Washington-bound boat carrying invasive mussels stopped in Montana

Montana officials found invasive zebra mussels clinging to a boat headed toward Washington Friday.

The boat was stopped, and Washington officials were notified, said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Eric Anderson.

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“We want to keep these things out of our waters,” Anderson said. “If they get in I hate to say it there is not a whole lot you can do once they get in other than hemorrhage money.”

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the stop is an example of the defensive net Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington officials are erecting in hopes of keeping aquatic invasive species at bay. And, it highlights the precarious nature of the fight against aquatic invasive species.

Wyoming, Washington, Oregon and Idaho are the only states in the West still free of invasive quagga and zebra mussels, which can cause massive damage to waterways, fisheries, irrigation facilities and more.


http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/apr/23/close-call-washington-bound-boat-carrying-invasive/