C.8. WESTERN REGION AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES ACTION PLAN 
C.8.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN REGION’S PLAN 
The Western Region Aquatic Nuisance Species Action Plan is based on discussions and 
findings from the ANS Regulations and Enforcement Workshop, held in 2004 in Sun Valley, 
Idaho (available at http://www.protectvourwaters.net/ansreport/WestActionPlan.t>df ). The 
Enforcement Workshop was coordinated by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife 
Agencies. The resulting Action Plan identifies nine priority issues that address (1) funding ANS 
management programs; (2) training enforcement officers on species identification; (3) 
identifying entities to promote ANS policies; (4) developing screening and risk assessment tools; 
(5) developing mechanisms to track and control internet sales; (6) developing rapid response 
capabilities; (7) identifying a regional structure to address ANS; (8) developing ANS lists; and 
(9) communicating about ANS laws. Each of these priority issues is accompanied by a list of 
actions items. 
C.8.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE WESTERN REGION 
In the western states, climate change models project air temperature increases of 3 to 4°F 
(1.6 to 2.2°C) by the 2030s and 8 to 11°F (4.4 to 6.1°C) by the 2090s (Parson et al., 2001). In 
California annual temperatures may increase by 4 to 10°F (2.3 to 5.8°C) between 2070 and 2090 
(Hayhoe et al., 2006). Climate change models also project an increase in winter precipitation 
and a decrease in summer precipitation, with an annual average precipitation increase from 10 to 
30% (Parson et al., 2001), although California modeling predicts an annual decrease in 
precipitation (Hayhoe et al., 2006). These precipitation changes will lead to earlier melting of 
snow pack, increased flooding in rain-fed rivers, and summer water shortages. Climate change 
models also project more extreme wet and dry years (Parson et al., 2001). Along the coast rising 
sea levels threaten coastal wetlands and the species they support. 
Climate change may also facilitate the spread and establishment of aquatic invasive 
species in the west. For example, water hyacinth in Washington is thought to be limited in its 
ability to become established because of the state’s cold winters (Washington Department of 
Fish and Wildlife, 2001). As increasing temperatures warm water bodies in the region, the 
waters of Washington may be more suitable to water hyacinth, allowing the plant to become 
widely established. 
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