Invasive Mussel News

Deadline May 1, 2023

Theme: "Think Ahead; Stop the Spread"

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce the 10th annual California Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest. This year’s theme, “Think Ahead; Stop the Spread,” encourages students to research ways to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive species and promote actions to protect the environment.

The contest is offered by CDFW’s Invasive Species Program in conjunction with California Invasive Species Action Week, June 3-11.

The art contest has three age divisions for youth in grades 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12. All types of art are welcome and encouraged, including (but not limited to): drawings, paintings and comic strips. Entries must reflect the 2023 theme: “Think Ahead; Stop the Spread.” The top three winners in each division will have entries announced on CDFW’s social media. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.

The new video portion, open to grades 5-12, allows students to submit a 60 second video on the theme. Winning videos will be posted on CDFW’s YouTube channel.

The deadline for contest entries is May 1. All entries must be submitted electronically. Submission instructions can be found on CDFW’s Invasive Species Program website.

The goal of California Invasive Species Action Week is to increase public awareness of invasive species issues and encourage public participation in the fight against California’s invasive species and their impacts on our state’s natural resources and biodiversity.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways:

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) will accept applications for the 2023 Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program: April 10, 2023 - May 19, 2023, subject to available funds.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

1. Grant applicant must own/manage any aspect of the water in a reservoir where recreational activities are permitted.
2. The reservoir must be open to the public.
3. Grant applicant must demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested with dreissenid mussels. To demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested, applicants must provide mussel monitoring data collected since March 2022. Monitoring data can be from surface surveys, artificial substrates, and plankton tows.

Tier 1 Planning and Assessment Grant:

• For preparing or updating a Prevention Plan: Applicants that do not already have a CDFW-accepted prevention plan can apply for a planning and assessment grant in order to develop or update a CDFW-accepted prevention plan for the reservoir.

Tier 2 Implementation Grant:

• For implementing activities in a current Prevention Plan: To be eligible for an implementation grant, applicants must provide a letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the time of application that states CDFW has reviewed and accepted a prevention plan for the reservoir (per Fish and Game Code Section 2302 and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 672.1(b)).

For questions regarding quagga/zebra mussel monitoring, or for prevention planning, contact CDFW at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or Telephone: (866) 440-9530.

A Solicitation Notice including application and Workshop/Webinar information will be sent prior to opening of the grant application window. The Notice will also be posted on DBW's QZ Grant Program website.

On January 6, 2023, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) detected a single quagga mussel veliger using cross-polarized microscopy in a large volume plankton net sample collected at Metropolitan’s Foothill Feeder Pressure Control Structure, which is downstream of Castaic Lake. The veliger was confirmed as a quagga mussel by PCR and DNA sequencing.

Adult quagga mussels were previously detected by the California Department of Water Resources in Castaic Lake in August 2021.

For questions specific to Metropolitan’s facilities and response, please contact Paul Rochelle, Water Quality Section Manager, at (909) 392-5155.

For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.

The following grant opportunity may be a way to support quagga/zebra mussel programs at waters in California. Please see California Grant Portal for eligibility requirements. Application deadline 12/31/2021.

Division of Boating and Waterways Law Enforcement Financial Aid Program

• Grantor: Department of Parks and Recreation
• Departmental Grant ID: 22SUB000-00 Through 22SUB000-39
• Portal ID: 7901
• Status: Active
• Opportunity Type: Grant
• Purpose: Assist local government agencies with funding for marine law enforcement.
• Description: This program provides state financial aid to local government agencies whose waterways have high usage of boaters and insufficient tax base to fully fund a marine law enforcement boating safety program.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

• Public Agency
• Local government agencies (counties and/or cities that fall within that county)

Eligible Geographies: California

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways:

SAVE-THE-DATE GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) expects to open the application window for the 2022 Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Program Grant Cycle in March 2022, subject to available funds.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

1. Grant applicant must own/manage any aspect of the water in a reservoir;
2. The reservoir must be open to the public for recreation; and
3. Grant applicant must demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested with dreissenid mussels.

To demonstrate that the reservoir is uninfested, applicants must provide mussel monitoring data collected since March 2021. Monitoring data can be from surface surveys, artificial substrates, and plankton tows.

Tier 2 Implementation Grant:

• To be eligible for an implementation grant, applicants must provide a letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at the time of application that states CDFW has reviewed and accepted a prevention plan for the reservoir (per Fish and Game Code Section 2302 and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 672.1(b)).

Tier 1 Planning and Assessment Grant:

• Applicants that do not already have a CDFW-accepted prevention plan can apply for a planning and assessment grant in order to develop a CDFW-accepted prevention plan for the reservoir.

For questions regarding quagga/zebra mussel monitoring, or for prevention planning, including how to obtain a letter from CDFW, contact CDFW at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or Telephone: (866) 440-9530.

