AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES NEWS
06/3/15
DREISSENID MUSSELS
FORT WORTH - Another problem from the record rains and
lake flooding North Texans are seeing, is what experts believe will be a wide
spread problem with zebra mussel infestation.
Teams of divers this week found a total of 10 zebra
mussels in a second search of Christmas Lake. None of the 10 were found in the
area treated late last year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
said. “The follow-up searches suggest that the treatment in the Christmas Lake
public access area was effective in eliminating mussels from the area,” said
Keegan Lund, DNR aquatic invasive species specialist. “Unfortunately, we found
zebra mussels outside the treatment area. These zebra mussels have probably
been attached to native mussels in the lake since last summer or fall.”…
Manitoba: Eradicating zebra mussels 'impossible task' -
Limiting spread lone goal, province says (5/29/15)<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/eradicating-zebra-mussels-impossible-task-305430291.html>
Zebra mussels - they're here to stay. The challenge now
for the province is educating boaters about controlling the spread of the
freshwater parasite from Lake Winnipeg to other water bodies. Conservation and
Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff said mature zebra mussels were
recently found in the Red River on a dock near Selkirk, raising the possibility
they spread from Lake Winnipeg south to Selkirk on a boat. They have also been
detected in the south basin of the lake near Hnausa.
MI: Zebra mussels corroding Straits of Mackinac oil
pipeline, claims environmental coalition (5/27/15)<http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/shut_down_line_5_enbridge.html>
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Shut down the pipeline pending a
full public review. That's the underlying recommendation from a third party
report<http://www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/pipelinereport>
on the condition of Enbridge Energy's twin Line 5<http://www.enbridge.com/InYourCommunity/PipelinesInYourCommunity/Enbridge-in-Michigan/Line-5.aspx>
oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, released on Wednesday, May 27, by
coalition of environmental groups.
ORLEANS, Iowa (AP) - Iowa officials say they've found
evidence that invasive zebra mussels have reached another of Iowa's Great
Lakes. State fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins told Sioux City television
station KTIV<http://bit.ly/1FR4zT4>
that two larval zebra mussels were found in a recent water sample. He says more
tests will be performed this summer to confirm the presence.
FARMINGTON - From billboards with an alien caricature to
inspection stations, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is trying to
combat the spread of tiny aquatic animals known as zebra mussels and quagga
mussels……
UT: Water supply threatened by potential mussel
infestation, could cost state millions (5/7/15)<http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=34555062>
DEER CREEK RESERVOIR - If a prolific, Russian invader
about the size of a thumbnail gets entrenched in the waters of this mountain
reservoir and the Wasatch Front's key water delivery system, authorities say
containment costs would exceed $50 million and water supplies would be in
jeopardy. Against this grim backdrop, the Utah Department of Natural Resources
and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are embarking on an aggressive three-year
round of water sampling to determine if the invasive quagga mussel has infested
Deer Creek Reservoir…..
Efforts are being stepped up to keep a dangerous aquatic
invasive species out of Saskatchewan. The threat is from Quagga mussels and
Zebra mussels, species from eastern Europe that are non-native to North America
and which can wreak havoc on the ecosystem if they enter the province. Friday,
a display was set up outside Territorial Place Mall, a familiar spot for
boaters on their way to the nearby lakes, to raise awareness of the issue.
Edited by Wai Hing “David” Wong and Shawn L.
Gerstenberger, the “Biology and Management of Invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussels
in the Western United States” is a synthesis of the biology and management of
invasive mussels from scientists and managers working on invasive quagga and
zebra mussels in the western United States. Invasive dreissenid mussels have
spread throughout southwestern United States at unprecedented speeds, and
present a unique threat to native ecosystems. This book documents the efforts,
both successful and unsuccessful, of individuals and agencies after dreissenid
mussels invaded the West.
Although the book is designed specifically for scientists
and managers fighting invasive mussels in western waterbodies, it offers an
opportunity for scientists and lake managers worldwide to compare successful
strategies relevant to their unique situation. It includes guidance documents
and protocols related to early detection, prevention, regulation, monitoring,
and control of these invasive pests in the West. It compares quagga and zebra
mussels in the western United States with those mussels colonizing the Great
Lakes and European waters.
