A.48. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN 
WASHINGTON 
A.48.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Washington’s Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan was published in 
October 2001 (see Appendix B, State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Summaries for 
a general description of the Plan). 
A.48.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Aquatic Weeds Program, Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). The 
Department provides education, technical assistance, and financial assistance to 
governments and local lake groups to help them manage the problems caused by invasive 
non-native freshwater plants. The Department offers grants as “seed” money to initiate 
freshwater invasive plant species eradication and control projects. Several eradication 
and control strategies are used, including: hand pulling and bottom barrier installation, 
aquatic herbicide treatment (2,4-D, fluridone, triclopyr, imazapyr, glyphosate, endothall, 
diquat), triploid grass carp, diver dredging, harvesting, rotovation, and water level 
drawdown. Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), Brazilian elodea, hydrilla, fragrant water lily, 
yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife, and many other state-listed noxious weeds are eligible 
for grant-funded projects. As a result of this program, EWM has been eradicated from 
seven water bodies and many lake groups are keeping milfoil at such low populations that 
it no longer is posing a threat to recreation and the environment. Ecology is also funding 
research into the impacts of aquatic herbicides on salmonids (University of Washington), 
conducting research on “test” lakes after herbicide treatment, and has an ongoing project 
on biocontrol for EWM (weevils). 
• Prevention Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The 
Program focuses on prevention activities for (1) ballast water, (2) recreational watercraft, 
and (3) aquatic plant and animal suppliers. The Recreational Watercraft Program 
(Bill 5679) puts a fee on recreational boats. The Aquatic Plant and Animal Suppliers 
Program classifies species into three categories: Prohibited, Regulated, and Unregulated. 
Activities include sending enforcement officers to inspect pet stores and issue tickets to 
regulate the release of invasive species and regulating the importation of prohibited 
species. Washington has list of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that cannot be sold. 
• Control programs, WDFW. This program focuses on controlling and eradicating 
invasive tunicates found in several locations around Puget Sound. 
• Early Detection and Rapid Response Program (EDRR), WDFW. An EDRR Plan has 
been developed by the ANS Committee. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is 
currently being drafted between all the natural resource agencies in the state that will be 
implementing the program. In the case of new species introduction, the MOA will 
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