CLARKSTON, WA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District says it will begin managing nuisance wildlife along the Lewiston Levee as part of ongoing maintenance efforts.

According to the Corps, the work will be carried out in coordination with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Crews will focus on controlling burrowing rodents and other wildlife that can damage the levee structure.

Officials say animals such as yellow-bellied marmots, also known as rock chucks, can create tunnels that weaken the levee and pose risks to nearby communities and infrastructure.

The work is expected to begin immediately and continue for several months. It will be conducted during times of low public use and overseen by trained wildlife specialists.

The Corps says the effort is a routine part of levee maintenance aimed at maintaining the safety and integrity of the flood control system.