Strategy 3: Identify and publicize potential and existing threats.

The ability to identify and publicize potential and existing threats is important to the
effective abatement of AIS invasions. While baseline and monitoring are discussed in
Objective 2, we can also engage the public in reporting AIS they encounter in the
Flathead Basin (Objective 1). Important factors to consider in the assessment of the risk
of an identified AIS invasion include:

  • Identify geographical extent of AIS contamination, what species are present, and
    whether the AIS are established or incipient.
  • Determine what resources are at risk, what socio‐economic values are impacted,
    and if there is a threat to public health and safety.
  • Assemble existing applicable research and other information for the involved
    AIS, and develop a species‐specific control strategy.
  • Prioritize which AIS waters to control based on threat level and probability of
    success.

Strategy 3A: Develop a list of experts to quickly voucher AIS species if they are
sampled in the Flathead Basin. In addition, publicize new AIS invasions in the
Flathead Basin to protect against their further spread and inform the public.

Tasks

  • Develop a contact list composed of AIS identification experts who can quickly assist
    in the identification and confirmation of AIS if they are discovered in the Flathead
    Basin.
  • Ensure States, Tribes, Provinces, counties, and federal and state agencies have
    developed protocols and media contacts to publicize new AIS invasions as they are
    documented. Assist if needed.
  • Develop sign to post near infected waters instructing water users
    of danger of spreading AIS.