Governors request decisive action, collaboration from DOI, USDA, Army Corps on aquatic invasive species

Western Governors expressed concern about the continuing risks that aquatic invasive species, including quagga and zebra (Dreissenid) mussels, pose to western waters in a letter to the Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Army Corps of Engineers Acting Assistant Secretary Taylor Ferrell. “Programs for the control and eradication of invasive species must result in more on-the-ground prevention, management, and eradication,” asserted the outreach of April 12, 2021 signed by WGA Chair Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Vice Chair Idaho Gov. Brad Little. Though the Governors were encouraged by the release of a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2020 that addressed early detection and rapid response programs to “improve data sharing and federal, state and tribal coordination, communication and collaboration,” they noted that the full implementation of these programs will require significant collaboration with, and support from the Executive Branch. And "the recent discovery of invasive mussels in commercial aquarium plant products highlights that there is more to be done to improve state and federal coordination on invasive mussel rapid response," the Governors concluded. Read, download the letter.   


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