The seminars will provide boat, watercraft and dock dealers or installers, as well as fishing guides and other lake service professionals, with an informative presentation on what you can do to monitor the lakes and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The seminar will include an overview of regulations that apply to moving boats, docks, lifts and equipment; recommended procedures for cleaning the dock/lift installer tools, watercraft and waders; getting the water removed from the bilge; actions needed for moving a lift or dock from one lake to a different lake; reporting new sightings; as well as an updated summary of the infested lakes and rivers in the Brainerd area.
The seminars were developed in response to the ever-increasing presence of aquatic invasive species in the Brainerd lakes area.
Clyde Clement, Brainerd Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force chairperson, said, "We live in one of the few regions in the state infested by the zebra mussel, curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil. Each year we continue to discover additional infestations of these aquatic invasive species in our lakes in the Brainerd area. While many of the infested lakes have been identified, it's very unlikely we know of all the presently infested waters. And a key step to preventing the spread includes careful monitoring and reporting of infested waters, taking action to prevent the spread, as well as collaboration among all lake service professionals and lake users."
The seminars aim to provide Brainerd lakes area service professionals the opportunity to learn more about how we can all help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through monitoring the lakes, taking simple actions and working together.
The seminars are a collaborative effort between the Brainerd Lakes Area Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, Gull Chain of Lakes Association, Kimball Lake Property Owners Association, MnDNR Watercraft Inspection Program, Minnesota Waters, Ossawinnamakee Property Owners Association, Pelican Lakes Area Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, Pelican Lake Property Owners Association and the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association.
Seminar sponsors encourage all Brainerd lakes area boat and watercraft dealers, boat and watercraft rental companies, dock installers, dock dealers, fishing guides, recreational outfitters, lake vegetation service and shoreline restoration professionals to attend.
Participants will have a chance to discuss the recommended actions to prevent the spread, how to report new sightings, as well as an opportunity to discuss this issue with their colleagues, seminar sponsors and lake association partners. Seminar sponsors will again publish and promote the list of seminar participants in lake association web sites and newsletters.
You can register at the door for the Brainerd Lakes Area Aquatic Invasive Species Seminar for Lake Service Professionals. Grace United Methodist Church is just south of Pequot Lakes on the east side Highway 371. The fellowship hall has a direct entrance on the south side of the building.
