Can’t make this up…

Double infaction!
They might try to talk their way out of the plug using the speed and safety issue… but the weed- BUSTED
-Mark

Love it, I’m sure they could hide behind a few things but come on, if we have to do it, you have to do it.

I missed this last night but thought some where on the TV they where talking about cameras at some landings set up to check and ticket for plugs and weeds. Anyone else hear anything about this?

Did you email this to any authorities? Would be interesting.

Thanks for sharing! Funny at the very least.

FDR

Sad to see that they don’t bother supporting “made in the USA” with their outboard purchase. But hey, as long as those tax dollars keep coming in, who cares?
HRG

some wisconsin lakes that we fish have the cameras at the launches. they make you stop at the top of the ramp and block it to remove all weeds before you can pull all the way out. Or just have someone stand infornt of it while pulling out….

what county is that?

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what county is that?

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Anoka.

You shoulda called the DNR enforcement line on them then and there. Give’em the lic # off the trailer, describe it as a “big, dark-colored truck pulling a really big dark-colored Alumacraft/Honda rig. I’m gonna guess the DNR (who have all the power they need to enforce the boating rules) would have at least embarrassed the Sheriff.

Next time…

If nothing else, I’d send an e-mail with those pics and link to this post to:

[email protected]

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Aquatic invasive species laws require boaters to ‘Pick it or Ticket’
(Released July 1, 2010)

“Pick it or Ticket.” That’s what will happen if people don’t do their part to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, according to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

DNR conservation officers and watercraft inspectors will step-up enforcement of invasive species law over the Fourth of July weekend. They will also be out educating boaters about a new law that goes into effect July 1 requiring boaters to now remove the plug and drain water before leaving any lake and river in Minnesota.

“Our lakes and rivers are too important to take for granted,” explained Larry Kramka, DNR assistant commissioner. “Boaters need to be accountable and personally responsible to prevent the further spread of aquatic invasives.”

The water draining law is intended to help prevent the spread of fish diseases such as VHS, and invasive species such as zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas that cannot be seen when free floating in the water in early life stages.

Boaters are required by law to:

Remove aquatic plants and zebra mussels from boats and trailers.
Drain all water, including pulling the drain plug, open water draining devices, and draining bilges and live wells.
Drain bait buckets when exiting lakes that have been designated as infested with spiny water flea or zebra mussels. Anglers can keep unused bait when leaving infested waters if they replace the water with tap or spring water.
The increased enforcement efforts over the holiday weekend will include an increased presence at public water accesses at infested waters where officers will look closely for violators of existing laws who could face fines from $50 up to $1,000.

Minnesota’s water resources are threatened by numerous aquatic invasive species such as the zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas. These species could be easily spread within the state if citizens, businesses and visitors don’t take the necessary steps to contain them.

The zebra mussel populations currently in Lake Mille Lacs, Alexandria chain of lakes (Le Homme Dieu, Carlos, and Geneva), Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County, Prior Lake in Scott County and Rice Lake near Brainerd are a particular concern as they can be key sources for zebra mussel spread.

For more information about aquatic invasive species, visit http://www.mndnr.gov/.

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-J.

Well guys, e-mail sent to Anoka Co. and cc’d the MNDNR. We will see what becomes of this. -Mark

Keep us updated with any replies they may send.

I sent an email off also. here is the reply i got from the sheriff’s dept.

my email to the sheriff’s dept, and DNR.

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Maybe the Anoka County Sheriff’s Dept needs a refresher course in the boating laws of this state. This picture was taken on 8/8/10 @ approximately 5:00pm at the DQ on hwy 65 in Ham Lake. (Note the in place plug, and weeds hanging from the transom.)

Kind of tough to enforce plug and vegetation laws, when the people enforcing them, don’t even follow the same rules…

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Aaron,

I agree with you that it is tough to enforce laws when they are not being followed by the people enforcing them. The deputy is a part time deputy with our office, who is currently on vacation until August 20th. I will be talking with him about this and will let you know how this could have happened.

Thanks

Lt Shelly Orlando

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i highly doubt i will see a follow up from her.

Perch, have you ever thought about changing your display name to Mr. Positive?

Let’s give them time to fail.

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Perch, have you ever thought about changing your display name to Mr. Positive?

Let’s give them time to fail.

