The 2017 Idaho Legislature has passed a bill authorizing additional funding to the Idaho Department of Agriculture to prevent invasive species from entering the state. Invasive species are harmful, non-native, plants and animals that damage Idaho’s ecosystems and environments.
Idaho’s Invasive Species Act of 2008 prohibts any person from importing, transporting, or introducing invasive species into the state without a permit. The Department of Agriculture may conduct inspections on public or private property, and may establish check stations at points of entry in the state to inspect for invasive species. Idaho regularly checks boats entering the state for quagga mussels and zebra mussels, which have the potential to cause devasting harm to hydropower and agricultural facilities.
To help pay for check stations Idaho law requires all motorized water craft, and any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, raft, drift boat, etc.) to purchase and display an invasive species sticker.
Invasives species can be very distructive, and could destroy the natural beauty of the state if not controlled. Species such as mussels, gypsy moths, yellow star thistle, cereal leaf beetles, nematodes,and white pine blister rust have the ability to threaten our crops, and interfere with recreation on our public lands and waters.
To help, you should learn how to identify and report suspected invasive species (go to invasivespecies.idaho.gov). Reports of potential invasive species can be made to Idaho’s Invasive Species Hotline at 1-877-336-8676.
Do your part to help prevent invasive species from taking hold in Idaho.
