​Aquatic Invasive Species

Species Assessment Groups: Preventing the Spread One Step at a Time 

Friday 2:00-2:50pm

While we are all familiar with Eurasian water-milfoil, did you know that there are over a dozen other aquatic invasive plants just waiting for an invitation to colonize Wisconsin lakes?  Invasive algae and cyanobacteria can also pose risks, both ecologically and from a human-health standpoint.  The recently proposed rule NR 40 is Wisconsin’s best attempt to curb the spread of invasive species.  In this session, presenters will provide a brief overview of the nineteen species of aquatic plants and algae recently proposed for regulation and the process by which species were reviewed and classified.  In addition, there will be an overview of the rule itself, as it relates to lake protection from invasive aquatic plants and algae. 

 

 

Invasive species are one of the primary mechanisms by which lakes have changed and will continue to change.  Within the realm of aquatic systems, there is significant overlap between the problems of invasive plants and invasive fish.  Ballast dumping and recreational boat traffic are transporters that the two invasives have in common.  Come hear how these and other vectors are addressed by the newly proposed aquatic invasive species rule NR 40 and how the rule accommodates the aquarium and aquaculture industries. 

 

Presenter: William Horns, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

 

DNR Mapping Tools for Waterway Permits

Friday 2:00-2:50pm

The waterway and wetland permit program is fundamental for preserving the economic and recreational benefits of Wisconsin’s world-class fishing, hunting, boating, and sightseeing destinations. In this session, we will summarize the new permit system and showcase online tools that will streamline the permit process.  We will also discuss how permits are reviewed in this current system to help strike a balance between the desires of lake residents and visitors, while also maintaining a high degree of protection for our waterways. 

Drawdowns as an Aquatic Plant Management Tool: A Case Study from Marion Millpond

Friday 2:00-2:50pm

In this case study, lake level management has proven to be an effective way to control Eurasian water-milfoil at the millpond in the city of Marion.  People are surely part of the equation in this notable success story.  The community of Marion rallied to restore this 108 acre impoundment, which suffered from heavy Eurasian water-milfoil growth, poor water quality, and a declining fishery.  Over 1/3 of the many people who came together to save the Marion Millpond don’t live along the pond—and some live more than 10 miles away.  Learn how this group of committed people carried out a plan to drawdown the millpond in summer 2006, and find out how Marion Millpond is faring today.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, we can all take a stake in the health and beauty of our lakes.  These young men have done just that!  They had a very simple goal – to remove trash and clean up a lake in their community.  Their simple goal blossomed into a much bigger project to clean up several lakes in Oneida County.  These young presenters will describe their project and how other people in the community became interested in joining their effort.

 

 

“It’s not possible!  Not in our lake!  Where did it come from?”  Discovering that the lake you’ve loved for years is suddenly overrun with Eurasian water-milfoil, or any other aquatic invasive species, can be devastating.  Come hear the story of how shoreland residents of the Pike Chain of Lakes in northern Bayfield County wrestled with the problem of EWM when it was first discovered.  Learn about how one extremely large and dissociated group of lake residents, their surrounding community, and supporting agencies worked together to rise above what seemed to be an overwhelming problem.

 

Presenter: Jane Swenson, Iron River Lakes Association 

 

 Improving Water Quality and Lake Access the Natural Way: A Case Study from Lake Waubesa

Old railroad ties and riprap have historically been used on shorelines to prevent bank erosion.  New studies have identified the limitations of these practices and the importance of shoreline vegetation for both lake and habitat health.  As an alternative to hard armoring, live native plants and engineered soil bags were installed along a Lake Waubesa shoreline to replace a failing seawall.  In addition, a rain garden  and native wildflower garden were constructed.  Come learn the specifics of this project and how you can implement some of these same practices. 

 

 

Recent studies have scientifically quantified what fishermen have known for centuries that "Wood is Good" for fish.  Most fish species have evolved in lakes with wooded shorelines and the resulting submerged timber is critical to their life-cycles.  Unfortunately, decades of shoreline development have severely reduced the amount of course woody structure available in many Wisconsin lakes.  Current land-use practices along the shorelines limit recruitment of new wood into the depleted systems, perpetuating the declining volume.  This trend can be reversed by using innovative techniques and technologies, the sciences of forestry and fish biology, and developing landowner interest in radical shoreline habitat restoration.  The methods used for installation of submerged trees is site dependent and can include the use of heavy equipment, small equipment, ATVs, and muscle power.  It may be done in open water or on hard water during winter.  Installation design is as much art as it is science.  The addition of near-shore, large woody structure to lakes always enhances habitat diversity and functionality.  Move beyond fish cribs and buffer restorations toward littoral zone restoration and enhancement.

 

Encouraging Behavior Change to Protect Wisconsin Lakes: An Introduction to Social Marketing

Friday 2:00-2:50pm

There is widespread evidence that human behaviors can have harmful effects on our lakes.  Despite this knowledge, along with recommendations about how to reduce this impact, many continue their activities with a “business as usual” approach.  This session will provide basics about how to encourage behaviors that protect the quality of Wisconsin lakes.  The concept of social marketing will be introduced and essential steps related to this approach will be highlighted.  Additionally, frameworks will be presented to help participants understand environmental change as a process with suggestions for how to transition community members from awareness of an issue to actually adopting a new behavior.  Case studies and examples of several social marketing projects occurring in the state from a variety of behavior change contexts including shoreline restoration, storm water infiltration and aquatic invasive species will be highlighted.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss behavior change strategies related to issues you’re facing in your community.

 

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