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CORRESPONDENCE/MEMORANDUM State of Wisconsin DATE: January 24, 1998 FILE REF: TO: Brian Standing Dane County Planning & Development-Zoning FROM: Dave Marshall SCR Aquatic Biologist _',_ e----((t/ SUBJECT: K. Kearney - Fish Lake Development Proposal The Wisconsin Association of Lakes (WAL) has identified development as one of the most serious threats to lakes in the state. While the proposed development on the Kearney property clearly does not reflect the vision of the Fish Lake Management Plan, WDNR staff recognize that the township and county have the ultimate authority in land development decisions. In lieu of the January 23rd meeting which was scheduled to discuss issues surrounding the proposed development, I have identified two issues that the Department of Natural Resources will be directly involved with; stormwater management and the placement of piers. If the proposed development is approved or a significant portion of it, the Department will probably require permits for both stormwater and piers. Both of these issues will need to be addressed prior to construction. For stormwater, the WDNR contact is Environmental Engineer Bruce Moore (275-3205) and for piers and other structures placed below the high water mark, the WDNR contact is Water Regulation Specialist Ron Grasshoff (275-3228). For stormwater, Mr. Kearney will be encouraged and perhaps required to install construction erosion control measures and staged construction to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff into Fish Lake. Other measures would be needed to effectively manage stormwater after the construction phase, i.e. establishing a permanent riparian buffer zone. A riparian buffer zone would not only protect the lake from pollutants, but provide wildlife habitat and habitat for Eurasian watermilfoil eating weevils, improve lakeshore aesthetics and reduce shoreline maintenance. Construction of numerous piers and activities associated with piers, i.e. herbicide applications and manual aquatic plant removal, would fragment the littoral zone that fish populations, such as largemouth bass, depend on for food and reproduction. A pier permit may be required to prevent habitat fragmentation and destruction of "Sensitive Areas" identified during the Clean Lakes Study. Sensitive Areas include water lily beds found at both ends of the east shore along with other areas supporting significant stands of native aquatic plants. One or two common pier sites and a common swimming area could reduce habitat loss and protect the Sensitive Areas. cc Bruce Moore SCR, Ron Grasshoff SCR, Tom Bainbridge SCR