Another weapon produced by the Great Lakes Panel in its fight against aquatic nuisance species is recently released model legislation. The area of research is being spearheaded at the regional level by the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the nation's first multistate environmental endowment. The fund's members are the governors of seven of the eight states that border the lakes. Cunningham and Colvin agree that the region's six Sea Grant programs have taken a leadership role in educating the public and decision makers about zebra mussels and invasive species. Waiting to react after a species has a foothold is too late, says Mark Coscarelli.
Prevention is the key.
Zebra mussels and other nuisance species don't respect legislative or jurisdictional boundaries. I don't think one state can do it on their own. By necessity, states and their partners have to come together to apply their resources most effectively.