Wednesday, September 14, 2016

AIS News from PSMFC

Enjoy the latest edition of the AIS News from PSMFC.

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

From: owner-crbans@cod.psmfc.org [mailto:owner-crbans@cod.psmfc.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Phillips
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:00 PM
To: 'crbans@psmfc.org'
Subject: AIS News 9/13/16



AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES NEWS

9/13/16



DREISSENID MUSSELS


NE: Zebra mussel populations in Lewis and Clark Lake and Missouri River increasing (8/11/16)<http://www.omaha.com/outdoors/zebra-mussel-populations-in-lewis-and-clark-lake-and-missouri/article_20c28492-6013-11e6-8338-532d31e61675.html>

LINCOLN — Adult zebra mussels are established along the entire length of the Missouri River in Nebraska, according to recent field inspections conducted by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission aquatic invasive species technicians…..

Western Mussel Discoveries/Expansion


MO: Invasive zebra mussels now widespread at Truman Lake (8/19/16)<http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/invasive-zebra-mussels-now-widespread-truman-lake>


Zebra mussels confirmed in 5 Minnesota lakes (8/10/16)<http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2016/08/10/zebra-mussels-confirmed-in-5-minnesota-lakes/>

MB: Zebra mussels multiplying in Lake Winnipeg, now found on shorelines (8/16/16)<http://globalnews.ca/news/2885661/zebra-mussels-multiplying-in-lake-winnipeg-now-found-on-shorelines/>

Zebra mussels confirmed in 3 Minnesota lakes (8/18/16)<http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2016/08/18/zebra-mussels-confirmed-in-3-minnesota-lakes/>

MN: Zebra mussels confirmed on Lake Minnewashta in Carver County (8/25/16)<http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2016/08/25/zebra-mussels-confirmed-on-lake-minnewashta-in-carver-county/>

TX: Zebra Mussels Discovered in Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (8/12/16)<http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20160812a>







….A barrier is being placed around the public boat access in an effort to contain the infestation. A second barrier is being placed at the channel that connects the bay where the public boat access is located to the rest of the lake. Boats are being redirected by signage to the former boat launch area #2, approximately ¼ mile further into the park, until further notice. Treatment options are being considered. The low number of zebra mussels detected, their young age and their location improve the chances for success. The approximately 30-acre bay where the public boat access is located is connected to Lake Minnewashta by a small channel that lacks the conditions conducive to zebra mussel survival. Due to these factors and the early detection, it may be possible to eliminate the zebra mussels from the site and prevent their spread throughout the lake….




BOAT INSPECTION/DECON NEWS








In 2016, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies passed a resolution recommending its member states adopt standardized regulations requiring watercraft operators to take certain actions regarding drain plugs and visible plant material on watercraft and trailers. The National Sea Grant Law Center is working with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to develop standardized legislative and regulatory guidance documents that will be consistent across states in the region….



Reduce Risks from Invasive Species Coalition (RRISC) Recognizes Mussel Dogs for Environmental Protection (8/12/16)<http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/08/prweb13608324.htm>



Mussel Dogs, a leader in the inspection of watercraft for quagga and zebra mussels, was recognized for “Outstanding Achievement By a Private Sector Company in Protecting America’s Environment and Economy.” On June 15th, 2016, the Reduce Risks from Invasive Species Coalition (RRISC) hosted its Third Annual Congressional Reception and Awards Dinner at which Debra DeShon accepted the award on behalf of Mussel Dogs.





Calif: Mussel Dogs muscle in to keep intruders out of lakes (8/28/16) <http://www.modbee.com/news/article98500477.html>



…Locally, her teams work at Modesto, Woodward and New Melones reservoirs. The Mussel Dogs also help keep Lake Sonoma, Lake Mendocino and other California waterways free of the invasive mussels….



MT/AB: Cross-border effort tackles mussel problem (8/25/16)<http://www.producer.com/2016/08/cross-border-effort-tackles-mussel-problem/>



….Experts estimate an invasion of those same mussels in Alberta would cost $75 million a year.
That is a big incentive to keep zebra and quagga mussels from invading the few provinces and U.S. states that remain free of them. It’s also why there is an international effort to keep the mollusks out through mandatory boat inspection and constant vigilance….


CO: McPhee managers concerned about mussel invasion (8/16/16) <http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20160816/NEWS01/160819915&source=RSS>



….In recent years, the $80,000 annual budget for the boat-inspection program at the McPhee <https://www.google.com/maps/place/McPhee+Reservoir/@37.5412093,-108.5767877,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87391375c9bfe4cd:0x35c61904b01adde3!8m2!3d37.5147317!4d-108.5492848> and House Creek boat ramps has been in trouble….






