Dear Friends of the Lake;
I wanted to let you know that within the last few weeks a major
bill regarding funding for the fight of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) was
signed into law by Governor Waltz. This is extremely exciting because for the
last few years the DNR has not provided any monies for AIS management.
With this new law the DNR will be able to restore the AIS
accounts for AIS management to lake associations which will help with the fight
of AIS.
The article below is from the Minnesota Lakes & Rivers (MLR)
which is a non-profit organization here in Minnesota which advocates and
lobbies for things like this. The FLLA is a member of the MLR and I would
encourage you to consider joining them. They are a voice for us in St. Paul.
Forest Lake Lake Association
Jerry Grundtner, President
Environment
and Natural Resources Omnibuzz Bill - a big deal for water
Published
by Jeff Forester on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 18:26
MN DNR Funding and Lake Association AIS Grants Restored, MAISRC
Stabilized
In
1989, after Eurasian water milfoil, Minnesota's first invasive species, was
discovered in Lake Minnetonka the state created a $5 surcharge on three
year boat registrations to fund efforts to control further Aquatic Invasive
Species, AIS, spread. From the late 1980s until 2014 the MN DNR, using
funds from this surcharge, provided about $800,000 in matching grants to help
defray the costs to lake associations from managing invasive aquatic plants.
Starting in 2015 the MN DNR began cutting these grants progressively, zeroing
them out in 2017.
As
the number, complexity, distribution and the threat of AIS have grown
since 1989, DNR AIS budgets began to slip into the red.
MLR
advocated for a long overdue increase in this AIS surcharge to; 1) restore
DNR budgets, 2) restore aquatic invasive species plant management grants to
lake associations, 3) provide reliable and ongoing funding for the Minnesota
Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, MAISRC, at the University of
Minnesota.
MLR
sees a comprehensive statewide program as a three legged stool between active
partners; MN DNR must provide permitting, oversight, technical assistance and
core functions, lake associations are the primary volunteers and lake managers,
and MAISRC must provide the innovative science and improved best management
practices.
MLR
advocated for an increase from $5 to $20 for an AIS surcharge on a three year
boat registration. While this was the MN House position, the MN Senate included
a smaller increase, but directed general fund revenue to these priorities. The
final compromise signed into law by Governor Walz includes an increase in the
AIS surcharge from $5 for a three year registration to $10.60. This will
restore the DNR AIS account and partially restore the AIS management grants to
lake associations.
Grants
to Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)are funded from
both the general fund and what is known as the heritage enhancement account in
the game and fish fund, providing $510,000 for the next two years for MAISRC
to, "to prioritize, support, and develop research-based solutions that can
reduce the effects of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota by preventing
spread, controlling populations, and managing ecosystems and to advance
knowledge to inspire action by others."
In
addition, $4 million from the Environmental Trust Fund, which receives proceeds
from the Minnesota State Lottery, is granted, "to the Board of Regents of
the University of Minnesota to support the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species
Research Center in developing solutions to Minnesota's aquatic invasive species
problems through research, control, prevention, outreach, and early detection
of existing and emerging aquatic invasive species threats. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered."
