Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Chisago and Northern Washington County

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES 2017 Annual PREVENTION Report

Chisago and Northern Washington Counties

January 26, 2018 2017 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Chisago and Northern Washington County

Contents Background ...... 4 Program Implementation ...... 5 Watercraft Inspections ...... 5 Watercraft Inspection Surveys ...... 8 Summary ...... 8 2017 Watercraft Inspection Survey Results ...... 10 Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Watercraft Inspection Summaries ...... 14 Watercraft Decontaminations ...... 19 Entrance Inspections ...... 25 Previous Lake or River ...... 29 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited ...... 31 Exit Inspections ...... 34 Next Lake or River ...... 38 2017 Enforcement ...... 41 2017 Information and Education ...... 42 AIS Marketing, Communication and Education Campaign ...... 42 AIS Parade Handout ...... 42 AIS at Parades ...... 43 AIS Parade Banners ...... 43 AIS Handout ...... 45 AIS Handout at Baitshops ...... 47 Additional AIS Handouts ...... 47 AIS Display at Community Festivals ...... 47 AIS Display at Libraries ...... 49 AIS Presentations...... 50 AIS Facebook Posts ...... 51 AIS St. Croix River Association Partnerships ...... 51 Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker Banners ...... 52 Minnesota and Wisconsin Zebra Mussel Workshop ...... 53 AIS Detector Program ...... 53 Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan ...... 54 Zebra Mussel Veliger Monitoring ...... 54 1

Aquatic Plant Point-Intercept Surveys ...... 55

Chart 1: 2017 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours ...... 11 Chart 2: 2017 Total Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours ...... 12 Chart 3: 2017 Total Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours ...... 13 Chart 4: 2017 Number of Inspections per Month ...... 15 Chart 5: 2017 Inspections per Lake or River ...... 16 Chart 6: 2017 Type of Watercraft Inspected ...... 17 Chart 7: 2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations ...... 22 Chart 8: 2017 Full or Partial Decontaminations ...... 26 Chart 9: 2017 Type of Watercraft Decontaminated ...... 26 Chart 10: 2017 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants, Zebra Mussels and Drain Plug Removal Required ...... 26 Chart 11: 2017 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 28 Chart 12: 2017 Previous Lake or River Visited ...... 30 Chart 13: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited ...... 32 Chart 14: 2017 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 35 Chart 15: 2017 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 37 Chart 16: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit ...... 39 Chart 17: 2017 Enforcement Inspections ...... 41

Table 1: 2017 Entrance or Exit Inspections ...... 18 Table 2: 2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations ...... 21 Table 3: 2017 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug ...... 25 Table 4: 2017 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 27 Table 5: 2017 Previous Lake or River Visited...... 29 Table 6: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited ...... 31 Table 7: 2017 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 34 Table 8: 2017 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals ...... 36 Table 9: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit ...... 38 Table 10: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit After Visiting Comfort and Forest Lake ...... 40 Table 11: 2017 AIS Parades (Chisago Lakes and Rush City Target Communities) ...... 43 Table 12: 2017 AIS Bait Shops ...... 47 Table 13: Additional AIS Factsheets...... 47 Table 14: 2017 AIS Display (Chisago Lakes and Rush City Target Communities) ...... 48 Table 15: 2017 AIS Display at Libraries ...... 49 Table 16: 2017 AIS Presentations ...... 50

Figure 1: Chisago County Watercraft Inspectors ...... 5 Figure 2: Watercraft Inspector and Banner ...... 10 Figure 3: Landa EOS Decontamination Unit ...... 19 Figure 4: Example of Watercraft Decontamination ...... 20 Figure 5: Example of Watercraft Decontamination ...... 20 Figure 6: AIS Parade Handout 2017 ...... 43 Figure 7: AIS Parade Banner - Back ...... 44 Figure 8: AIS Parade Banner – Side ...... 44 Figure 9: 2017 AIS Parade Entry – Karl Oskar Days ...... 44 Figure 10: 2017 AIS Parade Entry – Ki-Chi-Saga Days ...... 45 Figure 11: Aquatic Invasive Species Handout ...... 46 Figure 11: 2017 AIS Display – Chisago County Fair ...... 48 Figure 12: 2017 AIS Display – Rush City Music and Arts Festival ...... 49 Figure 13: 2017 AIS Display – Rush City Library ...... 50 Figure 14: 2017 Aquatic Plant Scientists Session – Children’s Water Festival ...... 51 Figure 15: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Banners ...... 52 Figure 16: 2017 AIS Detector Program ...... 53 Figure 17: 2017 SCRA Zebra Mussel Veliger Monitoring ...... 54 Figure 18: 2017 Spider Lake Sampling Points and Location of Buttercup Plants on Fish Lake ...... 55

Map 1: Chisago County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid Program …………………………………. 7 Map 2: Lakes and Rivers with Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Users Visited in 2017 … 33

Attachment A: 2017 Watercraft Inspection Summary CLFLWD Attachment B: 2017 Yearend Watercraft Inspection Summary CLFLWD Attachment C: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited – Lake Name Attachment D: 2017 DNR Chisago/South Lindstrom, Chisago County Grant Summary Report Attachment E: 2017 Lakes and Rivers with Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Chisago County

Background Chisago and northern Washington Counties have some of the premier recreational lakes in the northeast metro area. The lakes in the area vary in many ways, but they all have one thing in common; they are all susceptible to aquatic invasive species (AIS). Curly-leaf pondweed, which was first found in Minnesota in 1910, is found in all the lakes in the watershed. This plant has been a part of the aquatic landscape for so long that it often is not recognized as an invasive species. The aquatic invasive plant Eurasian Watermilfoil is found in many area lakes. In 2015, new infestations of Eurasian Watermilfoil were found in Forest, Comfort and Little Horseshoe Lakes. Both of these invasive plants substantially impair navigation and crowd out desirable, native plants. Additionally, Curly-leaf Pondweed has a negative effect on water quality. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District collaborated with area Lake Associations (Center Lakes, Chisago - Lindstrom, and Green Lake) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to control Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-Leaf Pondweed. The density and abundance of these two plants was lower in 2017 than it was in previous years resulting in improved navigation. Lakes included in the program include Chisago, Green, Kroon, Little Green, North Center, South Center and South Lindstrom. In 2015, zebra mussels were found in Forest Lake. Since then, zebra mussel monitoring devices have detected extensive mussel growth throughout Forest Lake’s west, central, and east basins. In July 2017, adult zebra mussels were found in 4 distinct locations in Comfort Lake. The Minnesota DNR has since officially listed Comfort Lake and nearby Little Comfort Lake as infested. No lake-wide zebra mussel treatments are possible at this time for any of the infested lakes. Eurasian Watermilfoil was discovered in Forest Lake and Comfort Lake in 2015. Herbicide treatments occurred in both lakes in 2015, 2016 and 2017 but eradication was not possible. Future herbicide applications will focus on managing the plant, rather than eradication. Forest Lake is infested with an invasive emergent plant called Flowering Rush, sometimes mistakenly called onion grass. Dense stands of Flowering Rush may interfere with swimming and other recreational uses of the lake and will choke out native vegetation. In 2014, the Forest Lake Lake Association and Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) began a substantial effort to manage Flowering Rush in Forest Lake before it reaches an uncontrollable presence and to prevent Flowering Rush from spreading to other lakes. The ongoing management program has involved herbicide treatments and lake-wide seed collection. These efforts have produced a 99% decrease in the lake-wide extent of Flowering Rush from early summer 2014 to late summer 2017. However, some regrowth is expected next year. Movement of aquatic invasive species by watercraft is the number one way these harmful species spread from lake to lake. Fortunately, aquatic invasive species that are threatening other waters of the state, including Spiny Water Flea, starry stonewort, and Faucet Snails, are not known to be found

4 in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. The watercraft inspection program is essential in our efforts to slow the spread of these invaders in the area.

Program Implementation To implement the watercraft inspection program in 2017, Chisago County entered into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for authority to conduct boat launch inspections. Additionally, a partnership was formed between Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) to inspect boats at public water accesses in the District. Substantial funding for the program was provided by the State of Minnesota through the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid Program along with funding from the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District and the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District. The Program helped fund prevention efforts including increased watercraft inspections, enforcement and education. Chisago County purchased an AIS decontamination unit that was rotated among the 12 most heavily used public water accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. These accesses include Chisago/South Lindstrom, Comfort, East Rush, Forest Central, Forest East, Forest West, Green, Little Green, North Center, South Center, and St. Croix River – Interstate and St. Croix River – Osceola.

