Recently I attended the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Summit in Detroit Lakes with several other legislators. Some of our Minnesota lakes are becoming infested with Zebra Mussels and Asian Carp. These types of AIS are a major problem for our lakes. There were about 400 concerned citizens at the summit and we discussed ways that we can combat this problem, and make sure that our lakes remain clean and enjoyable for everyone.
At a recent Kandiyohi County commissioners meeting we also discussed AIS. Some ideas to combat AIS is to educate boaters on the effects of carrying AIS from one lake to another. Boaters need to make sure their boats are clean and drain boat plugs before moving to another lake. Ideas of raising money to help prevent the spread were also raised at the meeting. Some suggested a small surcharge on boats or an increased fee for fishing licenses.
We are also looking into acquiring some funding from the Legacy fund to stop the spread of AIS. As we move forward into the 2012 session, this will be a priority for me, and I will keep you updated as more information becomes available on what can be done to protect our lakes. The lakes of Minnesota are our heritage and have provided enjoyment to Minnesotans for generations. I promise to continue working hard at the legislature to ensure that our lakes remain clean.
Please consider legislation for the DNR and/or Sheriffs to certify volunteer boat inspectors on any lake or waterway in Minnesota. The U.S. Coast Guard has used volunteers they train in this way for years. The advantage is making the solutions more local and little or no cost.
They need to have the following legislated powers:
1. Power to deny a infested boat to launch
2. Power to require a decontamination before launching
3. Power to request law enforcement to step in with unccoperative boaters or lake users.
A serious move should be made to close “clean” lakes to off-lake boats – especially land locked lakes. All the sport fishing and DNR watercraft are the boats most likely to transport invasive species.
People can rent boats to fish or to study, it is more economical on many levels.
Thank you for your support and efforts to protect our most valuable resource.
I agree with Dennis Peterson. The best way to get people’s attention is to raise the monetary punishment for the offenders. Sad but true.Thanks for your support on this issue. It is soooo important for our county and our lakes.
I agree with Craig Lewis except for the need for a law and expensive enforcement costs to make his plan work.
I think trained volunteers on a critical time schedule could be available on Eagle Lake to monitor and educate boaters at our single access to decontaminate their boats before entering our lake and again when coming out before leaving our public access area. Signs and training by DNR/Sheriffs would be required.
Most boaters would be happy to decontaminate if they know how and have the equipment.
Decontamination equipment costs and maintenance would be costly, and DNR assistance would be important and neccessary .
I think some may have misunderstood my comment. I am not suggesting incurring MORE costs, but rather FEWER costs by using volunteer inspectors. As for the need for a law, I believe that a law is needed if you want volunteers legally authorized to perform such inspection duties and make it possible for them to obtain law enforcement’s assistance if needed. You can’t do inspections without some degree of authorization from some governmental level.
Those who think every boater will cooperatively go along with a volunteers recommendation or suggestion, are wearing rose colored glasses. We have sportsman who think they have the RIGHT to do anything they want to do regardless of who says they cannot. I know this from years in the Coast Guard work, they dont even respect acknowledged authority sometimes.
I want to thank all of you for your suggestions and we are talking about many of the ideas you have brought up. I have talked with Chair Urdahl from the Legacy Committee to see if we can get more funds to help in our fight and I will continue to work with Chair McNamara of the Environment Committee as well as we introduce legislation to address this issue. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or ideas.