Abstract
Vander Woude TM, Campbell TB, Engleson M. 2024. Manager and waterbody user perspectives on watercraft decontamination and aquatic invasive species prevention actions in Wisconsin. Lake Reserv Manage. XX: XXX–XXX. As new technology becomes available, property owners and lake associations in the US Great Lakes region have called for “bigger and better” watercraft cleaning and decontamination equipment designed to enhance the removal of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS). Some Great Lakes communities have passed ordinances requiring the use of AIS removal equipment similar to those in place elsewhere in the United States. While boater attitudes about “Clean, Drain, Dry” procedures to prevent the spread of AIS are well researched, knowledge of attitudes about newer decontamination tools and related policies is lacking. We examined manager perspectives using interviews (n = 11) and water user perspectives using an electronic survey (n = 1048) covering Wisconsin and visitors from several adjacent states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan). Water resource managers and lake organization board members identified practical barriers and policy limitations, including lack of statewide guidance and lack of enforcement of current regulations, as barriers to the installation of boat cleaning equipment at local boat launches. Overall, our sample of lake and river users, including boaters and nonboaters, supported steps to prevent the spread of AIS and protect their recreational experience, including changes to boat cleaning and decontamination regulations, monitoring, enforcement, and funding mechanisms such as user fees. With the findings of this study in mind, further work by Great Lakes entities is necessary to apply watercraft cleaning and decontamination science and policy to the needs of the region and its abundant freshwater resources.
Published Version
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