Crown Managers Partnership
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
BackgroundManagers Partnership
Crown
As the variety of life in all its forms and functions, biodiversity is the lifeblood of ecosystems. The greatest
negative impact on ecosystems is habitat loss, which can displace plant and animal populations or
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
result in species loss. Invasive Species represent the second largest threat to ecosystem health and
biodiversity.
Accordingly, the Crown Managers Partnership (CMP) has made addressing Aquatic invasive species
(AIS) a conservation priority. The Partnership desires to establish common Crown-wide outcomes and
management strategies to prevent and/or control AIS. These species pose a great ecological,
economic and social threat to freshwater resources. Moreover, since the most noxious AIS have not
yet been introduced within the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem (CCE), the CMP has a unique
opportunity to keep these invaders out. Prevention has been shown to be a more effective strategy
than the much more intensive management necessary once introduction and reproduction has
occurred, as is the case with most terrestrial invasive alien species.
Two of the world’s most problematic biological invaders are zebra and
quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis). They are
colonizing lakes and rivers across North America. Indeed, these two
species have infected the waters of three provinces and 29 states (and
counting) since their introduction to the Great Lakes in 1988. They were
transported from Europe in the water ballast of ships from the Baltic Sea
that delivered their cargo along shipping lanes via the Great Lakes.
Timeline for Introduction of Invasive Mussels:
Arriving in the Great Lakes from water ballast dumped by ships from the
Baltic Sea, zebra mussels were first identified in 1988:
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By 2000, most of the east coast and mid-west waters were covered zebra and quagga mussels;
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In 2007 quagga mussels were detected in the west for the first time (they crossed the “100
Meridian”) in Lake Mead (right outside Las Vegas);
In 2009 Lake Havasu & Lake Pleasant were infected (near Phoenix);
In 2013 quagga mussels were detected in Lake Powell;
In October 2014: Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Winnipeg, MB. This is the first prairie
province to have a positive hit; and
In November 2016: juvenile quagga mussels (veligers) found in Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs,
MT, just off I-15 and close to the boundaries of the Crown.
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These mussels breed in large numbers (one female can release over 1 million eggs in her 3 year
lifetime). Since their introduction to US waters, control of these animals have cost the U.S. billions
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
page 2 of dollars each year. They can clog water intakes and damage equipment by attaching to boat
motors and hard surfaces. They can damage ecosystems by collapsing fisheries, smothering native
mussels and crayfish, and littering beaches with their sharp shells that cut the feet of children and
animals. Recent research indicates that they also change water quality by causing algal blooms,
causing some waters to become anoxic, and even lead to the proliferation of blue-green algae and
associated mycrocystin toxins which can be lethal to dogs and harmful to human health.
Another troublesome invasive species is Eurasian water milfoil (EWM). It is a perennial, aquatic,
submersed herb introduced from Eurasia. It forms large, floating mats that impair boating, swimming
and fishing, Additionally, these plants can adversely affect hydropower and irrigation systems and
prevents light penetration into water bodies, which robs native plants of needed sunlight. This plant is
expensive to control and treat. It is present in the northwest, but there is only one known occurrence
in the CCE (Beaver Lake, which is under control and eradication is probable).
What has been done?
In 2010 the CMP held its Annual Forum in Polson, MT on the theme of AIS. Attendees were exposed
to the wide range of negative impacts posed by these species and some of the prevention and
control options available.
Subsequently, the CMP Steering Committee prioritized developing common Crown-wide outcomes
and management strategies, recognizing that networked management of AIS greatly increased
each jurisdiction’s chances for success.
In line with adaptive management principles, the Steering Committee adopted a ‘start simple’
approach. The following priorities were identified for AIS:
• Geography: the entire Crown of the Continent Ecosystem:
• Target Species: zebra mussels, quagga mussels and Eurasian water-milfoil; and
• Desired outcome: to maintain the status quo in ecosystem biodiversity and prevent the
introduction and establishment of the target species in any surface waters.
The Steering Committee piloted an initial AIS strategy in the AB portion of the CCE in 2012. This was
chosen since, with the exception of a federal inspection station at Waterton Lakes National Park
gate, at this time there was no AIS program or capacity in place.
