SWCD discusses future of AIS with County Board
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners discussed the future of the aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program with Nathan Nordlund, the District Manager of Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at their meeting on Feb. 16, 2016.
Nathan explained the surveys were done at six lakes in the county (Lomond, Long Lost, Long, Pine, Clearwater, and LaSalle), which included a vegetation survey of AIS, and inspections of watercraft."
"There were none (AIS) found on these surveys. " he said.
Commissioner Arlen Syverson noticed that Lake Itasca is missing from the survey.
Since the county allocated funds for the park to do their own inspections and monitoring, the information is not included. Nathan is going to request data from Itasca Park for Lake Itasca.
Commissioner Neal Illies wanted to know what the economic value of the surveys was. Nathan said at this time he considers it a valuable gauge of AIS activity; the DNR considers one inspection per hour to be a valuable rate. He said they are catching most of the traffic in and out of the lakes through inspection in the morning and evening.
Commissioner Dan Stenseng asked what they are seeing regarding public cooperation.
"We are getting good cooperation. Much is to do with how the inspectors handle the people, by using respect," Nathan said.
Nathan wanted to know if the Commissioners see this program as valuable to continue. They have lots of money; $73,558, left over in the program, with additional $100,104 expected to be allotted to the county in 2016. They may be able to carry over the balance again as last year.
He said there are additional lakes in the county where inspections and vegetation surveys could be done, such as Lake Minerva, Lake Mary and Elk Lake. He thought they could list another 10 lakes where the AIS and vegetation surveys could be expanded. He also said the signs face the water, and aren't seen until the boats are put in the water so they could improve the signage.
He also said it would be possible to use some of the funds to remodel launching and docks where needed, and cleaning areas. Erosion problems exist at some of the lake accesses.
"Clean in and clean out access provides value," he said.
Another area they could expand is to add a decontamination unit, which costs $20,000.
"I think at this time we need to continue with what we are doing. We don't want to lose our focus (from AIS prevention) on something else," Commissioner Dean Newland said. We can add other things if we need to."
Commissioner Stenseng thought it would be a good area to start with providing school education materials. The commissioners thought it is useful to continue with the same level of inspections.
Nathan will talk with Tim Terrell at the Mississippi Headwaters Board to assure they do not double up on what each department is doing.
A motion to enter into agreement for AIS prevention and inspection of water-related equipment with the DNR during 2016 was passed by the Commissioners.
Nathan introduced Nick Phillips, a new employee at SWCD before the discussion. Nick received a BS degree from Bemidji and resides there.
Sheriff Darin Halverson received authorization to promote Candace Coulter to Jail Program Director/Training Officer to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mary Musselman, at a pay of $18.25 per hour; and promote Brenda Caskey from part-time to full-time temporary CCO to replace Ms. Coulter.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson said the County started this year with $387,000 more in Revenue than last year.
He received approval to give a step increase to CVSO officer Harry Hutchens III, to a salary of $23.12 per hour to effective Jan. 1, 2016.
Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $23,174 from the County Revenue Fund, and $19,719 from Nursing Service.
Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.