MN DNR Asian Carp input/comment period open

Here is an opportunity for your voice to be heard. If you support the direction they have been taking or if you disagree. Let your voice be heard.

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DNR invites public input on Invasive Carp Action Plan

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a statewide plan to combat invasive carp threatening Minnesota rivers and lakes.

The Minnesota Invasive Carp Action Plan includes 35 measures for combatting the threat of bighead, black, grass and silver carp. Invasive carp, which feed on vital plankton, aquatic vegetation and mussels, reach weights of 40 to more than 100 pounds. Invasive carp populations compete with native species for food and habitat. Silver carp leap out of the water when they hear approaching watercraft, potentially injuring boaters and water skiers.

The plan updates a 2011 document and is focused on efforts to monitor, prevent, and slow the spread of invasive carp in major rivers and lakes, according to Nick Frohnauer, DNR invasive fish coordinator. “Since the 2011 plan was developed, we’ve made tremendous progress, including repairs to the Coon Rapids dam and the upcoming closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock. The updated plan, developed by a broad range of stakeholders, will allow us to leverage new information and improved technology to monitor, prevent and manage these destructive species.”

Invasive carp have been progressing upstream since escaping into the Mississippi River in the 1970s. While no breeding populations have been detected in Minnesota waters of the Mississippi, individual fish have been caught near the Twin Cities and in the St. Croix River.

The DNR will accept public comments on the draft plan through May 8.

Action plan copy requests, questions and public input can be directed to Nick Frohnauer, DNR invasive fish coordinator, at [email protected], 651-259-5670 or Box 25, Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

The draft plan is also available on the DNR website:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/invasives/carp-action-plan-draft.pdf.

Those that brought this specie of fish into the country should be held accountable. Why weren’t the fish destroy when flooding was about to occur? So the average sportsman who had nothing to do with this has to pay the price along with the average tax payer.

Our government brought Asian carp over.

We ARE paying for it.

I read though the draft.
I have to agree being prepared is the safe thing to do.

My concern is with “modifying the lock and dams”. It’s not spelled out clearly what that means or what would trigger this.

Still, I contend that it’s a waste of money…but I’m the minority.

I am sure I know the answer but why would they wait tell St Anthony falls lock and the Coon rapids dam to stop the upstream migration? What about the St Croix and Minnesota? If they are serious about keeping them out of the state why not close it up at the border. Or better yet all of the locks. Spend spend spend to accomplish nothing but to make the idiots feel like they did something.

The Corp can’t close the rollers at #2 and #3 all year.

But let’s just say they could at #3 for the heck of it. There are too many ways around the lock and dam connecting pool 3 to pool 4 to make a difference. It just one of the reasons the ill fated “fish ladder” was dropped a few years back.

Since the fish can’t be stopped from entering P3 (with todays technology) that leaves the St Croix exposed.

L&D #2 in Hastings has rollers an are opened/closed to keep the 9′ shipping channel, there really isn’t any good way to stop fish from going up stream into pool #2 and that exposes the MN River.

The MN DNR tagged a white bass a couple years ago in the middle of pool #3 and two weeks later it was recaptured near the Apple River on the St Croix.

What about down river Brian?

I can’t speak of down river. I’ve only seen those dams from a distance.

They are mentioned in the Draft though.

Unfortunately, there is nothing guaranteed to work. Just bubblers, acoustics and modifying the lock/dam operations. (and spending big money)

We don’t have a silver bullet for Asian Carp, just stuff that might work or slow them.

I’m a little surprised they didn’t list the carp captured prior to 2014 in MN or it’s border waters…but then people might think there isn’t an urgency…I’m guessing.

Protection for our lakes and rivers? Here we go again sounding the alarm for support of an agenda that happens this time of year. They are not looking for feed back from the general population in this comment period only from those they can scare into their propaganda filled agenda with no facts that support migration.
“Lakes and rivers” should tip one off of the propaganda being shoved down our throats. Our lakes are not the habbitat they can survive in for starters.

^^ What he said.

Still, I contend that it’s a waste of money…but I’m the minority.