Volunteer

Hero Guide

MICHIGAN

Statewide Program Contacts

Clean Boats Clean Waters http://micbcw.org Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc. 300 N. State Street, Suite A, Stanton, MI 48888 Phone: (989) 831-5100 E-mail: info@mlswa.org Clean Boats Clean Waters State Training Coordinator Beth Clawson MSU Extension clawsonb@anr.msu.edu 269-330-5553 Michigan State University Extension http://msue.msu.edu Michigan Invasive Species http://www.michigan.gov/invasives

My Volunteer Leader and Region

The Clean Boats, Clean Waters program is promoted by the State of Michigan, Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc., and Michigan State University Extension.

This project was funded in part with funds from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program through the Departments of Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, and Agriculture and Rural Development

2016 Clean Boats, Clean Waters Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. Michigan State University Extension

Clean Boats Clean Waters micbcw.org Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc. 300 N. State Street, Suite A Stanton, MI 48888 Phone: (989) 831-5100 E-mail: info@mlswa.org

The MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

DID YOU FIND SOMETHING?

Aquatic invasive species can hide in the tiniest places, and even the most dili-gent volunteer may not detect a hitchhiker. Discovering the invasive on a wa-tercraft before it enters a lake is one the most effective means of preventing the introduction of non-native species.

First, recommend that the boater take the boat to a manual car wash (NOT automatic) and thoroughly clean the before it is launched. (Know where your local car wash or wash station is to direct boaters to.)

Then, try to identify what you found with your group or by yourself using the tools at your disposal, ID books and MISIN phone app. Most ID books use a Dichotomous key.

Successfully sorting out your plant ID using a dichotomous key requires you to answer a few questions about what you found.

What is the leaf shape? Round or pointy?

How are the leaves arranged on the plant?

How are the veins arranged in the leaf?

Is this a submerged plant or floating?

Are flowers or seeds present?

With a bit of practice you can identify most of your finds quickly.

Take a sample if:

You think you have found an invasive species on a boat entering a body of water not known to be infested with that species and would like to have it positively identified.

Submitting a digital sample from a watercraft inspection:

Take photos of the specimen. A good digital photo or two can be sent for identification.

Take a shot of a large piece or the entire piece collected

Take a close up of leaves and leaf arrangement

Take a close up of flowers

Remember if you do find something new be proactive. There are a variety of control and management options available to address invasive species on your lake. Early detection is the key to controlling the situation!

Dear Clean Boats, Clean Waters Volunteer,

Thank you for choosing to become a Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) volunteer. As a CBCW volunteer you are being trained to help organize and conduct local voluntary watercraft inspec-tions. You will demonstrate inspection, decontamination, and cleaning techniques for boaters and carry out boater education in your community; and, if new aquatic invasive species (AIS) are found, how to report them. By helping to increase public awareness about AIS you are assisting watercraft owners and anglers in taking preventative steps to avoid introducing and spreading AIS. You are helping the state and your community members increase compli-ance with AIS-related laws and recommended actions for watercraft and related recreational equipment.

Also by helping to keep careful records of CBCW activities, you will be supporting the database established by this project that will assist with state early detection and rapid response (EDRR). Your moni-toring efforts will continue to contribute to the Michigan invasive species management program to continuously improve AIS educa-tion and outreach to Michigan citizens.

Welcome Aboard!

Sincerely,

Michigan Clean, Boats Clean Waters and

Michigan Lake & Stream Associations

Download the app for

your smartphone!

www.misin.msu.edu

Quagga mussels. Vinegar mixed at the same rates at bleach are equally as effec-tive and less caustic or harmful to the environment, but is still a chemical. Bleach is more effective in your water holding tanks then vinegar. Also, it is also important to dry your watercraft with a cloth when spraying either of these prod-ucts to clean your boat, being extra careful not to let any of it drip onto the ground or into the water. That is why we recommend using just water that is pressure sprayed or taking your watercraft to a car wash between lakes. Pressure spraying is the most effective and least harmful to the environment.”

“Why did it take Michigan so long to do something about invasive species?”

