Glacier National Park closes Two Medicine Lake to boating
Glacier National Park closes Two Medicine Lake to boating KPAX News
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Glacier National Park Closes Two Medicine Lake to Boating for the Season
WEST GLACIER – Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park has been closed to boating for the rest of the season.
The decision was made after the Two Medicine Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection station closed down.
Boating and AIS inspection stations in all other areas of the park remain open for the remainder of the season, including the St. Mary station operated by the Blackfeet Tribe. Glacier National Park partnered with the Blackfeet Tribe and Glacier National Park Conservancy to open AIS stations at St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes for the first time since the 2019 season.
While other boat inspection stations in the park, including the AIS station in St. Mary, continue to be staffed and to operate successfully, the remote location of Two Medicine has contributed to challenges in staffing and equipment, a news release states.
“We’ve been successful at reopening the St. Mary station – which is purposefully designed for boat inspections and is being staffed by our partners – but the set-up at Two Medicine has been more challenging,” said Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer. “Taking a pause will allow us to dedicate our collective efforts on the east side of the park to inspection stations at St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Browning to ensure the protection of these waters. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership, and plan to get an early start next year to have inspection stations for boating at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and lakes in the Many Glacier area in 2024.”
All watercraft launched within Glacier National Park must be inspected for AIS prior to launching in order to protect against non-native species that can devastate native aquatic ecosystems, as well as negatively change visitor use and enjoyment of park waterways.
AIS can come in many forms, including animals such as zebra and quagga mussels, plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil, or pathogens such as whirling disease. These species can hitch a ride on any equipment including motorized and non-motorized watercraft such as float tubes, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and trailers.
Additional information about the locations and hours of operation for all AIS stations in Glacier National Park can be found at https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/boating.htm.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | – Closure of Two Medicine Lake to boating due to the closure of the Two Medicine AIS inspection station, which aims to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that can negatively impact native aquatic ecosystems. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species. | – Implementation of AIS inspection stations at St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 14 and SDG 15. SDG 14 focuses on the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, while SDG 15 focuses on preventing the introduction and impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
- Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are Target 14.2 under SDG 14 and Target 15.8 under SDG 15.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Closure of Two Medicine Lake to boating due to the closure of the Two Medicine AIS inspection station, which aims to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that can negatively impact native aquatic ecosystems.
- Implementation of AIS inspection stations at St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.
The closure of Two Medicine Lake to boating and the implementation of AIS inspection stations at St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators reflect efforts to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems (Target 14.2) and prevent the introduction and impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems (Target 15.8).
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | – Closure of Two Medicine Lake to boating due to the closure of the Two Medicine AIS inspection station, which aims to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that can negatively impact native aquatic ecosystems. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species. | – Implementation of AIS inspection stations at St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: kpax.com
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