Agriculture & Environment


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Quagga mussel may pose threat to irrigation

01/11/2008 10:36 AM MST

Associated Press

BOISE -- Idaho Department of Agriculture officials fear the invasive Quagga mussel could soon make it to Idaho's irrigation systems.

The mussels were spotted a year ago near Nevada's Lake Mead.

They can attach themselves to boats and travel from water system to water system.

Officials say the best way to keep Quagga mussels from making it to Idaho waters is to educate people about properly maintaining and cleaning their boats.

There's currently no law addressing the invasive mussels.

But Rep. Eric Anderson, a Republican from Priest Lake, says he plans to bring legislation that would require boat owners to purchase stickers indicating they understand the threat from invasive species.