U.S. Army Corps to Begin Wildlife Control Work on Lewiston Levee

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Walla Walla District announced it will begin managing nuisance wildlife along the Lewiston Levee as part of ongoing maintenance efforts. The work will be carried out in coordination with state and federal agencies, with a focus on controlling burrowing rodents and other animals that can create tunnels and weaken the levee structure, posing risks to nearby communities.

Why it matters

Maintaining the integrity of the Lewiston Levee is critical for flood control and protecting the surrounding infrastructure and communities. Burrowing animals can compromise the structural stability of the levee, necessitating proactive wildlife management to ensure the levee remains safe and effective.

The details

The Corps will work with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to control animals such as yellow-bellied marmots, also known as rock chucks, that can create tunnels and weaken the levee. The work will be conducted during times of low public use and overseen by trained wildlife specialists.

• The work is expected to begin immediately and continue for several months.