What are Minnesotan's asking for and what are our values? Over the last year aquatic invasives species (AIS) have been in the news more than ever before and the state legislature passed the strongest AIS prevention legislation to date. More money has been put toward solutions than ever before. Yet, Minnesotans know that even more needs to be done and desire greater consequences for offenders who wreck our lakes.
On the other hand, the Vikings are threatening to leave and the state is looking for hundreds of millions of dollars to be funded by Minnesota citizens. Their arguments are job creation and that the Vikings are a big part of Minnesota culture. Some even want to use Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment money to pay for the stadium. So far, not one dollar of Legacy Amendment money has been used for AIS. However, the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations to the legislature for funding next year include three million dollars to the DNR to control Asian carp, which could represent a significant step forward in all of Minnesota's AIS prevention efforts.
What will happen to our recreational opportunities, vibrant local economies and statewide tourism industry when the walleyes leave Minnesota lakes because the filter feeding zebra mussels have collapsed the fisheries, as has now happened in Lake Michigan and other great lakes? Dick Sternberg's slide presentationfrom Minnesota Waters' spring 2011 conference provides an overview of the devastating, irreversible impacts zebra mussels have on fisheries. In a related example, an angling club in England is disbanding because they have failed to catch a single fish on their zebra mussel infested lake in their last four competitions (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16252724). Since zebra mussels were discovered in Mille Lacs in
2008, the lake already has fewer tulibees and perch as well as fewer walleyes. This year's DNR survey of Mille Lacs revealed an average of1000 zebra mussels per square foot, while in some areas surveyed the zebra mussel density was closer to 3000 per square foot.
While so much attention has been paid to the Vikings in recent months, the citizens that I know who are working with state and local decision makers on the AIS crisis are barely feeling heard. Some say we need lobbyists to take care of the AIS crisis, but over the years legislators have told me that it is much more effective to hear from many citizens. If lobbyists were really the silver-bullet solution, wouldn't the problem already be solved? Often the first question an elected official asks is: are you my constituent? I had been talking to my own Senator about these issues for years and did not see it taken up as a real issue. Recently, I had a sort of a temper tantrum, respectfully demanding that it be noticed. It was! She is now planning to work with other politicians in the state toward better AIS laws and funding.
Minnesota Waters role is to help citizens become our own advocates for lakes and rivers in our communities. How many of you depend on the lakes and rivers for your living? How many have big investments in properties? How many cities have businesses that depend on what the lakes or rivers bring to the community? How many of you think that spending hundreds of millions on a Vikings stadium in Minneapolis or St. Paul is going to improve your quality of life?
We all need to have that temper tantrum respectfully with our elected officials and remember that last year's groundbreaking AIS prevention legislation is a direct result of Minnesotans talking with their legislators. Sports teams do not define Minnesota, lakes do. THE LAKES ARE MINNESOTA'S CORE! Call, write, camp on their doorstep. Do whatever you must and remember that Minnesota Waters is here to help you!
Terrie Christian
Chair, Aquatic Invasive Species Committee
Minnesota Waters Board of Directors
