Protect County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid. Protect Minnesota's Waters.

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

MINNESOTA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS CURBED THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

Minnesota has spent more than a decade building a locally driven defense against aquatic invasive species (AIS). A major contributor to this progress is County AIS Prevention Aid, a state funding program established in 2014 with the support of Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue distributes $10 million annually to counties based on the number of public water accesses and associated trailer parking spaces. This funding supports local efforts to prevent the spread of AIS through watercraft inspections, early detection monitoring, education, and rapid response.

In 2025, amid a projected $6 billion state budget deficit, Governor Tim Walz proposed cutting County AIS Prevention Aid by 50% and phasing out the program entirely. The Minnesota Legislature ultimately maintained the program's full $10 million in annual funding, but cuts are scheduled to begin July 1, 2027.

There is still time to protect this investment. Minnesota's fiscal outlook is improving, and research shows that County AIS Prevention Aid is an effective, cost-saving investment. While Minnesota has made progress in slowing the spread of AIS to new waters, thousands of lakes and rivers remain at risk.

MINNESOTANS VALUE THEIR WATERS

County AIS Prevention Aid helps protect the waters that sustain Minnesota's recreation, fisheries, tourism, and local economies. The program costs the average taxpayer less than $2 per year, while research indicates that Minnesotans are willing to pay substantially more to prevent and manage AIS.

County AIS Prevention Aid has helped communities across Minnesota turn statewide prevention goals into local action. The program has supported:

More than $2 million in grants annually to over 200 local partners.
Early detection monitoring on more than 600 lakes and rivers.
An average of 880 local jobs/year
Approximately $1.2 million in additional annual contributions from lake associations and local groups.
Local AIS task forces involving approximately 285 lake associations, 40 conservation groups, 250 businesses, 80 schools and youth organizations, and 145 local governments.
Training for hundreds of conservation officers who enforce AIS laws and interact with approximately 6,000 boaters each year.
AIS education for approximately 14,000 children annually.

PREVENTION SAVES MONEY

Preventing an infestation is far less expensive than managing an established one. Cutting County AIS Prevention Aid would weaken the local programs working to stop invasive species before they become established. The consequences could affect Minnesota communities for generations:

More invasive species: Fewer water bodies monitored and fewer opportunities to detect new infestations early, when eradication may still be possible.
Higher costs: More expensive long-term management for counties, lake associations, and property owners.
Threats to water quality and fisheries: Established infestations can harm lake ecology and diminish recreational opportunities.
Economic consequences: Reduced recreational opportunities and impacts on tourism and local businesses that depend on healthy lakes and rivers.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REVERSE THESE CUTS

Minnesota has invested more than a decade in building effective local AIS prevention programs. Maintaining full funding will help protect that progress, support local communities, and reduce the future costs of managing invasive species.

Use the action tool on this page to contact your state legislators and the Governor's Office. Ask them to restore and maintain the full $10 million in annual County AIS Prevention Aid and make prevention a priority in Minnesota's 2027 budget decisions.

Current Actions

Protect County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid. Protect Minnesota's Waters.

MINNESOTA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS CURBED THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

MINNESOTANS VALUE THEIR WATERS

PREVENTION SAVES MONEY

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REVERSE THESE CUTS