How does Wyoming keep out aquatic invaders?
Wyoming’s success against aquatic invasive species takes public collaboration, responsible recreation and in-depth understanding of how those invasive species can ruin the ecology of a body of water.
Wyoming staves off aquatic invaders through organizations such as the Weed and Pest Council and the state’s Game and Fish Department.
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can be fish, invertebrates or even plants that find their way into Wyoming waters. These non-native species disrupt ecosystems by eluding predation and competing for resources against native species.
“Right now, zebra and quagga mussels are some of our top concerns. They have not been identified in any of our natural waters,” said WGFD Public Information Officer Sara DiRienzo. “We want to keep it that way.”
The fingernail-sized zebra and quagga mussels have gained national attention as some of the worst aquatic invaders a state can have due to the severity of their ecological impact. These species disrupt the food chain, consuming plankton so efficiently that native species do not have the same opportunity to thrive.
According to UC-Riverside’s Center for Invasive Species Research, larval mussels can be pulled into the mechanisms of a boat and can clog or destroy the function of the watercraft when the mussels grow into adulthood.
Additionally, there is no true native predator for these invasive mussels in North America, and their prolific nature allows for them to take over just about any ecosystem they colonize through unintentional spread. Once these species develop themselves in a body of water, little can be done to be rid of them.
According to this map of Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species, the most prevalent invaders currently infesting natural waters in the state include Brook Stickleback, Asian Clam, New Zealand Mudsnail, Curly Pondweed, and Rusty Crawfish.
“We agree with WGFD that these are the primary species of concern across the State.” said Erika Edmiston, chair of the Weed and Pest Council’s education committee. “Invasive species, whether plants, insects or animals, can have widespread negative impacts on native ecosystems. Our mission is to protect, manage and restore ecosystem integrity through comprehensive invasive species management for the benefit of ecological and human health.”
Although these pest species exist in Wyoming currently, public cooperation is crucial to limit the disruption to other aquatic ecosystems on a state-wide and regional scale.
Every watercraft that enters the state between March 1 and November 30 is required to undergo mandatory inspection performed by an AIS inspector prior to launching or passing through.
“Anything ranging from a kayak to a big pontoon boat is required to stop at a watercraft inspection station,” DiRienzo said.
The average inspection at a facility such as Laramie’s Port of Entry is ten minutes. However, larger boats — or watercraft coming from AIS hotspots such as Lake Powell, Lake Michigan, or Lake Mead — may require further inspection. Decontamination, by means of spraying high temperature water, or time in quarantine, could be required but are rare.
Following inspection, watercraft are sealed and the owners are given a receipt. It is important for boaters to not disturb the seal or lose their receipt as they may be asked to produce these as proof of inspection to a warden.
When leaving a body of water, individuals boating, fishing, or otherwise recreating can help mitigate the spread of aquatic invasive species by taking a few moments to practice a method referred to as “Clean, Drain, Dry”.
“Clean, Drain, Dry” is a three-step technique encouraged by Wyoming Game and Fish for those who own and operate watercraft within the region. The process involves clearing visible plants, mud, and other debris from your watercraft or gear, draining all water, and wiping it dry.
According to DiRienzo, the key to Wyoming’s success in keeping out AIS such as zebra and quagga mussels is a combination of public participation in the “Clean, Drain, Dry” technique and cooperation with watercraft check stations.
A strong point of emphasis in prevention of the spread of invasive species shared by both WGFD and the Weed and Pest Council— aquatic or otherwise — is to not move or transport species from one area to another.
“Prevention is the most powerful tool we have in the invasive management toolbox,” Edmiston said. “The old saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ couldn’t be more true in this case. If invasive species aren’t allowed to establish in the first place, that saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in management down the road, not to mention the loss of habitat that you may never be able to restore.”
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