BOISE - Legislation was introduced Thursday that would authorize the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to take action in curbing quagga mussels, an invasive species that lawmakers and officials fear could devastate south-central Idaho irrigation systems.

ISDA officials and lawmakers say there is high potential for the mussels, a striped mollusk in the same family as the pesky zebra mussel, to migrate to Idaho and clog the Magic Valley's rivers, lakes and irrigation systems.

There is currently no state law that addresses quagga mussels. Last year, the Legislature approved $4 million to invasive plants, principally milfoil, and an underwater plant that spreads rapidly.

Thursday's legislation - dubbed the Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008 - came from Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, where invasive species such as milfoil have drawn attention. His action earned him the nickname "Morty Milfoil."

Anderson said the legislation asks the ISDA to craft administrative rules and then inspect boats, set up monitor stations and possibly create regulations.

"We have to do everything possible to end this," said Anderson. "It's the biggest ecological challenge we'll be faced with."

The State Affairs Committee sent the legislation directly to the House floor.

The mussels, which are the size of a thumbnail and clump together, are often found attached to boats. In irrigation systems, the fear is that any pipes that take water from large bodies could be clogged.

Common in eastern parts of the country, the mussels were spotted about a year ago in Nevada's Lake Mead. They've gone to other states, including Arizona, said Anderson.

People are stunned at how quickly they've spread outside Nevada, said Amy Ferriter, ISDA invasive species coordinator.

"I really do think the state of Idaho is at a high risk for Quagga mussels," she said. "People aren't saying if. They are saying when."

The ISDA, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Power Co. began last year monitoring the sites together, but lacked the proper funding, Ferriter said. Any funding would come from the state's deficiency warrants, which serve as an emergency fund, most recently to fight wildfires across the state.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 420-8371 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.