Lake associations representing Dead Lake and Franklin Lake plan to donate
funds which will support I-LID operations in order to curtail the spread of
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Otter Tail County.
“We appreciate the support of these lake associations in our ongoing efforts to
fight invasive species,” said County AIS Specialist Spencer McGrew to
members of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners on May 7.
Otter Tail County installed 13 I-LIDS
May 8, an audio-video component aimed at stopping the spread of invasive
species at lakes area boat landings. Pictured here, crews install one of the units
at the Little Pine Lake Public Water Access north of Perham.
The cost of I-LID operations in 2019 for Otter Tail County is close to $20,000.
An I-LID is a self-contained, solar-powered system installed at public lake
accesses and boat ramps to reduce the risk of Aquatic Invasive Species through
video inspection of boats and audio education of boaters.
Infesting the lakes and rivers in Otter Tail County and other areas of Minnesota
are Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, zebra mussels and starry
stonewort that can raise havoc with the operation of boat motors.
Starry stonewort, like Eurasian milfoil, grows into dense mats than can cover
surfaces of shallow water. This results in squeezing out other plants and creating
a wall between fish and their spawning grounds.
“We’ll have I-LIDS placed at high-level boat traffic areas at public accesses
here in Otter Tail County,” McGrew told county commissioners.
AIS violations include the following:
• Transporting aquatic plants on public roads
• Launching boats into lakes with plants attached
• Failure to drain water from boats and failure to have drains disengaged
There are several components that need to be in place for I-LIDS to remotely
and securely transfer video images to the video server and make them available
for review.
“Video-based evidence compels boaters to comply with AIS ordinances,”
McGrew said.
Bernie Steeves, AIS Task Force volunteer, says, “no watercraft can and should
enter a lake or river in Otter Tail County without being clean.”
More about Invasive Species Task Force
The Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Task Force continues to
take a proactive approach in stopping the spread of invasives throughout the
county.
The task force emphasizes that boaters and fishermen throughout the county,
residents and visitors alike, have the responsibility to inspect boats, trailers and
equipment and remove visible aquatic plants.
The task force, always looking for new ways to help fulfill its goal to limit the
spread of AIS in Otter Tail County, is looking to expand its effort with
decontamination of boats, motors, trailers and other water-related equipment.