The Measure
The Delta Conservancy, Council’s Delta Science Program, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, and other state and federal agencies, develop and implement communication strategies, based on scientific expertise, to manage existing nonnative invasive species and for rapid response to address introductions of nonnative invasive species.
Measure Details
The CDFW 2014 Ecosystem Restoration Program Conservation Strategy contains conservation priorities for addressing nonnative invasive species (NIS) under the Strategic Goal 5. CDFW Invasive Species Program leads implementation activities to prevent, control, and educate about NIS. These priority actions are currently being implemented:
- The Nutria Eradication Program, established in 2019, conducts surveillance and trapping of nutria in the San Joaquin Valley to prevent their continued spread into the Delta. Trapped nutria are removed from the Delta. Nutria Identification Flyer and Nutria Pocket Guide aid in field identification of nutria.
- CDFW Bay-Delta Region conducts ongoing fish surveys/monitoring in the Delta.
- The Quagga/Zebra Mussel Program works within the Delta and its watershed to prevent the introduction and spread of dreissenid mussels.
- CDFW (Lands Program) manages properties to prevent and control of non-indigenous species (NIS).
- Upon requests from the Division of Boating and Waterways, CDFW performs a risk assessment to determine if aquatic weeds are likely to be invasive and cause negative impacts within the Delta.
- CDFW Invasive Species Program is working to assess the impacts of mute swans in the Delta and its watershed. In addition, CDFW is working to develop mute swan management plans for CDFW lands.
- CDFW is working to eradicate non-native watersnakes before they spread into the Delta since 2015.
- Recent reports found no watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) in the Placer County population in the past four years. Three years of no take may suggest that it is approaching towards eradication. This also means that the possibility of N. spideon spreading to the Delta has been greatly reduced due to sustained efforts.
- CDFW developed a mobile application for public identification and reporting of NIS in 2020.
- The "EDDmapS" app was developed and allows users to report suspected invasive species.
- CDFW engaged and educated the public with signages posted about New Zealand mudsnails and quagga/zebra mussels; staffed booths at public events to engage and educate boaters. The Invasive Species Program is also leading the national effort to revise the National New Zealand Mudsnail Management Plan on behalf of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
- The Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) monitors watersheds around the Delta, incidentally also for invasive species.
Delta Plan Strategy
Protect Native Species and Reduce the Impact of Nonnative Invasive Species
Delta Plan Recommendation
ER R7. Prioritize and Implement Actions to Control Nonnative Invasive Species (REVISED)
The Delta Conservancy, Delta Science Program, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, and other State and federal agencies should develop and implement communication and funding strategies to manage existing nonnative invasive species and for rapid response to new introductions of nonnative invasive species, based on scientific expertise and research.