AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION

Transcription

1 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION 2016 Annual Report Chisago and Northern Washington Counties January 12, 2017

2 2016 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Chisago and Northern Washington County Contents Background... 3 Program Implementation... 4 Watercraft Inspections... 4 Watercraft Inspection Surveys... 7 Summary Watercraft Inspection Survey Results... 9 Watercraft Decontaminations Entrance Inspections Previous Lake AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited Exit Inspections Next Lake Enforcement Information and Education Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan Chart 1: 2016 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours... 9 Chart 2: 2016 Total Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours Chart 3: 2016 Total Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours Chart 4: 2016 Number of Inspections Chart 5: 2016 Inspections per Lake Chart 6: 2016 Type of Watercraft Inspected Chart 7: 2016 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Chart 8: 2016 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug Chart 9: 2016 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Chart 10: 2016 Previous Lake Visited Chart 11: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Visited Chart 12: 2016 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals Chart 13: 2016 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Chart 14: 2016 Next Lake Planned to Visit Chart 15: 2016 Enforcement Inspections

3 Table 1: 2016 Entrance or Exit Inspections Table 2: 2016 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Table 3: 2016 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug Table 4: 2016 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Table 5: 2016 Previous Lake Visited Table 6: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Visited Table 7: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Individual Visits Table 8: 2016 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals Table 9: 2016 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Table 10: 2016 Next Lake Planned to Visit Figure 1: Chisago County Watercraft Inspectors... 4 Figure 2: Watercraft Inspector and Banner... 9 Figure 3: Landa EOS Decontamination Unit Figure 4: Example of Watercraft Decontamination Figure 5: Example of Watercraft Decontamination Figure 6: Aquatic Invasive Species Handout Figure 7: Aquatic Plant Scientists Session Children s Water Festival Figure 8: Example of New Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Sign Installed at Boat Launches in Chisago County Figure 9: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Banners Attachment A: Comfort Lake Association Watercraft Inspection Letter Attachment B: Bone Lake Association Watercraft Inspection Letter Attachment C: Forest Lake Lake Association Watercraft Inspection Letter Attachment D: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake Visited Lake Name 2

4 Background Chisago and northern Washington Counties have some of the premier recreational lakes in the northeast metro area. The lakes in the area vary in many ways, but they all have one thing in common; they are all susceptible to aquatic invasive species (AIS). Curly-leaf pondweed, which was first found in Minnesota in 1910, is found in all the lakes in the watershed. This plant has been a part of the aquatic landscape for so long that it often is not recognized as an invasive species. The aquatic invasive plant Eurasian Watermilfoil is found in many area lakes. In 2015, new infestations of Eurasian Watermilfoil were found in Forest, Comfort and Little Horseshoe Lakes. Both of these invasive plants substantially impair navigation and crowd out desirable, native plants. Additionally, Curly-leaf Pondweed has a negative effect on water quality. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District partnered with area Lake Associations (Center Lakes, Chisago, Lindstrom, Kroon, and Green Lake) and the Minnesota DNR to control Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-Leaf Pondweed. The density and abundance of these two plants was lower in 2016 than it was in previous years resulting in improved navigation. Lakes included in the program include Chisago, Green, Kroon, Little Green, North Center, South Center and South Lindstrom. In 2015, Zebra Mussels were found in Forest Lake. Since then, zebra mussel monitoring devices have detected extensive mussel growth throughout Forest Lake s west and central basins. Zebra mussels are expected to appear in the east basin in No lake-wide zebra mussel treatments are possible at this time. Eurasian Watermilfoil was discovered in Forest Lake and Comfort Lake in Herbicide treatments occurred in both lakes in 2015 and 2016, but eradication was not possible. Future herbicide applications will focus on managing the plant, rather than eradicating it. Forest Lake has recently become infested with Flowering Rush, sometimes mistakenly called onion grass. Dense stands of Flowering Rush may interfere with swimming and other recreational uses of the lake and will also choke out native vegetation. The Forest Lake Lake Association and Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District began a substantial effort to begin the process of removing Flowering Rush from Forest Lake before it reaches an uncontrollable presence and to prevent Flowering Rush from spreading to other lakes. The efforts involve herbicide treatments, manual cutting, and lakewide seed pod collection. These management efforts have produced a 97% decrease in the lake-wide extent of Flowering Rush from early summer 2014 to late summer However, some regrowth is expected next year. Movement of aquatic invasive species by boats is the number one way these harmful species spread from lake to lake. Fortunately, other aquatic invasive species that are threatening other waters of the state, specifically Spiny Water Flea, starry stonewort, and Faucet Snails, are not known to be found in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. The watercraft inspection program is essential in our efforts to slow the spread of these invaders in the area. 3

