Eurasian Watermilfoil Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan Asian Carp A Supplement to Idaho’s Strategic Action Plan For Invasive Species Prepared for Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter And the Idaho Invasive Species Council By Zebra Mussel The Idaho Invasive Species Council Technical Committee 2007 Northern Snakehead Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan A Supplement to Idaho’s Strategic Action Plan For Invasive Species Prepared for Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter And the Idaho Invasive Species Council By The Idaho Invasive Species Council Technical Committee 2007 Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan Executive Summary............................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................7 List of Acronyms................................................................................................................8 Introduction - Managing Aquatic Nuisance Species in Idaho............................................9 Invasive Species in Idaho................................................................................................9 The Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan for Idaho..............................................................10 What is At Stake?..............................................................................................................14 Facing the Enemy—What is out there and how might it arrive in Idaho?.......................17 Types of ANS...............................................................................................................17 The Known Threats...................................................................................................20 The Framework for Aquatic Nuisance Species Management in Idaho............................23 Federal Policies and Efforts..........................................................................................23 Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act and the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force......................................................................23 National Invasive Species Act..................................................................................23 Invasive Species Executive Order............................................................................24 Individual Federal Agency Programs.......................................................................24 Regional Organization and Efforts...............................................................................26 The Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species.....................................26 Western Governors Association...............................................................................26 Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission/Bonneville Power Administration Aquatic Nuisance Species Program for the Columbia River Basin..........................27 100th Meridian Initiative...........................................................................................27 Current State Programs.................................................................................................28 Current Efforts and How We Can Be More Effective..................................................33 1. Early Intervention – Prevention, Early Detection, & Rapid Response.............33 2. Containment, Control and Restoration.............................................................37 3. Reaching Important Audiences through Education and Training.....................40 4. Broadening Knowledge through Research and Technology Transfer..............42 5. Assuring Adequate Funding.............................................................................43 6. Creating an Adequate, Effective Legal Structure.............................................44 7. Coordination of efforts......................................................................................46 Closing the Net on ANS—Idaho’s Plan...........................................................................47 Glossary............................................................................................................................56 Sources..............................................................................................................................58 Appendix A. Idaho’s ANS Technical Advisory Committee......................................61 Appendix B. Species and Categories.........................................................................62 Appendix C. List of Known Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in Idaho...................127 Appendix D. Idaho’s Rapid Response Strategy.......................................................131 2 Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan Executive Summary The Plan and why it is Necessary In 2005, the Governor approved Idaho’s “Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Species”, prepared by the Idaho Invasive Species Council (IISC) as a statewide effort to limit the introduction and spread of invasive species. Invasive species are generally those plants and animals that are not native to an area, have the potential to spread uncontrollably, and when they do, cause significant economic or ecological harm. They include noxious weeds that invade all lands ranging from cultivated farms to vacant city blocks, as well as unwanted insects and some animals. Their economic impacts of these species nationwide in terms of the costs of treatment and prevention, in lost agricultural production and in restoring infested areas have been estimated in the billions of dollars. A special class of invasive species that deserve particular attention are the “aquatic nuisance species” (ANS). ANS are those plants and animals that are dependent upon aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Here, as is the case with all other invasive species, introductions and uncontrollable spreads wreak havoc with native fish and ecological communities as well as the importance our streams, rivers and lakes have for recreation, irrigation and power generation. By definition, ANS are those non-native plant and animal species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on such waters. While ANS are defined as non-native or nonindigenous, not all nonindigenous species are nuisance species since many alien species are non-invasive and support human livelihoods or a preferred quality of life. Despite the fact that Idaho is a landlocked semi-arid state, there are factors that make it extremely vulnerable to the impacts of ANS. Indeed the scarcity of water in many parts of the state and the overall values associated with aquatic resources demand actions to protect this resource. Here is why Idaho must be particularly vigilant: • Impacts to and from an agricultural economy that depends upon a complex irrigation system and which also has a flourishing aquaculture industry depending on quality supply waters • Fishing and boating opportunities on Idaho’s lakes, rivers and streams that attract enthusiasts from all parts of the United States • A growing population of new and part time residents with second homes in Idaho that spend part of the year pursuing recreational interests on our waters 3 • Migratory steelhead and salmon runs in the Lower Snake, Salmon and Clearwater drainages that are vital to the recovery of these populations throughout the Northwest • A seaport in Lewiston where barges and tugs are exposed to international ships and the species that live in their holds and ballast water. Add to these factors the ease of buying and transporting plants for aquatic landscaping or exotic fish for ponds. In addition, there is a tendency for ANS to “hitchhike” on boats or fishing gear commonly moved between all states. For these reasons, the IISC believes that a separate set of actions and emphasis on ANS as a component of the state’s Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Species is not only justified but also essential. In addition, development of this ANS plan fulfills the mandate of the federal “National Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act for individual state plans as part of the national strategy on ANS and qualifies Idaho for federal funding under this Act. What is Idaho’s ANS Plan? Idaho’s ANS plan has a clear goal: “Minimize the harmful ecological, economic, and social impact of ANS through prevention of introduction. If ANS are established, manage population growth and prevent dispersal, within, and from Idaho.” The ANS plan complements the current Idaho Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Species and is intended to help the state coordinate efforts and secure cooperative funding to prevent, eradicate or control new introductions more effectively, before they cause major environmental and economic damage. An advisory committee consisting of state, federal, tribal, and private sector members, developed this plan with interagency and public support. This ANS plan, including its goals and objectives, is a dynamic document to be reviewed and revised as necessary and as situations change. Like the Idaho Strategic Action Plan for Invasive Species, the ANS plan recognizes that prevention is, in the long term, easier and less expensive than eradication and restoration. It is also based upon a thorough understanding of the types of ANS we might expect and the invasion pathways that might facilitate their entry and spread. Idaho’s ANS plan takes a streamlined view of categories of ANS and the threats that might be associated with each. There are two categories of ANS: those that are in the state now and further spread is undesirable, and those that are not here and which must be kept out. Granted, within those broad categories, there are individual species that pose greater risks than others. Therefore, assigning risks in each category for species helps guide rapid response actions, risks are based upon the following criteria: • High-Not Present—Species which are not present in Idaho but which would likely have a high adverse impact if they were to arrive. 4