Small in size, mussels cause huge problems

It’s amazing that something the size of a fingernail can cause so much havoc to our waterways. But when the numbers turn into the billions — as other states have seen with quagga and zebra mussels in recent years — then the problems become almost insurmountable.

In Idaho, the quagga and zebra mussels represent our war on terrorism — especially if the creatures get into our drinking water.

They can affect the taste of drinking water and clog water lines.

Worse yet, they secrete waste that lowers oxygen levels and may stimulate the deadly botulism bacteria.

The problems don’t end there. Quagga and zebra mussels steal food from fish and other aquatic life and with their sharp edges, they turn smooth sandy beaches into health hazards. They also can have a devastating effect on hydro-power plants; the cost of installing new systems and applying antifouling paint can run into the millions of dollars.

What are they?

Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive species native to Russia. They came into the Great Lakes in 1989 and quickly spread — killing native mussels, ruining beaches and clogging pipes. They have rapidly spread across the United States, usually on towed boats. In five years, they have infested most of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes region. In 2007, they were discovered in the West at Lake Mead, Nev., and are now in Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. It’s a matter of time before they come to Idaho.

What can we do?

Idaho must take a pro-active approach to keep the quagga and zebra mussels out of the state. Once they are here, experts say it will cost taxpayers about $90 million per year.

The main way the critters get into the waterways is by boat — dirty boats, that is. So boat owners should be part of the solution. We are proposing legislation that would require Idaho boat owners to buy a $10 sticker to assist with cost of a boat-washing program to protect Idaho waterways and our economy.

We know that raising fees of any kind is not a popular thing to talk about during these difficult economic times. But the alternative — doing nothing — will cost much more.

Don’t wait for the Legislature to act

There are actions that boaters can, and should, take:

n Inspect boats, trailers and equipment; remove aquatic plants, animals and mud before leaving water access.

n Drain water from bait buckets, live wells, bulges, transoms and motors before leaving water access.

n Dispose unwanted live bait; if you want to keep bait, drain water and replace with tap water.

n Spray-wash boats, trailers and equipment with high-pressure or hot water before going into other water.

n Air-dry gear for at least five days.

Preserve Idaho’s health and quality of life

Idaho is a great state, partly because of its scenic lakes and rivers. Those pristine treasures contribute so much to the quality of life of people who live in Idaho and visit our state.

We can’t imagine places like Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille or Lake Coeur d’Alene filled with quagga and zebra mussels. It would be just as tragic for mussels to be in the Boise River, reservoirs, dams, hatcheries and irrigation canals.

While there is some cost that goes with protecting our great waterways and our drinking water, there is even a greater cost to letting the creatures take over. This is a war that must be won.

n Rep. Eric Anderson is a Republican from Priest Lake and Sen. Curt McKenzie is a Republican from Canyon County. They are co-chairs of the Legislature’s Environmental Common Sense Task Force.