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Resolution passed by Association on July 11, 2009

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources has expressed an objective to create a public boat access on  Big and/or Little (Smith) Pequaywan Lakes;

WHEREAS, the Pequaywan Lakes are currently two of the most pristine lakes in the state and are
currently free of invasive species;

WHEREAS, the Pequaywan Lakes Association is dedicated to preserving the water quality and the aquatic ecosystems of both Big and Little Pequaywan lakes and has been developing programs to that end;

WHEREAS, such a public boat access would cause irreversible harm to the aquatic ecosystem of  the Pequaywan Lakes, and the lakes and waters downstream from it, by the introduction of aquatic exotic invasive species such as Eurasian Ruffe, Round Goby, Eurasian Water Milfoil, Zebra Mussels, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Chinese Mystery Snails, Banded Mystery Snails, and Spiny Water fleas from boaters putting their boats in the lake at the public access, particularly since these invasives are in area lakes and it is likely these boaters will have visited these lakes;

WHEREAS, area lakes that have a public access have seen a dramatic increase in these aquatic exotic invasive species since the DNR has not demonstrated the ability to prevent the public from transporting invasive species and introducing them into previously “clean” lakes;

WHEREAS,  property owners on the Big and Little Pequaywan Lakes are strongly against such a public access due to the negative impact such a access will have on the water quality of our lakes and undermine the Lake Association’s efforts to keep aquatic invasive species out of the lake;

WHEREAS, there is not a compelling need for such a public boat access as there are currently many public boat accesses available to the public within 30 miles of Pequaywan Lakes including some that are not being maintained;

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, due to the environmental, economical, safety and quality of life issues that will be negatively impacted by the location of such a public boat access, the Pequaywan Lakes Association strongly requests that the DNR drop its plan for a public boat access on Pequaywan Lake.

Pequaywan Township Resolution
Passed Aug. 11, 2009

WHEREAS, Pequaywan Township has two of the most pristine Lakes in Northern Minnesota;

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources has expressed an objective to create a public boat access on Big and/or Little (Smith) Pequaywan Lake;

WHEREAS, there are no known sub-surface exotic species in these lakes;

WHEREAS, this condition exist because of the lack of a public access;

WHEREAS, Pike Lake, in Canosia Township, has an infestation of Zebra Mussels and Chinese Mystery Snails;

WHEREAS, Caribou Lake has an infestation of Banded Snails, these snails are also the possible cause of the duck kill on Lake Winnibigoshish;

WHEREAS, St. Louis Bay is infested with Zebra Mussels and other exotic species;

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources does not have the ability to eliminate or control the invasive species;

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources has a primary mission of preserving the natural environment but has not demonstrated the desire to fully follow that mission;

“Our mission is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.”

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources does not enforce the restrictions on the transporting of exotic species nor do they have the manpower to do the enforcement;

WHEREAS, area lakes that have a public access have seen a dramatic increase in these aquatic exotic invasive species;

WHEREAS, the fishery in these lakes are in excellent balance without the management of the State Department of Natural Resources;

WHEREAS, the majority of the residents and property owners have done an excellent job of caring for the lakes without outside interference;

THEREFORE, be it resolved, that Pequaywan Township requests, that the Department of Natural Resources ceases its efforts to install public access boat ramps on any lakes within Pequaywan Township or within the State of Minnesota until such time as the Department can demonstrate the ability to eliminate or completely control any and all invasive species.