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- Department of Fish and Game Offers Media Opportunity to Help Boaters Stop Spread of Invasive Mussels
News Release Archive
Department of Fish and Game Offers Media Opportunity to Help Boaters Stop Spread of Invasive Mussels
Media Contact:
Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 05/06/2008 17:53
For Release: May 06, 2008
On Saturday, May 10, 2008, the California Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, will offer news media the opportunity to help the public better understand how to prevent the spread of invasive species into Northern California lakes and waterways. Zebra and Quagga mussels have infested some Nevada and California waters. Recently, Zebra mussels were found in Reclamation's San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County, about 40 miles southeast of San Jose. This is the first population of this destructive invasive species to be found in Northern California waters.
The news media will be briefed by an environmental scientist who is an expert on invasive mussels. The expert will also use a boat to illustrate how to inspect for mussels and how to clean the boat -procedures that are important for all boaters to know.
WHO: News media in the greater Sacramento area.
WHAT: Media opportunity to interview a resource expert and to view boat inspection procedures.
WHEN: Saturday, May 10, 2008, 1 p.m.
WHERE: 7th Annual Get W.E.T. Event, American River Water Education Center at Folsom Dam, 7785 Folsom Auburn Road.
WHY: Boaters who unknowingly spread mussels into a lake or other water body could cause severe economic and environmental problems. Mussels can clog water pipes, coat piers, and ruin boat motors. A mussel infestation can potentially lead to the closure of boating in affected waterways, and their spread could result in millions of dollars in damage to water transport facilities. They can also disrupt the ecological balance of entire bodies of water, causing severe impacts to native species.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact David Jones at Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5108 (TDD 916-978-5608), or e-mail dajones@mp.usbr.gov.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
