AGENCIES OPEN NO-COST AIS REMOVAL STATIONS
LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Department of Wildlife and the National Park Service have teamed up to provide boaters with a lakeside option for removing aquatic invasive species, such as quagga mussels from their vessels. This no-cost service includes both a vessel inspection and a hot-water wash, and is made possible by financial grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Funding from those grants enabled the Park Service to install three stationary AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) removal stations within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and NDOW to provide the personnel to staff them. These wash/cleaning stations can be found at the Hemenway launch ramp and Callville Bay Marina at Lake Mead, and Cottonwood Cove at Lake Mohave. In addition, the two agencies each have a portable unit that can be used where needed.
To mark the official grand opening of the AIS removal stations, representatives from NDOW, the Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Hemenway station. NDOW Director Tony Wasley and Lake Mead Superintendant William “Bill" Dickinson are expected to attend.
Quagga mussels were first discovered at Lake Mead in Jan. 2007. Since then their presence has been confirmed throughout the Lower Colorado River System and in other waters. Since eradication of the invasive species is not possible at this point, it is important that boaters and other recreationists take steps to prevent the spread of quagga mussels between waterways. The same is true for other invasive species such as water milfoil.
“Quagga mussels can and have caused extensive damage to water intake systems as well as boats used for recreation and industry wherever the mussels are found. The most important thing we each can do is take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of quagga mussels between waterways," said Karen Vargas, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for NDOW. “Boaters need to clean, drain and dry their boats. These AIS removal stations will provide a place for them to do just that, and best of all it is free."
During the summer boating season both the Hemenway and Callville Bay removal stations will be open seven days each week while the Cottonwood Cove station will be open only Wednesday through Sunday.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