Glendale <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glendale+Reservoir/@42.123725,-111.8166414,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87545764d3ed5f65:0xeb0550239738f62b!8m2!3d42.1350296!4d-111.7979837> and Lamont reservoirs will be barricaded to all motorized watercraft beginning Monday, Aug. 1, due to the depletion of funding to verify that watercraft are free of quagga and zebra mussels…..






BC: Ontario boats banned after bypassing mussel inspection (8/10/16)<http://www.saobserver.net/news/389734681.html>



The most serious incident occurred July 3 when two boats from Ontario were found in Sicamous that did not stop at the mandatory boat mussel inspection station in Golden. The boat owner was charged for not stopping for an inspection and the boats were banned from B.C. lakes until inspections occurred….



New Sask. highway signs warn of dangers of aquatic invasive species (8/11/16) <http://globalnews.ca/news/2877973/new-sask-highway-signs-warn-of-dangers-of-aquatic-invasive-species/>



… “Prevention through education, such as these signs, is a cost-effective way to help control any potential spread.”….



Current invasive mussel inspection efforts insufficient, says Okanagan Basin Water Board (8/10/16)<http://infotel.ca/newsitem/current-invasive-mussel-inspection-efforts-insufficient-says-okanagan-basin-water-board/it33512>



…"The inspection stations are only open ten hours a day,” Findlater says. “What about the rest of the day. And what about the people who don’t even bother to stop.”….





Calif: Inspections of Boats, Other Vessels Mandatory Before Launching at Shadow Cliffs (9/7/16)<http://patch.com/california/pleasanton/inspections-boats-other-vessels-mandatory-launching-shadow-cliffs>



Pleasanton, CA — Shadow Cliffs Regional Park in Pleasanton will now be included in the East Bay Regional Park District’s invasive mussel inspection program.<http://www.ebparks.org/activities/boatingsailing/invasivemussels> Park district officials say all watercraft will be visually inspected for quagga mussels before they will allowed to enter the water as of October 1.





MARINE

Invasive green crab found on San Juan Island by citizen science volunteers (9/2/16) <http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/09/02/invasive-green-crab-found-on-san-juan-island-by-citizen-science-volunteers/>

Earlier this week in Westcott Bay, San Juan Island, a team of volunteer monitors caught an invasive green crab<http://wdfw.wa.gov/ais/carcinus_maenas/>, marking the first confirmation of this global invader in Washington’s inland waters. The volunteers are part of Washington Sea Grant’s Crab Team<https://wsg.washington.edu/community-outreach/environmental-threats/invasive-green-crab-volunteer-monitoring/>, an early detection and monitoring program to look for European green crab (Carcinus maenas) and collect information on local marine life.  Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for controlling aquatic invasive animals and is working closely with University of Washington-based Washington Sea Grant<https://wsg.washington.edu/> to determine next steps for limiting further spread of the crab….

Related Stories: Invasive European green crab caught in Salish Sea for the first time (9/6/16)<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/green-crab-san-juan-island-salish-sea-1.3750345>  and Invasive green crab found in San Juan Island waters (9/5/16)<http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/invasive-green-crab-found-in-san-juan-island-waters/437179738> and this article [may have jinxed it] Coast is clear: European green crabs absent from Strait of Juan de Fuca — so far (8/10/16)<http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/coast-is-clear-european-green-crabs-absent-from-strait-of-juan-de-fuca-so-far/>





Europe wants to ban American lobsters (9/6/16)<http://www.wcvb.com/news/europe-wants-to-ban-american-lobsters/41535214>



PORTLAND, Maine —The European Union will conduct a more extensive review of a proposal to ban lobsters imported from the U.S. and Canada after a scientific panel concluded Sweden raised valid points in its request to declare the American lobster an invasive species. The opinion of the European Union's Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species sets in motion a broader review that also will take into account the opinions of North American officials, who've criticized the proposal to ban American lobsters. The international dispute started when Sweden announced it had found 32 American lobsters in the country's waters earlier this year and that they pose a threat to native crustaceans.



