June 9, 2022 at 12:04 p.m.
Clean Boats Clean Waters training underway across Northwoods
Clean Boats Clean Waters training underway across Northwoods
The most recent Clean Boats Clean Waters training took place at the Highway N launch ramp on Lake Nokomis. It was led by Stephanie Boismenue, aquatic invasive species (AIS) coordinator for Oneida County, and Lincoln County conservationist Tom Boisvert.
Clean Boats Clean Waters volunteers speak with anglers and boaters at launch ramps about AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) and how people can help stop the spread. They ask questions about where each boat has been in the last seven days. All of this data is entered into a statewide database called SWIMS. SWIMS stands for the "Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System."
During the training, volunteers become familiar with common invasive species. Understanding how to identify Eurasian water milfoil (EWM), for instance, can help volunteers spot fronds on boats and trailers that have the potential to get into their body of water, starting a new infestation of the invasive species.
Species such as EWM and rusty crayfish have found their way into many waterbodies across the Northwoods. In some cases, they cause problems in a waterbody, and in other cases, they are somewhat more well-behaved, studies have found. Because it is as of yet unclear the potential damage any invasive species could have upon entering a new waterbody, it is important to keep them from being introduced.
Prevention, such as through the Clean Boats Clean Waters program, is always advantageous. It is less expensive to keep an invasive species out of a lake than it is to attempt to manage that species once it is introduced. Once an invasive species is introduced, it can be impossible to eradicate it, and even management is expensive and time consuming.
Volunteers taking the training are also introduced to invasive species that are, at this point, less common in Northwoods lakes. One of those is zebra mussels. While studies have found most Northwoods lakes are not suitable for zebra mussel populations, that does not put all lakes in the clear. Zebra mussels are filter feeders. This tends to make water clearer, but that does not mean it is healthier. Zebra mussels make the water clearer by filtering out suspended microscopic plants and animals, essentially removing a large portion of the bottom of the food chain in the lake. They can attach to boats, motors, docks, shore stations and any other equipment that is in the water for a length of time. Once they are attached to a boat, for instance, they can be spread to the next body of water to which the boater travels.
Spiny waterflea is another aquatic invasive that is only found in five Vilas County lakes and two other lakes nearby, so far. The goal is to keep those tiny waterfleas from eating Daphnia, outcompeting juvenile fish for one of their major food sources. They only be seen when clumped together and can often be found on fishing line and anchor ropes. They were likely spread from the Great Lakes via boats.
Volunteers also learn about the fundamentals of the the Clean Boats Clean Waters program. The mantra "Inspect, Remove, Drain and Never Move" is always to be at top of mind. They will relay that message to boaters and anglers throughout the summer. Boaters should inspect their boats trailers and equipment for AIS. They should remove all attached plants and animals. Boaters should also drain all water from boats and equipment. Never move means plants or live fish should never be moved away from a waterbody. The program also reminds anglers to buy their minnows from a Wisconsin licensed bait dealer.
Volunteers are reminded that law enforcement is not their job. However, they are given contact information for the DNR so they can report violators. With the popularity of the program, most boaters and anglers understand why these volunteers are manning boat landings and the importance of AIS prevention. However, from time to time, volunteers do come into contact with boaters or anglers who are argumentative. The training addresses how volunteers can handle those situations as well, to keep everyone safe.
Besides talking with boaters about AIS, volunteers also conduct watercraft inspections. They walk around boats going into, and coming out of, the lake to see if they can find any plants or animals on the boat, trailer or other gear. They even look inside the propellor of boats to ensure there are no invasive species hitching a ride. They can then explain to the boater how to remove those things before launching or leaving the launch ramp. It is illegal in Wisconsin to move invasive species, and it is illegal to drive down the road with weeds and debris hanging from boats or trailers. Volunteers in the Clean Boats Clean Waters programs not only help to keep lakes healthy, they can help unsuspecting boaters avoid a ticket by removing those things from their equipment.
Volunteers are also given a list of known invasive species in waterbodies across the Northwoods. This can help them know what to look for on boats and trailers coming into their lake. If a boater was recently in a lake with EWM, for instance, the volunteers can be sure to look for fronds of that invasive species on the boat and trailer.
Lastly, volunteers receive information about entering data into the SWIMS database and what needs to be done after they leave the lake, if they are the one designated to enter that data. They also receive a handbook containing all of the information they need to be a successful and effective Clean Boats Clean Waters watercraft inspector for the summer.
Those looking to learn more about the Clean Boats Clean Waters program should contact their county land and water conservation department.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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