AN ABSTRACT OF THE PROJECT REPORT OF Kurt Schultz for the degree of Master of Science in Marine Resource Management presented on March 15, 2006. A Survey of Aquatic Nonindigenous Species (ANS) in the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers and an Investigation into Pathways of Introduction. Noimative invasive species pose a growing threat to living aquatic resources in the United States. Shippingparticularly use of ballast water represents a major pathway of introduction for these species and in 1996, Congress established a program of baseline surveys to measure the effectiveness of ballast water management. This report describes a three part project: a literature survey conducted to help identify native and non-native species present in the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers; an investigation of ship and barge ballasting practices on the rivers; and an evaluation of whether baseline surveys are appropriate measures of successful ballast water control. The first part of the project entailed a comprehensive literature review for the Middle ColumbialLower Snake Rivers Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Survey (MCRANS) which will be used to help establish a baseline for the presence of both native and non-native species in the main stems of the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers, and to assist in the development of a field sampling plan to monitor for potential introductions of nonindigenous species to these waters. Technical project reports, collection records, databases, and "gray literature" from various federal, state, and local agencies, academic institutions, and industries were researched to compile the lists of species present in the system. A listing of 781 organisms was tabulated from these resources, of which approximately 377 distinct organisms were identified to at least genus level, and of these 377, 44 were identified as nonnative to the system. During the MCRANS literature review, several papers were discovered in which appearances or discoveries of new species in various stretches of the rivers were attributed to introductions via ballast waters from tug and barge traffic. The second part of this project entailed an investigation of ballasting procedures by commercial tug and barge companies, governmental shipping contractors, and commercial cruise line companies. However, interviews revealed that river tugs and barges do not routinely take on or discharge ballast waters during shipping operations as was widely believed outside of the shipping industry. The one exception involves Navy barges which carry spent nuclear reactors (and possibly ballast water) from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard up the Columbia River to the Port of Benton, in Richland Washington, where they undertake limited ballasting operations while unloading their cargo. Review of other baseline surveys revealed ambiguities that make pathway assignments for ANS difficult, including inconsistent methods and terminology used for monitoring, sampling and identification, uneven temporal and spatial distribution of surveys, and apparent spikes in vectors that may simply reflect increases in strengths of sampling efforts. ly, this project resulted in the recognition that creation of a group or focused on ANS issues in the Columbia River basin, is needed to gional coordination and collaboration for ANS monitoring and nd for management of ANS pathways related to Columbia River shipping activities. © Copywright by Kurt Schultz March 15, 2006 All Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many here at OSU who have played an important role in my graduate education. I would especially like to thank my major advisor Paul Heimowitz for the wealth of knowledge regarding invasive species he has imparted to me. I would also like to thank my other committee members, Jim Good and Michael Harte, for their contribution to my knowledge of matters in the area of Marine Resource Management and for their guidance in shaping my project. I would like to thank the College of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences staff, including Irma Delson, Joy Burke, Laurie Jodice, Ken Hall, Bob Duncan, Lori Hartline, and Robert Allan for their guidance in helping me navigate through graduate school at OSU, and I would like to thank Robyn Draheim and Mark Sytsma at the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University for the opportunity and funding to work on the first part of this project. Thanks also go to Steve Parker and Brett Weidoff of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Tim Cowles of OSU for providing emergency summer employment when my funding fell through, in positions that increased my knowledge of marine fisheries management and biological oceanography. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and Keni for the love and support that helped make this part of my life possible. Thank you all. Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction.! Nonindigenous Species ......................................................... 1 Introductions and successful establishments of ANS ....................... 4 Chapter 2. Objectives ................................................................ 6 1). Carry out a literature search to identifj all nonnative aquatic species documented in the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers to support a baseline Survey by Portland State University ................. 6 2). Investigate tug and barge ballasting operations on the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers ........................................ 8 3). Evaluate the ability to use baseline ANS surveys as a measure of effectiveness of managing ballast water (or other ANS pathways). ...9 Chapter 3. Background .............................................................. 10 Effects of Aquatic Invasive Species .......................................... 10 Effects and Potential Risks of Aquatic Nonindigenous Species in the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers .................................. 11 BallastWater......................................................................18 Ballast Water Exchange.........................................................20 International Ballast Water Management Regulations......................24 United States Ballast Water Management Regulations ..................... 26 West Coast (U.S.) Ballast Water Management Regulations ................ 29 Chapter 4. Methods..................................................................31 1. Literature search for the Middle Columbia/Lower Snake Rivers Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Survey (MCRANS)....................31 2. Investigation of Ballasting Operations on the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers..........................................................35 3. Evaluation of Pathway and Vector Assignments ......................... 37 Chapter 5. Results and Discussion ................................................. 38 1. Results of Literature Search and MCRANS Baseline Data ............. 38 MCRANS System Description ....................................... 38 Summary of Past Biological Surveys ................................ 40 2. Investigation of Commercial River Traffic and Ballasting Operations ..................................................................... 47 lJpriver Cargo Movements............................................50 Downriver Cargo Movements........................................51 Investigation of Ballasting Records and Regulations .............. 52 3. Evaluation of Pathway Assignments ....................................... 63 Introductions to the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers....................................................................70 Determination of Timing of Introductions ......................... 72 Clarity of ANS Status.................................................74 Vectors and Pathways ................................................. 75 Changes in Recipient Regions: Dams, Flow Regimes, and Habitat Changes........................................................79 Disturbances and Invasions..........................................79 Stochastic Inoculation Events and Propagule Supply Hypotheses .............................................................. 84 Dispersal Vector Changes: Increased Inoculation Frequencies due to Increased Barge (and other vessel) Traffic.................86 Chapter 6. Conclusions.............................................................88 1. General Conclusions.........................................................88 Distribution of ANS in the Middle Columbia and Lower SnakeRivers............................................................88 Transport of ANS Related to Tug and Barge Ballasting Operations...............................................................89 Use of Baseline Surveys to Evaluate and Assign Introduction Pathways................................................................90 2. Management Implications of ANS Introductions into the Middle Columbia and Lower Snake River Systems and Recommendations for Future Management Activities ........................................ 93 3. Recommendations for Further Research .................................. 95 NOBOB Research: Navy Barges and Fish Barges ................. 96 Downstream Transport of River Water by Truck .................. 97 Cruise Ship Ballasting Investigation ................................. 97 Bilges and Live Wells of Commercial and Recreational Vessels...................................................................97 Hull Fouling Studies...................................................98