Reclamation Zebra and Quagga Mussel Research Program
The presence of quagga and zebra mussels in the western United States waters is the top priority for Reclamation's Science and Technology Program. The program is directing research and development to detect and control invasive mussels throughout Reclamation.
The primary function of the Program is to inform Reclamation management on best practices for the most effective and efficient response given unique facilities requirements while at the same time developing, evaluating, and demonstrating effective technologies in a field setting.
The primary research priorities identified thus far are:
- Improvements in reliability of early detection and monitoring methods
- Field demonstration and evaluation of conventional and promising new control technologies
- Identification and development of effective long-term biological and engineering solutions
- Distribution and sharing of information on best practices for dealing with infestations
Reclamation’s Zebra and Quagga Mussel Research Program includes coordinated research activities to demonstrate effective monitoring and control solutions that can be applied across Reclamation. Success will involve close coordination and cooperation between Reclamation project managers and researchers, private industry, managing partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies.
The establishment of multi-agency cooperation and industry partnerships is an important outcome of this process in ensuring that we do not reinvent what is already available. Reclamation seeks to take advantage of opportunities to evaluate and enhance technologies through well planned and coordinated demonstration projects that will help meet Reclamation’s requirements.
Reclamation had developed a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as our managing partners to advance applicability of various available technologies. A significant component of Reclamation’s recent efforts have focused on furthering to define research needs, establish priorities, and identify demonstration-ready technologies while enabling well-developed plans for this year.
The guiding document (Zebra and Quagga Mussel Research Program Management Plan) is being developed and will be available shortly.
Last Updated: March 9, 2009
Last updated: 3/9/09