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Board approves $717,000 in aquatic invasive species prevention aid and directs letters opposing proposed state cuts
Summary
St. Louis County approved 2025 funding recommendations allocating $717,000 in aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention aid across local projects, heard testimony from program partners, and voted to send letters to the governor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposing proposed cuts to AIS prevention aid.
The St. Louis County Board approved staff recommendations to distribute $717,000 in aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention aid for 2025 and directed county officials to join a statewide letter opposing proposed cuts to the program.
Director Ryan Logan and planning staff summarized the county-coordinated AIS program, which the board said is unique in the state for its countywide coordination and partnership model. Logan told the board that over the past decade the county has funded more than 80 projects totaling more than $6.8 million in AIS prevention activities.
Speakers from partner organizations described program accomplishments and the risks if state funding is reduced. John Utech, AIS program coordinator for the North Saint Louis Soil and Water Conservation District, said the district is “closing in on our 200,000 watercraft inspections and nearly 3,000 watercraft decontaminations,” and highlighted seasonal inspection staffing and public education. Gary Haugen, co-chair of the Lake Vermilion Association, said the lake’s surveillance program has helped prevent introductions of invasive species to Lake Vermilion. Pat Kinzemius, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever, said the governor’s proposed budget would cut the statewide AIS prevention aid program and urged board members to press legislators and the governor to preserve the funding.
Commissioners discussed the program’s origins and its statewide importance. Several commissioners asked staff to prepare a formal county letter to the governor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposing the proposed cuts; the board then voted to send letters and to support the Wildlife Forever-led letter campaign. Director Logan and staff said this year’s allocation process used the statewide formula based on landings and parking spaces and that requests exceeded available dollars (more than $1 million in requests for $717,000 available).
The board approved the funding recommendations and the directive to transmit letters; the meeting record shows the motions carried.
