A detection of dreissenids in a western water body in the United States would likely result in a rapid response action with a Federal nexus,  and therefore likely trigger the emergency consultation process.

Any western water body could be a potential location for the proposed action, from free-flowing rivers and streams, to hydropower reservoirs, to isolated water bodies. Access to any water body is dependent on the road network to each water body, and the amount of development and access sites available. Areas close to public use access sites, such as boat launches and marinas, are the most likely locations where both dreissenid detections and response actions would occur as a result of dreissenid introduction through watercraft, or water-based, recreation activities.

Specific tasks associated with each response action may include detection area isolation, sample collection, site monitoring, site preparation, fish and wildlife salvage, mussel treatment, equipment decontamination, site restoration activities associated with the control action (if necessary), and implementation of conservation and minimization measures and best management practices to avoid and minimize adverse environmental effects.

Defining the Action Area
 

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The potentially affected area (or action area as described in the ESA section 7 regulations) for any hypothetical rapid response action would include all areas affected directly or indirectly by the response, and not merely the immediate area involved in the response (e.g., upstream, downstream, hatcheries, infrastructure, all access sites into and out of the water body, staging areas, and other infrastructure adjacent to the water body,  and any other areas potentially affected by implementation of the response action.

 

Defining the action area is a critical precursor to any dreissenid action because the defined geographic scope of the project influences the analysis of listed species, i.e., projects within a small geographic area have the potential to affect fewer listed species than projects within a large geographic area.

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website is the tool used to document the geographic scope of an action area and determine listed species and critical habitats that exist within that area. This information is integral to informing the most appropriate action that minimizes detrimental effects to listed species and critical habitats.

 

An Example

This following example identifies steps that can be taken to identify listed species and critical habitats and thus help streamline the environmental review process that may be necessary as part of any dreissenid action. This example is from Keyhole Reservoir in Wyoming.

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