Partners are working to keep Schroon Lake free of invasive species, though the lake is already populated with milfoil. Signs are seen at the Schroon Lake boat launch in the town of Schroon, warning boaters to stay away for the milfoil as prop chop will spread the invasive species.

One sign posted to warn boaters states, “Your hull & prop will chop & spread this invasive weed creating a MAJOR THREAT to the health of this lake!”

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Researchers said cleaning, draining and drying boats is nearly 100% effective at keeping AIS out of Montana. That is why boat inspections are required in the state. Seaplanes are also required to undergo inspection.

According to the Seaplane Pilots Association, pilots are strong advocates for the protection of those waterways. Pacific Northwest seaplane pilots created a program that allows pilots to perform their own invasive species inspections. Seaplane pilots annually take an online AIS training course, take a test and receive completion certificate.

The training shows participants how to analyze seaplane aircraft for contamination and, if detected, how to rid the invasive species from the craft.

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As a response to the increase of invasive species in Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources in 2009 created NR40,  Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Identification, Classification and Control Rule, to teach people how to identify invasive species as well as ways to prevent their spread.  The rule allows the department to take quicker action against a potential or known invader, as well as to ensure that any actions are consistent.

There are currently 70 NR40 regulated plants in Wisconsin, not to mention a large number of insects and animals.  Some of these include Eurasian watermilfoil, an aquatic plant that forms dense mats of vegetation on the water’s surface; the northern snakehead, this fish can breathe air and survive up to 14 days out of water has a voracious appetite for fish; and the round goby; a small fish that outcompetes native fish for food and a predator of eggs of native fish.

Preventative steps and invasive species identification are the first and perhaps most important steps in attacking invasive species in Wisconsin.  Your ability to identify and properly report an invader is vital to tracking and removing invasives.  According to the DNR there are five best practices for landowners and land users to be aware of: prevention, early detection and rapid response, control, monitoring, and restoration.

Prevention

Prevention is the safest and easiest way to ensure that are an area remains invasive free.

• After completing outdoor activities inspect clothing and shoes for plant material.
• Avoid traveling in areas where invaders are known to be.
• Clean all equipment used during outdoor activity such as bicycles, lawn mowers, boats, and chainsaws.
• When gardening, do not plant seeds or seedlings that are not native to the area.
• Properly dispose of landscaping materials you will not compost.
• Never transport firewood beyond 25 miles of where you bought it.

Early Detection and Rapid Response

Early detection means a rapid response can be mounted.  If you come across an invader, report your sighting by calling your nearest DNR office or following the steps on their website.

Early detection allows the DNR to formulate the best course of action and may save hours of labor and preventing undue ecological and financial strains.

Containment and Removal

When an invader is found, the best prevention and control method is often an integrated pest management method.  This means using destructive methods on the invaders while performing preventative measures in the affected area to prevent spread.  First it is important to slow and prevent further spread of the invader.  The control method depends on the invader found; a complete list of available methods is available on the Wisconsin DNR website.

Monitoring

After containment and removal activities are completed, a good monitoring strategy can help reduce the likelihood of and invaders return.  Regular checks on previously infected areas as well as surrounding areas will provide early detection if the invasive have returned.

Restoration

By following the DNR’s best practice guidelines, it also helps prevent re-establishment.  Restoring the affected areas of the invasion is an important step to restore its vitality and to help balance the ecosystem.

A Team Effort

Anyone who lives, works, or plays in Wisconsin serves an important role in the battle against invasive species.  Whether you are monitoring your own land, volunteering to pull garlic mustard plants, or merely cleaning plant material off clothes and equipment before leaving an area; they all serve as important steps in preventing the spread of invasive species.

Zebra mussels, a freshwater aquatic nuisance, which grow to about the size of a dime and live up to eight years, are rapidly invading North American lakes.

Zebra mussels have three main effects on the water bodies they invade.

1.  Ecological

Zebra mussels siphon a liter of water per day to live.  They act as filters and clear the water of food necessary for small larval fish to survive – ultimately starving the top of the food chain – the walleye, catfish, and Northern Pike.  The clear water is certainly desirable, but water that is too clear allows sunlight to reach the bottom creating ideal growing conditions for invasive aquatic plants like watermilfoil and flowering rush.

2.  Recreational

Clear waters as mentioned above not only kill off fish leaving anglers to find new fishing spots, but the number of invasive aquatic plants make water transportation difficult often getting tangled in engine propellers.  The additional plant growth hinders swimming, boating, and paddling/canoeing.  The zebra mussels can cause bodily harm with their razor-sharp shells and because they attach themselves to hard surfaces such as docks and boats, they are easily spread from lake to lake.

3.  Industrial

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated zebra mussels have cost Great Lakes region’s water and power plants close to $5 billion in the past decade to clear clogged intake pipes.  Annually zebra mussel-related maintenance was estimated to be around $100 – $200 million.

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