(Basalt, CO) – It is time for every water user to take seriously their role in being a river steward.  After you fish, boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all your gear. Every time. Yes, really, every time.

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS), invasive plants, mussels and other invertebrates, are a growing threat to the waterways within the Roaring Fork Watershed and throughout the state.  ANS have already impacted waterways throughout the state – from rusty crayfish to zebra mussels – it’s now time to protect our rivers from them ever coming here.

“Once a river or reservoir has ANS in it, it’s nearly impossible to eradicate.  In almost all cases, this isn’t treatable or even fixable. It becomes a permanent problem that will cost taxpayers and local water users and officials an incredible amount of time and money,” said Rick Lofaro, executive director of Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC).  “Our local rivers are known world-wide for their fishing and boating adventures. The threat of ANS infecting these rivers would have devastating ecological and economic impact on the region. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure in this situation. As a river community, we have to be proactive now and we need 100% participation!”

To address this growing concern, RFC, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Ruedi Water and Power Authority (RWAPA) teamed up to conduct education and outreach to engage river users to start doing the right thing.  Ruedi boat ramp already has boat inspectors and new this year RFC, Frying Pan Anglers and Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt, have wader washing stations that are outdoors, already set-up, and free to use.  Carbondale Boat Ramp received its first ever boat cleaning station on June 3. 

Many ANS are so small they cannot be seen with the human eye and some can even survive in damp and moist environments. That’s precisely the time they are transported to a new waterway.  We need everyone’s help to be a ‘pain in the ANS’ – a phrase coined by CPW -  to protect the rivers, lakes, and streams we all love. “If it sounds like I’m being an alarmist it’s because this is that big of a deal,” said Lofaro.

Find out more about the ANS species threatening Colorado, along with tips on how to clean, drain, and dry equipment, watercraft, trailers, and more by visiting Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s ANS webpage at https://cpw.state.co.us/aquatic-nuisance-species-program.

Gear washing stations throughout Colorado can be found using this CPW map.

Since 1996, Roaring Fork Conservancy has inspired people to explore, value, and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed. We bring people together to protect our rivers and work to keep water in local streams, monitor water quality, and preserve riparian habitat. Roaring Fork Conservancy is an independent, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information call (970) 927-1290 or visit www.roaringfork.org.

##