Sen. Mike Cuffe has been involved in aquatic invasive species protection, specifically quagga and zebra mussel prevention, since 2011. Sen. Cuffe carried the legislation to create the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission in 2017 and the Western Montana Conservation Commission in 2023. Sen. Cuffe also helped to create federal Water Resources Development Act funding and has helped develop regional programs. Sen. Cuffe served on the Invasive Species Advisory Committee of the National Invasive Species Council.