BARAGA?- In May 2014, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department (KBIC) has initiated an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program.

The purpose of this program is to conduct public education and help prevent the spread of AIS. Funds were provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, through the U.S. Forest Service, to purchase a pressure washer and hire an AIS educator and boat wash operator. The KBIC hired Jacob Haapapuro to fill this position, and the pressure washer was delivered in July.

Haapapuro has traveled to boat launches and fishing tournaments throughout Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties offering free boat washes and AIS educational materials.

Several aquatic invasive species are already known to have invaded inland lakes. Ian Shackleford, invasive species coordinator for the Ottawa National Forest, reported, “Besides invasive species in Lake Superior, such as sea lamprey, several inland lakes have been invaded by Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterflea. Eurasaian watermilfoil can form thick mats that outcompete native aquatic plants and become a nuisance to boaters. We currently are aware of infestations in Prickett Lake, Keewaydin Lake, Keweenaw Bay, and the Keweenaw Waterway, including Torch Lake, Dollar Bay, and Pike Bay. Spiny waterflea can accumulate on fishing equipment and interfere with natural food webs, and have been found in Lake Medora, Lac La Belle, Gratiot Lake, the Keweenaw Waterway, as well as Lake Superior. Fortunately our area appears to remain free of zebra mussel, although new sites are establishing not far away to the south.”

Erin Johnson, Lake Superior Program Coordinator for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, described how cleaning boats can prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species: “Most of the lakes in our area remain natural and free of aquatic invasive species. However, throughout the Midwest, we’ve seen that lakes can become infested when people unknowingly pick up the species in one lake and then move them to another on their boat or trailer. These species be spread in live wells or can live for a few days out of the water, attached to a boat or trailer, and then rehydrating and resuming growth when they land in new water.”

Johnson continued, “To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, we’re asking boaters to inspect, drain, and clear their boats before moving from one lake to another. Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment. Remove all aquatic plants and other debris. Drain all water from the motor, bilge, and live well. Dispose of leftover bait in the trash, not on the ground or in the water. If our boat washer or a car wash is available, consider washing with hot water, although a thorough hand cleaning can be just as effective. Ideally, if you plan to move from one lake to another, allow your boat to dry in the sun for at least five days.”

The KBIC boater education program will complement Michigan’s “Clean Boats Clean Waters” program and the national “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!” program led by Wildlife Forever. The State of Michigan also prohibits launching a boat with an aquatic plant attached. Violators may be subject to a $100 fine.

So far Haapapuro has washed over two dozen boats and made contact with almost 100 individuals. When asked about the experience so far, he said that the boaters have been very receptive to his presence commenting that “even if they’re not interested in the AIS information, they like the idea of a free boat wash.”

Both the U.S. Forest Service and KBIC are members of the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA), which covers the three counties the KBIC AIS program is targeting. The KBIC and U.S. Forest Service hope to continue to work together to offer AIS education and boat wash services in the tri-county area in the future.

The KBIC has also received funds through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to develop and implement an AIS Management Plan. The AIS Management Plan should be complete by this fall and ready for implementation in early 2015.

For more information, visit the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department web page at nrd.kbic-nsn.gov, or the KISMA web page at www.kisma.org.