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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Invasive mussels problem prompts emergency declaration

Eric Anderson shows an Idaho license plate that was immersed in Lake Mead for nine months and became encrusted with invasive mussels. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock has declared a natural resource emergency after aquatic invasive mussels were detected in Montana waters for the first time.

The Independent Record reported that a rapid response team will be developed in response to Bullock’s executive order Wednesday. The team is comprised of three agencies — the Montana Invasive Species Advisory Council, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Bullock says the group will work to identify and contain mussel populations and prevent the introduction of the invasive species in other waterways.

Officials confirmed the presence of aquatic invasive mussel larva in the Tiber Reservoir on Nov. 9. Additional testing is ongoing to determine whether the mussels are in the Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Milk River and Missouri River.