Minnesota_DNR_Best_Practices.pdf

Best Practices for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

All equipment1 being transported on roads or placed in Waters of the State shall be free of prohibited and regulated invasive species and unlisted non-native species (any other species not native to Minnesota)

1. Project plans or documents should identify Designated Infested Waters2 located in or near the project area.

2. Prior to transportation along roads into or out of any worksite, or between water bodies within a project area, all equipment must be free of any aquatic plants, water, and prohibited invasive species.

A. Drain all water from equipment where water may be trapped, such as tanks, pumps, hoses, silt curtains, and water-retaining components of boats/barges (see Figures 5 & 6) AND

B. Remove all visible aquatic remnants (plants, seeds and animals). Removal of mud & soil is not required at all sites, though is encouraged as a Best Practice. Removal of mud and soil may be required on sites designated as infested (see #4).

3. Prior to placing equipment into any waters, all equipment must be free of aquatic plants and non-native animals.

4. Additional measures are required on Designated Infested Waters to remove and kill prohibited species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, faucet snails, or spiny waterfleas.

Note: The DNR is available to train site inspectors and/or assist in these inspections. Contact the appropriate Regional Invasive Species Specialist:

www.mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html A. For day use equipment (in contact with the water for 24 hours or less);

Perform #2 above or, B. For in-water exposure greater than 24 hours: Perform #2 above, and inspect all equipment for the prohibited invasive species present (see Figure 1).

Then choose one of the following three: on-site treatment, off-site treatment, or customized alternative.

On-Site Treatment Remove by handscraping or powerwashing (minimum 3000 psi) all accessible areas (Figures 1 and 2) AND Kill Prohibited Aquatic Invasive Species in non-accessible areas using one or more of the following four techniques:

• Hot Water (minimum 140°F) for ten seconds (Figure 2) for zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, faucet snails OR

• Air Dry (Figures 3 & 4) Spiny waterfleas – air dry for a minimum of 2 days New Zealand mudsnails – air dry for a minimum of 7 days zebra or quagga mussels, faucet snails – air dry for a minimum of 21 days OR

• Freezing Temperatures zebra mussels - expose to continuous temperature below 32°F for 2 days OR

• Crush Crush rock, concrete, or other debris by running it through a crushing plant to kill prohibited species

Off-Site Treatment Under certain conditions, the DNR will allow transportation of equipment off-site after partial removal of prohibited species (for example, after “removal” has been done and equipment will be taken to a facility to complete final treatment [i.e., “kill”]) This is a ‘one-way pass’ to allow transport to a storage area or disposal facility. This option can only be utilized if the receiving site is at least 300 feet from riparian areas, wetlands, ditches, stormwater inlets or treatment facilities, seasonally-flooded areas, or other waters of the state. To be allowed to use the off-site treatment option you must do the following:

• Read, complete, and comply with the appropriate authorization form for transportation of Prohibited Invasive Species at www.mndnr.gov/invasives/ais_transport.html (Note that a completed form is required to be in every vehicle that is trans-porting equipment containing infested species) AND

• Complete on-site treatment described in 4B above prior to re-use in or adjacent to water.

Best Practices for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, April 2013 Page 1 of 2

Figure 1. Invasive species may not be readily visible on equipment. Some species are less than 1/4 inch in size.

Photo credit: Brent Wilber, Lunda Construction

Figure 2. Removal of aquatic remnants is required before transporting.

Photo credit: Peter Leete, DNR

Best Practices for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

Contact a DNR Invasive Species Specialist for authorization of a customized alternative

There may be situations due to time of year, length of exposure, type of equipment, or site conditions that a DNR Invasive Species Specialist could approve alternative methods or requirements for treatment. Contact the appropriate Regional Invasive Species Specialist:

www.mndnr.gov/invasives/contacts.html

5. Temporary appropriations of water from Designated Invested Waters to utilize elsewhere (such as for dust control, landscaping, bridge washing, etc.) is not allowed except by permit, thus should be avoided.

If use of Designated Infested Waters is unavoidable, permit information is located at www.mndnr.gov/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/permits.html

Document Information www.mndnr.gov/waters/watermgmt_section/pwpermits/gp_2004_0001_manual.html Best Practices for Meeting DNR GP 2004-0001 (published 5/11, updated 12/12) – Chapter 1/Page 8 More on the DNR Invasives Species Program can be found at: www.mndnr.gov/AIS

1 ‘Equipment’ is defined as any implement utilized in construction. This includes boats, barges, heavy machinery, light machinery, or other material that may be moved on-site or off-site, including but not limited to rock (riprap) or timber for temporary workpads, backhoes, pumps, hoses, worksite isolation materials (eg, sheet pile or jersey barriers), boats, barges, temporary staging materials, erosion prevention products, sediment control products (eg, silt curtain), water trucks that take water from open bodies of water (eg, dust control), or dewatering components.

2 List of Designated Infested Waters: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/invasives/infested_waters.pdf

DNR Contact Information

DNR Ecological and Water Resources lists area office staff at www.mndnr.gov/waters

DNR Ecological and Water Resources 500 Lafayette Road, Box 32, St. Paul, MN 55155-4032, (651)259-5700 or 5100

DNR Ecological and Water Resources website provides information at www.mndnr.gov or by calling (651) 259-5700 or 5100.

DNR Information Center

Twin Cities: (651) 296-6157 Minnesota toll free: 1-888-646-6367 Telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD): (651) 296-5484 TDD toll free: 1-800-657-3929

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age, or disability. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

This information is available in an alternative format on request

© 2013 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources

Best Practices for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, April 2013

Figure 3. Drying will also kill aquatic organisms. Lay out materials to dry in the proper time. Drying times vary by species. Inspect after drying period is over.

Photo credit: Dwayne Stenlund, MnDOT

Figure 4. Drying techniques must not trap water.

This equipment will not dry adequately.

Photo credit: Peter Leete, DNR

Figure 5. Pumping from designated infested waters for use elsewhere on the project is prohibited without a permit.

Photo credit: Peter Leete, DNR

Figure 6. Drain all water from equipment where water may be trapped. Remove drain plugs and drain hoses prior to transport.

Photo Credit: Peter Leete, DNR