View AIS Task Force meeting notes and agendas here. 

In 2011 the Board of Managers of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District decided that it would develop an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program, and the AIS Management Plan would be the basis of that Program.  The stated goal of the MCWD AIS Program will be "to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS and manage existing AIS within the watershed to a level that does not significantly harm native ecosystems while still maintaining access to public waterbodies."  While the eradication of existing AIS would be an ideal result, 100% eradication of AIS is highly unlikely once they are introduced to a waterbody.

The Board has established an AIS Plan Task Force with stakeholders comprised of residents, water-oriented businesses, outdoor recreationists, and policy-maker-level representatives of key local governments.  It directed that the Task Force work primarily to develop and recommend a policy-based AIS Management Plan, with an emphasis of what should be in the Plan, rather than how it should be accomplished or implemented.  The Board provided a framework for the Task Force to develop the Plan:

Goal 1 – Prevention:  Implement procedures and practices to prevent new introductions or dispersal of aquatic invasive species within the District.

Goal 2 – Containment:  Develop management strategies to limit the spread of established populations of aquatic invasive species to and from the District.

Goal 3 – Control:  Abate, and where possible, eliminate harmful ecological, economic, social and public health impacts resulting from the infestation of aquatic invasive species in the District.

The Technical Advisory Committee provides technical and engineering feedback to the MCWD during its rulemaking process. The committee represents the voice of local government and other experts in their fields within the watershed.

The Rulemaking Task Force is appointed by the MCWD Board of Managers as needed to provide input on the MCWD Rules and proposed revisions. The Rules provide the regulatory basis for land development, permitting, and other actions that may impact the region's water resources and surrounding areas.