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Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 <br /> October 9,2019 <br /> 7. Action Items <br /> 7.1 WHHCA Dog Ordinance <br /> Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Stating that the Friends of the Mississippi River who <br /> authored the plan states that dogs are not mentioned in the Natural Resource Management <br /> Plan, although the Friends of the Mississippi River does not support dogs within WHHCA for <br /> ecological perspective. <br /> Chair Anderson stated he spoke with area wild life manager and Trust for Public Land staff <br /> and both support prohibiting dogs from WHHCA. <br /> Stewart Wilson, Chair of WHHCA planning committee, stated that the property was acquired <br /> with a grant from the State of Minnesota and as a part of that a hunting plan and restoration <br /> management plan had to be devised. The prime directive was for preservation of wildlife <br /> habitat. Wildlife management areas are sensitive to the use of dogs during hunting.Would like <br /> the commission to consider a special ordinance not allowing dogs. <br /> Chief Nierenhausen shared concerns that ordinances like this will be difficult to enforce, <br /> stating that rules are only good when you have some type of mechanism to enforce them. <br /> Police department does not have the staff resources and time to go out and enforce 111 <br /> prohibiting dogs from the property. <br /> Chair Anderson stated that the funding dollars came with restrictions for what the property <br /> can be used for which included hunting. <br /> Chief Nierenhausen asked the commission to think about how feasible an ordinance will be to <br /> enforce when making the decision. <br /> Trent Seamans,DNR Conservation officer for the area, shared that the state does not have <br /> any authority to enforce prohibiting dogs in the WHHCA. He can only enforce state laws;if <br /> rules are posted on a sign he can educate people about it but cannot cite people. However,he <br /> supports prohibiting recreational dog walking in WHHCA. <br /> Mr. Hecker asked if there are complaints coming into the police department. <br /> Chief Nierenhausen stated minimal issues with the property. <br /> Chief Nierenhausen recommended doing public education to get the word out about <br /> prohibiting dogs due to hunting would be better before creating an ordinance. <br /> Chair Anderson stated that we can go on a promotional campaign. <br /> i1rErE1 • <br /> INATUREl <br />