5 Program Implementation To implement the watercraft inspection program in 2016, Chisago County entered into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for authority to conduct boat launch inspections. Additionally, a partnership was formed between Chisago County and the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District to inspect boats at public water accesses in the District. Substantial funding for the program was provided by the State of Minnesota through the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid Program along with funding from the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District and the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District. The Program helped fund prevention efforts including increased watercraft inspections, enforcement and education. Chisago County purchased an AIS decontamination unit that was rotated among the 10 most heavily used public water accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. These accesses include East Rush, Taylors Falls Lions Club, Osceola, North Center, South Center, Chisago/South Lindstrom, Green, Forest East, and Forest West. Watercraft Inspections A total of thirteen Level 1 inspectors were hired by Chisago County to perform inspections. Once trained and authorized, Level 1 inspectors inspect water-related equipment and prohibit the launching of equipment in waters of the state if the individual refuses to allow an inspection of their equipment or refuses to comply with aquatic invasive species laws. Figure 1: Chisago County Watercraft Inspectors One inspector provided coverage at northern Chisago County lakes, three inspectors were stationed in the Chisago Lakes area, five inspectors were in the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District and four inspectors shared responsibilities between Chisago County Parks and watercraft Inspections. 4

6 Three Level 2 inspectors were hired to inspect and decontaminate watercraft. Watercraft enforcement training was provided to officers of the Chisago County Sherriff s Department. Officers provided support to watercraft inspectors and took shifts at public water accesses in Chisago County. The aquatic invasive species Education Specialist developed a county wide aquatic invasive species Communication and Education Plan. The primary objective of the watercraft inspection program is to inform and educate the public on the threats of ecologically harmful aquatic invasive species to the lakes in Chisago and northern Washington County. The watercraft inspector works at boat launches educating the public by providing information to watercraft users and conducting a brief survey while inspecting watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Inspections took place at the following public water accesses: Bone Chisago/South Lindstrom Comfort Fish Forest Central Forest East Forest West Franconia Goose Green Horseshoe Kroon Little Little Green Minnesota Interstate Park North Center Osceola Rush East Rush West South Center Spider Sunrise Taylors Falls Lions Club Wild River State Park 5

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8 Watercraft Inspection Surveys North and South Center Lakes each have separate boat launching areas and the lakes are connected by a channel. Chisago, South Lindstrom and North Lindstrom Lakes share a mutual boat launch and are connected by channels (in this report they are grouped together). Green and Little Green Lakes have separate boat launches, but are also connected by a channel. Forest East, Central and West have separate boat launches, but are three large bays of one lake. East and West Rush Lakes are connected by a channel. Sunrise, Wild River State Park, Taylors Falls Lions Club, Minnesota Interstate Park, Franconia and Osceola are on the St. Croix River. Watercraft inspections were conducted between May 13 and October 16, Inspections were rotated among the lakes with public accesses with priority given to accesses with higher boat traffic. Summary Watercraft Inspectors worked over 7,800 hours inspecting boats at accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. Over 10,500 watercraft inspections were conducted in June and July had the largest number of inspections. Inspections took place at 24 public water accesses. The majority of inspections took place at busier accesses including Chisago/South Lindstrom, Forest West, Forest East, North Center, Fish and South Center Lakes. 68% of inspections took place on fishing boats, 16% on roundabout or ski boats with no ballast and 7% on pontoons. The remaining inspections took place on personal watercraft, canoes/kayak, duck boats, sailboats and boat lift/docks. Approximately 60% of inspections were entrance inspections and 40% were exit inspections. In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors performed the following decontaminations of watercraft in Chisago County: 5 before entering a lake, 50 when exiting a lake and 6 courtesy decontaminations. (A courtesy decontamination is not required by a Watercraft Inspector, but are provided to those requesting to decontaminate their watercraft to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS). At entrance inspections, 268 watercraft had AIS or non-ais vegetation and 579 watercraft had drain plugs in. If AIS or non-ais vegetation was found during entrance inspections, vegetation was found on 188 watercraft and on 91 trailers. 44% of watercraft entering a lake previously came from the same lake, 13% came from a different lake within Chisago County/CLFLWD, 24% came from a lake outside Chisago County/CLFLWD and 1% came from out of state. Watercraft came from 236 lakes that contain AIS. The majority of these lakes have Eurasian Water Milfoil or Zebra Mussels. 7