Watercraft Inspections A total of eleven Level 1 Inspectors were authorized to perform inspections of water-related equipment in accordance with the Delegation Agreement between Chisago County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Once trained and authorized, Level 1 Inspectors inspect water-related equipment and prohibit the launching of equipment in waters of the state if the individual refuses to allow an inspection of their equipment or refuses to comply with aquatic invasive species laws. Figure 1: Chisago County Watercraft Inspectors

Inspectors provided coverage at northern Chisago County lakes, the Chisago Lakes area, and in the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). In addition, some Inspectors shared responsibilities between Chisago County Parks and watercraft inspections. Five Level 2 Inspectors were authorized to inspect and decontaminate watercraft. Watercraft enforcement training was provided to officers of the Chisago County Sherriff’s Department. Officers provided support to Watercraft Inspectors and took shifts at public water accesses in Chisago County. The aquatic invasive species Education Specialist developed a county wide aquatic invasive species Communication and Education Plan. The primary objective of the watercraft inspection program is to inform and educate the public on the threats of ecologically harmful aquatic invasive species to the lakes in Chisago and northern Washington County. The Watercraft Inspector works at boat launches educating the public by providing information to watercraft users and conducting a brief survey while inspecting watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Inspections took place at the following public water accesses:

 Bone  Goose  Osceola  Chisago/South  Green  Rabour Lindstrom  Horseshoe  Rush East  Comfort  Kroon  Rush West  Fish  Little  South Center  Forest Central  Little Green  Spider  Forest East  Minnesota Interstate  Taylors Falls Lions  Forest West Park Club  Franconia  North Center  Wild River State Park

Map 1: Chisago County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid Program

Watercraft Inspection Surveys Watercraft inspections were conducted between May 9 and October 15, 2017. Inspections were rotated among the lakes with public accesses with priority given to accesses with higher boat traffic. North and South Center Lakes each have separate boat launching areas and a channel connects the lakes. Chisago, South Lindstrom and North Lindstrom Lakes share a mutual boat launch and are connected by channels (in this report they are grouped together). Green and Little Green Lakes have separate boat launches, but are also connected by a channel. Forest East, Central and West have separate boat launches, but are three large bays of one lake. East and West Rush Lakes are connected by a channel. Sunrise, Wild River State Park, Taylors Falls Lions Club (Municipal), Minnesota Interstate Park, Franconia and Osceola are on the St. Croix River.

Summary  Watercraft Inspectors worked nearly 8,200 hours inspecting watercraft at accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. About 7,000 of these hours were level 1 inspections and 1,200 hours were level 2 inspections.  Over 16,500 watercraft inspections were conducted in 2017. June and July had the largest number of inspections.  Inspections took place at 24 public water accesses.  The majority of inspections took place at busier accesses including Forest West, Chisago/South Lindstrom, Forest East, North Center, Forest Central, South Center, and Fish Lakes.  67% of inspections took place on fishing boats, 13% on roundabout or ski boats with no ballast and 7% on pontoons. The remaining inspections took place on personal watercraft, canoes/kayak, duck boats, sailboats and wakeboard boats.  Approximately 56% of inspections were entrance inspections and 44% were exit inspections.  In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors performed the following decontaminations of watercraft in Chisago County: 11 before entering a lake, 63 when exiting a lake and 20 courtesy decontaminations. (A courtesy decontamination is not required by a Watercraft Inspector, but are provided to those requesting to decontaminate their watercraft to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS).  At entrance inspections, 331 watercraft had AIS or non-AIS vegetation, 15 had AIS or non-AIS animals, and 271 watercraft had drain plugs in.  If AIS or non-AIS vegetation was found during entrance inspections, vegetation was found on 189 watercraft and on 174 trailers.  50% of watercraft entering a lake or river previously came from the same lake or river, 19% came from a different lake or river within Chisago County/CLFLWD, 14% came from a lake or river outside Chisago County/CLFLWD and <1% came from out of state.  Watercraft came from 324 lakes or rivers that contain AIS. The majority of these lakes or rivers have Eurasian Water Milfoil or zebra mussels.

 During exit inspections nearly 1,156 watercraft had AIS/Non-AIS vegetation present and 20 had AIS/Non-AIS animals present. Inspectors required the vegetation and animals be removed before exiting the launch.  If AIS or non-AIS vegetation was found during exit inspections, vegetation was found on 654 watercraft and on 944 trailers.  After leaving a lake or river, nearly 51% of watercraft return to the same lake or river, 14% go to a different lake or river within Chisago County/CLFLWD, 9% go to a lake or river outside Chisago/CLFLWD and <1% go out of state.  Chisago County Sherriff’s Department officers worked 157 hours at public water accesses. They inspected 461 watercraft and issued 20 verbal or written warnings, and 2 citations.  The primary reason for the warnings was watercraft with drain plugs in upon arrival at the boat launch and for the citations was transporting aquatic macrophytes.  In 2016 and 2017, Chisago County staff developed and began implementation of an AIS Communication and Education Plan to educate citizens about AIS and encourage behavior that reduces or stops the spread of AIS in Chisago County.  In 2016, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District adopted a Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan focusing on prevention through watercraft inspections, decontamination, education/outreach and enforcement, early detection and rapid response.  Collaborated with the National Park Service and St. Croix River Association to monitor for zebra mussel veligers in 9 County lakes and rivers.  Conducted aquatic plant point-intercept surveys for six County lakes: Fish, Horseshoe, Kroon, Little, North Center and Spider Lakes.

2017 Watercraft Inspection Survey Results

Figure 2: Watercraft Inspector and Banner

Watercraft Inspectors worked 8,169 hours inspecting watercraft at accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties.

Chart 1: 2017 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours

2017 Total Watercraft Inspection Hours

1400 1305

1200 1015 1000 854 800 742 660 656 594 600 537 520 353 400 315 200 126 200 102 81 24 22 20 17 9 7 5 3 2 0

Fish

Little

Bone

Kroon

Green

Goose

Spider

Rabour

Sunrise

Comfort

East Rush East

Horseshoe

West Rush West

Forest East Forest

Little Green Little

Forest West Forest

South Center South

North Center North

Forest Central Forest

St. Croix River - Croix Osceola River St.

St. Croix River - Croix Franconia River St.

St. Croix River - Interstate River Croix St.

St. Croix River - Wild -River Croix Wild River St. Chisago / South Lindstrom / South Chisago

8,169 Total Inspection Hours St.Croix River - Lions Municipal Lions River - St.Croix

Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors worked nearly 7,000 hours at public water accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors are trained to inspect watercraft and have authority to deny launch if a watercraft cannot be brought into compliance. Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors spend many hours educating watercraft users on AIS laws Chart 2: 2017 Total Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours

2017 Level 1 Watercraft Inspection Hours 1000 950 942 900 800 737 737 700 628 576 600 520 500 457 382 400 315 300 202 190 200 126 81 100 27 24 22 17 9 7 5 3 2 0 0 0

6,954 Total Level 1 Inspection Hours

Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors worked 1,210 hours at public water accesses in Chisago and northern Washington Counties. Level 2 Watercraft inspectors have the same responsibilities as Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors along with training to decontaminate watercraft. In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. The decontamination unit was rotated among the 12 busiest accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties. Inspections took place at the following public water accesses:

 Chisago/South  Forest Central  North Center Lindstrom  Forest East  St. Croix - Osceola  Comfort  Green  South Center  East Rush  St. Croix - Interstate  Forest West  Little Green

Chart 3: 2017 Total Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours

2017 Level 2 Watercraft Inspection Hours 400 354.5 350

300

250

200 154.5 151 150 137 116.5 100 80.5 75 74 31.5 50 20 10.5 5 0

1,210 Total Level 2 Inspection Hours

Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Watercraft Inspection Summaries Summaries of watercraft inspections conducted within the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) are found in Attachment A – 2017 Watercraft Inspection Summary CLFLWD and Attachment B – 2017 Yearend Watercraft Inspection Summary CLFLWD.

