Aquatic Invasive Species Defenses Holding

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Published: Monday, 11 January 2021 20:44

The Columbia River Basin is the last major watershed in the U.S. not infested by zebra and quagga mussels. An intergovernmental network continues the effort to keep these unsightly and potentially economically devastating organisms from our waterways.

For the first 11 months of 2020, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) detected more boats than ever fouled with non-native organisms. At watercraft check stations in Spokane and Pasco, WDFW inspected more than 32,000 watercraft and found 25 carrying invasive mussels. Another 632 watercraft were decontaminated with standing water found in 168. This is particularly significant because 112 watercraft were last on waters known to be infested with aquatic invasive species.

For Lake Roosevelt, the National Park Service (NPS) reports conducting 281 boat inspections in 2020. 20 of these included plant decontaminations. Inspections occurred between May and September, 1 to 3 times a week. With COVID 19 limited staffing, inspections took place at the busiest boat launches, e.g.—Kettle Falls, Fort Spokane and Spring Canyon.

Cassie Hagemann, LRNA’s Aquatic Invasive Species specialist, also reported inspections were an excellent opportunity to educate boaters that it’s mandatory to complete and post a self-certification form that their watercraft is free of aquatic invasive species. Said Hagemann, “About 50 percent of the people were familiar with the self-certification form from when it was introduced as a voluntary program. The other 50 percent were mostly cooperative, especially because we were able to answer questions and explain the importance of keeping invasive species out of our waters.”