9 Watercraft users made 4,751 individual visits to lakes that contain AIS before coming to lakes in Chisago County. (2,369 visits from lakes within Chisago County/CLFLWD and 2,382 from lakes outside Chisago County/CLFLWD). During exit inspections nearly 800 watercraft had AIS/Non-AIS vegetation present. Inspectors required the vegetation be removed before exiting the launch. If AIS or non-ais vegetation was found during exit inspections, vegetation was found on 374 watercraft and on 413 trailers. After leaving a lake, nearly 50% of watercraft return to the same lake, 11% go to a different lake within Chisago County/CLFLWD, 13% go to a lake outside Chisago/CLFLWD and 1% go out of state. Chisago County Sherriff s Department officers worked hours at public water accesses. They inspected 435 boats and issued 12 verbal or written warnings, 6 citations and 1 arrest. The primary reason for the warnings and citations was boats with drain plugs in upon arrival at the boat launch. In 2016, Chisago County staff developed and began implementation of an AIS Communication and Education Plan to educate citizens about AIS and encourage behavior that reduces or stops the spread of AIS in Chisago County. In 2016, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District adopted a Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan focusing on prevention through watercraft inspections, decontamination, education/outreach and enforcement, early detection and rapid response. 8

10 2016 Watercraft Inspection Survey Results Figure 2: Watercraft Inspector and Banner Watercraft Inspectors worked nearly 8,000 hours inspecting boats at accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. Chart 1: 2016 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours 2016 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours Total Inspection Hours 9

11 Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors worked nearly 5,300 hours at public water accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties. Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors are trained to inspect watercraft and have authority to deny launch if a boat cannot be brought into compliance. Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors spend many hours educating boaters on AIS laws Chart 2: 2016 Total Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours Total Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours Total Level 1 Inspection Hours Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors worked 2600 hours at public water accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties. Level 2 Watercraft inspectors have the same responsibilities as Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors along with training to decontaminate watercraft. In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. The decontamination unit was rotated among the 10 busiest accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties. Inspections took place at the following public water accesses: Chisago/South Lindstrom Forest East Forest West Green Little Green North Center Osceola Rush East South Center 10

12 Chart 3: 2016 Total Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours Total Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours Total Level 2 Inspection Hours Summaries of watercraft inspections conducted within the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District are found in Attachment A Watercraft Inspection Letter to Comfort Lake Association, Attachment B Watercraft Inspection Letter to Bone Lake Association and Attachment C Watercraft Inspection Letter to Forest Lake Lake Association. 11

13 Watercraft inspectors stationed at a public water access inspect all incoming and exiting watercraft. At the time of the inspection, they also ask the boaters a series of questions relating to their boating activities. Over 10,000 watercraft inspections were conducted in June and July had the most inspections. Chart 4: 2016 Number of Inspections Number of Inspections April May June July August September October ,564 Total Number of Inspections 12

14 Inspections took place at 24 public water accesses. The majority of inspections took place at busier accesses including Chisago/Lindstrom, Fish, Forest East, Forest West, Forest Central and North/South Center. Chart 5: 2016 Inspections per Lake Inspections per Lake ,564 Total Number of Inspections 13

