WW-06946     Reviewed 2008  

Preventing the Introduction of Exotic Species Shoreland Best Management Practices Number 15 of 18 in the Series

What Are Shoreland BMPs?

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are actions you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. BMPs have been described for agriculture, forest management, and construction. This fact sheet describes BMPs you can adopt on your shoreland property to help protect and preserve water quality. In many cases, the best management for shorelands may be retaining the natural characteristics of your property.

Why Are Exotic Species a Problem?

Today, "exotics"-the term for organisms that have been introduced into areas where they are not native-are considered to be among the most severe, worldwide agents of habitat alteration and degradation. They are a major cause in the continuing loss of biological diversity throughout the world. They have caused extinction of some native species. Exotic species can be thought of as "biological pollutants."

Moving plants or animals, accidentally or intentionally, from one habitat into another where they have never been before is risky business. In the absence of predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors from their native habitat, species introduced under favorable conditions will often overrun their new home and crowd out important native species. Once established, exotics can rarely be eliminated.

To Protect Your Lake from Exotics

There are many BMPs you can adopt as an individual to minimize the spread of aquatic exotic plants and animals:

• Learn what these organisms look like and monitor for their presence. If you suspect a new infestation of an exotic plant or animal, report it to Minnesota Sea Grant Extension in Duluth, (218) 726-8712, or the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Exotic Species Program in St. Paul, 1-800-766-6000 or (612) 296-2835, or a local DNR fishery office.
  
  
• Consult the DNR for recommendations and permits before you try to control or eradicate an exotic pest. Remember, exotic species thrive on disturbance. Do-it-yourself control treatments often make matters worse and can harm native species.
  
  
• Organize educational campaigns and committees. Contact Sea Grant if you would like to become a volunteer zebra mussel monitor. Your lake association or civic group could also undertake an educational campaign in your area.
  
  
• Conduct public awareness events at water accesses (at DNR accesses, notify the DNR before planning an activity).
  
  
• Don't transport water, animals, or plants from one lake or river to another. In Minnesota, it is illegal to transport surface water, aquatic plants, or exotic species.
  
  
• Remove plants and animals from your boat, trailer, and accessory equipment (anchors, centerboards, trailer hitch, wheels, rollers, cables, and axles) before leaving the water access area.
• Drain your livewell, bait bucket, and bilge water before leaving the water access area.
  
  
• Empty your bait bucket on land, never into the water. Never dip your bait bucket into one lake if it has water in it from another. And, never dump live bait from one water body into another.
  
  
• Wash your boat, tackle, downrigger cables, and trailer with hot water. Flush hot water (at least 104·F) through your motor's cooling system and other boat parts that normally get wet. If possible, spray your boat, trailer, and accessories with hot, high pressure water. Let everything dry for five days before transporting your boat to another body of water (both hot water and drying will kill zebra mussels).
  
  

Species of Concern

Aquatic exotic species that are causing particular concern in Minnesota today are shown below. Other exotics of concern are the common carp, sea lamprey, rusty crayfish, white perch, flowering rush, and curly leaf pondweed. Species are not drawn in correct proportion to each other.

	Don Luce Bell Museaum of Natural History
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Size: 1/4 to 2 inches
Eurasian Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) Leaflet: 1/2 life size	MN DNR
	M. Baradlai
Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) Size: 2 to 5 inches
	Donna Francis
Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) SizeL 2 to 12 inches
	Don Luce Bell Museum of Natural History
Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes cederstroemi) Size: 3/8 inch
MN DNR	Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Size: 2 to 7 feet

For More Information...

call
regional offices of MN State agencies:

• Minnesota Sea Grant's Exotic Species Information Center,
  2305 East 5th Street, Duluth, MN 55812-1445; (218) 726-8712
• MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Exotic Species Program
  

Zebra Mussel WATCH Citizen Network Guide. Early Detection of Adult Zebra Mussels. Available from Sea Grant.

A Field Guide to Aquatic Exotic Plants and Animals. Available from DNR or Sea Grant.

Exotic Species Information. A resource list of publications and videos. Available from Sea Grant.

Mussel Menace! Zebra Mussels and You. Leader training manual, videotape, and slide-audiotape set. Available from Sea Grant.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters: Exotic Species Handbook. Available from DNR.

Part of a series. . .

This fact sheet is one of a series designed to assist shoreland property owners in protecting and preserving water quality. The series includes:

1. Understanding Shoreland BMPs
2. Maintaining Your Shoreland Septic System
3. Installing a Shoreland Septic System
4. Ensuring a Safe Water Supply
5. Limiting Impact of Recreation on Water Quality
6. Developing Shoreland Landscapes and Construction Activities
7. Stabilizing Your Shoreline to Prevent Erosion
8. Minimizing Runoff from Shoreland Property
9. Caring for Shoreland Lawns and Gardens
10. Managing Your Shoreland Woodlot
11. Valuing Your Shoreland Trees
12. Preserving Wetlands
13. Managing Crops and Animals Near Shorelands
14. Reducing the Use of Hazardous Household Products
15. Preventing the Introduction of Exotic Species
16. Accessing Information to Protect Water Quality
17. Shoreland Stewardship Scorecard
18. Conserving Water
19. Property Management System form
20. Septic System Information form

This series of fact sheets is a cooperative effort of the following agencies:

University of Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota
College of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota
Water Plan Coordinators of the Arrowhead counties
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife,
 Division of Waters, Division of Forestry
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program
Mississippi Headwaters Board
St. Louis County Health Department, Environmental Services Division
Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Arrowhead counties
Natural Resources Conservation Services
Environmental Protection Agency
Western Lake Superior Sanitary Districtbr

These publications may be photocopied for local distribution. The addition of commercial names, products, or identifiers is not permitted. please do not add or delete any text material without contacting:

You may add information about contact persons or regulations specific to your county, region, or lake association.

University of Minnesota Extension Store 20 Coffey Hall 1420 Eckles Ave St Paul, MN 55108-6069 612-625-8173

Produced by the Arrowhead Water Quality Team, a cooperative effort of Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties and state and federal agencies. All publicly funded agencies involved are committed to equal opportunity education, service, and employment.

Next Section: #16 Accessing Information to Protect Water Quality
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Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.