Aquatic Nuisance Species - Colorado State Parks

The State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Regulations were approved by the Parks Board on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the meeting held at the Double Tree Hotel in Westminster

Here is the copy of the approved regulations to download.

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Handbook defined ANS species as those that are waterborne, non-native organism that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of impacted waters, or threatens a commercial, agricultural, aqua cultural or recreational activity. The main sources of ANS are ballast water, aquaculture, water diversion and aquaria.

Of the many ANS species Zebra and Quagga mussels are notorious, and are likely to cause far greater damage. Acting now on containing and limiting the spread of these exotic species is the best management strategy. Towards this end, State Parks has been engaged along with other agencies, like Division of Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation and many others, in formulating a Statewide management plan.

The Role the public, especially boaters, can play in preventing and containing the spread of aquatic nuisance species can actually determine the success of any management plan. For this reason one of the many focuses has been raising awareness of the ANS. The primary means of communicating with boaters has been through brochures, mail, billboards, signs, video and web postings like this. It is important that every boat enthusiast is reached and informed about aquatic hitchhikers.

At least veligers of Zebra and Quagga mussels are present in few of the state water bodies. All boaters and other water craft recreational users should take simple, precautionary steps – every time they go to a lake, river or stream.

On the way out of a lake or other waterway, boaters should do these simple preventive measures:
• CLEAN the hull of your boat.
• DRAIN the water from the boat, live well and ballast tanks.
• DRY the boat, fishing gear, and equipment.
• INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
• REMOVE all plant and animal material.

Clean-Drain-Dry Brochure( Stop the spread of Zebra mussels )

For questions about the Parks ANS program, please contact Rob Billerbeck.

ANS Inspection and Education Handbook

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Watercraft Inspection Handbook version 12 2009 is available now for download.

Click ANS Inspection Handbook Version 12 to download.

Pueblo Zebra Mussel Response Plan

This plan was written to document the response taken by State Parks in spring of 2008 after the confirmation of zebra mussels in Lake Pueblo in January, 2008. It examines the lake and it’s environment and the protocols put in place to limit the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species both into and out of Lake Pueblo. We are providing this as a template for others in their responses, as well as to make transparent our strategy at Lake Pueblo. This plan was a collaboration between State Parks, Division of Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, and many others.

Pueblo Response Plan(PDF)

For questions on the Handbook or the Response Plan, please contact Rob Billerbeck.

Last Updated: 4/3/2009