Invasive Species "Writing Citations will be the norm"

[DTro]

Consider yourself warned.

Dennis Anderson Star Tribune

Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Lisa Kruse has extracted an angry raccoon from a suburban hot tub and thwarted the picture-window rampages of a kamikaze-style ruffed grouse -- two unusual types of "invasive species."

Now she and the DNR's 136 other conservation officers will focus their considerable enforcement powers on far more threatening critters -- zebra mussels, Asian carp, round gobies and spiny water fleas, as well as Eurasian watermilfoil and other invasive aquatic plants.

Armed with tougher invasive-species laws expected to pass the Legislature this session, more costly penalties for violators and support from Gov. Mark Dayton and thousands of concerned anglers and lake-property owners, the DNR this summer will be on heightened alert for anyone toting destructive aquatic hitchhikers on their boats or trailers as they travel from lake to lake.

"Written citations will be the norm this summer for invasive-species violations, rather than the exception, as they were last year," said DNR conservation officer Lt. Jason Jensen.

A bill passed by the Senate this session calls for a $500 fine for boaters who launch boats with zebra mussels attached to them into state waters. The penalty would double for a second violation.

High stakes warrant the high fines, officials say. At risk in the fight against invasive species are the state's fabled 10,000 lakes and its nearly $3 billion sport fishing industry. Already, zebra mussels have infested Minnetonka and Mille Lacs, two of Minnesota's most popular fishing lakes.

The intensified invasive-species enforcement effort this summer will kick off what might become the most prolonged natural-resources protection undertaking in Minnesota history, as the DNR tries to accomplish what no other state has: stopping the spread of zebra mussels and other evil aquatic critters and plants.

But it might be too little, too late. Already, zebra mussels infest at least 20 Minnesota lakes, along with the St. Croix, Mississippi and Zumbro rivers, among other state waters. Round gobies are in the Duluth harbor. Spiny water fleas inhabit various northern Minnesota waterways, and a bighead carp -- one of four species of highly destructive Asian carp -- was caught this spring in the St. Croix River by a commercial fisherman.

The destruction these invaders can wreak is considerable. According to one report, bait fish dropped from 450,000 tons in Lake Michigan in 1989 to 30,000 tons in 2008, a record low, due in part to zebra mussels.

"I think we can make a difference," DNR invasive species program supervisor Luke Skinner said. "Are we going to completely stop the spread? That's the question. But I think we can reduce the risk."

Some watershed districts and lake associations want to increase protection for their lakes by requiring that boats be inspected before being launched into their waters.

A pilot program proposed by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, for example, would allow only inspected boats bearing stickers of a certain color to ply some west-metro lakes.

But it's unclear whether watershed districts, or any government other than the state, can restrict access to Minnesota lakes and rivers, and the attorney general is reviewing it.

Bigger dams, inspection stations

To thwart the northward migration of Asian carp in the Mississippi River, the Legislature is expected to appropriate $15 million this session to upgrade the Coon Rapids dam, making it largely impermeable to fish movement -- except, perhaps, in years of excessive flooding.

And the DNR has met with companies that manufacture sonic bubblers similar to those used in Chicago to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan. A bubbler perhaps could be installed at Prescott, Wis., to stop, or slow, the advancement of carp into the St. Croix.

Additionally, this summer, along roads leading to and from Mille Lacs, Minnetonka and other popular fishing lakes, boaters can expect to encounter portable "stop-and-inspect" stations staffed not only by conservation officers, but in some cases by sheriff's deputies and special invasive-species inspectors.

Portable "decontamination" boat washers will be set up at some of the inspection stations to spray down watercraft and trailers thought to be carrying invasive species.

The boat washers cost about $15,000 and are similar to larger, more permanently positioned decontamination stations used by some Western states to wash boats seeking entry into Lake Tahoe and other waters.

"We have a new sense of urgency," said Minnesota DNR regional enforcement supervisor Capt. Phil Meier, who also is a water resources enforcement specialist.

"People who enjoy spending time on the water in Minnesota realize the importance of preventing the spread of invasive species," Meier said. "We in the department take the threat seriously and are stepping up our enforcement efforts."

Supported by state fishing and other conservation groups, Dayton wants to pay for a new $4 million invasive-species program by increasing a $5 boat registration surcharge, good for three years, to $20. The surcharge hasn't changed since 1993.