Assessment of quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) veliger
survival under thermal, temporal and emersion conditions simulating overland
transport<http://www.westernais.org/media/articlesissuepapers/assessment_of_quagga_mussel_-dreissena_bugensis-_veliger_snider_et_al.pdf>
Invasive quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) were first
detected on the lower Colorado River at Lake Mead in January 2007 and have
spread to a number of southern California reservoirs. Though it is highly
likely that larval transportation along connected waters was the primary cause
of these infestations, little is known about the potential for larval
conveyance in association with trailered watercraft. We conducted laboratory
experiments at the Lake Mead fish hatchery to determine the potential for
larvae (veliger) survival under immersion and emersion conditions that simulate
those potentially encountered on recreational watercraft when trailered from
infested to uninfested waterbodies…..
Community Insight: What's going on at San Justo Reservoir?<https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.sanbenitocountytoday.com/gallery/community_photos/community-insight-what-s-going-on-at-san-justo-reservoir/article_0525e3cc-f4ea-11e4-a052-87d46c76f729.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYBCoUMTAwNTkzNjY2NzQ3MDE0OTg1NzQyGjg5YzhiYWY3ZDFmZDRiYzI6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNG_TistuL5VdhIGWJ5iMvP-djQfRA>
(5/7/15) With all the talk lately about water cuts due to the ongoing drought
in California, it begs the question about a local resource that is being left
untapped. What is going on at San Justo Reservoir? The reservoir near Hollister
has been closed since 2008 due to an infestation of zebra mussels…………
BOAT INSPECTION/DECON NEWS
Lake Powell - Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is
conducting watercraft checkpoints near Lake Powell to inspect for quagga
mussels. The first was held May 13 and dead quaggas were found on one of 11
boats checked by conservation officers near Big Water on U.S. Highway 89. The
boat owner was given a warning for not completing the first part of a
three-step decontamination process - cleaning mud, plants and debris off his
boat after removing it from Lake Powell.
Riding Mountain National Park wants to continue to be a
no zebra mussels zone. Parks Canada announced Tuesday that boaters who go to
the national park, located 267 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, will have to
go through a free mandatory inspection by staff at Clear Lake Boat Cove…..
The Manitoba government is putting more bite into its
fight against zebra mussels, bringing in detection dogs to sniff out the
presence of the invasive species. "Following a successful training period,
the dog was deployed this past weekend at Emerson and will assist at high-risk
and high-traffic watercraft inspection stations and border crossings in
Manitoba when available," Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom
Nevakshonoff said Thursday.
Alberta: Mussel fouled boat intercepted at Sylvan Lake
opening weekend! (5/20/15)<http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3807772E72422-E6DC-A9D3-392B361977087920>
The contaminated boat did not make it into Sylvan Lake.
However, the close call is a reminder to Albertans to clean, drain and dry
their boats to prevent these tenacious mussels from damaging Alberta’s valuable
aquatic ecosystems…
Three teams of B.C. conservation officers are training to
roam the province looking for and decontaminating boats carrying the dreaded
invasive zebra and quagga mussels…………. ………..Whether those three teams of two
will be enough has become the subject of debate between regional and provincial
authorities. On the one hand, the Okanagan Basin Water Board is convinced the
province needs to have five teams at major B.C.-Alberta crossings. The hope is
that CBSA agents will soon be empowered by federal changes that would add zebra
and quagga mussels to the Canadian aquatic invasive species list, meaning
border agents will now inspect boats - leaving provincial crossings for local
authorities. But on the other hand, the provincial government believes five
fixed teams would never work given the total of 18 land crossings - including
minor crossings - that all have to be watched. “First, federal legislation is
still not in pace to allow the CBSA to detain boats at the Canada-U.S. border,
so the province still needs to cover the U.S. border as well,” a ministry statement
said. “In the future, when the CBSA has the regulatory power to detain boats,
they will not be equipped to decontaminate vessels, so B.C. will still need
mobile units to respond.”
