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4. Discussion on providing funding to Lake Associations for aquatic invasive species boat inspections Staff Report Date of Meeting: To: City Council From: Neil Soltis, Administrator Re: Discussion on providing funding to Lake Associations for aquatic invasive species boat inspections Background: In March Dave Bakke of the Bone Lake Association contacted the Mayor regarding the City providing funding boat inspections. The Mayor and I met with Dave and Jeff Dahlberg of the Big Marine Lake Association. At the meeting information was provided regarding efforts to control aquatic invasive species in these 2 lakes. The follow-up to the meeting was to have the Council discuss providing funding at a future work session. Following this report are the materials provided at the March meeting. Supervisors: Louise Smallidge ▫ Bob Rosenquist ▫ Diane Blake ▫ Jo hn Rheinberger ▫ Jim Levitt AIS Inspection Summary Points 2017 The WCD supervised 6 DNR authorized Watercraft Inspectors for the 2017 season with funding from Washington County, Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) and Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD). These inspectors were present at 13 county water access locations starting May 6th through October 18th. During the inspection season 2,020 hours of inspections occurred, resulting in 3,042 inspections occurring during this time period. Compared to 2016, roughly 200 hours less of inspections occurred, but 200 more actual inspections were performed. The reduction in hours performed was due to constraints with staffing and weather concerns, funding was only slightly less in 2017 than in 2016. The number of inspections performed in 2017 was very comparable to 2016. Entering versus exiting inspections were distributed similar to 2016 results, and were still in line with the statewide average of 60/40 towards entering. Conducting more evening inspections may move this closer to a 50/50 distribution. While steps were taken in 2017 to encourage this approach with some success, further modifications to the program are planned in the future to achieve more exiting inspections. While there has been more of an emphasis statewide lately on entering inspections to prevent new infestations, the high proportion of already infested waters in close proximity or within Washington County makes exiting inspections just as important. Supervisors: Louise Smallidge ▫ Bob Rosenquist ▫ Diane Blake ▫ Jo hn Rheinberger ▫ Jim Levitt The number of total drain plug violations observed in 2017 dropped again from the prior year, both in actual number and as a percentage. On incoming inspections the rate of violation has dropped each year of the program from 9% (2015) to 7% (2016) to 5% (2017). After three years of data collection it does appear that this is a trend, and indicates that increased inspections and education are having a positive impact on the behaviors of boaters in Washington County. While these data are encouraging, efforts should continue to get results in Washington County closer to the statewide average of 4%, or perhaps better than that average. Of the violations where the last lake the watercraft was in was reported, 18% of them had come from water infested with Zebra Mussels, Spiny Water Flea or Eurasian Water Milfoil. 20% of those violations listed Big Marine as the last lake visited; greater effort should be made to increase both the number of inspections and education of the users of that lake to reduce the likelihood of spread of AIS from that source. Supervisors: Louise Smallidge ▫ Bob Rosenquist ▫ Diane Blake ▫ Jo hn Rheinberger ▫ Jim Levitt Of the 1,730 incoming inspections performed in 2017, 71 AIS violations were observed. This is a rather drastic increase from 2016, the cause of which is not immediately apparent. However, the variability in the people performing the inspections each year could play into this, as well as improved training occurring in 2017 versus prior years. 