Million Dollar Question, How to try and prevent spread of A.I.S.

This question was asked of a few Testifiers on Tuesday.
Now, to ALL IDO’rs:

Ok, now, the Million Dollar Question (Knowing the MnDNR & many others want to do something, likely the Legislature will approve something), and only as far a humans can control and knowing we cannot Stop, but may slow the spread.

If, you were King for a day,
What Solution would you propose to educate people about the Current Law and to prevent, as humanly possible the further spread off Aquatic Invasive Species in Minnesota ?

Thank You,
I’ll collect these and pass them along to the MnDNR and Legislators!

Why should spreading AIS be any different from any other law? We already have laws making transporting AIS and materials that could spread AIS illegal. Fine anyone caught doing it. End of story.

Fact. Speeding is against the law. If you are caught, you will be fined. Why should AIS be any different?

I object to this idea that if you layer a law on top of a law and then add a test and then a sticker and on and on you will somehow have a better chance at stopping people from doing something that is ALREADY illegal.

If this “education” approach is so effective, why don’t we all need to take a training course so we can prove we all know that DWI is bad? And then put a sticker on our car showing we took the test?

The correct answer is because nobody in thier right mind belives that this would make the slightest difference. It’s only when we’re talking about AIS that these moronic ideas suddenly seem to have validity.

Grouse

I would put more efforts towards eradicating invasive species and less efforts into restricting minnesotians from our public waters.

Yep, what he said (Grouse)

I was going to agree with Grouse, but then I thought about it. Nobody gets to drive a car without taking classes and tests, so that analogy doesn’t fly. Sorry Grouse

I would place washing stations/enforcement CO’s or inspectors ONLY at lake accesses that do not have any AIS in them–not using up any manpower/$$/machines etc. at lakes that are already infested. Concentrate on the actual place that is being protected…right at the front door of the place NOT INFESTED and prevent entrance into that place IF the stuff is on or in the boat/trailer. Attempting to access ( “spread AIS”) the NON-INFESTED lake with the AIS in or on the boat should merit a huge fine.

No effort on the highway or leaving a lake should be in the plan…period. Any lake…waste of time/manpower and $$ in my opinion.

Now–the best way to keep boats from “spreading” the stuff is to mandate ALL watercraft being washed before entering a NON-INFESTED lake. Very costly, wash stations would have to placed in many areas, obviously. ( not at lakes–central locations in each county/lakes areas??) The boat owner would have to get a ticket in a sense, to enter the lake of his choice, from the wash station after the washing–dated and issued for ONLY that designated lake for that date only. Move to another lake in the same day? Get another ticket designating the new lake choice. It’s the ONLY way to protect EVERY lake. Drive into the access with no dated ticket? Very costly!!

Either plan I speak to would be fine with me. Being checked as I go into the lake would be my first choice VS. the daily washing. Less costly and maybe just as effective–if there is such a thing.

Now–I doubt any plan will keep this stuff from spreading. Slowing down the spread is the best outcome I would guess. But the scenario’s I speak to above, in my view, make more common sense than any other.

FYI–many states beyond the boundaries of Minnesota charge a fee to use the public accesses. ( many are either county/city or corps of engineers managed accesses) I would not be against paying a daily fee or $5-$10 to launch my boat at a state public access in Minnesota–IF the dollars went to improving them/maintaining them and of course, paying for the effort of stopping the AIS from going down the boat ramp into the lake.

My meager 2 cents worth on the subject asked for here…typing with weather-beaten fingers and all.

Take the WI DNR approach used for CWD in the deer herd – Eradicate all the ducks, geese, swans, beaver, otter, muskrats……. Yes, I’m being sarcastic.

We have two issues that need to be addressed 1. Preventing future (new) species and how to deal with what we already have.
The vast majority of new species are brought in the ballast waters on ships into the great lakes and spread from there. I just read a report on the Great Lakes that have a pretty grim outlook when forecasting out to 2060. As much as Federal laws are made, these incoming ships continue to carry hijackers.

As for what we have – I completely agree that WE (the stewerts of the land) must do something. But where does 100% cooperation and funding come from. Easy to say build a wash station and “They” need to do this or that. But at what point do we just begin to do what needs to be done. If the state or local agencies need to spend tax money, how will they ever get enough to fund this?