15 68% of inspections took place on fishing boats, 16% on roundabout or ski boats with no ballast and 7% on pontoons. The remaining inspections took place on personal watercraft, canoes/kayak, duck boats, sailboats and boat lift/docks. Chart 6: 2016 Type of Watercraft Inspected 2016 Type of Watercraft Inspected

16 During entrance inspections, watercraft inspectors help boaters check for aquatic plants and animals that may be attached to the watercraft. They also check to see if the drain plug is in or out of the boat. If the plug is in during the time of the inspection, the inspector sends the watercraft away to remove the plug to drain the boat of any water at a location away from the lake. While leaving a body of water, an exit inspection is performed by the watercraft inspector. During this inspection, the inspector may be having an encounter with a person(s) who went through an entrance exam earlier in the day. The inspector will help look for aquatic plants or animals that may be attached to the boat or trailer from the lake that they just left. If any material is found it is promptly removed from the watercraft and properly disposed. Table 1: 2016 Entrance or Exit Inspections 2016 Entrance or Exit Inspections Courtesy Entering Exiting (blank) Grand Total CHISAGO/SOUTH LINDSTROM FOREST WEST FOREST EAST NORTH CENTER FISH SOUTH CENTER FOREST CENTRAL COMFORT BONE ST. CROIX RIVER RUSH EAST LITTLE GREEN GREEN RUSH WEST LITTLE HORSESHOE GOOSE KROON SPIDER 1 1 LITTLE HORSESHOE 1 1 Grand Total 6 6,075 4, ,564 15

17 Watercraft Decontaminations In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. The decontamination unit was rotated among the 10 busiest accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties, including: Chisago/South Lindstrom Forest East Forest West Green Little Green North Center Osceola Rush East South Center The decontamination unit, or Decon Unit, is a portable, self-contained wash unit that allows Inspectors to decontaminate, or apply heated water, to watercraft at public water accesses. It uses pressure and heat to kill any aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels, that may be present on the watercraft or trailer to prevent the user from transporting them to the next water body. The wash water is collected on a mat and is not allowed to drain back to into the waterbody. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource (DNR) maintains a website that shows the location of where Decon Units are providing service across the State. The website will show the location of where the Decon will be located, the date and hours they will be available, and an address and phone number of the Watercraft Inspector to call if you wish to schedule a decontamination. Please visit webapps15.dnr.state.mn.us/ais_decon_sites to find where to decontaminate your watercraft or to schedule a decontamination. Figure 3: Landa EOS Decontamination Unit 16

18 Figure 4: Example of Watercraft Decontamination Figure 5: Example of Watercraft Decontamination 17

19 Under certain conditions, Watercraft Inspectors may require watercraft to be decontaminated to remove AIS before going into Minnesota lakes and rivers. They can also prohibit the launching or operation of watercraft if a person refuses to allow an inspection or does not remove water or aquatic invasive species. Individuals may also ask for a courtesy decontamination, which are decontaminations that are not required by Watercraft Inspectors, but are provided to those who request to decontaminate their watercraft to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS. The table and chart below shows the number of decontaminations that were performed by Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors before watercraft entered or exited at the following public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 2: 2016 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations 2016 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Courtesy Entering Exiting Grand Total FOREST WEST SOUTH CENTER RUSH EAST GREEN FOREST EAST 4 4 NORTH CENTER LITTLE GREEN CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM 1 1 Grand Total

20 Chart 7: 2016 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Courtesy Entering Exiting Grand Total 19

21 Entrance Inspections During the entrance inspection, watercraft inspectors help each boater check for aquatic plants and animals that may be attached to the watercraft. They also check to see if the drain plug is in or out of the boat. If the drain plug is in during the time of the inspection, the inspector sends the watercraft away to remove the plug to drain the boat of any water at a location away from the lake. The table and chart below shows the number of boaters with AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present, AIS Animal Present, or Drain Plug Removal Required during the entrance inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 3: 2016 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug 2016 Lake Access Name AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present AIS Animal Present Drain Plug Removal Required CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM FOREST WEST FOREST EAST FOREST CENTRAL NORTH CENTER 4 28 FISH COMFORT BONE 7 23 RUSH EAST 4 8 GREEN 2 7 ST. CROIX RIVER 4 7 LITTLE GREEN 2 5 SOUTH CENTER 9 4 LITTLE 1 RUSH WEST 1 HORSESHOE 1 Total

