Boaters will face roadside checks for invasive species

[Larson15]

Whoever thinks that this is a good idea probably voted for Obama and still thinks he is a good president. All this ridiculous non sense is about $$$$. The only reason for all of this is all of the rich lake property owners whining like little girls about what they don't know. Its very easy for them to complain about "those fisherman" are the ones bringing these into our lakes when really its them by letting there 60 thousand dollar wake board boat rot at there dock and collect the invasives and then they travel north to there cabin with it. How come that never gets talked about?

Regardless of what happens, this state is going down the same path as what California went down and the DNR sees it as another way to create revenue and having the lake associations stop whining.

[BobT]

Quote:

I disagree.

The roadside check is the perfect place to engage in civil disobedience.

I will not stop and I will not comply with roadside checks.

You could be right in the sense that it would speed up the process of getting your day in court, where the battle should be started. But even then, local judges don't make the laws nor do they determine which ones are or are not constitutional, they only interpret and rule upon them accordingly, assuming they are doing their job. The right place to fight the law is with your legislature.

Arguing with law enforcement officers won't do anything for your cause. Their hands are tied and their responsibility is to enforce the law, even those they may not agree with. You're wasting your time employing civil disobedience at the roadside check.

[BobT]

Quote:

The one point you make that is absolutely false is that we brought these roadside checks on ourselves by not following the laws.

By that logic there should be Texting, Seat Belt, and DWI checkpoints because people break those laws.

I agree with this. Why not set up DUI checkpoints just down the road out of sight from parking lot exits of local bars and nightclubs? Man, they could make a killing (or prevent one) issuing citations.

[reddog]

Not Legal in MN.

Ruled Unconstitutional.

[reinhard1]

my understading is that the "inspections" will be done by inspectors not CO's. and again 98% at the boat landings and 2% at road side checks very near or at boat landings. yes DUI road checks were ruled unconstitutional but these boat stops are legal right now until ruled otherwise. when drawing up this law the leglislature was fully aware of the DUI ruling. the DNR will be putting out full details soon. good luck.

[RumRiverRat]

I agree with this. Why not set up DUI checkpoints just down the road out of sight from parking lot exits of local bars and nightclubs? Man, they could make a killing (or prevent one) issuing citations.

So you are willing to give up your freedom to be safe?

[RumRiverRat]

How many guys drink beer when theyre in the boat? How many guys drink lots of beer when theyre out fishing?

They arent just going to target invasive species when they pull you over.

Well any other violation of the law will not stand up in court because the reason for the original stop was not legal.

[RumRiverRat]

Arguing with law enforcement officers won't do anything for your cause. Their hands are tied and their responsibility is to enforce the law, even those they may not agree with. You're wasting your time employing civil disobedience at the roadside check.

Will not be a waste of time, the best possible way to stop illegal roadside checks is not obey them in an act of civil disobedience.

If the sheep in this state and country would stand up for what they believe in, the tyrants would not be able to control us.

[frogtosser]

so do I get a free boat wash then, or would a washing meant you get a fine as well

[Superduty]

We can argue about this for years and point fingers at our nonfavorite user groups. We can clean our boats to the best of our abilities. We can stop at every ILLEGAL checkpoint. We can spend millions of dollars. Guess what is going to happen?

AIS are going to continue to spread.

The world changes every day. We live in a global economy now and must face the consequences. I urge everybody involved to speak up and make sure the lake associations are not allowed to use AIS as an excuse to limit access to public water. We need to allow the biologists to make the management decisions and not the politicians.

[reddog]

We can argue about this for years and point fingers at our nonfavorite user groups. We can clean our boats to the best of our abilities. We can stop at every ILLEGAL checkpoint. We can spend millions of dollars. Guess what is going to happen?

AIS are going to continue to spread.

The world changes every day. We live in a global economy now and must face the consequences. I urge everybody involved to speak up and make sure the lake associations are not allowed to use AIS as an excuse to limit access to public water. We need to allow the biologists to make the management decisions and not the politicians.

Exactly! +1

[BobT]

Quote:

So you are willing to give up your freedom to be safe?

First, I'm trying to understand something. I agree with your post and you criticize me for it.

Second, you obviously don't understand sarcasm when you read it. My post was meant to be sarcastic.