Even then, your still only addressing a small part of the problem. I’ve trapped muskrats with tiny zebra muscles on them. Shot ducks and geese that had Zebras in their gut. We have so much wildlife that can transport these as well. I hate to see a sit back and watch it go mentality,and I’m not able to offer up much in a complete solution. Its just such a massive issue with so much complexity that there will be no one solution and definitely not a solution that all can agree on.

The only way to protect every lake that’s not infected is with boat washes? I understand what you are saying but there are so many lakes in MN,It would be impossible to check and monitor all to find out which ones are or aren’t infected,what about the wildlife that transports invasive ‘s ? Iam not trying to get smart with you,but think of the cost associated with washing stations,maintaining,manning etc.Why not take that same money and look for a silver bullet so to speak.All I hear about is how we sportsmen should pay the bill,what about the ships and other big business that started this mess, nothing is said about them.About the fee to use public landings we already paid through taxes and license’s for the use of them.All the measures the government is trying to impose is just feel good legislation that in the end will do little to stop the spread of invasive species.Do I have the answers,no,but will more government regulations help? I am not trying to belittle anyone or argue with anyone just another point of view.
BB2

and the next logical question… “how can we stop the sun from coming up tomorrow ?”… same premise.

I am certainly not in favor of interrogating people at boat landings, zebra mussel sniffing dogs or any other in-your-face intrusive means.

As there are seemingly numerous ways invasive species can be spread that include non-human means, I think the only real tool is education. It won’t happen overnight, and I don’t believe it can be stopped cold, but ongoing education of the masses that use the resources is bound to sink in at some point. I am in favor of increased signage, media reports etc… that outline cause & effect of invasive species.

big_g wrote:

and the next logical question… “how can we stop the sun from coming up tomorrow ?”… same premise.

I agree!! I simply answered the question with ideas.

I do know that we would NOT have to have inspectors at EVERY lake access to make the ticket thing/inspections work. The random chance of going to an access, knowing a CO’s could check you for a an access ticket for that day will be enough. No different than having a fishing license/chance of getting checked.

That said, I don’t like any solutions I present here–but other than doing nothing or using ALL funds to find a way to eradicate the stuff from lakes, what other solutions are there? Not liking the proposals do not stop the stuff by itself.

Personally, I do not think the AIS is much of a disastrous threat to any waterway based on history…all over the world for years–let alone 25 plus years in U.S. waters.

Sorry for the crappy video (and the fact that its sideways…) but this is the bottom of Garrison reef in 17fow from this past Sunday. I personally (my opinion…) would not care to take an on-line educational class and put a sticker on my boat/motor/trailer. Don’t jump me, just how I feel about it…

Attachments:

1. IMG_0973.mov

Save that video Rouster. I would like to see the same area in 2, 4 and 6 years from now.

Can’t get much worse! The hotel is full mr zeeb! No more room at the Inn! I was shocked that every rock was solid zeebs…In 17fow the water was soooo clear I could easily watch fish on the bottom cruising by (avoiding my presentation!) Those little buggers sure do clear up the water…

Gary Sanders wrote:

I am certainly not in favor of interrogating people at boat landings, zebra mussel sniffing dogs or any other in-your-face intrusive means.

X2 on that Gary!

Let me leave my plug in my boat,if I do have tainted water in it removing the plug while traveling is going to let the tainted water out to spread,Hello???anybody out there?If your trying to stop the spread of something you dont pull the plug on it..

Can’t get much worse!

@roosterrouster

I’m really not expecting it to get worse, but better.

I don’t understand the whole water clarity piece. If that is so bad why does Square Lake in Washington county such a good fishery? Ok, bad example because lack of walleyes…but there Lake Minibelle in Meeker county and I’m sure there’s other spring fed lakes were a person can see their cellphone in 15 ft of water.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Can’t get much worse!

@roosterrouster

I’m really not expecting it to get worse, but better.

I don’t understand the whole water clarity piece. If that is so bad why does Square Lake in Washington county such a good fishery? Ok, bad example because lack of walleyes…but there Lake Minibelle in Meeker county and I’m sure there’s other spring fed lakes were a person can see their cellphone in 15 ft of water.

