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The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has a zebra mussel monitoring program for volunteers. Such a program should be considered for Colorado. Zebra Mussel Reports and Follow-up Strate~y Any number of agencies, water owners/operators, and recreation managers could detect or receive a report of zebra mussels. Detection should activate a predetermined response management system that expedites decision-making, information sharing, avoids duplication, and minimizes authority conflicts, while preserving flexibility for adaptive management. The response management protocol must include a detailed notification "tree" with specific contact information and responsibilities (see California Zebra Mussel Rapid Response Plan). One of the first actions following a reported detection should be to confirm the veracity of the report. Samples should be collected, preserved and sent to specified personnel and laboratories for visual confirmation and DNA testing to validate the species identification. Following positive identification, an attempt should be made to determine the extent of the infestation and containment strategies should be employed. V. PREVENTION The inspection (and decontamination) of watercraft is a critical approach to prevention. The CDOW recommends a requirement that alt barts entering Colorado be inspected prior to launch in any water of the state. The requirement would apply both to boats registered in Colorado and returning from a trip out of state as well as boats registered in other states entering Colorado. State Parks and the CDOW currently lack the authority to require that, however regulatory and statutory language changes aze being pursued to address this issue (see Section VI). To facilitate compliance, boaters should be provided convenient opportunities to obtain an inspection (and to decontaminate if necessary). Inspection services could be provided by both trained staff and perhaps ultimately concessionaires. Courtesy watercraft inspections could be offered at the most important Very High and High risk waters (based on the risk assessment) and perhaps selected Port- of-Entry locations as well (see "Colorado Port of Entry Courtesy Boat Inspections" below). The number and locations of inspection/decontamination facilities must be determined in part on the availability of utilities and on existing regulations pertaining to the disposal of decontamination waste water. At Very High and High risk water bodies in Colorado where boating access is under state or federal control, state and federal agencies should institute inspection andlor cleaning procedures for high risk boats in addition to public awareness programs. At Very High and High risk water bodies not under state or federal control, the state should encourage, assist and work with local authorities and mazina/boat launch operators to ensure thax hi~h risk boats are inspected and cleaned before entry. This should be based on a prioritized baat risk assessment (e.g., type of boat and length of time the boat spends on any one water).