Governor Little approves $6.6M bill against invasive quagga mussels in Idaho

Posted by Na Lin on Monday, July 15, 2024

According to a recent news release, Governor Little signed a key funding bill from his IDAHO WORKS plan into law on Wednesday to support Idaho's fight against invasive quagga mussels in its waterways.

Senate Bill 1372 adds $6.6 million to increase the Idaho State Department of Agriculture's (ISDA) ongoing prevention and monitoring of invasive species and future preparedness for rapid response.

"An unchecked spread of quagga mussels has the potential to cost Idaho hundreds of millions of dollars in direct and indirect costs," Governor Little said. "The IDAHO WORKS bill I signed today increases our manpower and resources to keep invasive species out of our precious water."

Quagga mussels are an invasive species that spread rapidly and can harm irrigation, hydropower, fisheries, agriculture, the recreating public, Idaho's critical infrastructure and private property and kill off native species of fish and other aquatic wildlife. They clog pipes delivering water for drinking, energy, agriculture and recreation.

The release says the added resources from the IDAHO WORKS plan will help Idaho manage the potential crisis aggressively so Idaho does not lose control.

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