Appendix B: 2010 Annual Work Plan (as of 1/1/10)
| Implementation Plan Items | Status/Responsible Party |
|---|---|
| Education and Outreach | |
| Finalize draft AIS plan, obtain public comments and incorporate basin plan into State ANS plan. |
Ongoing/work group. |
| Continue making presentations to community groups on the AIS threat and AIS prevention. |
Ongoing/work group. |
| Complete and begin to implement organizational work plans for interagency AIS education. |
Ongoing/work group. |
| Include an AIS component on all of the work group member websites. |
Ongoing, but more work is needed. The goal will be to have this component completed prior to the start of the 2010 field season. |
| Finalize list of “safe” car washes in the Basin, and include as an Appendix in subsequent iterations of the Basin AIS plan. |
Ongoing/FBC. |
| Ensure that AIS educational materials are provided at key Basin points of contact, such as marinas, boat repair and sales, boat licensing locations, local governments and law enforcement, partnering agencies, etc., and develop a database to track progress and develop a list serve. |
Dissemination ongoing/work group.
No effort to date on the list serve, and support |
| Est. relationships w/identified market focal points (i.e. tourism, chambers, etc.) |
Effort commenced, but more work needed/ work group. |
| Undertake signage at all boat launches, prioritizing based on use and level of threat, and develop a database to track progress. |
Signs to be provided by State ANS coordinator. The Basin work group will also continue to use signage from the Lakers and FWP as long as funds permit. Limited effort to date on the tracking. Lake County may be able to offer some assistance. |
| Installation of billboards. | Continue to work with Dept. of Ag. and others to obtain funds for billboards at key Basin entry points. |
| Develop basin volunteer network to assist in outreach efforts, and develop list serve. |
FBC, Whitefish Lake Institute, Lakers, etc. to provide initial volunteer list(s). |
| Using interns, volunteers and existing field staff, develop voluntary boat inspection program and distribute AIS educational materials to the public and key stakeholder groups. |
1 full‐time seasonal employee + summer vehicle = $12,500 Volunteers = approximately $23/day stipend, plus mileage, State of MT Americorps and other non‐paid volunteers Goal: Have this component operational prior to the start of the 2010 field season. |
| Conduct market research and amend educational materials as needed. |
Research would be embedded in ongoing education and outreach efforts, compiled and then reviewed at the 2010 fall meeting. |
| Develop stakeholder contact list(s) and list serves. |
Lake County has volunteered some assistance. |
| Sponsor spring 2010 conference on AIS “lessons learned” from other states |
Goal: cover costs through registration fees and sponsorships. Seek accreditation. FBC has started planning effort. |
| Sponsor two workshops during the course of the year to educate the public about the ecologic and economic impacts of AIS and how the public can assist in prevention and control efforts |
Goal: cover costs through registration fees and sponsorships. Seek accreditation. |
| Develop AIS school curriculum. | Work with watershed groups to develop AIS trunk and other materials. Lakers, FBC and Whitefish Lake Inst. to take the lead. |
| Develop list of ongoing events that can be utilized to showcase AIS issues. |
Ongoing/work group. |
| Investigate the development of an annual event to showcase AIS issues. |
|
| Document known AIS distribution by type and location throughout the Basin, and develop distribution map. |
Begin data roundup using existing data and inkind support. FLBS, FWP, USGS, USFS, CSKT, GNP and others to take the lead. |
| Partner with MDOT, ID, BC, AB, etc. to use existing Variable Message alert tools. |
FWP to take the lead. |
| Obtain directive for border agents to check all boats entering the U.S. |
Effort ongoing. FLBS and FBC to take the lead. |
| Establish boat check stations at MDOT weigh stations. |
FWP to take the lead. |
| Work with local governments to consider where new or stronger regulations are needed to prevent AIS introduction – and if needed develop recommended regulations and work to get them approved. |
|
Training |
|
| Provide boat inspection and AIS identification training for law enforcement, agency personnel and the general public. |
Will continue training sessions in the winter/spring of 2010. |
| Provide Train the Trainer workshops for agency personnel. |
Will commence training sessions in the winter/spring of 2010. |
| Provide training to fire fighting agencies, contractors and others for cleaning protocols for equipment and large machinery. |
Will commence in the winter/spring of 2010. |
Early Detection/Monitoring/Research |
|
| Prioritize list of waters to survey and other research needs. |
FLBS, FWP, CSKT, USGS, USFS and GNP to take the lead. |
| Survey highest priority waters in the Basin. | As funding permits. |
| Fund existing AIS Volunteer Monitoring Programs (VMP): • Whitefish to Eureka VMP • Flathead Basin Commission VMP |
For the 2010 field season, all existing VMP sites will include an AIS component. Programs will be expanded as funding permits. |
Infrastructure & Equipment |
|
| Prioritize locations of check stations and equipment needs, if any, at each location. |
|
| Establish check stations at 8)points of entry to the Basin and 1 check station at Noxon, with education and self certification process components. |
As funding permits. |
| Purchase mobile “Variable Message Alert” tools for the most critical locations within the Basin. |
As funding permits. |
Rapid Response |
|
| Select local AIS experts for emergency identifications. |
FLBS, FWP, USGS, CSKT, GNP and USGS to take the lead. |
| Identify contact person(s) in each work group agency/organization. |
|
| Develop local protocols, communication network and responsibilities in the event of a new AIS introduction. |
As soon as possible – this work element is critical. |
Containment Plans |
|
| Facilitate or assist in the development of containment plans and evaluate the effectiveness of various containment plans in high priority areas for milfoil, flowering rush and others. |
As funding permits
The goal will be to work with Sanders County in |
| Evaluate use and potential effectiveness of management areas/certification programs |
|
Staffing & Management |
|
| Fund a Flathead Basin AIS Coordinator to seek funding for the AIS strategic plan and coordinate and manage implementation. |
As funding permits. |
