More money needed for fight against mussels

The battle against invasive aquatic mussels needs more financial help form the federal government, the Okanagan Basin Water Board says.

Ottawa recently pledged $157,000 annually over three years to support efforts to prevent zebra and quagga mussels from infesting B.C. waters.

But, the water board says federal funding of $2 million, with matching money from the provincial government, is required.

Among other things, the additional money would be spent on additional inspection stations, increased lake monitoring, and greater education and research.

“It seems appropriate that this be included in the annual federal budget since it is a national issue with huge implications for infrastructure, the environment, including fisheries, and more,” Tracy Gray, chairman of the water board and Kelowna city councillor, said in a statement.

“We do not want to be in a situation, like we’ve heard from officials in Manitoba and elsewhere, where we are infested with zebra or quagga mussels and regret not doing more to prevent it,” Gray said.

The mussels, transported most commonly on the hulls and propellors of watercraft, can clog infrastructure like water intake valves, make beaches unusable, reduce biodiversity in lakes and rivers.