Biologists warn of hidden pests

POLSON - As summer fast approaches, people around the area will begin to take to the water. Boating, fishing, jet skiing and rafting are some of the favorites to partake in the Lake County area. Yet, water-goers are warned to "inspect, clean and dry" themselves and their equipment to help combat a potentially disastrous problem: aquatic invasive species.

A conference held last Wednesday at the KwaTaqNuk brought together an array of speakers including educators and biologists to help spread the word of the various fast moving, destructive invasive species.

Microorganisms, snails and plant life are all forms of invasive species that can heavily impact the ecology of water bodies. Virgil Dupuis, a researcher at the Salish Kootenai College, spoke on flowering rush and Eurasian Watermilfoil, two aquatic plants that pose a direct threat to the makeup of Flathead Lake. Watermilfoil is present in Noxon, while flowering rush, he said, already covers thousands of acres of lake floor in the Flathead, and poses a multitude of potential problems.

"It can block lake access and stop a boat when really thick," he said of the vegetation, which also creates a successful habitat for swimmer's itch. "It's going to be a tough plant to eradicate."

Other potentially disastrous invasive life includes zebra mussels. While yet to appear in Montana, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wetlands Conservation Program Manager Clint Folden said zebras can have devastating, and expensive, effects. Capable of fast breeding, the mussels encrust any hard surface, including water and power plant intakes. Costly repairs can hurt consumers and the life form is difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate.

"My whole cause in being involved in this is prevention because once it gets in here, it could be devastating from all perspectives," Folden said. "Biotic habitat, fish, the local economy: everything will be altered severely. It's really important to catch them as they're coming because once they are here, they're here."

Efforts are being made to prevent the "aquatic hitchhikers" from invading local waters. Most, if not all, boat ramps and fishing access sites in the area have signs warning of the problem, and reminders to check gear for clinging life forms.

"Education is the best [tool]," Folden said. "It's the multiplication factor: You teach a couple people and they teach a couple people and it's a snowball effect."

Doug Jensen, an AIS program coordinator from Minnesota, spoke about his state's efforts, including using interns at boat access sites to inform people of the dangers. Once a person's boat has been inspected, they receive a sticker saying they've passed. In Minnesota, Jensen said, it's illegal to transport aquatic plants, so the state has implemented a "Pick it or Ticket" initiative.

"It's not just a personal norm but now a social norm," he said.

Closer to home, Leah Elwell, from the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species in Livingston, spoke about education and ways to get the word out. She said targeting guides and outfitters is one of the best ways to send the message to tourists and even locals.

"If you teach them, they can teach their clients, whose attention they have for eight to 10 hours at a time," Elwell said of guides. "Like many things, people are more likely to listen to their peers."

Folden appreciated many of the recommendations given at the conference, but said funding has become a major issue in holding up implementation.

"The state allocated $350,000 for aquatic invasive species," he said. "That's a drop in the bucket when considering it's the fourth largest state in the Union."

While there was a nice turnout from professionals, Folden lamented the lack of community members that attended the open conference.

"There's only so much we can teach them in three minutes on the lakeshore," he said. "We have to depend on the public itself. Everyone knows the public is the best watchdog."

Folden still hopes that the timing of the conference, at the beginning of the tourist season, will help bring public awareness to a point where community members will take action themselves.

"The lake is what brought a lot of people to this area," he said. "Education is the key factor."