DNR: Resorts, lawmakers blocking new invasive species rules

Legislative opposition is forcing the state Department of Natural Resources to delay an aquatic invasive species training program.

The program would require boaters to take online training and have a sticker on their watercraft trailer proving they are trained. Minnesota resort owners, however, complained the provision was unfair to boaters coming from out of state. Several lawmakers now want to repeal the law.

Assistant DNR Commissioner Bob Meier says he was surprised by the legislative opposition, but he's confident a compromise can be worked out.

"We do support the program wholeheartedly and the educational components related to it," he said. "There is interest within the Legislature of strengthening that or straightening out, kind of tweaking the requirements that are there as well."

Training is key to helping stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, he added.

"We still continue to see a relatively high violation rate. I think it's somewhere around 20 percent," Meier said. "With that kind of violation rate out there it's important that people know what the law is and how to make sure they're abiding by that law."