The National Invasive Species Act of 1996 recognized the risk of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) to limited western water resources by calling for coordinated prevention activities concentrated along the 100th meridian. The 100th meridian crosses the western sections of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South and North Dakota, and Manitoba.
The 100th Meridian Initiative is a public and private sector partnership effort led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Components of the Initiative are designed to prevent the westward spread of ANS through the pathway of recreational boating.
A principal component of the Initiative focuses on voluntary boat inspections and cleaning of boats, personal watercraft, and trailers being towed westward through 100th meridian states. Other components include: outreach and education, monitoring, and rapid response. Voluntary boater education sites were manned at strategic locations along interstate highways in l00th meridian states in 1998 and 1999. The information collected at these sites will help determine the extent of westward transport of ANS and the risk of their establishment. For more information on the 100th Meridian Initiative to Prevent Western Spread, call 1-877-786-7267 or contact Linda Drees at Linda_Drees@fws.gov