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STRATEGY ~-!~ review of existing information about the spread of the zebra mussel indicated that "~ most of the documented spread across Europe occurred during the industrial revolution, and primarily through interconnecting waterways. No information was available about the spread of the mussel in arid areas, and not enough information was available to evaluate the role of overland pathways in spreading zebra mussels. The one thing that did become clear was the rapid rate at which the animal can spread in the absence of preventative measures. Because it appeared that time was of the essence in dealing with this species, efforts were focused on the use of existing laws, regulations, permits, partnerships, and other potential methods presently applicable for restricting the spread of the zebra mussel. In order to prevent the spread of the mussel across the Continental Divide, it was presumed that much could be gained by slowing the western spread of the mussel as quickly as possible before the divide was reached, i.e., by containment of the animal to waters east of the divide. One of the first steps in developing this plan was to define the area that had the greatest potential for invasion (i.e., the "target" area) and areas from which the zebra mussel might spread into the target area (i.e., "contaminated" area). Existing pathways and vectors that might be involved in further westward expansion of the zebra mussel, and possible controls that might be exercised in an expeditious manner were dcrcrmined and e~~aluared. This evaluation used standard tactics similar to those used to combat an epizootic, or epidemic outbreak of a contagious disease. Thus, pathways through which the organisms might be spread, vectors that might be the "contagious" agent, and methods of containing, restricting, or otherwise controlling the vector