Vector management reduces marine organisms transferred with live saltwater bait (8/25/16)<http://www.reabic.net/journals/mbi/2016/Accepted/MBI_2016_Blakeslee_etal_correctedproof.pdf>

The global transfer of live bait creates a potent vector (mechanism) for invasion of marine species, including associated biota (“hitchhikers”) not intended for shipment. Unlike other vectors of non-native species transfer in coastal marine systems (e.g., ship ballast water), vector management strategies to reduce transport of associated biota with live bait are lacking. In this study, we experimentally tested whether simple, inexpensive treatment methods could reduce hitchhiker abundance and richness with live bait shipments, using the Maine live baitworm trade as a model. The Maine bait industry ships locally-harvested polychaete worms and packing algae to coastal regions of the United States, Europe, and Asia, and may unintentionally transfer associated hitchhikers, including known invaders. We exposed packing algae to three osmotic shock treatments (tap water, hypersaline water, and tap + hypersaline water), and measured abundance and richness of all live and dead macroinvertebrate taxa, as well as the condition of baitworms, after shipment to two locations (Maryland and California). Compared to controls, experimental treatments lowered average abundances by up to 99% and up to 93% for richness, and appeared to have no negative effects on bait or algae quality. The simplest treatment, tap water, was statistically as effective as more complicated treatments in reducing associated biota. We suggest that simple osmotic shock treatments on live packing algae prior to shipping could reduce the prevalence of hitchhikers associated with live trade vectors both nationally and internationally with little impact on the respective industries or their stakeholders.

ME: Invasive green crabs are scuttling from dilemma to delicacy (8/14/16)<http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/14/invasive-green-crabs-are-scuttling-from-dilemma-to-delicacy/>



A marine biologist, an art conservator and a group of fishermen from Georgetown are trying to use traditional Venetian fishing methods to turn the invasive green crab into a gourmet dish known in Italy as moleche….







BALLAST WATER/BIOFOULING



Global ballast water treaty to halt invasive aquatic species to enter into force in 2017 (9/8/16) <http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/22-BWM-.aspx>



Accession by Finland has triggered the entry into force of a key international measure for environmental protection that aims to stop the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species in ships’ ballast water. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention<http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Control-and-Management-of-Ships%27-Ballast-Water-and-Sediments-%28BWM%29.aspx>) will enter into force on 8 September 2017, marking a landmark step towards halting the spread of invasive aquatic species, which can cause havoc for local ecosystems, affect biodiversity and lead to substantial economic loss. Under the Convention’s terms, ships will be required to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments….





Related Stories: MarEx: Ballast Water Convention to Enter into Force in 2017 (9/8/16)<http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ballast-water-convention-to-enter-into-force-in-2017>  and New Scientist: Global treaty set to halt invasive species ravaging our oceans (9/9/16)<https://www.newscientist.com/article/2105414-global-treaty-set-to-halt-invasive-species-ravaging-our-oceans/>

and ICS Calls For Action On Ballast 'Chaos' (9/12/16)<http://www.breakbulk.com/ics-calls-action-ballast-chaos/>







WSS Claims: Crew can test ballast ‘within seconds’ (8/30/16)<http://www.mpropulsion.com/news/view,crew-can-test-ballast-within-seconds_44352.htm>



Crew will be able to check whether their ballast water complies with IMO’s D2 standard “in less than a minute,” using a gadget called a fluorometer, claims Norway’s Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS). It has signed a partnership with Turner Designs USA to market its Ballast-Check 2 PAM Fluorometer to shipowners. The device is based on one that is widely used by authorities around the world for testing water quality, WSS said in a statement today (30 August). It is branded with WSS’s Nalfleet marine chemicals trademark.






….The MERC operates a barge based in Baltimore harbor, which allows Tamburri and his team the flexibility to move to different locations in order to get different data from various environments. Tamburri said the MERC is currently focused on conducting land-based and shipboard testing for type approval of ballast water management systems and can test two systems per year….



Global Implementation of Ballast Treatment Systems Drives Huge Growth Rate, Reports BCC Research (8/24/16)<http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/global-implementation-ballast-treatment-systems-drives-huge-growth-rate-reports-bcc-2152980.htm>



…..The global market for ballast water treatment equipment should grow from nearly $5.2 billion in 2015 to almost $36 billion by 2020, reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47.1%.....







AQUACULTURE





Fish farm protestors descend on Campbell River (8/30/16)<http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/391794171.html>



On Monday morning Alexandra Morton and the crew of the Sea Shepherd stopped in Campbell River and stood hand-in-hand with members of local First Nations bands to protest fish farms……Marine Harvest has protocol agreements regarding operations within the territories of the Wei Wai Kum, the Wei Wai Kai, the Homalco and the K’omox First Nation. All members of the salmon farmers association have similar agreements with First Nations bands whose land they are operating on…..

