+ October 17, 2018

Re: Idaho Invasive Species Program Update & Save the Date IISC Fall Meeting December 12th, 2018

Idaho Invasive Species Council Meeting Save the Date- December 12th, 2018: The fall 2018 council meeting date is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday December 12th, 2018 here at ISDA in lower 1 & 2. ISDA staff will update the council on 2018 activities and a high level planning update for 2019 operations covering both invasive species and noxious weed program. Stay tuned for a draft agenda.

FY 2019 Funding:

The Idaho legislature provided $3,143,300 from the Idaho General Fund to continue enhanced operations of the state's watercraft inspection stations for FY19. This funding made it possible to open new inspection stations, extend season duration, increase hours of operation and law enforcement. FY19 funding also includes $1,000,000 from federal funds through a Pacific States Marine Fisheries (PSMFC) Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) agreement to expand watercraft inspection operations. PSMFC WRDA funding also includes monitoring efforts as well, which has allowed ISDA to expand the level of monitoring statewide. WRDA funding requires a 1:1 match with states funds previously mentioned. FY 19 also includes $1.4 million from the dedicated Watercraft Invasive Species Sticker Fund which ISDA utilizes for station improvement projects. ISDA also received from BLM $20,000 to purchase watercraft decontamination units, $57,000 from 2018 USFWS State ANS Plan agreement for updating the regulatory signage at Idaho borders and continues to utilize USFS funding to operate the inspection station at Redfish Lake.

Watercraft Inspection:

As the boating season winds down, the majority of recreational watercraft are being winterized and placed into storage. ISDA has worked cooperatively with local entities throughout Idaho in 2018 to operate watercraft inspection stations statewide. Total inspections performed by Idaho stations exceeded previous years data in terms of total volume (please see attached graph from 10/14/2018) and mussel fouled watercraft interceptions. Thank you to all our station partners for their hard work and dedication to this program.

To date, Idaho stations have intercepted 49 Quagga/Zebra mussel fouled watercraft destined to or through Idaho. All mussels found in 2018 have been non-viable dead mussel shells originating from various mussel infested waterbodies throughout US. ISDA continues to work with regional partners to promote mandatory inspection and decontamination for watercraft leaving those source waters, notification sent to destination states prior to arrival and a coordinated follow-up decontamination at the destination. ISDA staff compile contact information for all mussel fouled watercraft leaving Idaho on a case-by-case basis to be sent to destination states so a follow-up decontamination can be arranged if needed.

15 stations are now closed for the season. ISDA staff are working with local cooperators for station closure, equipment maintenance and storage. Inspection stations that remain open are listed below and scheduled to close October 31 for the 2018 season. Hwy 93- N Cotterel I-84 W Malad I-15 N Duck Valley Hwy 51- N Cedars I-90 W

Inspection Data Update (10/15/2018):

The watercraft inspection webpage has been updated with current numbers and recent fouled boat data. http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations/

Inspection Station Site Improvement Projects:

ISDA completed several site improvement projects this season. Projects include updating shed/shelter units, installing electrical utility services, lighting, surface ground work, footprint expansion, electronic message boards and station signage. These projects will continue through fall/winter 2018 in preparation for the upcoming 2019 season. Many of these site improvement projects involve with working with ITD, BLM, utility companies and local jurisdiction authorities to complete. ISDA appreciates working with you folks to make a more effective and safer work environment for station employees.

Monitoring:

ISDA field staff and partners have completed their plankton tow monitoring for Quagga/Zebra mussel veliger analysis goals for the 2018 season. 1,615 samples were collected this field season, about an 80% increase over previous years. The lab is processing through the remaining samples with analysis results expected in the next two weeks. So far, no Q/Z mussels have been detected in Idaho samples. ISDA field crews are shifting efforts to fall drawdown surveys looking for adult mussels, aquatic plants of concern and other invasive species. These efforts will continue until the weather no longer permits.

Rapid Response:

ISDA is reviewing the state rapid response plan in comparison to the updated Columbia River Basin plan and surrounding state plans for any updates or edits needed. ISDA anticipates having the plan ready for review prior to the IISC meeting for comment.

GIS/Mapping:

Story maps are an excellent way to showcase program activities, especially when there is a success story to tell. ISDA has several story maps available online for the public to access. Please feel free to check them out and share.

