7790

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7790
• Author: Tyus, H. M., W. P. Dwyer and S. Whitmore.
• Title: Feasibility of Preventing Further Invasion of the Zebra Mussel into the Western United States.
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

CONTAINMENT AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES
nce zebra mussels occur in a river i By this approach, actions can be
system, there are no known methods of prioritized and maximized for better
total eradication. It is believed that, as
incase of the ruffe (Gymnocephalur
cernuu.r; Busiahn 1993), the zebra
mussel will spread regardless of control
efforts. If true, the spread of the zebra
mussel will only be curtailed through
prevention efforts, not stopped.
Effective prevention is a combination of
containment (zebra mussels restricted
to a certain area), and prevention (zebra
mussels not entering a new area). Both
measures must be instituted to prevent
~ the further spread of zebra mussels into
the western United States. The use of
buffer zones can be an effective way to
implement the concepts involved with
containment and prevention.
A three-tiered approach appears to
be appropriate for preventing further
spread of the zebra mussels into the
West. This approach offers three levels
efficiency. These three tiers involve
setting up geographic boundaries as
follows (Figure 10):
1st level of effort (Pl)-Eastern border
of ND, SD, NE, KS, and OK. This is
the edge of the area presently contami-
nated with zebra mussel and efforts
needed there would require implemen-
tation of containment measures.
2nd level of effort (P2)-Eastern
border of CO, MT, WY, NM, and TX.
This uncontaminated area is the
western edge of the first buffer zone.
3rd level of effort (P3)-Canadian-
U.S. border. This is also on the edge of
a potentially contaminated area, and
would involve an international
containment boundary.
of implementation, from the highest
risk for initial infestation to the lowest.