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| Date: | March 9, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| INGEBRIGTSEN SUPPORTS INVASIVE SPECIES RESEARCH CENTER AT THE U of M |
(St. Paul) – Aquatic invasive species (AIS) including the Asian carp and zebra mussel that are invading Minnesota’s rivers and lakes will be the target of study at an AIS cooperative research center at the University of Minnesota. The measure, supported by Chair Bill Ingebrigtsen of Alexandria, was passed Thursday by the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee.
“We can continue to put one-time funding on this problem or we can make real progress on the serious damage being done by certain invasive species by investing in research generated by leaders at the University of Minnesota. This center will be a valuable asset in finding long-term solutions to control and eliminate damaging species in our state,” Ingebrigtsen said.
No general fund money will be used to fund the cooperative research center. Funding of $1.8 million from the clean water fund has previously been approved by the Clean Water Council and an additional $1 million re-appropriated from Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Ingebrigtsen has also made a $1 million bonding request to improve their center.
Administered by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS), the center’s objective would be to develop and implement new technologies to permanently control and eliminate aquatic invasive species in Minnesota. It will partner with the College of Science and Engineering, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Extension, municipal governments (watershed districts and lake associations), federal agencies, and local industries to address all disciplines needed to prevent and control aquatic invasive species and position Minnesota as one of the best prepared states for AIS control.
These prevention methods and objectives include:
• Develop new screening tools to accurately and rapidly determine the presence of invasive species including Asian and common carps, zebra mussels and the mud snail
• Develop ways to control zebra mussels in local waters
• Develop a practical means to deter the movement of Asian carps, even in large rivers
• Develop a practical means of eradicating at least one important aquatic invasive species
• Serve as a state-of-the art source of information on the biology of invasive species and new means for their control for both citizens of the state and the DNR
“Aquatic invasive species are serious threat to our natural resources across the state, and we all share a significant sense of urgency in dealing with this issue. Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams are an invaluable resource to our state, and I plan to continue the aggressive work and build on last year’s successes, including providing more authority for inspections and enforcement, restricting use in infested waters and providing education to service providers and the general public,” Ingebrigtsen added.
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