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Colorado Statewide Zebra Mussel Rapid Response Plan <br />DISCUSSION DRAFT <br />March 20, 2008 <br />I. INTRODUCTION <br />Invasive species have reduced biodiversity, altered ecosystems, and negatively impacted <br />economic enterprises such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, power production, and <br />recreation (Lovell and Stone 2005). About 400 of the 958 species listed as threatened or <br />endangered under the Endangered Species Act are considered to be at risk primarily <br />because of competition with, and predation by, invasive species (Wilcove et al. 1998). <br />The cost to prevent and control invasive species is not well understood or documented, <br />but estimates indicate that the costs are quite high, in the range of millions to billions of <br />dollars per year (OTA 1993, Pimental et a1. 2000). <br />Colorado's Zebra Mussel Rapid Response Plan describes actions and resources needed to <br />respond to the detection of zebra mussels in Colorado. The plan outlines strategies to <br />prevent and control the spread of zebra mussels in Colorado upon detection and to reduce <br />the probability of future infestation. A number of agencies (municipal, county, state and <br />federal) will have to participate and cooperate in order to implement this plan. <br />This plan is a working document. As such, it will be periodically reviewed and updated <br />as additional information becomes available and as management actions are evaluated. <br />This plan will also help guide the ongoing development of the statewide rapid response <br />plan for Aquatic Invasive Species. <br />II. BACKGROUND <br />Zebra mussels were discovered in Pueblo Reservoir in November 2007 and verified <br />through DN~ testir~G in ~anuary 2008. DNA tests of two sub-adult zebra mussel s~mp~es <br />were inconclusive because the samples were degraded. However, a sub-sample from a <br />plankton tow produced a veliger (larva form of zebra mussel). Thus, the entire plankton <br />tow sample was analyzed and the test result was positive for zebra mussel DNA. The <br />confirmation of zebra mussel DNA from Pueblo Reservoir lead to follow-up surveys. <br />Bureau of Reclamation divers inspected the marinas, boat docks/ramps and dam area to <br />determine the eartent of the infestation. No zebra mussels were found. This suggests that <br />infestation was detected at an early stage. Colorado State Parks is developing and <br />implementing a reservoir-specific rapid response plan which includes boat inspections <br />and decontamination procedures intended to prevent the spread of zebra mussels from <br />Pueblo Reservoir to other waters. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOV~ <br />developed this statewide zebra mussel rapid response plan to coordinate activities <br />statewide and with other potentially impacted water users and managers. <br />