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

nonindigenous species a high
priority, and encourage them to
abandon their current "wait and see"
philosophy in favor of a proactive
one while there is still time.
(2) develop an awareness of the
problem among the personnel of the
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
develop MOU's or other agreements
with closely-allied agencies such as
stopping the westward spread of the
zebra mussel.
To be effective, the Service should
take a lead role to prevent further
spread of the zebra mussel and other
nonindigenous species. This can be
facilitated internally by establishing a
high priority by the Director and
developing a National policy and
Directive by the Secretary of the
public education programs in the East
regarding the zebra mussel, and
coordination with these entities is
essential to minimize duplication of
efforts and maximum use of our
limited resources. The St. Croix River
Zebra Mussel Plan (19931nterim
Program) (Klukas and Burke 1993) is a
well developed plan that lists many
existing zebra mussel programs. In
the Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Interior. It is also necessary that proper
Engineers, and State fish and game
agencies to prevent the spread of
nonindigenous species.
2) Educate and inform the public so
they will understand how they can
assist in slowing or stopping the
spread of the zebra mussel, espe-
laws be enacted and existing laws such
as the Aquatic Nuisance Act be fully
funded. In addition, regulations
pursuant to provisions of this act must
be promulgated and enforced to reduce
further spread of aquatic nuisance
speaes.
cially through early detection and
monitoring.
3) Develop support from the public
and other agencies in order to
Externally, the Service must
coordinate with other federal agencies,
state agencies, and leaders in the
general public to establish Information
and Education programs in the West
pursue the main objective of Many organizations have initiated
that program and others, efforts range
from producing brochures and
videotapes to conducting sophisticated
programs. In many eastern areas, Sea
Grant offices have received funding for
information programs, and have
produced and distributed newsletters,
brochures, and other information. Sea
Grant programs usually target the
specific coastal state in which they are
located. Most of the zebra mussel
programs have not been highly visible
in the West.
As information programs develop to
inform and motivate the public about