B.C. government said the initial funding was for the
first phase of the program and “broader coverage” can be expected later. West
Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater, chairman of the OBWB, however, said relying on
mobile stations is akin to playing “Russian roulette.”……
PENTICTON - Waterways in the South Okanagan will receive
an extra measure of protection in the fight to prevent the spread of an aquatic
invasive species this summer.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen received a
$100,000 grant from the project this week. The grant will be used to educate
and inform the public, working in conjunction with a recently announced
provincial initiative that will see three mobile inspection teams touring the
province to check boats for zebra and quagga mussels…..
The National Park Service (NPS) is joining the fight
against aquatic invasive species (AIS) in a big way. As reported at the
conference by managers throughout the region, invasive zebra and quagga mussels
pose the greatest threat to Northwest waterways. An infestation could cost
hundreds of millions of dollars annually to infrastructure and personal
property if not dealt with effectively. Fortunately, Lake Roosevelt is
currently free of these mussels. Other AIS species in our midst, however,
include Asian clams, northern pike, Eurasian milfoil, and crayfish. NPS has
secured funding for a new staff person and seasonal work crew, purchase of 6
hot water decontamination units, and public outreach materials. On point is
Meghan Lyons, who joins NPS staff after 10 years working in fisheries in the
Colville National Forest. Said Lyons, “The biggest thing people can do is
clean, drain and dry their boat every time they go in and out of a
waterbody.”……..
KALISPELL, Mont. - Inspectors have intercepted a boat
with invasive mussels before it could reach Whitefish Lake in western Montana.
The boat was intercepted Wednesday in Browning, where Blackfeet Nation has been
working with the Flathead Basin Commission to keep invasive species out of the
area.
MT: Motorists Hauling Watercraft Must Stop At AIS
Inspection Stations (5/20/15)<http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/headlines/nr_4218.html>
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials reminded
private and commercial boaters today that state law requires all motorists
hauling watercraft-from trailers with motorboats or inflatable rafts to canoes
and kayaks perched atop cars and pick-up trucks-to stop at inspection
stations…..
PRESTON, Idaho - Franklin County irrigation companies
have implemented new boating restrictions at their reservoirs and are participating
in an Idaho State Department of Agriculture pilot program creating new
inspection stations for invasive quagga mussels. The precautions are aimed at
keeping the fresh-water mollusks, known to block irrigation pipelines and
infrastructure, out of the state……
Thanks to $10 million from the state, counties are
ramping up work to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra
mussels.
In an effort to control the spread of an invasive,
damaging species, Nebraska Public Power District is urging boat owners to
clean, drain and dry their watercrafts….
Boaters in Grand Teton National Park will need both a
park permit and a state Aquatic Invasive Species decal this year/NPS With
warmer weather on the way, boaters of all kinds will be heading to Grand Teton
National Park<http://www.nps.gov/grte>
in Wyoming. They best come prepared, with both a park boat permit and a state
of Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species decal, before shoving off.
MARINE
California: Biofouling Management to Minimize the
Transfer of Nonindigenous Species from Vessels Operating in California Waters
Notice of 45-Day Comment Period The California State Lands Commission-Marine
Facilities Division is proposing regulatory amendments to Article 4.8,
Biofouling Management to Minimize the Transfer of Nonindigenous Species from
Vessels Operating in California Waters.
The 45 Day comment period and will end on June 16, 2015
at 5:00pm, please submit your comments to: CSLC.MFDRegulations@slc.ca.gov<mailto:CSLC.MFDRegulations@slc.ca.gov>
The Commission will hold a Public Hearing on June 16,
2015 at 9:00am, at the Port of Long Beach, Board Room, 4801 Airport Plaza
Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Four years after a tsunami devastated
Japan's coast, debris still washes up in Washington - and winds up in the hands
of state wildlife officials. The debris comes with an environmental threat -
invasive species and parasites that have hitched a ride across the Pacific
Ocean. Another barnacle-encrusted Japanese skiff has made its way to the state
Department of Fish and Wildlife's aquatic invasive species unit. The 25-foot
boat was recovered off a remote shore near La Push and arrived in two halves
last week at the department's property south of Tumwater. The unit's goal is to
remove marine debris and prevent the spread of invasive marine life. On
Thursday morning, coordinator Allen Pleus and technician Nancy Franco combed
the boat's crevices for biological samples that will be shipped to experts
around the country for analysis….
