[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 27327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12590]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Minnesota and Wisconsin
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice--temporary restricted access.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service is establishing a temporary
restricted access program for the Federally-administered portion of the
Lower Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway for the 1995 boating season.
This program is being put in place to prevent the spread of the exotic
zebra mussel into the upper section of the riverway. The restrictions
are now being implemented and are effective through November 30, 1995.
This notice is given pursuant to 36 CFR Sections 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7.
DATES: This action is effective immediately and provides notice of the
implementation of restrictions on the Federal portion of the Lower
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway through November 30, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the 1995 Zebra Mussel Response Plan are available
for public review at the following locations.
Superintendent's Office, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, 401
Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024.
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Lower River Visitor Center, 117
Main Street, Stillwater, MN 55082.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony L. Andersen, Superintendent,
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, P.O. Box 708, Saint Croix Falls,
Wisconsin 54024; telephone 715-483-3284.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The exotic zebra mussel (Dreissena
polymorpha) was accidently introduced into the waters of the United
States in 1986. The zebra mussel is a small filter-feeding mollusk that
attaches itself to hard surfaces. It has been identified as an aquatic
nuisance species in the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention
Control Act of 1990, 16 U.S.C. 4701. Since that time, populations have
spread from the Great Lakes throughout the major eastern and midwestern
river systems, including the Mississippi River as far upstream as
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The primary vector in the spread of the zebra
mussel is by in-water vessels. Once established in river systems the
spread may be downstream by current.
Prevention efforts are directed at minimizing the risk of
unintentional introduction and spread of the zebra mussels as a
nuisance species. Minimizing such risks is particularly important since
once the zebra mussel has become established, it is nearly impossible
to eliminate. Research suggests that the biological impact of the zebra
mussel may be dramatic due to: (1) Its ability to filter large
quantities of water, thus limiting the food available to other species
and (2) its demonstrated potential to extirpate native species common
of mussels.
At immediate threat on the St. Croix River are a variety of natural
and economic resources, values and interests dependent upon the river
including the Northern States King Power Plant at Bayport, several
marinas, several communities and municipalities and supporting
infrastructure and industry, thousands of individual boatowners and
riparian landowners, native fauna and flora and the overall water
quality of the river itself.
The 1995 Zebra Mussel Response Plan expands upon activities
initiated in 1993 and continued in 1994. The change for the 1995
boating season is the implementation of a zebra mussel free
certification/pass program for vessels traveling upstream past the
Arcola Sandbar, approximately 5 miles upstream of the north city limits
of Stillwater, Minnesota.
The components of this program include:
1. ``Passes'': Free daily passes will be issued for vessels
traveling downstream from upstream of the Arcola Sandbar. These passes
will be issued at the Arcola Ranger Station and will allow the vessel
to return upstream of the Arcola Sandbar before 12 midnight on the same
day the pass is issued. Any vessel not returning on the same day before
12 midnight must be decontaminated at an approved cleaning station and
certified free of zebra mussels before proceeding upstream of the
Arcola Sandbar. To receive a pass, boat operators must certify that
they will not travel downstream of Kinnickinnic Narrows, approximate
mile 6 of the St. Croix River.
2. ``Certification of Decontamination'': Any vessel may travel
upstream of the Arcola Sandbar that has been decontaminated at an
approved cleaning station and certified free of zebra mussels before
proceeding upstream of the Arcola Sandbar. The upstream travel must be
done before 1200 midnight on the same day of cleaning and
certification.
Vessel cleaning and certification are available at Wolf Marine in
Stillwater, MN. At the time of this notice Wolf Marine is the only
officially approved cleaning station.
Dated: May 18, 1995.
Bob Marriott,
Acting Chief, Ranger Activities Division.
[FR Doc. 95-12590 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
