Idaho Environmental Forum #163
 
Invaders at the Door:
Zebra and Quagga Mussels Threaten Idaho's Water Resources 

SPEAKERS
 
Amy Ferriter
Idaho Invasive Species Coordinator
Idaho Department of Agriculture
 
Representative Eric Anderson
District 1, Priest Lake 
Rep. Anderson is the Legislature's leading voice for a strong
 state response to aquatic invasive species.
 
Program Description
 
Idaho stands at the brink of a destructive invasion by a pair of alien species:  zebra and quagga mussels.  These natives of the Black Sea region first invaded the Great Lakes in the late 1980s, then spread to portions of the East Cost, reached the lower Colorado River two years ago, and were just recently detected into northern Utah, only a short distance from Idaho's Bear Lake.
 
These invasive mussels have caused enormous economic and ecological damage wherever they have become established.  Once introduced into a new water body, the mussels proliferate and encrust hard surfaces at densities up to hundreds of thousands per square meter.  Dense mats of mussels can constrict water supply lines, foul dams and diversion structures, and transform aquatic ecosystems.  The costs of controlling the invaders has already run into the billions of dollars. 
 
What will happen if zebra or quagga mussels reach Idaho waters?  What can we do to keep them out?  Our speakers have answers.
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Amy Ferriter will explain the scope of the current infestation.  She will tell us which Idaho waters are vulnerable to the mussels and how Idaho's water-dependent industries might be affected.
 
Representative Eric Anderson will talk about what Idaho can do right now to reduce the risk and impact of the mussel invasion.