The funds will enhance montana fish wildlife and parks ability to protect montana waters by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into and throughout the state and continuing to…

This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Grant award under the Fish and Aquatic Conservation - Aquatic Invasive Species (CFDA 15.608) program will provide $124,092 to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Division to enhance the state's ability to protect its waters by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Specific activities to be performed include: 1) maintaining AIS lab operations through supplies, materials, workspace and expanded seasonal technician work; 2) contracting with outside labs to process environmental DNA samples and serve as backup microscopy sample processing; 3) improving voucher collection and storage; 4) improving the agency's dive team; and 5) controlling and eradicating AIS through delineation surveys, pesticide application, bottom barriers, and habitat manipulations. The expected outcomes include increased partnerships and efficacy, reduced AIS spread, maintained or increased early detection efforts, incorporation of new detection methods, and overall reduction or eradication of AIS populations in Montana. The award period is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.

The funds will enhance montana fish wildlife and parks ability to protect montana waters by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into and throughout the state and continuing to detect monitor and eradicate AIS. Activities performed will help to maintain and improve monitoring early detection and lab sample processing in montana. Specific activities to be performed include 1 maintain AIS lab operation through supplies materials work spaces and expansion of seasonal technician work season 2 contract with outside labs to process environmental DNA samples and serve as backup to microscopy sample processing 3 improve voucher collection and storage 4 improve fish wildlife and parks (FWP) dive team and 5 control and eradicate AIS in the state where feasible through efforts including delineation surveys pesticide costs bottom barriers and habitat manipulations. The expected outcomes include increases in partnerships and efficacy reduce spread of AIS maintain or increase early detection effort incorporate new early detection methods and have an overall reduction of AIS populations or eradication of new invaders.