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Minnesota AIS Prevention Aid: Empowering Local Innovation
Tina Wolbers & Phil Hunsicker | AIS Prevention Planners
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
October 16, 2018
Overview
• Program background and requirements
• Roles and responsibilities
• Examples of current activities
• Challenges and future directions
10/16/2018
Program Background
• In June 2014, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid is signed into law (Minnesota Statute 477A.19) providing $10 million per year directly to counties.
• “A county that receives a distribution under this section must use the proceeds solely to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species at all access sites within the county.”
• Each county must create guidelines for use of the funds and submit a copy to the DNR each year.
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Aid Distributions
• Funds distributed statewide directly to counties from the Department of Revenue:
• $4.5 million in 2014
• $10 million each year thereafter
• By County:
• 50% based on watercraft trailer launches (public)
• 50% based on watercraft trailer parking spaces
• 4 counties out of 87 do not receive aid
• ½ payment on July 20th and ½ on December 26th
• Range (2018 allocation):
• Highest: $711,323
• Average: $114,000
• Lowest: $5,270
10/16/2018
Roles and Responsibilities
• Counties
• The County Board designates oversight to a local government unit (LGU) within the county.
• The LGU has complete oversight of use of the funds, in accordance with statute.
• Their program covers a spectrum of AIS activities and works to address unique local needs.
• Minnesota DNR
• Receives guidelines (plans and resolutions).
• Maintains list of watercraft trailer launches and parking spaces.
• Provides technical support and training.
• Two trainers held 55 watercraft inspection trainings for over 950 LGU staff in 2018.
10/16/2018
Workshops
• Bring neighboring counties together to share their collective AIS prevention experiences.
• Learn from one another’s successes and challenges.
• Support collaborative efforts.
• Build stronger inter-county relationships.
About 100 people attended four workshops this winter! 10/16/2018
Brainerd Jan. 24 Spicer Jan. 30
Arden Hills Feb. 6 Park Rapids Feb. 15
Learning Sessions
• Learn about local AIS projects.
• Share AIS work with peers.
• Improve AIS identification and monitoring skills.
• Topics were region-specific and included:
• Supporting watercraft inspectors
• AIS laws
• Working with businesses
• Working with resorts
• Preventing the release of aquarium pets
• AIS monitoring and identification
About 60 people attended four sessions this summer!
10/16/2018
Challenges and Solutions
10/16/2018
Local Challenges Solutions
Balance local flair with consistent statewide messaging Collaborate with DNR on current AIS laws and messaging (Clean, Drain, Dispose)
Maintain long-term, stable funding Work with local representatives
Address staff turnover• Between 2015 and today, at least 30 counties have a
different staff person leading their AIS program
• Have a detailed plan in place as a reference for new staff• Know to contact DNR for technical assistance• Refer to the county google group for sharing ideas with peers
Evaluate programs Decide on a list of measures or metrics to track (ideally similar to other counties statewide)
Engage local stakeholders in plan development and implementation
Host public/stakeholder meetings and form AIS task forces
Statewide (DNR) Challenges Solutions
Ensure prevention messages statewide are clear and consistent Improve messaging through community-based social marketing research, focused on behavior change
Keep up to speed on all the new county initiatives and projects Continue to host workshops and learning sessions, review plans, and maintain consistent contact with local AIS program managers
Create a comprehensive statewide snapshot of county activities (there are no formal reporting requirements at this time)
Work with counties to come up with an acceptable list of metrics that all counties can track consistently statewide
Tracking Successes
10/16/2018
Overview of County Activities
• Administrative (staffing, grants, etc.)
• Public awareness and outreach
• Watercraft inspection and decontamination
• Working with law enforcement
• Monitoring lakes and rivers
• New infestation response planning
• Invasive aquatic plant management
10/16/2018
Photo Credit: Chisago County
Winona County
10/16/2018
1. AIS sign installation at one of many water accesses.2. Interns Monitoring for AIS in Tributary to Pine Creek.3. Interns Monitoring for AIS in Pine Creek.Photo Credits: Amanda Gentry, Winona County SWCD
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Douglas County
10/16/2018
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1. Hosting a tour of the permanent decontamination station at Lake Le Homme Dieu in Alexandria.
2. Collecting veliger samplings from Douglas County lakes.
3. Billboard directing people to a website with AIS information.
Photo credits: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (right) and Douglas County (billboard)
Nicollet County
10/16/2018
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1. Carp Solutions electroshock boat used to identify fish species in Swan Lake.
