British Columbia has received a significant financial boost in its ongoing battle to prevent mussel infestation in its waters. BC Hydro has announced that it will be investing $900,000 a year for the next five years into the Invasive Mussel Defence Program. This program aims to prevent invasive mussels from entering B.C. waters through watercraft inspection stations and early detection monitoring. The program will also receive additional funding of $150,000 from various conservation partners such as the BC Wildlife Federation, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. This financial support is crucial in the continued effort to keep waterways free of invasive mussels.
Nathan Cullen, B.C.’s minister of land and water, expressed gratitude for the support from BC Hydro and other conservation partners as they work together to combat invasive mussels. The provincial government has made fighting invasive mussels a priority and will continue to work alongside partners and communities to take action. This week’s investment from BC Hydro joins ongoing contributions made by other organizations such as the Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Power, and FortisBC. The government also continues to advocate to the federal government to resume funding for this vital program, emphasizing the importance of protecting B.C.’s waterways from invasive mussels.
Watercraft inspection stations play a crucial role in preventing invasive mussels from entering B.C. waters. These stations are open from April until October and focus on promoting the ‘clean, drain, and dry’ motto to boat owners. Invasive zebra and quagga mussels pose significant economic and environmental risks due to their ability to damage essential water infrastructure and outcompete native species and ecosystems in B.C. If these invasive mussels were introduced into B.C., the estimated cost of annual removal and management could range from $64 million to $129 million per year. Last year, crews completed around 20,900 inspections and collected 867 water samples from 83 priority water bodies throughout B.C.
BC Hydro’s president and CEO, Chris O’Riley, highlighted the importance of keeping invasive mussels out of B.C. waters to protect freshwater ecosystems and fish. O’Riley noted that the company’s annual contribution to the Invasive Mussel Defence Program is in addition to other initiatives and activities implemented under its aquatic invasive species strategy. Jesse Zeman of the BC Wildlife Federation emphasized the devastating potential impacts of invasive mussel infiltration and the importance of keeping them out of B.C. waters. The ongoing efforts and financial support from BC Hydro and conservation partners are essential in safeguarding B.C.’s waterways from the threats posed by invasive mussels.
Overall, the financial investment from BC Hydro and other conservation partners into the Invasive Mussel Defence Program will strengthen B.C.’s ability to prevent the entry of invasive mussels into its waters. Through watercraft inspection stations, early detection monitoring, and advocacy efforts, the province is taking proactive steps to protect its waterways from the significant economic and environmental risks associated with zebra and quagga mussels. By working together with various organizations and communities, B.C. is prioritizing the health of its freshwater ecosystems and the preservation of its native species. The ongoing support and collaboration in the fight against invasive mussels are crucial in maintaining the integrity of B.C.’s waterways for future generations.
