Fate of Flathead hanging in balance

In early November, state officials announced the first documented presence of zebra and quagga mussels in Montana, after positive tests at sites in the Missouri River system.

For the Flathead Basin, including the waters in and bordering the Flathead Indian Reservation, these devastating invasive species are now at our doorstep—just a few hours away for people hauling boats from Tiber Reservoir.

In coming days, the fate of Montana’s remaining non-infested waters will hang in the balance as legislators and officials finalize new laws and new regulations. What is emerging in Helena appears to be a far more robust program than what we’ve had. But, the devil is in the details. Experts point to a number of serious deficiencies that must be fixed now.

First, it is important to understand that if invasive mussels do become established here, they would ravage both the aquatic environment and the economy. Tiny, razor-sharp shells would coat and clog every hard surface—rocks, boats, pipes, docks, dams. They could ultimately cause the collapse of native fisheries, a vital cultural resource. They would wreak havoc with the recreation industry, irrigation systems, power facilities, and municipal water supply and treatment.

Once established, invasive mussels are virtually impossible to remove. The whole game is prevention.

Our situation is more dire because an urgent deadline is upon us. Starting in March, in just a couple of weeks, people begin moving large numbers of boats around the country. Therefore, by that time, a comprehensive system of protection must become operational. We can still save the Flathead, and by extension the whole Columbia River system. But the permanent fate of these priceless waters may well depend on what we do right now.

We’ve applauded Governor Bullock for establishing an Incident Command (IC) team to address the crisis in November. The administration has presented a bill to massively increase funding and establish a new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Bureau within Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Let me be clear: the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) urges legislators to vote for this important measure—even as we are gravely concerned that it is not enough, as we have expressed directly to the IC.

Since 2008, the FBC has helped lead the fight against invasive mussels. We’ve advocated for stronger perimeter defense of Montana, helped shepherd AIS bills through the legislature, and raised millions in grant funds for boat inspection stations and canine detection teams. We’ve worked closely with the Blackfeet Nation in developing one of the best AIS programs in Montana, and are also working to assist and support the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ development of a strong program. We have worked well with Lake County and received generous support from the Commissioners for our efforts. Over these past eight years, statewide efforts also improved, thanks to legislative improvements and the good work of many people. But the level of protection still didn’t meet the standard many experts deem necessary.

Today, as Montana develops its new AIS program, four strategies are of greatest importance—and all must be in place by next month:

1. Vigorous perimeter defense of Montana.

2. Comprehensive containment and decontamination of boats coming off the Missouri.

3. A Continental Divide firewall, ensuring inspection of all boats heading west from the infested Missouri.

4. A Flathead Basin pilot program of inspection-prior-to-launch.

State agencies will carry out some elements of the first three items. Actual effectiveness, however, will be determined by funding, how early the operations are running, quality of planning, and thoroughness and vigor of implementation. Containment and decontamination of watercraft coming off the Missouri, for example, must employ gating to control where people can launch or take out.

In addition, the experience of other states proves that multiple layers of protection are essential. The FBC therefore wants to undertake the fourth item: a Flathead pilot program requiring all watercraft to be inspected prior to launch, carried out by the FBC and the CSKT. This system would help ensure that boats that may have slipped through perimeter defenses will be intercepted prior to entering Flathead waters.

The bottom line is this. We have gotten by on blind luck for far too long. Until a comprehensive system is in place, we urge state, tribal and other authorities to close or severely restrict Flathead waters. That may sound draconian. But at this point, anything less would be reckless and irresponsible.

The FBC will continue doing whatever we can to help protect the Flathead, both through our own programs and by coordinating with and respectfully assisting other entities, including Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County, the Blackfeet Nation, Glacier National Park, and other governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.

Future generations may look back on late February 2017 as a critical moment in our history. We urge you to raise your voice in support of the steps we’ve outlined here. For the Flathead, the time is now—in a way that it never has been before.

– Thompson Smith serves as Chair of the Flathead Basin Commission.