Montanas Aquatic Invasive Species Program THOMAS WOOLF AIS

Montana’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program THOMAS WOOLF AIS BUREAU CHIEF

Mussel Detection in Montana 2016 • Invasive mussel veligers detected in Tiber & Canyon Ferry Reservoirs in November 2016. • Governor Bullock declares a Natural Resource Emergency. o Incident Command put in place to support containment response and to elevate Montana’s AIS program.

Program Changes • • • Mandatory inspection for watercraft leaving Tiber and Canyon Ferry Reservoirs. Mandatory inspection for watercraft entering the state and crossing the Continental Divide. Funding identified ($13 million over 2 years) Increase inspection stations (Over 40 in MT). Expanded AIS early detection monitoring. Expanded AIS outreach / education.

Goals and Objectives • • Better target risk of AIS transport. Expedite low-risk watercraft. Engage and involve partners: Inspection, monitoring and outreach. Standardize protocols. o Utilize the same materials and same data app. • • Improve quality control. Expand inspection season and hours of operation.

Where are we now?

Watercraft Inspection 2018 • Over 109, 000 inspections o 47, 000 non-motorized. o 10, 000 of those from Glacier. • 16 Mussel fouled vessels o 17 in 2017. • Contracted stations. o CSKT, Blackfeet, Missoula County, Garfield CD. • Other partner stations. o Glacier, Bighorn NRA, Whitefish Lake • Expanded hours / season. • Electronic data collection.

Monitoring 2018 • Over 2, 100 plankton tow samples collected analyzed for mussel early detection. • Divers, snorkeling, substrate and shoreline surveys on Tiber and Canyon Ferry. • No zebra/quagga mussel detections. • Tiber e. DNA: Negative for mussels. • New monitoring data collection app. o Expanded partner involvement with survey and sample collection • New faucet Snail detection in Lake Francis.

Outreach 2018 • TV, radio, print and online outreach. • Improved signage • Targeted efforts to specific user groups. • Irrigators and agriculture. • Provide tools to partners to help deliver message.

See Something, Say Something

Proposed Changes 2019 • Evaluating entire program: o Implementing changes to make it more effective and efficient. • Evaluating moving Thompson Falls and Dena Mora. Closing Lincoln. Expanded hours. • Seek expanded partner participation for station operation. • Expand partner participation with monitoring and outreach. • Added 310 Permit Language. • Future funding unclear.

What can I do to help? • Help educate folks on the issue. • Inform clients about the issue. • Ensure gear is clean. • Promote Clean Drain Dry. • Be on the lookout for AIS. Weedy 1

AIS Outreach • FWP can provide o Outreach materials. o Can help design AIS outreach that fits your needs. o Training on AIS species ID. • Seeking to expand AIS early detection in the state. • Looking for AIS education opportunities.

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