Premier Christy Clark announced a $2-million enhancement to BC’s Mussel Defence Program that protects BC’s freshwater ecosystems from invasive species of mussels.
Following a successful pilot program last year, today Premier Christy Clark announced a $2-million boost to the province’s invasive mussel defence program that will see eight permanent mussel inspection stations installed at major entry points along BC’s borders.
Five inspection stations will be set up along the BC-Alberta border, and three along the BC-United States border. The stations in the Basin will be near the communities of Golden, Radium, Sparwood, Castlegar, Valemount. These stations will be operational April 1 for the 2016 boating season.
“As with elsewhere in the province, lakes and rivers in the Columbia Basin region are an incredibly important asset, relied upon for everything from power generation to recreation and tourism to community water supply and irrigation,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer. “Keeping these waterways free from invasive mussels is essential and fits with our environmental goal of maintaining and enhancing the health of our aquatic ecosystems.”
Thanks to the generous support from BC Hydro, FortisBC, Columbia Power and the Columbia Basin Trust, $2 million in funding will enhance the successful program and introduce more protection at BC’s borders. The Province is also contributing in kind with staff, equipment and office space.
Quagga and zebra mussels pose a serious threat to BC’s aquatic ecosystems, salmon populations, hydro power stations and other infrastructure facilities. They can clog pipes, cause ecological and economic damage, displace native aquatic plants and wildlife, degrade the environment and affect drinking water quality.
See the full release here.
