DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 18, 2009
Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Nicole Hansel-Welch, shallow lakes program supervisor, 218-833-8626.
DNR to hold public hearing on Lake Anka management June 30
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing on a proposal to formally designate Lake Anka in Douglas County for wildlife management.
The hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at the Lund Township Hall, 17443 Lake View Ave. NW, Evansville.
Lake Anka, located just north of Melby, is a 208-acre shallow lake basin that has long been considered an important waterfowl migration lake, as has the adjacent Lake Christina. The two lakes are connected and have been managed together for decades. This designation would be part of a larger project to continue to improve Lake Christina (which was designated a wildlife lake in 1984) for waterfowl migration habitat using water level management.
Designating Lake Anka as a wildlife lake would give the DNR the authority to conduct periodic drawdowns in conjunction with the management of Lake Christina. Drawdowns are done to reduce numbers of rough fish and to facilitate wildlife habitat improvements, including enhancing water clarity and the re-establishing aquatic vegetation.
Those who wish to comment on the proposal may do so at the public hearing. Written comments may be submitted to Thomas Carlson, waterfowl habitat specialist, Fergus Falls Area DNR Office, 1509 1st Ave. North, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, or to Thomas.Carlson@dnr.state.mn.us. The deadline for written comments is 4:30 p.m. on July 31.
-30-