Date: February 28, 2018
Contacts: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Interior today released a
The report comes after U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced in June a set of initiatives to protect western ecosystems and hydroelectric facilities from the destructive species through continued collaboration with western governors as well as federal, state, and tribal agencies.
“I am pleased to share progress made on honoring those commitments,” said Secretary Zinke. “There is more work to do, and Interior is committed to continuing our efforts. With the busy boating season approaching, it is imperative that we are vigilant in taking measures to prevent the spread of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species.”
In Fiscal Year 2017, Interior spent $8.6 million to address invasive mussels nationwide. This includes an additional $1 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to establish watercraft decontamination stations, provide educational materials, and continue monitoring efforts.
Interior is currently working on more than four dozen actions to address invasive mussels including preventing the spread of the species to uninfested waters, such as those in the Columbia River Basin in the Pacific Northwest, and containing and controlling them where they are established, such as in Lake Powell and the Lower Colorado River region.
Some highlights since June include:
This work builds on efforts and effective state-federal-tribal partnerships and initiatives in process for decades. Interior and WGA staff have communicated regularly on this initiative since its inception in the spring of 2017.
"Western Governors remain committed to the fight against invasive species on Western lands, including the threat that invasive mussels pose to Western waterbodies,” said the Western Governors’ Association (WGA). “Addressing a threat of this magnitude requires leadership, innovation, and coordination at all levels of government.”
The Department requested $11.9 million in Fiscal Year 2018, including an additional $3.4 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to expand on these and other efforts to prevent, contain, and control invasive mussels. Approximately $3.1 million is in the process of being released under the continuing resolution to support federal, state, and tribal activities such as the purchase and operation of watercraft inspection and decontamination stations in the Lower Colorado River basin, development of facility vulnerability assessments to determine risk for critical infrastructure in the Columbia River Basin, and increasing capacity for the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe at Flathead Lake for their Aquatic Invasive Species program.
First introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1980s, zebra and quagga mussels spread outward via recreational watercraft being transported to other regions of the country. Infestations clog power plant, industrial, and public water supply intakes and pipes, dramatically change aquatic ecosystems, and require substantial investments to control. They are among the many invasive species causing economic and ecological and harm to human health across the United States.
To help raise awareness about these and other invasive species, events are planned in Washington, D.C. and across the country this week during National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW). More information about NISAW is available here.