Preventing invasive species from spreading

It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Jeffrey Pettingill with the Bonneville County Weed Control Department said prevention is the best way to keep Eastern Idaho’s natural resources in tact.

“Eastern Idaho was a $97 million industry that includes rafting, water skiing, fishing, hunting– that’s all based off of natural resources. If this water system was to get plugged up that would go away. We lose the economics of that. The other side of it is the cost of trying to reclaim that and get rid of that problem, so we can try to get it back to a natural setting” he said.

There are some ways to prevent the spread of invasive species. Drain, clean and dry gear and boots. Remove any plants, seeds or mud you find on boats or in tires.

Invasive species can be birds, insects or anything not related to the area. The quagga mussel is one of the most problematic in the country.

“This is what they typically call our lead invasive species. We want to be able to deal with this the inspection stations are specifically looking for this critter,” he said.

Pettingill said if you find something and you aren’t sure what it is, don’t hesitate to call the weed control department. He said communication is important to prevent the spread of invasive species.