Watercraft Inspectors stationed at a public water access inspect all incoming and exiting watercraft. At the time of the inspection, they also ask the watercraft users a series of questions relating to their water related activities. Watercraft Inspectors conducted over 16,500 watercraft inspections in 2017. June and July had the most inspections. Chart 4: 2017 Number of Inspections per Month

2017 Number of Inspections per Month

6000 5073

5000

3685 4000

2610 3000 2516 1878 2000

752 1000 53 0

16,567 Total Number of Inspections

Inspections took place at 24 public water accesses. The majority of inspections took place at busier accesses including Chisago/South Lindstrom, Fish, Forest East, Forest West, Forest Central and North/South Center. Chart 5: 2017 Inspections per Lake or River

2017 Inspections per Lake or River

4000 3709

3500 3288

3000 2495 2500

2000 1816

1500 1144 898 1000 798 610 540 375 500 276 245 191 129 13 13 8 7 5 4 2 1 0

16,567 Total Number of Inspections

67% of inspections took place on fishing boats, 13% on roundabout or ski boats with no ballast and 7% on pontoons. The remaining inspections took place on personal watercraft, canoes/kayaks, duck boats, sailboats and wakeboard boats with ballasts. Chart 6: 2017 Type of Watercraft Inspected

2017 Type of Watercraft Inspected

11510 12000

10000

8000

6000

4000 2225 1272 2000 632 463 220 185 0

16,567 Total Number of Inspections

During entrance inspections, Watercraft Inspectors help watercraft users check for aquatic plants and animals that may be attached to the watercraft. They also check to see if the drain plug is in or out of the watercraft. If the plug is in during the time of the inspection, the Inspector sends the watercraft away to remove the plug to drain the boat of any water at a location away from the lake or river. While leaving a body of water, an exit inspection is performed by the Watercraft Inspector. During this inspection, the Inspector may be having an encounter with a person(s) who went through an entrance exam earlier in the day. The Inspector will help look for aquatic plants or animals that may be attached to the watercraft or trailer from the lake or river that they just left. If any material is found it is promptly removed from the watercraft and properly disposed. Table 1: 2017 Entrance or Exit Inspections

2017 Entrance or Exit Inspections Grand Courtesy Entering Exiting Blank Total FOREST WEST 6 2181 1515 7 3709 CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM 3 1748 1537 3288 FOREST EAST 2 1310 1183 2495 NORTH CENTER 1 1034 781 1816 FOREST CENTRAL 2 676 466 1144 SOUTH CENTER 3 497 398 898 FISH 477 317 4 798 COMFORT 383 227 610 RUSH EAST 2 326 212 540 GREEN 1 162 211 1 375 BONE 158 117 1 276 LITTLE GREEN 123 122 245 RUSH WEST 102 89 191 ST CROIX RIVER - OSCEOLA 71 58 129 HORSESHOE 7 6 13 ST CROIX RIVER - LIONS 5 8 13 MUNICIPAL ST CROIX RIVER - WILD RIVER 6 2 8 LITTLE 5 2 7 GOOSE 3 2 5 KROON 4 4 ST CROIX RIVER - FRANCONIA 1 1 2 RABOUR 1 1 Grand Total 20 9,280 7,254 13 16,567

Watercraft Decontaminations In 2015, Chisago County purchased a Landa EOS decontamination unit, which uses hot water and pressure to decontaminate watercraft. The decontamination unit was rotated among the 12 busiest accesses in Chisago and Northern Washington Counties, including:

 Chisago/South Lindstrom  Little Green  Comfort  North Center  Forest East  Rush East  Forest Central  South Center  Forest West  St. Croix River - Interstate  Green  St. Croix River - Osceola

The decontamination unit, or Decon Unit, is a portable, self-contained wash unit that allows Inspectors to decontaminate, or apply heated water, to watercraft at public water accesses. It uses pressure and heat to kill any aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels, that may be present on the watercraft or trailer to prevent the user from transporting them to the next water body. The wash water is collected on a mat and is not allowed to drain back to into the waterbody. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource (DNR) maintains a website that shows the location of where Decon Units are providing service across the State. The website will show the location of where the Decon Unit will be located, the date and hours they will be available, and an email address and phone number of the Watercraft Inspector to call if you wish to schedule a decontamination. Please visit webapps15.dnr.state.mn.us/ais_decon_sites to find where to decontaminate your watercraft or to schedule a decontamination. Figure 3: Landa EOS Decontamination Unit

Figure 4: Example of Watercraft Decontamination

Figure 5: Example of Watercraft Decontamination

Under certain conditions, Watercraft Inspectors may require watercraft to be decontaminated to remove AIS before going into Minnesota lakes and rivers. They can also prohibit the launching or operation of watercraft if a person refuses to allow an inspection or does not remove water or aquatic invasive species. Individuals may also ask for a courtesy decontamination, which are decontaminations that are not required by Watercraft Inspectors, but are provided to those who request to decontaminate their watercraft to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS. The table and chart below shows the number of decontaminations that were performed by Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors before watercraft entered or exited at the following public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 2: 2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations

2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations Courtesy Entering Exiting Grand Total FOREST WEST 7 7 19 33 CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM 2 1 17 20 SOUTH CENTER 3 1 8 12 RUSH EAST 5 1 4 10 GREEN 5 5 NORTH CENTER 1 4 5 LITTLE GREEN 1 3 4 COMFORT 1 1 2 FOREST EAST 1 1 ST CROIX RIVER - WILD RIVER STATE 1 1 PARK - SUNRISE LANDING RUSH WEST 1 1 Grand Total 20 11 63 94

Chart 7: 2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations

2017 Entrance or Exit Decontaminations

94 100

80 63 70

30 20 11 20

0 Courtesy Entering Exiting Grand Total

The chart below shows the number of full or partial decontaminations that were performed by Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors before watercraft entered or exited at the following public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Chart 8: 2017 Full or Partial Decontaminations

2017 Full or Partial Decontaminations

94 100

60 51

40 24 30 19 20

0 Courtesy Full Partial Grand Total decontamination decontamination decontamination

The chart below shows the type of watercraft that were decontaminated by Level 2 Watercraft Inspectors before watercraft entered or exited at the following public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Chart 9: 2017 Type of Watercraft Decontaminated

2017 Type of Watercraft Decontaminated

57 60

20 16 8 9 10 1 1 2 0

Entrance Inspections During the entrance inspection, Watercraft Inspectors help each watercraft user check for aquatic plants and animals that may be attached to the watercraft. They also check to see if the drain plug is in or out of the watercraft. If the drain plug is in during the time of the inspection, the Inspector sends the watercraft away to remove the plug to drain the watercraft of any water at a location away from the lake or river. The table and chart below shows the number of watercraft with AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Present, AIS Animal Present, or Drain Plug Removal Required during the entrance inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 3: 2017 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals, Drain Plug

2017 Lake Access AIS/Non-AIS Drain Plug Removal Name Vegetation Present AIS Animal Present Required FOREST WEST 89 10 77 CHISAGO / SOUTH 17 1 52 LINDSTROM FISH 51 38 NORTH CENTER 9 20 FOREST CENTRAL 41 1 18 RUSH EAST 11 16 FOREST EAST 47 3 15 SOUTH CENTER 7 10 RUSH WEST 9 10 LITTLE GREEN 1 5 COMFORT 25 4 GREEN 12 4 BONE 11 1 HORSESHOE 1 LITTLE 1 Total 331 15 271

Chart 10: 2017 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants, Zebra Mussels and Drain Plug Removal Required

2017 Entrance Inspections Aquatic Plants, Zebra Mussels and Drain Plug Removal Required

331

350 271 300

250

200

150

100 15 50

0 AIS/Non-AIS Zebra Mussels Present Drain Plug Removal Vegetation Present Required

In addition, if aquatic plants and animals were found during the entrance inspection, the table and chart below show the location of where the aquatic plants and animals were found: on the watercraft, on the trailer, or on equipment or accessories (e.g. anchor or fishing line). Table 4: 2017 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

Equipment of accessories Zebra Mussels 2017 Lake Access Name (e.g. anchor, fishing line) on Vegetation Trailer Watercraft FOREST WEST 1 32 60 FISH 1 24 37 FOREST EAST 24 31 FOREST CENTRAL 1 21 21 RUSH EAST 3 8 RUSH WEST 2 6 7 GREEN 9 6 COMFORT 1 22 5 NORTH CENTER 1 5 4 CHISAGO / SOUTH 1 14 3 LINDSTROM SOUTH CENTER 5 3 BONE 8 3 LITTLE GREEN 1 LITTLE 1 Total 7 1 174 189