Ballast Water Management Stories:
OTHER
California Invasive Species Action Week -- Saturday, June
6 - Sunday, June 14, 2015<https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Action-Week>
The goals of the California Invasive Species Action Week
(CISAW) are to increase public awareness of invasive species issues and promote
public participation in the fight against California's invasive species and
their impacts on our natural resources….
Saskatchewan is changing regulations to help prevent
aquatic invasive species (AIS) from entering the province, and is proclaiming
May 10 to 16 Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week to raise the profile of
this important issue. “Saskatchewan’s lakes and waterways have significant
environmental, economic and recreational importance and aquatic invasive
species such as zebra and quagga mussels pose a serious threat,” Environment
Minister Scott Moe said. “Proclaiming
Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Saskatchewan will help inform and
educate the public on this critical issue.
By enhancing regulations we also strengthen the province’s ability to
inspect and disinfect high-risk watercraft entering the province, helping to
protect our fish populations and aquatic habitats.”
WEEDS
Newman Lake access to close June 2-4 for aquatic weed
control (5/13/15)<http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/may1315a/>
SPOKANE - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW) public access site at Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County will be
closed June 2-4 to allow treatment of the lake with herbicide to control
Eurasian milfoil and other aquatic invasive weeds. The Newman Lake Flood
Control Zone District, under permit from the Washington Department of Ecology,
has hired Aqua Technex to treat milfoil infestations on about 25 acres
throughout the 1,200-acre lake with 2-4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid,
dimethylamine salt).
FISH
Northern pike have bared their teeth in Lake Roosevelt
this year, bringing to mind the early 2000s, when the non-native predators
first showed up in significant numbers in the Pend Oreille River.
There could be a new battle brewing in the waters of Lake
Washington. On one alliance are fishery managers working in the name of saving
sockeye salmon - one of the most prized sport fish in the backyard of Seattle’s
largest urban watershed. The potential new enemy, whose numbers appear to be
rising in the lake’s trenches since they were illegally dumped into the lake
more than a decade ago, are walleye - a North American pikeperch - known to
feed voraciously on a wide variety of small fish species.
The new rules affect the Green River and its tributaries,
from Flaming Gorge Dam to the river's confluence with the Colorado River. On
this stretch, you must keep and immediately kill any burbot, northern pike,
smallmouth bass or walleye you catch. You may not release any of these fish
back to the river alive.
Earlier this month you may remember reports (including
our own) about a Colorado lake swarming with invasive, non-native goldfish. The
estimated 3,000 to 4,000 goldfish in Colorado’s Teller Lake #5 made national
headlines as an example of released domestic fish run amok. But it turns out
the solution was simple: hungry pelicans…..
TRAININGS/WEBINARS
PNW-IPC Early Detection, Reporting and Identification of
Invasive Plants Training Schedule In WA/OR (March-June) <http://www.pnw-ipc.org/calendar.shtml>
***Last Training for 2015!***: Seattle, WA Wednesday,
June 24th; 9:00am-12:00pmAddress: Center for Urban Horticulture<http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/visit/directions.shtml>,
UW Botanic Gardens in the Douglas Research Conservatory<http://www.washington.edu/maps/#!/drc>,
3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98105. Parking is free in the E16 parking lot
just outside the Douglas Research Conservatory. To register please contact
Julie Combs at pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com<mailto:pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com>
or call 615‐812‐5295<tel:615%E2%80%90812%E2%80%905295>
to reserve your place
COURTS
On 5/12/14 the U.S. District Court for the District of
Columbia granted a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the
constrictor snake regulations under the Lacey Act. Below is information on this
still evolving case:
1. The court’s “Memorandum Opinion” can be found HERE<https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15338426356852007839&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr> [Note:
See sections on i. The 1990 zebra
mussel legislation; ii. The 2010 bighead carp legislation; and iii. The 2012
Lake Texoma legislation]
4. The US Herpetoculture Alliance has information on the
ruling HERE<http://usherp.org/tag/lacey-act/>
5. USFWS Response, dated May 29, 2015: “Implementation of May 19, 2015, injunction
issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in
United States Association of Reptile Keepers, Inc. v. The Honorable Sally
Jewell”<http://www.fws.gov/injuriouswildlife/pdf_files/2015_5_19_scope_of_USARK_PI_order.pdf> [Note: Also see USFWS “Injurious Wildlife”
webpage HERE<http://www.fws.gov/injuriouswildlife/>]
NOW WHAT: This injunction, if it stands, could have major
impacts on injurious wildlife species that are present within the US currently.