There is no good answer to this question. Here is one way you can re-spond:

“In the past, environmental problems have often become established and have sometimes reached a crisis before we became collectively aware and did some-thing about them. In this case, we have learned and are trying to take action before these species spread to more of our sensitive environments. Instead of focusing on what could have been done, we are trying to focus energies on the prevention efforts of the present and future. We have also become aware of spe-cies, such as Hydrilla and Asian carp species that have the potential to invade Michigan waterways and be very damaging to the ecology and economy of our state. Teaching people about how to clean their boats and other watercraft is one way Michigan is trying to prevent their introduction and avoid those future costs.”

Answering common questions at a community watercraft event.

Volunteer Duties Generally, volunteers perform four basic duties:

1. Exhibit how to visually inspect boats and recreational equipment for any hitchhiking plants or animals;

2. Demonstrate where and how to clean recreational equipment and other prevention steps boaters need to take every time they leave the water; and

3. Distribute educational materials to interested boaters, which are available through the Michigan Lake and Stream Association.

4. Collect watercraft information on the Watercraft Information Report.

Additional duties may also include answering questions, reporting invasive species on MISIN, staffing a booth table, or keeping track of supplies. Two volunteers could perform all four tasks but this is easily divisible among multiple volunteers. Especially if you are at a busy boat launch.

A Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer is…

Caring – wants people to enjoy water recreation and wants Michigan to be free of aquatic invasive species;

Friendly – interested in meeting new people and helping them;

Informed – understands the problems caused by aquatic invasive spe-cies;

A good communicator – able to explain the problem and demon-strate inspection and cleaning techniques;

Flexible – willing to volunteer on some weekends and holidays;

Reliable – ready, willing and able to make and keep a commitment to the program during boating season;

Accurate – able to record information for program organizers; and

Physically able - healthy enough to spend time out of doors to inspect watercraft and trailers

of if, but when; but the longer we keep invasives out of a lake, the longer we put off the enormous costs of management and property devaluation or reduce them significantly if they do arrive. That is where the you can help by cleaning their boats when they leave the water.

If lakefront property owners are investing thousands of dollars or more for con-trol, boater education can help keep invasive plants and animals from being re-introduced into the lake.”

“Aren’t all plants in the water bad?”

It is important to clear up this misconception! This is what you can say:

“Native plants are lifelines for an aquatic ecosystem, providing the basis for all life within it. Fish both live in the plant environment and use it for a food source. Plus the plants help to take up excess nutrients that can turn the lake green with algae. The problem lies with invasive (non-native) plants. These plants have no natural predators and other things that can keep them in check and therefore out-compete native plants, lowering the water body’s aquatic diversity.”

“I don’t have time for this… I know all about it already!”

This remark is fairly common. If boaters do not wish to hear from you, you must respect their rights and let them be. In such a situation, the suggested action would be to wish them a nice day.

Many times you can easily get them to take a pre-made information bundle including a sticker and a small gift to look at, at their leisure. People instinctively accept what is offered to them. This at the very least gets some information into their hands. If they refuse again.. Thank them and walk away.

What can I clean my boat with? Can I clean my boat with bleach?

These two are fairly common questions especially from people looking for a quick and easy solution to cleaning their watercraft. What they are actually asking is : “Can I just spray my boat with a chemical and be done?” What you can say is:

“Chlorine is an effective disinfectant when used at the rate of 1/4 cup to 1 gallon of water but it neither replaces removing plants nor will it kill zebra and

Cleaning your boat is not

an option, it’s the law.

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES LAWS

One important piece of National aquatic invasive species legislation is the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act: An Act to provide for

ballast water management to prevent the introduction and spread of

nonindigenous species into the waters of the United States; and is the

Act under which the USFWS Branch of Invasive Species manages the

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and its Aquatic Nuisance Spe-

cies Program.

The Lacey Act of 1990, later amended in 1998, prohibits importation

or transportation of any live wildlife as injurious and prohibited, ex-

cept as provided under the act.