Chart 11: 2017 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

2017 Entrance Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

189 200 174

150

100

50 7 1

0 Equipment or Zebra Mussels Trailer Watercraft Accessories (eg on Vegetation anchor, fishing line)

Previous Lake or River During the entrance and exit inspections, the Inspector collects information in the form of a survey. The Inspector is interested in knowing what body of water the watercraft user had previously visited. The table and chart below show total number of water bodies and their location that each individual survey respondent had visited previously, as reported during the entrance and exit inspections at public water accesses in Chisago County and Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 5: 2017 Previous Lake or River Visited

Same Different Lake or Lake or River Unknown/ 2017 Lake or River Lake or River in Chisago Outside Chisago Prefers Not to Out of Access Name River County/CLFLWD County/CLFLWD Answer State FOREST WEST 1903 368 517 884 15 CHISAGO / SOUTH 1547 683 442 574 32 LINDSTROM FOREST EAST 1459 234 261 532 6 NORTH CENTER 898 460 268 154 33 FOREST CENTRAL 725 145 153 111 5 SOUTH CENTER 419 242 152 76 6 FISH 306 248 167 67 2 RUSH EAST 225 135 86 88 3 COMFORT 219 187 92 107 4 GREEN 154 105 67 43 4 LITTLE GREEN 93 87 34 28 3 BONE 79 108 30 58 RUSH WEST 77 45 60 6 3 ST CROIX RIVER - 53 9 20 15 2 OSCEOLA ST CROIX RIVER - 4 2 4 3 LIONS MUNICIPAL KROON 2 2 HORESHOE 2 5 4 1 GOOSE 2 1 1 1 LITTLE 1 1 2 3 ST CROIX RIVER - 1 4 3 WILD RIVER ST CROIX RIVER - 1 FRANCONIA RABOUR 1 Total 8170 3072 2363 2751 118 50% 19% 14% 17% <1%

Chart 12: 2017 Previous Lake or River Visited

2017 Previous Lake or River Visited

9000 8170

8000

7000

6000

5000

4000 3072 2751 3000 2363

2000

1000 118

0 Same Lake or Different Lake or Lake or River Unknown/ Prefers Out of State River River in Chisago Outside Chisago Not to Answer County/CLFLWD County/CLFLWD

AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited Knowing the body of water a watercraft user had previously visited before coming to a lake or river in Chisago County provides a strong indication of what aquatic invasive species are the biggest threat and how effective watercraft inspections are in preventing the spread. The table and chart below show the total number of water bodies, rather than each individual visit, that contain an aquatic invasive species that survey respondents reported visiting previously during the entrance and exit inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake- Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 6: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited

2017 Species Total Eurasian Watermilfoil 141

Zebra Mussel 83

Spiny Waterflea 19

Faucet Snail 17

Bighead Carp 13

Silver Carp 12

Grass Carp 12

Flowering Rush 7

Starry Stonewort 5

Round Goby 3

Ruffe 3

VHS 3

White Perch 3

New Zealand Mud Snail 2

Brittle Naiad 1

Total 324

Chart 13: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited

2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited

350 324

300

250

200 141 150

100 83

50 19 17 13 12 12 7 5 3 3 3 3 2 1 0

The table in Attachment C: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited - Lake Name lists the names of the waterbodies that contain an aquatic invasive species that survey respondents reported visiting before coming to a lake or river in Chisago County. Survey respondents reported this information during the entrance and exit inspection at lake accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake- Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD).

The map below shows the lakes and rivers that contain Spiny Waterflea, starry stonewort, or zebra mussels that survey respondents reported visiting before coming to a lake or river in Chisago County. Survey respondents reported this information during the entrance and exit inspection at lake accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD).

Map 2: Lakes and Rivers with Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Users Visited in 2017

Exit Inspections While leaving a body of water, an exit inspection is performed by the Watercraft Inspector. During this inspection, the Inspector may be having an encounter with a person(s) who went through an entrance exam earlier in the day. The Inspector will help look for aquatic plants or animals that may be attached to the watercraft or trailer from the lake that they just left. If any material is found it is promptly removed from the watercraft and properly disposed of. Table 7: 2017 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals

AIS/Non-AIS Zebra Mussels 2017 Lake Access Name Vegetation Present Present FOREST WEST 275 14 FOREST EAST 267 4 CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM 129 FOREST CENTRAL 127 2 FISH 96 COMFORT 75 BONE 59 RUSH EAST 40 NORTH CENTER 31 SOUTH CENTER 30 RUSH WEST 14 GREEN 3 HORSESHOE 3 LITTLE GREEN 2 ST CROIX RIVER - OSCEOLA 2 ST CROIX RIVER - LIONS 1 MUNICIPAL Total 1,156 20

Chart 14: 2017 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals

2017 Exit Inspections Aquatic Plants and Animals

1154

1200

800 20 400

0 AIS/Non-AIS Vegetation Zebra Mussles Present Present

In addition, if aquatic plants and animals were found during the exit inspection, the table and chart below show the location of where the aquatic plants and animals were found: on the watercraft, on the trailer, or on equipment or accessories (e.g. anchor or fishing line). Table 8: 2017 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

Equipment of accessories Zebra Mussels 2017 Lake Access Name (e.g. anchor, fishing line) Trailer Watercraft on Vegetation FOREST EAST 3 240 175 2 FOREST WEST 6 224 188 9 FOREST CENTRAL 1 113 86 CHISAGO / SOUTH 7 95 48 LINDSTROM FISH 1 69 51 COMFORT 6 56 26 BONE 5 44 27 RUSH EAST 32 22 NORTH CENTER 1 29 7 SOUTH CENTER 2 28 5 RUSH WEST 1 8 11 LITTLE GREEN 1 2 GREEN 2 2 HORSESHOE 2 3 ST CROIX RIVER - LIONS 1 MUNICIPAL ST CROIX RIVER - OSCEOLA 2 Total 34 944 654 11

Chart 15: 2017 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

2017 Exit Inspections Location of Aquatic Plants and Animals

944 1000

900

800 654 700

600

500

400

300

200 34 11 100

0 Equipment or Trailer Watercraft Zebra mussels on accessories (eg vegetation anchor, fishing line)

Next Lake or River Upon the entrance and exit inspection, the Inspector performs another survey with a question asking where the watercraft user plans to travel to next. The table and chart below shows the number of watercraft users who plan to travel to the Same Lake or River, a Different Lake or River, or a Lake or River Outside Chisago County/CLFLWD as answered during the entrance and exit inspection at public water accesses in Chisago County and the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Table 9: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit

Same Unknown/ Different Lake or Lake or River 2017 Lake or River Access Lake Prefers Out of River in Chisago Outside Chisago Name or Not to State County/CLFLWD County/CLFLWD River Answer FOREST WEST 1877 237 353 1200 20 CHISAGO / SOUTH LINDSTROM 1492 573 216 962 35 FOREST EAST 1317 180 215 776 4 NORTH CENTER 1114 333 129 222 15 FOREST CENTRAL 743 96 95 200 5 SOUTH CENTER 461 224 92 109 9 FISH 378 159 140 110 3 COMFORT 249 112 52 189 7 RUSH EAST 246 122 66 93 10 GREEN 159 87 34 92 1 LITTLE GREEN 105 73 20 44 3 RUSH WEST 88 49 38 14 2

BONE 78 55 15 127 ST CROIX RIVER - OSCEOLA 41 9 10 38 1

ST CROIX RIVER - LIONS 10 2 1 MUNICIPAL HORSESHOE 3 3 4 2

GOOSE 3 1 1

ST CROIX RIVER - WILD RIVER 3 1 2 2

KROON 1 2 1

LITTLE 1 2 4

ST CROIX RIVER - FRANCONIA 1

RABOUR 1 Total 8370 2318 1482 4188 116 51% 14% 9% 25% <1%

Chart 16: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit

2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit

9000 8370

8000

7000

6000

5000 4188

4000

3000 2318

1482 2000

1000 116

0 Same Lake or Different Lake or Lake or River Unknown/ Prefers Out of State River River in Chisago Outside Chisago Not to Answer County/CLFLWD County/CLFLWD

The chart below shows the number of lakes or rivers watercraft users plan to travel to after visiting Comfort, Forest West, Forest Central and Forest East Lakes. This is significant, as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed findings of zebra mussels in Comfort Lake in 2017 and in Forest Lake in 2015. To prevent the further spread of zebra mussels, Chisago County and CLFLWD staff can target watercraft inspections at the lakes, rivers and public water accesses listed in the chart below. (The data below do not include watercraft identified as going into storage, etc. as the next lake or river planned to visit).

