The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will open its public boat launches and begin aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections at Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015.
Park visitors may notice new and durable blue enclosed information booths at the public boat launches this year. Last year, the role of AIS inspectors was expanded to provide easily accessible customer service and public information to park visitors.
The information booths will support AIS education and outreach efforts, and enable the MPRB to have a consistent staff presence within the regional park system. The shelters will also protect AIS inspectors from inclement weather. Start looking for these shelters Monday, April 27.
The information booths will serve as an easily identifiable hub for park visitors, and will be staffed during boat launch hours by watercraft inspectors. Visitors will be able to find educational information about aquatic invasive species, the Minneapolis park system, and upcoming public events such as movies and concerts.
2015 marks the fourth year that all watercraft or water-related equipment entering the water at the public boat launches on Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species. During the 2014 inspection
season, AIS inspectors had more than 18,000 documented contacts with park patrons. Approximately 8,741 of these interactions were AIS related and close to 10,620 were in regards to general park information.
Boat Launch Hours with On-Duty AIS Inspectors
May 1-September 30
Daily 6 am-10 pm
Boaters encouraged to launch watercraft before 9 pm.
October 1-October 31
Daily 6 am-9 pm
Boaters encouraged to launch watercraft before 8 pm.
November 1-December 1
Daily 7 am-7 pm
On call inspections only.
A telephone number will be posted at the launches for boaters to call for an inspection. After inspection, the launch will be opened to allow the boater onto the lake. Boaters must call to be let off the lake following a post-inspection.
To improve compliance with the AIS inspection requirement, the public boat launches will be locked during non-launch hours. Boaters not exiting the lake by the boat launch closing times will be required to secure their boat at the launch and return for it the next day.
Contact
Questions from media:
Robin Smothers, Communications & Marketing
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6410
rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org
Questions from the public:
Debra Pilger, Director, Environmental Management
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-313-7728
dpilger@minneapolisparks.org