Related Stories: BC: RCMP Arrest Four Indigenous Protesters over Fish Farm Action (8/25/16)<http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/08/25/RCMP-Arrest-Indigenous-Fish-Farm-Protestors/> and BC: First Nation claims Cermaq must invict aquaculture centre (8/22/16)<http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=86508&ndb=1&df=0>








Canada’s fisheries minister is dismissing concerns from stakeholder groups over suggestions the government agency tasked with conserving wild fish stocks is in a conflict of interest by also being in charge of championing the salmon-farming industry. Removing industry advocacy from the purview of Fisheries and Oceans Canada was one of the key recommendations from a 2012 report by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen into the 2009 collapse of sockeye salmon in British Columbia’s Fraser River….



Salmon farming on the rise in Washington (8/19/16)<http://crosscut.com/2016/08/salmon-farming-on-the-rise-in-washington/>



Human travelers have I-5 and I-90. Salish Sea salmon have the Juan de Fuca Strait.

It’s the route that they all swim on their way to and from the wide Pacific — the salmon from the Elwha and all the rivers of Puget Sound, plus many salmon returning to Canada’s Fraser River, which are the main local food source for Puget Sound orcas and have always formed the bulk of Puget Sound’s commercial catch. Now, Icicle Seafoods —  recently acquired<http://www.seattletimes.com/business/seattles-icicle-seafoods-sold-to-canadian-aquaculture-giant/> by Canada’s Cooke Seafood — wants to raise Atlantic salmon in 9.7 acres of salmon net pens <http://archive.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160203/NEWS/302039986> in the strait, just east of Port Angeles…..






FISH





PBS Newshour: How do you stop invasive lionfish? Maybe with a robotic zapper (8/24/16) <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/robot-lionfish-invasive-species-rise-nekton/>



In a way, the lionfish terminator — not the robot’s official name — is cousin to a vacuum cleaner. The idea surfaced in the fall of 2015, when Colin Angle, the CEO for iRobot and the maker of the Roomba robotic vacuum, paid a visit to friends on Bermuda. During the visit, Angle and his wife, biochemist Erika Ebbel joined a group of locals and sailed offshore for a dive. With them was Chris Flook, who had a long relationship with lionfish…..



Related Story: How Florida is handling invasive lionfish (8/21/16)<http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/florida-handling-invasive-lionfish/>





Geology, Hydrology, Water Quality, and Potential for Interbasin Invasive-Species Spread by Way of the Groundwater Pathway Near Lemont, Illinois (8/23/16)<http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2016/5095/sir20165095.pdf>



Invasive species such as Asian carps have the potential to travel in the egg, larval, or fry stages from the Des Plaines River (DPR) to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) by way of the network of secondary-permeability features in the dolomite aquifer between these water bodies. Such movement would circumvent the electric fish barrier on the canal and allow Asian carps to travel unimpeded into Lake Michigan. This potential pathway for the spread of Asian carps and other invasive species was evaluated by the U.S. Geological Survey……





Tribes’ Efforts Reducing Non-Native Lake Trout In Flathead Lake (8/12/16)<http://www.cbbulletin.com/437296.aspx>



The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are winning their battle to reduce the number of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and surrounding streams that feed on, among other native species, bull trout.  However, a significant reduction in lake trout so far has not resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of the native species they’re trying to recover, according to Brian Marotz, hydropower mitigation coordinator with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.





UT: Desert garden to close because of illegally-introduced fish (8/15/16)<http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2016/08/15/desert-garden-close-because-illegally-introduced-fish/88795748/>



The Red Hills Desert Garden, meant to be a sanctuary for some of southwestern Utah’s endangered native fish, has been polluted by illegally-introduced goldfish and other popular pet species, authorities say…..





OTHER








Paradise Valley — A previously unidentified strain of parasite has grown so prolific in the Yellowstone River that it is overwhelming whitefish, killing thousands and prompting the state last week to close more than 180 miles of the river to all recreation.

“The sheer parasite loading itself is almost shocking the fish, that’s what’s killing them,” said Eileen Ryce, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ hatchery section chief, during a Tuesday press conference along the banks of the Yellowstone River south of Livingston….

Related: Governor’s executive order proclaiming Invasive Species Emergency can be found HERE<https://governor.mt.gov/Portals/16/docs/2016EOs/EO-14-2016%20Invasive%20Species%20Emergency.pdf>





Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society warns of American bullfrog (9/2/16) <http://www.revelstokereview.com/community/392193481.html>



The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is warning people to be on the lookout for the American bullfrog, an invasive species that is spreading rapidly across British Columbia. “While many frog populations are in decline worldwide, the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been spreading rapidly in B.C. and outcompeting (or eating) other native frogs and animals,” the organization wrote in a news release. The American bullfrog is native to eastern North America but was introduced to the western United States through human interaction. According to CSISS, bullfrog farms were established on Vancouver Island in the 1930s in an attempt to market frog legs. Frogs released from those farms are thought to be the source of the bullfrogs invading the B.C. mainland….





