To offer some perspective from Idaho, Governor Brad Little joined the show to describe his state’s experience with invasive mussels.

“Earlier this year we were concerned by the news that zebra mussel larvae had been discovered in the upper Colorado River, a waterway that supports 40 million people throughout the West,” said Governor Little. “While we wait to see how this infestation progresses, I want to provide some useful notes from Idaho, where we have already begun a comprehensive treatment plan to address quagga mussels that were discovered in the Snake River in September of 2023.”

Over the course of the half-hour-long episode, we dive into these two recent detections of invasive mussels in the Snake River in Idaho and a stretch of the Colorado River in Colorado. Those detections sparked rapid and thorough responses to contain, monitor, and even eradicate these mussels. Over the course of the episode, WGA Policy Advisor Zach Nowak sits down with the experts and managers that are working to manage those detections and keep western lakes and rivers free of invasive mussels. 

You'll hear from Idaho Governor Brad Little, Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters, National Invasive Species Council Executive Director Stas Burgiel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Barak Shemai, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Theresa Thom. 

Tune in to the episode by clicking the embedded player below, or by downloading the episode on Podbean, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.