New Western Invasive Species Council Formed; Members Appointed From 16 States
January 2nd, 2020
The Western Governors Association has launched the Western Invasive Species Council to enhance coordination between existing state invasive species councils, improve communication and collaboration on regional biosecurity and invasive species control efforts, and to advocate for regional needs at the federal level. Governors appointed 16 members to the new council.
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Efforts On Early Detection Monitoring Of Invasive Species – Mussels, Pike — In Washington State Detailed; Environmental DNA Major Tool
October 17th, 2019
Two different anglers on two different waterbodies, but both in the anadromous zone of the Columbia River basin and both on the same day – July 17, 2017 – say they saw one of the most feared invasive predators in the basin, a northern pike. But, their alleged sightings were quickly debunked … by science.
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Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Stations Closing As Season Ends; 259,000 Watercraft Checked, 87 Mussel Interceptions
October 3rd, 2019
As inspection stations that search arriving watercraft for aquatic invasive species – especially quagga and zebra mussels – begin to close, the State of Montana reported that it had completed 110,000 watercraft inspections in 2019.
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PUDs, Tribes Asking For Help From Anglers In Reducing Northern Pike Numbers Above Grand Coulee; $10 For Every Pike Head
August 29th, 2019
The Grant, Chelan and Douglas Public Utility Districts are contributing to an effort by tribes and state agencies to control Northern Pike, a voracious predator that, if not contained, could set back decades of salmon recovery efforts across the Pacific Northwest.
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Council, Representing NW States, Expresses Support For Corps’ Cost-Sharing, Rapid Response Plan If Invasive Mussels Invade Basin
August 14th, 2019
A letter in support of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ rapid response plan for invasive mussels got a thumbs up from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
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Corps Prepares Plans To Execute Rapid Response Measures If Mussels Discovered In Columbia River Basin, Northwest Water Bodies
July 24th, 2019
An invasion of quagga and zebra mussels is being held off at the borders of Northwest states through the efforts of invasive species inspection stations, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District is preparing for the worst.
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Montana Details Its High-Level Effort To Keep Zebra, Quagga Mussels Out Of Basin; Funding For More Inspection Stations Would Help
July 18th, 2019
In a state that lies in the upper headwaters of the Columbia River basin and considers itself guardians in keeping zebra and quagga mussels out of the basin, Montana says that more can be done and calls on the Bonneville Power Administration to help fund permanent watercraft inspection stations.
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Study: As Regional Climate Warms, Smallmouth Bass Will Encroach On Much More Salmonid Spawning, Rearing Habitat
July 11th, 2019
Nearly 18,000 river kilometers (11,185 miles) of Columbia River basin streams currently has suitable habitat for an invasive predatory fish that, as climate warms, is a range that is predicted to increase by 10,000 river miles by 2080, according to a recent study.
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New Water Quality Permits For Atlantic Salmon Farms Include Stronger Protections For Puget Sound; No Non-Native Fish Farms By 2022
July 10th, 2019
Beginning in 2022, fish farms will no longer be allowed to raise non-native fish in Washington’s waters. Until then, updated permits from the Washington Department of Ecology require Atlantic salmon farms to step up their monitoring, inspections and reporting, and to have emergency response plans, the agency said Thursday.