Wildlife Forever and the Clean Drain Dry Initiative: Clean Drain Dry Mobile App for the Outdoors (8/29/16) <http://www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1700554-clean-drain-dry-mobile-app-for-the-outdoors>



The new app uses unique campaign marketing materials and graphics to transport users to a video experience that informs and empowers positive actions to prevent invasive species….



One-sixth of land on Earth is highly vulnerable to invasive species (8/23/16)<http://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_9ab086ca-693a-11e6-acbe-8fc6c5e59962.html>





….The analysis<http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2016/160823/ncomms12485/full/ncomms12485.html> pointed to a continued high risk of invasion in the U.S., Europe and China, areas with relatively robust invasive species management strategies. But many countries in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia have little capacity to prevent the introduction of invasive species and weak programs for reacting to invaders once they are present, leaving their natural resources at risk…..



Great Lakes Commission leads fight against web trafficking of aquatic invasive species (8/17/16)<http://glc.org/announce/gldiatr-funding-081716/>





Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission<http://www.glc.org/> (GLC) announced today that it has completed development and testing of an innovative web data mining tool to find aquatic invasive species for sale on the internet, and is continuing with implementation of the tool. The GLC is receiving $340,000 in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to work with invasive species managers to apply the Great Lakes Detector of Invasive Aquatics in Trade<http://glc.org/projects/invasive/internet-trade-ais/> (GLDIATR) to shield against this threat.





WEEDS



UT: Invasive plant causing problems for Southern Utah waterways (9/8/16) <http://kutv.com/news/local/invasive-plant-causing-problems-for-southern-utah-waterways>



St. George, Utah — (KUTV) A plant once sold locally for landscape is now being recognized by experts as a hazard and the latest invasive species of plant in Southern Utah. It's called the Big Reed -Arundo Donax, and it's found in parts of St. George and La Verkin and has the potential to grow up to three stories tall. Scientists are worried about its effects on Virgin River water systems.







TX: 'Lake Dudes' videos use humor to stop invading giant salvinia (8/26/16)<http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20160826a&nrtype=all&nrspan=2016&nrsearch=>



Austin – Government agencies are often tasked with informing people about pressing issues. Yet information has a hard time competing for attention. People like entertainment. Enter the “Lake Dudes,” animated characters created to catch the attention of boaters, hoping to stop the spread of an invasive water weed that threatens to take over Texas lakes. “Hey bra, what’s shakin’ lakin’? – Whoa, what happened to you!? – Giant salvinia, dude.” So goes the dialogue in one of the five animated shorts. In the video called Fu Manchu, one of the two dudes, who represent lakes, grows a mustache of giant salvinia that spreads all over him, to the horror of his friend…..




….It’s salt cedar, the water-thirsty plant that has devastated riparian habitats in the Southwest by choking out waterways. Imported from Africa and Eurasia, the salt cedar can reproduce through both seeds and underground shoots, and it has a competitive advantage over Idaho’s native riparian species: It excretes a salt from its stems and leaves that causes a salty crust on the soil surface and inhibits the growth of willows, cottonwoods and dogwoods…..



TRAININGS/WEBINARS






Please join us for a webinar hosted by the Invasive Mussel Collaborative to discuss applications of integrated pest management (IPM). This webinar will highlight successful IPM programs from different disciplines. The webinar will feature presentations on IPM control programs by the following agencies/organizations:



•         David Sivyer, City of Milwaukee Forestry Operations: Emerald Ash Borer

•         Jim Koopman, University of Michigan: Smallpox Eradication

•         Bob Lambe, Great Lakes Fishery Commission: Sea Lamprey








JOBS/GRANTS

USGS -- Biologist (Invasive Species Program Manager) – Reston VA <https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/PrintPreview/449484800>



Duties: As a Biologist (Invasive Species Program Manager) within the Office of the Associate Director for Ecosystems, some of your specific duties will include:

•         Serves as technical staff expert on invasive species in the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area.

•         Leads USGS invasive species activities across Ecosystems Mission Area in collaboration with the Department and other agencies and organizations; coordinates with other mission areas and represents USGS at intra-agency meetings.

•         Develops and evaluates national science program strategies and activities in collaboration with other agencies and organizations to address invasive species issues.

