C.5. MIDWEST REGION AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES ACTION PLAN 
C.5.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MIDWEST REGION’S PLAN 
The Midwest Region Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Action Plan is a product of the 
ANS Regulations and Enforcement Workshop, held in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 12, 
2004 (available at http://www.protectvourwaters.net/ansreport/MWActionPlan.pdf ). The goal of 
the Enforcement Workshop was to develop a regional assessment of ANS issues that can be 
addressed through increased coordination and communication among entities in the region. The 
Action Plan identifies a list of highest priority issues for immediate action, including funding, 
preventing new introductions and spread of ANS, early detection and rapid response, 
coordination, research, and public education. Each priority issue is accompanied by action items 
at the regional level and a procedure for implementation. 
C.5.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE MIDWEST REGION 
Climate models project temperatures increases of 5 tolO°F (2.8 to 5.5°C) and 
precipitation increases of 10 to 30%in the Midwest region by 2100 (Easterling and Karl, 2001). 
Increasing temperatures are expected to increase evaporation, triggering a soil moisture deficit, 
reduction in lake and river water levels, and diminished groundwater recharge. Models project 
lake level losses of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in the Great Lakes. In smaller lakes and rivers, 
increased evaporation will cause reduced flows, exacerbating water quality issues (Magnuson et 
al., 1997; Easterling and Karl, 2001). Heavy precipitation events are also expected to increase, 
washing nutrients and runoff from urban, agriculture, and construction sites into waterways 
(Magnuson et al., 1997). 
Warmer water temperatures may make waterways more vulnerable to ANS invasions; 
aquatic ecosystems in the Midwest may experience a shift from coldwater fish species such as 
trout to warmer water species such as bass and catfish (Robillard and Fox, 2006; Jacobs et al., 
2001 ). 
C.5.3. THE MIDWEST REGION PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
Table C-4 summarizes how the Midwest Region ANS Action Plan addresses and 
incorporates the projected effects of climate change. While the Action Plan does not explicitly 
address climate change, it does provide opportunity to increase attention to regional ANS issues, 
which include changing conditions. 
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