Strategy 3: Research and address pathways of introduction.
Strategic planning is the key to identify and interrupt the pathways of introduction and
protect the Flathead Basin from AIS. Piecemeal attempts to protecting individual waters
scattered throughout the Flathead Basin will not likely succeed in protecting the entire
Flathead Basin and may even fail to protect those selected waters. Prevention can be
accomplished by identifying and managing key AIS vector routes, encouraging the
development of an AIS‐free certification program, developing a strategic network of
cleaning/treatment infrastructure, developing standard cleaning protocols and a
network of AIS experts, and by defining inspection protocols.
There are four primary vectors of spread: local water body users, outside visitors,
resource management actions, and water delivery systems. There are also two main
concerns: expansion of AIS already present within the Flathead Basin and import of new
AIS from outside the Flathead Basin.
Local users are residents from within the Flathead Basin who use local resources. Our
primary focus with local users would be to control expansion of already existing AIS
populations, and ensure that local users traveling outside of the basin with their boats
do not introduce unwanted “hitchhikers” when they return to the basin. Outside
visitors are the most likely source of introduction of new AIS species to the Flathead
Basin. Outside visitors include the thousands of summer home residents in our area and
other vacationers.
Eight major access highways provide focal points for intercepting threats and educating
the public. A logical way to intercept trailered boats would be to use the existing
infrastructure along the Montana‐Idaho border and the U.S.‐Canadian border. Idaho is
currently inspecting boats entering the State of Idaho, and U.S. Border Patrol already
inspects livestock haulers entering Montana. Utilizing the Border Patrol and working
with our counterparts in Idaho we can develop AIS inspections for boats being
transported into the Country as well as within and between states. Similarly, inspection
stations would be needed to inspect boats coming from the south and east. Regardless of the location, boat inspection stations would need a coordinated signage, marketing
and education program along the major highway corridors designed to target local users
and outside visitors.
In addition, all anglers are required to purchase fishing licenses, and license dealers can
provide a focal point to increase awareness and distribute AIS educational materials.
For example, fishing licenses could include an educational message such as – “Aquatic
Invaders: STOP the Spread – Inspect, Clean, Drain and Dry.” Visiting anglers often
contact guides, marinas, shuttle services, and fishing shops and such businesses can also
be helpful in disseminating a unified AIS message.
Lastly, resource management activities have inadvertently spread AIS. For example,
hatcheries were the primary vector for the spread of whirling disease and are associated
with many nonnative fish introductions. Field personnel commonly work in multiple
watersheds within a week’s time, without opportunities to completely dry gear before
entering adjacent waters. Felt soled waders in particular have the potential to spread
AIS, and should be replaced1 with rubber soled and/or cleated boots. Similarly,
equipment such as heavy machinery or fire fighting apparatus may be deployed in
multiple watersheds without proper cleaning. Institutionalized protocols to prevent AIS
spread are critical for hatchery and resource personnel and their equipment. Water
delivery systems, especially “trans‐basin diversions” that transfer water between
watersheds, also have the potential for cascading environmental impacts, if infested.
Strategy 3A: Identify and manage key AIS vector routes.
Tasks
- Encourage outfitters, guides, marina operators and angler shops to present a unified
message. Identify all possible AIS signing locations in the Flathead Basin and post
warning signs. - Develop a highway AIS information campaign using billboards, Traveler Information
Systems or other technology to target local users and outside visitors. - Establish boat inspections at US border crossings and work with Idaho to develop
joint stations along the MT‐ID border. - Develop a consistent approach to angler and boater education
at point of license and boat sales. - Identify drainage interconnections created by existing water delivery systems
(municipal, agricultural, etc). These interconnections can potentially speed the
spread and increase the risk of AIS introductions. - Encourage adjacent and Columbia Basin states and provinces to cooperate in the
development of boat inspection and wash stations at key weigh stations (MDOT) and - Border crossings into the Flathead Basin or a certification and education process.
- Encourage states, tribes, national parks, national forests, provinces, etc. to adopt the
message: Aquatic Invaders: Stop the Spread – Inspect, Clean, Drain and Dry on fishing
licenses. Partner with MDOT and utilize the mobile “Variable Message Alert” tool or
purchase such tools for critical locations within the Basin. - Incorporate education and self certification program with boat inspections and wash
stations to facilitate interstate boat travel.
Encouraging the development of AIS‐free certification programs: One method of
better assuring voluntary compliance is through development of an AIS certification
process whereby a boat owner or other users would receive a benefit as a result of their
certification. This benefit may be the ability to pass quickly through boat inspection
stations. Current options available online include the clean angling pledge and 100th
Meridian clean boating certificate.
