Volunteers for this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz will be on hand at nearly 30 locations across the state, including Black Lake at Onaway State Park, to remind watercraft owners they should follow best practices and clean their boats, trailers and equipment to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The Landing Blitz corresponds with Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, Sunday through July 5, and includes all Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is partnering with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to sponsor the education and outreach events across Michigan.

The most important message from volunteers this year is for boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain and Dry” boats, trailers and all equipment and gear after each use on any lake, river or stream to prevent spreading invasive plants and other aquatic invasive species from one water body to another. State law requires:

∫ Making sure watercraft and trailers are free of all aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching.

∫ Removing drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells before moving watercraft.

∫ Avoiding releasing unused bait into the water.

∫ Releasing fish only into the same water body where they were caught to avoid the spread of invasive species and fish diseases.