Quagga Stop

Quagga Stop

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has intercepted a boat on U.S. Highway 93, north of Jackpot, Nev. carrying prohibited aquatic invasive species.

 

The fouled watercraft was purchased recently in Nevada, after being moored in Lake Mead, a known quagga- and zebra-infested waterbody. While traveling through Idaho to its final destination in Auburn, Wash., the boat passed one of ISDA's invasive species check stations without stopping for inspection, as required by Idaho law. A Twin Falls County Sheriff's deputy stopped the boat hauler and escorted the vehicle back to ISDA's Highway 93 check station for inspection.

 

Field tests indicated the mussels in and on the boat were alive. The boat has been impounded by ISDA and will be released in the next 30 days after a thorough and complete decontamination.

 

Today's interception is an example of the importance of the partnerships formed around the invasive species boat inspection program. The ISDA has entered into agreements with the Twin Falls County Sheriff's office, as well as other law enforcement entities, to provide enhanced services and enforcement at invasive species check stations. The program also benefits from the cooperation of counties, conservation districts and other entities such as the Mid-Snake Resource Conservation and Development Council.

 

ISDA has implemented the aquatic invasive species prevention program since 2009. Program decisions and strategies are driven by data to best leverage funding with known priorities and risks. To date, over 300,000 watercraft inspections have been performed, identifying nearly 145 fouled watercraft carrying zebra or quagga mussels. ISDA's boat inspection stations serve an important role in preventing the introduction or movement of invasive species and noxious weeds, which could be devastating to the health of Idaho's waterbodies.

 

With increased funding from the Idaho Legislature in 2016, ISDA has expanded the hours of operation at invasive species boat check stations across the state, ensuring that stations will be open during all daylight hours.  Additionally, stations now will be open through October 31. The ISDA will operate a total of 16 fixed stations and three roving stations.

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