07-3081-Spring newslet - Gull Chain of Lakes Association

GCOLA SET TO USE NEW TECHNOLOGY AGAINST INVASIVE SPECIES
Ron Faust, Board Member
The Gull Chain of Lakes Association will be installing three new devices on Gull Lake to increase the
level of protection against introduction of invasive species into the Gull Chain. New technology has been
used to develop the devices, called Internet Landing Installed Device Sensors (I-LIDS). They can monitor
and record each boat launch during all daylight hours all season long. They will be working when DNR
watercraft interns are not on duty.
Developed by a Minnesota company named Environmental Sentry Protection,
(www.environmentalsentry.com) in Plymouth, the sensor devices will be mounted this
spring at the three major boat launches on Gull Lake. The I-LIDS enclose video cameras
and solar panels in stainless steel enclosures. When approaching vehicles are
detected, the camera turns on to record short videos. In addition to boat license numbers,
the video clips show whether or not plants can be spotted on the trailer or boat
motor. This video is then transmitted wirelessly to a nearby high speed data access
point, and then to a central monitoring area at Environmental Sentry Protection headquarters.
Some video clips will also be monitored by Gull Chain of Lakes Association
members on the company’s web site.
The devices have been shown to be very effective on other lakes in creating an environment where boat
owners are more aware of the possibility of invasive species transmission and more responsible about
cleaning their boats and trailers before launch. New warning signs explaining the functioning of the
video devices will also be installed.
Although zebra mussels and Eurasian water-milfoil have become established in many
Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes, the Gull Chain of Lakes has remained free of these
infections thus far. The mussels can totally cover dock equipment and present many
sharp edges that are a problem for swimmers. Eurasian water-milfoil is a submergent,
rooted aquatic plant which grows in water 3 to 15 feet deep. It can become so
thick that boats cannot get through it and swimming is impossible. Once established,
treatment options for these problems are very expensive and have limited effectiveness.
Data on Lake Minnetonka showed that introduction of I-LIDS reduced the number of
boats launching weeds from 7.4% to 0.3%. The GCOLA Board of Directors is aware
that most boat owners are very careful that their boats and trailers are clean before entering the water. It
is hoped this monitoring system will be effective in changing the habits of those not careful enough.
GCOLA AWARDED DNR INVASIVES SPECIES PREVENTION GRANT
For the second year in a row, GCOLA has been awarded a $5,000 matching grant
from the MN Department of Natural Resources to help prevent the spread of aquatic
invasive species. The grant will be used to hire trained college interns to conduct
watercraft inspections at the three public landings on Gull Lake. Inspectors will be
working on weekends and the three major summer holidays when the majority of
boat launchings take place. In addition to checking for weeds on watercraft about
to be launched, interns will provide educational handouts to watercraft owners.
When you see the “Stop Aquatic Hitchikers” flag at a landing, you know an inspector
is there.
An additional $150 matching grant will be used to purchase “Stop Aquatic
Hitchhikers” brochures which will be placed in the GCOLA water safety brochure
boxes at the public landings, distributed to property owners and placed in bait
shops and marine businesses in the Nisswa area.
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