Minnesota Boaters Have New Mandatory Checkpoints

Minnesota boaters have new, mandatory checkpoints, but they are not on the water. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will have a new approach to stemming the tide of invasive species this spring. For the first time, the DNR will have mandatory checkpoints, on the road, for people towing boats across the state. These roadside checkpoints will be looking for evidence of zebra mussels, milfoil, or any other invasive species. If a boat is found to be contaminated, the owner will be directed to a nearby decontamination site and the boat will be power washed immediately. The DNR is also putting some teeth into the new enforcement. If a problem is found on a boat, the owner will be cited and the fines start at fifty dollars and go up from there. The state is putting up 20 decontamination sites and will hire 150 inspection officers to enforce the new rules which start this spring.