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What are Aquatic Invasive Species?
Invasive species are plants, animals, or diseases not Native to Minnesota that have been introduced to
waterbodies and cause harm to the environment, economy, and/or human or animal health. Some of
the invasive species in Wright County include: zebra mussels, starry stonewort, Eurasian watermilfoil,
curly-leaf pondweed, common carp, and many more.
What are we doing?
Wright SWCD receives money from the Local AIS Prevention Fund - approximately $230,000 annually.
This fund provides money to several programs to help prevent and limit the spread of AIS in Wright County and Minnesota.
Inspections
Wright SWCD coordinates AIS watercraft inspections throughout the county. These inspectors are trained to inspect entering and exiting equipment to make sure no aquatic invasive species are present. They have the authority to check all equipment including compartments (bilge, ballast, live wells, etc), and may deny launch to anyone for noncompliance. Most inspections will take less than 5 minutes.
Decontamination
There is a courtesy decontamination unit, which is a free service to kill and remove AIS from water related equipment. It is available 7 days a week during the summer (approx. Fishing Opener - end of September). Most decontaminations are complete in less than 15 minutes, although equipment heavily crusted in zebra mussels will take longer.
Self-Service Tools
There are several tools available at the landings for boaters to follow best practices in preventing the spread of AIS. There are 5 CD3 units in the county with tools to remove hard-to-reach places on your boat and trailer.
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Treatment
Grant funding is available for lake groups that treat AIS populations in Wright County lakes. We fund surveys up to $1,000 and up to $3,000 of treatment with a 50% match. Requests for proposals are usually sent out in January.
Who makes decisions on AIS in Wright County?
Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors makes the decisions but an advisory committee meets multiple
times per year to discuss strategies in Wright County. We are also guided by our AIS management plan.
A 2024 update for the plan is currently in progress.
AIS Committee
Alicia O'Hare — Committee Administrator
Curt Forst — Lake Association
Tina Diedrick — County Commissioner
Kris Olson — SWCD Supervisor
Mike Zieska — SWCD Supervisor
Darek Vetsch — County Commissioner
Chuck Gardner— Sportsman
Vacant — Lake Association alternate
Vacant — Elected Official
Vacant — Sportsman alternate