Main mapping page:

http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/maps/

Some examples:

1-http://idaho.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=30b457e794af4cc287b88dc65deeccea

2-https://idaho.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=cb93903655b6448dbe1bdd37c4d2ac66

Please feel free to contact Lloyd Knight or myself for more information. Thank you for all your efforts to help stop the spread of invasive species.

Nic Zurfluh

+ June 1, 2018

Re: Spring 2018 Meeting Review

The Spring 2018 IISC meeting was held on Wednesday May 23rd at Idaho State Department of Agriculture Headquarters in Boise, Idaho. Thank you to all who were able to attend. Please see attached PDF for program updates as well as the BSU watercraft inspection data analysis report.

Topics discussed:

Approved meeting minutes from fall 2017 meeting.

ISDA Invasive Species Program Updates:

-2018 watercraft inspection station operation and planning

-2018 Noxious Weed program operation and planning 

-Watercraft Inspection Data Analysis- Matthew May, Ph.D., BSU.

-Partner updates

-Other topics and public comment

Watercraft Inspection Data Update:

http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations/

Total inspections – 16,464

Total Hotwashes – 846

Total weeds on boats – 59

Total fouled boats – 26

Please let Lloyd Knight or myself know if you have any questions. Thank you all for your efforts to help stop invasive species.

Nic Zurfluh - Section Manager

Invasive Species Coordination and Outreach

+ April 16, 2019

To: Idaho Invasive Species Council and Stakeholders

Re: Save the Date IISC Spring Meeting May 9th, 2019

Idaho Invasive Species Council Meeting Save the Date- May 9th, 2019 @ 9:00 AM MST: The spring 2019 Idaho Invasive Species Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 9th at ISDA. Meeting agenda items include an ISDA program update for both invasive species and noxious weed programs as well as a biological control update from Dr. Mark Schwarzlander (University of Idaho) and Joey Milan (Bureau of Land Management). We will also provide time for a round table update for stakeholder activities.

Watercraft Inspection: ISDA has created an Operations Dashboard highlighting a subset of the data collected at the roadside inspections stations throughout the state in 2019. The dashboard is intended to give basic information from the stations individually and collectively throughout the season.

This site is updated every minute which will allow a real-time view of the inspections occurring anytime individuals are interested. At the top right of the page are filters allowing you to single out stations, or by preset date intervals. We see this as a beneficial tool allowing a glimpse of the data throughout the field season instead of waiting for the results at the end of the year.

We hope you enjoy it. http://idaho.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/91aa2987ab5542b08523d6a9056697d2

https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations

Please feel free to contact Lloyd Knight, Jeremey Varley or myself for more information. Thank you for all your efforts to help stop the spread of invasive species.

Nic Zurfluh Section Manager- Invasive Species Coordination and Outreach Idaho State Department of Agriculture 208.332.8686 office 208.334.2283 fax 208.631.9574 cell nicholas.zurfluh@isda.idaho.gov invasivespecies.idaho.gov

+ August 28, 2020

To: Idaho Invasive Species Council and Stakeholders

Re: Idaho Invasive Species Program Update 8/28/2020

Idaho Invasive Species Council Fall 2020 Meeting: Please hold the following dates for the next meetings of the Idaho Invasive Species Council. These meetings will be held virtually, with log-in details to follow. • September 23, 9:00am MDT • December 16, 9:00am MST

Idaho Watercraft Inspection Update (8/28/2020) It has been a busy 2020 boating season so this summer with highest boating traffic we have ever experienced throughout the history of the program (see graph below). Thank you to all our station partners for their hard work and dedication to this program. 2020 has been a year of challenges for many of our program activities, including the operation of watercraft inspection stations. Here are some specific updates about our operations this season.

Watercraft Inspection update regarding COVID-19: The beginning of the inspection season dovetailed with the onset of COVID-19 and the statewide restrictions associated with that emergency situation. We understood that communication with state cooperators would be important, and providing clear description of the responsibilities for ISDA, station cooperators, and the boating public would be essential. The following points were communicated to stations throughout the season:

• Watercraft inspection stations and law enforcement support continue to operate in Idaho while taking in account the CDC and Governor’s Office recommendations concerning COVID-19. For the most part, watercraft inspection stations in neighboring states continue to operate. Stations are operating with the current recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and relevant orders in mind.

