WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) – A Kandiyohi County commissioner says the state isn’t doing enough to try to stop the spread of zebra mussels in west-central Minnesota.
Commissioner Dennis Peterson says the Department of Natural Resources is failing to take necessary action. He predicts a disastrous infestation that could harm property values around popular waters like Green Lake.
Among other things, he says, a DNR report to legislators does not recommend raising fines enough against boaters who knowingly go from infested lakes to non-infested lakes without properly cleaning their boats.
The West-Central Tribune of Willmar reports Peterson spoke at a county board meeting Tuesday.
Luke Skinner, supervisor of the DNR’s invasive species program, said Wednesday many proposals from a stakeholders group that included Peterson require the Legislature to approve more authority and funding. He says the DNR is working to move those ideas forward.
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