Daines Moves to Combat Spread of Invasive Mussel Larvae

Press Release

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today requested expedited implementation and distribution of funds for watercraft inspection stations to combat the spread of adult mussels wreaking havoc on Montana's ecosystem.

Recently, invasive mussel larvae was confirmed in the Tiber Reservoir and possibly found in the Canyon Ferry as well. If adult mussels spread, they can block hydropower and irrigation ducts, as well as wreak havoc on the ecosystem, recreation and tourism.

In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Daines requests the Corps to expedite implementation and distribution of funds for watercraft inspection stations as codified in Section 1039 of the Water Resource Reform Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014.

"The State of Montana has already spent nearly $1 million on operating 16 inspection stations this year," Daines stated. "Montana has plans to expand the number and hours of inspections stations to further mitigate this threat. However, the federal match is urgently needed by April 1st, 2017, before next year's water recreation season begins and Montana sees an exponential increase in boat traffic and risk. I urge the Corps to expeditiously complete any necessary guidance documents and release these critical funds to states, so they can conduct this imperative work."

"Montana's mussel invasion created headlines at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region meeting in Boise on Thursday and Friday," said Montana Representative Mike Cuffe, a Vice President of PNWER. "It's the nightmare you don't want. So we desperately need these preventative dollars released for the good of Montana and the other northwest states. Thank you to Senator Daines for his important work on this issue."

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