Look what the DNR just sent me.....

[RebelSS]

YES!!! I'm happy, anyway....

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: MN Department of Natural Resources <[email protected]>

Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2015 at 11:44 AM

Subject: DNR postpones AIS training and trailer decal program

To: XXXX [email protected]

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources header

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 28, 2015

DNR postpones AIS training and trailer decal program

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will postpone the new aquatic invasive species training and trailer decal program that was due to launch at the end of the month while legislators consider changes to the program.

Under a law passed by the state Legislature in 2012, anyone trailering a boat or water-related equipment such as docks and lifts in Minnesota is required to take aquatic invasive species training and display a decal on their trailer. The effective date is July 1, 2015.

“With the legislative interest in this educational program and ongoing discussions about possible changes, we are postponing the launch until we see if the Legislature acts this session to modify the program,” said Bob Meier, DNR assistant commissioner.

The DNR supports the education that would be provided under this law, but recognizes there are some concerns with the way the law is currently written. For example, people transporting boats on trailers through Minnesota to another destination are required to take the course and display a decal even if they don’t put their boat in Minnesota waters.

Since the training and decal are currently not required until July 1, the DNR wants to remind people that there will be time to see what happens legislatively and still take the course and receive decals. The agency will post any updates on trailers at www.trailers.mndnr.gov and alert the media if there are any program changes.

-30-

[Down Deep]

I read this email as code for: "The legislature is GOING to make changes so we are putting this on hold. Please stop sending ranting emails."

The way the whole process is set up is cumbersome and is just fraught with potential non-compliance problems. A guy shouldn't have to work all week and then face a potential fine if they don't have a sticker on their trailer when he simply wants a day of fishing. I would doubt that with all the media attention and ramp education that has been done over the last two years that anyone who fishes on a regular basis would not know the AIS protocol.

A problem I see is that the legislature doesn't adjourn till MAY most sessions. If they wait till May to act or not act, then I guess we can expect 2 million boat owners to jam the DNR HSOforum trying to take the training before July.

[RebelSS]

My goal was just to inform folks that as for NOW, it's on hold. Period. Hopefully they'll drop the entire thing when they realize what it will do to tourism, requiring people passing thru to take the course. Until then, I guess you can interpret it whatever way you want, and do whatever you want with it.

[B-man715]

It may be postponed, but it WILL HAPPEN.

There are other states with even stricter standards than what is proposed here.

Don't think for even a minute that The Land of 10,000 Laws won't be on par with them sooner than later.......

I don't agree with any of it, but it is coming......

[LindellProStaf]

This has always sounded more like a way to justify and create jobs than anything else. I wonder if training and stickers will make people more responsible. Some people just don't care. Go ahead and fine anyone trying to put a boat with invasive species on their boat in the water. But also make the info available to everyone when they get their boat license and fishing license.

[LindellProStaf]

And I wouldn't care if I had to take an online test I guess.

[PurpleFloyd]

Guess what is next on the horizon?

Quote:

Killer Shrimp Could Invade the Great Lakes

by Laura Geggel, Staff Writer | February 07, 2015 08:42am ET

Killer shrimp, creatures that indiscriminately slay other animals without eating them, may soon join the list of invasive species living in the Great Lakes, a new study finds.

But government regulations for the exotic pet trade and commercial shipping may impede the shrimp's arrival, the researchers said.

More than 180 invasive species have made the Great Lakes basin their home in the past 200 years. Government regulations have curbed the introduction of new invasive threats, but the lakes are still vulnerable, the researchers said.....

[RebelSS]

Pick up the July-August 2014 issue......talks at length about Blood Shrimp. You can bet half the other species in the article are going to be next on a bill....

http://www.bigrivermagazine.com/newsJA14.html

[deerminator]

It's maddening. Not only are you passing an ineffective law to try and prevent the spread of AIS but now you're going to ineffectively try to educate the populace on it. And it looks like they ineffectively tried to administer such an educational program. What can they do that's effective instead?! Common sense would dictate it makes sense to pass a law telling people to not transfer AIS from one lake to another by cleaning off your boat, etc. And that most people would respect that but some either choose to disregard it or just simply can't understand how to do it right. And that an educational program will have no impact. Either you get it and will do it or you don't? What's next, a training and special sticker program to stop people from speeding? Yay! Where's my special sticker.

[fsnrod]

It should not be a decal for your trailer your trailer didn't take the test. Anybody who didn't take that test could pull that trailer any place in mn. But I who took the test couldn't pull a boat trailer without a decal. It should be card for your pocket that shows you took the test and be legal to pull any water related trailer.

[Grum]

It should not be a decal for your trailer your trailer didn't take the test. Anybody who didn't take that test could pull that trailer any place in mn. But I who took the test couldn't pull a boat trailer without a decal. It should be card for your pocket that shows you took the test and be legal to pull any water related trailer.

Now that seems to be a much better idea!

[gunner55]

I have to agree & that's why they didn't think of it in St. Paul.

[delcecchi]

But with the stickers they will, eventually, just be able to cruise the boat launch and write the tickets without ever talking to you. Much more efficient. Then they can hire "meter maid" type persons to save the CO the work.

[RebelSS]

One thing I've always wondered about...a big thing that smacks ya right in the head...what about the barges and tugs going up and down the rivers? The river is covered under the AIS laws....am I missing something here?

[cold one sd]

Hmmmmmm,never have seen a trailered tugboat.