North West Seeking Federal Help to Fend Off Mussel Scourge

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A power planning group from Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington is pursuing $2 million from Congress to help fend off invasive mussels that have clogged Colorado River reservoirs since 2007.

These states and others are frustrated that boats continue to leave Lake Mead on trailers contaminated with invasive quagga mussels that can block pipelines, foul hydroelectric dams and cause millions of dollars in damage

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council says existing efforts at Lake Mead are insufficient, so they want to bolster border inspection and decontamination efforts in the four states.

Washington's council appointee Phil Rockefeller said Tuesday this second line of defense may not be as effective as stopping mussels at Lake Mead, but remains essential if National Park Service reservoir managers fail to halt contaminated boats there.