As boaters head out for a last day of fishing, they are reminded of the importance of cleaning, draining and drying boats and equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). This boater at the Grand Marais Rec Park boat launch heard the good news that he is eligible for a free boat wash.
As boating season winds down, boaters are reminded to get into the habit of taking three simple steps to stop the spread of invasive species.
The “Clean Drain Dry” initiative calls for boaters to:
. Clean and remove all plants, mud and debris from boats, trailers and gear. . Drain all water from boats, live/bait wells and onboard ballast tanks. Pull the plug. . Dry all gear and equipment thoroughly before moving to other waters.
Recommended actions include spraying and rinsing all recreational equipment with hot and high-pressure water.
Toward that end, the Cook County Aquatic Invasive Species Program is offering a free self-serve boat wash at the North Shore Car Wash in Grand Marais. Participating boaters are asked to stop in to the NAPA store at 400 W. Highway 61 during business hours to receive $5 towards watercraft washing. NAPA employees will then turn the water heat up to 120 degrees to ensure a proper decontamination of invasive species.
For more information contact Amanda Weberg, Cook County AIS coordinator, at (608) 295-8694 or cookcountyais@gmail.com
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