On Feb. 4, the Village of Twin Lakes learned that they were awarded a Clean Boats Clean Waters grant through the Wisconsin DNR.
The grant funding will help continue a program established in 2012 by the Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District in which part-time staff monitors the Lake Elizabeth Marina Boat Launch and Lance Park Boat Launch, educating boaters about aquatic invasive species and the importance of cleaning boats between visits to lakes.
The Clean Boats Clean Waters grant will reimburse the Village for 75 percent of its expenses relating to the invasive species awareness and education program. The estimated value for the 2013 season is approximately $4,000.
Audrey Greene, Lake Specialist/AIS Coordinator from Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management provided the following reminder, “One important item that many boats/anglers are not aware of is that on Sept. 1, 2009, the AIS prevention steps became law. These laws are enforceable by Wis. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wardens and local police departments. So before leaving a boat launch in Wis., boaters must:
1. inspect boats, trailers and equipment;
2. remove all aquatic plants, animals and mud from boats, trailers and equipment;
3. drain water from boat, motor, bilge, live wells and equipment (it is a great idea to put your catch on ice to keep it fresh but those fish cannot be in water);
4. dispose of unwanted bait in the trash – do not put in waterbody or even on the shoreline;
5. buy minnows from a Wis. licensed bait dealer. You may take minnows with you when you leave a lake – with two gallons of water. If you have not added any water or fish to those minnows, you may use them anywhere. If you have added water or fish from the waterbody to your minnows, you must only use them on that waterbody. Never move live fish, plants or water away from any waterbody.”