Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation Helps Fight Invasive Species in Island Park

ISLAND PARK, IDAHO - When it comes to invasive species all of Idaho is bracing for attack, but certain spots in the Gem State are so precious that special attention is being taken to protect them. To help prevent the invasion of exotic species the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation funded a wader wash disinfection project in the Island Park area for the 2013 fishing season. The Foundation has provided $5000 to the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) to create new wader wash stations in the area and continue to fund the stations located at Harriman State Park and at the Forest service parking area (Log Jam) in Last Chance.

The threat on Idaho's waters comes from a variety of foreign sources and takes many shapes. In addition to the exotic snails and muscles that have been in the news, threats from non-native plants are also very real and even foreign bacteria and viruses.

According to Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jessica Buelow, "The wader wash stations consist of an information panel with instructions, a 40 gallon tub with the disinfectant solution, wader and boot scrubbers. The disinfectants active ingredient will be Vircon aquatic, which has proven highly effective in killing Invasive species, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, molds, mussels, and Eurasian Water milfoil."

Flat Ranch Preserve will have a disinfection station located in their parking area for public use and Henrys Lake Foundation funded wader wash disinfection stations around Henrys Lake for the 2013 fishing season. The Targhee National Forest Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) team has also granted funding for this project.

The procedures for using the wash stations are fairly simple and according to Buelow, "By following these easy steps we hope to continue to stop the spread of invasive species in the Island Park Area and especially Henrys Lake. This program is purely voluntary but we hope with everyone's cooperation it will be successful."

If you have any questions about the program feel free to contact Jessica Buelow, Regional Fisheries Biologist, 208-558-7202 or email at buelow@idfg.idaho.gov.

Contact:
Gregg Losinski (208) 390-0635