ALEXANDRIA, Minn. -- Two months ago, the Douglas County (Minn.) Board of Commissioners designated a committee of citizens to explore the impact of zebra mussels and to make recommendations to stop the invasion.
The Douglas County Citizens' Committee (DCCC) on Zebra Mussels wrapped up their first assignment and the group presented their suggestions to the county board on April 12.
In February, the board appointed local residents Bonnie Huettl, Lois Sinn Lindquist and Carl Towley to serve on the committee.
In the report presented last week, the DCCC recommended methods for local control, containment and eradication of zebra mussels.
Seven lakes in Douglas County are infested with zebra mussels -- Lakes Darling, Carlos, L'Homme Dieu, Geneva, Victoria, Jessie and Alvin.
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Zebra mussels -- one species of aquatic invasive species -- are non-native to the area. Zebra mussels can displace native species, degrade water quality, interfere with recreation, and damage equipment.
Committee's suggestions
The DCCC recommends that the county take the following action:
- Support a state Senate bill (SF0847) that devotes money from the state's Clean Water, Land and Legacy fund to be used to combat the invasion of zebra mussels, and provides the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with aggressive tools to stop the spread of zebra mussels.
- Support a 2011 watercraft season pilot containment effort on Lake Geneva.
This would involve use of a hot water pressure washer to decontaminate boats coming off of infested waters.
- Endorse a 2011 watercraft season pilot eradication effort on two acres of Lake Darling.
The committee suggests using water curtains to contain a small section of the lake to become a test site for a new bio product called Zeqanox. The product has not been tested on open water.
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As an alternative to Zequanox, the committee has also suggested using potassium chloride -- a chemical product to limit the spread of zebra mussels.
The county board has not taken action on the recommendations.
The DCCC is tentatively set to meet with the county board during its April 26 meeting to discuss details and possible funding sources.
Chaffins reports for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Herald.