•         Prepares materials and communications to explain, support, advocate and defend invasive species research in the USGS, the Department, the Office of Management and Budget, other agencies and organizations, and before Congressional staff and committees.

•         Manages and tracks the invasive species budget, develops budget justifications and initiatives, establishes funding priorities, and ensures consistency with Ecosystem Mission Area goals.



Closes: Friday 9/23/2016



NOAA Grant Opportunity: FY2017 Community-based Marine Debris Removal<http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=287350>


Description:     The NOAA Marine Debris Program, authorized in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act, codified at 33 U.S.C. 1951-1958, provides funding to support locally-driven, marine debris prevention, assessment, and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources. Funding for this purpose comes through the NOAA Marine Debris Program as appropriations to the Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service. Projects awarded through this grant competition will implement effective, on-the-ground marine debris removal activities, with priority for those targeting medium- large-scale debris, including derelict fishing gear. Projects should also provide benefits to coastal communities, and create long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Through this solicitation NOAA identifies marine debris removal projects, fosters awareness of the effects of marine debris to further the conservation of living marine resource habitats, and contributes to the understanding of marine debris composition, distribution and impacts. Successful proposals through this solicitation will be funded through cooperative agreements.

Current Closing Date for Applications:      Oct 14, 2016


MT: MDA is now accepting applications for Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants

Click here to visit the Noxious Weed Trust Fund page for more information and application forms<http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Weeds/TrustFund/>.   Applications are due 12/1/16


FEDERAL/STATE/PROVINCIAL
LEGISLATION, RULES, ACTIONS



STATE










Honolulu (AP) - The state has proposed a $39 million per year biosecurity plan to be implemented over the next decade that seeks to bolster its fight against invasive species.

The plan unveiled Wednesday outlines ways to combat invasive species in Hawaii and prevent new ones from reaching the islands. The state Department of Agriculture spent the last year creating the proposal with help from state, federal and county agencies.



Related: Draft Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan<http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/biosecurityplan/>



MT: Invasive Species Strategic Framework Listening Sessions<http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/MISAC>

Join the Montana Invasive Species Advisory Committee as they conclude two years of discussions and research to build a better invasive species management plan for Montana. A series of Listening Sessions will be held across Montana to present a draft invasive species framework. The listening sessions will be held:

September 28 in Miles City, Field Office Bureau of Land Management, 1-4PM

September 29 in Wolf Point, Fort Peck Community College, Wolf Point Campus community room, 1-4

October 4 in Great Falls, Focus on pathogens, border protection, and forest pests, Hampton Inn, 1-4PM

October 6 in Pablo, Salish Kootenai College, Camas Room 4-7PM).



For further information contact Stephanie Hester @  shester@mt.gov<mailto:shester@mt.gov>





FEDERAL










NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Keys Commercial Fisherman's Association (Association). If granted, the EFP would authorize the deployment of four fish trap designs at several sites in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the South Atlantic to determine the effectiveness of these gear types for attracting and collecting invasive lionfish and to obtain lionfish life-history information over a 1 year period. The EFP would also utilize an outreach and education program to inform the public about the status of lionfish as an invasive species, efforts to control the spread of the population, and utilization of lionfish as a consumer food source.



Written comments must be received on or before September 15, 2016










In 1999, the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) was established to provide national leadership in addressing this threat. The Council recently adopted its 2016-2018 NISC Management Plan<https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/2016-2018-nisc-management-plan.pdf>. The Plan sets forth high priority, interdepartmental actions for the Federal government and its partners to take to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species, as well as restore ecosystems and other assets adversely impacted by invasive species…..



CONGRESS


VIDA: Senate/House Defense Authorization bills to Conference, VIDA Still Alive



S.373,<https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/373/text>  the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, was introduced by Sen. Rubio, Marco (R-FL) on 02/04/2015. Similar legislation was also introduced into the House H.R.980<https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/980/related-bills> by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA).



H.R.4909 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017<https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4909/amendments> was passed on 5/18/16 and included language mirroring VIDA. Report language can be found HERE<https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/114th-congress/house-report/537/1>.  The Senate version of the NDAA (S. 2943<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s2943>) passed the Senate on 6/14/16. Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill did not include VIDA language.



