[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]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Minnesota and Wisconsin

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice--temporary restricted access.

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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