WALKER — Almost 50 public water accesses across Cass County now feature self-serve cleaning stations to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The Association of Cass County Lakes board is working with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District, numerous lake associations, resorts, service providers, and private access landowners, to place AIS cleaning station signs and tools at Cass County public water access locations.
The DNR provided an AIS sign design and interpretive signage specifications to provide a simple structure to hang free-use cleaning tools, and clear instructions about cleaning boats to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Minnesota law requires boaters to clean watercraft, trailers and other water-related equipment of all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels and other invasive species after exiting the water. Draining tanks and livewells is also required — it is illegal to arrive at a lake access in the state with a drain plug in place. Any unwanted bait must be disposed of in the trash, not into the water.
The Association of Cass County Lakes surveyed member lake associations, resorts, service providers and private access landowners located in Cass County, resulting in 47 requests to sponsor signs and tools. As a result of the survey response, Cass County SWCD agreed to a 50% cost share not to exceed $3,150 on this project.
The association board agreed to invest $7,000 to purchase 100 signs, posts, tools and hardware with a goal to fully install 100 cleaning station locations by 2024.
“We are very proud of this achievement as we see it as a positive way to slow the spread of AIS and to continue to educate boaters,” an association news release stated.
For questions or comments, contact CleaningStations@ACCLakes.org.