REACTION:  Many in the  shipping industry including groups like the American Waterway Operators <http://www.americanwaterways.com/issues/vessel-discharges/member-action-alert> support VIDA.  However, the States of California, Oregon and Washington,  the Great Lakes state legislators<http://www.csgmidwest.org/GLLC/documents/2015-VIDA_000.pdf>, Governors of the States of Washington,

Oregon, California, Minnesota, New York, Colorado, and Montana,  the White House<https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/114/saphr4909r_20160516.pdf>   and conservation groups<https://www.nrdc.org/experts/rebecca-riley/congress-pushing-forward-more-invasive-species> have  raised concerns about the VIDA legislation in this and the last congress.  The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies have weighed in against the VIDA language.



NOW WHAT: VIDA is still in-play as the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee is currently merging the House and Senate bills. The leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees remain optimistic they can reach a compromise on a final version of the fiscal 2017 defense authorization bill by the end of the month <The%20leaders%20of%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20Armed%20Services%20committees%20remain%20optimistic%20they%20can%20reach%20a%20compromise%20on%20a%20final%20version%20of%20the%20fiscal%202017%20defense%20authorization%20bill%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20month%20despite%20a%20number%20of%20unresolved%20issues,%20including%20the%20House’s%20reliance%20on%20the%20overseas%20contingency%20operations%20account%20to%20augment%20the%20base%20budget.> despite a number of unresolved issues.



Because of significant push-back on VIDA, a “Compromise” (or “Discussion Draft”) Version   is being circulated in the Senate. State agencies that manage ballast water on the West Coast (WDFW, CSLC, ORDEQ, and HIDNR) sent a letter to congress on 9/8/16 reflecting their continued opposition to the discussion draft language as currently proposed for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act:





…..This new version fails to address our commercial vessel concerns as expressed in previous letters. If enacted it would dramatically increase the risk of introducing and spreading invasive species and water pollution by removing Clean Water Act and independent state authorities aimed at protecting the Nation’s waters. VIDA hides these facts within its poorly written sections and broad preemptive language. This is evident where VIDA would place the development, implementation, and enforcement of ballast water and 35 categories of other incidental vessel discharges for large commercial vessels in the hands of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – an agency already overburdened by homeland security and vessel safety concerns. It is also evident where VIDA goes far beyond simply making the NPDES permit moratorium permanent for smaller commercial and fishing vessels, which West Coast States support, to making them fully exempt from both federal and state regulation, which is completely unacceptable……





For further information on the concerns over VIDA  contact Allen Pleus, WDFW, Allen.Pleus@dfw.wa.gov<mailto:Allen.Pleus@dfw.wa.gov> .







WRDA into Home Stretch in the Senate (9/13/16)



The Senate’s Water Resources Development Act water [S. 2848<https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2848?>] is on track to pass this week after an overwhelming procedural vote Monday night to keep it moving along. The last issue to work out is a dredging dispute between Connecticut and New York but bill managers are optimistic they will get a deal to clear the way for final passage of their Water Resources Development Act. “We’re floating a compromise that basically urges the states to … work together,” Sen. Barbara Boxer told reporters after the Senate voted 90-1 to invoke cloture on the bill.  Sen. Jim Inhofe Monday night offered a manager’s amendment<http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/14099077-b2cf-45d5-8598-1eb5da2758da/inhofe-boxer-managers-edw16925.pdf> (and summary<http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/9e425466-09cc-4273-83c2-ba9a978cc241/floor-manager-s-amendment-section-by-section.pdf>) that included about 35 uncontroversial amendments submitted to the bill [Source: Morning Energy<http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-energy/2016/09/dakota-access-fight-reaches-white-house-wrda-marches-on-trumps-energy-team-takes-shape-216289> 9/13/16]



The Senate bill contains important “technical fix” language will allow the use of federal funds (USACE) to support watercraft inspection stations outside of the Columbia River Basin drainage  [S. 2848 Report Language can be found HERE<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s2848/text?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email>, see page 77]:



(b) Watercraft Inspection Stations, Columbia River Basin.— Section 104(d) of the River and Harbor Act of 1958 (33 U.S.C. 610(d)) is amended—



(1)  in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘stations in the Columbia River Basin to be located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington’’ and inserting ‘‘stations to protect the Columbia River Basin’’; and]



UPDATE: The manager’s amendment<http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/14099077-b2cf-45d5-8598-1eb5da2758da/inhofe-boxer-managers-edw16925.pdf> [see page 127] includes language, similar to that for the Columbia River Basin, that authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to establish watercraft inspection stations to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species at reservoirs operated and maintained by the Secretary for invasive species in two additional river basins - the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers. The Senate is expected to pass   the bill in the coming days.  Stay Tuned…..more amendments are coming !!!!