Michigan passed a law (Part 413 of PA 451 of 1994) prohibiting a person from placing any boat, boating equipment, or boat trailer in

Michigan waters with aquatic plant material attached. This includes all

types of aquatic vegetation, not only invasives spieces (an exception is

made for wild rice). Violation can result in a fine up to $100. The law

also gives law enforcement officers the authority to order the removal

of aquatic plants from boating equipment. It is also important to note

that Michigan’s DNR Fish order 245 prohibits the transport of water

over land in ballast tanks, bilges and live wells to prevent the spread of

fish diseases.

“An extra precaution that you can take to eliminate other aquatic invasives is to wash your boat with warm tap water or take your boat through a car wash (Manual self-service facility, NOT automatic) or dry your boat and equipment in the sun for five days before entering another lake.”

7. Leave boaters with a final message:

“Please make it a habit to:

Inspect and clean off any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transport-ing equipment.

Spray, rinse or dry equipment to remove or kill invasive species.”

Drain water from your equipment (boat, motor, trailer, live wells) before trans-porting.

Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, not in the water.

If available give boaters a Clean Boats, Clean Waters sticker and help them place it on the handle side of the trailer winch post. Point out that the sticker will serve as a simple visual reminder to follow the checkpoints listed when they enter and eave a body of water. Be sure to thank the boater for their time and cooperation and if available give them a small gift of a key chain or other marketing item.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Many people are curious and want to learn more or simply have a cou-ple of questions to challenge your statements. Questions are good. They are good because that means the person you are talking to is pre-pared to engage in a meaningful conversation. Just be prepared mental-ly for a variety of viewpoints and think about why you are out there and what you will say in reply. Sticking to a singular consistent message is important here. Expect the unexpected.

“Why are you out here wasting resources when the plant/animal/fish is going to come anyway?”

Even the most educated may ask this question. You can respond with:

“Even if we cannot keep the plants out completely, prevention can prevent a lot widespread damage. By being proactive, prevention gives us time to adopt new control methods as they are developed in the future. Sometimes it not a matter

WATERCRAFT INSPECTION DEMONSTRATIN TIPS

If you feel threatened or the person you approach becomes confronta-tional you should thank them for their time and stop engaging their attention. Always back away from a potentially dangerous or violent situation. Never encourage confrontation, no matter how strongly you might feel about the subject. Volunteers are not enforcers of rules they are just sharing the message in the most pleasant way possible and should never jeopardize their own safety.

If you are suspicious of someone (for example, a person who responds aggressively, a loiterer or someone that makes you feel unsafe and who is not intending to go boating), do not hesitate to leave the launch site. Do not put yourself or volunteers at risk. If you feel that a boat launch site is unsafe in any way, please notify the organization you are working for or call the authorities.

The DO List

Do wear a CBCW apron & name badge or T-shirt.

Do introduce yourself. Do be safe at the boat ramp.

Do always ask permission.

Do always be cheerful and polite.

Do be a good listener.

Do empower people.

The DON’T List

Don’t forget to introduce yourself.

Don’t be the cause of backups at the launch site.

Don’t force the message.

Don’t ever try to sell something other than CBCW in-formation.

plants, block fish movement, entangle boat motor propellers, and interfere with swimming and many other types of water recreation. Eurasian water-milfoil out-competes native vegetation needed by fish and wildlife. This underwater plant can grow very rapidly — up to 2 inches per day — and can reach lengths of 20 feet.”

5. Are you familiar with the problems caused by invasive mussels?

“Zebra mussels compete with other aquatic organisms for food. They reduce the amount of plankton in the water that fish feed on; they kill native clams by colo-nizing on their shells; and they clog intake pipes at water utilities and industries. In addition, zebra mussels can attach in huge numbers to any hard surface, such as the bottom of your boat if it was moored in the lake and to piers and docks. They can also damage your boat’s bilge and live well. They reproduce quickly — one female can produce up to 1 million eggs per summer.”

6. Perform a watercraft inspection (using checkpoint illustration you can use the additional scripting below).

“If you would walk around your boat with me, I can show you some areas to look for invasive hitchhikers.”

