What the MN DNR AIS Stakeholder mtg is considering

Modify statutes to address gaps in tournaments (this means making any and all tournaments being required to have a permit) and clarify issues related to aquatic plants, portable bait containers, and bait harvest.
Establish authority for DNR to create containment zones at high-priority, high-use waters and require inspections/washing (with no penalty if you stop)
Requirement for trailered boats to stop at inspection stations near borders;
Complete new rules and establish permit conditions and BMPs for fishing tournaments.
Require boat operator training online before watercraft registration
Authorize inspection changes
Define watercraft inspection in statute
Requirement to stop at mobile inspection stations.
Require a nonresident sticker/fishing license and online training;

Continue to enhance AIS signage at all accesses
Significantly Increase levels of statewide public awareness efforts (e.g., TV, Radio, Businesses, Grants to local entities)
Increase hours of enforcement on AIS
Develop BMPs for public and private water accesses to meet current AIS prevention needs by boaters and anglers.
Improve watercraft inspection program
Increase number of inspectors
Protect the quality and quantity of native vegetation, so waters are more resistant to invasion by aquatic invasive species
Require training for lake service professionals,

Require boat operator training online before watercraft registration
Increase penalties on most AIS related regulations
Hold meeting with Counties and DNR staff to discuss AIS issues
Increase watercraft surcharge and apply to all boats including those used for hunting;
Establish requirement for AIS sticker on non-resident watercraft
Emphasize link between lakescaping and “invasibility”
Retrofit existing accesses – draining areas, disposal bins, signagg
Provide bins and signs for high priority public and private accesses;

My headache is coming back again.

They are really reaching for more control and power. Not good.

Here are my choices, it is disturbing that the first choice on thier list was targeting fishing contests. Absent are any incentive, rewards or recognition for the desire behaviors. Maybe penalties are what drives the DNR, but I’m not sure that this is what creates change in our society.

Top 8 Most Important Ideas (list up to 8)
25) Continue to enhance AIS signage at all accesses
8) Significantly Increase levels of statewide public awareness efforts (e.g., TV, Radio, Businesses, Grants to local entities)
6) Increase hours of enforcement on AIS
21) Develop BMPs for public and private water accesses to meet current AIS prevention needs by boaters and anglers.
10) Improve watercraft inspection program
11) increase number of inspectors
19) Protect the quality and quantity of native vegetation, so waters are more resistant to invasion by aquatic invasive species
4) Require training for lake service professionals,

Here are my Important Ideas (list up to 8)

7) Increase penalties on most AIS related regulations
9) Hold meeting with Counties and DNR staff to discuss AIS issues
17) Increase watercraft surcharge and apply to all boats including those used for hunting;
20) Emphasize link between lakescaping and “invasibility”
24) Provide bins and signs for high priority public and private accesses;

Here are my Not Workable / Not Popular / Other reasons idea should not be done
8) Establish requirement for AIS sticker on non-resident watercraft. Not Popular
5) Modify statutes to address gaps and clarify issues related to aquatic plants, portable bait containers, and bait harvest. Other, this is like putting a target on one wall and throwing a dart the completely opposite direction
14) Establish authority for DNR to create containment zones at high-priority, high-use waters and require inspections/washing (with no penalty if stop) Not workable, to many reasons to list, will cost a fortune, kill tourism, create so much push back that it might not bed controllable.
15) Requirement for trailered boats to stop at inspection stations near borders; Other, costly, will kill tourism, will make MN even more unfriendly
2) Require boat operator training online before watercraft registration Not Workable, assumes 100% computer access, unenforceable
1) Complete new rules and establish permit conditions and BMPs for fishing tournaments Other, it may be unconstitutional to treat one group of anglers with a different set of rules
2) Require boat operator training online before watercraft registration Not Workable, assumes 100% computer access, unenforceable
12) authorize inspection changes Not Popular
13) Define watercraft inspection in statute Not Popular
16) Requirement to stop at mobil inspection stations. Not workable see # 14
3) Require a nonresident sticker/fishing license and online training; Not workable see # 2
23) Retrofit existing accesses – draining areas, disposal bins, signagg Not workable due to cost

it is a losing battle and a waste of money. Look at Minnetonka. They’ve had a DNR employee at most ramps for years warning people about exotics along with the LMCD requiring tourney rigs to be cleaned out with chemicals and hot water and zebra mussels still found a way into the lake.