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Columbia River Treaty

PNWER at Work > Working Groups > Columbia River Treaty
 
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Quagga & Zebra Mussels
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About

In an inter-connected world the threat of invasive species continues to grow. Few areas of the globe are removed from the constant stream of people traveling in and out by land, sea and air. Though unintentional, travelers everywhere bring with them the threat of invasive species. 

Invasive species are generally defined as species that are;
  1. ​alien to the local environment, and have been introduced by direct or indirect human action; and
  2. a danger to either the local environment, or human health, society, and economic activity. ​​

In new environments, with no natural predators, invasive species are able to grow and spread rapidly. Undetected, this growth can disrupt ecosystems and society. 

According to the World Conservation Union, invasive species are the second biggest threat to biodiversity. The estimated damage worldwide from invasive species is more than $1.4 trillion. The annual cost in the United States is estimated at $120 billion. A  Canadian study, which examined just 16 invasive species, estimated annual costs at between $13.3 and $34.5 billion. ​
 
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PNWER Resources

Action Items
2019 Action Items
PNWER to assist in developing strategy to prevent boat movement from infested waters in the Midwest to western states and provinces
  • PNWER to reach out to Great Lakes and St Lawrence Governors & Premiers, Great Lakes Commission, Invasive Mussel Collaborative (letter/set up conference call).
  • Raise awareness of the issue (of fouled boats traveling from infested waters in the Midwest) and seek collaborative solutions.
  • Consider for 2020 Summit topic/panel. 
PNWER to advocate for federal funding to support State/Provincial AIS Programs.
  • PNWER to establish a WRDA Funding Committee comprised of two legislators (one from each party) from WA, OR, ID, and MT to advocate for continuation of watercraft inspections/monitoring match funding in the Columbia River Basin states. Legislators to work closely with state agencies/program leads on development of requests.
  • Advocate for funding from the Canadian federal government be transferred directly to the provincial governments of western Canada to support AIS management and prevention.  
  • PNWER to advocate for increased source water mitigation strategies (e.g. zebra/quagga mussel infested waterbodies) as this would further protect western waters from invasive mussels.
Facilitate a cross-border call on Feral Swine to consider whether a committee would be useful.
Archive
Summer 2018
Action Items
Proceedings

Summer 2017
Annual Report 2017

Summer 2016
​Annual Report 2016

Summer 2015
Action Items
Annual Report 2015

Summer 2014
Annual Report 2014

Summer 2013
Annual Report 2013
Agenda
  • 2019 Summit - Saskatoon
  • 2018 Summit - Spokane
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View the 2019 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit schedule & directory.
View the 2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit schedule & directory.
News
  • 2019
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
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  • Northwestern states secure $21 million in federal funds to combat invasive mussels  - Idaho Press, January 16, 2019
  • ​Invasive mussels threaten Pacific Northwest - Idaho Business Review, Feb. 28, 2017
  • Washington considers strengthening measures to protect waters from aquatic invasive species - The Spokesman-Review, January 29, 2017
  • Groups call for action to prevent spread of invasive mussels - The Nelson Star, December 21, 2016
  • Senate passes new WRDA language for mussel defense - PNWER News Release, Decemer 13, 2016
  • Emergency restrictions OK’d to contain invasive mussels in Montana - The Great Falls Tribune, December 1, 2016
  • Sniffer dogs might help B.C. fight invasive species of mussels - The Globe and Mail, December 1, 2016
  • Montana governor declares invasive species emergency - The Great Falls Tribune, Nov. 30, 2016
  • Organizations from Canada, U.S. joining forces to address looming threat of invasive species - HydroWorld, November 28, 2016
  • Canadians join search for invasive mussels after Montana detection - The Missoulian, November 26, 2016
  • ​Consequences of invasive mussels could prove costly - The Daily Interlake, November 20, 2016
  • Invasive mussel larvae found in Northwest - The Associated Press, via The Oregonian, published November 19, 2016
  • Sen. Steve Daines urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the distribution of funds for watercraft inspection stations - U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, Montana, November 18, 2016
  • ​Invasive mussel larvae find in Montana prompts concern throughout Northwest - The Spokesman-Review, November 18, 2016​
  • Province (BC) to establish permanent inspection stations against invasive mussels - Osoyoos Times, published March 30, 2016
  • Funding to protect B.C. lakes from invasive mussels in the offing? - Kelowna Capital News, published Feb. 20, 2016
  • Province considering permanent inspection stations against invasive mussels at border crossings into B.C. - Osoyoos Times, Published Feb. 17, 2016
  • Okanagan water board looking for mussel funding in budget? - Penticton Western News, published Feb. 14, 2016
  • Okanagan board supports inspection stations to stop spread of invasive mussels - The Vancouver Sun, published Feb. 12, 2016
  • Fighting invasive mussels: ‘When you’ve got ‘em, you’ve got ‘em’ - The Spokesman Review, published Jan. 21, 2016
  • Board asks Ottawa to flex muscles on mussels: The Vernon Morning Star, published Jan.17, 2016
  • Keeping mussels at bay - Salmon Arm Observer, Published December 27, 2015
 
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National, State & Provincial Resources

