09-24-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) discovered zebra mussels in Lake Harriet in 2017. MCWD staff provided assistance in survey efforts to determine the extent of the infestation, along with MPRB staff, MN DNR, and Blue Water Science. Only one zebra mussel was found, and monitoring continues. AIS Watercraft Inspection Cost -Share Partnerships (2011— Present) Watercraft inspections are a primary AIS prevention tool utilized by several of our partners. While prevention and education are often the goal, results over the years show that preventing the spread of AIS is challenging, but slowing the spread is possible. MCWD shares the cost of watercraft inspections conducted by our partners. These funds helped shape our partners watercraft inspection programs, providing funding to expand hours of inspections, and allowed our partners time to build their capacity to manage the programs internally over several years. MCWD has begun to reduce its cost -share portion from 50% of program cost to 36% in 2018 as MCWD shifts its resources towards high impact capital projects that provide greater immediate natural resource improvements, such as the Six Mile Creek— Halsted Bay Subwatershed Habitat Restoration Project that will restore 2,488 acres of in -lake habitat by controlling common carp. Technical support and guidance MCWD staff provides technical expertise to support our partners in many areas, including AIS. Conclusion In summary, to achieve our goals, the District joins with public and private partners to understand the natural resource needs and our partners' goals and plans for the landscape. We then work together to identify and implement opportunities to align our investment for mutual benefit. To remain effective, the District focuses its limited resources in areas of high need and opportunity to achieve significant and measurable water resource improvements, while also remaining responsive to needs and opportunities watershed -wide. As a regional water resource agency responsible for managing and protecting the water resources of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed, the District utilizes a multi -pronged approach to address AIS that focuses and prioritizes efforts while leveraging scarce resources through collaborative public and private partnerships. The AIS projects described above outline our strategic approach of leading or directing where AIS intersect with larger regional focused efforts to address resource goals in ways that integrate with land use, our continued support for AIS research, using the watershed as a living lab where outside research dollars can be focused, and supporting our state, regional and local partners' efforts which play a critical role in AIS prevention, education and management. We collaborate with public and private partners to protect and improve land and water for current and future generations. 15320 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345 • (952) 471-0590 • Fax: (952) 471-0682 • www.minnehahacreek.org