Oregonians are getting serious about invasive species, according to a story in yesterday’s Oregonian about state efforts to fend off the arrival and proliferation of zebra mussels and other non-native plants and animals.

The newspaper reports that the state Marine Board is focusing its efforts this summer on recreational boaters at popular places like Detroit Lake, where a new Clean Boater program is giving a free clean boating kit to any registered boat owners who fill out an environmental questionnaire and pledge. Several invasive species, including the voracious and fast-spreading zebra mussel, can be spread by boats being transported from infested waters to new locations.

The article cites a Sea Grant report released earlier this year, The Economics of Invasive Species, which found that cleaning and maintenance costs should zebra mussels find their way into the Columbia River hydropower dams could read $25.5 million a year, not including lost power-generation revenue.

Sea Grant offers free downloads of recent publications on invasive species, including:

• The Economics of Invasive Species – [.pdf][HTML]
• You Can Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invaders (teacher information brochure) – [.pdf] [HTML]

These and other titles are also available for purchase from our secure on-line store.

Read more about Sea Grant’s efforts to educate Oregonians about aquatic invaders.