There’s an interesting guest piece at the Flathead Beacon today discussing the threats to Montana from various aquatic invasive species . . .
Of the many challenges facing Montana’s lakes and streams, perhaps the most pressing but controllable is the threat posed by aquatic invasive species, or AIS. Aquatic invasives include non-native plants, mussels, pathogens and fish that threaten environmental, commercial, and recreational resources.
Glacier Park officials face several challenges over the next few years . . .
As park officials described it, with both optimism and concern, preserving and protecting the Crown of the Continent is a constant effort.
Aquatic invasive species continue to threaten Glacier National Park. Federal funding is drying up nationwide while lawmakers grapple over a transportation bill. As the top attraction in the state, the park’s escalating popularity is beginning to overwhelm resources and trails.
“What does this mean for the future of Glacier National Park?” Deputy Superintendent Kym Hall asked recently. “How do we maintain that quality visitor experience? Because I assume that’s what people come here for. It’s the Glacier experience, and it’s a unique experience.”
State and federal wildlife agencies are getting very hard-nosed about efforts to prevent the spread of a number of aquatic invasive species . . .
The battle against aquatic invasive species continues in Montana, where wildlife officials are constantly trying to prevent milfoil, mussels and other nonnative species from contaminating local lakes and rivers. These species are transported mainly on recreational watercraft that are not properly cleaned. History has shown aquatic invasive species are a major threat to waterways and can significantly damage ecosystems and natural resources.
Montana’s watercraft inspection program is already up and running this season. And for good reason . . .
Montana’s aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection program is gearing up for another summer, and the first question inspectors will ask is, “Where has your boat been in the past 30 days.” More than 45 newly trained Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seasonal employees will man the check stations beginning in mid-May in key locations throughout the state.
The summer’s mission is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, chief among them quagga and zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails and Eurasian watermilfoil, and to inform boaters how to prevent infesting Montana’s waters with these unwanted, costly-to-clean-up-after pests.
This could be an interesting report. From a news release posted today by the Park Service . . .
The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center will be hosting a presentation on native fish and fish monitoring by Chris Downs, Glacier National Park Fisheries Biologist on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. in the Community Building in Park Headquarters, West Glacier. The results of a recently completed fish tissue mercury assessment conducted on multiple park lakes and what they mean for human and wildlife fish consumers will be featured.
Downs manages and monitors the aquatic resources in Glacier National Park. His work includes supporting development and implementation of the park’s new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention program…
Due to the increased threat of aquatic invasive species transported on watercraft, Glacier Park is getting hard-nosed this year about boat inspections. Short version: If the watercraft has a motor or is towed on a trailer, it must be thoroughly inspected every time it enters the park.
See the press release for all the gory details . . .
This summer Glacier National Park will step up its boat inspection and permit program due to the rapid westward migration of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) on recreational watercraft. The consequences of an AIS infestation in park waters could be devastating to ecosystems and the local economy. Visitors can still launch most motorized and trailered watercraft in the park, however, a thorough boat inspection is required upon every entry to the park. Hand-propelled watercraft are not required to obtain a permit, though park managers encourage all boaters to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and/or fishing equipment before coming to the park.