WePIC
Western Peninsiula Invasives Coalition (WePIC)
Formerly known as the Western Upper Peninsula Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area.
Our Cooperative Weed and Management Area (CWMA) cover 2.6 million acres, and includes over 700 lakes, and 150 public boat access points. We cover all Gogebic County, Iron County, Ontonagon County, and the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. Ownerships are federal townships, county, and private.
We are fortunate that our local ecosystem is still mostly free of invasive species, and our goal is to control what is already here, and to prevent further spread into our area. By cooperating together, we can share resources and expertise across ownership and political boundaries to more efficiently manage invasive species.
Almost all of our lakes are still healthy and diverse, but are under increasing threat from newly-arrived aquatic invasive species. Eurasian watermilfoil is documented in 18 lakes, and curly leaf pondweed and zebra mussels are each documented in one lake.
For more information contact either:
Ian Shackleford, USFS
Ottawa National Forest
E6248 US 2
Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone: (906) 932-1330 x-331
Gail Dalpra
Iron County Conservation District
2 S. 6th Street #15
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
Phone: (906) 875-3765
Draft Memorandum of Understanding
Participating Agreement (USFS & Iron County Conservation District)
Mission Statement
Members
Old CWMA MAP
Old WUPCWPMA Participating Agreement
2006 Report
Aquatic Invasive Map
Meeting Notes
Slowing the Lake to Lake Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species by Recreational Boaters
AIS Smart Prevention. Online mapping tool for lake suitability for zebra mussel, rusty crayfish, round goby, and rainbow smelt.
Clean Boats Clean Waters 2010
Upper Peninsula CWMAs
Aquatic Invasive Species Lake Work
Eurasian watermilfoil
WePIC Photos (Flickr)
Invasive species educational materials
Is your lake susceptible to zebra mussels?
Fines for launching a boat with aquatic plant attached
On September 15, 2009, Govenor Granholm signed House Bill 4199 (Act No. 91 of 2009). This new law allows up to a $100 fine for placing a boat, boating equipment, or boat trailer in Michigan waters if an aquatic plant is attached. The law also gives law enforcement officers authority to order removal of aquatic plants from boats, boating equipment, and boat trailers.
House Bill 4199
Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994), Part 413, Transgenic and Nonnative Organisms. This includes new invasive species rules from 2005 and 2009.
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