See Also :

Links:

Tri-State Water Council

Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality

Idaho Department of
Fish and Game, Panhandle
Fishing Report

Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 10

100th Meridian

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club

Rock Creek Alliance

Idaho Legislature

Idaho State Governor
Dirk Kempthorne

Albeni Falls Dam

Sandpoint, city of

Priest River, city of

Priest Lake

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose one of the biggest threats to the waters of the West. In particular, Dressenid mussels (quagga and zebra) pose a huge risk. These mussels attach to substrates (rocks, beaches, boat hulls and motors, docks, pilings, etc) and like flowing water (hydropower facility trash racks, water intakes and wastewater treatment, irrigation intakes, etc). They are highly productive and filter nutrients from the water, ultimately impacting the entire food chain and ecosystem over time. Idaho is one of the few states that has not been infested with Dressenid mussels. The aggressive boat inspection program is a way to curb the spread of species such as mussels; they also address invasive plants.

In the Pend Oreille watershed, there are five known invasive plant species: Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, flowering rush, yellowflag Iris, and purple loosestrife. Eurasian watermilfoil is probably the most widespread, but by no means the only AIS issue.

Eurasian watermilfoil

The Pend Oreille basin is infested with a noxious aquatic weed called Eurasian watermilfoil. It is estimated that Bonner County alone has nearly 4,000 acres of this stuff! It is most often transported recreationally (boats, jet skis, etc). The scary thing about this plant is that it spreads by fragmentation, meaning that no flowering or seed is necessary to reproduce more plants. Any fragment that has a node and is ripped off by passerby or natural conditions has the capacity to start a new plant. It prefers shallow, warmer waters, but due to its resilient nature, it is found in many fast-moving, colder waters in our area (such as Priest and Pend Oreille Rivers).

Last year, the Idaho State Legislature appropriated $4 million dollars for the "control" of Eurasian milfoil. Of that amount, Bonner County was awarded nearly half. Recently, the Bonner County Commissioners have created a "Bonner County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force" to address the prevention, monitoring, and control of aquatic noxious weeds, notably Eurasian milfoil. This group is comprised of very diverse representation from around the region, of which the Lakes Commission is a particpant. The purpose of this task force is to faciliate meaningful dialogue between all interested parties, keep the lines of communication open, and make educated recommendations to the county in regard to future funding endeavors and treatment plans. All meetings are open to the public; agendas, Minutes, and other information is posted on the Bonner County website under "public works," then "weeds."

For information on this year's treatment, see www.pendoreillemilfoil.com or visit the contractor's "info center" located at 104 Pine Street, Suite C in Sandpoint.

Fund to fight milfoil OK’d
By Betsy Z. Russell
03/30/06
Spokesman Review

Panel urges milfoil funding
By Keith Kinnaird
02/28/06
Bonner County Daily Bee

Updated noxious weed bill draws wide support
By Betsy Z. Russell
02/23/06
Spokesman Review

Eurasian milfoil Identification
Timothy S. Prather, Sandra Robbins, and Sandy Daniels
University of Idaho

Milfoil problem growing in Idaho’s lakes
By Tom Greene
1/14/06
Hagadone News Network

Milfoil concerns on minds of legislature
By Meghann M. Cuniff
1/13/06
Spokesman Review

Sonar PR being used to treat Sand Creek milfoil
By R.J. Cohn
7/29/05
Bonner County Daily Bee

Milfoil battle plan subject of meeting
By Keith Kinnaird
6/28/04
Keith Kinnaird

Petition decries use of herbicide in Milfoil fight
By Keith Kinnaird
2/16/04
Bonner County Daily Bee

Handout on Eurasian milfoil
By Kootenai County Natural Resources Protection

Bonner County Public Works handout
By Brad Bluemer, Bonner Co. Public Works Weed Dept.

Handout on Eurasian milfoil from Lakes Commission meeting
Compiled by Kate Wilson
1/25/06

Information regarding the Invasive Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service