Lake Detroiters Association | Becker County AIS Program

PHOTO - 2016 Inspectors - cropped

The Becker County AIS Program is administered by Becker County Soil & Water Conservation District. The objective of the program, which began in 2014, is to prevent the introduction and limit the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Becker County. The program is funded by state funds for the sole purpose of administering a county AIS program. Karl Koenig was hired with these program funds to serve as the AIS Coordinator. Details of the program are below and on the right side-bar. Questions can be directed to Karl Koenig: 218-849-6438.

Lake Detroiters administered the AIS inspection program for Detroit Lake from 2010 to 2014. Pelican River Watershed District launched the local inspection program in 2010.

MN AIS Prevention Aid Program Background

In 2014, a county tax bill was passed that provides funds for aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention. Each year, $10 million will be provided to Minnesota counties to support AIS prevention programs.

Minnesota Statute 477A.19 - Provides $10 million to counties each year to prevent the introduction and limit
the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The funds are allocated based on each county's share of
watercraft trailer launches (50%) and each county's share of watercraft trailer parking spaces (50%). It is up to
individual counties to make decisions on how the funds are to be used while still abiding by all current laws
and regulations

County board representatives designate AIS program oversite to a local government within the county. The designated local government works closely with local, state and federal governments, as well as nonprofit and private organizations, to develop and implement AIS prevention programs. Individual counties make decisions on how funds are to be used. Funds must be spent according to state statute, while still abiding by all current laws and regulations.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid Distributions - Department of Revenue 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 certification charts showing distribution funds for each county.

Payments follow traditional aid payment dates: July 20 and December 26.
The Department of Revenue will develop a certification chart on or before August 1 of each year, for the amount to be paid to each county in the following year

Each year Becker County receives AIS Prevention Aid money from the MN Department of Revenue. This annual funding was appropriated by the MN State Legislature for funding beginning in 2014. This funding is for the sole use of AIS prevention in Becker County. The Becker County Soil & Water Conservation District administer's the program and the AIS Coordinator is Karl Koenig. Funding breakdown for Becker County:

**BECKER COUNTY AIS PREVENTION AID FUNDING**
2014	$143,610
2015	$319,135
2016	$317,878
2017	$349,327
TOTAL	$1,129,950

MN DNR VIDEO on decontamination

Decontamination1

Local Units of Government who would like to purchase their own Decontamination Unit

The MN DNR has a state contract for the purchase of decontamination units. Some local units of government will be able to purchase off of this contract. Please see below for the specifications used for the state contract and for information on who may purchase off the state contract and how to do so. Click here to read more about decontamination speciications.