22 Chart 8: 2016 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present 1 AIS Animal Present Drain Plug Removal Required In addition, if aquatic plants and animals were found during the entrance inspection, the table and chart below show the location of where the aquatic plants and animals were found: on the watercraft, on the trailer, or on equipment or accessories (e.g. anchor or fishing line). Table 4: 2016 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals 2016 Lake Access Name Equipment of accessories (e.g. anchor, fishing line) Trailer Watercraft FOREST EAST FOREST CENTRAL FOREST WEST 7 26 FISH 3 15 CHISAGO / SOUTH 5 5 LINDSTROM RUSH EAST 4 SOUTH CENTER 6 3 ST. CROIX RIVER 1 3 NORTH CENTER GREEN 1 1 COMFORT GOOSE 1 GREEN 2 BONE 7 Total

23 Chart 9: 2016 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Equipment or accessories (eg anchor, fishing line) Trailer Watercraft 22

24 Previous Lake During the entrance and exit inspections, the inspector collects information in the form of a survey. The inspector is interested in knowing what body of water the boater had previously visited. The table and chart below show the total number of water bodies and their location that each individual survey respondent had visited previously, as reported during the entrance and exit inspections at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District. Table 5: 2016 Previous Lake Visited 2016 Lake Access Name Same Lake Different Lake Within Chisago County/CLFLWD Lake Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD Unknown/ Prefers Not to Answer Out of State CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM FOREST WEST FOREST EAST NORTH CENTER FOREST CENTRAL FISH COMFORT SOUTH CENTER ST. CROIX RIVER LITTLE GREEN BONE RUSH EAST GREEN RUSH WEST LITTLE LAKE GOOSE KROON HORSESHOE LITTLE HORSESHOE 1 SPIDER 1 Total % 13% 24% 17% 2% 23

25 Chart 10: 2016 Previous Lake Visited 2016 Previous Lake Visited Same Lake 1364 Different Lake within Chisago County/CLFLWD 2412 Lake Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD 1755 Unknown/Prefers Not To Answer 219 Out of State 24

26 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited Knowing the body of water a watercraft user had previously visited before coming to a lake in Chisago County provides a strong indication of what aquatic invasive species are the biggest threat and how effective watercraft inspections are in preventing the spread. The table and chart below show the total number of water bodies, rather than each individual visit, that contain an aquatic invasive species that survey respondents reported visiting previously during the entrance and exit inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake- Forest Lake Watershed District. Table 6: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Visited 2016 Species Total Eurasian Watermilfoil 109 Zebra Mussel 59 Spiny Waterflea 12 Faucet Snail 11 Flowering Rush 9 Bighead Carp 8 Silver Carp 8 Grass Carp 7 Starry Stonewort 3 New Zealand Mud Snail 2 Round Goby 2 Ruffe 2 VHS 2 White Perch 2 Total

27 Chart 11: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Visited 2106 AIS in Previous Lake/River Visited The table in Attachment D: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake Visited/Lake Name lists the names of the waterbodies that contain an aquatic invasive species that survey respondents reported visiting before coming to a lake in Chisago County. Survey respondents reported this information during the entrance and exit inspection at lake accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District. 26

28 The table and chart below show the total number of individual visits from waterbodies that contain an aquatic invasive species that survey respondents reported visiting before coming to a lake in Chisago County. Survey respondents reported this information during the entrance and exit inspection at lake accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District. Table 7: 2016 AIS in Previous Lake/River Individual Visits Visits from Lakes Within Chisago County/CLFLWD Visits from Lakes Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD 2016 Lake Access Name Total Visits CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM FOREST WEST NORTH CENTER FISH FOREST EAST SOUTH CENTER COMFORT FOREST CENTRAL BONE ST. CROIX RIVER LITTLE GREEN EAST RUSH GREEN WEST RUSH LITTLE KROON HORSESHOE GOOSE SPIDER 1 1 LITTLE HORSESHOE 1 1 Total

