County increases invasive species fund

POLSON – In light of the recent discovery of invasive mussels in Central Montana, Lake County has ramped up its contributions toward efforts aimed at keeping the bothersome bivalves from entering Flathead Lake and the greater Columbia River Basin.

Last week, commissioners voted to double the county’s aquatic invasive species fund from $5,000 to $10,000. The money will support the Flathead Basin Commission, a group of local citizens, scientists and officials tasked with protecting the region’s water resources.

“I appreciate that Lake County has stepped up,” FBC Executive Director Caryn Miske told commissioners. “This is really our final chance.”

On Nov. 9, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced the discovery of invasive mussel larvae in Tiber Reservoir and the suspected presence in Canyon Ferry Lake. Two weeks later, on Nov. 23, the state declared that samples taken from the Missouri River south of Townsend were suspect for larvae as well.

As rapidly producing filter feeders, zebra mussels and their sister species quagga mussels can strip a water body bear of plankton, depriving native fish and other wildlife of food.

Currently the Columbia River drainage remains one of the few watersheds in the west without the confirmed presence of the species. Miske and others fear that if the tiny trespassers hitch a ride across the Rocky Mountains to the river’s headwaters, one of the country’s few mussel-free strongholds will fall.

“If the Flathead goes, the rest of the Columbia goes,” Miske said.

While Lake County’s contribution may be small in numerical value, Miske said it sends the right message to other organizations. She said time is limited to develop a response plan.

“We need our ducks in a row by March 1, when the boating season begins and the snowbirds come home,” she said.

The basin commission has drafted a letter to Gov. Steve Bullock, which in part requests increased funding and enforcement tools to prevent boats from spreading mussels from one body of water to another.

Miske said the commission is also contacting legislators from across the state about the issue.

One possible barrier that could emerge, however, is the state’s shaky fiscal footing.

“This is going to be a tough, tough legislature,” Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron said. “The state’s financial situation is in trouble.”

County Commissioner Gale Decker said emphasizing the threat posed to endangered species such as salmon and bull trout could serve as a way to drum up extra funds.

Federal agencies such as the Bonneville Power Administration spend millions each year on protection efforts, and Decker said invasive mussels could jeopardize those projects.

“I don’t understand why they wouldn’t see a connection,” Decker said.

Accessing those “pots of money,” however, will take some political wrangling.

“We’ll need to dig a little deeper,” Decker said.

In addition to federal agencies, Miske said the basin commission is also looking forward to working with tribal government, which has shown a commitment to the issue in the past.

Rich Janssen, head of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Natural Resources Department, said the tribe helps sponsor a watercraft inspection station in Pablo during the boating season.

While the issue of aquatic invasive species has always been on the radar, Janssen said the confirmed presence in Montana takes the priority up a notch.

“Everybody is on notice right now,” he said.