House bill would raise invasive species sticker price

The House Resources and Conservation Committee this week approved a bill which would raise the price of boat invasive species stickers to $7 from $5 despite testimony from floaters and paddlers who feel they pay a disproportionate share of the fee.

Howard Miller testified as a private citizen that the cost to register his five kayaks is unfair compared to the owner of a much more expensive ski boat, who must only pay for one sticker.

Paddlers also question whether quagga or zebra mussels can attach themselves to kayaks and canoes. Representative Andreason, whose informal approach to invasive species sticker distribution last year included passing out stickers from a bag he carried around the state in his car, presented a portion of rope clustered with mussel shells that had been submersed in Lake Mead for a period of weeks. He noted that as little as a thimble-full of infected water can be a vector of transportation to a brand new colony of mussels.

Representatives of the hydroelectric industry and the Department of Agriculture noted that the threat presented by invasive species warranted the speed with which last year’s legislation was passed and the informality of the original sticker distribution system.

Lloyd Knight of the Department of Agriculture noted that 78% of the funds received were spent on running 17 inspection and decontamination stations around the state. The rest were spent on education, capital outlay and monitoring. This year, the department plans on 16 such stations and upgrades to their monitoring programs and outreach.

The price increase allowed by this bill, Knight says, will allow vendors to recover the cost of distributing the stickers. Idaho is collaborating with vendors and hiring contractors to implement the system, rather than incurring the cost of additional state employees.

Rep. Hagedorn presented a substitute motion, to hold the bill in committee, which failed.

“I’m very uncomfortable that we don’t have a good business plan for something that could have a tremendous impact on our waterways and all the industries that are dependent upon our waterways,” he said, noting that the current proposed legislation offers a band-aid to the problems that have arisen, and that without a solid business plan, the committee was likely to see another bill next year.

"Broad" Language Threatens Invasive Species Bill

Early in the week, the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee voted down an RS that they said contained language that would allow too much latitude to authorities trying to curb the influx of invasive species.

Lloyd Knight of the Department of Agriculture fielded questions about proposed legislative changes that he said were necessary to allow law enforcement agencies the ability to be proactive in addressing species that may come to their attention in the future.

But Senator Schroeder said the terminology in the legislation was too broad, specifically the term “conveyance” which could include “a container” for example might allow officials to search something as innocuous as cooler in the back of a pick-up, and give them the authority to fine or jail those who fail to pull over at checkpoints.

“How does the public know what you mean unless you mean unless you communicate with them?” Senator Schroeder asked.

Knight was back on Thursday having removed the word “container” from the legislation, which was sent to print.

Quagga Mussel Report - Saturday Summary 2/21/09

The Saturday Summary is a weekly roundup of some of ICIE’s activities in and around the Idaho Legislature. Staffing limits mean we can’t cover every meeting. If there’s an item of interest to you at an upcoming meeting of one of the environment or agriculture committees, let us know and we’ll try to cover it. Agendas are available at www.state.id.us. Click on “Legislative” and click on “Calendars and agendas.”

The invasive Quagga Mussel was the topic of a special meeting on Thursday of the Environment and Common Sense Task Force. Representative Eric Anderson, who co-chairs the committee with Senator Curt McKenzie, introduced a video produced by Oregon Public Television which traces the species from Lake Michigan to Lake Mead. Representatives from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and private industry provided their insight. The information is alarming. The tiny shellfish destroys habitat and boats. A single female the size of a fingernail produces an estimated 1 million eggs each mating season. There are an estimated three trillion Quagga in Lake Michigan, with an estimated 700,000 per square meter. They are spreading to other bodies of water throughout the east. It has found its way west and is now present in lakes in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The species was first recorded in Lake Mead in January of 2007 and is now clogging intake valves in Hoover Dam. Experts say it is not a matter of whether the mussel will be introduced to Idaho waters, but when.

The financial impact to Idaho, once the species is introduced, is projected at $91 million annually in increased maintenance. The estimate doesn’t include impacts to agriculture and recreation.
The number one method of transport of the Quaqqa Mussel is trailers and boats. Once the species is introduced, there is very little that can be done. An aggressive public education effort, the implementation of boat rinsing stations and strict regulation of recreational vehicles are required.

Private industry is looking at developing pesticides that are not toxic to other wildlife, with little success. Idaho is hosting a “Quagga drill” at the end of April in Lucky Peak reservoir, but the state plan focuses primarily on prevention, monitoring and education.

Industry experts recommend quarantining lakes where the species has been introduced, and installing wash stations at every boarder. The wash stations utilize high pressure water at 140 degrees. The mussel can also be killed by exposing it to air for five days. Bleach water and chemicals have limited success because the mussel’s ability to be self contained in its shell for long periods of time. An estimated 125 to 150 wash stations at every border crossing and at each body of water would have a significant effect at limiting the mussels’ access to Idaho waters. The stations cost an estimated $50,000 apiece.