New Trailer Decal Requirement

[rundrave]

It has long been known that the best process for dealing with invasive species is education.

How do you propose that they educate all the wildlife that transfer AIS?

[CaptainMusky]

Read this ten times "We cannot STOP the spread of invasive species once they are here, we can only help to SLOW the spread".

WE, are not the only ones spreading these things. Humans may have been the ones who originally brought them here for one reason or another, but they are NOT the only reason they spread. We may certainly speed up or slow down the spread based upon our actions or lack of, but we will not stop it.

[leechlake]

probably what bothers some of us posters is that the State comes up with a lot of hoops for us to jump through to participate in the outdoors AND that they are really terrible ideas that don't solve the problem.

If the hoop to jump through was a solution to the problem then I'd bet many would be on board or more would be on board.

For example, Firearms Safety. Would anyone on this site state that Firearms Safety for youth hunters is an infringement on rights or merely just an unnecessary bad idea? Of course not, you've got a 12 year old or older youth carrying a gun around in the woods or fields. For everyone's sake the course is a good idea and it is an effective tool that complements an adult also teaching the youth firearms safety and hunting safety.

We can all clean our boats without taking an on line course. Frankly, it should be free because it the state thinks it's going to actually be effective it would eliminate the need for boat ramp inspectors therefore actually costing less and saving us money.

[harvey lee]

We can all clean our boats without taking an on line course. Frankly, it should be free because it the state thinks it's going to actually be effective it would eliminate the need for boat ramp inspectors therefore actually costing less and saving us money

Trouble is Leech, many did not even bother to try so here we are.

[harvey lee]

Read this ten times "We cannot STOP the spread of invasive species once they are here, we can only help to SLOW the spread".

WE, are not the only ones spreading these things. Humans may have been the ones who originally brought them here for one reason or another, but they are NOT the only reason they spread. We may certainly speed up or slow down the spread based upon our actions or lack of, but we will not stop it.

Agree 100%. Trouble is, until we all try to do what the DNR has asked, they will continue to come up with new rules and stiffer fines even if it does not stop it and most here would all agree it will never stop it, maybe just slow it a bit.

I do not know if the DNR would have moved forward with this new program if all would have tried to follow the first rules set up, guess we will never know the answer to that as we are now past that for many not complying.

With the big percentage that did not comply, that well could have gotten us to where we are now, as the state is going to make us comply even if we do not like it. The DNR is not going to say they were wrong so somehow, they need more fumds to pay for the the AIS costs.

[leechlake]

Harvey,

I can't imagine what content will be in these on line classes that will implore the people who don't clean their trailers to suddenly start cleaning their trailers. If it is, as mentioned, to make it easier to fine people those fines still don't help with keeping invasive species from spreading, which I believe is the goal.

I suppose education which leads to awareness would be the sales pitch we'd hear from the State. Two years from now we'll hear a new "solution" to the problem. Two years later another "solution" to the problem. Once the invasive species spread to most lakes I'd wager we'll hear some suggestion that in retrospect nothing could be done and in actuality the state sees some benefits never thought of to having these vermin in all of the lakes.

[ClownColor]

Some time ago on this site sooooo many people were in favor of a boating license...The consensus was to offer some sort of class educating boater safety. Isn't this a start? I think the only thing the DNR failed on was calling this an AIS sticker but should have instead implemented AIS into a boater education license.

[brmuskie]

They have 7 days to complete the course:

"Minnesota law states that anyone transporting watercraft or water-related equipment in Minnesota needs to complete training and display the decal on their trailer. You can register for the class and get a temporary pass that gives you 7 days to complete the training."

The resort owners would be screaming if their NR guests got to the state and couldn't put their boats in the water till they finished this.

The way this reads a NR would have to get this decal just to transport a boat through MN. even if it was not going to be launched in MN.

[brmuskie]

Bottom line is there has been no clear plan in Minnesota to battle AIS. The State Agencies, the U of M, the legislature, lake associations, SWCD's, Counties, Watershed Districts, cities, and any other group that has taken up the cause all want more money to fight AIS but nobody has brought all of the groups together to work on a plan and put the plan into place statewide.

I have seen some bad programs in Minnesota over the years but nothing this uncoordinated and wasting this much money.

