EWM Harvester - This machine is used on Lake Minnetonka to cut a channel through the bay by bailing the milfoil so that boats can pass through to shore.

Our boat ramp interviews have confirmed the occasional boater is hard to reach. They typically don't read our local newspapers or listen to local radio stations that carry AIS information. We are using highway billboards and signs at boat ramps to communicate the AIS message, but it is hard to get the public's attention. For the last three years the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has assigned three Water Patrol Officers for AIS education and inspections at boat ramps. For past two summers we have also used community volunteers to help cover the boat ramps on weekends, but with 12 major boat ramps it is impossible to cover all of them every day.

One way we could communicate with boaters driving into our lakes area is through their broadcast radio. The FCC has authorized Travelers Information Radio Stations to broadcast information to travelers. You may have encountered these stations at airports, tourist attractions, and for road construction. During the Labor Day weekend and through September the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources tested an Information Radio Station to determine if the coverage and voice message would be effective in communicating our AIS message.

The test radio system broadcast a low power signal on the AM broadcast band at a frequency of 1620 KHz. The public was alerted to the test by articles in the local newspaper and news coverage on local radio stations. Our test found the reception area covered our county and the message was clear and understandable. We were able to borrow the test equipment from a neighboring county at no cost.

A key element to a successful Information Radio System is highway signs alerting boaters to tune in to the AIS message. The Iowa Department of Transportation and the Dickinson County Highway Department were contacted to determine if they would install highway information signs. Their response to our inquiry was positive.

Based on the successful test we are proceeding with obtaining a funding grant and a FCC license. It is expected we would install the radio transmitting equipment this spring to be ready for 2010 boating season.

To probe further: check website watersafety@watersafetycouncil.org Click on Aquatic Invasive Species

The Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council, Inc is a not-for-profit public service organization formed to promote boating and water safety along with improved water quality on the Iowa Great Lakes.