Tag Archives: zebra mussels

More aggressive aquatic invasive species program taking shape

March 8, 2013Environmental Issues, Newsaquatic invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, Montana FWP, quagga mussels, zebra musselsnfpa

Montana is getting ready to be much more aggressive in its fight against aquatic invasive species . . .

A revamped and more aggressive approach to prevent aquatic invasive species from proliferating in Montana has quietly been taking shape in Helena, but it soon will get a higher profile in the Legislature.

A draft bill has been the focus of a joint subcommittee on natural resources that would firmly establish Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks as the lead agency in a boat inspection program and provide additional funding to carry out the overall mission of combating invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels as well as Eurasian watermilfoil. These species have wreaked expensive havoc in other states, most recently invading waters in the Southwest.

Mark Aagenes, conservation director for Montana Trout Unlimited, said the new approach came about as the result of meetings with a wide variety of conservation groups and state agencies. That led to proposals to Gov. Steve Bullock’s office and then to the subcommitee’s draft bill, Aagenes said.

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Aquatic invasive species could become the “new knapweed”

December 6, 2012Environmental Issues, Newsaquatic invasive species, didymo, Eurasian water milfoil, quagga mussels, viral hemorrhagic septicemia, zebra musselsnfpa

There’s an interesting guest piece at the Flathead Beacon today discussing the threats to Montana from various aquatic invasive species . . .

Of the many challenges facing Montana’s lakes and streams, perhaps the most pressing but controllable is the threat posed by aquatic invasive species, or AIS. Aquatic invasives include non-native plants, mussels, pathogens and fish that threaten environmental, commercial, and recreational resources.

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Battle against aquatic invasive species cranks up

May 24, 2012Environmental Issues, Newsaquatic invasive species, boat inspection, Eurasian watermilfoil, quagga mussels, zebra musselsnfpa

State and federal wildlife agencies are getting very hard-nosed about efforts to prevent the spread of a number of aquatic invasive species . . .

The battle against aquatic invasive species continues in Montana, where wildlife officials are constantly trying to prevent milfoil, mussels and other nonnative species from contaminating local lakes and rivers. These species are transported mainly on recreational watercraft that are not properly cleaned. History has shown aquatic invasive species are a major threat to waterways and can significantly damage ecosystems and natural resources.

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Aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection program gearing up for another summer

May 16, 2012Environmental Issues, Newsaquatic invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, Glacier National Park, New Zealand mudsnails, quagga mussels, zebra musselsnfpa

Montana’s watercraft inspection program is already up and running this season. And for good reason . . .

Montana’s aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection program is gearing up for another summer, and the first question inspectors will ask is, “Where has your boat been in the past 30 days.” More than 45 newly trained Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seasonal employees will man the check stations beginning in mid-May in key locations throughout the state.

The summer’s mission is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, chief among them quagga and zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails and Eurasian watermilfoil, and to inform boaters how to prevent infesting Montana’s waters with these unwanted, costly-to-clean-up-after pests.

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Glacier National Park to ramp up boat inspections this year

May 19, 2011Environmental Issues, Newsaquatic invasive species, boat inspection, Glacier National Park, quagga mussels, zebra musselsnfpa

Due to the increased threat of aquatic invasive species transported on watercraft, Glacier Park is getting hard-nosed this year about boat inspections. Short version: If the watercraft has a motor or is towed on a trailer, it must be thoroughly inspected every time it enters the park.

See the press release for all the gory details . . .

This summer Glacier National Park will step up its boat inspection and permit program due to the rapid westward migration of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) on recreational watercraft. The consequences of an AIS infestation in park waters could be devastating to ecosystems and the local economy. Visitors can still launch most motorized and trailered watercraft in the park, however, a thorough boat inspection is required upon every entry to the park. Hand-propelled watercraft are not required to obtain a permit, though park managers encourage all boaters to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and/or fishing equipment before coming to the park.

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