05-24-2010, 05:02 AM
That's correct. The UT AIS program is currently funded through general funds appropriated by the State Legislature. They've done this the last two years. It could change in the future, but like Larry stated, so far the state has made it an "all-Utah" problem.
I suspect it's possible for mussels to be moved via natural means (waterbirds), just highly unlikely. The rapid expansion we're seeing across the country is more likely from boats, trailers, water development, etc. When you look at the map of current mussel distribution, there are many uninfected waters surrounded by infected waters. Even when I visit my family in Michigan, there is one lake with mussels and you can drive a 1/2-mile to another lake without. If natural means were even minimally successful, I think you would see more of these regional areas/waters being infected. Mussels have pretty general water quality requirments, so that's not much of an issue either.
That's just my opinion, but I hesitate to say something is biologically impossible. Hope that helps some.
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I suspect it's possible for mussels to be moved via natural means (waterbirds), just highly unlikely. The rapid expansion we're seeing across the country is more likely from boats, trailers, water development, etc. When you look at the map of current mussel distribution, there are many uninfected waters surrounded by infected waters. Even when I visit my family in Michigan, there is one lake with mussels and you can drive a 1/2-mile to another lake without. If natural means were even minimally successful, I think you would see more of these regional areas/waters being infected. Mussels have pretty general water quality requirments, so that's not much of an issue either.
That's just my opinion, but I hesitate to say something is biologically impossible. Hope that helps some.
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