Table 10: 2017 Next Lake or River Planned to Visit After Visiting Comfort and Forest Lake

2017 Lake or River Access TOTAL Name (Lakes or FOREST FOREST (Watercraft Users Plan to COMFORT FOREST Rivers to WEST CENTRAL Travel to After Visiting EAST Target Comfort & Forest Lakes) Watercraft Inspection*) ST CROIX RIVER* 2 23 4 15 44* GREEN* 6 12 5 11 34* RUSH* 1 12 1 15 29* CHISAGO* 2 5 4 7 18*

FOREST* 16 16*

COMFORT* 6 3 6 15* SOUTH CENTER* 1 2 3 7 13*

BONE 3 1 5 9 NORTH CENTER 2 1 1 4 8

GOOSE 2 1 4 7

SOUTH LINDSTROM 2 1 3

EAST RUSH 1 2 3 FISH 3 3 HORSESHOE 1 1 2 LITTLE 1 1 NORTH LINDSTROM 1 1 Total 39 67 23 77 206

2017 Enforcement Watercraft enforcement training was provided to officers of the Chisago County Sherriff’s Department. Officers provided support to Watercraft Inspectors and took shifts at public water accesses in Chisago County. Officers worked 157.25 hours at public water accesses. They inspected 461 watercraft, issuing 20 verbal or written warnings and 2 citations. The primary reason for the warnings was “watercraft with drain plugs in upon arrival at the boat launch” and for the citations was “transporting aquatic macrophytes” (plants). Chart 17: 2017 Enforcement Inspections

2017 Enforcement Inspections 18

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 1 2 0 Citation - Citation - Warning - Drain Warning - Expired Transport Plug Expired Registration Aquatic Registration Macrophytes

2017 Information and Education In 2016, staff developed an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Communication and Education Plan for Chisago County with the Mission to “Educate citizens about AIS and encourage behavior that reduces or stops the spread of AIS in Chisago County.” Over the next ten years, staff will research and develop marketing, communication and education campaign materials using traditional marketing methods while incorporating social media. Staff will educate citizens about AIS by submitting articles to local publications, through community festivals and by providing presentations to schools and community groups. Staff will also evaluate the effectiveness of the plan by conducting surveys. In 2017, staff targeted two communities to conduct AIS communication and education, the Chisago Lakes area, including Center City, Chisago City and Lindstrom, Rush City and the Chisago County Fair. Staff distributed AIS communication materials at parades and community festivals in the targeted communities. In 2018, staff will target AIS communication and education at the cities of North Branch, Stacy, Wyoming and the Chisago County Fair and in 2019 in Almelund, Shafer, and Taylors Falls. AIS Marketing, Communication and Education Campaign AIS Parade Handout One of the goals of the AIS Communication and Education Plan is to develop AIS outreach materials and to distribute them at public water accesses and other community events. In 2017, staff developed an AIS Parade handout to distribute to participants at targeted parades to help citizens and watercraft users understand Minnesota State Law to Clean their watercraft, Drain their watercraft of lake water and properly Dispose of unused bait. Taking the steps to Clean, Drain, Dispose and Dry watercraft helps to prevent the introduction and reduce the spread of AIS in Chisago County. The handout also informs citizens and watercraft users on the types of invasive species to keep an eye out for when recreating on lakes or rivers in Chisago County.

Figure 6: AIS Parade Handout 2017

AIS at Parades Staff distributed the AIS Parade handout at the following parades in the Chisago Lakes and Rush City targeted communities: Table 11: 2017 AIS Parades (Chisago Lakes and Rush City Target Communities)

Event Date Type of Information Karl Oskar Days July 15, 2017 AIS Chisago County Fair July 22, 2017 AIS Center City Days July 29, 2017 AIS Ki-Chi-Saga Days August 20, 2017 AIS

AIS Parade Banners In addition, in 2017 staff developed two parade banners to educate residents on AIS information during parades at the targeted communities of Chisago Lakes and Rush City. Staff placed the Back Banner on the back of the county AIS truck or boat and placed the AIS Side Banners on the side of the county AIS truck or boat, as shown in the figures below.

Figure 7: AIS Parade Banner - Back

Figure 8: AIS Parade Banner – Side

Figure 9: 2017 AIS Parade Entry – Karl Oskar Days

Figure 10: 2017 AIS Parade Entry – Ki-Chi-Saga Days

AIS Handout Staff provided the AIS handout (developed in 2016) to citizens at the following community festivals: the Chisago Lakes Home & Business Expo held on March 4 – 5; the Chisago County Government Center during March; the Harmony in the Park/Lindstrom Water Festival on July 5; Karl Oskar Days held on July 14 – 16; the Chisago County Fair on July 20 – 23; Ki-Chi-Saga Days held on August 19 – 20; and at the Rush City Music and Arts Festival on August 19, 2017. Watercraft Inspectors also passed out the AIS handout to watercraft users during their shifts at public water accesses throughout Chisago County and Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD).

Figure 11: Aquatic Invasive Species Handout

AIS Handout at Baitshops Staff also provided the AIS handout at local baitshops, as shown in the table below. Table 12: 2017 AIS Bait Shops

Factsheet Type When Distributed Where Distributed AIS Handout April 18, 2017 At Bait Shops in Chisago County:  Center City  Frankie’s Marine (Chisago City)  Mike’s Bait (Wyoming)  Fish Lake Bait Shop (Fish Lake)  Canvas Shop (Chisago City)  Rush Point Store (Rush City)

Additional AIS Handouts Staff distributed additional handouts shown in the table below at the community festivals and parades in the targeted communities of Chisago Lakes and Rush City and at bait shops and libraries throughout Chisago County.

Table 13: Additional AIS Factsheets

Factsheet Type When Completed How Distributed AIS Handout (Chisago) 2016  At boat launches by Watercraft Inspectors,  At community festivals, displays at libraries, at Chisago County bait shops. Decon Handout (Chisago) 2017  At community festivals and displays at libraries. Native/invasive Look-a-like 2017  At community festivals and displays (DNR) at libraries. Parade Handout (Chisago) 2017  At community parades. Parade Banner (Chisago) 2017  At community parades Pull the Plug (DNR) 2017  At community festivals and displays at libraries.

AIS Display at Community Festivals In 2017, staff also developed an AIS Display to help citizens and watercraft users understand Minnesota State Law to Clean their watercraft, Drain their watercraft of lake water and properly Dispose of unused bait. Staff provided the AIS Display at community festivals in the targeted communities of Chisago Lakes and Rush City, as shown in the table and figures below.

Table 14: 2017 AIS Display (Chisago Lakes and Rush City Target Communities)

Event Date Type of Information Number of Visitors Chisago Lakes Home March 4 – 5, 2017 AIS and LID 48 & Business Show Chisago County March 2017 AIS and LID 200+ Government Center Mini Water Fest July 5, 2017 AIS and LID 50 Karl Oskar Days July 14 – 16, 2017 AIS and LID 175 Chisago County Fair July 20 – 23, 2017 AIS 311

Rush City Comm. August 3, 2017 AIS Cancelled per Appreciation Night Weather Ki-Chi-Saga Days August 19 – 20, 2017 AIS and LID 176 Rush City Music and August 19, 2017 AIS 63 Arts Festival Total 1,023

Figure 11: 2017 AIS Display – Chisago County Fair

Figure 12: 2017 AIS Display – Rush City Music and Arts Festival

AIS Display at Libraries Staff also provided the AIS Display at the following libraries located in Chisago County, as shown in the table and figure below. Table 15: 2017 AIS Display at Libraries

Event Date Type of Information Chisago Lakes August 7 – 18, 2017 AIS Rush City August 22 – September 6, AIS 2017 Wyoming September 8 – September 22, AIS 2017 North Branch September 22 – October 6, AIS 2017

Figure 13: 2017 AIS Display – Rush City Library

AIS Presentations Another goal of the AIS Communication and Education Plan is to provide AIS presentations to educate youth and community groups and to submit AIS articles for publication. Staff provided presentations to the following community groups shown in the table below. Table 16: 2017 AIS Presentations

Event Date Number of Attendees St. Croix River Research Rendezvous October 10, 2017 100 Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District February 6, 2017 25 (LID) Annual Meeting (AIS and LID) Chisago – Lindstrom Lake Association (AIS May 6, 2017 50 and LID) Chisago Lakes Rotary Club (AIS and LID) May 23, 2017 25 Chisago County Children’s Water Festival September 28, 200 2017 Total 400

In 2017, staff collaborated with the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) to provide a session on Aquatic Plant Scientists to fifth graders at the annual Chisago County Children’s Water Festival. Students learned about native and invasive aquatic plants commonly found in lakes in Chisago County and developed a scientific identification key for the native plant coontail. Figure 14: 2017 Aquatic Plant Scientists Session – Children’s Water Festival

AIS Facebook Posts In 2017, Chisago County staff also posted several posts on the Chisago County Water Resources Facebook page for residents to learn more about AIS information and activities in Chisago County and in Minnesota. Visit @ChisagoCountyWaterResources to view fun pictures, find out about upcoming AIS and water related activities, recent projects and programs in Chisago County and in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District.

