A.27. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN MONTANA 
A.27.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Montana’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan was published in 2002 
(see Appendix B, State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Summaries for a general 
description of the Plan). 
A.27.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Montana ANS Program, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The 
primary goal of the Montana ANS Program is collaboration and coordination with other 
agencies and other states. The Program consists of five key areas: coordination, 
education, prevention and control, monitoring, and rapid response. Within the program 
areas, various activities are being implemented: 
o Education. The program conducts education in schools, colleges, and universities, 
with specialized groups such as Trout Unlimited, and through fishing tournaments, 
radio stations, and boat launches. The Program also has an education program for 
professionals. For example, firefighters are targeted because much of Montana’s fire 
equipment is brought in from other states, which subsequently spreads ANS. 
o Prevention and Control. The program operates a boat inspection program. This 
began in 2004, by targeting fishing tournaments on high use waters. In 2005, efforts 
expanded state-wide, with inspections at more high-use water areas and times. 
Officials set up angler check stations at major tournaments and water bodies, where 
anglers must fill out a questionnaire about where they are launching their boats. 
Cleaning equipment is available to remove debris and sediment, if necessary, before 
launching. The program also checks for live bait from outside the state and has a 
hatchery inspection program. 
o Monitoring. The monitoring program has inspected all major water bodies for 
invasive invertebrates and plants. Additionally, a whirling disease distribution study 
has been underway for several years. Officials also test fish for diseases and map 
their spread. There is also an ongoing distribution study of New Zealand Mud Snails, 
with plans to test all fishing access sites. The resulting information is entered into a 
national Internet database. 
o Rapid Response. Montana officials have a rapid response plan in place for zebra 
mussels upon detection, with different plans based on general scenarios. They are 
also mapping national statistics to identify and monitor the most likely areas where 
mussels might be introduced. 
A.27.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
(None reported.) 
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