BABBITT – The city of Babbitt’s new boat launch facility features a state-of the-art system for removing aquatic invasive species from boats entering and leaving Birch Lake. Officials from the city, St. Louis County and the state of Minnesota were on hand last Thursday, Sept. 1, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the re-opening of the facility.

The $630,000 project was a collaborative effort between the Department of Natural Resources, Iron Range Rehabilitation and Resources Board, along with the county and city, according to Babbitt Clerk-Treasurer Cathy Bissonette.

“This is a best use of the (grant) money from the AIS program, said Minnesota State Rep. Rob Ecklund. “I would like to see more projects like this in our district. There are many boat ramps that are in the same condition as this was.”

The St. Louis County Board approved the expenditure of nearly $750,000 in state funding to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the county.

The funds went to different organizations to prevent invasive species from getting into the county’s lakes and rivers.

A total of $50,000 went to the city of Babbitt to help with the construction of the new boat access at Birch Lake. The design incorporates drainage diversion into storm sewers, and a cleaning area for boats, trailers and vehicles.

Aquatic invasive species disrupt the health of water bodies, and pose a myriad of threats to natural, cultural and recreational resources of the region.

Key AIS species of concern in St. Louis County include zebra and quagga mussels, the New Zealand mudsnail, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), round and tubenose gobies, Eurasian ruffe, faucet snail, mystery snail, spiny water flea, Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife and rusty crayfish.

“This type of effort from a city of this size makes everyone so proud, not just the new boat ramp area, but the beach and pavilion and the whole area out here,” said St. Louis County Commissioner Keith Nelson. “Babbitt is a community coming together to make certain that this area is at the forefront of tourism. This reservoir has been here in excess of 90 years and producing power in that same amount of time,” he said.

He noted that the recreational opportunities on Birch Lake are enhanced by the new facility. “This is going to serve this community for the next 40 years. This is not like putting a guy out here with a pressure washer for the day.”

County Commissioner Tom Rukavina said, “I think this is one of the best common-sense uses for this AIS money. The whole reason Babbitt and this facility are here is because we are a great mining community, and we should never forget that. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the North Shore mine and the Reserve mining company. Originally, they helped out with this whole area, and now Babbitt is taking it over and kept the commitment to the little kids and seniors and everybody who uses this facility.”

Mike Larson, community development manager at Short, Elliott Hendrickson Inc. of Virginia, the Babbitt project engineers, said much as 90-percent of all the water that drains from the boat launch and parking area now is diverted into a rain garden area adjacent to the parking lot. A specified area is available for boat launch users to drain and clean their boats before entering or leaving the area. “Another good aspect of this facility, is you can take it to other communities and show how their system can be redesigned to work more efficiently to help eradicate invasive species,” he said.

In all, eight projects were selected from 12 that were submitted by local organizations and agencies. Other area projects include $285,885 to The Sportsmen’s Club of Lake Vermilion, now known as the Vermilion Lake Association, for inspections, education, decontamination, AIS sampling and habitat assessment at launch sites.