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ABOUT US
Nonindigenous aquatic species are causing significant
economic and ecological problems throughout North America. Zebra mussels, Asiatic clams, Atlantic salt marsh cordgrass, purple loosestrife, and other invasive species threaten western waters. A 1996
report by The Nature Conservancy emphasizes that invasive, non-native species are one of the leading threats to the ecological integrity of our nation's
forests, grasslands, and waterways. Examples of problems that are caused by nonindigenous species in fresh and marine waters include:
Recognizing the importance of a rapid and a coordinated response to the threat of nuisance exotics to western aquatic ecosytems and water delivery systems, representatives from State, Provincial, and Federal agencies and Private water interests met at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon in July 1997 to attend the first organizational meeting of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species.
Statutory Goals
The WRP is to be comprised of western region representatives from Federal, State, and local agencies and from private environmental and commercial interests. The purposes of the WRP are to:
Scope
The WRP encompasses an extensive geographic range, all states and provinces west of the l00th Meridian as well as Guam, Hawaii and Alaska. The goal of the WRP is to protect limited western aquatic resources by preventing the introduction and spread of exotic nuisance species into western marine and freshwater systems though the coordinated management and research activities of state, tribal, federal, commercial, environmental, research entities and other regional panels.
The Western Region has the opportunity to protect its financial and ecological resources from invasive nuisance species. A rapid, coordinated response on the part of affected public and private entities from North Dakota to Guam and Alaska to Texas will ensure that the introduction, spread and impacts of aquatic nuisance species are limited. To facilitate this coordinated response, a provision calling for the formation of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (WRP) was included in the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (P.L. 101-636) which amended the 1990 Act.
The Central Arizona Project estimates that an infestation by zebra mussels will increase its
operation and maintenance costs $4 to $5 million annually. This does not reflect cost to farmers, other customers and water treatment plants nor the financial and environmental effects of the additional
use of ground water that will occur to avoid impacts. Major Great Lakes water users spend $30 million annually to monitor and control zebra mussels.
The Japanese oyster drill has decreased aquaculture profits 55 percent, increased production costs 17 percent, and causes 25 percent mortality in out planted seed oysters.
The invasion of the Asian clam has altered the food web in San Francisco Bay by depleting phytoplankton stocks to the detriment of important salmon and striped bass fisheries.
Identify Western Region priorities for responding to aquatic nuisance species;
Make recommendations to the Task Force regarding an education, monitoring (including inspection), prevention, and control program to
prevent the spread of the zebra mussel west of the l00th Meridian;
Coordinate, where possible, other aquatic nuisance species program activities in the West not conducted pursuant to the Act;
Develop an emergency response strategy for Federal, State, and local entities for stemming new invasions of aquatic nuisance species in the region;
Provide advice to public and private individuals and entities concerning methods of preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species
infestations; and
Submit an annual report to the Task Force describing activities within the western region related to aquatic nuisance species prevention,
research and control.