How the heck, after 25 plus years of zebra mussels clearing up Lake Erie, can the IDO boys go out and film catching 30″ walleyes? How can creel surveys show BIGGER results and spawning success be better (YOY surviving to adults) than ever. 20 years later, at Lake Winnebago, even though the zeebs cleared it up so one can see the anchor, easily, on the bottom in 12ft. plus of water?

My favorite fall walleye ( daytime) haunt has a weed line down to 24ft. Think that is clear water? lol

No lake or waterway fishery, anywhere in the world, according to the experts on the record, has been ruined by zebra mussels. NONE! They can not name one…

matt wrote:

Let me leave my plug in my boat,if I do have tainted water in it removing the plug while traveling is going to let the tainted water out to spread,Hello???anybody out there?If your trying to stop the spread of something you dont pull the plug on it..

In a way, you could be right. If I have water in the bilge from an infested lake, it surely isn’t gonna spread if I don’t drain it out. LOL Another law–“don’t pull your boat plug until you get home or else!”

steve-fellegy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>matte wrote:</div>
Let me leave my plug in my boat,if I do have tainted water in it removing the plug while traveling is going to let the tainted water out to spread,Hello???anybody out there?If your trying to stop the spread of something you dont pull the plug on it..

In a way, you could be right. If I have water in the bilge from an infested lake, it surely isn’t gonna spread if I don’t drain it out. LOL Another law–“don’t pull your boat plug until you get home or else!”

So when you turn your bilge on at the lake it wouldn’t pump bilge water in the lake?

Tell me if you agree with this:

http://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/getting-ready-for-open-water/#post-1517042

I think the whole mess would be easier if a person declared his boat one for infested water or for clean and infested. Issue a red dot for those who will use their boats only in infested water, to be applied right next to the boat registration tag. If the red dot is seen on a clean lake, fine time. The boats that want to be used on mixed waters, both clean and infested, should get a blue dot and have to get the class on proper cleaning and updated information on invasives. These dots should have a year date that coincides with the registration so that at the time of re-licensing the owner has to declare which water he wants to use. There should also be a second dot of the same color that goes on the trailer right next to the trailer registration sticker to aid in identifying those who want to play games. Trailers without one color tag or the other the dnr/sheriff should be able to tow and let the owner fix his own problem.

Its a simple fix. Charge an extra buck at registration time for the dots. People with blue dots at infested water ramps should be held back and decontaminated while those with the red dots should simply be able to pass on since they already know what will happen if they are caught on clean water. Everyone will have to clean weeds and debris from the trailers and hulls anyway and this should mean law enforcement boats as well as dnr boats, including co’s.

biggill wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>steve-fellegy wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>matte wrote:</div>
Let me leave my plug in my boat,if I do have tainted water in it removing the plug while traveling is going to let the tainted water out to spread,Hello???anybody out there?If your trying to stop the spread of something you dont pull the plug on it..

In a way, you could be right. If I have water in the bilge from an infested lake, it surely isn’t gonna spread if I don’t drain it out. LOL Another law–“don’t pull your boat plug until you get home or else!”

So when you turn your bilge on at the lake it wouldn’t pump bilge water in the lake?

Biggill? You got me there…lol My previous reply had a kinda tongue in cheek tone to it though–I thought.

I did get that tounge in cheek tone a little. I really should have quoted the original poster.

I’m all for the repeal and prevention of these silly laws. We just need to be really intelligent about how we go about this. We’re always going to be perceived as the bad guys that don’t care about our waterways in the general publics eye.

Carroll has done a fantastic job in doing so.

I dread the day I’m fined for carrying rain water in my bilge when neither I or the co believe it’s right.

Government is always reactive never proactive.
So we find some way of eliminating zebra mussels, milfoil, etc. Until bilge systems on ocean going vessels are 100 % secure we will be in a perpetual state of reaction.
One last thought – IMHO Man is part of Mother Nature so anything that does happen in nature is natural.

My answer to the question is for the government to do nothing, and for man to do what they think is right.

Heck if this was a million years ago we would be asking “I know what a glacier is, what’s a lake?”