By Steve Weisman
As we move into the ice fishing season, we need to remember the importance of taking care of our surroundings. So many people are so good at this, but this message is for those who are inconsiderate and uncaring, oblivious of their surroundings. Because of them, every winter things get really bad with lots of garbage left on the ice: everything from cigarette butts, to pop bottles, plastic bags, disposable propane tanks, fishing line, human waste…you name it, and it’s probably somewhere on the ice.
We talk about the lack of courtesy and the lack of care for the lake that litterers show with their mess of garbage. Really, it’s so easy. It takes only bringing a plastic garbage bag along to handles the littering issue.
So, here we are another winter asking folks to clean up after themselves. Most likely, we will get the same results as we have for years and years. However, our neighbors to the north have taken on the challenge of stopping littering on the ice and made it a law.
From Minnesota…
A new law is now on the books in Minnesota: The Keep It Clean Law, which took effect in July of 2023. It began several years with a small group of concerned citizens from the lake of the Woods area worried about how the Lake of the Woods was being “attacked” by garbage during the winter months. It was obvious to them that just talking about littering wasn’t enough. Instead, they took their concerns across the state and joined forces with others…today there are over 50 areas around the state representing over 1,200 lakes becoming a part of the Keep It Clean Coalition (https://keepitcleanmn.org/). The Keep It Clean Law is now on the books and gives conservation officers the power to enforce trash and waste issues on the ice. It also gives the conservation officers lots and lots of eyes to help make sure people follow the law. The law reads as follows: “It is illegal place garbage and human/other waste on or under the ice on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. Garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, the body of a dead animal, litter, sewage and any other waste needs to be stored inside your shelter, vehicle, or any other conveyance or inside a container that is secured to your shelter, motor vehicle or conveyance. The fine is $100, plus administration and other fees.”
What about Iowa…
With the positive reports from the state of Minnesota, this might be an initiative lake protective associations, baitshops, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and resorts across Iowa might consider looking into. Why not? Why not have groups, organizations, cities, counties, local soil and water conservation district and individuals declare a war on littering and make the commitment to protect our waters. It could be done by county, region and definitely on a state level. After all, Iowa does have laws on the books that addresses littering.
I know that Minnesota’s Keep It Clean consortium is more than willing to help with this type of initiative. Joe Henry, a friend of mine and Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism, has been one of the driving forces behind the Keep It Clean initiative. For Iowans wanting to learn more about the program, you can contact Joe at (320)260-7727 or joe.henry@lakeofthewoodsmn.com. Check out the Keep It Clean website to learn more: (https://keepitcleanmn.org/.
I think the public just needs to make it important and support the efforts of conservation officers. If you witness littering, contact your local conservation officer and give them information they can use like vehicle number, name on an ice shelter, so that they have something they can use when addressing the littering violation.
Iowa’s misdemeanor law on littering
The law on the books is 462A.12(3) Littering public waters, ice or land. The scheduled fine is $35 with a 15% surcharge of $5.25 and court costs of $55. This adds up to a cost of $95.25.
In visiting with Captain Greg Harson, District Supervisor of DNR conservation officers in Iowa’s northwest district, he said, “We take littering seriously, and if we see littering going on, we will address the situation and write citations. We also work with the county attorney on the violation. For instance, on West Okoboji, one of the times with huge crowds of people is during the Winter Games. A few years ago, several big items like couches and sofas were left on the ice after the games were over. Our officers followed up and traced every one back to the owner. Fines were issued and the guilty parties paid fines and had to come and remove the items.”
One thing I have noticed about Iowans is that when we find something worthwhile to support, we go all in. I know that community groups will be part of cleanup projects along highway ditches, public parks, along shorelines of public waters. Also, area schools do spend time at different levels engage students in working in groups to pick up garbage/trash. I think it is a great way to make students aware and to give back, cleaning up trash that has been left.
The opportunity is there. Let’s see if Iowa can become a Keep It Clean state!
(photo courtesy Keep It Clean MN)
#1a-A trailer load of garbage collected along Zippel Bay State Park Beach after a winter of ice fishing back in 2010. It is what helped kick off the Keep It Clean initiative.
(photo courtesy Keep It Clean MN) An ice fishing guide takes a bag of human waste (left by an ice angler) off the ice.