AIS St. Croix River Association Partnerships In 2016, Chisago County participated under the leadership of the St. Croix River Association to develop a Strategic Work Plan addressing aquatic invasive species threats in the St. Croix River watershed. One of the outcomes of the partnership was to develop Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker display banners for use at various events, shows and festivals. The displays emphasize the “Clean, Drain

Dry” and “Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species” messages. The displays are designed so that individual organizations can use their names on the displays but provide the same message at different venues.

Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker Banners In 2017, staff displayed the Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker banners at the Chisago Lakes Home & Business Expo held on March 4 – 5, at the Chisago County Government Center during March 2017, and at the Chisago County Fair on July 20 - 23. Figure 15: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Banners

Minnesota and Wisconsin Zebra Mussel Workshop On April 24, 2017, the St. Croix River Association (SCRA), in cooperation with partners in Minnesota and Wisconsin, sponsored a joint Minnesota and Wisconsin Zebra Mussel Workshop. At the workshop, nearly eighty participants learned about zebra mussels and how they affect lakes and rivers in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Participants learned about current research to understand the genetic code of zebra mussels and how government agencies and the University of Minnesota are working together to treat and reduce infestations of zebra mussels in area lakes and rivers. Participants also saw demonstrations of two watercraft decontaminations stations, which use hot water and pressure to remove zebra mussels from watercraft.

AIS Detector Program In 2017, the University of Minnesota Extension Office, in partnership with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC), sponsored the AIS Detector Program. Through the AIS Detector Program, volunteers learn how to identify and report potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Chisago County.

The program trains volunteers to identify and respond to reports of new potential AIS and report incidental AIS observations. Volunteers complete 16 hours of training, both online and in- person. Once certified, AIS Detectors must complete 25 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of refresher training each year to maintain their certification. In 2017, three volunteers and two Chisago County staff became AIS Detectors!

Figure 16: 2017 AIS Detector Program

Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan In 2016, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District adopted a Zebra Mussel Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan. Inspection and prevention programs are the foundation for AIS comprehensive management programs and represent an important component of an AIS management program. This includes watercraft inspections, decontamination, education/outreach, enforcement and regional coordination. Early detection includes installation of zebra mussel sediment samplers. Rapid response includes conducting a rapid response assessment, evaluating zebra mussel status using a zebra mussel eradication index, and under limited circumstances attempting a rapid response action. In 2017, zebra mussels were found in two locations in Comfort Lake, Chisago County. No lake-wide zebra mussel treatments are possible at this time. Reproducing populations of zebra mussels have been found in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Mille Lacs Lake and the St. Croix River. Zebra mussels can change water quality and lake biota. Once zebra mussels have been introduced into a lake there has never been a successful attempt to eradicate them from a lake. Managing an established population of zebra mussels is often unsuccessful. Whole lake eradication of an established zebra mussel population in a lake over 100 acres has never occurred in the United States. Zebra Mussel Veliger Monitoring In 2017, Chisago County collaborated with the National Park Service and St. Croix River Association (SCRA) to monitor for zebra mussel veligers in nine County lakes and rivers. This was part of a larger St. Croix basin, regional Minnesota/Wisconsin program. Veligers are microscopic, free living larvae that begin to form shells. After two to three weeks, the microscopic veligers settle and attach to any firm surface using tiny fibers called “byssal threads”. No veligers were found at the Chisago County sites. However, some of the samples may have been collected after veligers had settled out of the water column. Figure 17: 2017 SCRA Zebra Mussel Veliger Monitoring

Aquatic Plant Point-Intercept Surveys Aquatic plant point-intercept surveys were conducted for six lakes in 2017: Fish, Horseshoe, Kroon, Little, North Center and Spider Lakes. The point-intercept method is considered the standard protocol by the Minnesota DNR for sampling aquatic macrophytes because it offers a methodology that is quantitative (e.g., frequency of occurrence), repeatable (can be used to track trends in aquatic plant communities over time), and georeferenced (can be used to compare plant communities within different areas of a lake). From these data, a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) was calculated for each lake that measures the diversity and health of the aquatic plant community. The average FQI score for Minnesota Lakes in the North Central Hardwood Forest (NCHF) ecoregion is 23.7±8 with a median of 22.5. A study of 41 Minnesota lakes surveyed across the state, as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Lakes Assessment Project, yielded a maximum FQI score of 30. In 2016, the Minnesota DNR developed a robust geodatabase of aquatic plant surveys and associated FQI scores from more than 3,600 lakes across the state. FQI scores ranged from 0 to 49 with a median of 25.1±9. The FQI scores for North Center Lake (24.6) and Spider Lake (26.5) indicate slightly above average plant communities, whereas the FQI score for Little Lake (21.3) indicate a below average plant community. The FQI score for Horseshoe Lake (22.4) indicated a below average plant community, and the FQI score for Fish Lake (30.3) indicated a very high quality plant community. Results from the 2017 Fish Lake survey have been submitted to the Minnesota DNR for review and possible inclusion into the Minnesota DNR’s List of Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance. It is anticipated that Chisago and West Rush Lakes will be surveyed in 2018. Figure 18: 2017 Spider Lake Sampling Points and Location of Buttercup Plants on Fish Lake

Left: Spider Lake sampling points Right: Location of Buttercup plants on Fish Lake

Comfort Lake—Forest Lake Watershed District 2017 Watercraft Inspections

In 2017, CLFLWD and Minnesota DNR inspectors spent a total of 4,036 hours at landings in the CLFLWD inspecting watercraft and educating boaters. 8,240 inspections were completed this year. This is up from 4,033 inspections in 2016 and 3,877 inspections in 2015.

 5.4% of boaters entering the water had plants, animals, water, mud, etc. on their boat at the time of inspection. This can be Total Inspection Hours and compared to 2.4% in 2016 and 1.6% in 2015.

Number of Inspections Per  3.8% of boaters arriving at the launch had their drain plug in at Season the time of inspection. This can be compared to 3.1% in 2016 and 4.8% in 2015.

 Inspectors averaged 1.7 inspections per hour. This can be compared to 1.3 inspections per hour in 2016 and 1.1 inspections per hour in 2015. Inspections were performed on:

 171 watercraft that had previously been in spiny water flea-infested lakes. This can be compared to 231 watercraft in 2016.

 14 watercraft that had previously been in starry stonewort-infested lakes. This can be compared to 83 watercraft in 2016

Above: Flow map showing the vast array of lakes that were visited by watercraft before coming to either Forest Lake (red), Comfort Lake (blue), or Bone Lake (black). Each Spiny Water Flea Starry Stonewort line represents at least one boater who traveled from another Minnesota lake into a CLFLWD lake.

Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 [email protected]

12-12-2017

CLFLWD Watercraft Inspection Program Yearend Summary

The 2017 watercraft inspection season ended on October 15th. Below is a summary of the season’s metrics:

Total Inspection Hours

This summer we hired four full-time level 1 inspectors, four part-time level 1 inspectors (approximately 20 hours per week), and three rotating level 2 inspectors operating a decontamination unit. As in previous years, the decontamination unit was mobile and rotated between 11 accesses in Chisago and Washington Counties, including Forest 1 and Forest 3. The level 1 inspectors were not permitted to use the decontamination unit, and instead completed visual inspections of the watercraft.

