Christmas Lake Boaters Could Face A Hefty Fine
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Refusing to get your boat inspected before launching on Christmas Lake could soon cost you.
Last April, homeowners around Christmas Lake and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District chipped in $48,000 for a full-time boat inspector.
His job is to stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), specifically zebra mussels.
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"Christmas Lake doesn't have (zebra mussels) yet," said Brad Nielsen, Shorewood's Planning Director. "Lake Minnetonka is already infested."
The infestation at Lake Minnetonka has forced the DNR to setup power wash stations for boaters. And over at Lake Minnewashta, they have a similar inspector carefully searching boats.
"They run their hands up and down the hull," Nielsen said. "What they're looking for is a kind of gritty feel. They inspect all the cracks and crevices around the motor. They have a little mirror that they use to look underneath. If there's any indication at all of a zebra mussel, they're not allowed to launch."
Now the city of Shorewood is trying to pass an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to refuse an inspection before launching a boat.
"I believe a maximum fine for misdemeanor is up to a $1,000 dollars," Nielsen said.
On Monday, the Shorewood City Council and the planning commission will meet to discuss the ordinance.
