Category: Issues

MAISRC pilots eDNA lab

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U of MN MAISRC eDNA Lab title block and logo

The Minnesota AIS Research Center at the University of Minnesota (MAISRC) just announced it is piloting a new eDNA testing lab. They are currently recruiting volunteers who are interested in testing Minnesota’s lakes and rivers for zebra mussel eDNA.

You will need to act quickly if this sounds interesting and you want to volunteer, as the window for applying closes on June 12.

Early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is an important factor in slowing or stopping the spread in a waterbody. More detections require more people. Fortunately, MAISRC research has demonstrated that volunteer-collected samples are as accurate as University scientists, making large-scale environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring feasible.

woman diver at the surface holding a cluster of zebra mussels attached to a clam shell

Now we are implementing this research to pilot an eDNA testing lab to monitor statewide. We are currently recruiting volunteers who are interested in testing Minnesota’s lakes and rivers for zebra mussel eDNA

Who can participate?
Individuals or groups such as lake associations, watershed districts, lake improvement districts, Tribal representatives, and others; we are excited to work with a variety of partners and to collect data for waterbodies with and without confirmed zebra mussel infestation. In addition to lakes with unknown zebra mussel status, we are accepting samples from lakes with previously confirmed populations of zebra mussels in order to validate our process.

What are participant requirements?
Participants are required to fill out an expression of interest form that contains the following information:

  • contact information of the person who will take the samples,
  • an estimated time for when you will sample the lake, and
  • an action plan for what you and/or your organization will do in response to the results. We recommend discussing this action plan with your local jurisdictional authority (LID, SWCD, other local unit of government, DNR AIS specialist, etc).

For lakes within the boundaries of Tribal reservations, permission from a Tribal representative to collect water samples for eDNA surveillance will be required.

What is MAISRC’s role?

  • Gauge interest and select participants
  • Send participants sampling kits containing everything needed for sampling. Participants will receive one kit per lake, if sampling multiple lakes, they will receive multiple kits.
  • Receive filters and equipment
  • Send sample results to participants and jurisdictional authorities

What is the timeline for this project?
This first season is a pilot with the goal of scaling up to test for more species and transition to being a fee-for-service model.

  • June 1 – June 12: Interest form is open
  • June 15: Participants contacted and selected based on availability of kits and other criteria
  • End of June/early July: Testing kits sent
  • July – August: Sampling takes place and results generated

If you are interested in participating in our eDNA pilot project, fill out the interest form below. If you have additional questions, reach out to the team: labtolakes@umn.edu.

Here is the eDNA Sampling Form.

What’s Your Plan for Used Boat Wrap? Recycle it!

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Three images - top wrapped boats on the left and right, and the WRR logo and tag line "Give your Boat Wrap a Second Life" in the center

Wrap Recycle Right is the branded program of a nonprofit stewardship organization that represents boat wrap producers and develops and operates a recycling program under Minnesota’s Boat Wrap Stewardship Law (Minn. Stat. § 115A.1416)—the first such law in the United States. The Wrap Recycle Right program details are laid out at their website https://www.wraprecycleright.org/.

Across Minnesota, boats are starting to come out of storage. Wrap Recycle Right is continuing to expand collection options to make recycling more accessible for boat owners, businesses, and partners across the boating community.

Program Map

The interactive program map shows the confirmed drop-off locations for used boat wrap. The map will be updated as new drop-off sites come online. Click on the image below to open the interactive map.

static image of active Wrap Recycle Right rollout map as of 4/16/2026

Clicking on a specific site will slide in information on that drop-off location and its open times.

closeup static image of active Wrap Recycle Right rollout map with a collection site selected as of 4/16/2026

Program Schedule

WRR program managers realize this rollout will take time for adoption across the state and they share their schedule here. Their program rollout is laid out in four stages over the next five years. Specific counties are on the schedule in the first few years. The schedule remains flexible in the later years as the program rolls out.

WRR Program Schedule as of 260416

For more information contact the program manager at info@wraprecycleright.org.

Wrap Recycle Right program logo

Boating industry position on safe surfing

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image of wake surf boat with surfer behind and people in the boat

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), one of the principle marine industry associations, has released their position on wakesurfing. It should be of no surprise that they are pro-wakesurfing as their members include, among others, the surf boat manufacturers. 

NMMA is pushing this position across the U.S., Minnesota included. On December 26, Outdoor News, a Minnesota-based media outlet published a letter to the editor from NMMA detailing the NMMA wakesurfing position. 

NMMA states they support statewide regulations which are fair for all and science based. Unfortunately, they chose the research that their boating industry organizations have funded, which does not match the groundbreaking research from the University of Minnesota’s Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory.