Are you just arguing for the sake of arguing or what?

[muskE]

How about installing pressure washers at ramps instead of hiring additional enforcement? I'm tired of seeing weeds dragged down the interstate because of laziness. I'd bet there'd be higher complaince and we wouldn't have to pay benefits to a hose. Heck, I'd even pay a buck or 2 each time to help offset the cost.

[Kyhl]

First, I'm trying to understand something. I agree with your post and you criticize me for it.

Second, you obviously don't understand sarcasm when you read it. My post was meant to be sarcastic.

Are you just arguing for the sake of arguing or what?

In RumRiverRat's defense, not that he needs anyone to defend him , I didn't see the sarcasm in your post either.

[Kyhl]

How about installing pressure washers at ramps instead of hiring additional enforcement? I'm tired of seeing weeds dragged down the interstate because of laziness. I'd bet there'd be higher complaince and we wouldn't have to pay benefits to a hose. Heck, I'd even pay a buck or 2 each time to help offset the cost.

That's a great idea. Let's charge people to use lakes. We should put up gates to keep people out until they can pay. [/sarcasm]

Oh wait, that's already happening.

[BobT]

Quote:

In RumRiverRat's defense, not that he needs anyone to defend him , I didn't see the sarcasm in your post either.

That's possible but anyone following this thread as I know RR has, they also know my position regarding roadside stops. In my opinion they are in violation of the fourth amendment to our US constitution, which trumps any state law. I do not believe towing a boat is probable cause.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[reinhard1]

i feel the same way, however is it not the word "unreasonable" in the amendment that can be interpreted into a possible "probable cause". this particular law in question has not been tested yet. someone or some group may contest it, as what happened in the DUI case. as of now however it is legal and as i was told was written with the DUI case in mind. i can see people being upset at this [ i was at first when i read the tribune article]. however i haven't seen the law in it's full document form. if it turns out not to be constitutional it will be removed. it must be contested first. good luck.

[arrow]

This is a total waste of money and unconstitutional as well. You will not stop the spread of these invasives, perhaps slow it a bit but at what cost? For what its worth,since milfoil and zebra mussels have infested Prior the fishing has gotten better and the water clarity has improved immensely.

[chanfish]

What mechanisms are in place for the people that move docks around? Do they get stopped? Are they required to be stopped and searched and "educated" as well on this? What about tugs, river barges etc? It almost seems like they are going after the wrong people here? This to me is the same losing argument they tried with milfoil...Didnt they learn anything from this? Why dont they just provide handouts to educate people on this? Put posters at bait shops (which they may aleady do) I dont like this search and seizure police state approach...And I dont like the idea of gates at lake either..gotta be a better way...not that they would ask the taxpayers who fund all of this...just my opinion.. they are going to take all the fun out of this sport with over regulation.

[simple1]

Im still waiting on a response to my email about this law. Im surprised they have not responded yet, as usually their responses are within a few days.

Simple1

[reinhard1]

i wonder if it would be better to contact the leglislature in regards to the law. ask your rep for the details perhapst. when i talked to the DNR officials they gave me information regarding the program as far as they know at the time. it is still in the planning stage. it will start shortly after ice out. i asked the DNR officials about the road side law and they told me basicly that they were not lawyers and only carry out the law and enforce it. so i dont know what you asked them but i doubt they could tell you or give opinions on the law as far as the constitutional aspects of it. all i know is that details are to be provided and i'm watching the DNR sight for that information. good luck.

[simple1]

Thats a good point, but I am sure they have someone in the department who can handle legal questions. But like you said they are going to carry out the law as they are expected to. I was just looking for information, but if anyone wants the law changed there are two options: The court system, or contact your congressman or woman to have the law changed through them. I am in stand-by mode waiting for more information about how the law will actually be implemented. I will send an email to my rep tomorrow or tonight and let everyone know what they say.

Thanks,

Simple1

[RumRiverRat]

Apparently they are hiring 150 inspectors for the summer.

[itchmesir]

Apparently they are hiring 150 inspectors for the summer.

they won't "hire" anyone.. they'll just get college kids who want to internship over the summer... that's already who checks your boats at launches

[swampman]

I wonder if the state plans to patrol the lake shores 24/7 and pressure wash any turtles that may be leaving the lake with zebra mussells on there shells.