DNR plans intoxicated boating crackdown for July 4 holiday weekend

(FOX 9) - Plans to celebrate freedom and independence this weekend will also be met with extra law enforcement cracking down on drunken boating.

In recent years, about half of the boating related-fatalities in Minnesota have involved alcohol, according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

As a result, Operation Dry Water from July 2-4 will target intoxicated boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A total of seven metro-area agencies will coordinate to reduce the number of DWI-related boating accidents and fatalities throughout the weekend of celebration.