Idaho s Eurasian Watermilfoil Program. Tom Woolf Aquatic Plant Program Manager Idaho State Department of Agriculture

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1 Idaho s Eurasian Watermilfoil Program Tom Woolf Aquatic Plant Program Manager Idaho State Department of Agriculture

2 Idaho s Milfoil Program Idaho Program History Treatment Prevention Education

3 Idaho s Milfoil Program o House Bill 869 Enacted the program in o $4 million / year for 3 years. o EDRR response to Eurasian watermilfoil in the state. o Eradication / prevention projects only. o Intent: Eradicate if possible or drive down milfoil populations to a manageable level o All treatments are surveyed to determine efficacy.

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5 Eurasian Watermilfoil

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7 Consult Experts o Projects proposals reviewed by Independent Scientific Review Team from Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (AERF). o Experts brought in to evaluate projects in the field.

8 Aggressive EWM treatment o Treat using herbicides, diver removal and benthic barriers. o Over 5,100 hectares treated since 2006 EWM in many lakes has been reduced to hand removal only or is absent entirely. Native plants remain and thrive following treatment

9 Program Status 2013 $10 million spent to date. State-wide reductions in Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) populations. Treatments prioritized o High use areas o Lake-wide eradication projects o Remains untreated in difficult and low priority areas EWM no longer interferes with recreation in treated areas.

10 Projects

11 Lake Pend Oreille

12 Lake Pend Oreille Milfoil reduced from over 2,000 hectares to less than 400. Milfoil that remains is the most difficult to treat. o Water movement o Deep water o Drinking water o Upstream inputs

13 Lake Pend Oreille o Variety of treatments o Liquid Triclopyr o Granular Triclopyr o Liquid 2,4-D o Granular 2,4-D o Fluridone o Endothall mixes o Diquat o Diver removal o Benthic barriers

14 Monitoring and Evaluation

15 Due to reduced funding treatments are now focused on high use areas Perch Bay treated with herbicide in o No EWM found following treatment

16 Priest Lake

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18 Priest Lake EDRR Project Limited EWM found Initial aggressive EWM herbicide treatment. Diver removal in low density areas

19 No herbicide treatment in Only low-density EWM found Sustained survey and removal effort will be required Dedicated lake resident involvement

20 Cocolalla Lake

21 Cocolalla Lake Milfoil Project Originally 40 hectares of EWM Aggressively treated with herbicide. No EWM found in Cocolalla Lake following treatment in 2012 Survey to continue in 2013

22 Involved and motivated Lake Association Initiated a watercraft inspection program at the boat launch. Helps prevent introduction of invasive species Helps educate the public

23 Idaho s Watercraft Inspection Program EWM program funds 7 roadside watercraft inspection stations. o Also supports Lake Association inspections Also funded by Invasive Species Sticker funds Focus on prevention and education

24 Idaho Watercraft Inspection Stations 15 Stations Inspection mandatory Focused on state borders. Intended to stop movement of invasive aquatic species

25 Clean, Drain, and Dry Watercraft inspection prevents the spread of: o Invasive aquatic plants o Zebra / quagga mussels o Invasive snails o Other invasive invertebrates o Fish pathogens Educates the public on invasive species issues

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27 For Aquatics: Invasive plant & animal pathways are the same. So is the education message

28 Zebra & Quagga Mussels

29 Watercraft Inspections Over 60 vessels found with EWM in zebra / quagga mussel fouled vessels in Idaho in 2012 o 4 Bound for BC State POE s, roadside inspections, Lake Association Stations and educated public.

30 Lessons Learned Get after it early if possible Focus efforts so they are in line with resources o Public safety and user access Engage stake holders and get them involved Identify a stable funding sources Make a plan and get to work on the ground o Aquatic invasives move fast Milfoil is the issue now. There are other things coming our way

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