**Kandiyohi Lakes and Rivers Join Keep It Clean MN**

The Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to announce that Kandiyohi County lakes and rivers are now officially part of the grassroots *Keep It Clean MN* conservation program. The sport of ice fishing is booming! And thanks to better technology, better equipment, and wheelhouses, it’s now more comfortable than ever to stay on the ice for extended periods.

As a result, our area lakes have seen a dramatic increase in winter activity. With the increased activity has come more pressure on the natural resources, including an increase in the amount of garbage and human waste left on the ice.

Although it’s exciting to see more people enjoying the sport of ice fishing, the removal and safe disposal of garbage and human waste from frozen lakes is reaching unmanageable proportions. To help address these issues, Keep It Clean MN promotes 5 principles to help stop litter and human waste from spoiling our lakes, rivers, and shorelines:

• Make a plan for trash and waste removal before you arrive.

Whether you access the ice from a public or private entrance, plan to take off the ice what you put on to it. Many access points and resorts offer garbage collection services. If your site doesn’t, make a plan to transport it home for disposal.

• Use colored garbage bags.

Brightly colored bags or black bags are easier to spot making it less likely trash will inadvertently be left behind.

• Keep garbage and human waste off the ice.

Store it in your vehicle, trailer, or fish house. Make sure it’s secure before traveling so that it doesn’t blow out of truck beds or off trailers and sleds.

• Check for trash before departing.

Make sure that you have picked up any garbage in your area. And if you notice someone else has left something behind, please take a moment to pick it up and bring it with you.

• Allow time and bring the tools you need to move or remove your fish house.

Take support blocks, insulation, landscaping fabric, wood, and other materials with you and properly dispose of them.

It takes all of us working together to Keep It Clean! Thank you for doing your part to ensure the health of our lakes and rivers. The Kandiyohi SWCD invites you to join us in increasing awareness and taking steps to bring about meaningful change.

For more information: Keep it Clean MN – Be Nice to Our Ice