A certification process could be instituted in conjunction with boat inspection stations to
educate boaters on how to perform their own inspections and to take special
precautions when boating in infested waters. Two videos that may be used include
“Don’t Move a Mussel Parts I and II.” Part I deals with the ecology and effects of zebra
and quagga mussels, whereas Part II educates boaters on how to inspect a boat.
Strategy 3B: Encourage the development of AIS‐free certification programs.
Tasks
- Research and evaluate ongoing certification programs and select the program most
appropriate for the Flathead Basin. - Incorporate education and self certification program with boat inspections and wash
stations to facilitate interstate boat travel.
Developing a strategic network of cleaning/treatment infrastructure and adopt
standard cleaning protocols: AIS and natural ecosystems have no exact boundaries.
Likewise, successful suppression or prevention necessitates an effort that overcomes
boundary limitations. Part of education and prevention is instilling a new ethic or
behavior to reduce the threat of spread. This new behavior entails the decontamination
or cleaning of equipment that has been in contact with water and organisms that may
be spread to another area. Boater surveys and recent infestations demonstrate how AIS
can rapidly cross major watersheds and spread. To be effective, we must successfully
intercept and stop these new threats.
Efforts that solely rely on infrastructure for cleaning and treatment are potentially less
effective and ignore the need for individual responsibility for inspecting, cleaning,
draining and drying gear before entering new waters. Educating users regarding their
personal responsibilities to prevent the spread of AIS should be incorporated in any
cleaning infrastructure. Education and inspections need to be integrated with cleaning
infrastructure to target likely carriers that need a more rigorous decontamination and
quarantine.
There are environmental and human health issues associated with decontaminative
chemicals, but certain user groups may benefit from information on how to use them
safely and effectively. Properly run wader decontaminating stations require daily
attention and onsite supervision. In contrast, poorly run and placed sites could become
an additional threat. Most agencies, currently, do not have the manpower or specific
direction to maintain cleaning sites through time, unless funds are diverted from other
programs. The long‐term goal, however, is to maintain functional and integrated check
systems throughout the Flathead Basin. Commercial car washes and similar facilities
might help augment this effort, provided they are first determined to be properly
equipped with appropriate waste containment systems. As stated in Aquatic Nuisance
Species, A handbook for education efforts, DNR Publication WT‐825 2005, “The key
message that should be shared with all groups that may be interested in installing a boat
wash facility is as follows: wash stations are a poor substitute for an effective education
and watercraft inspection program that emphasizes the basic ‘inspection and removal’
message, BUT washing stations can be one component of an overall prevention and
control strategy.”
Considering costs and the challenge of staffing many facilities, it may make more sense
to have a few well‐staffed, strategically placed watercraft inspection and wash stations
than many local wash stations at individual lakes that are staffed periodically with
fluctuating funding and initiative.
As part of all public education the message of inspect, clean, drain and dry should be
promoted for all aspects of AIS prevention. The message must be clear and concise with
no confusion or conflict – confusion leads to inaction.
Strategy 3C: Establish a strategic network of cleaning/treatment infrastructure and
adopt a standard cleaning protocol.
Tasks
- Determine effective approach to AIS prevention for boats –
(detailed inspections vs. cursory washings). - Develop boat inspections and wash stations at key weigh stations, US/Canada Border
crossings and MT/ID border crossings with an education and self certification
process. - Educate public about proper washing at check stations, boat ramps, marinas, entry
points, etc. - Contact other AIS managers and learn from their experiences and implement
effective protocols. - Promote the universal message “Aquatic Invaders:
Stop the Spread ‐ Inspect, Clean, Drain and Dry!” - Encourage agencies and organizations to adopt cleaning protocols.
- Contact Boat Inspection Regional Protocols Committee to obtain their protocols and
share information. - Encourage other counties, states and provinces to develop boat inspections and wash
stations with education and certification processes. - Develop or adopt questionnaire to help identify high risk boats and ensure that they
undergo detailed inspection and decontamination.
Identify and encourage the use of safe carwashes throughout the Flathead Basin to
treat contaminated boats.
Developing a network of AIS experts, train resource professionals to identify AIS, and
identify and/or develop consistent inspection protocols: There is a need to have
annual training for permanent and seasonal employees especially those dealing with
education and inspections. The purpose of this training would be to train people to (1)
identify AIS; (2) educate the public about AIS; and (3) conduct boat inspections and be
able to assist the public in learning how to inspect their own equipment. Yearly
trainings can be in a central location or routed around the Flathead Basin.
Strategy 3D: Develop a network of AIS experts, train resource professionals in AIS
identification, and identify and/or develop consistent inspection protocols.
Tasks
- Train field staff in AIS identification. Coordinate annual AIS training.
- Compile a list of qualified experts and create a point of contact
for agencies and organizations. - Create a reporting system within the Flathead Basin
so that all members are aware of new occurrences of AIS.