A Solicitation Notice including specific dates and application information will be sent prior to opening of the grant application window. The notice will also be posted on the DBW website.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites water managers to attend an interactive webinar describing the content required in a Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention Plan and the resources available to those who manage waterbodies or recreation. The webinar will be Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. using Microsoft Teams (a phone number will be available for those without computer access). To register, send names and email addresses of attendees to Elizabeth Brusati, Elizabeth.Brusati@wildlife.ca.gov by Friday, December 3. The webinar link will be emailed on December 6. The webinar will be recorded. Read the agenda here (PDF).

Topics will include:

• Benefits of Investing in Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Mussels
• Code and Regulations: What is Required of Water Managers
• How to Prepare a Prevention Plan
• CA State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program
• How CDFW Regional Staff Can Help You

Before the webinar, we suggest attendees review “Guidance for Developing a Dreissenid Mussel Prevention Program” (PDF) and “Recommended Minimum Dreissenid Mussel Early Detection Monitoring” (PDF) on our Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention Programs web page.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways:

FREE Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Virtual Workshop

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, California Coastal Commission's Boating Clean & Green Program, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invite you to participate in our FREE Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Virtual Workshop.

PURPOSE

AIS pose serious threats to water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, boating, fishing, and the environment. Recreational activities, including boating and fishing, can spread AIS from infested waters to uninfested waters. Therefore, everyone accessing waters should take simple actions to avoid spreading AIS each time they leave a waterbody.

Participants in this virtual workshop will:

• Gain an understanding of the impacts freshwater AIS have on the economy and environment
• Learn to recognize freshwater AIS
• Learn how to take action and prevent spreading of freshwater AIS by inspecting and cleaning equipment and watercraft

Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (You must register to attend by Friday, November 12, 2021)

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Go to the Virtual workshop registration or copy and paste this URL into your favorite browser: https://ports-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkd-qurDsqG933OHNazW6KUNUPVtNTSY80

Questions: Contact Vivian Matuk at (916) 674-0989 or vmatuk@coastal.ca.gov

* Forwarded from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission *

Virtual Watercraft Inspection Trainings for the first quarter of 2022

Upcoming Classes:

• WIT Level 1 – Inspector Training - (2 days; 8 a.m. - Noon PST) check website for registration links - 3 classes available in 2022
• WIT Level 2 – Inspector & Decontamination Training - (3 days; 8 a.m. - Noon PST) check website for registration links - 3 classes available in 2022
• WIT Level 3 - Trainer Training - check website for eligibility requirements and registration - 3 classes available in 2022

Classes fill up quickly. If you plan to attend or send students, register soon.

For more information contact: "Quagga D" Davis, (702) 236-3814, quaggadee@cox.net

Starting September 2021, the purchase of a Mussel Fee sticker is now a separate transaction from your vessel registration and renewal. Vessel owners may purchase the Mussel Fee Sticker directly from DMV's website at dmv.ca.gov/musselfee or through their local DMV field office. Vessel owners will no longer have the option to buy it via telephone, mail, or third-party vendor. Refer to DBW's Mussel Fee Sticker Insert (PDF) for more information about this process.

Boaters who recreate in fresh water, should be prepared for inspections throughout the state as waterbody owners and managers diligently work to ensure California's waterbodies remain mussel-free. Boaters are encouraged to clean, drain, and dry their boats whenever they leave the water. To learn more about how you can help prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels, please visit dbw.parks.ca.gov/StopQZ.

Still have questions about the Mussel Fee Sticker?

See the Mussel Fee Sticker FAQs (PDF) for more information.

For questions specific to quagga/zebra mussel monitoring, or for prevention planning, contact CDFW, at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or (866) 440-9530.

On August 6, 2021, a Castaic Lake park visitor reported finding one adult quagga mussel while kayaking in Castaic Lake (Los Angeles County). The specimen was sent to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for laboratory analysis which confirmed via genetic analysis the species identification as quagga mussel.

On August 17, 2021, Department of Water Resources (DWR) and CDFW staff discovered a ½ shell (dead) quagga mussel and a full shell (dead) quagga mussel along the shoreline of Castaic Lake.

On August 24, 2021, CDFW staff discovered a full shell (dead) quagga mussel along the shoreline of Castaic Lake.

These discoveries constitute the detection of adult mussels at Castaic Lake, thereby triggering management actions be taken to control mussels within the system.

Pyramid Lake, known to have quagga mussels since 2016, is upstream of Castaic Lake. Castaic Lagoon is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake, and therefore is presumed to be exposed to mussels.

To date, DWR and CDFW have not detected larval veliger-stage mussels in Castaic Lake during routine monitoring. CDFW will continue to work with DWR to delineate the population.

DWR, the owner and operator of Castaic Lake, is taking steps to implement a containment program. Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, the recreation manager, began implementing exit inspections at Castaic Lake on August 13, 2021, to prevent the movement of quagga mussels. Boaters at these waterbodies, as well as all other waterbodies, should continue to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and equipment after every visit.

For questions that are specific to DWR’s response, please contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer, (916) 820-7662. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.

DWR has published a press release.