US & Canada National Environmental Leadership
National groups in the United States and Canada addressing the issue of invasive species

  • Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
  • Canada Invasive Species Portal
  • Environment Canada
  • Parks Canada
  • Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • National Invasive Species Council
  • National Invasive Species Information Center
  • Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • U.S. Forest Service Invasive Species Program
  • U.S. Geological Survey Invasive Species Program

State & Provincial Environmental Leadership
State and Provincial organizations addressing invasive species
​
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Alberta Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
  • British Columbia Ministry of Environment
  • Idaho Invasive Species Council - Idaho Department of Agriculture
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
  • Northwest Territories Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Oregon Invasive Species Council
  • Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
  • Washington Invasive Species Council - Washington Recreation and Conservation Office​
  • Yukon Ministry of Environment
Non-Governmental Organizations Invasive Species Work
Non-Governmental Organizations addressing the issue of invasive species

  • 100th Meridian Initiative
  • Alaska Invasive Species Working Group
  • Alberta Invasive Species Council
  • Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health - University of Georgia
  • Don't Move Firewood
  • Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program - Cornell University
  • Global Invasive Species Database
  • Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
  • National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council
  • Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council
  • Yukon Invasive Species Council

 
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Quagga and Zebra Mussels

  • 2018
  • 2016
  • 2015
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PNWER work related to the prevention of quagga and zebra mussels in 2018.

Federal budget allocates $5 million to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Mussels in Pacific Northwest
March, 2018
​The U.S. Congress allocated $5 million to fund watercraft inspection stations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, and an additional $1 million for controlling invasive flowering rush. This funding will be administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and require one-to-one funds matching from the states. Through this funding, the Pacific Northwest will prevent the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels which destroy native fish habitats and wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems.
Read the PNWER news release

Presentation of Invasive Species Federal Funding made to Washington State Senate
PNWER presentation to the Washington State Senate about the importance of federal funding to preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including quagga and zebra mussels.
View the PowerPoint here
PNWER work related to the prevention of quagga and zebra mussels in 2016.
​
Senate Approves Water Resources Development Act
September 15, 2016
The U.S. Senate approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), authorizing $9 billion in spending on 25 water development projects across the nation. The bill authorizes up to $20 million to be administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to match state spending for watercraft inspection stations protecting the Columbia River Basin, including those in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, from aquatic invasive species.
Read the PNWER News Release
​

Western Canada Invasive Species Agreement signed 
June 6, 2016
The Western Canada Invasive Species Agreement has been signed by British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is a coordinated regional defense against invasive species with an initial focus on aquatic invasive species.
The agreement allows for a greater collaboration between regions in Western Canada by sharing resources and coordinating planning in the prevention and response to invasive species. As an example, jurisdictions will work together to co-ordinate watercraft inspection station locations near shared highway crossings and offer valuable resources to help in the event a rapid response is needed.
Read the news release from the British Columbia Ministry of Environment

Invasive Mussel Prevention Framework released
April, 2016
PNWER co-sponsored the Mussel Prevention Leadership Forum, which took place December 8 in Vancouver, B.C., to produce the Invasive Mussel Prevention Framework for Western Canada. The meeting included representatives of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Washington and Oregon.
The multi-year framework is designed to reflect shared goals and priorities and to facilitate a collaborative and coordinated approach to invasive mussel prevention across Western Canada. Key updates based on actions identified during the forum include:
  • An invasive mussel listserv for Western Canada, which will soon be up and running. This listserv will act as a way for partners to share invasive mussel-related updates and identify collaborative opportunities.
  • A new aquatic invasive species hub will be added to the Canadian Council on Invasive Species website that will include invasive mussel-related information such as resources, links to databases, emerging research, et cetera. 
As the recreational boating season begins to ramp up, we can be reminded of the importance of this work and need for taking action against the threat of invasive mussels. PNWER looks forward to working together with the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) to support the Framework objectives as part of a coordinated, collaborative approach to invasive mussel prevention throughout Western Canada.
Read the framework
PNWER work related to the prevention of quagga and zebra mussels in 2015.

$4 million for Pacific Northwest mussel defense secured

Efforts within the Pacific Northwest to defend against invasive quagga and zebra mussels were given a major boost Friday, December 18, 2015 as congress appropriated $4 million within the federal omnibus budget for watercraft inspection stations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The federal
funds, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will require a one-to-one funding match with the states. 
Read the press release

Regional Framework for Perimeter Defense presented
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's Invasive Species Working Group presented a Regional Framework for Perimeter Defense against Invasive zebra and quagga mussels July 13 at the PNWER Annual Summit at Big Sky Resort. The regional defense framework identifies ways states, provinces and federal border agents can help prevent the spread of mussels and estimates funding needs and possible sources to implement control measures. 

See the Framework
Executive Summary
Full Report
Press Release
 
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Leadership

Picture
Kate Wilson
Commission Administrator
​Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Co-chair
Picture
Rep. Terry Gestrin
State Representative
Idaho State Legislature
Co-chair

PNWER Staff

 
Steve Myers
Senior Program Manager, PNWER​
[email protected]
p: 206-443-7723
f: 206-443-7703
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Banner photo by Tristan Ferne
Phone: (206) 443-7723 
Email: [email protected]
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