NMMA believes a statewide standard that requires wakesurfing 200 feet from shore in depths of 10 feet or greater minimizes environmental impacts

The U of MN research on wave energy from wakesurfing suggest that the distances from shore need to be much greater to achieve a less destructive wave hitting the shore. And their research on lakebed impacts from wakesurfing suggest that the depth of water need to be much greater to minimize the environmental impacts.

Enbridge, DNR reach $2.8M agreement to resolve Line 3 aquifer breach

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image of large oil tank with Enbridge name

With the Christmas holiday approaching you may have missed this. 

On December 22, 2025, Minnesota Public Radio reported that Canadian company Enbridge has agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement for piercing a groundwater aquifer while building the Line 3 oil pipeline in northern Minnesota.  The MN Department of Natural Resources said it reached the agreement with Enbridge over the aquifer breach that was discovered in 2022 near Swatara in Aitkin County

A new $28M program for the environment

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MN ENTRF Community Grant Program logo

Funded by Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) and managed by the MN DNR, the new Community Grant Program will support projects for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources.

The program will increase the number and diversity of grant recipients who receive ENRTF funding, especially in communities that have been adversely affected by pollution and environmental degradation. Grant awards will benefit communities and residents in all regions of our state.

During the 2025 session, lawmakers appropriated just over $28 million from the ENRTF to the DNR for the Community Grants Program. That funding is available until June 30, 2029. The MN DNR is in the process of developing the structure and processes of the program. We will try to keep you in the look as more becomes known. In the meantime, you can get more information on this exciting new program on the DNR’s website.

Join the Minnesota Cattail Collaborative

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MN Cattail Collaborative logo

This project, part of the MAISRC Lab to Lakes initiative, is testing invasive cattail management across Minnesota lakes; restoring native nearshore habitats, reconnecting lake ecosystems, supporting healthy fish communities, and empowering local management through participatory science.

Groups such as lake associations, watershed districts, lake improvement districts, state park managers, and others can participate.

If you have invasive cattails and want to get involved in this exciting research work, check out the Cattail Collaborative webpage for more information.  MN Sea Grant and MAISRC are recruiting participants this winter. They will be hosting a virtual workshop for participants and will help participants find management partners.

DNR hosts 2026 Roundtable

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2026 MN DNR Roundtable logo

The DNR’s annual Roundtable was held on January 9, 2026. 

Jim Kutzner (MN COLA) and Sue Wolf (President of the Cedar Lake Conservation Club in Wright County) attended the event and have provided a terrific writeup. Their writeup includes links to some of the recorded portions of the program. It’s worth reading! Click here to read the writeup.

Recap of the MN COLA/SafeWakes seminar

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MN COLA and SafeWakes logos in a single frame

Our members rank “enhanced wake activities” as one of their three most pressing issues. To that end, MN COLA has been working for years on the environmental and safety challenges from recreation using enhanced wakes. Finding ways to share and protect our incredible water resources is the goal and it will require several steps.

  • One step is to raise awareness and increase the understanding of the impacts of enhanced wake activities across the boating population. MN COLA was a vocal proponent at the 2023 legislature, arguing for a mandatory boat operator’s license in Minnesota intended to improve safety on the water. Obtaining that license requires that boaters complete an education program that addresses among other things, best practices related to boating safety, AIS, and minimizing conflicts on the water. 
  • Another step is obtaining the science to underpin possible solutions. MN COLA actively supports the work done by the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota to understand the impact of boat wakes and propellor thrust. 
  • And we believe that some form of regulation will be required to achieve the balance needed for recreation, safety, and environmental protection. Unfortunately, a statewide approach isn’t likely in the near term. In the interim, obtaining local regulations on surface water activities may be possible using the DNR petition process. In fact, it was used in 2024 by Caribou Lake in Cook County to establish surface water restrictions on enhanced wake activities.

This special seminar was designed to provide an overview of the DNR petition process. 

Here are links to materials from the seminar, including:

Presentation slides in PDF format which you can download

References – these are important links discussed in the seminar

Recorded videos:

The presentation

The Q&A portion of the seminar

Septic Systems and Water Quality – What’s the Impact?

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drawing of an underground properly designed septic system

Sara Heger, U of MN’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program set the stage at a recent MN COLA meeting to talk about the connection between septic systems and water quality. She discussed Minnesota’s rules, as well as how a properly operated septic system functions, and what and how things can go wrong. She is the go-to person for all things septic!

Sara’s presentation can be seen HERE.

Otter Tail County’s Vacation Home Rental Ordinance

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VRBOs and similar rental situations are raising some concerns among lake residents and one county has set rules and processes for managing rental properties to the benefit of all shoreland owners and users. Chris LeClair, Director of Otter Tail County’s Land and Resource department explained the new rules and led an excellent discussion of Otter Tail County’s Vacation Home Rental Ordinance. The presentation can be seen HERE.