2. Ad done in partnership with Wildlife Forever, KARE 11, and multiple Counties as part of the ‘Share Your Catch’ campaign.
3. This year’s Nicollet County fair booth that includes brochures, stickers, tattoos, key float giveaways, and a drawing for a cooler.
Photo credits: Amy Linnerooth, Nicollet County
Cook County
10/16/2018
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1. 7th Graders at Saganaga Lake on Exploratory Day
2. Vegetation Workshop pontoon ride and plant IDs on E. Bearskin Lake
Photo credits: Cook County’s 2017 Metrics Template Submission
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Lyon County
10/16/2018
AIS presentation to the Lyon Lincoln 4H Engineering Club.
Photo credits: Lyon County
Stearns County
10/16/2018
The mechanical puller and the off loading equipment to handle and remove the Starry Stonewort from Lake Koronis. Over 20 acres of littoral area was mechanically harvested this year removing well over 500,000lbs of Starry Stonewort.
Photo credit: Kevin Farnum
Chisago County
10/16/2018
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21. AIS parade entry – Chisago County
Fair. 2. Midseason Watercraft Inspector
Review.3. AIS display – Chisago County Fair.4. Zebra mussel veliger sampling of 9
lakes in Chisago County, in partnership with the SCRA and NPS.
Photo credits: Susanna Wilson Witkowski and Chisago County
Lake of the Woods County
10/16/2018
1. AIS inspection in action.2. Zebra mussel sampling device.
Photo credits: Lake of the Woods County 2017 Metrics Template Submission
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Yellow Medicine County
10/16/2018
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Yellow Medicine 4-H kids build remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to monitor for AIS as part of the Aquatic Robotics program.
Photo Credit: Yellow Medicine SWCD
Lake County
10/16/2018
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1. Youth identifying aquatic plants as part of the Water Watchers program at Sand Lake.
2. Youth dressed up in invasive species costumes for MPR50 with Ely Community Resource.
Photo credits: Lake County’s 2017 Metrics Template Submission
Murray County
10/16/2018
Murray County hosts an “AIS 101” workshop and an AIS enforcement training, in partnership with the DNR, for Sheriff’s Office staff and local AIS program managers from the area.
Red Lake County
10/16/2018
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1. AIS sign installed at a water access.2. AIS station at the annual Northwest
Water Fest.
Photo credits: Red Lake County’s 2017 Metrics Template Submission
Houston County
10/16/2018
AIS station at the annual 6th Grade Environmental Day in Houston County.
Photo Credits: Root River SWCD (left) and Lori Datta 6th Grade teacher at Crucifixion Elementary.
Todd County
10/16/2018
1 & 2. Collage of photos from a plant identification workshop.3. MN Conservation Corps Volunteer, Ethan Dahl, tracing Clean-In Clean-Out stencil at a public landing.
Photo credits: Todd County’s 2017 Metrics Template Submission
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Future Directions
• Minnesota DNR
• Expand or streamline current programs.
• Create new tools and resources.
• Host workshops to meet the needs of the counties and their stakeholders.
• Provide community-based social marketing resources.
• Promote the use of the voluntary metrics template.
• Counties
• Involve local stakeholders in AIS program planning and implementation.
• Create innovative ways to engage water users.
• Think regionally.
• Local stakeholders
• Get involved with your county’s AIS program.
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Summary
• AIS Prevention Aid provides $10 million per year to Minnesota counties.
• This local funding helps build community capacity to address AIS issues.
• County programs are diverse, at different stages of development and implementation, and cover a spectrum of AIS activities.
• Technical guidance from experts will continue to be beneficial in order to keep up with emerging threats and new ways of addressing AIS issues.
• Continued collaboration internally and externally at local, regional, and statewide levels is key to program success.
It’s everyone’s responsibility – everyone can do their part to protect our waters from invasive species.
10/16/2018
Thank You!
Tina Wolbers
651-259-5146
10/16/2018
Phil Hunsicker
218-203-4355
500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4040888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157mndnr.gov
The Minnesota DNR prohibits discrimination in its programs and services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable modifications to access or participate in DNR programs and services by contacting the DNR ADA Title II Coordinator at [email protected] or 651-296-6157. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
©2017, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources
10/16/2018
