Idaho
What’s next for the Snake River after Idaho’s unprecedented invasive mussel treatment?
The rapid timeline from when the Idaho State Department of Agriculture found invasive quagga mussel larvae in the Snake River in September to when it deployed a chemical treatment two weeks later was unprecedented in the world of invasive mussel control. Yet the unparalleled effort also brings several uncertainties about what happens next.
In two rounds of post-treatment surveys, agency staff did not find any mussels in the six-mile river stretch in Twin Falls. However, the state won’t know if the treatment was effective until next spring. During the cold winter months, mussel reproduction decreases, making it harder to detect them when they’re not releasing millions of larvae.
It’s also unclear how long it will take for the river ecosystem to recover after tens of thousands of gallons of a copper-based chemical were poured in to kill the mussels. As expected, the treatment also killed most fish in the area. Idaho Fish and Game recovered over 3,000 dead fish from this stretch, weighing six to seven tons.
Most of the dead fish were suckers, pikeminnow and perch. Fewer largemouth bass and sunfish died, Fish and Game said. It’s possible those fish swam out of the treatment area to avoid the copper. Some species might return naturally, but sturgeon will need to be reintroduced through hatcheries. Fish and Game estimated that all roughly 50 sturgeon in this part of the river died from the treatment.
During a Fish and Game Commission meeting, Eric Stark, the fishery program coordinator, stated the agency would likely delay reintroducing sturgeon until it’s clear the river won’t need further treatment.
To better understand how the river might recover, some scientists are studying the bottom of the food chain: aquatic insects.
“We collect them and preserve them in ethanol, and then we send them to a professional taxonomist to look at them under scopes,” said Christopher Mebane, the Deputy Center Director of the USGS Idaho Water Science Center in Boise.
The USGS will count the species and number of insects in the river and compare that to the pre-treatment numbers. Mebane highlighted the lack of precedent to predict the river’s recovery.
“I’d say when they’ve done similar things, but no one’s done similar things,” he said.
Mebane examined the scientific literature on events like Wyoming intentionally poisoning the Green River in the 1960s to kill carp or accidental train derailments. Some species returned in a year, while others took longer. For aquatic invertebrates floating downstream, navigating through dams and pools in the Snake might be challenging, but Mebane is optimistic the species will eventually recover.
“Nature abhors a vacuum,” he said.
Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen
Copyright 2023 Boise State Public Radio
Idaho
Passengers evacuated after “suspicious device” was found at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport – Local News 8
The following is a media release from the City of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (City of Idaho Falls) – Around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, a security incident occurred at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport resulting in the response of the Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments.
Passengers were immediately evacuated to a safe terminal area while an investigation occurred.
During the security screening process, a suspicious device was discovered in the luggage. Upon concluding the investigation, it was determined the suspicious item was not dangerous. The airport has no further information to provide at this time.
KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.
Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here
If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.
Idaho
Suspicious device found at Idaho Falls airport was not dangerous, officials say – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – A suspicious device discovered in someone’s luggage at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport Saturday afternoon resulted in an evacuation.
The Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments responded around 3:50 p.m., according to city spokesman Eric Grossarth. The item in question was not specified.
Authorities detained passengers in a safe area of the terminal during the investigation. Witnesses say it lasted around 30 minutes and the road leading to the airport was closed during that time.
Ultimately, police determined the device was not dangerous.
Roads have re-opened and authorities have cleared the scene.
EastIdahoNews.com will provide updates as we receive them.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
Idaho
Idaho Legislature’s budget committee accepts report recommending raises for state employees – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) – The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee closed out the first week of the 2025 legislative session Friday by accepting a report recommending raises of $1.55 per hour for all state employees.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that meets daily and sets the budgets for every state agency and department.
A day earlier, on Thursday, the Idaho Legislature’s Change in Employee Compensation Committee voted 7-3 to recommend the $1.55 per hour raises.
On Friday, JFAC voted to accept the report with the recommendation from the Change in Employee Compensation Committee, but it did not vote on whether to approve the raises.
An actual JFAC vote on the raises is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.
JFAC also accepted a report Friday from the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee that projected $6.4 billion in state revenue will be available for next year’s budget. The $6.4 billion projection is slightly under Gov. Brad Little’s $6.41 billion revenue projection.
“We recommend caution in making appropriations above the committee’s revenue projection,” Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, told JFAC on Friday. “The committee recognizes economic uncertainty related to the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank addressing inflation and the recent presidential election.”
The action is expected to pick up considerably next week for JFAC. JFAC’s long-term schedule lists statewide maintenance budget decisions on the schedule for Wednesday, which could include decisions on state revenues and the proposed $1.55 raises for state employees.
On Friday, JFAC members are expected to set the maintenance budgets for all state agencies. JFAC leaders describe maintenance budgets as bare bones versions of last year’s budgets, with all the one-time money and projects removed. The maintenance budgets are simply meant to keep the lights on for state agencies. Under budget changes approved last year, new spending requests and replacement items are called budget enhancements, which are considered and voted on separately from the maintenance budgets.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
Pacers Injury Report: Crucial Indiana Forward Remains Out vs Cavaliers
COMMIT: Iowa Adds 2025 In-State PWO Kicker, Caden Buhr
Prefiled bill would release millions in school bond funds from Kansas attorney general’s grasp • Kansas Reflector
Kentucky State Police asking for help to find suspect in Breckinridge County ‘domestic incident’
Who Is The 25-year-old Louisiana Mayor Allegedly Caught Up In Drug Trafficking Ring?
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Trump Calls Officials Handling Los Angeles Wildfires ‘Incompetent’
Trump says Jack Smith is a 'disgrace' after special counsel resigned from DOJ: 'He left town empty handed!'
Chad’s ruling party wins majority in controversial parliamentary election
Crews race to contain LA wildfires as menacing winds may ramp up: Live updates
Video: Community L.A. Fire Brigade Steps In to Help Evacuate Residents
-
Politics1 week agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics1 week agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics1 week agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health7 days agoOzempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week agoSouth Korea extends Boeing 737-800 inspections as Jeju Air wreckage lifted
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25822586/STK169_ZUCKERBERG_MAGA_STKS491_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg "Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech")
Technology3 days agoMeta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
World1 week agoWeather warnings as freezing temperatures hit United Kingdom
-
News1 week agoSeeking to heal the country, Jimmy Carter pardoned men who evaded the Vietnam War draft