[OSMB-News] News Release -Pressure Washers Aid in Rapid Response for Boats Contaminated by Aquatic Invasive Species

[Ashley MASSEY]

For Immediate Release	Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Pressure Washers Aid in Rapid Response for Boats Contaminated by Aquatic Invasive Species

	
Oregon's waterways are relatively pristine and the Oregon State Marine Board, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Port of Portland, U.S. Forest Service and marine law enforcement agencies want to keep them that way.  The Oregon State Marine Board recently coordinated a partnership to purchase four hot water pressure washers, mount them on trailers, train operators and locate them in key areas for mobilization if a trailered boat comes into Oregon from a state contaminated by zebra or quagga mussels.       

The Marine Board, Port of Portland and the PSMFC contributed funds to purchase four hot water pressure washers with the U.S. forest Service purchasing trailers and tanks. Each unit costs close to $7,000.  Each hot-water pressure washer is mounted on a trailer, equipped with a water tank and other equipment, so the unit is completely mobile.  
In 2007 and 2008, two boats came through Oregon visibly contaminated with quagga mussels.  At the same time, Oregon law enforcement did not have the protocols or equipment to stop and decontaminate boats from contaminated waters, so the Oregon State Police escorted the boats to Washington State, where they were stopped and cleaned.   Washington had cleaning equipment and response protocols already in place to address contaminated boats.  

To address Oregon's deficit, the Oregon State Marine Board coordinated development of enforcement protocols with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State Police. These protocols describe the process to inspect, detain and decontaminate an infested watercraft.  The Marine Board, in cooperation with ODFW and Portland State University, has trained over 300 people (biologists, law enforcement, camp ground hosts, etc.) in recognizing and responding to contaminated boats.  "Oregon doesn't have border inspection stations like California, so we rely on these trained individuals to report infested boats," said Randy Henry, Operations Policy Analyst for the Marine Board. "There's still a lot of work left to do, but having trained people and cleaning capabilities are a good start." 

The units are stationed in Douglas County near I-5,  Diamond Lake, Deschutes County near highway 97 and in Salem near Hwy 22.  Units will also be used for outreach and education in addition to rapid response.  Henry adds, "The pressure washers will be available for mobilization if an infestation is discovered.  With trained individuals around the state and concerned citizens using the invasive species hotline (1-866-INVADER), hopefully we can intercept any contaminated boats and get them cleaned.  Hot pressure washers are really the cleanest, fastest method for decontaminating a boat."

Oregon's waterways are critical for agriculture, recreation and our economy, notes Henry.  "Quagga and zebra mussels and other invasive species are serious risks to all of these.  We have to take steps to prevent our waterways from being contaminated by these destructive species. Purchasing these washers happened because the Port of Portland and PSMFC recognize the problem.  Douglas county marine patrol also helped assemble the trailers and washers to make them functional and portable, and the U.S. Forest Service purchased the trailers and tanks.  We owe a huge amount of thanks to these folks."  

Boaters can take direct action by making sure to wash their boats after leaving any waterway.  Some invasive species, like the quagga mussel, can live out of water for up to four weeks.  For aquatic weeds, a fragment the size of a pencil tip can survive days in a moist place and infest a new waterbody when the boat is next launched.  

For more information about aquatic invasive species and cleaning your boat, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/Clean/index.shtml.  The Marine Board also has three, short and entertaining videos on YouTube to help educate boaters about invasive species.  They can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/MarineBoard.

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Photo:  Photo courtesy of Douglas County Marine Patrol Deputy Pete Wood


Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

Boating enlivens your senses!

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