(Wahpeton)– Invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, Zebra Mussels, and Bighead and Silver Carp and how to keep them out of the Iowa Great Lakes was the topic of a meeting Tuesday evening at Lakeside Lab.
Kim Bogenschutz of the Iowa DNR’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Program was the keynote speaker. She says it’s important local residents don’t become complacent over that fact that no invasive species have been found so far in any of the Iowa Great Lakes. She says the threat is very real and will never go away. Bogenschutz points out the fact that 150 lakes in Minnesota are infested with Eurasian Watermilfoil and that Asian Carp are as close to us as the Big Sioux River.
Bogenschutz says preventing the exotic weeds and creatures from getting into the lakes in the first place is the priority. She says once they become established, they are very difficult if not impossible to get rid of.
Bogenschutz has a part-time staff of two people during the summer that inspects boats for signs of aquatic species. She’s hoping more groups will volunteer to assist in the effort, and that the state will come through with more funding to assist in the inspection programs. A bill that would increase boat registration fees would provide that funding. It’s been passed by the House, but is part of the stalemate going on in the Senate.
Eurasian Watermilfoil has been found on ponds and borrow pits as close to us as Emmet and Palo Alto counties.
