Lake group volunteer to help combat AIS. 3-30-19

   Area lake asociations began their first coordinated action toward control of invasive species when meeting with a DNR official Monday night in Big Lake.

   About 45 members of the Big Lake Community Lakes Association, the Big Eagle Lake Improvement Association and the Ann Lake Improvement Association gathered for two hours at City Hall, learning details on their future volunteerism at boat landings. There, they will help watercraft users look for and eliminate invasive species as the boats go into - and come out of - the waters.

   Conducting the session were Christine Hokkala-Kuhns, watercraft inspector with the Sauk Rapids office of the DNR, and Dan Cibulka of the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

   Education of watercraft users is the main focus for the boat inspections, Hokkala-Kuhns said. Volunteers will be there to assist the boat operators, who will be asked to inspect their own vessels and clean them of invasive species.

   If boat owners wish not to cooperate, they are to be left alone, the DNR official insisted. If volunteers witness invasive species on a vessel or trailer, county sheriff officers would be only a phone call away.

   The Water Guard, a professional boat inspection organization, will be hired to do many hours of inspections at the Big Lake park launch this summer. 

Volunteers normally would be worked into a schedule around the Water Guard’s hours. 

Grants for Training

   Monday’s session will begin a five-hour training program for volunteers, Cibulka said. The training would consist of learning state laws relating to invasive species and how boat owners can be taught to make sure their vessels are • AIS-free. DNR-required background checks on all volunteers would be part of their application process.

   “This is a great turnout,” said Cibulka. “It shows the willingness of you to turn out and do something.”

He also demonstrated high-visibility orange vests volunteers would wear at their respective boat launches.

The three lake groups could volunteer at area boat launches; it’s understood they would serve their specific lakes first.

   After they complete their training, they would be provided checklists for the boat owners. No volunteers are expected to gain entry to boats.

   Each lake group, if securing 20 volunteers, would receive a $1,200 grant from the SWCD to help with AIS control. The volunteer permits  would be good for three years.

   The SWCD and DNR are willing to conduct more volunteer start-ups; members of the other six lake groups in the county are encouraged to contact them.

Those AIS Species

   Much of Monday’s discussion was about Zebra mussels, which are expanding into many area lakes. But so far, not Big Lake nor Lake Mitchell.

   Starry Stonewart, a new invasive species which has had serious consequences at Lake Koronis in Paynesville, is not yet present in area lakes.

   Eurasion water milfoil and curley leaf pondweed have been in area waters for many years. They are regularly being treated in cooperation with the DNR.

Three state laws, Hokkala-Kuhns emphasized:

   Minnesota Law prohibits the transport of a boat, even with dead Zebra mussels;

   Minnesota Law also prohibits the transport of any plants on boats or trailers.

Law also prohibits the transport of water from minnow buckets. Fisher people are asked to bring along an extra supply of water to put on the minnows after dumping their lake water on shore.

   “Make sure you guys are educating the public,” said the DNR official. “You have a real chance to make an impact.”

   The evening concluded with a demonstration by Hokkala-Kuhns on how to inspect a boat; that took place in the City Hall parking lot.