Posted: 10.31.2011

A Department of Natural Resources grant of $150,000 has been awarded to Oconto County to combat aquatic invasive species (AIS)

The goal, according to the Oconto County Land Conservation Division, is to create a county-wide strategic plan. Part of this plan will be to create an aquatic invasive species inventory and monitoring program, building a strong partnership with government agencies, private individuals, organizations and associations and to help the coordination of aquatic invasive projects for lake districts and associations.

"This is a significant step taken towards control and treatment of invasive species," said Ken Dolota, Oconto County Soil Conservationist. "AIS chokes our waterways, contributes to property devaluation and hurts our tourism businesses."

Dolata prepared the grant application with Bruce Mommaerts, Executive Director of the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC).

"This is a great example of Oconto County responding to community needs," Mommaerts said.

The grant will pay for two positions. One is an AIS Coordinator who will create the strategic plan to control and combat the spread of AIS. The grant will also fund a part-time intern who will coordinate Clean Boats-Clean Water projects in cooperation with the various Lakes Districts and Lakes Associations in the County.

The project idea originated with Al Lauterborn of the Chute Pond Lake District, who brought it to OCEDC seeking assistance to capture resources within the Wisconsin DNR. Following a number of meetings between communities and the DNR, Mommaerts met with Dolata and Tom Milheiser, who recently retired as Oconto County Soil Conservationist, to determine feasibility and County interest.

Dolata and Mommaerts then presented the conceptual framework to the County Land Conservation Committee, which approved submitting the application.

The AIS grant program will be a three-year project. Dolata said he expects the plan will be a combined effort of individuals, lake districts and associations, which will work with the coordinator to inventory known populations of invasive species, prioritize goals and a strategy that will be effective and obtainable to control the spread of aquatic invasive species in Oconto County.

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