Instead, the Republican-controlled Legislature wants to redirect a one-time, $4 million biennial appropriation from lottery funds to invasive- species control.

Whatever the money source, the funds will underwrite the added enforcement hours by conservation officers and also pay for the corps of perhaps 20 specially trained boat inspectors to be stationed at popular lakes statewide.

The inspectors won't write tickets; if necessary, conservation officers will be contacted to do that. But they could deny boaters access to lakes or rivers, or direct them to remove their contaminated boats from the water.

"You are now seeing the building blocks in Minnesota of invasive-species control," said Jensen, the conservation officer. "Before the 1950s, it was uncommon for people to carry life jackets in boats. Then the state began to require it, and people accepted it, over time.

"We need to get the message out that all boaters need to take responsibility for not moving these species around."

[Meat-Run]

Like it or not these new laws are here to stay and help our resources...this is the future of fishing in Minnesota.

mr

[SkunkedAgain]

I like the attention to stopping the invasive species and am indifferent to the steps needed to keep things in check. Most of them seem like no-brainers that many of us have done for years anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if at some point, we are required to truly clean and drain our livewells and bilges. I know that my current livewell keeps a cup of water near the drain unless I do something about it. My last boat would retain water at the front of the bilge unless I tipped my entire trailer and boat up to a 30 degree angle. I assume that many boats have these minor issues and are all possible ways to transport stuff between lakes.

[reinhard1]

well i have been doing the boat inspection thing for some time now with my boat but will look a little harder i guess, if that's possible. it is unfortunate that we have to have CO's spend more time on this instead of enforcement for fishing law violations. however it is what it is. we all have to do our part to keep our waters clean and free of invasive species. we may never get rid of invasive species already here but we can hopefully "controll" them better. good luck.

[jwmiller33]

Have they done anything for ballast water treatment for ships coming into the Duluth harbor yet? Kind of a double standard IMO. They look the other way for the ships bringing all these invasives into our state, but they are now trying to crack down on the inland spread by fining Joe Schmo. Treating the problem at the source should be the first plan of action.

[bobbymalone]

Treating the problem at the source should be the first plan of action.

Plenty of inland lakes are the source for spreading invasives to other inland lakes. That sounds like treating the problem at the source, if you ask me.

Not that the ballast water thing isn't serious.

[BobT]

Ballast water contamination has been an issue for decades and yes there are laws in place and citations written.

[SkunkedAgain]

...but not effective ones

[jwmiller33]

Plenty of inland lakes are the source for spreading invasives to other inland lakes

Where did the invasives from said lakes come from? That would be the source I am talking about. Don't confuse my statements with being anti "pull the plug"/"check your boat/trailer for hitchhikers", but I'd like to them to focus time/resources into where the invasives are initially coming from aditionally.

[401TE]

Miller, I think you'e right as far as new invasives go but there are plenty already in the inland lakes that need to be controlled/contained if possible. If writing tickets is what needs to happen to raise awareness of these new rules then so be it. If you're pulling away from the access with zebra mussels or milfoil or other obvious invasives attached to your trailer, you deserve a ticket.

Make sure you pull your plug and let your boat drain before you leave the access, too, or you can get a ticket for that on infested waters as well!

[DTro]

I wonder how many DUI's will be issued as a result of a plug left in the boat?

Not saying that's a bad thing, but kind of like a tail light burnt out thing if you know what I mean.

[Tom7227]

I don't think the DNR has much authority over ocean going ships in the Great Lakes. That is something that I suspect is controlled by the US and Canadian Governments. IMO they have not done enough and continue to propose ineffective measures that aren't enforced very well.

Bash the DNR if you want but at least have it be for something they have authority over.

[goblueM]

I don't think the DNR has much authority over ocean going ships in the Great Lakes.

Bash the DNR if you want but at least have it be for something they have authority over.

+1

I also support these stricter measures for invasives. Minnesota is doing a LOT better than other states in controlling aquatic invasive species.

[jwmiller33]

I completely agree. Don't get my statements confused with being anti what they are doing now. Lakes that aren't infested now need to stay that way. And if you are too lazy/forgetful to pull your plug, drain your livewell, or remove that milfoil on your trailer, a $500 fine seems appropriate to me.

