Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been at the forefront of the Nation’s natural resources management issues since the creation of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Since the passage of the Non-Indigenous Nuisance Prevention and Control Act in 1990, Wisconsin has continually increased efforts to prevent, contain, and mitigate damage done by invasive species. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) actively tracks the occurrences of dozens of AIS, and organizations and citizen groups lead grassroots efforts to prevent the dispersal of AIS. We have state statutes and administrative codes to address specific species and define penalties for violating the provisions of those regulations. As AIS continue to spread in Wisconsin despite these efforts, there is continual need to address invasive species issues at the local level. The Shawano County Invasive Species Strategic Management Plan (SCISSMP) attempts to compliment efforts of the WDNR and local lake organizations in Shawano County. The strategic plan outlines a county-wide, holistic approach to coordinate the prevention and control of AIS through partnership of local governments, organizations, and citizens. The SCISSMP establishes conservation goals and allocates responsibilities to partner groups based on the skills and abilities each possesses. AIS is a societal issue that impacts all Shawano County citizens, so the plan highlights actions that can be taken by municipalities, governmental agencies, lake organizations, conservation and sportsmen clubs, civic groups, businesses, and individuals to each fulfill their part in the overall objective of aquatic resource management.
Successful management plans must be adaptive to address new invasive species threats and solutions as they emerge. The SCISSMP is reviewed annually, and must be revised every few years to keep up with changing environmental conditions and new technologies and policies that can result in better water resource stewardship. Connecting Our Waters helped the Shawano County Land Conservation Department revise Shawano County’s Invasive Species Strategic Management Plan. Revisions include: new and updated AIS occurrences and densities, new technologies for AIS control, new partnerships, updates on public education actions, past and current chemical, physical, and biological control projects, new reporting protocols, and greater focus on public education, watercraft decontamination, and shoreline restoration. Other partners involved in the review and revisions process include: the Waterways Association of Menominee and Shawano Counties, WDNR, several representatives of local lake associations, and local and regional partners.
The SCISSMP revisions were approved by the Shawano County Land Conservation Committee and the Shawano County Board of Supervisors in November 2020.
