WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representative Joe Neguse called on the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address the invasive zebra mussels in the Colorado River and update them on the implementation of their Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which included a specific provision that authorized the federal agencies to improve how they monitor and respond to aquatic invasive species.
“More than 40 million people across seven states rely on the Colorado River Basin, and the spread of these invasive species into this critical body of water could have devastating impacts for many communities across the West,” wrote the lawmakers. “We understand the many pressures on your agencies, but request that you prioritize the implementation of these provisions in light of the threat facing our waterways and rivers in the West.”
Zebra mussels were discovered in the Colorado River in July and are an invasive species which can cause considerable and costly damage to water ecosystems and infrastructure, rapidly attaching themselves to infrastructure, blocking or interfering with water storage, treatment, and distribution systems. They can negatively impact local communities and economies by disrupting recreational activities, impacting ecosystems, and damaging water pipes, docks, boats, and more.
Full text of the letter available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Rollins,
We write to request an update on the implementation of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, Public Law 118-234. In light of recent news that invasive zebra mussels have been found in the Colorado River and in other waterways in Western Colorado, we specifically request an update on your efforts to implement Section 128: Aquatic Resource Activities Assistance.
Invasive zebra mussels reproduce and spread quickly, often attaching to watercraft and moving quickly through different bodies of water. Zebra mussels are particularly dangerous for water infrastructure, as they can attach to, clog, or block water storage, treatment, and distribution systems–potentially causing millions of dollars of damage. Without natural predators, the mussels also damage ecosystems, which has led to the loss of larger fish in the Great Lakes and resultant declines in outdoor recreation and impacts to local economies.
Zebra mussels have recently been discovered in the Colorado River and other bodies of water along Colorado’s Western Slope, including Eagle County and outside of Grand Junction. More than 40 million people across seven states rely on the Colorado River Basin, and the spread of these invasive species into this critical body of water could have devastating impacts for many communities across the West.
The EXPLORE Act was signed into law in the 118th Congress, which included additional authorities for the Department of Interior (DOI) and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to respond to and monitor aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels, and established a Vessel Inspection and Decontamination Station grant program for Reclamation States in Section 128: Aquatic Resource Activities Assistance. We understand the many pressures on your agencies, but request that you prioritize the implementation of these provisions in light of the threat facing our waterways and rivers in the West.
We request responses to the following questions by August 29, 2025:
- What is the status of implementation of Section 128 of Public Law 118-234, including the status of the Grant Program for Reclamation States outlined in Section 128 (c)? When do you anticipate fully implementing the authorities provided within Section 128?
- What actions have DOI and USDA taken to combat the spread of quagga and zebra mussels throughout our nation’s waterways?
- What agency resources have been allocated to address the threat of invasive mussels by DOI and USDA?
- Have DOI and USDA offered assistance to the State of Colorado to combat the spread of the invasive mussels?
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
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