St. Louis County invasive species program faces 50% state aid cut

Jon Utecht says St. Louis County’s invasive species program has helped cut new infestations in local waters by about 50% over the past decade, but a state aid reduction from $10 million to $5 million a year could force fewer boat inspections, decontaminations, education efforts and early detection work at some of the county’s busiest lake accesses.

The cut would hit a county where water access is unusually heavy. Minnesota law sends Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid to counties using a formula based 50% on watercraft trailer launches and 50% on trailer parking spaces, and St. Louis County says it has 171 launches, the second-highest total in Minnesota, along with 1,444 parking spaces, the most in the state. That puts Duluth, Two Harbors, the Iron Range and surrounding lake country in the path of a funding decision that reaches far beyond a single budget line.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the aid began in 2014 through a county tax bill and has provided $10 million a year statewide for county prevention work. State budget documents show the proposed reduction would begin in fiscal year 2027, with the statewide total dropping to $5 million starting July 1, 2027. Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates says the Legislature held the funding harmless for two years before the cut was set to begin.

For St. Louis County, the stakes are practical as well as environmental. The North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District says its AIS program includes watercraft inspections, decontaminations, education and early detection. County officials also voted to send letters opposing the proposed cuts, underscoring how seriously they view the threat to local lakes and rivers.

The county lists zebra and quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnail, viral hemorrhagic septicemia, round and tubenose gobies, Eurasian ruffe, faucet snail, mystery snail, spiny water flea, Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife and rusty crayfish among its biggest concerns. Once those species establish themselves, they are difficult and expensive to remove, which is why prevention has been treated as a bargain compared with cleanup later. If the aid reduction weakens the system that has already cut infestation growth in half, taxpayers could end up paying far more through control costs, reduced fishing opportunities and lost recreation on waters that define much of St. Louis County’s economy and identity.