Ask the farmers and the Dept. of Ag how easy it is to control invasive noxious weeds. And those are above water and you can easily see them and try to deal with them as they pop up. Imagine how much harder it is underwater where we don't notice them until they are out of control.

Good Luck everyone!

[leechlake]

Clown

couldn't agree more. Boater education with AIS as a section in the course. One reason we all see so many boating issues just in our normal course of fishing during the season is people think they can drive a boat because they can drive a car and many people can't especially when it comes to something other than just driving in a straight line across a lake.

Make everyone take it, couldn't take much longer than the AIS course and without a doubt help the waters be safer for us all.

[RumRiverRat]

I will not comply.

The MN DNR can pound sand.

[harvey lee]

I wish all the lakes would have every single AIS specie in it now. maybe then the one-just-like-silly-me clowns would think this will not work, just maybe.

I sent my state rep a long e-mail today and asked him why they are doing what they are when we all know, there is no avenue to stop this and all they are doing is making a bigger issue for all people using the lakes.

This is now a system totally out of control and that is exactly what I told my state rep.

I await his response.

[hayseed]

I will not comply.

The MN DNR can pound sand.

That's the spirit. Problem? What problem.

[amateurfishing]

Well technically I say we all do as asked then turn around and sue the dnr for already letting this happen anyway, the next suit will be for asian carp.

[IcePro]

How many of you have taken the boater education course? There is a section in the course regarding AIS but it needs to more thorough. Basically it says remove drain plug, pull weed & dump bait water on shore. There is also a section that mentions washing the boat and letting it dry.

The boater education course takes well over three hours to complete on line, how many of you are willing to take it? I did

I am in favor of all boaters taking the course.

[gonehunting]

Remember that it is the legislators that enact these laws. They are representing their constituents or at least what they feel the majority wants. As with any issue take your message to them and be heard.

[Great Outdoors]

I wonder how the DNR will deal with the Forest Service water bombers scooping up water from a large lake with an invasive species in it, then dumping it on an island fire on another smaller lake in the BWCA?

[Hawg]

Is it available yet?

[expl]

Pull the drain plug,that way if there happened to be water in my boat from a lake with invasives it has a chance to spread when I leave the lake on my way home or to another lake,or if I happen to forget to put the plug in at the next body of water I go to....What is Governor MarkMumblesDayton in charge of AIS?All of these new rules and regulations sound like some dumb dump he would come up with..

[Ufatz]

Gonehunting has the right idea: tell your legislator what you think of this idea. That would be the quickest way to get rid of it.

Perhaps there is a better way to combat the problem.

[amateurfishing]

Just thinking, what % of boat sales r done online? If guy a buys from b and setup already has sticker on it, its moot till a needs to renew license but may not have a clue about it for first year or two. This will happen alot.

[Kyhl]

Agree 100%. Trouble is, until we all try to do what the DNR has asked, they will continue to come up with new rules and stiffer fines even if it does not stop it and most here would all agree it will never stop it, maybe just slow it a bit.

The trouble is, there is the crazy thing called "free will" which will guarantee that there will never be 100% compliance on anything. Ever.

For evidence, look at the ACA. It is manditory to have health coverage or face a fine and still not everyone signed up. There will still not be 100% coverage even when the fines go up.

People like to make the choice that fits their lives no matter how much pain the gov't tries to force on the people.

[Northlander]

This is a joke. They spent all that $ putting people at landings and educating us. Have those at landings ask us questions and if we pass give us the dang sticker. Glad I live in WI. where this foolishness isnt taking part. YET. lol.

[sheephead2]

Well by the time someone reads all these post saying they won't do this... You could have taken the test and be done with it.

Just a thought

[harvey lee]

I agree Kyle that everyone has the free will to do as they please. Issue with that is, don't follow the new rule, then they will place more new rules.

Not saying any of the AIS programs will work, it may slow it at best but if a big majority say it is my free will to do as I please, you will end up with more rules and larger fines.

The DNR is bent on doing this and I have to believe some know at best it would only slow the spread but since most of them feel it will work, they will continue to add new phases until we all comply or at least a larger percentage. I agree it will never be 100% but I also know that until the DNR knows we are trying, they will continue to do things we do not like and it will only get worse.