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Inspections Now Required For Boaters At Christmas Lake

SHOREWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) -- Christmas Lake Boaters could be hit with a big fine if they don't comply with a new rule.

The City of Shorewood passed an ordinance making inspections mandatory on the Lake to keep Zebra Mussels from ever entering.
The invasive species has been found less than a half a mile in Lake Minnetonka, so those who live on Christmas Lake wanted to take a tough stance.

The new rule says if you refuse an inspection and still launch your boat, you'll face a fine of $1,000.

"I just think it's a good idea," says boater Bob Stodola. "There's nothing to it. It only takes one or two minutes."

Those few minutes is also putting the minds of homeowners at ease.

"I don't want to lose the reputation of Christmas Lake being the cleanest lake," says Marisa Frankenfield.

Shorewood doesn't either -- the city's planning director has heard what zebra mussels can do.

"If a lake is infested," says Brad Neilson. "It's kind of like walking on ground glass on the beach."

That's why fisherman like Stodola said he didn't refuse inspection today.

The city does want to point out, if you refuse the inspection and leave you will not be fined.

It only affects those who refuse the inspection and still put in at Christmas Lake, or those whose boats are inspected and are found to have invasive species, but still launch anyway.

You may remember last April, homeowners around Christmas Lake and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District spent $48,000 for a full-time boat inspector.

They are trained and licensed by the DNR.

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