BOISE, Idaho — Governors of 19 Western states are pressing the federal government to do more to prevent the spread of damage-causing invasive mussels from infected federally managed waterways.

RELATED | Lake Austin tests positive for zebra mussels

The Western Governors' Association on Thursday sent a letter urging Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to put in place by spring 2018 controls to prevent the spread of zebra and quagga mussels.

The association consists of governors from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.

The governors are asking that federal agencies conduct mandatory inspections and decontamination of boats leaving infected water bodies.

The governors say they're particularly concerned about the mussels reaching the Columbia River Basin, Lake Tahoe, and the Colorado River Basin above Lake Powell.

The mussels can clog water pipes, damage boat motors and affect other aquatic life.

Many states have spent millions on efforts to stop the mussels from infecting state waterways.