By: Ann Pierce, EWR Section Manager To: 2015 Roundtable January 16, 2015 Aquatic Invasive Species

 Work with citizens to conserve/manage state’s natural resources  Provide outdoor recreation opportunities  Provide for commercial uses of natural resources to create sustainable quality of life DNR Mission

PREVENTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT EWM with Zebra Mussels

Legislature – policy and funding DNR – statewide prevention Local Govt. and organizations – local actions Boater / angler – personal responsibility Inspections Stop Aquatic Hitch hikers PSA Partnerships in Prevention

Legislature – policy and funding DNR – statewide prevention Local Govt. and organizations – local actions Boater / angler – personal responsibility Inspections Stop Aquatic Hitch hikers PSA Partnerships in Prevention-1

Local Govt. and organizations – local actions Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention AID (4.5M 2014 and 10M in subsequent years) Creating a plan Public Awareness Watercraft Inspections Inspections Draining Partnerships in Prevention-2

Prevention Efforts o Examples of Strategies: o Regulations o Enforcement o Watercraft Inspections o Public Awareness o Signage o Permits and Conditions

Prevention Efforts-1 o Examples of Strategies: Examples of Strategies: Examples of Strategies: o o Regulations Regulations o o Enforcement Enforcement o o Watercraft Inspections Watercraft Inspections o o Public Awareness Public Awareness o o Signage Signage o o Permits and Conditions Permits and Conditions s/invasives/ais/preventi on.html s/invasives/ais/preventi on.html

Enforcement Efforts o Local peace officers can enforce AIS laws, must attend training to issue civil citations Conservation Officer inspection

Watercraft Inspection What do inspectors do? o Educate the public about AIS o Inspect Watercraft and deny launch if necessary o Gather data Two Levels of Authorized Watercraft Inspector o Both conduct inspections, only level 2 can decontaminate watercraft with high pressure, high heat equipment Who can hire authorized watercraft inspectors? DNR Local Units of Government Portable Decontamination Unit

Watercraft Inspection-1 How do Local Units of Government hire Watercraft Inspectors? o Complete a delegation agreement with the MN DNR o Complete a plan for where to place inspectors, including which level o Hire inspectors and have them trained by the MN DNR o Deploy inspectors (schedule, supervise and manage) There are two types of programs an LGU can have with a delegation agreement: Watercraft inspections at the public access Watercraft inspections at the public access Watercraft inspections within a geographic area- this program requires a comprehensive plan that addresses all requirements listed in 84D.105 (g) Watercraft inspections within a geographic area- this program requires a comprehensive plan that addresses all requirements listed in 84D.105 (g)

Watercraft Inspection-2 Volunteers or AIS ambassadors o Local citizens can also volunteer to do AIS education at the public water access o The DNR provides training for all volunteers, anyone who will be at a DNR access is required to take the training and pass a background check AIS ambassadors are staff who are hired by an LGU but are not authorized, they obtain permission to be at accesses. AIS ambassadors are staff who are hired by an LGU but are not authorized, they obtain permission to be at accesses. Inspection

Public Awareness Local Units of Government can create public awareness through: o Signage (at places other than the watercraft access) o Public Service announcements o Radio and News ads o Stock images, text and products are available on the DNR Website Public Awarenss

AQUATIC INVASIVE RISK ASSESSMENT

Occurrence of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Veligers in Residual Water from Gary Montz, Research Scientist MN-DNR, Division of Ecological and Water Resources Microscopic Veligers

Residual water samples Samples collected after exiting watercraft were drained. Samples collected after exiting watercraft were drained. Lakes: Carlos, Le Homme Dieu, Gull, Mille Lacs, and Minnetonka Lakes: Carlos, Le Homme Dieu, Gull, Mille Lacs, and Minnetonka Areas sampled: Live well, bilge, motor, ballast bag/tank Areas sampled: Live well, bilge, motor, ballast bag/tank

75 boats from two seasons 70 fishing 3 wakeboard 2 runabouts Samples 51 live well 16 bilge 7 motor 1 ballast bag/tank New York DEC Residual water samples

Veliger counts minimum - 0 mean - 6 median - 0 maximum , 65, 217 Residual water samples - veligers

Water volume - mls (oz) minimum - 3 (0.1) mean (5.1) median - 70 (2.4) maximum (30.0) 700, 700, 875 Residual water samples – water volume

Veliger samples  Prior Lake, Dakota Co MN Two sites in eastern end of lake  Closing plankton net, 20cm mouth, 80 micron mesh  Biweekly samples, ten samples/site  Depths (ft): 0 – 2 10 – 15 0 – 30 2 – 4 15 – 20 4 – 6 20 – 25 6 – 8 25 – 30 8 – 10  Counts with cross polarized light microscopy Methods

mean #/L; 0 – 30’ tow, Site A, 6/27 mean #/L; 0 – 30’ tow, Site A, 7/24 Veliger water column distribution

Numbers of veligers and volumes of water in drained watercraft are very low: 96% < 16 veligers, 69% < 200 mls (7 oz) Draining laws (removing plug, draining live well) can be very effective in dramatically reducing water transport pathway for zebra mussels (and perhaps other invertebrate AIS) Possible high mortality of veligers in small amounts of residual water may reduce risk even further. Vertical distribution of veligers in the water column may reduce exposure to watercraft Risk

To further help minimize the risk American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)—hosting Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Summit American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)—hosting Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Summit Boat Design and Construction design to address AIS Boat Design and Construction design to address AIS First Addressed at AIS Advisory Committee Brought to the attention of the Federal ANS Task Force Hosted by ABYC and Sponsored by National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), USFWS, Tonka Bay Marina, and MN DNR

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