This post was one from the Boat Inspection Thread – Very Good – Please read –
This is very possible on some of our larger, more popular lakes with powerful Lake Associations (Owners)
Spot checks of trailers and watercraft is something most of us who are trying to do something about AIS support. The alternative to increased enforcement is likely access loss. We are seeing plans for gating accesses, moratoriums on new accesses and plans that call for closing public access. These folks are putting enormous pressure on the DNR, Legislature and the public to take draconian measures. They are calling for no trailering without total decontamination, all paid for by boaters. They want “rental” boats on lakes to replace trailering. They want decontamination stations on all major highways entering Minnesota and making it illegal to enter except for these highways. They want Red Boat/Blue Boat labels on boats used on any infested waters. And to pay for all this, raiding of the Legacy, Lottery (LCCMR) funds and a dramatic increase in boat registration fees.
How realistic it that we might see these things actually happen? Probably not likely but not off the table. Just look to California where anglers are buying Craigslist bass boats to keep on area lakes. Or Wyoming and Colorado where accessed are only open the hours that manned inspectors are there. While Minnesota has far more lakes, these types of approaches are being strongly promoted for the existing 78 watersheds/lakes/rivers that have ZM.
Others may question will the current DNR efforts will work, and are they worth the expenditures? Will they actually slow the spread? Good question, but what is the alternative? If we error on trying to contain the spread, lets hope that we error on the side of doing more then is needed and not the reverse.
As I see it, our job as anglers and boaters is to be part of the solution. We are the ones who see what really goes on at accesses. We see the folks not pulling their plugs or handpicking weeds. We are the one’s who need to loosen up our comfort zone and start mentioning the rules, offering a lending hand and in some cases making a phone call if we see a fragrant violation. The last two ZM/dock issues were reported by citizens who had education about the problem.
How would you like to be restricted in the waters you can or can’t fish in MN? This is on the horizon and part of the larger issue. We all, as sportsmen, may want to get a little more organized.
