More resources are being sought from the B.C. government for efforts to keep invasive mussels out of the Shuswap as an infestation could cost Okanagan-Shuswap taxpayers $42 million annually in ongoing costs and lost revenue.
Earlier this week, the Shuswap Watershed Council sent a letter to Hon. Josie Osborne, provincial Minister of Land, Water & Resource Stewardship calling for a greater investment and new measures to protect the Shuswap – and all of British Columbia – from invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels.
"While it could take just a single watercraft from out-of-province infested with invasive mussels launching into BC waters, it is of utmost importance that the Invasive Mussel Defence Program be expanded such that all routes into BC from Alberta and the USA have a watercraft inspection and decontamination station," said Jay Simpson, Chair of the Shuswap Watershed Council, in the letter.
See the full text of the Shuswap Watershed Council letter (PDF).