29 Exit Inspections While leaving a body of water, an exit inspection is performed by the watercraft inspector. During this inspection, the inspector may be having an encounter with a person(s) who went through an entrance exam earlier in the day. The inspector will help look for aquatic plants or animals that may be attached to the boat or trailer from the lake that they just left. If any material is found it is promptly removed from the watercraft and properly disposed of. Table 8: 2016 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals 2016 Lake Access Name AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present AIS Animal Present CHISAGO/SOUTH LINDSTROM 184 FOREST WEST FOREST CENTRAL FOREST EAST 92 8 COMFORT 63 BONE 54 NORTH CENTER 42 FISH 33 SOUTH CENTER 23 RUSH EAST 13 GREEN 11 RUSH WEST 9 LITTLE GREEN 7 ST CROIX RIVER 3 LITTLE 1 HORSESHOE 1 Total

30 Chart 12: 2016 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present 33 AIS Animal Present In addition, if aquatic plants and animals were found during the exit inspection, the table and chart below show the location of where the aquatic plants and animals were found: on the watercraft, on the trailer, or on equipment or accessories (e.g. anchor or fishing line). Table 9: 2016 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals 2016 Lake Access Name Equipment of accessories (e.g. anchor, fishing line) Trailer Watercraft CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM FOREST WEST FOREST CENTRAL FOREST EAST FISH BONE COMFORT RUSH EAST 3 10 SOUTH CENTER NORTH CENTER 36 6 RUSH WEST 3 6 ST. CROIX RIVER 1 2 LITTLE GREEN 5 2 GREEN 10 1 LITTLE 1 HORSESHOE 1 Total

31 Chart 13: 2016 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals 2016 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals Equipment or accessories (eg anchor, fishing line) Trailer Watercraft 30

32 Next Lake Upon the entrance and exit inspection, the inspector performs another survey with a question asking where the boater plans to travel to next. The table and chart below shows the number of boaters who plan to travel to the Same Lake, a Different Lake or Lake Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD, Out of State or is Unknown as answered during the entrance and exit inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District. Table 10: 2016 Next Lake Planned to Visit Different Lake within Chisago County/CLFLWD Lake outside Chisago County/CLFLWD Unknown/ Prefers not to answer 2015 Lake Access Name Same Lake Out of State CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM NORTH CENTER FOREST WEST FOREST EAST SOUTH CENTER FOREST CENTRAL COMFORT FISH ST. CROIX RIVER RUSH EAST BONE GREEN LITTLE GREEN RUSH WEST LITTLE GOOSE KROON HORSESHOE SPIDER LITTLE HORSESHOE Total % 11% 13% 26% 1% 31

33 Chart 14: 2016 Next Lake Planned to Visit Next Lake Planned to Visit Same Lake 1090 Different Lake within Chisago County/CLFLWD 1337 Lake Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD Unknown / Prefers not to Answer 136 Out of State 32

34 2016 Enforcement Watercraft enforcement training was provided to officers of the Chisago County Sherriff s Department. Officers provided support to watercraft inspectors and took shifts at public water accesses in Chisago County. Officers worked hours at public water accesses. They inspected 435 boats, issuing 12 verbal or written warnings, 6 citations and 1 arrest. The primary reason for the warnings and citations was boats with drain plugs in upon arrival at the boat launch. Chart 15: 2016 Enforcement Inspections Enforcement Inspections

