April 28, 2004

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared June 7-13, 2004 as the second annual Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week. Director Steven E. Chester of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced the governor’s proclamation at the DEQ’s first annual Earth Day event in an effort to inform citizens about the negative impacts caused by invasive species and the importance of preventing future invasions and spread.

“Invasive species are a threat not just to Michigan waters, but to all of the waters in the Great Lakes region,” Granholm said. “Informing and educating the public continues to be a critical step in preventing further introductions of new species. We must do all we can to ensure that our waters are as beautiful tomorrow as they are today.”

The DEQ’s Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) is sponsoring Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week with collaborative efforts from other state and federal agencies, as well as private and nonprofit organizations. A special focus of this year’s AIS Week will be the potential threat to our waters posed by hydrilla, an aggressive, aquatic plant. So far, biologists have found no evidence of hydrilla in Michigan’s shallow Great Lakes bays or 11,000 inland lakes and thousands of miles of streams. However, the level of concern for ecological damage and economic harm to Michigan’s water resources has increased due to the fact that hydrilla is now known to exist in two Great Lakes states, Pennsylvania and New York. Michigan’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Council has appointed representatives to a Hydrilla Task Force charged to develop a hydrilla rapid response plan. This plan will be used as a model at a Rapid Response Workshop held during AIS week. An outreach campaign will also be launched during AIS week to inform the people of Michigan about the impacts caused by hydrilla and efforts to prevent its introduction into the state’s waters.

“In January, Governor Granholm called again for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to control the introduction of invasive species via ship’s ballast water,” said Ken DeBeaussaert, director of the Office of the Great Lakes. “Citizens’ involvement in this issue is also central to prevent future invasive species introductions and interlake spread. Following good invasive species prevention practices when moving boats, trailers, or other water recreational gear from one body of water to another is essential.”

A display of aquatic invasive species information and various educational materials were made available to participants in the DEQ Earth Day celebration carrying the message for citizens to get involved and take steps, such as washing boating equipment and disposing of bait in the trash, to help prevent future introductions of invasive species. A student poster contest to engage and educate about the issue of biological pollution is also underway as part of AIS Awareness Week.

An aquatic invasive species is defined as a waterborne, non-native organism that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of impacted waters, or threatens a commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activity.

For AIS Awareness Week information, the Governor’s proclamation, event listings, activities, and more, visit the DEQ’s Aquatic Invasive Species website at www.michigan.gov/deqaquaticinvasives or call the Office of the Great Lakes at 517 335 4056.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised April 28, 2004 by Michelle M. Cancino