The pilot project began with a multi stakeholder workshop held in Waterton in September 2012
focused on risk assessment. Based on this, a comprehensive program with five components was
established:
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Set up a 1-800 number to facilitate rapid response (24/7);
Conduct education and awareness;
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Set up a watercraft inspection program;
Address policy, planning and legislative gaps; and
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Implement a water column and substrate monitoring program.
page 3 This pilot project in the CCE rapidly expanded to become a full-fledged provincial-wide program.
Subsequent workshops involving AB, MT and BC participants have been held:
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In March 2013 Cranbrook, BC to discuss a Crown-wide prevention and monitoring program;
And in Feb 2014 in Kalispell, MT the group met again to discuss a coordinated response
strategy in the event of an infestation by any of the three target AIS.
Most of the elements of a transboundary AIS strategy are now in place across the CCE, and
include:
• Legislation/Policy: All jurisdictions now have quarantine authority for zebra/quagga fouled boats
and MT and AB have pull the plug requirements. In the four years since the AB pilot was first initiated,
amendments have been made to the Fisheries (Alberta) Act. It now includes mandatory watercraft
inspections, an extensive list of prohibited species, enhanced authority over conveyances and
quarantine of AIS. The Act is enforceable by Fish and Wildlife Officers, Conservation Officers,
Transport Officers, the RCMP and Traffic Sheriffs. Specified penalties for failing to stop at a
mandatory inspection station and failing to pull the plug while in transport are being pursued in AB
to increase compliance.
• Inspections: In all jurisdictions, inspection stations run at minimum from May to September and
commercially hauled boats, as well as recreational traffic, are inspected. Seasonal boat inspection
stations are in operation at National Park entrance stations at both Waterton Lakes National Park
and Glacier National Park (St. Mary’s and West Glacier). There are stations in MT at Ronan and on
the Blackfeet Reservation between Browning and East Glacier. In AB, in the Crowsnest Pass at
Burmis, National Park entrance gate and at Coutts on the AB/MT border. At the Coutts station at the
southern border AB inspects traffic going both north and south. This assists MT by allowing
redeployment of resources to their higher risk stations. In BC watercraft inspections rove on
highways and local sites primarily along the southern and eastern borders. Additional stations are
‘layered’ on major highways outside the CCE in all jurisdictions. Building from MT’s Working Dogs for
Conservation there are now certified K-9 units deployed in both MT and AB to detect dreissenid
mussels. All K-9 inspection training standards and protocols are aligned between the two
jurisdictions.
• Extension: The Clean, Drain, Dry messaging is used consistently in AB, MT and BC. Working with
partners, the CMP produced an AIS pocket field guide. Ten thousand copies were printed and
distributed free throughout the CCE in the summer of 2013. An update and reprint in 2014 generated
another 5000 copies. Alberta is developing an identification guide for all 52 prohibited species in
2017 and has launched the “Don’t Let it Loose” campaign targeting intentional release vectors as
well.
• Monitoring: At present all monitoring results in the CCE have come back negative for Dreissenids.
In Nov 2016 juvenile quagga mussels (veligers) were located in two Montana reservoirs, Tiber (aka
Lake Ewell) and Canyon Ferry. Both reservoirs sit in the Missouri River Basin headwaters just to the east
of 1-15 and close to the CCE – in the case of Tiber Reservoir, within 20 miles (32km) of the CCE.
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
page 4 • Response: There are internal agency draft plans outlining steps and actions to be taken if there is a
positive detection of mussels. BC has a formal Early Detection Rapid Response plan available for
invasive mussels.
What’s next?
Complete a Transboundary Management Protocol for AIS.
Use the urgency created by the recent invasive mussel infestations on the borders of the Crown to:
• Finalize rapid response strategies and notification protocols in all three jurisdictions;
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Determine treatment options and protocols;
Evaluate inspection programs for additional locations, longer hours and extended seasons;
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Identify sites and undertake risk assessments water infrastructure and waterbody locations;
Reassess monitoring protocols (frequency and number of sites); and
Strengthen involvement of community-based organizations in messaging and education.