[401TE]

I wonder how many DUI's will be issued as a result of a plug left in the boat?

Not saying that's a bad thing, but kind of like a tail light burnt out thing if you know what I mean.

I'm guessing as many as get pulled over for allegedly not wearing their seatbelt!

I fish out in front of Garrison on opener and it's amazing how many morons test their luck. The record for most people pulled over that I've seen is 7 at one time by separate squad cars.

[jwmiller33]

I don't think the DNR has much authority over ocean going ships in the Great Lakes. That is something that I suspect is controlled by the US and Canadian Governments. IMO they have not done enough and continue to propose ineffective measures that aren't enforced very well.

Bash the DNR if you want but at least have it be for something they have authority over.

The DNR doesn't have control over the incoming ships. However, they work hand in hand with the MPCA on these types of issues. I would assume it would be the DNR that would be the ones raising the red flag of invasives being an issue for the MPCA to get awareness and do something about it (all on the state level). The whole ballast water issue in Duluth/Two Harbors ports is a state level deal according to the research I have done, and the governor has authority to issue the regulations of ballast water (like what they were doing in 2008). I wasn't bashing the DNR. More questioning where the bottle neck for controlling the issue was.

[jwmiller33]

Here is a article that is from 2008 when they were trying to push a bill thru the state legislature. It is a good read to get a scope on the problem

Quote:

State officials consider ballast discharge permit

State pollution officials have begun developing a permitting process for ships that discharge ballast water in Minnesota's waters.

Ship ballast is considered a major source of non-native invasive species, such as zebra mussels.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency representatives were in Duluth today as they figure out how a permit program might work. But it's no small effort.

St. Paul, Minn. — Under an aggressive process, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hopes to issue all visiting ships permits by October 1st.

The permits would be similar to permits now issued to waste water treatment plants or industries that discharge water, such as iron mining companies.

The permits are the easy part. Getting ballast water clean is the tricky part.

Cost may fall to taxpayersBut it is important to keep creatures from getting into Lake Superior, according to the agency's Ballast Program Engineer David Kortan, because Minnesota ports get a staggering amount of ballast water.

"The Duluth-Superior harbor receives by far the most ballast water discharged of any Great Lakes port - over 20 million metric tons. Note the second on the list: it's Two Harbors," Kortan explained.

Even the smaller ships in Duluth can carry more than 2.5 million gallons of ballast.

But Kortan said the thousand-foot ore carriers that pick up taconite in Duluth and Two Harbors carry a lot more.

No silver bullet"They have up to 15.5 million gallons. Ten or more ships a day come in to the Duluth-Superior harbor. And many of them typically come in empty of cargo but full of ballast water," said Kortan.

Consider the sheer number of unwanted fish, mussels, or even fish viruses that could be hiding in all that water, and you start getting some glimpse of the problem.

And those unwanted creatures could easily come from other Great Lakes ports. Only a third of the known exotic species in the Great Lakes have turned up so far in Lake Superior.

But fixing the problem creates another staggering set of numbers.

So far, there's no proven technology to effectively keep creatures out of ballast water or to kill them all once they are in.

Ships could be forced to have on-board waste-water treatment plants to treat a huge amount of water in a very short time. At the hearing, cost estimates for retrofitting reached a million dollars per ship.

But doing nothing also has its costs, according to Julene Boe with the St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee.

Just consider what the sea lamprey has done to Great Lakes fish. Lake trout almost disappeared after the lamprey arrived. That hammered a once prosperous Lake Superior commercial fishing industry.

"Yes there is going to be a cost to correcting the problem, but when we keep looking back, it's always been probably less expensive to prevent something than [to fix it] down the road," said Boe.

But that cost could be more than ship owners can pay, according to Dale Bergeron of the University of Minnesota's Sea Grant program in Duluth.

What's at stake, he said, goes way beyond the 58 ships now sailing between Great Lakes ports. If ships stop sailing that puts whole industries at risk, including Minnesota taconite mining.

Bergeron said the benefits of shipping are so important it may make sense for taxpayers to shoulder the cost of ballast treatment.

