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Quagga Mussel Incident Susan Ellis California Department of Fish and Game September 13, 2007. Natural History. Freshwater species Native to Ukraine and Russia A form of zebra mussels (Genus Dreissena ) Came to U.S. in late 1980’s (ballast water?) Very prolific: 1 million eggs/year
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Quagga MusselIncidentSusan EllisCalifornia Department of Fish and GameSeptember 13, 2007
Natural History • Freshwater species • Native to Ukraine and Russia • A form of zebra mussels (Genus Dreissena) • Came to U.S. in late 1980’s (ballast water?) • Very prolific: 1 million eggs/year • Larvae free-swimming • Adults can live at least a week out of water
California Concerns • Spread readily – Vessels/Trailers/Water • Environmental damage. • Economic impacts. • Eradication from Colorado River system unlikely.
Range February, 2007 Zebra mussel Quagga mussel Zebra mussel on boat trailers
Quagga Mussel in California • Colorado River • Lake Havasu • Grass Bay, south of the Havasu Landing Resort • Parker Dam • South of Parker Dam • Colorado River Aqueduct – 242 miles of the system • Lake Skinner, Riverside County • Lake Mathews, Riverside County • San Vicente Reservoir, San Diego County • Dixon Lake, San Diego County • Lower Otay Reservoir, San Diego County
Incident Overview • Invasive aquatic species • Discovered in Lake Mead on January 6, 2007 • Formed an Incident Command, developed coordinated response and appropriated state resources • Found at Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, MWD diversion intake structure
California Response • Unified response using incident command system • Agencies involved: Fish & Game, Water Resources, Food & Agriculture, Boating & Waterways, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Metropolitan Water District, City of San Diego • Coordination with multi-state quagga mussel team for Lake Mead incident • Governor appropriated deficiency >$2m for FY2006-7 and >$5.4m in FY2007-08 • Legislation pending – AB1683 Wolk
California Actions – Surveys • Dive Surveys - Lower Colorado River and inland waters in southern California. • Surface Surveys - all high priority waterbodies in the state.
California Actions – Inspections 24/7 inspections at CDFA Border Protection Stations (BPS) at Yermo, Needles, Vidal Jct. and Truckee
CDFA Border Protection Stations • As of August 26, 2007: • 59,241 boats checked • 6,412 boats needing cleaning • 50 confirmed Dreissenid mussel
California Actions – Outreach Public information and education Hotline 1 (866) 440-9530 Webpage http://www.dfg.ca.gov/quaggamussel/ • Boater information
Ongoing Efforts • Scientific Advisory Panel • Outreach and training • Multi-agency coordination • Continued inspection, interdiction • On-going sampling
Contact Information Hotline 1 (866) 440-9530 Webpage http://www.dfg.ca.gov/quaggamussel/ DFG Contact Susan Ellis, Invasive Species Coordinator sellis@dfg.ca.gov (916) 653-8983