Aquatic Nuisance Species SECOND Pocket Guide EDITION Table of Contents Introduction . 1 Prevention . 2 Laws and Regulations . 5 Take Action! . 11 Animals Mollusks . 12 Crustaceans . 16 Amphibians . 22 Fish . 28 Plants Algae . 70 Submerged . 74 Emergent . 94 Floating . 102 Riparian . 116 Pathogens . 124 Index . 130 Resources . 140 COVER PHOTOs (Clockwise from top): AMERIcaN BULLFROG BY CARL D. HOWE; EURASIAN WaTERMILFOIL BY JOSEPH DITOMASO, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS; PIRANHA BY WIKIMEDIA; QUAGGA MUSSELS BY MICHAEL PORTER, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WRITTEN BY WENDY HaNOPHY Printed on recycled paper Introduction What are Aquatic Nuisance Species? Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are invasive animals, plants, and disease-causing pathogens that are “out of place” in Colorado’s rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands . They are introduced accidentally or intentionally outside of their native range . Because they are not native to Colorado habitats, they have no natural competitors and predators . Without these checks and balances, the invaders are able to reproduce rapidly and out-compete native species . ANS have harmful effects on natural resources and our use of them . Aquatic Nuisance Species are Everyone’s Problem ANS damage Colorado’s lands and waters, hurt the economy, ruin recreation opportunities, and threaten public health . Many ANS consume enormous amounts of water and reduce the water supply for livestock, wildlife, and humans . They impede water distribution systems for municipal, industrial, and agricultural supplies . They can damage boats and fishing equipment and impair all forms of water based recreation . These species change the physical characteristics of bodies of water and alter food chains . As habitat is destroyed by invasive species, the wildlife that depends on it disappears as well . About 42 percent of the species on Introduction 1 the Federal Threatened or Endangered Species lists are at risk primarily because of invasive species . In the United States, ecological damage and control of invasive species cost $200 billion per year and these costs are increasing . Colorado’s environment draws tourists, brings business, and supports agriculture . To protect it, we must prevent ANS and quickly respond to new invaders . Prevention is the Best Defense! Everyone can help prevent the spread of ANS . To help safeguard Colorado’s precious land and waters, take these steps: Boaters and Anglers: • Clean your boat, equipment, tackle, downriggers, and lines thoroughly between bodies of water . Remove all aquatic plants, mud, and animals from hulls, propellers, intakes, and trailers and wash anything that comes into contact with water . (See http://wildlife . state .co .us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/ Pages/WatercraftCleaning .aspx) • Drain all water before leaving the water body, including wells, bait buckets, bilge, and all ballast . • Dry everything completely before launching into another body of water . • Waders should be cleaned and disinfected. Anglers who use waders should scrub the bottom of waders with a brush and remove all mud, plants, and organic materials in between each and every use and then disinfect them using one of the four options listed at http://wildlife .state .co .us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/ InvasiveSpecies/Pages/NewZealandMudsnail .aspx . 2 Aquatic Nuisance Species Pocket Guide • Bait should never be transported from one water body to another . Dispose of unused bait into a waste receptacle . Campers, Hunters, ATV Riders, Bikers, Hikers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts: • Clean and Inspect your boots, clothes, tires, trucks, trailers, bicycles, ATV’s, pets, etc . for hitchhiking seeds, weeds, or other invaders before you travel to a new area . • Don’t move plant debris or wood from one site to another or in from out of state . • Firewood should be purchased or gathered where you plan to burn it (preferably within 10 miles but not more than 50 miles) . All firewood should be burned before you leave the campsite . Landowners and Gardeners: • Plant Natives! Landscape with plants native to your area . Avoid buying and planting mixtures of seeds, especially ones labeled “wildflowers .” Some contain invasive plant species . Be careful when buying plants on the internet or by mail order . • Never Dispose of aquarium animals or water plants into local waters . Some plants and animals sold for water gardens and aquaria can be highly invasive . • Never Dispose of unwanted seeds, plants, or garden clipping in parks or natural areas . Bag plant waste and place in trash receptacles for proper disposal . Introduction 3 Pet Owners, Teachers, and Animal Enthusiasts: • Buyer Beware! Only buy from reputable dealers, whose non-native pets are properly labeled, legally imported, and not harboring foreign pests or diseases . • Don’t Turn It Loose! Do not release aquarium fish or animals of any kind into the wild . They may prey on native species or spread disease . If you no longer want your pet or classroom animal, return it to a local pet shop or give it to a shelter, hobbyist, school, nursing home, or veterinarian . • Don’t Move It! Never take animals from one habitat into another . By moving a species even from one stretch of a river to another, you may inadvertently introduce ANS, upset the balance of the ecosystem, and spread disease . Identify and Report Suspected ANS Early detection is crucial to stopping an invasive species from becoming permanently established . Use this guide to identify and report invasive species . Once aware of the presence of ANS, your local, state, and federal agencies can take action and respond to the threat . Federal, state, and local agencies have programs in place to prevent the introduction of new invasive aquatic species, control ANS when possible, and contain and manage those invasive species that are well established and widespread . Many of the species found in this guide are found on several agencies “hit lists” and are regulated by both state and federal statutes . 4 Aquatic Nuisance Species Pocket Guide Federal ANS Laws The United States has been addressing the problem of invasive, non-native species for a long time . Various federal laws regulate ANS importation, interstate transport, exclusion, control, and eradication . Only a few of these are discussed in this guide . In 1990, the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) was passed to address ANS in the United States . NANPCA provides a framework to promote and coordinate research, establish national priorities, develop and apply prevention and control strategies, educate and inform citizens, and coordinate public programs . This legislation provides federal funds to states that have ANS management plans to control, eradicate, and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species . In February 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order (EO) 13112, which requires all federal agencies to collaborate in developing a national invasive species management plan that addresses terrestrial and aquatic species . No single federal agency has control over all ANS management and for brevity, only two are represented in this guide . USFWS Injurious Wildlife Species The Lacey Act dates back to the early 1900s and is one of the oldest wildlife related laws on the books . Under the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior and the U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are authorized to regulate the importation and transport of species, including offspring and eggs, determined to be injurious to the Introduction 5 health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U .S . Wild mammals, wild birds, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles are the only organisms that can be added to the injurious wildlife list . Several ANS in this pocket guide are listed as injurious species . They may not be imported or transported between States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the U .S . by any means without a permit issued by the USFWS . USDA Noxious Weed List The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has authority under several laws to list and control noxious weeds, many of which are ANS . Most of these laws (Plant Quarantine Act of 1912, Federal Plant Pest Act of 1957, Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, Organic Act of 1944, and others) were consolidated and updated by the Plant Protection Act (PPA) of 1990 . The PPA defines a noxious weed as: “any plant or plant product that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the United States, the public health, or the environment.” 6 Aquatic Nuisance Species Pocket Guide State ANS Act As with the federal government, no centralized authority coordinates ANS management in Colorado . The Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages wildlife, vegetation, recreation, and water resources in Colorado . The agency within DNR that focuses effort on ANS management is Colorado Parks & Wildlife . The State ANS Act was passed by the General Assembly in May of 2008 and defines ANS as exotic or non-native aquatic wildlife species or any plant species that have been determined to pose a significant threat to the aquatic resources or water infrastructure of the state . It makes