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Nebraska Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan
October 13, 2010
Under direction of the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and the Nebraska Invasive Species Council, the Nebraska Aquatic Nuisance Species Planning Committee would like to announce the development an Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan for the State of Nebraska. The plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and was submitted by Governer Heineman to the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. It was approved in November.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are non-indigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters. ANS include non-indigenous species that may occur in inland, estuarine and marine waters and that presently or potentially threaten ecological processes and natural resources. In addition to adversely affecting activities dependant on waters of the United States, ANS adversely affect individuals, including health effects.
In Nebraska, the USGS has identified over 100 non-indigenous aquatic species representing plant, animal, and microbe groups (http://nas.er.usgs.gov). Although some non-indigenous species present no threat to the economy or environment, several of the species listed have already become major problems in neighboring states, costing millions of dollars in damages and repairs. One of the most important non-indigenous species is Zebra Mussel. Spread of this species generally occurs through transport of boating equipment from one body of water to another. Zebra Mussels have recently been found in Kansas and Colorado, and Nebraska experienced its own infestation in Offutt Lake, Offutt Air Force Base in 2006. Most recently, zebra mussels were identified in a Nebraska public lake, Zorinsky Lake in Omaha.
Given the tremendous impacts that ANS can have on aquatic communities, concerned individuals representing various agencies have formed an Aquatic Nuisance Species Planning Committee to develop an Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan for Nebraska.
Nebraska was one of the few states remaining to develop an Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan (see map). This plan will increase communication and collaboration among state and federal agencies, develop tools to educate and inform the public about aquatic nuisance species and in turn, help us to protect Nebraska’s economy and environment.
ANS Task Force Website The national Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species, and implementing the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. The various NANPCA mandates were expanded later with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996. The Task Force consists of 13 Federal agency representatives and 12 Ex-officio members, and is co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Task force coordinates governmental efforts dealing with ANS in the U.S. with those of the private sector and other North American interests via regional panels and issue specific committees and work groups.
Non-indigenous aquatic species impact biological and economic resources and can also impact human health. Non-indigenous species disturb native species through predation or displacement, clog intake pipes for municipal and industrial water supplies and can pose serious human health risks. Great Lakes water users spend tens of millions of dollars on zebra mussel control every year. Affected municipalities and industries, using large volumes of Great Lakes water, expend approximately $360,000 per year on zebra mussel control; small municipalities average $20,000. Nuclear power plants average an additional $825,000 of additional costs per year for zebra mussel control. As the zebra mussel spreads to inland lakes and rivers across North America, such as the Mississippi River Basin and Lake Champlain, so do the costs to water users. Other invading species of fish (such as the sea lamprey, ruffe and round goby) can harm native fish. Reductions in native fish populations (such as lake trout, walleye, yellow perch and catfish) threaten a sport and commercial fishing industry that is valued at almost $4.5 billion annually and supports 81,000 jobs. |
Download Plan Here
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The Nebraska ANS Plan was submitted by Governor's office and approved by National ANS Task Force on November 4, 2010 . Please click below to view the final version:
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Zebra Mussels can cause significant damage to boats, public power and water pipes, and can disrupt ecosystems. Photo: Karie Decker
Asian Carp pose considerable hazards to boaters, mainly due to Silver Carp jumping into moving boats. This can cause human injury and property damage, comparable to being hit with a bowling ball. Bait bucket transfer can move these fish around dams and into reservoirs, causing serious deleterious impacts on fisheries and recreational boating. Silver and Bighead Carp are in direct competition with native fishes for food and space, and may prey on the larvae of native fishes.
Eurasian water milfoil is an aggressive weed that is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Eurasian water milfoil is a highly invasive and aggressive species that colonizes reservoirs, lakes, ponds, streams and small rivers. Photo: anstaskforce.gov |
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