Boat cleaning demonstrations to be held at CJ Strike Dam

  • Published
  • 366th Civil Engineer Squadron
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, United States Air Force, Idaho Power Company, and the Owyhee County Sheriff's Department are hosting boat cleaning demonstrations at the North Park boat launch at CJ Strike Dam from noon to 3 p.m. July 11. The event is the first of its kind in Owyhee County and Idaho State Senator Tim Corder will be in attendance.

The boat cleaning demonstrations will help educate boaters on the proper way to clean their watercraft to avoid spreading Quagga and zebra mussels. Both mussels are highly invasive species that have the potential to ruin surface water systems throughout the state.

"We wanted to have a collaborative education event to show our united support to protect our waters from these invasive mussels," said Angelia Binder, 366th Civil Engineer Squadron conservation chief. "It's important to get the word out to all recreationists in southern Idaho. They are the primary stewards of our lands and waters."

"The best known cure is prevention," said Amy Ferriter, Idaho State Department of Agriculture invasive species coordinator. "Because of their small size, rapid rate of reproduction and transportability, it's extremely important to avoid introducing these species into Idaho's water. Eradication after they are introduced is impossible. Reducing the invasive mussel populations is very expensive once a body of water has been invaded.

Quagga mussels currently infest waterbodies in Nevada, Colorado, California, Arizona and Utah and many waterbodies in the Great Lakes area. Quagga and zebra mussels attach to any surface and can clog irrigation pipes and pumps, interfere with hydroelectric structures and disrupt aquatic food chains. Quagga and zebra mussel larvae are microscopic and are easily transported on both internal and external boat surfaces that contact water. Live wells and bilge water can carry thousands of microscopic mussels to new locations where they quickly take over. Tiny hard shelled adult mussels are obvious on boat surfaces exposed to water for longer periods of time.

All out-of-state boats and in-state boats 10 feet or longer are required to have an invasive species sticker on the watercraft before launching in Idaho. The stickers can be purchased online through the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation or at Idaho State Parks. The boat stickers cost $20 for out-of-state motorized boats, $10 for in-state motorized boats and $5 for non-motorized crafts. Inflatables under 10 feet in length are the only exemption.