Greetings:
While we had hoped to have Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
legislation in place by the 2011 fishing opener, Gov. Dayton did
sign SF 1115, a bill that contained AIS policy provisions in time
for the official start of summer, Memorial Day, a day many families
gather at the lake to remember those who gave their lives to defend
us. We hope you all had a wonderful weekend together.
Memorial Day is the weekend that Minnesota families
traditionally open lake places, take the family camping at one of
Minnesota's beautiful state parks, or put boats in the water for
the first time. Memorial Day weekend is a time of great risk
for the transport of Aquatic Invasive Species.
The Aquatic Invasive Species policy bill,
Senate File 1115, that Governor Dayton signed May
27th, is a great first step in the fight against Aquatic Invasive
Species. Special thanks are due to the following legislators
for their work: Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, Sen. John Carlson, Sen.
Paul Gazelka, Sen. Rod Skoe, Sen. Gary Dahms, Rep. Denny McNamara,
Rep. John Ward, Rep. Connie Doepke and many others. The
passage of SF 1115 was a real grass roots achievement, with many,
many organizations joining together, and working with MSRPO's
lobbying team and legislators to protect our lakes. Everyone should
feel proud about what we have all accomplished
together.
If you are not a member of MSRPO, please join today. We
are working to protect your lake, but grass roots power depends on
"feets on the streets." With more members we would have had
even greater success protecting the lakes, rivers and streams that
are so important to us all. Our Web Site is secure - you
can join on
line.
Here is a brief outline of what SF 1115 contains regarding
AIS.
Specifically SF 1115:
-
Defines decontamination, suggesting the Western
Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species
guidelines.
-
Defines "Inspector" to include anyone certified by the
Commissioner, even if they are not licenced peace
officers.
-
Empowers inspectors to be able to order inspection and/or
decontamination of water related equipment before it is put into
waters of the state.
-
Makes "compliance with aquatic invasive species inspection
requirements... an express condition of operating or transporting
water related equipment" in Minnesota.
-
Empowers conservation or peace officers to set up "check
stations," to check for AIS.
-
Requires water related service providers to complete AIS
training to get a permit.
-
Disburses AIS penalties to the issuing agency, thereby
creating incentive for local law enforcement to enforce AIS
regulations.
-
Requires boat owners to display an educational rules decal
(supplied at no cost by the DNR) on their boats. This will
keep the AIS message constantly in front of all boat operators,
even those who are not the owner and may not know the
rules.
-
Gives the commissioner increased leeway in dealing with
fishing tournaments by the addition of, "The commissioner may
require mandatory decontamination of boats participating in fishing
contests on infested waters."
-
The bill is effective the day following
enactment.
We were unable to get an increase in either civil or criminal
penalties for violating AIS rules, but we will be back next year
and with your help we will be successful.
Even though Gov. Dayton signed the bill into law, the funding
for increased AIS work in Minnesota remains uncertain. All finance
bills were rejected by the governor. He wrote in his message to
Legislative leadership, "I am vetoing and returning Chapter 46,
House File HF 1010, the Environment, Energy and Natural resources
Finance Bill. Reductions at the levels proposed in this bill to the
MPCA, DNR, BWSR and the Department of Commerce would have harmful
effects on Minnesotans throughout our state." HF 1010 funded AIS
work with Environmental Trust Fund money. Gov. Dayton wrote
regarding this provision, "In regard to the Department of Natural
Resources sections of the bill, I have concerns about using
environment and natural resources trust fund dollars to fund
accelerated efforts to prevent future spread of aquatic invasive
species; the state needs a long-term and dedicated funding source
to build lasting programs. I urge you to include my Aquatic
Invasive Species funding proposal to fund these important
programs." Specifically, Gov. Dayton is asking the legislature to
approve the $5 a year increase on the AIS surcharge on boat
registrations. We will continue to work and to advocate for a
reliable and ongoing funding source to protect Minnesota's lakes
and rivers. Many of you have written in and suggested that funds
from the Legacy Amendment would be appropriate for this
work.
The Legacy Funding Bill, SF 1363, which appropriates $450
million in legacy funds over the next biennium ran into a road
block in the House in the final hours of session. House members
from both parties had hesitations with provisions that weakened the
open meeting requirements of the Lessard/Sams council. SF 1363 was
referred back to conference on a vote of 119 yeas to 14 nays.
However, the motion was reconsidered and debate continued.
The House adjourned the regular session before a final vote
on the bill. No money for AIS was included in the
provision.
Please use the email form below to drop your legislators an
email, thank them for passage of the AIS policy bill, SF 1115.
Encourage them to seek ongoing and reliable funding for AIS work
from an increase in the AIS surcharge on boat registrations, or
other sources. The message below is a boiler plate, so please
do add your own words. These emails are incredibly
powerful.
If you are not a resident of Minnesota, please consider
writing a letter to the editor of your local paper. Here is
a link
that can get you started.
The legislative process is a marathon, not a sprint. Together
we have made remarkable progress towards protecting our lakes.
Please do take a moment to write your legislators
today.
Finally, if you would like Jeff Forester or a Board member
from MSRPO to speak at the annual meeting of your lake association,
please drop us a line. There is a lot of information to share
regarding ways local groups can protect their lakes from zebra
mussels and other non-native aquatic species. We hope you and
your family had a safe and happy Memorial Day.
