Blue Earth County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid Action Plan 2016

Transcription

1 Blue Earth County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid Action Plan 2016 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid - Minnesota Statute 477A.19 As required by the Blue Earth County AIS Prevention Aid Plan this 2016 Action Plan was prepared consistent with the guidelines contained in the Blue Earth County AIS Prevention Aid Plan. The desired outcome of these efforts is to actively work to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species in Blue Earth County and throughout Minnesota. The 2016 Action Plan is guided by input from stakeholders and responses to the 2015 Blue Earth County AIS prevention survey which asked respondents to rank the effectiveness of a variety of AIS prevention strategies and tested their knowledge of Minnesota AIS prevention regulations. Some of the actions the survey respondents considered highly effective will require considerable planning and coordination. During 2016 the county will evaluate the feasibility of those actions for potential implementation in The actions planned in 2016 and actions to be evaluated for potential implementation in 2017 are summarized in the following sections. The action plan may be modified during the year depending on time and resources available and new opportunities or developing partnerships. Potential local and regional partners Bait shop owners/managers Boat dealers Campgrounds/boat launches (County parks) Restaurants/bars (Madison Lake, Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Dam Store) Lake Associations and Tri-County Coalition of Lake Associations Le Sueur County Waseca County Page 1 of 5

2 2016 PRIMARY STRATEGY: Increase public awareness and participation in prevention by leveraging local partnerships and community-based coalitions. Estimated 2016 Budget: $25, Purchase and distribute a variety of education materials and promotional items for use, placement or distribution from bait shops, county parks, and other areas visited regularly by boaters. 2. Support community-based coalitions to develop local prevention approaches to help address introduction and spread of AIS. (Lake associations, chambers of commerce, car wash owners, local bait shops, boat sales and repair, convenience stores, etc.) 3. Develop and maintain contacts with other local organizations, businesses, and government entities. 4. If space is available, place billboards on Riverfront Drive in Mankato near the Bobber Shop. 5. Collaborate with Le Sueur and Waseca counties to develop a regional approach to AIS prevention in 2016 or future years. 6. Facilitate partnerships with lake focused organizations in implementing the county s AIS prevention plan. Respondents to the county s 2015 AIS survey ranked posters and information at bait shops, etc. to be effective for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. During 2016, the county will be work with local partners to determine their interest in and suggestions for distributing or using promotional items at their businesses. Some bait shops and boat dealers are required to complete the DNR AIS training and certification, so they are aware of the Minnesota AIS prevention regulations. The county s 2015 AIS prevention survey showed respondents are most unaware of state laws related to the removal of boat plugs. For this reason, boat dealers may be important local partners in preventing the spread of AIS. Adjacent counties have reported success distributing free promotional items, such as floating key chains and can coolers. Le Sueur County will be working with restaurants and bars in Le Sueur County to use AIS prevention coasters and placemats designed by the Wildlife Forever. Le Sueur County and Waseca County are interested in working together to create and distribute consistent AIS prevention messaging in our lakes region. Page 2 of 5

3 2016 STRATEGY: Prevent the spread of new invasive carp species in county lakes. Estimated 2016 Budget: $2, The DNR will be installing an electric fish barrier in Work with the Blue Earth County Public Works and the DNR to determine reasonable maintenance expectations and costs and expectations. The DNR plans to install an electric fish barrier in a tributary stream of Madison Lake in the Le Sueur River watershed to prevent the introduction of new invasive carp species into the county via the Le Sueur River. Through a grant from the LCCMR, the DNR will pay the installation costs of the electric fish barrier. The DNR is coordinating the project with the Blue Earth County Public Works department. The DNR has requested the county contribute to the annual maintenance of the electric fish barrier. The maintenance costs may include electricity and annual safety inspection costs. The DNR estimates annual maintenance costs will be up to $2, STRATEGY: Manage existing AIS in partnership with lake associations. Estimated 2016 Budget: $10, Coordinate with the MNDNR for information on management of AIS, and adopt control plans utilizing safe and cost-effective techniques. 2. Establish a 2016 AIS grant policy for lake associations chemical treatment. The DNR is required to maintain public accesses on infested water to be reasonably free of aquatic macrophytes. (M.S. 84D.02 Invasive Species Management Program requires the DNR to address this in the state plan.) Chemical treatment of AIS is a temporary remedy for nuisance conditions. Its effectiveness in preventing the spread of AIS is questionable. Effective management of AIS populations may help prevent further spread of AIS by reducing its presence in the water body. According to DNR permit records, two lake associations (Duck and Madison) use chemical treatments for AIS. The county may issue grants to local lake associations for chemical treatment of aquatic invasive vegetation in an amount of treated area not to exceed any previous years and in accordance with DNR regulations. The county will establish a policy for using AIS prevention aid for chemical treatment. The grant policy will define eligibility, maximum grant amount/percentage, area treated, DNR permits, payment, and grant application requirements. Page 3 of 5

4 2016/2017 STRATEGY: Evaluate potential for watercraft inspections or enforcement. The 2015 AIS survey results showed respondents consider enforcement, watercraft inspections and volunteer ambassadors the most effective for preventing the spread of AIS. The Le Sueur County Sheriff s Department conducted enforcement and inspection activities in 2015 and will continue in The Waseca County Environmental Services Department hired part-time staff to conduct watercraft inspections in 2015 and will continue in During 2016, the county will evaluate the potential for using AIS prevention aid for the following enforcement and watercraft inspection programs: Local County Sheriff Department enforcement or inspections Local watercraft inspection program, and Potential for partnerships with Waseca County or Le Sueur County 2016/2017 STRATEGY: Evaluate ways to improve boat landings to prevent spread of AIS citizen survey respondents were asked to evaluate and suggest improvements at boat landings that might help prevent the spread of AIS. During 2016, the county will evaluate the following potential improvements or projects for implementation at boat landings in the county in future years: Signage Boat washing equipment Pullover areas to remove aquatic invasive plants from boat trailers Bait disposal Boat ramp stencils DNR logo The county will consider traffic counters at boat landings or other means to accurately estimate usage and prioritize boat landing improvements. 2016/2017 STRATEGY: Evaluate potential youth education programs. Young people can help prevent the spread of AIS through their own actions and by modeling their knowledge and actions to their families. The Lura Lake Sportsman group has been hosting a student environmental day camp at Daly Park for more than twenty years. Page 4 of 5

5 Le Sueur and other nearby counties will be using the CLIMB Theatre to educate 5 th grade students about AIS. During 2016, the county will evaluate the effectiveness of the CLIMB Theatre in Le Sueur and other counties and determine whether the CLIMB Theatre could be used in The CLIMB Theater AIS classes website: CLIMB Theatre AIS Logistical Information Grades: K-6 Length: 40 minutes Max audience size: 35 per class Max classes per day: 7 Price: $608/per day of classes, plus travel 2016/2017 STRATEGY: Evaluate 2016 actions. Evaluate the effectiveness and potential continuation of actions in Page 5 of 5