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INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ~/ here must be a commitment by responsible agencies in infested areas to prevent the 1 transport of zebra mussels out of those areas and into noninfested areas. Information and Education programs (I & E) are essential for containment. Many U.S. and Canadian agencies and private organizations have developed programs to inform the public of the impacts associated with the invasion of zebra mussels. It is important for the people to know that efforts must be made to contain this animal to areas presently infected, and to make every effort to prevent further local spread into smaller uncontaminated bodies of water. This will serve two purposes: 1) to localize the infestation in an area, and 2) to contain in an area, thus preventing spread to noninfected areas. Present I & E programs must be utilized to the maximum extent possible (e.g., Sea Grant). Although the well-developed programs of the Eastern United States do not presently exist in the Western United States, they can be used as prototypes for developing them. The main emphasis of I & E programs should be to address private individuals and inform them about ways they can prevent further spread of the mussel. As previously stated, educated public observers are likely to provide the first reports of zebra mussels (Kraft 1993). Because the West is so large and sparsely populated, public cooperation and participation is necessary if the objectives of this document are to be achieved. Information and education efforts must be shared with as many other agencies and private groups as possible. Recommended objectives of the I & E effort are to: I) convince State and Federal agencies that the zebra mussel can cause adverse impacts to the West, encourage these agencies to make preventing the western spread of the zebra mussel and other