60 of the 2017 violations were plants attached to the boat or trailer attempting to launch, and were successfully removed by hand and did not enter the lake in question. The remaining 11 violations were water present in the watercraft; all of which were directed to completely drain before launch was allowed. These results are slightly lower than the statewide trend for violation. Supervisors: Louise Smallidge ▫ Bob Rosenquist ▫ Diane Blake ▫ Jo hn Rheinberger ▫ Jim Levitt Every access scheduled had inspections performed, except for Oneka due to staffing issues once waterfowl hunting started. Lakes in the CMSCWD received the highest proportion of inspection hours, followed by those in the VBWD. This was both because of additional funding provided by those organizations as well as dictated by use. Big Marine was the most inspected lake in 2017 as in years prior. Big Carnelian was the second highest, and would have likely had even more inspections if the landing had not been closed in September for repairs. Average number of inspections per hour of staffing also shows that CMSCWD and VBWD lakes tend to be the highest use landings in the county. Please note, although this summary addresses trends and data for Washington County lakes it references only those that are serviced by the Washington Conservation District. All the lakes located in CLFLWD have inspections performed by CLFLWD or Chisago County staff. Also, the MNDNR performs inspections on many of the high use landings in the county, as well as being primarily responsible for the access points on the Saint Croix River. Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 Mike.Sorensen@clflwd.org 1-22-2018 CLFLWD Watercraft Inspection Program Yearend Summary The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) manages a watercraft inspection program, where summer staff members are hired to inspect incoming and outgoing watercraft for aquatic invasive species (AIS) at public lake accesses around the District. Below is a summary of the 2017 watercraft inspection program efforts on Bone Lake. Total Inspection Hours and Number of Inspections In 2017, the CLFLWD hired approximately 0.2 full time equivalent (FTE) inspector(s) to conduct inspections at Bone Lake. The inspectors were able to perform 315 hours of inspections on Bone Lake which amounted to 277 total inspections. This compares to 266 hours and 322 total inspections in 2016. The following figure summarizes the total number of inspection hours and inspections completed on Bone Lake over the last four seasons: Inspection Rate With regard to the inspection rate, or the average number of inspections per hour, the 2017 season totaled 0.9 inspections per hour, while the 2016 season totaled 1.2 inspections per hour, and the 2015 season totaled to 1.0 inspections per hour. Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 Mike.Sorensen@clflwd.org Survey Results As mentioned above, a total of 277 surveys were performed on Bone Lake this season. Below are some findings from the compiled inspection survey data:  Number of watercraft arriving at the Bone Lake with water, vegetation or mud on their watercraft = 11. This number was 1 in 2016 and 4 in 2015. These watercraft were cleaned off and/or drained prior to launching into Bone Lake.  Number of watercraft requiring removal of the bilge drainage plug at the time of inspection at Bone Lake = 4. This number was 4 in 2016 and 8 in 2015. The bilge plug was removed from these watercraft and all water was drained prior to the watercraft launching into Bone Lake.  Number of watercraft exiting Bone Lake with water, vegetation or AIS animals present = 59. This number was 7 in 2016 and 24 in 2015. All of these items were removed from the watercraft and trailer before departing from Bone Lake. Days Worked Below is the day distribution of hours worked on Bone Lake during the 2017 season: Monday 20% Tuesday 15% Wednesday 3% Thursday 9% Friday 16% Saturday 19% Sunday 19% Emphasis is placed on weekend and holiday inspection hours when possible. Last Lake Visited As part of the inspection process, incoming and outgoing watercraft users are asked which lake they last visited. The following table summarizes the five most frequent previous lakes for watercraft users that were inspected at Bone Lake. In addition to this list, 33 boaters reported that they had previously had their watercraft in storage and 24 boaters reported that their previous location was unknown. Waterbody Number of Occurrences Bone Lake 79 Big Marine Lake 19 Comfort Lake 16 St. Croix River 9 Chisago Lake 7 Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 Mike.Sorensen@clflwd.org Risk of New AIS Zebra mussels, starry stonewort, and the spiny water flea are three examples of aquatic invasive species found in Minnesota that are not yet in Bone Lake. Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species that grow to very high densities in invaded lakes. Zebra mussels are given their name due to the alternating black and white stripes on their shells. Due to their high densities in invaded lakes, zebra mussels are often found covering boat lifts and docks. Additionally, zebra mussels have sharp shells that can cut the feet of swimmers. Zebra mussels are filter feeders, meaning that they filter phytoplankton (algae) out of the water. Some lake residents may think that this is a good thing, as it often leads to an increase in water clarity. In reality, the mussels feeding on phytoplankton (algae) means that small animals called zooplankton will have no food and fish, which feed on zooplankton, will have no food once the zooplankton disappear. As this process continues, it is common for infested lakes to show declines in sport fish populations of species like walleye and northern pike. Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that forms dense mats in lakes that impede boating and prevent the establishment of native (beneficial) plants. Starry stonewort was discovered in Lake Koronis near Paynesville, MN in 2015 and has since been discovered in ten additional lakes across the state. The spiny water flea is an invasive species of zooplankton which is about the size of a grain of rice that competes with small fish for the same food resource (other zooplankton). The spiny water flea was first discovered in Lake Superior in the early-1980s and has since spread to more than 35 inland lakes in Minnesota including: Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion, Lake of the Woods, and others. Both of these invasive species are thought to be transported primarily by recreational watercraft. Thus, watercraft inspection programs are one of the greatest tools that can be used to prevent their spread. As mentioned above, part of a typical inspection involves asking the boaters which lake they visited last. CLFLWD staff looked through this data to determine the risk of introduction for Bone Lake from lakes infested with starry stonewort and the spiny water flea. Here is what was found:  36 boats launching into Bone Lake came from lakes infested with zebra mussels. This number was 62 in 2016.  Zero boats launching into Bone Lake came from lakes infested with starry stonewort. This number was two in 2016.  Five boats launching into Bone Lake came from lakes infested with the spiny water flea. This number was 25 in 2016.  Thus, 41 of the boats launching at Bone Lake had previously been in waterbodies containing aquatic invasive species that are not currently found in Bone Lake. Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 Mike.Sorensen@clflwd.org The CLFLWD currently receives funding for additional inspection hours from the Forest Lake Lake Association for Forest Lake and the Comfort Lake Association for Comfort Lake. If the Bone Lake Association, or some other organization, is ever interested in funding additional inspection hours for Bone Lake, the CLFLWD would be able to handle the hiring, training, and administration associated with those extra hours. The level 1 inspectors that were hired in 2017 cost the CLFLWD $20 per hour, including the overhead costs associated with uniforms, materials, etc. If the Bone Lake Association or some other organization is interested in supplementing the number of inspection hours (at $20 per hour), please let CLFLWD staff know by early March, so that it can be incorporated into the 2018 planning and hiring processes. Comfort Lake Bone Lake Forest Lake 1 Forest Lake 2 Forest Lake 3 CLA $2,000.00 City of FL $5,333.33 $5,333.33 $5,333.33 FLLA $1,333.33 $1,333.33 $1,333.33 Wash. Co. Grant $5,666.67 $5,666.67 $5,666.67 DNR Grant Chisago County $5,000.00 CLFLWD Budget $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 Total $13,000.00 $6,000.00 $18,333.33 $18,333.33 $18,333.33 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $5,000.00 $5,666.67 $5,666.67 $5,666.67 $1,333.33 $1,333.33 $1,333.33 $5,333.33 $5,333.33 $5,333.33 $2,000.00 $13,000.00 $6,000.00 $18,333.33 $18,333.33 $18,333.33 $- $5,000.00 $10,000.00 $15,000.00 $20,000.00 $25,000.00 2017 Watercraft Inspections Funding per Boat Access 2017 EWM Treatment Results 2017 Treatment 11.5 acres 2017 Treatment Assessment Concentration and exposure times of 2,4-D required for effective EWM control have been studied in the laboratory.Treatments targeting small areas typically use higher rates of herbicide, since exposure time with the plants will be short. Recommended 2,4-D label rates for a small-scale treatment range from 2 to 4 parts per million (ppm), and based upon laboratory studies, require 12-24 hours of contact time to control EWM effectively. 