• The Governor’s office and ISDA have fielded calls and emails from boaters that travel through ISDA watercraft inspection stations with concerns about not using face masks to interact with the public. When inspectors have worn face masks, that feedback from customers has been positive. When inspectors have not, that feedback is expressing concern that the inspections are not taking the threat of COVID spread seriously and that stations are not following the recommendations and requirements seen across the state.

• For the purposes of preventing further spread and ensuring consistency with guidance and orders, watercraft inspectors have been encouraged to wear face masks when interacting with the public. Station cooperators and their employees are contractors of for the state, and not direct ISDA employees, but the stations are a state activity and your operation does reflect the state, the agency, and the watercraft inspection station program.
• DHR’s “Guide for the State of Idaho Workforce” requires the use of masks for each employee when a six-foot distance cannot be maintained. The use of face masks is recognized by the CDC and other disease experts as a highly effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Recommendations to prevent contracting/spreading communicable diseases:

• Regularly practice the same steps you would if you had influenza or another communicable disease, such as:
• For the purposes of preventing further spread and ensuring consistency with guidance and orders, please ensure that watercraft inspectors wear face masks when interacting with the public.
• Limit the interaction between the inspector and boat owner, limit the exchange of inspection material to only those most essential, and finally maintain social distancing with a minimum of 6 foot distance.
• Washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Covering your cough and sneezes with a tissue or using the inside of your elbow
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Staying home if you are sick
• Regularly disinfecting surfaces such as tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, etc. (especially in common areas). We are asking all employees to start wiping down their own areas regularly.

Watercraft Inspection Station Training (WIT) update regarding COVID-19: ISDA developed four training options to continue watercraft inspection activities as stations open for the season. These options can be customized based on the station cooperator resources:

1. In-person training session to review PowerPoint and hands-on material. This option is limited to only 1st year inspectors in small groups and settings where social distancing can be followed.
2. Online webinar platform meeting to screen share WIT PowerPoints and knowledge reviews.
3. Online website video tutorials and knowledge reviews.
4. Printed PowerPoint and knowledge review material where ISDA provides WIT material (binder) and inspector works at own pace to complete the course.

Mussel Fouled Watercraft update: Idaho stations continue to intercept mussel fouled watercraft destined to or through Idaho. As of yesterday, Idaho has intercepted 26 mussel fouled watercraft. All mussels observed so far in 2020 have been non-viable dead mussel shells. Details on the fouled boats identified this season can be found at: http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations.

Watercraft inspection data update: ISDA has created an Operations Dashboard highlighting a subset of the data collected at the roadside inspections stations throughout the state in 2020. The dashboard is intended to give basic information from the stations individually and collectively throughout the season. This site is updated ‘real-time’ as inspection occur. At the top right of the page are filters allowing you to single out stations, or by preset date intervals. We see this as a beneficial tool allowing a glimpse of the data throughout the field season instead of waiting for the results at the end of the year. https://idaho.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ad679c90ae9f4979a49013985d28da8a

Total inspections (8/28/2020) – 113,193 Total Hotwashes – 4,193 From Q/Z mussel infested water: 1,984 Total weeds on boats – 404 Total fouled boats – 26 Returned by law enforcement: 2,128

Watercraft inspection information, locations and data can be found online at: http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations https://static1.squarespace.com/static/564b8c9ae4b0459b2b8187a3/t/5e59a333d48f8f22c9b04c93/1582932788061/2020_Inspection_Sites_plus_roving.jpg

Monitoring: ISDA field staff have been busy conducting annual monitoring for Dreissenid mussels and aquatic plant surveys. So far this season we have collected ~1,100 veliger samples and ~200 adult mussels surveys with the remaining fall surveys left to complete as we move closer to November. ISDA veliger lab contractor has been receiving samples in good condition from field staff and analyzing samples within two weeks’ time from delivery. To date, no Dreissenid mussels have been detected in Idaho waters during our monitoring! Thank you to all the local sampling partners who have been contributing to this effort.

US Department of the Interior Draft Invasive Species Plan: The Department of the Interior (US DOI) has released the latest draft for the next Invasive Species Plan which was developed in pursuant of the John D Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act. The plan is available for review online here: https://www.doi.gov/ppa/doi-invasive-species-strategic-plan. US DOI will be hosting two upcoming teleconferences listening sessions to provide comment on the draft plan. Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern and Monday, September 28, 2020 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern. To participate in one of these sessions, please RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/tfgu83p by 5:00 pm eastern on September 21. Any written comments will also be accepted by Friday, October 9, 2020 by 11:59 pm.