Related: Bennet - Backed Provision to Protect Colorado Waters from Invasive Species Included in Water Resources Bill (9/8/16)<https://www.bennet.senate.gov/?p=release&id=3752>



HOUSE:   According to E&E Daily (9/12/16):



The House has yet to vote on its more narrow $5 billion version of WRDA, H.R. 5303<https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5303/BILLS-114hr5303ih.pdf>, that won the bipartisan backing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May. A House GOP aide said leaders had yet to decide whether the measure would get floor time in the final months of this Congress. Unlike the Senate WRDA, the House bill does not provide any money for Flint, in part because the T&I Committee lacks the authority to approve money for drinking water projects. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), ranking member on T&I, said he was still hopeful the House could pass its version and have negotiations with the Senate before the end of the year.





NOW WHAT: Rep. DeFazio noted the current WRDA authorization does not expire until early 2017, so it would not need to move until the lame-duck session. DeFazio conceded that some House Republicans are likely to oppose the higher spending in the Senate bill and the Flint aid. "I am not concerned about levels of spending," said DeFazio, noting the Army Corps faces a $40 billion project backlog and Flint is a "pretty urgent situation." [Source: Reprinted from E&E Daily with permission from  Environment & Energy Publishing, www.eenews.net<http://www.eenews.net>; 202/628-6500].


MEETINGS




SEPTEMBER



Ballast Water Management Tech (BWMTech) North America<https://maritime.knect365.com/bwmtech-north-america/> conference Sept. 27 to 29, Miami, FL.



OCTOBER

Alaska Invasive Species Conference<http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/cnipm/annual-invasive-species-c/>, Fairbanks, AK, October 25 – 27, 2016.




MN: Aquatic Invaders Summit II, Oct 5 -6 | River’s Edge  Convention Center, 10 4th Ave. S., St. Cloud, Minn.<http://aissummit.mnlakesandrivers.org/>


Washington Lake Protection Association Annual Conference:  Oct 5-7 in Bellingham, WA. http://www.walpa.org/annual-conference/

The Northern Rockies Invasive Plants Council<http://www.nripc.org/> is holding a conference October 17-20, 2016, in Boise, ID.
Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species: <http://www.fws.gov/answest/>  October 19-21, 2016 - Jackson, WY


NOVEMBER


36th Annual Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society November<https://www.nalms.org/home/conferences-and-events/nalms-upcoming-symposium/nalms-symposium.cmsx> 1 - 4, 2016; Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Canada. The Call for Abstracts is Now Open!  Submission Deadline: May 6, 2016.



The Next ANSTF <http://anstaskforce.gov/default.php> Meeting will be in Falls Church, VA November 8-10, 2016



16th Ballast Water Management Conference; Date: 9th November 2016 - 10th November 2016 Location: Antwerp - Belgium<http://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/ballast-water-management-conference-europe/>



DECEMBER



The next meeting of the 100th Meridian Initiative Columbia River Basin Team is scheduled for  Tuesday and Wednesday December 6 &7   at the Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station<http://www.portlandairport.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html>





Restore America’s Estuaries/Coastal Society meeting December 10-15, 2016, New Orleans. Includes Workshop V. Managing Invasive Species in Coastal Wetland Restoration Projects: A Participatory Workshop to Identify Trends, Innovative Approaches, and Research Needs.  Online Registration Is Now Open Click here to register<https://rae-tcs-summit.org/registration/add> Be sure to register before Oct 31 to take advantage of early bird rates!



2017



JANUARY


Idaho Noxious Weed Conference:  January 18-19, 2017 in Boise.  Agenda TBA. http://www.idahoweedcontrol.org/weedconference.html




FEBRUARY



4th Annual Ballast Water Management Summit  <http://infocastinc.com/event/ballast-water-management-summit/> -- February 8-9, 2017 in Long Beach, CA



Invasive ​Species ​Council ​of ​BC's ​Public ​Forum ​& ​AGM, February 7-8 2016. <http://bcinvasives.ca/news-events/events/invasives-2017-iscbc-forum-and-agm>


MARCH



Western Aquatic Plant Management Society / Western Society of Weed Science:  March 13-16 in Coeur d’Alene, ID.  http://www.wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting/

Call for Abstracts: Iowa Invasive Species Conference 2017<http://www.iowainvasives.org/>; March 28-29, 2017; Honey Creek Resort at Rathbun Lake, Moravia, IA

OCTOBER
Save the Date: ICAIS - October 22-26, 2017 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida<http://www.icais.org/>




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Stephen Phillips
Senior Program Manager
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
205 SE Spokane Street
Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97202
503-595-3100
Fax: 503 595-3232