Conclusions

Unfortunately, the question is not whether Idaho will see additional or spreading invasions of undesirable invasive species, but rather which species will arrive, how and where they will show up and what the magnitude of the damage or risk will be. That is the reality, not only in Idaho, but nationwide. On the positive side for Idaho is a wealth of experience in addressing many such species, a work ethic and organization that is well suited as a model for a larger effort and some time to create that effort.

What Idaho needs now are the financial resources, legal authorities and organization that can meet the coming challenges. This must be coupled with public understanding of the need to take action and the political will to do so. The risks of inaction, as measured by the potential costs to our economy and to our natural world, far exceed the present costs of recognizing those risks and doing what is needed to face up to them.