State - Amador County boaters take note…State officials are still taking all measures necessary in order to avoid another outbreak of the invasive quagga and zebra mussels. A spokesperson for the Department of Fish and Game says experts at the agency still fear the mussel could spread and invade more California waterways. Restrictions were lifted at local lakes last year based on research done to determine the extent of the current infestation in Northern California as well as the vulnerability of Pardee and Camanche to the threats posed by invasive mussels. At this time, East Bay Municipal Utility District has taken several steps to manage the Quagga and Zebra mussel issue at Lake Camanche, Lake Pardee, and San Pablo Reservoir. This includes banning vessels from Southern California and outside of California, and inspecting vessels from approved counties. Although Pardee and Camanche have been determined to be less vulnerable to mussel infestation than reservoirs in the East Bay, vessel owners will be asked to complete a vessel history survey and to present the vessel in a clean and dry condition. The condition of the vessel will be determined by a physical inspection. In order to help prevent the spread of all aquatic invasive species, the "Clean and Dry, Inside and Out" requirement for all vessel owners will be enforced again this year and into the future. Quagga and zebra mussels are native to Eastern Europe and are believed to have spread to North America on the hull of ships and boats. The tiny critters are extremely aggressive, clogging pipes, starving indigenous species and producing toxins that are harmful to native fish and mollusk populations. The invaders create millions of larvae eggs that continue to grow and multiply. Officials have no surefire way of getting rid of them. Many of the waterways throughout Northern California are connected and water officials are considering further bans. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009 00:26
Invasive Mussel Restrictions
State - Amador County boaters take note…State officials are still taking all measures necessary in order to avoid another outbreak of the invasive quagga and zebra mussels. A spokesperson for the Department of Fish and Game says experts at the agency still fear the mussel could spread and invade more California waterways. Restrictions were lifted at local lakes last year based on research done to determine the extent of the current infestation in Northern California as well as the vulnerability of Pardee and Camanche to the threats posed by invasive mussels. At this time, East Bay Municipal Utility District has taken several steps to manage the Quagga and Zebra mussel issue at Lake Camanche, Lake Pardee, and San Pablo Reservoir. This includes banning vessels from Southern California and outside of California, and inspecting vessels from approved counties. Although Pardee and Camanche have been determined to be less vulnerable to mussel infestation than reservoirs in the East Bay, vessel owners will be asked to complete a vessel history survey and to present the vessel in a clean and dry condition. The condition of the vessel will be determined by a physical inspection. In order to help prevent the spread of all aquatic invasive species, the "Clean and Dry, Inside and Out" requirement for all vessel owners will be enforced again this year and into the future. Quagga and zebra mussels are native to Eastern Europe and are believed to have spread to North America on the hull of ships and boats. The tiny critters are extremely aggressive, clogging pipes, starving indigenous species and producing toxins that are harmful to native fish and mollusk populations. The invaders create millions of larvae eggs that continue to grow and multiply. Officials have no surefire way of getting rid of them. Many of the waterways throughout Northern California are connected and water officials are considering further bans. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