"You know, we're talking phenomenal amounts of money. And, at this point, at a million dollars a ship, with 58 vessels in the fleet, maybe we should just take care of it," said Bergeron. The MPCA is a long way from ordering ships to do much of anything. The permit program is just a beginning. Effective ballast treatment may still be years away. And even then, the program won't stop the march of invasive species, according the MPCA's Ballast Program Supervisor Jeff Stollenwerk.

Invasives can arrive on recreational boats, or in bait buckets, or just swim into the lakes from the Chicago River.

"I don't want the vessel discharge permit to look like this is the silver bullet that's going to stop invasive species, because it definitely is not. But it is an important step," Stollenwerk said.

And it's not really certain the MPCA's ballast program will ever take effect.

Congressman Jim Oberstar's federal ballast law would supersede state ballast regulations. Oberstar's bill could come up for a vote next week.

[Northlander]

Have they done anything for ballast water treatment for ships coming into the Duluth harbor yet? Kind of a double standard IMO. They look the other way for the ships bringing all these invasives into our state, but they are now trying to crack down on the inland spread by fining Joe Schmo. Treating the problem at the source should be the first plan of action.

Just like I said many years ago JW. They keep putting off the true ballast water treatment for the ships that started this mess in the 1st place and now us sportsman are going to pay the price if we get caught with one of those Invasives in our boat or on a trailer? Deal with the real problem MN., Wi., Mi. DNR's and shipping industry!!!!! Our CO's have more things to do than sit at boat landings all day.

I will surely do my part to not transfer this junk but this topic gets my blood going every time I see another ship enter our great Harbor/River!

[GlassEyeangler]

thanks for the warning.

bottom-line - the DNR makes $ by writting a ticket for whatever. those dollars in business 101 is called revenue. i would love to see a report showing if say over the last 10 years if the "citation revenue bucket" (yeah, i made that up) has increased year over year. if so, i'm positive some director or whatever has said to CO's...now get out there and write more tickets as we need to keep the "citation revenue bucket" full and beat last year's numbers. you can do it men...make sure if your short of your goal each day, ticket a duck or a goose as they are guilty for transporting infested water.

this is how stupid this new regulation is. can't wait to run into a CO this year...i will never use a minnow bucket again!

[OnAFly]

It's not about generating revenue. If the DNR simply wanted to generate revenue, there are better ways to go about doing that.

Yeah, it's a pain to have to get used to new rules but the fact is that they are there to protect the things we all love from the minority that just doesn't care if they transport invasives. If everyone was a good sportsmen and cleaned out everything before going to the next lake, we wouldn't have this problem or regulation. But we do have this problem, so the regulation is needed.

Quit complaining and fish. That's my plan.

[goblueM]

just FYI, the DNR does not receive the full fine on a citation - most of the money you pay for a ticket go to the county court system

(at least so a CO told me one time, so beware of my classic "i heard this from a guy, and i'm repeating it on the internet as a universal truth" post )

[BobT]

...but not effective ones

Sounds like the same is true regarding inland lakes and rivers. I wonder what the solution really is?

[jwmiller33]

As in any job, metrics will be used to evaluate performance. I would imagine one of the metrics used to evaluate performance of a law enforcement officer would be number of citations/tickets given out. I don't think that is too farfetched or out of this world to comprehend. I would not be too happy if I found out the state was employing a CO or two that never wrote any tickets.

[DTro]

That is very true about the fines. The majority are city/county fees, admin fees, court fees etc.

I don't however believe that this will stop anything, just maybe slow it down a bit. If everyone did this from day one, I still think we'd be in the same situation. Mother Nature has a way of trumping anything we can try to do.

Plus, how sure are we that Zebras are a horrible thing for a lake? Especially a lake with a Milfoil problem?

[NELS-BELLS]

I wish the CO's would take a closer look at the carpeting on bunk trailers. You would be surprised at all of the small fragments of vegetation that get caught in that carperting that covers the bunks. Those particles get sandwiched between the boat and the wet bunk, then a week later that boat gets dumped in another lake and there you have it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it only takes a small particle of milfoil to spread it.

I was on Lake Alexander on a weekend last summer (which is infested with milfoil now) and you wouldn't believe all of the nice bunk trailers at the landing. I happened to take a close look at the trailer parked next to me and I couldn'tbelieve all of the small particles of vegetation in the carpeting.

My 2 cents.

Nels