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SUSAN WILSON 325 South Brown Road Long Lake, Minnesota 55356 (612) 473-9113 September 19, 2002 Steve and I have received the notice of construction of a tennis court/hockey rink and perhaps pool at the DeVries home which is directly behind us-across Long Lake Creek. I called Gale De Vries and talked to her about it as we sold them the lot that is part of the plan. I told Gale that we have two concerns. The first is that the Long Lake Creek watershed area which includes the wetlands is very important in this area. It holds lots of wildlife - the wooducks and mallards nest there as will as Blue Herons and Egrets. We have deer and coyote and all the smaller mammals and many songbirds. It is the main reason people like to live along here, and I hope that whatever construction is done it will be well within all of Orono's wetland ordinances. The second concern is the lighting of this sports area. We look right over the wetland and creek. Our house is positioned to take advantage of it. Extra nighttime lights would be a huge detriment not only to our wildlife but also to the serenity and quiet of our view from our living room and bedroom. I think lit hockey rinks belong in park areas and have encouraged Orono to consider one at the Golf Course area. The peacefulness of this area would be ruined by a lit rink. · Thanks for considering our issues. I guess the Wilsons are the most impacted by this plan. There is an area at the end of the Abingdon Way cul de sac that is higher and farther removed from the creek and wetland area that would be better for a court as you wouldn't have to alter the land area as much. However I still think the lights would be a bad idea for all neighbors in the area. Susan and Steve Wilson