices throughout the entire watershed.
<br /> 35 Wetlands and streams perform invaluable functions in watershed health, providing habitat for a diversity of rare
<br /> 36 wildlife and fish species, controlling erosion and slowing surface run-off, filtering pollutants and sediments,
<br /> 37 allowing for groundwater recharge and discharge, minimizing flood damage, and providing opportunities for
<br /> 38 recreation,economic development,and education.Nearly 52 percent of Minnesota's wetlands have been filled in
<br /> 39 for development(mostly in the western part of the state),which places increased pressure on existing wetlands.
<br /> 40 Today, Pequot Lakes contains over 500 acres of wetlands,most of which are located around lakes.The wetlands
<br /> DRAFT-November 2010 25 1 P a g e
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