Aquatic Invasive Species is threatening lakes within our
region. It seems one by one a new lake
shows the threat has become a reality.
Heading off that threat was a goal of the Pelican Lakes Association. They had started lake monitoring about 4
years ago, prior to the realization that Pelican Lake had been infected with
Zebra Muscles. Now with this realization
that the lake holds these invasive species the goal has been to diminish its
reach to other bodies of water.
The State of Minnesota came onboard and is providing funds
to help curtail the spread of aquatic invasive species. This funding is made available to local units
of government to fund monitors at lake access points. These monitors inform boaters of their
responsibilities and assist them with inspection and procedures with the intent
on thwarting the spread.
Crow Wing County has been very diligent in applying for
these funds and supporting a program that includes 55 landings at 50 lakes. They have employed 60-75 inspectors
throughout the season to accomplish these goals. With the extent of lakes to cover being very
broad, available staffing is used as needed.
Any inspector can be sent to any landing for work on any given day. Pelican Lake Association has had a core group
of individuals serve as landing inspectors in the past and they wanted to
continue with that approach. These
individuals have a vested interest in the lake and were recruited, scheduled,
and managed by the Pelican Lakes Association.
They wanted to focus on the 4 landings on Pelican Lake and the one on
Little Pelican Lake. Accomplishing
inspections on other bodies of water didn’t make a lot of sense to these people. They know the lake, see its ebbs and flows of
users and felt they could do a better job of managing the inspection program. They approached the city
of Breezy Point to ask if we would host them as the Local Unit of Government
rather than Crow Wing County.
Accomplishing this goal is a mutual arrangement. Breezy Point will be the Local Unit of
Government for the grant, taking on that responsibility, but the Pelican Lake
Association will be managing the program.
They will be working with a temporary employment agency for hiring,
insurance and payroll services. The
Association will be in charge of scheduling and managing inspectors. They will review payroll requests from the
employment agency and approve them for payment.
The city will make payment to the employment agency for these
services. When the grant funds are
exhausted the obligation of the city is done.
The arrangement provides for a more focused program for Pelican and
Little Pelican lakes.
