Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
On fishing opener, an appeal to help us
preserve Minnesota lake waters
As the 2016 Fishing Opener dawns Saturday, Governor Mark Dayton is
proclaiming May 14 Clean Drain Dry Day.
With more than 1.6 million anglers hitting the water, the opener is the perfect opportunity to educate people on the importance
of taking action to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. People can
help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by taking the following steps
when moving boats and equipment from one body of water to another:
- Clean
watercraft, trailers, motors and equipment.
- Remove visible aquatic plants and
animals
- Drain water from boats, bilges, motors and livewells.
- Dry
watercraft and equipment for at least five days before going to another body of
water, or rinse equipment with high-pressure or hot water.
Keeping waters clean in Hennepin County
Hennepin County is working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive
species by providing grants to partners and supporting educational efforts.
Grants awarded in 2016 will increase education, enhance early detection
efforts, expand inspections and support research. The county is also raising
awareness of aquatic invasive species by installing programmable message boards
at highly visible locations around Lake Minnetonka, supporting the Clean,
Drain, Dry campaign, installing signage at public accesses, and increasing
awareness among aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners, and water gardeners
about the importance of not releasing unwanted fish or aquatic plants.
Some of the funding for these efforts come the State of Minnesota,
which began providing funding in 2014 to all Minnesota counties to implement
plants to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive
species.
Learn
more about aquatic invasive species prevention work in Hennepin County.
Collaboration is key
A variety of partners, including Wildlife Forever, county
agencies, lake associations and civic groups are working together to
coordinate community outreach and education about stopping
the spread of invasive species.
“We can’t fight AIS alone. Clean Drain Dry unites everyone
in prevention and I’m happy that Governor Dayton acknowledges the partner
accomplishments in preventing the spread,” said Pat Conzemius,
Conservation Director of Wildlife Forever.
Minnesota is home to some of America’s finest fishing and
boating waters. Clean Drain Dry is simple and straightforward. We encourage all
residents to do their part this fishing and boating season: Clean, drain and
dry all boats, trailers and gear.
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Look for more news on
the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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