Invasive Species Prevention The Goal

1. Invasive Species PreventionThe Goal To reduce, minimize, or eliminate the potential for introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of invasive species across all landscapes and ownerships.

2. Pest Exclusion is the Key • First step is prevention • Every dollar spent on prevention saves $34 • in control or eradication costs1 • Avoids habitat destruction and native species loss

3. Management Costs • Estimate $120 billion/year in invasive species • damages in U.S. • Alaska spends ~$5.8 million/year

4. Field Research = Pathway of Invasion Invasive aquatic Canadian waterweed, Elodea sp, wrapped around propeller of boat motor Photo credit: U.S. FWS Kenai Refuge. Mud encrusted on a shoe sole Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo. Be Vigilant- Preventing Invasive Species Spread Can Happen by YOU!

5. Invasive Species Management Process • Education & vigilance to prevent new introductions • Early detection of new infestations • Eradication (100% removal), where feasible • Control (sustained management) when eradication not possible • Regulation to prohibit importation of nuisance species to Alaska YOU!

6. Prevention Practices: Pre-activity • Planning- identify activities that are potential vectors • Integrate- equipment and inspection into planning • Determine cleaning needs for gear, vehicles, boots, etc • Incorporate into project plans & budgets • Identify locations for cleaning • Seek- basic information about study area from AKEPIC database http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/maps/akepic/

7. Prevention Practices: Pre-activity • Conduct site assessment • Determine invasive species locations • Use EDRR if not widespread • Mark & avoid disturbing • Plan travel- consider sequence of operations - Travel from uninfested → infested areas - Work from least → most invaded areas or upstream → downstream

8. Prevention Practices: Pre-activity • Inspect- tools, equipment, vehicles, clothing, boots, and gear BEFORE entering worksite • Ensure invasive-free • Wear- clothing/shoes that do not • retain materials - Suggested fabrics: • Canvas, nylon, leather, specialty fabrics • Kevlar®1 and Ripstop Nomex®2

9. Prevention Practices: During Activity • Minimize contact • Avoid walking, driving, or sampling through weed patches • In water, minimize wading/disturbing invaded areas • Clean gear • If traveling >1 site per day: inspect and clean gear • If cleaning not possible, bring back-up or dedicate gear to specific areas

10. Prevention Practices: Post-activity If drying is not possible (i.e. equipment is not smooth or easily wiped dry) OR aquatic equipment has been in the water for > 1 day: DECONTAMINATE

11. Prevention Practices: Post-activity • Inspect and clean all equipment, vehicles, and gear: • Remove any visible soil, vegetation, vertebrates, invertebrates, aquatic plants, algae or sediment. Separate all pieces of gear while cleaning. • If necessary, use a scrub brush and rinse with clean water. • Drain all water in bilge pumps, buckets, coolers, or other equipment and wring gear before leaving the site. • Do BEFORE leaving the sampling site or at an interim site. • If cleaning after leaving the sampling site, ensure that no debris will leave the equipment and potentially spread invasive species during transit or cleaning.

12. Prevention Practices: Post-activity • Dry completely all items for at least five days. • Smooth surfaced items– wipe until dry. Make sure there are no cracks or crevices that could harbor sand-grain-sized particles. • If drying gear completely in not possible-decontaminate! • Decontaminate items that cannot be completely wiped dry or that has been in the water for > 1day. • Ensure wash water does not drain to surface water. • Freeze gear until solid; • Wash gear in 140°F hot water scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush; • If drying, freezing or heating is not feasible, use a 2% bleach solution.

13. BMPs for vehicles/ATVs • Inspectand clean offvisible visible seeds, plants, animals, and mud from vehicle, ATV, or other large equipment before leaving worksite. • Scrub, brush, high pressure wash, or use air compressor to remove embedded debris or material. Pay particular attention to undercarriage, behind bumpers, wheel wheels, and grill. • Remove gear as needed (e.g. floor mats, behind seats, under seats and door casings) to provide access to all areas for effective cleaning. • Completely dryand re-inspect before visiting a worksite to ensure free of any foreign materials. • .

14. BMPs for boats/trailers • Inspectand clean offvisible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from boat, motor, trailer, and equipment before leaving water access. • Remove gear as needed (e.g. deck mat, dip nets, net anchors, boat anchor and line, ropes) to provide access to all areas of the boat to allow for effective cleaning. • Rinseboat, trailer, and equipment.

15. BMPs for Floatplanes Before entering aircraft: • Remove visible plants and pump water from pontoons At water take-off: • Avoid taxiing through aquatic plants. • Raise and lower water rudders several times to clear off plants. After water take-off: • Raise and lower rudders several times to dislodge aquatic plant fragments while flying over the waters you left or over land. • If aquatic plants remain visible on the aircraft, return to the same water body and clean them off.

16. BMPs for boots/gear • Inspectandclean offplants, animals, and mud from personal items including clothing, waders, footwear, ropes, backpacks, and field gear before leaving worksite. • Separate all gear for effective cleaning. • Scrubany visible material on footwear and tread with a stiff brush or other tool. • Drain all water from bilges, coolers, samplers, etc. • Completely dry all equipment between field sites (5 days) • Dedicate gear for use only at infested site

17. Plan your prevention kit • Clean water supply (free of mud and debris) • Scrub brushes, bucket and/or boot brushes • Hand tools for removing debris from treads • Flash light for inspecting • Bags for plant material and disposal • Hose adapters for flushing outboard boat motors • Tub for soaking and/or containing cleaned fishing net. • If decontamination is required: • Pressure washer • Thermometer to monitor temperature of treatment • Bleach solution if chemical treatment is the decontamination method

18. Report invasives • Avoid disturbing the areas • Note the location • GPS coordinates or mark on a map • Take photos and specimen • Take entire plant in zip lock bag • Store in a cool place, or press plant in book or waxed paper • Report to ADF&G invasive species hotline: 1-877-INVASIV (468-2748) dfg.dsf.InvasiveSpecies@alaska.gov