In the cases of zebra mussels and Asian carp where the injurious species
determinations were made by Congress, the legislative action included specific
language prohibiting interstate transport of these particular species. However,
the court determined that these instances did not amend the Lacey Act overall,
and thus does not imply prohibitions on interstate transport of all injurious
species. It is not clear whether those two legislative actions will allow continued
prohibition of interstate movement for those particular species, given that the
Congressional intent for preventing interstate movement was well documented for
those legislative actions. The opinion only affects Title 18 of the Lacey Act
(injurious wildlife); it does not affect Title 16 (enforcement of interstate
violations of state laws). Therefore, enhancement of state authority and
regional coordination among states for invasive species management within US
boundaries, where Title 16 would apply, may become even more important (Source:
NSGLC and AFWA).
FEDERAL/STATE/PROVINCIAL
LEGISLATION, ACTIONS
STATE/PROVINCIAL
Boaters, anglers, hunters, target shooters, ATV riders,
trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts will have to wait to see how they are
affected by a wide-ranging bill passed last week by the Legislature. That bill
was vetoed Saturday by Gov. Mark Dayton, proving again the power of the pen in
influencing activities in the state’s woods, waters, fields and trails. None of
these provisions is in dispute, and they are likely to be included in a
reconsidered bill and signed by Gov. Dayton. Assuming that holds, the following
changes will be in place:
FEDERAL
On 5/1/15 the House of Representatives approved the
fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
Appropriations bill on a vote of 240-177. The legislation provides annual
funding for the Army Corps of Engineers. The USACE budget in the House bill
includes funding for watercraft inspection stations. See PAGE 33<https://www.congress.gov/114/crpt/hrpt91/CRPT-114hrpt91.pdf>
of the bill’s report language. For reference, Section 1039 of WRRDA can be
found HERE<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-113publ121/pdf/PLAW-113publ121.pdf>.
MEETINGS
JUNE
The 7th National New Zealand Mudsnail Conference will
take place June 16th-17th 2015 at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center,
6505 NE 65th St, Seattle W. To register
go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-nzms-conference-tickets-16483873710?aff=es2 For further information contact: Raquel
Crosier, Executive Coordinator, Washington Invasive Species Council; raquel.crosier@rco.wa.gov<mailto:raquel.crosier@rco.wa.gov>;
(360) 902-3088.
JULY
Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS): <http://apms.org/annual-meeting/2015-annual-meeting/>
the 55th Annual Meeting of the Aquatic Plant Management Society to be held July
13-16, 2015 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC.
PNWER Annual Summit:<http://www.pnwer.org/2015summit.html>
July 12-16, Big Sky Montana. An Invasive Species session is scheduled for July
12. For further information contact Megan Levy (megan.levy@pnwer.org<mailto:megan.levy@pnwer.org>)
SEPTEMBER
Save the Date - WRP 2015 Annual Meeting - Lake Tahoe. The
WRP will hold their 2015 Annual Meeting in Lake Tahoe, CA on September 2-4 at
the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel<http://www.tahoeresorthotel.com/>.
The meeting is hosted by Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. More details are available on the WRP
website<http://www.fws.gov/answest/meetings.html>.
OCTOBER
Save the Date:
Society of Wetland Scientists PNW Chapter 2015 Regional Conference
--<http://www.sws.org/pacific-northwest-chapter>
October 6th, 7th & 8th 2015, Red Lion Conference Center, Olympia, WA
______________
TO UNSUBSCRIBE/SUBSCRIBE to the AIS NEWS email sphillips@psmfc.org<mailto:sphillips@psmfc.org>
Past issues of AIS NEWS can be found @ http://www.westernais.org/ under “News” tab.
Stephen Phillips
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
205 SE Spokane Street
Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97202
503-595-3100
Fax: 503 595-3232
