Lake Vermilion 2021 AIS Prevention Funding Approved

St Louis County Commissioners have approved a $42,191 grant to the Vermilion Lake Association (VLA) to support AIS prevention at Lake Vermilion during 2021. The prevention program includes 6 projects, with special emphasis on watercraft inspections and on early detection of new infestations.

“The VLA Board appreciates the AIS funding it has received from St Louis County over many years,” said Pat Michaelson, president of the 2700-member lake association. “We cannot do this without their generous support.”

“The AIS challenge at Lake Vermilion is very large,” said Jeff Lovgren, Lake Vermilion AIS program coordinator. “About 16,000 boats launch at Vermilion’s 40 public and private accesses each year. With serious threats like Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and zebra mussels expanding in Minnesota lakes, we must do all we can to protect Lake Vermilion, its fisheries, its recreational boating, its property owners, and its business community.”

“One of our key projects in 2021 will be increasing the number of incoming boats inspected at Vermilion resorts,” continued Lovgren. “Our resorts attract many visitors from out of state and from regions in Minnesota with AIS infestations which could threaten our lake.”

Countering this growing AIS threat takes an army of volunteers and significant funding. “Our AIS volunteers will donate over 1500 hours in 2021,” said Michaelson, who organizes VLA’s volunteer team. “Their efforts allow us to stretch our funding much farther.”

“Strong partnerships make this difficult and complex task possible,” continued Michaelson. “We are pleased with the close working relationship that has developed among our lake association, the Lake Vermilion Resort Association, North St Louis Soil and Water Conservation District, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and the business community around Lake Vermilion.”

Additional information about the Lake Vermilion 2021 AIS program can be found at the VLA website under the AIS Prevention tab. If you’d like to join the VLA volunteer team, please contact Pat Michaelson, plmichaelson@gmail.com.