Report: Mussel Invasion In Upper Snake Likely; Economic Risk 'Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars'
- Posted On: 07/21/2010
The Columbia Basin fish and wildlife news bulletin Origionally Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 (PST) The total estimated cost of a zebra or quagga mussel invasion of the upper "It would cost hundreds of million of dollars annually if they became established and thrive," economist Noelwah Netusil told the Northwest Power and Conservation Council in describing a worst-case scenario outlined in the report.
Stop the Spread !
Aquatic “nuisance species,” as they are known, can be either aquatic or terrestrial organisms introduced into rivers, lakes and streams across the country. They have no natural predators, so their populations go completely unchecked. This gives them the ability to take over entire aquatic ecosystems.
What To Do?
- Clean – Clean all equipment that has been in contact with the water...
- Inspect – Carefully inspect all equipment that has been in contact with the water for any signs of unwanted materials ...
- Dry – You can kill live invaders by thoroughly drying your equipment. But you must make sure every bit of moisture is gone before you are safe...
Why Should I Care?
You should care because these invasive species can hitchhike a ride on your equipment to other waters – ruining your favorite lakes, rivers and streams. Once established, they cause irreparable harm: introducing disease, killing off native species, competing for food, altering food chains, changing the physical characteristics of bodies of water, devastating water delivery systems, and negatively impacting local and national economies. Once introduced, they are impossible to eradicate without damaging other components of the ecosystem.
Why “Clean, Inspect, Dry” ?
Although there are some campaigns and organizations out there that promote the message “Inspect, Clean, Dry”, we see the alternative ordering as the best method for prevention. Most importantly we want behaviors of all water users to adapt so that no matter if debris is visible on equipment, we all get in the habit of cleaning off our gear every time. Many of the most detrimental invasive species are not viewable by the naked eye so we want to promote cleaning as the first step in the process. The second step is to inspect your gear to make sure that your cleaning was sufficient to get all visible material off. Drying is the final step to ensure the best chance of preventing transfer of invasives from one body of water to an other.
