Minnesota DNR details invasive species management efforts

Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources is working to fight against the spread of invasive species and spent $8.5 million on their efforts this year, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report.

Of the $8.5 million, about half went to enforcement and boat inspections. DNR inspectors spent more than 60,000 hours inspecting boats.

A total of $93,000 went to planning and monitoring to protect Minnesota waterways from Asian carp.

Zebra mussels infest 138 bodies of water in Minnesota and 28 more lakes will be added to the tally this year.

Eurasian water milfoil infested seven water bodies this year and there were two infestations of flowering rush. Spiny water fleas and faucet snails are also problem species for the state.