Evaluate Effectiveness of AIS Prevention Strategies

Projects supported by LSOHC surfaced many innovative strategies for engaging citizens that have either historically been considered “disengaged” with traditional AIS prevention messaging (wakeboarders), are potentially “influencers” (teenagers that are both future recreationalists, and also highly effective at bugging their parents to engage in best AIS prevention practices), and users that recognize and value AIS prevention messages but have been too busy or cognizant of counter-veiling economic pressures (resort owners and tourism boosters). In the first two examples, we have no doubt that the videos produced by the Mississippi Headwaters Board to reach wakeboarders or the “Wipe Out Invasive Species” toilet paper (developed using private funds) which was part of the CROW programming were clever, reached new audiences, and changed knowledge, even if changes in behavior are difficult to document. 

In contrast, the partnership on Lake Vermillion, Cass and Itasca Counties linked education (to resort owners and their guests) with direct action (sponsoring resort staff to help with inspections, etc.) and not only changed knowledge and behavior, but also forged lasting relationships between constituencies that have not always seen common interest. 

The two “CD3” projects (hosted by Wildlife Forever) were somewhere between these examples – they explored innovative ideas (use of geo-fencing to deliver location specific information on fishing conditions and AIS risk or best practices; Wi-Fi stations to support videos at points of access or decontamination) and identified barriers. The self-contained boat cleaning stations now reflect designs most likely to be used, most resistant to vandalism and damage, and at a cost that local units of government and/or private resorts could consider deploying them without future state support. 

Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District addressed a recent and unpopular caveat of Minnesota law requiring the dumping of bait and prohibition on the transport of water on exit from a lake. They incentivized bait shops and fishermen by providing clean water in bags to save bait.

In Cass County, AIS inspectors received “enhanced training” to equip them with knowledge and context for why inspections and decontamination are required, and in de-escalation techniques to manage conflicts with public access users. In addition to improving the quality of interactions inspectors had with access users, the County also found that they retained veteran, skilled inspectors that received enhanced training at a much greater rate, saving time and money.

Five projects involved direct treatment of known aquatic invasive species (as a strategy to prevent spread to other waters), and each contributed significantly to greater knowledge and should inform future work or investments in this type of approach. 

The Marine-Carnelian Watershed District has struggled with cost, ecological impact, and efficacy of treating Eurasian watermilfoil. Their pilot project (developed in close coordination with DNR Fisheries staff) resulted in several years of data that suggest that they have identified that split application of aquatic herbicide is highly effective at reducing EWM reproduction or spread and has fewer non-target impacts. 

Two other treatment examples (of invasive cattails in Voyageurs National Park and Starry Stonewort in Lake Koronis) were pilot efforts to control species not previously successfully managed in the upper Midwest. The Koronis effort (as the first confirmed location of Starry Stonewort in Minnesota) has resulted in refined treatment of this invasive filamentous algae (even more important now that it has spread to over a dozen additional lakes within our state). Like the Vermillion/Cass/Itasca project, the Voyageurs project helped create or deepen relationships (with an adjacent Tribal nation). 

The fourth effort of treatment was intense mechanical treatment at public landings in Carver County (in lakes with known infestations of invasive species) with the goal of reducing export of viable AIS. This program provided “inconclusive results” -- reducing vegetation near public accesses did not seem to impact the amount of vegetation (whether native or invasive) on boats exiting the lake. 

An effort by the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District to trap rusty crawfish in areas immediately adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness proved less successful as weather conditions, existing crawfish populations, and staff availability hindered ability to trap sufficient crustaceans to impact overall populations. Their crawfish boils, however, were very popular and an excellent educational vehicle.

Efforts to improve the convenience or ease, cost, or efficacy of inspection and decontamination programs were the most difficult to assess. The Carver County effort to “tag” clean boats was intended to expedite re-entry, but DNR staff quickly expressed concerns about the quality of inspections and requested suspension of the effort. 

Kandiyohi County sought to improve the speed and convenience of inspection by allowing for “reservations” (similar to a restaurant) so that recreationalists could be “in and out” quickly. Although this idea continues to hold appeal, limited marketing of the service, greater cost than anticipated, and turnover of paid county staff and of the County Board resulted in early termination without ever fully testing the concept. 

At Lake Vermillion an effort was made to improve the accuracy of boat traffic prediction as a strategy to most cost-effectively allocate AIS inspection resources, but a primary conclusion was that boat traffic patterns vary so much (based on multiple variables) that a single algorithm or model is of limited value.

Wright County attempted to explore the benefits and concerns associated with the first-in-Minnesota mandatory inspection program (similar to those in many western states), but found that the project experienced both regulatory barriers (particularly to scale the project so that is was cost-effective) and political opposition created a climate where the project proponents felt the idea was never given an opportunity to succeed. The Initiative Foundation recognized this strategy would generate controversy but hoped it would identify conditions in which it could be successful, even if modifications were required over time.

The Citizens League’s Civic Governance Project’s project to increase coordination and collaboration between state/local governments and stakeholder groups revealed that a focus on Civic Leadership Development, while slow, is more sustainable than a simple civic engagement strategy. An organizing approach to water quality improvements shows some promise.