Optimus Template

Public meetings scheduled on aquatic invasive species regulations and management plan

Nov. 24, 2010

Written comment can be submitted through Jan. 10, 2011

PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Department will host a series of public meetings and a webcast to discuss draft updated regulations and a draft management plan to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species in Arizona waters.

The draft regulations, or “Director’s Orders,” will update the list of species considered aquatic invasives, update the list of the waters that contain them, and revise the mandatory conditions for moving boats from those waters.

“It is critical for anyone who owns or uses watercraft, or has a business reliant on watercraft, to understand the essential nature of this aquatic invasive species containment effort,” said Tom McMahon, invasive species program coordinator with Game and Fish. “The spread of aquatic invasive species, such as quagga mussels and crayfish, have far-reaching impacts, both financial and ecological, that can touch virtually every resident of the state.”

The public meetings will be held on the following dates:

In particular, the meetings will discuss:

• The addition of several species (rusty crayfish, red claw crayfish, New Zealand mudsnail, giant salvinia, and didymo (rock snot) to Director’s Order #1, which currently includes quagga and zebra mussels.
• Updates to Director’s Order #2 (list of contaminated waters) and Director’s Order #3 (decontamination protocols).
• The draft 2011 Arizona Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan.

The draft Director’s Orders and Arizona Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan are available for viewing at www.azgfd.gov/mussels.

Written comment can be submitted at the public meetings or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The deadline to submit comment is Jan. 10, 2011.

“Anyone using Arizona waters should understand that they can do their part to avoid transporting undesirable plant and animal life to other bodies of water by taking the simple steps of cleaning, draining, and drying your boat after each outing,” said McMahon. “Remember, now it’s the law.”

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/mussels. For questions, contact Tom McMahon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (623) 236-7271.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.