Boat Cleaning Stations Coming to Maple Grove, Plymouth Lakes
Life on the lake is something most of us love. When it’s time to bring the boat in, we often don’t think about the invasive species we might be bringing back with us. Now, boat cleaning stations are helping stop the spread of invasive species.
“You never know what an invasive species is going to do to a water body until it is in there,” says Tony Brough with the Hennepin Count Environment and Energy Department. “Our goal is just to prevent the spread or at least slow it down long enough for science to catch up, for management of the species.”
‘Boaters Are Catching On’
Invasive species have started becoming more of a problem. The Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department started installing boat cleaning stations near boat access points.
“It’s to empower people and to give them the tools they need to do what’s right,” added Brough. “When it comes to aquatic invasive species, you’re just trying to not transfer water and not transfer plants.”
Officials say “boaters are catching on.” At Lake Minnetonka, the stations have been used more than 5,000 times.
“It’s been wonderful to see the behavioral changes from just even 10 years ago,” says Brough.
Now Parkers Lake in Plymouth and Weaver Lake in Maple Grove will be getting boat cleaning stations of their very own.
“The system that I am setting up is very community oriented,” said Brough. “We will help purchase and help install the cleaning stations. The city or whoever owns the access will own the unit. Then we will have the Lake Association members keep an eye on it. Make sure it’s working correctly, make sure there is no vandalism just so that it’s always productive.”
Environmentalists say adding these stations will help keep lakes healthy across the state.
“I think as we get into more generations all these steps are going to be just second nature for people,” says Brough.
The boat cleaning station at Parkers Lake is set to be installed next week, while the station at Weaver Lake will be installed in two weeks.
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