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the growth and spread of deadly algae blooms. Algae foul beaches and cause botulism outbreaks that have killed countless sh and more than 70,000 aquatic birds across the U.S. in the last 10 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
ECONOMIC
Mussels are having devastating economic e ects on municipal and residential drinking water delivery sys- tems, power plant intakes, and industrial facilities that use raw surface water across the U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that if mussels invade the Columbia River, they could cost hydroelectric facilities alone up to $250-300 million annually. This does not include costs associated with environmental damages or increased operating expenses to hatcheries and water diversions.
• According to research conducted in 2014 by the Uni- versity of Montana, Flathead Lake’s pristine iden- tity had an estimated $6-8 billion impact on shore- line property values and is worth roughly $1.6 bil- lion in “nature-based tourism” in Flathead and Lake counties.
• Mussels quickly clog pipes, ruin boat motors and damage aquatic recreational equipment. They also cover boat docks and rocky beaches, creating haz- ardous conditions for swimmers, boaters and other users.
• Irrigation systems are quickly clogged by mussel infestation
SPREAD OF ZEBRA AND QUAGGA MUSSELS
• Management costs are enormous, particularly for industrial raw water users like power stations and
SOURCE: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NONINDIGENOUS AQUATIC SPECIES DATABASE.
Enter to Win a Custom Hyde Drift Boat
Planning Meeting
Thursday
Flathead County
zebra mussels selectively feed on green algae, an increased portion of blue-green algae is present. This may cause water to have a foul taste and odor, also increasing treatment costs.
terms of negative impacts to sport and commercial shing, water treatment, power generation, industrial facilities using surface water, and tourism, according to a state economic analysis in 2012.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
water supply agencies.
• Due to their ltration activities, mussels may not
leave enough particulate matter to provide e ec-
tive coagulation at water treatment plants. This
may require the plant to change its treatment tech- • The infestation of mussels in the Great Lakes has an nology, increasing operating costs. In addition, as economic value of roughly $100 million annually in
Public Transit
Thursday December 15th 4:00-6:00 pm
South Campus Conference Room
40 11th Street W, Kalispell, 2nd Floor
For more information, please call 758-2427
4:00-6:00 pm
FLATHEAD COUNTY
PUBLIC TRANIST
Planning Meeting
South Campus Conference Room
County residents are invited to provide input on public transit
40 11th Street W, Kalispell, 2nd Floor
services in Flathead County.
For more information, please call 758-2427
DEC 15th
With every $5 purchase of Kast Gear receive one entry to win
this 2017 Custom Hyde Lo Pro XL Drift Boat.
No purchase necessary. See Mystique Fly Shop for details.
Contest ends December 15, 2016 at midnight.
So get in and get entered today!
149 Main Street • Kalispell Montana
(406) 890-2600 ~ MystiqueFlyShop.com www.MystiqueFlyShop.com
DECEMBER 7, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
County residents are invited to provide input on public transit services
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