Idaho
Idaho agriculture department plans second quagga mussel treatment in Snake River in November • Idaho Capital Sun
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is planning a second round of treatment in the Snake River in November to target invasive quagga mussels.
This second round of treatment comes just one month after the department treated 8.5 miles of the river between Oct. 8-19 with Natrix, a copper-based pesticide registered by the Environmental Protection Agency used to kill invasive aquatic species.
The treatments are a part of an effort to eradicate quagga mussels that were first discovered in the Snake River in September 2023, and again on Sept. 24 this year, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.
Idaho officials are finding fewer invasive quagga mussels – and dead fish – in Snake River
Officials have said the invasive mussels pose a major threat to Idaho as they can spread and clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture and recreation. The mussels are a highly competitive species that can also disrupt fish populations and wildlife habitat.
The second round of this year’s Natrix treatment is focused on eradicating the mussels in still water and deep pool sections of the river. Exact dates for the November treatment will be determined at a later time, according to a press release from the department.
The copper levels are dissolving as anticipated, and the river is expected to return to normal levels by early November, the department said in the release.
The current river access closure from Hansen Bridge to Yingst Grade will remain in place until further notice.
What did this year’s treatment plan look like?
On Oct. 8, Idaho State Department of Agriculture staff and partners applied Natrix to the river at a rate of one part per million copper concentration for a total of 200 consecutive hours, according to the release from the department.
This year’s treatment area was extended up-river, just downriver of Hansen Bridge to Centennial Waterfront Park. The dissipation area of the treatment is from Hansen Bridge to the Kanaka Rapids.
The copper concentration applied to the river is the maximum rate provided for on the product label to kill mussels, while it is also below the drinking water standard for humans.
Department staff and partners monitored copper levels at 51 sampling sites in the river throughout the dissipation area 24 hours a day for the entirety of the treatment. Deep pools, waterfalls and hydropower facilities caused challenges for the treatment.
Staff also monitored for mussel presence in water entering the river from irrigation returns and spring systems through traditional mussel sampling, as well as eDNA. This included extensive sampling upriver above the treatment area.
The river experienced color and clarity changes from the impact the copper levels had on organic matter, algae and aquatic plants in the river.
The department reported limited fish mortality. Sentinel species, including non-native Asian clams, were planted in strategic locations throughout the treatment to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. The department continues to evaluate the impact of the treatment to the sentinel species.
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A Gooding man is dead after an ATV crash in Elmore County. Idaho State Police say it happened near Pine on Friday night and not long after 10:00. There were three people riding the vehicle, and all were wearing their straps. Somehow, the ATV went off the road at the intersection of Bombs Away Lane and Lester Creek Road. The vehicle left the shoulder and smacked into a tree. The 47-year-old driver died on the spot. The two passengers were airlifted to hospitals. Troopers say the crash remains under investigation.
The intersection was closed for four hours as evidence was collected and the area was cleared of debris. Pine is a popular spot for Independence Day celebrations and camping.
State Police had an all-hands-on-deck response. Elmore County Deputies, Mountain Home EMS, Mountain Home Rescue, Pine EMS, and Pine Rescue assisted troopers.
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SOUTHEAST BOISE, Idaho — Boise Fire Department officials say that residents have been displaced after crews responded to reports of a structure fire in the 4000 block of S. Northbridge Way in Boise on Sunday morning.
Crews arrived at the scene shortly after 1 a.m. on July 5 and found the home fully engulfed in flames, BFD said.
Engine 15, Engine 3, Engine 7, Engine 8, Truck 7, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 3 and Ada County Paramedics responded to the scene.
Fortunately, everyone in the home had safely evacuated, BFD said.
Firefighters then worked to quickly attack the fire and control the blaze. Crews remained on scene for several hours, ensuring the fire had not extended into the walls of the residence and that all remaining hot spots were fully extinguished.
BFD said that the Burnout Fund was called to assist the residents displaced.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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“Landman” star Ali Larter finds her summers in Idaho to be a lot “simpler” than when she used to live in Los Angeles.
At the Newport Beach TV Fest, Larter told Fox News Digital her summer months look “totally different” since she made the move to Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2020.
“Well, it’s totally different, so we can’t really get our kids to hike anymore. They don’t want to do that. But I can get them to take a bike ride and then do, like, a little cold plunge in the river,” Larter began.
“We love to barbecue at our house. We love to play with our dogs. My daughter will probably play some volleyball. We’ll go to Leroy’s and get an ice cream cone.
“It’s just kind of simpler, and the days are really long. The sun’s out till like 10 at night now, so it’s been really beautiful to kind of have the kids out of school and enjoy the time with them.”
Larter and Hayes MacArthur share two children — son Teddy, 15, and daughter, Vivienne, 11.
During an interview with Fox News Digital in November, Larter shared the exact moment she and her husband realized they wanted to stay in Idaho after moving there during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We went for two months thinking that the kids’ schools would be reopened in California, and they weren’t,” she recalled. “And, so, they were doing online, and the schools there were open. And, so, we were able to put our 6-year-old daughter in kindergarten for the spring semester.
“And that was a huge thing for us because we just wanted her to be around other children and have that kindergarten experience. And during that time, we met some amazing families just organically by the school,” she continued.
“And living in the town and just skiing with our children. And we really spent a tremendous amount of time together as a family.”
After living in Idaho during the latter half of the school year, Larter and her family returned to Los Angeles for the summer, and they realized that “there are so many demands as an actor” when living in the city.
She explained that actors not only audition frequently but are “expected to show up for so many things,” including parties and charity events. While she loves LA and says her “heart will always be there,” she wanted a more family-focused lifestyle.
“We just didn’t want to do that. We wanna be with our children,” she said. “And, so, that’s when I think the biggest change was we came back after that summer, and we just made a go for it and said, ‘Let’s try this and see if it works.’”
Larter attended the Newport Beach TV Fest that honored “Landman,” in which she plays Angela, Billy Bob Thornton’s recently reconciled ex-wife.
On the red carpet, Larter told Fox News Digital that Angela is a “wildcat,” and she wishes she could channel her a little bit more in everyday life.
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