Expect to be Checked, Cited for Aquatic Invasive Species Violations

Department of Natural Resources will be out in full force this weekend.

Anglers and boaters can expect stepped-up patrols and citations for violating the state's aquatic invasive species (AIS) laws, according to Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Enforcement Division assistant director. "We are setting the expectation of the angling and boating public that they will follow the laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, that they will be checked for AIS violations, and that they will cited if a violation is found," Smith said. The increased patrols will begin with the walleye opener on Saturday and continue through the Memorial Day weekend and into the summer. Minnesota law prohibits the possession or transport of any AIS in Minnesota. Conservation officers and peace …

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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Expands War on Invasive Species

Anticipated 2013 activities include more monitoring and inspections on Lake Minnetonka and surrounding bodies of water.

With ice now officially out on Lake Minnetonka, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is preparing for the fishing opener and is working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area lakes and streams this season.  Early detection of potential new infestations is a key element of the district’s AIS prevention and management program for 2013. As part of that work, it’s broadening its monitoring of district lakes that are not yet infested with zebra mussels. Spotting an AIS infestation early increases the ability to contain it and prevent it from disrupting an entire water body’s ecosystem. Related posts: Among the plans for this season are installing zebra mussel monitoring devices in many lakes within the district…

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Watershed District Seeks Volunteers to Help Spot New Invasive Species Infestations

Training session planned May 14 in Hopkins will train residents interested in participating in Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's volunteer monitoring program.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is preparing for the open water season and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the area's lakes and streams. A key component of the MCWD's 2013 AIS prevention and management program is early detection of any potential new infestations, and the watershed district is expanding its monitoring of non-zebra mussel infested waters—and creating a volunteer monitoring program to help spot new infestations. A training session for residents interested in participating in the district’s volunteer monitoring program will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins.  In addition to training citizen monitors, the MCWD’s other early detection …

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Lake Service Providers Required to Take Aquatic Invasive Species Training

Service providers doing business in the Lake Minnetonka area must complete aquatic invasive species training before being able to legally work this season.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering aquatic invasive species (AIS) training to owners of lake service provider businesses in Minnesota so they can legally work in the state’s waters.  For lake service providers that don’t already have permits, the DNR is offering a number of training sessions in the next several months. The schedule is available at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/permits/lsp/lsp-ais-training.pdf. Businesses are legally required attend AIS training and acquire a permit before being hired to place or remove water-related equipment from state waters. The law, passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2011, aims to help prevent the spread of AIS.  “More than 800 lake service businesses attended AIS …

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State Could Turn to Bubble, Sound and Light Barrier as Asian Carp Deterrent

New report says approach is feasible at Lock and Dam No. 1 in Minneapolis; would be considered experimental because such barrier has never been tested in an environment similar to a lock chamber.

A new report commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has concluded that an Asian carp barrier using sound, bubbles and lights would be the most viable option to deter invasive fish from moving past Lock and Dam #1, commonly known as the Ford Dam. The DNR recently contracted with Barr Engineering Co. to evaluate options for an Asian carp deterrent barrier at the lock and dam on the Mississippi River. The report specifically examined what type of barrier could be used within the lock chamber, which allows commercial and recreational boats and barges to move upstream. The chief advantage of a lock barrier is that it does not need to block fish passage across the entire river, but to deflect fish away from the …

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Former Orono Mayor Appointed to State's New Invasive Species Committee

Gabriel Jabbour has been appointed to a three-year term on the Department of Natural Resource's new Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee.

A familiar Lake Minnetonka face has been selected to help Minnesota's Deprtment of Natural Resources (DNR) shape its battle plan against aquatic invasive species. Gabriel Jabbour will join 14 other appointees from throughout Minnesota and sit on the DNR's new Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Committee members come from a wide range of public, private, nonprofit and governmental back grounds, and the initial set of appointments will serve a three-year term. Nominations for the new committee were solicited statewide by the DNR. Members of the committee will help build relationships with individuals, citizens, organizations and local units of government to help shape the state's long-term approach to dealing with aquatic invasive…

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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Adopts Plan to Combat Invasive Species

Fight against nitiatives to be funded without increase in tax levy.

On Thursday, Dec. 13, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) Board of Managers approved enhanced Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention and management measures for 2013. The 2013 program will be funded though savings from other district projects instead of a previously-considered property tax increase.  This will be the fourth year that the District has not increased its property tax levy. “The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District remains committed to providing high quality natural resource management and being good environmental and fiscal stewards. After receiving considerable input from residents and other stakeholders and considering the need for quick action, the District is moving forward with a carefully-developed, community…

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Can Zequanox be the Answer to Lake Minnetonka's Zebra Mussel Infestation?

Latest open water test of Zequanox yielded a 97.1 mortality rate. Could Lake Minnetonka be the next test site?

Marrone Bio Innovations, a leading provider of natural pest management products for water and agriculture applications, said this week that Zequanox was highly effective at controlling invasive zebra mussels in Deep Quarry Lake located in DuPage County, Illinois. Zequanox, the industry’s only environmentally compatible molluscicide, was applied within barrier systems in three locations throughout the lake. Results showed that treated sites experienced an average mussel mortality of 97.1 percent compared with 11.2 percent mortality in the untreated sites. Environmental Protection Agency approval for using Zequanox in natural water systems is currently in process. In the study, funded in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of …

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KARE-11 Looks at Extent of Lake Minnetonka Zebra Mussel Invasion

KARE-11 report explored the waters near Big Island.

How You Can Play a Role in State's Fight Against Aquatic Invasive Species

Applicants sought for new advisory committee being set up to guide state's fight against aquatic invasive species.

From the Minnesota DNR: The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is establishing a formal, statewide AIS Advisory Committee. The Commissioner wants to ensure that DNR continues to build strong relationships with its AIS stakeholders and use their insights and perspectives to help guide DNR AIS activities. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is one of the most important natural resource issues for Minnesota. Preventing the spread of zebra mussels, Asian carp, and Eurasian watermilfoil (as well as other invasive plants and animals) in our lakes and streams is of critical importance, along with effective control of established invasive populations. If you are concerned about aquatic invasive species, and have the …

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