Lake County highlights invasive species prevention, closes meeting on land parcels

Lake County’s long-running fight against aquatic invasive species is already shaping how the county protects its lakes and shoreline resources, and the May 26 Board of Commissioners meeting put that work front and center before the board turned behind closed doors to discuss land parcels in Two Harbors.

Liz Anderson of the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District walked commissioners through the county’s Aquatic Invasive Species program, which has operated for 12 years and depends on state aid, grants, matching contributions and volunteer labor. Volunteers have contributed nearly 2,000 hours over the life of the effort, helping Lake County lean hard on prevention instead of waiting for infestations to spread.

The county’s updated 2018 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan lays out five priorities: outreach and education, early detection and monitoring, watercraft inspections and compliance, management and rapid response, and partnerships. The plan was shaped with partner input, including two focus groups in 2018, and the spending record shows where the county has put its money. Watercraft inspections have been the largest cost at roughly $500,000, followed by public outreach and education at about $366,000. Since the inspection program began in 2017, it has checked almost 23,000 vehicles. Outreach has included 130 public events over 12 years.

Monitoring has identified two invasive species of concern in the county, spiny waterflea and Chinese mystery snails. Even so, only 44 of Lake County’s roughly 800 lakes currently have any aquatic invasive species, and only eight are on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ more serious infested waters list. The DNR says about 9% of Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes are on that list. As of June 2025, zebra mussels had been confirmed in 378 lakes and wetlands statewide, with 292 additional waterbodies listed because of their close connection to infested waters.

Anderson pointed to broader research suggesting the county’s investment is paying off beyond Lake County. University of Minnesota work has found fewer new infestations after local AIS programs were put in place, and the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center says Minnesota spends about $20 million a year on AIS interventions. The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center reported in 2025 that prevention aid began in 2014, when Minnesota had 536 infested lakes, and that number had risen to 1,100 by 2024, even as the rate of spread slowed. Researchers also estimated about 70 zebra mussel infestations may have been averted over the last decade. That funding remains vulnerable: a March 2025 newsletter warned the governor’s proposed budget would cut AIS prevention aid from $10 million to $5 million in fiscal year 2027.

After the open session, the board moved into closed session to discuss land parcels, a reminder that property and development questions remain active alongside lake protection. Lake County’s board typically meets in the Split Rock River Room in Two Harbors, and county records show closed sessions may be used for property purchase or sale discussions under Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. 3(c3).