Contact: Bradley Steckart
Phone: 262-335-4806
Statewide Effort to Reduce Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, June 29 – July 4
(WAUKESHA, WI) – In anticipation of the busy Fourth-of-July holiday week, Waukesha County will be participating in the 10th Annual Statewide Landing Blitz from June 29 – July 4 at launches throughout the county. Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources boat inspectors, and volunteers will be handing out towels to remind boaters how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species between lakes, rivers and streams.
“The Landing Blitz is the pinnacle of our summer invasive species prevention efforts,” says Brad Steckart, Washington and Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “We are able to reach a lot of people because the holiday week draws so many boaters to the water.”
The statewide effort will build on the success of last year’s campaign, when volunteers inspected over 14,000 boats and spoke with over 32,000 people. “One of the most exciting things about this campaign is the strong volunteer effort. Every year, hundreds of concerned citizens participate as volunteers to help us raise awareness and empower boaters,” says Bob Wakeman, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.
The following steps are required by state law to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:
· INSPECT boats, trailers and equipment for attached aquatic plants or animals.
· REMOVE all attached aquatic plants and animals.
· DRAIN all water from boats, motors, live wells, vehicles, and equipment
· NEVER MOVE plants or live fish away from a waterbody.
· DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash
· BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer.
Social media users can help spread the word about the importance of aquatic invasive species prevention by posting photos and messages using #CleanBoatsCleanWaters. For more information about AIS in Waukesha County, to view the County’s AIS Strategic Plan, and to sign up for the monthly AIS newsletter, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/ais.
For more information, contact Brad Steckart, AIS Coordinator for Washington and Waukesha Counties at (262) 335-4806 or bradley.steckart@co.washington.wi.us. To learn more about Waukesha County’s invasive species program, visit: www.waukeshacounty.gov/ais or http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives.
