4.1.2 AQUATIC NUISSANCE SPECIES

Exotic species, those not native to the region, have caused "biological pollution" to Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes since the 1800s. Subsequent to European settlement, well over 100 exotic aquatic organisms have become established in the Great Lakes. More than one-third of these exotic species have been introduced in the past 30 years, a major increase coinciding with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Many exotic species pose an economic or ecological threat to Lake Michigan and other waters of Indiana and neighboring states. Harmful exotic species associated with our waters are sometimes called aquatic nuisance species. Examples of aquatic nuisance species include several fish (gobies, ruffes, sea lampreys, alewives, white perch, and common carp); mollusks and crustaceans (zebra mussels, rusty crayfish, and spiny water fleas); and plants (Eurasian water milfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and purple loosestrife).

Zebra mussels have proven particularly costly to the natural aquatic environment of the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Already well established in Lake Michigan, zebra mussels colonize and clog water intakes. Millions of dollars are expended annually in an effort to remove the mussels and keep intakes open. Zebra mussels may also replace native species of mollusks and are suspected of contributing to the great decline in yellow perch populations experienced in recent years.

Boaters can play an important role in the control of the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species. Zebra mussels may be unintentionally transported from one lake or stream to another by the movement of boats containing a life form of the zebra mussel. Adult zebra mussels can be transported to new areas by hitchhiking on watercrafts. They can attach to boats and trailers, and survive for a week or more out of the water. The larvae will drift with the currents and can be transported in the water as well. In fact, the mussels can be found in a bilge, bait bucket, ballast water, live well, and engine cooling units.

In December 1996, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission adopted a Zebra Mussel Containment Policy. The policy promotes precautionary steps to be taken by boaters to reduce the likelihood zebra mussels will infest inland lakes and streams in Indiana and in neighboring states.

RECREATIONAL BOATERS CAN SLOW OR STOP THE SPREAD OF ZEBRA MUSSELS BY TAKING A FEW SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS:

• Inspect your boat, trailer, or engine or any area that comes in contact with water, which is infested with zebra mussels.
• Dispose of mussels properly in the trash. Do not leave them at the water's edge because that may hasten the spread of the mussel.
• Do not transport baitfish or water from any area to other waters. You may be transporting the invisible larval stages.
• Leave your boat out of the water for at least 10 days. Mussels cannot usually live long without water.
• Because larval mussels can survive for about a month in areas that contain trapped water, it is important to flush the motor and other water-retaining areas of your boat with a chlorine solution. You should also clean your boat, motor, trailer, bait bucket and live well with a salt solution (1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water, 100F) or a bleach solution (one part bleach/10 parts water) if the boat has been operated in infested waters. High-pressure washing can also dislodge mussels from hidden areas.
• Keep an eye on your boat's temperature gauge. Zebra mussels can damage your boat equipment by fouling the cooling system. A hot-running engine may indicate your cooling system is infested.

• Inspect your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before you leave any body of water.
• Flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty bait buckets and remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. Dispose of the plant fragments on land, in a garbage receptacle.
• Drain water from your motor, live wells and bilge.
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• Wash your boat before putting it into a new body of water
• Report any new infestation of non-native aquatic species to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

TO STOP THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC SPECIES, IT IS BEST TO CLEAN YOUR BOAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE BODY OF WATER.

4.1.7 LAKE & RIVER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

The Indiana Department of Natural Resource's Lake and River Enhancement Program (LARE) was developed in 1989 to ensure the continued viability of public-access lakes and streams. The program's initial goal was to utilize a watershed approach to reduce non-point source sediment and nutrient pollution of Indiana's surface water to a level that meets or surpasses state water quality standards.

The 2003 Indiana General Assembly enacted House Enrolled Act 1336 which will increase the LARE fee paid by registered boat owners. The increase in fees will provide funding for the Department of Natural Resource's Lake and River Enhancement Program (LARE) to also remove sediment and control exotic or invasive plant or animal species.

In addition, one-third of these fees will provide funding for the Law Enforcement Division to establish additional marine enforcement patrols on Indiana lakes and rivers. A portion of these funds may also be available for counties with supplemental law enforcement marine patrols.

The LARE fee is set forth by the value of the boat when new.

4.1.8 MARINE EVENTS

A permit may be required for any of the following situations when placed or conducted on public waters. Permits are issued following a site investigation. Persons planning an event or wanting to place a structure in the waterway must contact the DNR, Law Enforcement Division headquarters for more information and the appropriate forms. This applies to events or structures such as:

• Boat race;
• Water ski event;
• Water ski course or jump;
• Swimming platform or anchored swim raft; and
• Buoys, markers or flags.

As of 2004, major organized boating activities to be conducted on public waters are required to have a permit. If you plan to host an event that involves fifteen or more watercraft as participants, or the event will draw 50 or more boats as spectators you will need this new permit. If you conduct an event on public water, which also will disrupt normal boat traffic, then you will also need to apply.

4.1.9 FISHING TOURNAMENTS

In Indiana, fishing tournaments on public waters can only be regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. A county or city park department (or another local entity such as a conservancy district) might place restrictions on the use of an access site, including restrictions pertaining to fishing tournaments. It is advisable to check with the owner/operator of the launch facility before planning your event to see what regulations apply.

For more information visit: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/rule.htm

What is considered a fishing tournament?

A fishing tournament is defined as an activity involving fifteen (15) or more watercraft used for taking fish where:

• Persons compete for a trophy, citation, cash, prize, or
• A fee is charged to participants.

Department of Natural Resources properties that have public water where fishing tournaments are managed include all the reservoir properties: Monroe, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Huntington, Brookville, Hardy, Patoka, Lieber and Raccoon lakes. Anyone wishing to hold a tournament on any of these lakes must contact Department of Natural Resources, State Parks and Reservoirs.

The Natural Resource Commission adopted additional rules governing fishing tournaments. These rules will go into effect later this year and apply to Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake in Kosciusko County.

4.2.2 INDIANA MSD REGULATIONS

Both federal and state law prohibits the disposal of raw sewage from vessels into Lake Michigan. These laws have been enacted to protect human health as well as the environment. Each year some public beaches along the Indiana coastline of Lake Michigan must be closed due to bacterial contamination. Although the sources of the contamination are not fully understood, there are concerns that improper marine sanitation practices may be one of the causes.

Boaters with holding tanks on their vessels are reminded to dispose of sewage properly at pump out stations. Those with Type I and Type II MSDs are reminded to make sure the devices are in good working order and operated according to specifications.

Your help is essential to good water quality for ourselves and our children.