DNR Enforcement Action At Lower Hay for Plants on Boat Trailer
 

On Saturday, August 27th an alert watercraft inspector working at the Lower Hay Lake access found what appeared to be invasive Eurasian watermilfoil on a trailer.

The owner was at the access to launch a boat into Lower Hay Lake.    

The inspector alerted Conservation Officer Nikki Shoutz who immediately came to the access to investigate the report.  Officer Shoutz took a sample of the plant from the boat trailer to Dan Swanson, DNR regional invasive species specialist, who confirmed the plant to be the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil.

A citation was issued to the boater for transporting aquatic plants. That will require interaction with the court system.

The boat was from Chisago County which has at least 9 lakes infected with Eurasian watermilfoil.

Lower Hay is on the west end of the 13-lake Whitefish Chain.

WAPOA President Dave Fischer commented,

 “The incident shows the value of our joint WAPOA/County program for invasive species prevention.

 It worked the way it should today.  Our alert watercraft inspector properly notified Conservation Officer Nikki Shoutz, who after investigation, issued a citation to the boater.

There is still much to be done in educating boaters about invasive species. Our inspectors educate in addition to looking for invasive species.”

The watercraft inspector was working under a grant provided to Crow Wing County by the Minnesota DNR.  The grant involved a joint effort by WAPOA (Whitefish Area Property Owners Association) and Crow Wing County Land Services Department.  WAPOA provides matching funding and scheduling, and the County provides administrative oversight.  

WAPOA also participates with the Minnesota DNR in a watercraft inspector program that places paid inspectors at area accesses.

To complement those paid inspectors WAPOA also runs a program for DNR trained volunteer access inspectors.