The following table summarizes the number of inspection hours completed by District-hired inspectors this summer (including Chisago joint program inspectors, excluding DNR inspectors):

Total Inspection Rate Percent of Paid Hours Target Hours Inspections (Inspections/Hour) Target Hours

Forest 1 2,972 994.50 3.0 833.3 119% (Lakeside Park) Forest 2 1,144 741.75 1.5 833.3 89% (Willow Point) Forest 3 2,501 1,015.50 2.5 833.3 122% (Hagberg)

Bone Lake 277 315.00 0.9 300.0 105%

Comfort Lake 610 659.50 0.9 650.0 101%

Total/Average 7,504 3,726 2.0 3,450 107% (CLFLWD)

Since Forest Lake is a high-traffic and high-priority lake for the state of Minnesota as a whole, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hired their own inspectors to conduct inspections throughout the summer at Lakeside Park in Forest Lake at no additional cost to the District. In 2017, the DNR contributed 310 hours of level 2 inspections which all took place at Forest Lake 1.

Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 [email protected]

The following table summarizes the combined number of inspection hours completed by District-hired staff and DNR-hired staff this summer:

Inspection Rate Total Inspections Total Hours (Inspections/Hour)

Forest 1 3,708 1,304.50 2.8 (Lakeside Park) Forest 2 (Willow 1,144 741.75 1.5 Point) Forest 3 2,501 1,015.50 2.5 (Hagberg)

Bone Lake 277 315.00 0.9

Comfort Lake 610 659.50 0.9

Total/Average 8,240 4,036.25 2.0 (CLFLWD + DNR)

For comparison, during the entire 2016 season, a total of 4,033 inspections were performed over 3,077.5 hours. This resulted in an average inspection rate of 1.3 inspections per hour.

Survey Results

As mentioned above, a total of 8,240 surveys have been performed on CLFLWD lakes this season. Below are some findings from the compiled inspection survey data for all three District lakes (Forest, Bone, Comfort):

 5.4% of boaters entering the water had plants, animals, water, mud, etc. on their boat at the time of inspection. This can be compared to 2.4% in 2016 and 1.6% in 2015.

 3.8% of boaters arriving at the launch had their drain plug in at the time of inspection. This can be compared to 3.1% in 2016 and 4.8% in 2015.

Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 [email protected]

Days Worked

Below is a summary of the day distribution of hours worked during the 2017 season:

Monday 9% Tuesday 11% Wednesday 10% Thursday 11% Friday 21% Saturday 21% Sunday 16%

Last Lake Visited

As part of the inspection process, incoming and outgoing watercraft users are asked which lake they last visited. The following table summarizes the ten most frequent previous lakes for watercraft users that were inspected at CLFLWD lakes. Note: CLFLWD lakes were excluded from this list.

Lake Number of Occurrences Big Marine 170 Coon 147 White Bear 137 Green 112 St. Croix River 109 Minnetonka 87 Mille Lacs 85 Bald Eagle 80 Clear 80 Chisago 73

Risk of New Aquatic Invasive Species

Starry stonewort and the spiny water flea are two examples of aquatic invasive species found in Minnesota that are not yet in CLFLWD lakes. Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that forms dense mats in lakes that impede boating and prevent the establishment of native (beneficial) plants. Starry stonewort was discovered in Lake Koronis near Paynesville, MN in 2015 and has since been discovered in ten additional lakes across the state.

The spiny water flea is an invasive species of zooplankton which is about the size of a grain of rice that competes with small fish for the same food resource (other zooplankton). The spiny water flea was first discovered in Lake Superior in the early-1980s and has since spread to more than 35 inland lakes in Minnesota including: Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion, Lake of the Woods, and others. Both of these invasive species are thought to be transported primarily by recreational watercraft.

Mike Sorensen Program Assistant 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5857 Forest Lake, MN 55025 [email protected]

Part of the inspection survey involves asking the boaters which lake they visited last. I looked through this data to determine the risk of introduction for CLFLWD lakes from lakes infested with starry stonewort and the spiny water flea. Here is what I found:

 171 boats launching into CLFLWD lakes came from lakes infested with the spiny water flea. In 2016, this number was 231 boats.

 14 boats launching into CLFLWD lakes came from lakes infested with the starry stonewort. This number was 83 in 2016.

These and more data will be presented at the December 21st regular meeting of the Board of Managers. Attachment C: 2017 AIS in Previous Lake or River Visited - Lake Name

2017 Species Total Lake Name

Eurasian Watermilfoil 141  Alexander  Alice  Ann  Auburn  Ballantyne  Bass  Bavaria  Bay  Beebe  Big  Big Marine  Bone  Bryant  Buffalo  Calhoun  Carlos  Cedar  Cedar  Cedar  Centerville  Charlotte  Chisago  Circle  Clear  Clear  Clearwater  Clearwater River downstream of Clearwater, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Comfort  Coon  Crooked  Cross  Crystal  DeMontreville  Dutch  Eagle (includes North and South Eagle)  Eagle (includes Pike)  Elmo  Fish  Fish  Fish  Forest  Forest  Frances  French  George  George Watch  Gervais  Goose  Granite  Green  Green  Green  Ham  Horseshoe  Independence  Island  Jane  Jefferson 1

 Johanna  John  Josephine  Knife  Lake of the Isles  Leech  Linwood  Little Long  Little Mary  Long  Long  Long  Long  Long  Long  Long  Lower Prior  Madison  Maple  Marion  McCarron  Medicine  Mille Lacs  Mille Lacs tributaries from their mouths upstream to the posted boundaries  Mink  Mink  Minnetonka  Minnewashta  Minnewaska  Mississippi River, Pool 1  Mississippi River, Pool 2  Mississippi River, Pool 3  Mississippi River, Pool 4  Mississippi River, Pool 5  Mississippi River, Pool 5A  Mississippi River, Pool 6  Mississippi River, Pool 7  Mississippi River, Pool 8  Mississippi River, Pool 9  Mitchell  Nokomis  North Center  North Lindstrom  Norway  O’Dowd  Ossawinnamakee  Owasso  Parker’s  Peltier  Pepin  Phalen  Pokegama  Pulaski  Riley  Ripley  Rush  Ruth  Sarah  Skogman  Snail  Snake River between Pokegama and Cross, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  South Center  South Lindstrom

 Spectacle  St. Croix River  Steiger  Sturgeon  Sugar  Sunset  Superior  Tetonka  Turtle  Twin  Upper Prior  Victoria  Wabasso  Waconia  Weaver  Whaletail  White Bear  Winona  Bald Eagle  Silver Zebra Mussel 83  Big Birch  Brophy  Bryant  Carlos  Cass  Cedar  Clearwater  Clearwater River from Clearwater Lake to the Mississippi River  Comfort  Crooked  Cross  Crow Wing River downstream of the confluence with the Long Prairie River to the Mississippi River  Cut Foot Sioux  Detroit  Eunice  Fish  Fish Trap  Fish Trap Creek from Fish Trap Lake to the Long Prairie River  Forest  Forest  Green  Gull  Gull River  Hubert  Independence  Irene  John  Kitchi  Leech  Little Chippewa  Lower Prior  Marion  Mary  Medicine  Mille Lacs  Mille Lacs tributaries from their mouths upstream to the posted boundaries  Miltona  Minnesota River  Minnetonka  Minnewashta  Minnewaska  Mississippi River between Wolf, Andrusia, and Cass

 Mississippi River from the Knutson Dam downstream to Little Winnibigoshish Lake (31-0850)  Mississippi River, from 500 feet upstream of the mouth of the Pine River in Crow Wing County to Upper St. Anthony Falls, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 1, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 2, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 3, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 4, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 5, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 5A, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 6, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 7, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 8, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 9, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mud  Nokomis  North Long  North Star  Osakis  Ossawinnamakee  Otter Tail  Paul  Pelican  Pelican  Pepin  Round  Round  Rum River including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Rush  Ruth  Serpent  St. Croix River downstream of the St.Croix Boomsite Recreation Area at river mile 25.4  St. Louis River downstream of the mouth of the White Pine River in St. Louis County  Steamboat  Stowe  Sugar  Superior  Ten Mile  Upper Prior  Victoria  Waconia  White Bear  Winnibigoshish Spiny Waterflea 19  Ash River downstream of the northern section line of S8 T68N, R19W  Burntside  Crane  Crooked  Devil Track  Gunflint  Island  Kabetogama  Lake of the Woods, including the portions of Zipple Bay to Zipple Creek in S9 and S10, T162N, R33W, and to Bostic Creek at County Highway 8  Little Vermilion  Mille Lacs  Mille Lacs tributaries from their mouths upstream to the posted boundaries  Namakan  Rainy  Rainy River from Rainy Lake to Lake of the Woods  St. Louis River downstream of the Cloquet River  Superior  Vermilion 4

