It was just a matter of time, but still not a good thing.
Quagga mussels found under the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls. This is going to cost beaucoup bucks for farmers trying to keep irrigation water flowing, sprinklers running and pivots turning. Ditto for the fish farmers all around that stretch. The State is pretending they are going to do something about it, but that cat is out of the bag, fellas.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/...quagga-mussel-larvae-in-the-snake-river/TWIN FALLS — The Idaho State Department of Agriculture confirmed Monday the presence of quagga mussel larvae in the Centennial Waterfront Park area of the Snake River. Multiple samples of quagga mussel at larval life stages have been found in the Twin Falls area by ISDA’s early detection monitoring program.
The findings mark the first time a rapid response plan has been put into action for quagga mussels in Idaho. ISDA is implementing a rapid response plan that includes notifying impacted entities, implementing containment measures, conducting delimiting surveys and evaluating for potential treatment options.
“These invasive pests will clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, and recreation,” Governor Little said. “This is a very high priority for Idaho and for me, given the gravity of the risk. If we are not successful, an unchecked spread – which we are doing all we can to stop – has the potential to cost Idaho hundreds of millions of actual and indirect costs. Thankfully, we caught the mussels early on and have already started a robust response to get these mussels OUT of our waters. We need everyone to support these efforts.”
ISDA is asking for the public’s cooperation in staying out of the water in the Centennial Waterfront Park area, in an effort to contain the mussel populations. ISDA staff and boats will be in the water performing delimiting surveys to determine the physical range of the impacted area. Boat ramps and public access to the water are closed temporarily.
