Ash Lake motorized watercraft restriction to be discussed Sept. 14

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Ash Lake motorized watercraft restriction to be discussed Sept. 14
(Released August 2, 2010)


Those interested in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) proposal to disallow motorized watercraft on Ash Lake in Grant County can attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Wendell Community Hall, 590 State Highway 55, in Wendell.

The proposed restriction, which includes all electric motors, is intended to protect the enhanced aquatic plant community from the physical disturbances associated with motorized boat traffic.

Ash Lake was designated a wildlife management lake in 1983. The designation gives the DNR authority to restrict the use of motorized watercraft as a tool to improve and enhance wildlife habitat.

Emergent vegetation provides cover and nesting habitat for waterfowl as well as other non-game species of birds. Submerged aquatic plants provide a direct food source for waterfowl and also provide habitat for invertebrates that are an important source of protein for migrating waterfowl.

The proposed motor restriction is also intended to protect breeding waterfowl and their broods, and to minimize disturbances to feeding and resting wildlife during spring and fall migration.

The DNR, in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited, recently installed a permanent pump near Ash Lake’s outlet. This water level management tool, coupled with the proposed restriction on motorized watercraft, is key to improving waterfowl habitat and water quality by encouraging the growth of aquatic vegetation.

Written comments on the proposal will be accepted until Thursday, Oct. 14. Comments may be submitted to Kevin Kotts, area wildlife supervisor, at kevin.kotts@state.mn.us , or to Todd Call, wildlife lakes specialist, at todd.call@state.mn.us Both are located at the Glenwood Area Wildlife Office at 23070 N. Lakeshore Drive, Glenwood, MN 56334. Those who wish to provide comments by phone may call 320-634-0342.

The revised lake management plan for Ash Lake is available for review at the Glenwood Area Wildlife Office.