Push against litter on lake ice to continue this legislative session in Minnesota

Waskish, Minn. — One ice-fishing season ago – albeit, a limited one in most areas due to mild weather – a new law aimed at curtailing human waste and garbage on ice took effect, the result of the “Keep It Clean” initiative, which originated around some of Minnesota’s largest lakes.

Now, supporters say, they’ll seek additional funding during the upcoming legislative session – dollars that would further the effort through education, providing resources for proper disposal of all types of filth sometimes left on lake ice, fund cleanups, hire personnel to oversee the program, and more.

Robyn Dwight, president of the Upper Red Lake Area Association and a member of the Keep It Clean Coalition, calls this year’s push, “Keep It Clean 2.0,” and says those associated with the campaign have contacted legislators who’ll carry bills during the session.

Funding will be needed, according to the coalition, to pay staff to “develop and administer a statewide Keep It Clean program for the prevention of water pollution due to garbage and human waste on the ice of state waters from winter-use activities.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Minnesota DNR discontinues targeted culling in three southeast deer permit areas

Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop in Minnesota closes its doors in St. Paul

Culling to cease in parts of Minnesota’s southeast; how will that impact CWD prevalence rates?

Dwight said earlier this week that Keep It Clean member organizations will request a one-time appropriation from the Legislature, but in future years would recommend the program be administered by a state agency, perhaps the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and that grant funding be made available for Keep It Clean-related projects.

Although most funding details remain, Dwight said possible sources could be the Outdoor Heritage Fund, or fees –increased or diverted – from the sale of non-portable fishing shelter or wheelhouse licenses. Such licenses currently cost residents $15 for a season (March 1 through April 30 the following year). Increasing that fee by $10 would result in an additional half a million dollars, Dwight said.

Along with offering facilities to allow ice anglers to properly dispose of garbage and sewage, Dwight said part of the heightened effort to keep lakes clean is to provide anglers with information regarding what’s available – local advertising and signage, for example.

According to Lake of the Woods Tourism, the campaign began several years ago to address the issue on that popular ice-fishing water. During the 2021-22 ice-fishing season, groups from Upper Red Lake and Lake Mille Lacs joined, “to raise awareness of the issue and address the problem on their respective lakes.” Currently, membership is around 60 groups and individuals.

The law passed during the 2023 legislative session and that became effective July 1 of that year states:

“A person using a shelter, a motor vehicle, or any other conveyance on the ice of state waters may not deposit garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, the body of a dead animal, litter, sewage, or any other waste outside the shelter, motor vehicle, or conveyance unless the material is placed in a container that is secured to the shelter, motor vehicle, or conveyance; and not placed directly on the ice or in state waters.

“A violation … is a petty misdemeanor, and a person who violates (the law) is subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each violation.”

Dwight said results of that new law largely have been positive, and that’s there’s been “100% buy-in” from Upper Red business owners.

“Everyone is doing a better job of getting (garbage) off the ice,” she said.