35 2016 Information and Education In 2016, staff developed an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Communication and Education Plan for Chisago County with the Mission to Education citizens about AIS and encourage behavior that reduces or stops the spread of AIS in Chisago County. Over the next ten years, staff will research and develop marketing, communication and education campaign materials using traditional marketing methods while incorporating social media. Staff will educate citizens about AIS by submitting articles to local publications, through community festivals and by providing presentations to schools and community groups. Staff will also evaluate the effectiveness of the plan by conducting surveys. One of the goals of the AIS Communication and Education Plan is to develop AIS outreach materials and to distribute them at public water accesses. In 2016, staff developed an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) handout to help citizens and watercraft users understand Minnesota State Law to Clean their watercraft, Drain their watercraft of lake water and to properly Dispose of unused bait. Taking the steps to Clean, Drain, Dispose and Dry watercraft helps to prevent the introduction and reduce the spread of AIS in Chisago County. The handout also informs citizens and watercraft users on the types of invasive species to keep an eye out for when recreating on lakes in Chisago County. Staff provided the AIS handout to citizens at the following community festivals: the Chisago Lakes Home & Business Expo held on March 5 6, the Harmony in the Park/Lindstrom Water Festival on July 6, Karl Oskar Days held on July 8 10, Ki-Chi-Saga Days held on August 20 21, and at the Aquatic Invaders Summit held on October 5 6. Watercraft Inspectors also passed out the AIS handout to boaters during their shifts at public water accesses throughout Chisago County. 34

36 Figure 6: Aquatic Invasive Species Handout 35

37 Another goal of the AIS Communication and Education Plan is to provide AIS presentations to educate youth and community groups and to submit AIS articles for publication. This year, staff partnered with the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District to provide a session on Aquatic Plant Scientists to fifth graders at the annual Chisago County Children s Water Festival. Students learned about native and invasive aquatic plants commonly found in lakes in Chisago County and developed a scientific identification key for the native plant coontail. Figure 7: Aquatic Plant Scientists Session Children s Water Festival 2016 In 2016, Chisago County staff also submitted the following AIS articles for publication: Reduce the Introduction & Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species in the Lakes of Chisago County: A Team Effort, Fall 2016, Chisago County Environmental Connections newsletter Working Together for One Message: Stop the Spread of AIS, April 2016, St. Croix River Association River Time newsletter Another goal of the AIS Communication and Education Plan is to develop and install uniform AIS signage at public water accesses in Chisago County. In 2014, staff inventoried the Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! signs at all public water accesses in Chisago County and found that some accesses did not have an AIS sign or needed a most recently updated version of the AIS sign. In 2016, staff submitted a grant application to the Minnesota DNR and obtained the required permits from the DNR to install six updated AIS signs at public water access. Because of the research by Chisago County, the DNR installed five updated AIS signs at Wild River and Interstate Parks and the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area. The National Park Service also installed two AIS signs at public water accesses along the St. Croix River in Franconia and Osceola. 36

38 Figure 8: Example of New Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Sign Installed at Boat Launches in Chisago County Chisago County participated under the leadership of the St. Croix River Association to develop a Strategic Work Plan addressing aquatic invasive species threats in the St. Croix River watershed. One of the outcomes of the partnership was to develop Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker display banners for use at various events, shows and festivals. The displays emphasize the Clean, Drain Dry and Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species messages. The displays are designed so that individual organizations can use their names on the displays but provide the same message at different venues. In 2016, staff displayed the Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker banners at the Chisago Lakes Home & Business Expo held on March 5 6 and at the Aquatic Invaders Summit held on October

39 Figure 9: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Banners 38

40 Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan Inspection and prevention programs are the foundation for AIS comprehensive management programs and represent an important component of an AIS management program. Additional components include AIS early detection, rapid response and long-term management. At the end of 2016, there were no reports of zebra mussels in any Chisago County lake. However, reproducing populations of zebra mussels have been found in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Mille Lacs Lake and the St. Croix River. If zebra mussels are detected in Chisago County lakes, water quality and lake biota changes will likely occur. Once zebra mussels have been introduced into a lake there has never been a successful attempt to eradicate them from a lake. Managing an established population of zebra mussels is often unsuccessful. Whole lake eradication of an established zebra mussel population in a lake over 100 acres has never occurred in the United States. In 2016, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District adopted a Zebra Mussel prevention, early detection and rapid response plan. The plan focuses primarily on prevention. This includes watercraft inspections, decontamination, education/outreach, enforcement and regional coordination. Early detection includes installation of zebra mussel sediment samplers. Rapid response includes conducting a rapid response assessment, evaluating zebra mussel status using a zebra mussel eradication index, and under limited circumstances attempting a rapid response action. 39