11th Annual Landing Blitz Comes to Waukesha County

July 01, 2019
Contact: Cassie Taplin
Phone: 262-483-9687
 		 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2019
 
11TH ANNUAL LANDING BLITZ COMES TO WAUKESHA COUNTY
Statewide Effort to Reduce Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, July 3 – July 7
 
(WAUKESHA, WI) – In anticipation of the busy Fourth-of-July holiday week, Waukesha County will participate in the 11th Annual Statewide Landing Blitz from July 3-7 at launches throughout the county. Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat inspectors, and volunteers will hand out towels to remind boaters that they have the power to protect lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species.
 
“The annual Landing Blitz is a big part of our summer invasive species prevention efforts,” says Cassie Taplin, Washington and Waukesha County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Reminding boaters to drain all water as well as to remove all plants, tiny animals, and mud from their watercrafts is an effective tool in preventing invasives.”
 
Boaters and anglers are the best messengers to spread the word by passing on prevention steps to those new to the sport as well as to others who don't know the law and reasons behind it. People who use social media can also spread the word about the importance of draining live wells and other equipment by posting photos and messages using #CleanBoatsCleanWaters or #stopaquatichitchhikers.
 
The following steps are required by state law to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:
  • INSPECT boats, trailers and equipment for attached aquatic plants or animals.
  • REMOVE all attached aquatic plants and animals.
  • DRAIN all water from boats, motors, live wells, vehicles, and equipment
  • NEVER MOVE plants or live fish away from a waterbody.
  • DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash
  • BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer.
The statewide effort will build on the success of last year’s campaign. For more information about AIS in Waukesha County, to view the County’s AIS Strategic Plan, and to sign up for the monthly AIS newsletter, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/ais.
 
For more information, contact Cassie Taplin, AIS Coordinator for Washington and Waukesha Counties at (262) 335-4806 or Cassie.Taplin@co.washington.wi.us. To learn more about Waukesha County’s invasive species program, visit: www.waukeshacounty.gov/ais or http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives.
 
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