Eau Claire (WQOW)- Transporting invasive species from one lake to another can be a huge problem. The invasive plants can take over lakes, making it difficult for us to enjoy them. Now, the DNR is ramping up its enforcement to make sure the problem doesn't get worse.
"If you transport eurasian milfoil from a lake that's infested to a clean lake, it's not going to take very many years before that takes over," says DNR Regional Warden Mark Burmesch.
The DNR, with the help of some volunteers, has been keeping close tabs on boats going in and out of Wisconsin lakes.
"We're doing a lot of collaborative work now with those lake associations, those other volunteers, making sure the word is out; and when we see violations, we are taking appropriate enforcement action on those," Burmesch says.
The Wisconsin DNR says its goal is not to give out more citations, but to educate the public so that they know the dangers of transporting invasive species from one lake to another.
"It's very easy to be in compliance," Burmesch says. "It takes you 30 seconds, you look, you take two pieces of vegetation off, you make sure it's clean, make sure you drain the water out of your boat and you are on your way."
Minnesota has also stepped up its enforcement. According to the state's DNR, it has already given out nearly 2,000 citations and warnings. Two years ago, it had given out less than 300 in total.
