MNO NEWS TEAM H0T NEWS!..

[Lee Borgersen]

           
                     THIS JUST IN FROM YOUR MNO NEWS TEAM.............


 DNR postpones aquatic invasive species decal program!

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that it will postpone the new aquatic invasive species training and trailer decal program that was due to launch at the end of the month. DNR officials decided to postpone the program while legislators consider changes to it.



Under a law passed by the state Legislature in 2012, anyone trailering a boat or water-related equipment such as docks and lifts in Minnesota is required to take aquatic invasive species training and display a decal on the trailer. The effective date is July 1, 2015.

"With the legislative interest in this educational program and ongoing discussions about possible changes, we are postponing the launch until we see if the Legislature acts this session to modify the program," said Bob Meier, DNR assistant commissioner.

The DNR supports the education that would be provided under this law but recognizes there are some concerns with the way the law is currently written. For example, people transporting boats on trailers through Minnesota to another destination are required to take the course and display a decal even if they don't put their boat in Minnesota waters.

Since the training and decal are currently not required until July 1, the DNR wants to remind people that there will be time to see what happens legislatively and still take the course and receive decals. The agency will post any updates on trailers at trailers.mndnr.gov and alert the media if there are any program changes.