Michael Stephenson
Idaho Power

Nick Zurfluh
Idaho Department of Agriculture

DESCRIPTION

Mussels were discovered in the Mid-Snake in 2023. This panel will focus on the response to the detection of the Quagga Mussels, follow-up monitoring, and how programs have adopted to respond. Additional discussion on management strategies at Hoover Dam where mussels are established.

This panel is within the Natural Resources Track at the conference. 
 
This is a 101-level discussion looking to review the subject matter for those newer to the industry and update on the state of the industry in this topic area. 

Moderator/Panelists:
Fred Noland,  Environmental Manager- Recreation, Idaho Power

Panelists: 

• Michael Stephenson,  Resource Professional Leader, Idaho Power
• Nick Zurfluh, Bureau Chief - Invasive Species, Noxious Weeds, Range,  Idaho Department of Agriculture
• Heidi McMaster, IPM and Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Bureau of Reclamation

Speaker Bios:

• Fred Noland has worked for Idaho Power Company for 25 years in the hydropower relicensing and compliance space, with a focus on public access and recreation mitigation. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho and a master's degree from Boise State University. He loves bird hunting, adventure motorcycling, and fishing.
• Michael Stephenson- Attended Ohio University for undergraduate and graduate studies. He has been actively working on aquatic invasive species prevention since 2003.
• Nic Zurfluh is the Bureau Chief for the Invasive Species, Noxious Weed and Range Programs for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
• Heidi McMaster is the Integrated Pest Management and Invasive Species Program Coordinator for the Bureau of Reclamation, with backgrounds in water quality, hazmat, limnology, and environmental compliance and protection.