Save Lower Lake's Wildlife - Call to Action

Cleveland OH

Description

As many of you know, Lower Shaker Lake is a treasured gem and is an oasis for our citizens. However, the continual draining of the lake coupled with the lack of native fish species have resulted in a dramatic loss of native turtles, waterfowl, and other wildlife over the last several years. With the lake currently drained and all or most of the invasive carp gone, NOW is the time to introduce native fish species into Lower Shaker Lake to bring back our wildlife. Why? Because native predatory fish (e.g., bass, bluegill, channel catfish) would eliminate any remaining carp and prevent another carp invasion. Since carp root up native plants with their feeding habits, the carp destroy habitat for turtles, amphibians, waterfowl, and other fish, and the water is depleted of oxygen. The bottom line is that if we introduce native predatory fish, the carp will be gone, native plants and other aquatic organisms will return, and we will have our turtles, waterfowl, and maybe even our bald eagles back! So how do we do this? The Ohio Department of Natural Resources WANTS to stock native, beneficial fish species in Lower Shaker Lake, and Shaker Heights wants this as well, BUT Cleveland Heights is the only entity standing in the way. What would Cleveland Heights need to do? Simply agree to allow fishing on the Cleveland Heights side of the lake. That's all! If Cleveland Heights agrees to allow fishing, the ODNR will stock the lake with native fish. Don't like fishing at Shaker Lakes? It's already allowed on the Shaker Heights side, and Cleveland Heights de-facto allows fishing anyway. Even if you disagree with fishing at Lower Lake, realize that the introduction of native fish species will have a bottom-up effect that will improve the ecology of the lake and bring back wildlife. So what can you do to help our wildlife at Lower Shaker Lake? MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD! Use the form below to tell Cleveland Heights that we want them to open fishing, which will bring our wildlife back through native fish stocking: https://www.clevelandheights.com/1336/Public-Comment-Form Lower Lake is soon to be dead and lifeless--don't let this happen! The ODNR wants to help, but Cleveland Heights has the ODNR's hands tied behind their back. Tell Cleveland Heights to open up fishing! Help bring our wildlife back! FAQ: Q: Isn't Lower Lake polluted and dirty? A: Studies have shown that Lower Lake has decent water quality--at least good enough for a population of native fish, reptiles, and amphibians (source: Doan Brook Handbook). Q: I thought there was no fishing in Lower Lake? A: Shaker Heights officially allows fishing, and Cleveland Heights informally does. The fishing ban was years ago and is long over. Q: Why can't private citizens or Shaker Heights just stock the lake? A: Lower Lake is jointly managed by Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights. Since Cleveland Heights does not allow fishing, the ODNR will not allow anyone to stock fish. Q: I like feeding the carp; why are they such a problem? A: They are a hardy, destructive invasive species that severely degrades the water quality and habitat at Lower Lake. They prevent native species from establishing and/or thriving. Q: Why can't the ODNR just stock the lake anyway? A: Both Shaker and Cleveland Heights need to agree to allow fishing, then the state can manage the water (which means they would stock it with native fish). However, Cleveland Heights does not want to make such an agreement (Shaker Heights does). Q: Why is the only way to bring back wildlife by stocking native fish? A: The carp eat all the aquatic vegetation, which means painted turtles have less to eat, and frogs have no habitat in which to breed and live. Furthermore, all the little micro-critters that support wildlife likewise have no habitat and food due to the carp. And since the carp disturb the lake bottom, no new plants can grow, and the water becomes cloudy and unsuitable to other fish. In short, the carp have a domino effect of driving out native reptiles, amphibians, fish, and waterfowl through their feeding habits. The way to reverse this is by stocking native fish, which will support other wildlife while at the same time removing the carp. This is also posted on Nextdoor. Consider visiting that thread and posting your support!