Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

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.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force requests proposals to build upon previous assessments and evaluate aspects of the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! campaign, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, and PlayCleanGo campaign to determine what messages and delivery strategies are most effective to achieve desired behavioral changes. It is the intent that the results of this assessment will be used by the ANS Task Force, regional ANS panels, states, and partners to produce a national communications and marketing framework that increases the effectiveness and reach of outreach campaigns and encourages prevention behaviors to stop the spread of invasive species through recreational activities.

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: F21AS00229

Applications should be submitted electronically using the GrantSolutions system. Applications are due by midnight Eastern Time on March 10, 2021.

Questions may be directed to Susan Pasko, US Fish and Wildlife Service at (703) 358-2466 or susan_pasko@fws.gov.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the California Department of Food and Agriculture:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Needles Border Protection Station has temporarily closed as of 3:00pm on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 due to COVID-19. The Station is anticipated to reopen at 7:00 a.m., January 5. During this closure traffic is being routed around the station and incoming shipments and watercraft will not be inspected. Alternatively, the public can go to the Vidal, Mountain Pass, or Blythe Stations for processing of incoming shipments.

Please be aware that during this time watercraft entering California via I-40 will not be inspected.