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County accepts $461,619 state AIS prevention aid for 2025
Summary
Land and Resource Director Chris Leclerc told the board Otter Tail County received $461,619 in state aquatic invasive species prevention aid for 2025; commissioners accepted the grant and discussed protecting watercraft inspector funding amid upcoming state cuts.
Otter Tail County accepted a State of Minnesota aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention aid award of $461,619 for 2025 at its Dec. 2 meeting.
Land and Resource Director Chris Leclerc said the county had already received about half of the amount and formally presented acceptance of the grant. Leclerc warned the board that the state funding is expected to be cut beginning in 2027 and said the department has prioritized protecting funding for watercraft inspectors at public accesses. "Most of our about half of our budget is paying for the watercraft inspectors at the public accesses, and I told Spencer we're gonna protect that at all costs," Leclerc said.
Commissioners approved acceptance of the AIS grant by voice vote. Leclerc said outreach items such as billboards and local promotional materials may be trimmed if cuts continue so the county can preserve on-the-water inspection staffing.
