Final Public Meetings Scheduled for St. Croix River Invasive Species Plan

Purple loosestrife is a non-native aquatic plant that can take over wetland areas. (Photo by Liz West via Wikipedia)

The public is invited to provide comment on a strategic plan addressing aquatic invasive species (AIS) throughout the St. Croix River watershed. Public meetings will be held in various locations throughout the watershed. The final two public meetings are scheduled for September 10th in Polk County and September 14th in Bayfield County.

The strategic plan outlines steps to prevent, contain, and control aquatic invasive species throughout the St. Croix watershed – from Moose Lake, MN to Cable, WI and all the way south to Prescott, WI. AIS in this region include zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil, purple loosestrife, bighead carp, and rusty crayfish.

The priority activities outlined in the strategic plan have been proposed in discussions between the St. Croix River Association, National Park Service, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, representatives from counties and watershed districts, members of lake associations, and interested community members.

This plan is now available to the public for review. Local citizens, river users, government staff, business-owners, and any other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting. To view a copy of the plan, visit www.stcroixriverassociation.org.