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That made me giggle…and put on my sunglasses.

I thought it was a pretty positive response and she sounded rather upset with him.

My guess: you’ll hear back.

I guess it’s a waiting game now, though.

I am will BK on this one.

Did I just say that? The heat must be getting to me.

Keep us posted though.
FDR

well, i actually did get another response.

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Justin,

I did speak with our one full time recreational deputy about this. He advised me that there is an exception for plugs to be in place in emergency response boats. He advised that the DNR has put out a memo regarding this. This is due to the fact that our boats can and do respond to emergencies and essential time could be lost otherwise. He did advise that our boats are all drained upon returning to the station for the night. I thought I would at least give you what I have found out today.

Thanks again,

Lt Shelly Orlando

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might as well be a scripted response. what i want to know, is if it is ok for me to drive home, and drain my boat in the driveway then. seeing its ok for them…

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might as well be a scripted response. what i want to know, is if it is ok for me to drive home, and drain my boat in the driveway then. seeing its ok for them…

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Come on now. We all knew that there would be an emergency response clause. Some nay sayers will say it’s a cop out (pun intended) but if the emergency boat is sinking when they come out to rescue me or my daughter that’s with her boy friend that doesn’t have a clue on running a….did I just say that out loud?

Personally I could care less if they never took out their plug.

But the weeds are another story.

BTW Perch, it’s not alright for you or I to leave the plug in unless we were hired by the county.

On the other hand…you might want to find out were that law is written. I can’t locate anything that exempts “emergency vehicles” from it. Not saying it’s not there. Just can’t find it where I think it would be.

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Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 84D.10, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
Subd. 4. Persons leaving public waters. (a) A person leaving waters of the state
must drain boating-related equipment holding water and live wells and bilges by removing
the drain plug before transporting the watercraft and associated equipment on public
roads. Drain plugs, bailers, valves, or other devices used to control the draining of water
from ballast tanks, bilges, and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting
watercraft on a public road. Marine sanitary systems and portable bait containers are
excluded from this requirement. A person must not dispose of bait in waters of the state.
(b) The commissioner shall report, by January 15 of each odd-numbered year, to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate
committees and divisions having jurisdiction over water resources policy and finance. The
report shall advise the legislature on additional measures to protect state water resources
from human transport of invasive species.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 84D.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Civil penalties. A civil citation issued under this section must impose
the following penalty amounts:
(1) for transporting aquatic macrophytes on a forest road as defined by section
89.001, subdivision 14, road or highway as defined by section 160.02, subdivision 26, or
any other public road, $50;
(2) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state a watercraft, a trailer, or
aquatic plant harvesting equipment that has aquatic macrophytes attached, $100;
(3) for unlawfully possessing or transporting a prohibited invasive species other
than an aquatic macrophyte, $250;
(4) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state a watercraft, a trailer, or
aquatic plant harvesting equipment that has prohibited invasive species attached when
the waters are not designated by the commissioner as being infested with that invasive
species, $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense;
(5) for intentionally damaging, moving, removing, or sinking a buoy marking, as
prescribed by rule, Eurasian water milfoil, $100;
(6) for failing to drain water, as required by rule, for infested waters and from
watercraft and equipment, other than marine sanitary systems and portable bait containers
before leaving designated zebra mussel, spiny water flea, or other invasive plankton
infested waters of the state, $50; and
(7) for transporting infested water off riparian property without a permit as required
by rule, $200.

I still would like them to explain the aquatic weed part .

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BTW Perch, it’s not alright for you or I to leave the plug in unless we were hired by the county.

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what if i am already hired by the county…

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Justin,

I did speak with our one full time recreational deputy about this. He advised me that there is an exception for plugs to be in place in emergency response boats. He advised that the DNR has put out a memo regarding this. This is due to the fact that our boats can and do respond to emergencies and essential time could be lost otherwise. He did advise that our boats are all drained upon returning to the station for the night. I thought I would at least give you what I have found out today.

Thanks again,

Lt Shelly Orlando

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Since they’ll aready be back there to remove the transom straps, not sure why it’d take more time to insert the plug

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Sad to see that they don’t bother supporting “made in the USA” with their outboard purchase. But hey, as long as those tax dollars keep coming in, who cares?
HRG

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i think my uncle worked in a plant manufacturing these engines in SC.