Volunteer boat inspectors are true conservationists
Kurt Krueger, Editor of the Vilas County News Review, offers his thoughts on various topics of local interest in his weekly “Editor’s Opinion” Column. This week’s column praises local AIS volunteers as “true conservationists”. The column, found on page 18a of the January 7, 2009 edition, is copied and pasted below for your convenience and reading pleasure.
Volunteer boat inspectors are true conservationists
As aquatic invasive species (AIS) become an increasing threat to water quality, fisheries, recreation and property values across the lake country of Vilas and Oneida counties, we are fortunate that hundreds of true conservationists have stepped forward to protect our lakes.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that 5,112 hours were logged by volunteer boat inspectors during 2008, accounting for an incredible 44% of the total volunteer effort in Wisconsin.
The volunteers who have been trained in the Clean Boats Clean Waters program are certified to inspect boats, collect data and share vital awareness information with boat owners. In the battle against AIS, they are warriors who’ve chosen to put themselves on the front lines.
Because of their dedication and hard work, we know vital information — like that 16% of boats had plants attached when arriving at the landing and that 25% of the boats had been in another water body in the previous five days. Those statistics really illustrate the importance of having trained inspectors who can effectively approach people who are recreating, inspect their boats and gain their support.
The program meant the inspection of a record 41,656 boats across the state — and some of those boats and trailers contained Eurasian water milfoil and other invasives that threatened to take up residence in a new water body. A total of 91,706 people were contacted about the Clean Boats Clean Waters message.
All is not well with the program, however, as last year’s effort was only three-quarters of what volunteers did in 2007. Some of that might be due to past effectiveness of the program, as 92% of boats had inspected their equipment for plants prior to their arrival. Some of it is due to a shift in volunteer efforts to lake monitoring for early detection. Some of it is probably due to burnout.
Anglers, boaters and the public in general should be extremely supportive of the volunteer program because it is staffed by common citizens who care about the state’s resources. They are the front line of defense in a fight where prevention is the most effective, least costly alternative.