 Vermilion River from Vermilion to Crane Faucet Snail 17  Crow Wing River from Highway 87 in Hubbard County downstream to the confluence with the Mississippi River, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Cut Foot Sioux  Knife  Long  Mississippi River, from the Knutson Dam downstream to Lake Winnibigoshish, and between Lake Winnibigoshish and the confluence of the main channel of the Mississippi River and White Oak Lake branch of the Mississippi River in the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 13, Township 144N, Range 25W, including 500 feet upstream into its tributaries  Mississippi River, Pool 4  Mississippi River, Pool 5  Mississippi River, Pool 5A  Mississippi River, Pool 6  Mississippi River, Pool 7  Mississippi River, Pool 8  Mississippi River, Pool 9  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Sugar  Superior  Winnibigoshish Bighead Carp 13  Minnesota River from Granite Falls to the confluence with Mississippi River  Mississippi River, Pool 1  Mississippi River, Pool 2  Mississippi River, Pool 3  Mississippi River, Pool 4  Mississippi River, Pool 5  Mississippi River, Pool 5A  Mississippi River, Pool 6  Mississippi River, Pool 7  Mississippi River, Pool 8  Mississippi River, Pool 9  Pepin  St. Croix River downstream of the dam at Taylors Falls Silver Carp 12  Mississippi River, Pool 1  Mississippi River, Pool 2  Mississippi River, Pool 3  Mississippi River, Pool 4  Mississippi River, Pool 5  Mississippi River, Pool 5A  Mississippi River, Pool 6  Mississippi River, Pool 7  Mississippi River, Pool 8  Mississippi River, Pool 9  Pepin  St. Croix River downstream of the dam at Taylors Falls Grass Carp 12  Mississippi River, Pool 1  Mississippi River, Pool 2  Mississippi River, Pool 3  Mississippi River, Pool 4  Mississippi River, Pool 5  Mississippi River, Pool 5A  Mississippi River, Pool 6  Mississippi River, Pool 7  Mississippi River, Pool 8  Mississippi River, Pool 9  St. Croix River downstream of the dam at Taylors Falls Flowering Rush 7  Bald Eagle  Big Sandy  Detroit  Forest  Minnetonka 5

 Mississippi River, Pool 2  Tetonka Starry Stonewort 5  Cass  Koronis (includes Mud)  Minnewaska  Upper Red  Winnibigoshish Round Goby 3  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Superior  Superior Tributaries,either the entire length of the tributary or, on tributaries that have been posted, upstream to the posted boundaries Ruffe 3  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Superior  Superior Tributaries,either the entire length of the tributary or, on tributaries that have been posted, upstream to the posted boundaries VHS 3  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Superior  Superior Tributaries,either the entire length of the tributary or, on tributaries that have been posted, upstream to the posted boundaries White Perch 3  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Superior  Superior Tributaries,either the entire length of the tributary or, on tributaries that have been posted, upstream to the posted boundaries New Zealand Mud Snail 2  St. Louis River downstream of the Fond du Lac dam  Superior Brittle Naiad 1  Ann Total 324 *Lake names highlighted in yellow are located in Chisago County or in the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, MN.

Chisago/South Lindstrom, Chisago County Grant Summary Report

Christine Hokkala-Kuhns Regional Watercraft Inspection Supervisor Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Dec 29, 2017

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 1

Introduction

The watercraft inspection program’s goal is to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species into and around the state. To accomplish this we conduct watercraft inspections and decontaminations at public water accesses throughout the state, work with citizen groups concerned about AIS, and educate the public. In 2017 grant dollars were available for watercraft inspections by DNR staff. The grant offers a maximum of 375 hours per lake and a maximum total request of 750 hours. Chisago County received a prevention grant for 336 hours for Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. The contract dates were set from June 19, 2017 to Oct 15, 2017. DNR inspectors were able to complete 276 of the 336 grant hours for the season. In addition to the grant, 65 tier hours were obligated to Chisago and South Lindstrom on the DNR Tier list and 19.5 hours were completed.

Inspection Process

The inspection process involves the watercraft inspector visually and tactilely searching for aquatic invasive species or anything else that could potentially spread aquatic invasive species such as water, mud, plants or other debris. Watercraft inspectors also complete a survey while educating boaters about the issues surrounding aquatic invasive species. Survey questions focus on boater knowledge and behavior with information given on the impacts of aquatic invasive species and what can be done to prevent their spread. Inspectors are trained to observe and document when watercraft enter a public water access with any violations, including boats with attached vegetation as well as watercraft whose drain plugs have not been removed. Information gathered by DNR and LGU authorized inspectors can help show potential risk of transporting AIS.

Results

Table 1: Through the 2017 season, DNR inspectors completed 960 total inspections at Chisago/South Lindstrom.

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 2 Table 2: Represents the total inspection hours completed per month along with the time the inspectors spent driving to and from the accesses during the grant period.

Breakdown of Inspections:

Figure 1: This pie graph shows the split between entering and exiting watercraft. Across the state a 40/60 split is typical, and the Chisago/South Lindstrom access mirrors that.

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 3 Entering and Exiting Watercraft by States: Table 3: During entering and exiting inspections, the state of the tow vehicle from the license plate was recorded in the survey. Minnesotans entering and exiting the lake make up 96.6% of the total watercraft inspections for the season. Watercraft from other states makes up 3.4% of the total inspections.

Compliance with AIS Drain Plug Law:

Figure 2: DNR inspectors visually check watercraft for compliance with the drain plug law. According to survey data, there is a 89% compliance rate with the law. Of the 11% of watercraft with the plug in on arrival (63 boaters) to the access, only 13 had the plug in upon further questioning. However, no watercraft needed to be sent away for draining. None of these 13 watercraft had been out of the water for less than 24 hrs. Inspectors that observe plug violations direct users to remove the drain plugs to ensure no residual water is found and educate users on the law.

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 4

Types of Watercraft Inspected:

Tables 4: Inspectors monitor and record the type of watercraft entering and exiting during the inspection process. The following chart shows the breakdown of types of watercraft visiting Chisago/South Lindstrom. The majority are fishing boats followed by runabouts or ski boats that do not have ballast tanks and pontoons.

Locations and Items Found During Inspection: DNR inspectors also observed and recorded the location of any plants, invasive animals, water or mud found during the inspection process. Potential threats were remedied according to DNR protocols. (Removing by hand, providing authorization forms, DNR decontamination, and Lake Service Provider transport). According to inspection data, plants that were removable by hand were found 7 times during incoming inspections. The plants were removed before the watercraft were allowed to launch. Inspectors also remind watercraft users that it is against the law to transport aquatic plants. No zebra mussels were found on the plants and no watercraft were sent away for a decontamination.

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 5 Figure 3: 549 watercraft arrived at the access cleaned and drained. Plants were found and removed from 7 watercraft before they were allowed to launch.

Incoming Inspections- Spoken with a Watercraft Inspector

Figure 4: Watercraft users are asked at each incoming inspection when they last spoke to a watercraft inspector. Within the last month, 85% percent of folks had spoken to a watercraft inspector at an access. When staff encounter users that have not spoken to an inspector within a month or more, or never, it is an opportunity to educate users about AIS and AIS laws.

Summary Report Chisago/South Lindstrom Lake 6 How Long Has a Watercraft Been Out of the Water?

Table 5: When asked how long a watercraft has been out of the water, over half (61.3%) had been out of the water for 5 days or more before coming to Chisago/South Lindstrom.

Incoming Inspections-Previously Visited Waterbody

Watercraft users are asked during an incoming inspection which waterbody the watercraft had been at previously. This information can be helpful when determining risk of an incoming watercraft. According to the inspection data below in Tables 6, 41.0% (228) of users coming to Chisago/South Lindstrom are return users. Users that said they did not know the last body of water used comprised 13.3% (74). Table 7 shows the next most previously visited lakes. Lakes with less than 6 responses were omitted from the graphs.

Table 6 and 7: Table 6 shows the top five answers for waters previously visited. Table 7 shows the next 10 most