Invasive Species Coordinator

The goal of the project was to continue to provide input to and participate in local, regional, and national forums that promote the ability of the Pacific Northwest region (MT,ID,OR, WA) to remain free of invasive species, particularly the Dreissenid mussels (zebra/Quagga). Efforts focused on prevention, education and outreach, border check stations, life history/habitat research and regular rapid response planning. Primary participants were state and federal staff. The funding from this project enabled participation at an active level on behalf of our member tribes. CRITFC’s involvement was beneficial for the tribes as well as for the federal and state partners. Presentations were given to CRITFC tribal staff and fisherman along the Columbia River.

Over the course of the project, the project manager attended five regional Columbia Basin ANS work group meetings and participated in a two regional planning drills. These drills depicted a mock invasive event and the members involved brought to the table the resources from their respective agencies. Some drills were office drills, and some were held on site (Prineville April 2013) and enlisted the efforts of local agencies; including law enforcement, irrigation managers, and federal agencies. These field drills often revealed new opportunities as well as shortcomings of the strategies being tested. Over the years, these drills have increased the skills and abilities of our planning group and its participating agencies to be able to responded in an organized fashion should the need arise, which hopefully will not occur.

Additionally outreach involved working with our Commission’s law enforcement division and utilizing their safe boat program to incorporate the clean, drain, dry message. Nearly all of our tribal fisher’s watercraft operate within the mainstem of the Columbia River between Bonneville and McNary dams, so the risk from tribal boats spreading new invasive species is minimal at best. However, the interstate corridor along the Columbia, as well as those from the mussel infested states to the east and south present a real and present danger to the Columbia basin resources, particularly listed anadromous fish.

The target species are Chinook, Coho, Steelhead, and Sockeye. Work conducted under this project will contribute to protecting the habitat of these species in the Columbia Basin from exposure to invasive species. Although not the target of project work, other species may also benefit: Bull Trout, Pacific Lamprey, and White Sturgeon.