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Wabasha County outlines expanded aquatic invasive species outreach and installs seven trial cleaning stations
Summary
County AIS coordinator outlined spring and summer outreach including a March 28 school presentation, seven trial AIS tool‑cleaning stations (phase 1, ~$1,500) at local accesses, additional bait bins and plans to seek DNR permits and a potential MDA grant for purple loosestrife control.
Wabasha County’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) coordinator outlined plans to expand outreach and prevention tools this spring and summer, including classroom visits, additional bait disposal bins and seven trial AIS tool‑cleaning stations at public water accesses.
The coordinator said she will speak to Lake City Elementary’s entire fifth grade on March 28 (about 90 students) and provide 20‑inch D‑nets and teacher water‑testing kits for classroom use. “I also give the teachers the opportunity to provide AIS‑related games and other educational materials,” she said. The outreach materials include an activity book and incentives for returning completed work at events.
For on‑site prevention, the county will install seven AIS tool‑cleaning stations as a DNR‑approved one‑year trial at Clear Lake, Maple Springs, West Newton, Wilcox, Zumbro at Ponderosa and Zumbro Falls. The stations will be equipped with an aqua weed stick, grabber, drain plug wrench and brush and are intended to remain on landings year‑round. The coordinator said, “This year with phase 1 with these 7, it's approximately $1,500 for the purchase of design materials and tools.” She added the stations would be available 24/7 throughout the year, unlike some CD‑3 stations that are deployed seasonally.
The coordinator said the county is adding three bait‑handling bins at Pritchard, Weaver and Petersen lake landings and is seeking additional AIS signage from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is presently low on supplies. She said the next phase would add six more stations — three at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accesses and three at local accesses — pending a DNR special‑use permit and continued partnership with USFWS.
Other initiatives discussed included collaborating with Lake City Police Department events, participating in local outreach such as the River Boat Days parade (subject to logistical approvals), partnering with Wildlife Forever for outreach and pursuing a Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) grant for biological control of purple loosestrife; the coordinator said county funds are budgeted to carry the project if the grant is not awarded.
Board members thanked the coordinator and noted she also assists with solid‑waste tasks and zoning support. No formal county action was taken; this was an informational update.
