NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 22, 2016
CONTACT: Michael Scharenbroich, Senior Planner
218-725-5023
County seeks proposals to combat Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
St. Louis County is seeking proposals for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) projects to fund in 2017. The goal of AIS projects is to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of harmful, non-native species at all access sites within the county. Proposals should relate to protecting and maintaining lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers, and social and/or economic impacts of AIS.
To be considered for implementation, projects must address one or more of the seven categories and associated actions outlined in the St. Louis County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan:
- Assess county resources and risks for AIS introduction and spread.
- Increase resources for county-wide education and enforcement.
- Increase public awareness and participation in prevention.
- Raise available resources and leverage partnerships.
- Broaden knowledge of and participation in early detection and rapid response activities.
- Manage existing populations of AIS.
- Address specific pathways for AIS introduction.
Since 2014, when the AIS Prevention Aid Program started, St. Louis County has distributed more than $1.2 million to fund projects aimed at preventing or limited the spread of AIS. Projects have ranged from educational marketing campaigns to inspection and decontamination facilities and public boat launches.
The money to fund these programs comes from the State and is given to counties based on a formula that factors each county's share of watercraft trailer launches and watercraft trailer parking spaces. St. Louis County expects to receive $721,320 in 2017.
Applications and additional information on this request for proposals is available online at stlouiscountymn.gov/ais. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 7, at 4:30 p.m. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in January. Applications must be for at least $10,000.
Technical assistance is available to assist applicants with their proposals, share experience of current grant recipients, and connect applicants to experts in AIS prevention.
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 In this June 2016 photo, Phil Norvitch, water resources specialist for the North St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District, rinses a boat at the Y Store in Cook. The inspection and decontamination program is one of more than a dozen projects funded by the County through the AIS Prevention Aid Program.
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