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Pine County board approves 2026 aquatic invasive species plan, flags looming state funding cut
Summary
The Pine County board approved the county'026 aquatic invasive species (AIS) plan for 2026, allocating $118,002 in new state aid and noting $178,009.26 is available including prior rollovers; presenters warned state AIS funding will be cut in 2027, prompting scaled-back outreach.
The Pine County Board approved the county'026 aquatic invasive species plan on a unanimous roll call, authorizing use of a $118,002 state AIS prevention aid allocation and previously rolled-over funds that bring the total available for the 2026 plan to $178,009.26.
County staff said the program combines in-house watercraft inspection, monitoring and partner-led control and education work. The board was told watercraft inspectors remain the program's core operational element, with partner lake associations carrying out most on-the-water control activities while the county coordinates funding and oversight.
Presenters described a substantial education component that includes social media outreach and a short video project historically funded at higher levels; this year the board scaled back certain outreach choices in anticipation of a state funding reduction next year.
"In 2026, Pine County will be receiving a $118,002 to carry out the county board's aquatic invasive species plan," a county presenter said, adding that rollover dollars produced a total available balance of $178,009.26. The presenter warned the board that state AIS funding is expected to decline in 2027 and urged the county to prioritize core prevention activities.
The board discussed the application process and whether requests typically fit within available funds. A commissioner asked whether the program receives steady funding; staff replied that funding had been steady since the program's start but that the state allocation would be reduced next year, requiring difficult choices.
The motion to approve the 2026 AIS program carried on a roll call (Commissioner Holland: yes; Chair Moore: aye; Commissioner Nelson: yes; Commissioner Waldheim: yes; Commissioner Ludwig: aye). The board recorded no amendments and no additional immediate follow-up tasks were assigned.
The county will continue to work with lake associations and partner organizations to distribute control and monitoring dollars, while maintaining the watercraft-inspection emphasis in 2026. Board members signaled they will revisit program priorities when state funding levels are finalized for 2027.
