Regional officials warn quagga, zebra mussels pose growing threat; Montana outlines inspection strategy

Matt Morrison, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, told the Montana Senate Natural Resources Committee that quagga and zebra mussels are an “imminent threat” to water infrastructure across the region and called for coordinated prevention, early detection and rapid response funding.

Morrison said PNWER has contracted Deloitte to study a cross‑border hydrogen economy and highlighted work on regional infrastructure and aquatic invasive species. “These critters don't jump watersheds by themselves,” Morrison said, arguing human behavior — primarily boats moving between water bodies — is the principal pathway for spread.

Why this matters: lawmakers and agency officials described the financial and operational stakes if mussels establish in western waters. Morrison and other presenters warned of risks to hydropower, irrigation, drinking water, locks and fish hatcheries and urged cross‑jurisdictional planning and investment.

Montana’s approach and scale

Tom Wolfe, Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau Chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, described the state’s prevention model:…