A decontamination analysis of hot water is ongoing. WI Sea Grant and UW Extension also implements a program evaluation of messaging using a community-based social marketing. A regular survey (5 years) of WI boaters is done to determine boater beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors towards AIS. This was most recently completed in 2018. This has been funded by the DNR and GLRI, with the work being completed by UW Extension staff. UW Extension Lakes does an annual boater behavior study to try to use a randomized in-person survey effort determine boater beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors.

WI DNR’s Where Boaters Have Been online database tool is used to inform what questions are included on inspector questionnaires for boaters. And, while inspectors are currently placed based on what lake organizations apply for grants, WI DNR is exploring options for using data gleaned from inspector questionnaires to inform future inspector locations

Evaluation efforts primarily target boater behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs to determine if they are changing along with exposure to outreach materials. Recreational boating is a common way for AIS to spread in the Great Lakes and thus WI DNR operates under a high risk assumption for this pathway.

Compliance reporting is not a required component of inspection programs in Wisconsin.