Thank you all for your continued effort to keep Idaho invasive species free! Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Nic Zurfluh Section Manager- Invasive Species Coordination and Outreach Idaho State Department of Agriculture

+ December 16, 2020

Idaho Invasive Species Council Meeting December 16th, 2020

https://idahostatedepartmentofagriculture.my.webex.com/idahostatedepartmentofagriculture.my/j.php?MTID=m4c22a422ecea491d44b7d134f56544b9

Meeting number: 126 915 7965 Password: ENtM7d6Ka5g (36867365 from phones and video systems)

Join by video system Dial 1269157965@webex.com You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States TOll Access code:1269157965

Attendance:

• Lloyd Knight- Plants Administrator, ISDA
• Jeremey Varley- Noxious Weeds Section Manager, ISDA
• Nic Zurfluh- Invasive Species Section Manager, ISDA
• Paul Castrovillo- Entomologist CAPS State Survey Coordinator, ISDA
• Chuck Warren – Idaho Fish and Game
• Vern Hancock- Idaho State Police
• Graham Freeman- Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Cathy Ford- Idaho Transportation Department
• Rob Sepich- Idaho Legislative Services Office
• Matthew Reiber- Idaho Division of Financial Management
• Michael Stephenson - Idaho Power
• Theresa Thom- US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Laura Sprague- US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Ben Maitibag- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Heidi McMaster- US Bureau of Reclamation
• Joey Milan- US Bureau of Land Management
• Steve Jirik- US Bureau of Land Management
• Ethan Ellsworth- US Bureau of Land Management
• Michelle Cox- US Forest Service
• Rayola Jacobsen- Northwest Power Planning Council Idaho Office
• David Cottle- Bear Lake
• Stephen Phillips- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
• Sharayh Krantz- Lemhi County
• Tom Moorhouse- Clean Lakes Inc.
• Pamm Juker- ISDA
• Bethany Gaddis- ISDA
• Kim Holzer- ISDA
• Kahla Montrose- ISDA
• Madi Patterson- ISDA
• Bethany Muffley- ISDA
• Dan Safford- ISDA
• Saul Teska- ISDA

Opening Remarks:

Nic Zurfluh called the meeting to order @ 9:05 AM MST. Meeting was held via WebEx with optional in-person meeting at the ISDA Boise office. All attendees were virtual and no members present in-person.

Presentations:

• 2020 Plants Division Overview. (Lloyd Knight, ISDA)
• 2020 Idaho and Regional Noxious Weed Program Overview. (Jeremey Varley, ISDA)
• 2020 Idaho and Regional IS Program Overview. (Nic Zurfluh, ISDA)
• 2020 Invasive Insect (Paul Castrovillo, ISDA)

2020 Division Overview- Lloyd Knight

Lloyd Knight provided an update on seasonal workload, COVID-19 considerations, budget and 2021 rulemaking. Idaho and Regional Noxious Weed Program Overview- Jeremey Varley Jeremey Varley’s presentation consisted of providing an update on the Idaho noxious weed program including aquatic noxious weeds monitoring and control projects, terrestrial noxious weed projects and the grasshopper and Mormon cricket landowner assistance program.

Idaho and Regional IS Program Overview- Nic Zurfluh

Nic Zurfluh’s presentation providing an update on the Idaho invasive species program including the 2020 watercraft inspection stations, budget, COVID-19 considerations, monitoring, education and outreach.

Invasive Insect- Paul Castrovillo

Paul Castrovillo’s presentation covered the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), Japanese Beetle (JB) eradication program and multiple other invasive insects.

Round table updates

Michael Stephenson provided an update on Idaho veliger monitoring in the Hells Canyon complex during summer of 2020 and several invasive mussel vulnerability assessments for hydropower facilities.

Theresa Thom provided an update on the USFWS horizon scanning project for the Pacific Northwest. This project is part of a national, multi-agency effort to identify potential new aquatic invaders to increase capacity for early detection and rapid response activities.

Public Comment

No public Comment.

Meeting adjourned

Presentations will be available following today’s meeting on the invasivespecies.idaho.gov website. Nic Zurfluh closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.