2,4-D Treatment timeline Aug 2018 EWM Rootlet 2018 Treatment Plan y DMA 4 liquid and granular herbicide was used in 2015 and has been used since 2012 y Renovate OTF, granular herbicide, used in 2016 & 2017 y Recent research has proven that: -Renovate OTF is more effective than DMA4 -Rotate herbicides so EWM doesn’t build immunity -Renovate OTF accumulates in EWM roots increasing spot treating effectiveness y We are predicting 6 to 7 acres will need treatments y Herbicide injection works. EWM root ball is will be injected in May/June 2018 AIS future concerns for BML AIS future concerns for BML Q U O T E Date: March 12, 2018 To:Big Marine Lake Association From:Steve McComas, Blue W ater Science RE: Big Marine Lake Zebra Mussel and Starry Stonewort Surveys for 2018 Two staff from Blue W ater Science will conduct searches for starry stonewort and zebra mussels at 2 public access locations in Big Marine Lake. W e will use scuba diving, snorkeling, and rake sampling for the searches. W e propose 2 searches: the first one in early summer (May or June) and the second one in late summer (August or September). If volunteers are present, we will train them as well, so that additional searching can continue through the year. After the searches are completed, a report will be prepared and we will compile search statistics, edit and insert photographs, and prepare a starry stonewort rapid response plan for Big Marine Lake. Quote: $700 per survey for a total of: $1,400. Road Salt Spring Water Runoff From Bliss Addition Roads $600 To Test Water Samples For Salt/Chloride BMLA AWARDED Grants for 2018 Washington County $7,000 Lessard-Sams Heritage Fund $3,800 MNDNR grants not offered in 2017 and 2018 By end of 2018, total grant funds - $98,500 - BMLA Financial recap 2015 -2018 BMLA Financial Recap 2015 2016 2017 2018 est. Previous Year Carry Over Balance 8,992$ 17,139$ 15,898$ 16,762$ Income Membership Dues and Donations 4,359$ 3,050$ 5,615$ 5,600$ BML Girl Scout Donation 500$ 500$ 500$ 500$ Lions 125$ 125$ BML Vets Camp Donation 500$ 125$ 500$ 1,000$ Tii Gavo Development Donation 2,500$ ? Fund raising (Garage sale / Vintage SM show)3,500$ 3,124$ 5,300$ 2,000$ Bank Interest 68$ 100$ 100$ 100$ DNR Grant 5,400$ 500$ -$ -$ Lessard Sams Legacy Grant (Ifdn)10,604$ 12,000$ 12,000$ 3,800$ Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix WD Grant -$ -$ -$ -$ Washington County Grant 14,731$ 14,400$ 12,000$ 7,000$ Bever Garden Tractor Donation 2,225$ -$ -$ -$ Total Income 41,888$ 33,799$ 38,640$ 20,125$ Total funds available that year 50,880$ 50,938$ 54,538$ 36,887$ Expenses 5013c Tax Excempt Filing Fee 400$ Permits, seminars, mailings, shirts, tax prep 478$ 550$ 827$ 900$ MAISRC Donation 200$ 200$ 200$ 200$ MN Lakes and River Advocates (MLR)100$ 200$ 200$ 200$ MN For Family Fishing and Healthy Lakes (MFFHL)250$ 250$ Insurance 500$ 500$ 502$ 500$ Bank Service Fees 113$ 100$ 100$ 100$ EWM Scuba/Snorkek Search 5,000$ 3,000$ EWM Herbicide spot treatment 4,015$ 5,100$ 5,787$ 7,000$ PLM Water Sampling 1,946$ -$ -$ PLM multiple treatments 14,104$ 23,690$ 23,760$ 16,000$ Blue Waters Science 11,885$ 4,700$ 1,150$ 1,200$ Total costs 33,740$ 35,040$ 37,776$ 29,350$ Ending Balances 17,139$ 15,898$ 16,762$ 7,537$ 2018 Fund Raising y BIG MARINE LAKE 3nd Annual VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW, SWAP & RIDE was another GREAT SUCCESS ! y A BIG THANK YOU to the Veterans Camp for hosting, providing volunteers and the BMLA volunteers, especially Christy Hurley, Linda and Mark Marotzke ! BIG MARINE LAKE 3nd Annual VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW, SWAP & RIDE 2018 BIG MARINE LAKE 3nd Annual VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW, SWAP & RIDE 2018 BIG MARINE LAKE 3nd Annual VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW, SWAP & RIDE 2018 2019 Fund Raising BIG MARINE LAKE 4nd Annual VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW, SWAP & RIDE will be on Saturday February 9, 2019 Please volunteer, we need your help !.!.!.!.!. !.!. !.!.!.!.!.!.!.!. !. !. !. !.!.!. !.!.!.!.!.!. !.!.!.!.!.!.!.!. #* !. X !( !(!(!( ")!(")!(!(!(")") !( !(!( !(!( !( ")")")")")")")")")") ") ") ") ")")") ") ") !(")!(!(!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( ")") ")") ") O Big Marine Lake, Washington County - 2014 Eurasian Watermilfoil Inspection Inspected by Keegan Lund, Kylie Bloodsworth, Erik MottlMnDNR Invasive Species Program15 July 2014 Pre-Treatment Inspection2_15JUL2014 !(No Treatme nt ")EW M Identified - TR EATMENTPre-Treatment Inspection1_26JUN2014 #*No Treatme nt !.EW M Present- TREAT X Se cch i L ocation Bo at Tracks_15 JU L2014 2014 Approved Treatment =38.6 acres 2014 Proposed Tre atmen t Area s 0 0.2 0.4 0.60.1 Miles Area E = 3.4 a cre s Area D = 10.0 acres Area C = 2.0 acres Area B = 10.8 acres Area A = 11.3 acres Area F = 1 .1 acres