Make sure you talk aloud as you inspect; it helps reinforce the Clean Boats, Clean Waters behavior. Talking to boaters about inspecting and cleaning their watercraft and about draining the water from their boat — such as the bilge, bait buckets and live wells — before they leave the access builds both awareness and self-confidence in the ease in which they can do it themselves.

“Water is another way invasives can move from lake to lake; so it is always a good idea to drain your bilge, bait or livewell water. Vegetation can be found on hulls, the motor/prop, anchors, bunks, rollers, the trailer axle, lights/wiring; for jet skis, it can be found in the intake grate and impeller; and for sailboats, it can be found in the centerboards and rudder. Check your anchor and anchor line to see if any plants or other organisms are clinging to the rope.”

“Some aquatic invasives, such as zebra mussels, are also found on the motor/prop, on the sides and bottom of boat below the waterline, on the anchor, and clinging to vegetation. It is a good idea to drain water from the motor, live well, bait well, bait bucket, bilge, and transom wells. Always inspect the hull and sides of your boat for aquatic invasives; if it feels gritty or sandy, it may be that new zebra mussels are attached.”

BOAT LANDING MESSAGE Getting out and speaking to the public can be intimidating. It is under-standable to feel a little anxious and nervous when you first start. The following prepared script will help you practice before your first boater shows up at the landing. As you gain confidence you will begin to de-velop your own style and learn more ways to adapt to a variety of situa-tions. Remember to record and report your activities on the Watercraft Information Report every time you are working at a landing and shar-ing CBCW information.

No matter what style you use to approach boaters, any watercraft in-spection demonstration process should include these points:

1. Tell them who you are, who you represent and why you are there.

2. Ask if they have the time to answer some questions.

3. Collect information on the Watercraft Information Report form.

4. Ask if they are familiar with Eurasian water-milfoil or zebra mussels or other species in your area. Briefly explain about these invasive species.

5. Ask if they will let you demonstrate how to inspect their boat and equipment.

6. Talk while inspecting, and point out watercraft checkpoints. If they do not want to assist you in the inspection, continue to talk about invasive species as you inspect

7. Give your primary message, the prevention steps: Inspect and re-move any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment. Drain water from equipment before transporting. Dis-pose of unwanted bait in the trash, not in the water. Spray, rinse or dry equipment to remove or kill invasive species.

8. If available give them a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Watercraft Checkpoint Sticker which can go on their trailer winch post

9. Thank them for their time and cooperation.

Sample Script

Introduce yourself:

Good Morning/Afternoon. I am _____________ a local volunteer from the Michigan Clean Boats Clean Waters program at _______________. We are working with state agencies and local groups to talk with watercraft owners about aquatic invasive species and help them check their boats for Eurasian water-milfoil, zebra mussels and other invasive species. We are trying to keep harmful invasive species from spreading from lake to lake by hitching a ride on watercraft. I have a few quick questions I would like to ask you, and then I would like to walk around your watercraft with you and point out a few hiding places where these species can attach to boats and trailers. Then I will give you this thank you gift of a winch post sticker portraying a quick reference guide for checking your own watercraft in the future. Would this be okay?

We are interested in a record of the boat traffic on Michigan lakes. Please use the Watercraft Information Data Sheet and ask the follow-ing questions during your inspection:

1. What was the last body of water your boat was on? Print the name in the blank.

2. Did you use your boat during the past 5 days?

3. Have you ever heard of Eurasian water-milfoil, zebra mussels or oth-er invasive species?

If YES, check all categories from which they got infor-mation.

If NO, explain that invasive plants and animals overtake the lake’s ecological community and that state agencies are at-tempting to prevent their spread from lake to lake. Always explain to the boater that invasives are the reason that vol-unteers are out at the launches, trying to raise public aware-ness about how invasives spread and why they are detri-mental to Michigan lakes and rivers.

4. Are you familiar with the problems caused by Eurasian water-milfoil?

“Eurasian water-milfoil grows in dense surface mats that shade out native