The Cook County Soil and Water District (SWCD) released its report summarizing the work of its Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid Program during the 2025 open-water season (May through September). This program is vital for protecting local waters, their ecosystems, and the community’s tourism economy.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)—organisms not native to a specific body of water—are defined as water-dwelling plants, animals, or microbes whose introduction causes economic, environmental, or human health harm. These invaders pose a significant threat because, in their new Minnesota environment, they typically lack natural predators or diseases to keep their population in check, allowing them to reproduce and spread aggressively.
Following a legislative session that began with Governor Tim Walz proposing a 50% cut to county AIS Prevention Aid, legislators ultimately voted to continue full funding of the $10 million program until July 1, 2027. However, the enabling statute was amended to schedule a reduction to $5,000,000 annually for aids payable in 2027 and there-after.
Unless the 2027 legislature acts to preserve the current budget, the inspection season that year and beyond will operate with drastically reduced resources, underscoring the need for continued support and awareness.
The Cook County AIS program, which relies solely on the annual $200,000 DNR grant, used $156,481 during the 2025 season, saving more than $20,000 compared to 2024. The remaining $46,758 was set aside as a contingency fund, a prudent measure to mitigate the impact of the scheduled 50% state funding reduction, which is planned to take effect after 2026.
Amanda Weberg, the SWCD AIS Program Supervisor, will consider cutting some marketing efforts in the coming year and expects to retain three watercraft inspectors in 2026, while keeping overall expenses about the same as 2025. The 2025 funding was used for a range of activities, including watercraft inspections, public education campaigns, and support for local initiatives to limit the spread of AIS.
Weberg, a part-time SWCD employee, devotes her entire working schedule to AIS education and prevention. This year, Weberg employed three DNR-trained Level 1 Watercraft Inspectors who worked at 19 boat access points on 17 different bodies of water. Those inspectors reflect a third of annual expenditures.
Level 1 inspections involve a visual and tactile check of all watercraft, from kayaks to pontoons primarily to ensure that owners understand and comply with Minnesota law, which requires draining all water, cleaning any visible AIS, and removing bilge plugs whenever the boat is in transit on public roads.
This summer marked the launch of a new outreach tactic: Cook County’s first DNR watercraft inspection roadside check station, located off Highway 61 near Taconite Harbor. This voluntary check station took place one afternoon in late June. Supervisor Weberg noted the event focused purely on education: “Ten boats were checked, with four out-of-state boats found to have the drain plug in. No citations were given—just education and appreciation for pulling into the check station.” This proactive effort reinforces the required AIS mitigation protocols along the county’s central transit corridor.
With almost $50,000 set aside to help stabilize the program, Supervisor Weberg plans to retain three watercraft inspectors in 2026 and keep overall expenses near 2025 levels. However, she anticipates cutting some marketing efforts to prepare for the sharp reduction scheduled in 2027. Unless the Minnesota Legislature acts to preserve the budget, the 2027 inspection season may face 50% cuts. This emphasizes the need for continued local engagement and support. Additional information about the AIS prevention aid program, including ways community members can get involved or support efforts, is available on the SWCD section of the Cook County website, www.co.cook.mn.us. Engaging residents in activities such as reporting AIS sightings or volunteering for inspections can strengthen prevention efforts and highlight the program’s vital importance ahead of the next legislative session.