+ December 15, 2021

Idaho Invasive Species Council Meeting December 15th, 2021

Join from the meeting link: https://idahostatedepartmentofagriculture.my.webex.com/idahostatedepartmentofagriculture.my/j.php?MTID=m9e4cb08d0178bf0eabcdbf2d7ff4e2e2

Join by meeting number Meeting number (access code): 2558 718 8707 Meeting password: xzMjkF3aP66 (99655332 from phones and video systems) Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-408-418-9388,,25587188707#99655332# United States Toll Some mobile devices may ask attendees to enter a numeric password. Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Global call-in numbers Join by video system, application or Skype for business Dial 25587188707@webex.com You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Attendance:

• Lloyd Knight- Plants Administrator, ISDA
• Pamm Juker- Chief of Staff, Communications Director, ISDA
• Jeremey Varley- Noxious Weeds Section Manager, ISDA
• Nic Zurfluh- Invasive Species Section Manager, ISDA
• Paul Castrovillo- Entomologist CAPS State Survey Coordinator, ISDA
• Darcy Heckathorne- Pest Survey Coordinator, ISDA
• Kahla Montrose- NWFHF & GHMC Programs, ISDA
• Stephen Phillips- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
• Brian Marschman- USDA APHIS
• Melissa Morrison- USDA APHIS
• Steve Jirik- US Bureau of Land Management
• Ed Barge- Plant Pathologist, USFS
• James Nagler- University of Idaho
• Rayola Jacobsen- Northwest Power Planning Council Idaho Office
• Keith Jones- Idaho Parks and Recreation
• Reymundo Rodrequez- Idaho Transportation Department
• Laura Sprague- USFWS
• Michelle Cox- US Forest Service
• Devin Wadsworth- Teton County
• Graham Freeman- Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Cathy Ford- Idaho Transportation Department
• Ethan Ellsworth- US Bureau of Land Management
• Mary Ann Stoll, Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District
• Bethany Gaddis- ISDA
• Kim Holzer- ISDA
• Cole Morrison- ISDA
• Aaron Ursenbach- ISDA
• Bethany Muffley- ISDA
• Saul Teska- ISDA
• Jennifer Roman- ISDA

Opening Remarks:

Lloyd Knight, ISDA called the meeting to order @ 9:05 AM MST. Meeting was held via WebEx with optional in-person meeting at the ISDA Boise office. All attendees were virtual and no members present in-person.

Presentations:

• Program Overview, Budget, 2022 Rulemaking. (Lloyd Knight, ISDA)
• 2021 Noxious Weed Program. (Jeremey Varley, ISDA)
• 2021 Invasive Species Program. (Nic Zurfluh, ISDA)
• 2021 Invasive Insect Program (Paul Castrovillo and Darcy Heckathorne, ISDA

2021 Division Overview- Lloyd Knight

Lloyd Knight provided an update on seasonal workload, budget and 2022 rulemaking.

Idaho and Regional Noxious Weed Program Overview- Jeremey Varley

Jeremey Varley’s presentation consisted of providing an update on the Idaho noxious weed program including aquatic noxious weeds monitoring and control projects, terrestrial noxious weed projects. Jeremey also introduced Kahla Montrose who is the new coordinator for the Noxious Weed Free Hay & Forage program as well as the Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket landowner assistance program. Kahla finished the presentation with an overview of field activities in these programs for 2021.

Idaho and Regional IS Program Overview- Nic Zurfluh

Nic Zurfluh’s presentation providing an update on the Idaho invasive species program including the 2021 watercraft inspection stations, Zebra Mussel contaminated marimo moss ball in the marketplace, budget, monitoring, education and outreach.

Invasive Insect- Paul Castrovillo and Darcy Heckathorne

Paul Castrovillo and Darcy Heckathorne's presentation covered the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), Japanese Beetle (JB) eradication program and multiple other invasive insects.

Federal Legislation and Appropriate Update- Stephen Phillips, PSMFC

Stephen Phillips with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission provided an update on Federal legislation and appropriations.

Round table updates

No partner updates.

Public Comment

No public comment.

Meeting adjourned

Presentations will be available following today’s meeting on the invasivespecies.idaho.gov website. Nic Zurfluh closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance. Nic also addressed that the Idaho Invasive Species Strategic Plan (5-year plan) is up for renewal and invited partner imput before presenting a draft to the council next spring for the 2022 meeting.