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HOLIDAY WEEKEND REMINDER: WATCH FOR INVASIVES
Thursday, June 29th, 2006 -- 8:21 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
So far, Clark County’s waterways seem to have avoided invasive plant and animal species, but that could change quickly, according to a DNR warden.
Barry Fetting is a conservation warden based in Neillsville. He says officials are trying to make sure people pay special attention to invasives this holiday weekend.
"We ask people to rinse their boat with hot water, dry your boat and equipment thoroughly in the sun for five days before moving to another lake," Fetting suggest. "The main thing is, at the landing, just try to get the gunk and the stuff you picked up from the landing off your trailer. Throw it a waste basket right there, if you can."
That’s because most invasive aquatic species – such as Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Watermilfoil – get from place to place on the hulls of boats.
Fetting says invasive species can take over a natural ecosystem.
"Zebra Mussels are filter feeders. Sometimes, they can filter the whole volume of a lake in a few months. They're taking away from the other species of plants and animals that are trying to feed on plankton and other things," Fetting says.
In Wisconsin, boaters can be cited for not taking the responsibility to clean their boats. The fine is $150. Fetting says the DNR will be spending time at boat landings around the state this weekend.
On the Web:
WDNR: Aquatic Invasives
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