Links to other initiatives
The Pacific North West Economic Forum (PNWER) has an active working Group addressing invasive
species with a strong focus on Dreissenid mussels: http://www.pnwer.org/invasive-species.html
The Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative has supported work on zebra and
quagga mussel research priorities: http://greatnorthernlcc.org/updates/workshop-identifies-dreissenidmussle-research-effective-management.
The Columbia River Basin 100th Meridian Initiative http://www.100thmeridian.org/Columbia_RBT.asp has a
strong focus on preventing the westward spread of mussels and other AIS.
The Western Regional Panel on aquatic nuisance species was formed to help limit the introduction,
spread and impact of aquatic nuisance species into the western region of North America
https://www.fws.gov/answest/
The CMP is participating in America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO). The CCE is one of five focus
areas. Invasive species are an identified priority and action item. Currently the AGO is focusing most
of its efforts on terrestrial invasive species while the CMP takes the lead on AIS. Region 1 of the US
Forest Service, as part of AGO, contributed funding for development of a DNA protocol for the
detection of zebra and quagga mussels.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r1/workingtogether/partnerships/?cid=stelprdb5333316
Collaboration (who is involved)
Active engagement by a broad range of staff from a suite of federal, state and provincial agencies
much broader than the core CMP participants and including compliance/enforcement and police
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page 5 officers, risk assessment, parks officers, field staff, planners and policy staff, Canadian
Border Services and US Homeland Security, monitoring crews, dam infrastructure and operations
staff and communications and engagement specialists.
Government agencies are not the only entities involved with this initiative. There has been active
engagement and participation by a wide range of local and basin scale watershed groups,
Irrigation Districts, NGO’s, Tribes and First Nations, tourism facility operators and power operating
utilities.
Links to other websites
Alberta Invasive Species Council: https://www.abinvasives.ca
Invasive Species Council of BC: http://www.bcinvasives.ca/
Flathead Basin Commission: http://www.flatheadbasincommission.org/chd_sec3pg2.asp
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/
100th Meridian Initiative: http://www.100thmeridian.org/
Pacific North West Economic Region: http://www.pnwer.org/invasive-species.html
Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species: http://www.fws.gov/answest/
The Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN): http://www.gisin.org
Products
CMP AIS resources and field guide: http://crownmanagers.org/aquatic-invasive-species/
Website link: Transboundary Conservation Initiative: http://crownmanagers.org/tci/
Contacts:
Crown Managers Partnership
Caryn Miske, Caryn Miske, Flathead Basin Commission: [email protected]
Cindy Sawchuk, AIS Conservation Priority co-lead Infrastructure, Alberta Environment and Parks,
[email protected]
Brian Marotz, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: [email protected]
Dennis Madsen, Waterton Lakes National Park: [email protected]
Erin Sexton, Flathead Lake Biological Station: [email protected]
Greg Watson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: [email protected]
Ian Dyson, Planning, Alberta Environment and Parks: [email protected]
Julia DalSoglio, Environmental Protection Agency: [email protected]
Len Broberg, University of Montana: [email protected]
Linh Hoang, U.S. Forest Service, Region 1: [email protected]
Mary Riddle (Chair), Glacier National Park: [email protected]
Mike Bruised Head, Blood Tribe: [email protected]
Mike Durglo, Confederated Salish and Kootenay Tribes: [email protected]
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Mike Munoz, USFS, Helena and Lewis and Clark National Forest [email protected]
Mike Quinn, Mount Royal University: [email protected]
Peter Swain, Parks, Alberta Environment and Parks: [email protected]
Rich Janssen, Confederated Salish and Kootenay Tribes: [email protected]
Rob Davies, USFS, Flathead National Forest: [email protected]
Rob Simieritsch, Alberta Environment and Parks: [email protected]
Agency Program Contacts
Kate Wilson, Fish and Wildlife Policy, Alberta Environment and Parks: [email protected]
Cindy Sawchuk, Infrastructure, Alberta Environment and Parks, [email protected]
Thomas Boose, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: [email protected]
Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative
Yvette Converse, US, Fish and Wildlife Service: [email protected]
Tom Oliff, National Park Service: [email protected]
Stephen Waste, Western Fisheries Research Center, USGS: [email protected]
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