U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has called for expedited federal efforts to combat the spread of invasive mussel larvae that could have a devastating impact on Montana’s ecosystem and economy.
Mussel larvae were recently detected for the first time in Montana’s Tiber Reservoir.
An infestation of invasive freshwater mussels can wreak havoc on water infrastructure by blocking water intake for hydropower plants and agricultural irrigation, and affecting municipal water supply.
Adult mussels can also harm a state’s recreation and tourism industry by damaging boats and other aquatic recreational equipment. If not contained, mussels can hurt native species of aquatic life and disrupt the ecological balance in a body of water.
In a letter to Army Corps of Engineers Maj. Gen. Donald Jackson Jr., Daines urged the Corps to quickly release critical funds to support efforts in Montana to combat the spread of invasive mussels.
Daines noted that the Water Resources Reform and Development Act requires that the non-federal share of watercraft inspection station construction, operation and maintenance costs be 50 percent.
“The state of Montana has already spent nearly $1 million on operating 16 inspection stations this year,” Daines wrote. “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 1, 2017, before next year’s water recreation season begins and Montana sees an exponential increase in boat traffic and risk.”