Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

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  • May 10, 2024

On April 9, California Department of Wildlife (CDFW) Invasive Species Program staff detected 12 veligers using cross-polarized microscopy in a plankton tow sample collected on February 23 at Castaic Lagoon, which is downstream of Castaic Lake. On April 10, CDFW staff also detected 33 veligers in a plankton tow sample collected on March 30 in Castaic Lagoon. The veligers in Castaic Lagoon have been confirmed to be quagga mussel via PCR and DNA sequencing.  

Castaic Lagoon is located near the unincorporated community of Castaic in Los Angeles County. It is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake and used for non-powered boating, canoeing, and swimming. Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon are part of the State Water Project and of the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is the water manager for Castaic Lagoon and the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages recreational access.

Adult quagga mussels were discovered in Castaic Lake in 2021. Pyramid Lake, known to have quagga mussels since 2016, is upstream of Castaic Lake. Castaic Lagoon is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake and has been presumed to be exposed to mussels.

Castaic Lagoon discharges to Castaic Creek, a tributary to the Santa Clara River. Quagga mussels were discovered in the Santa Clara River downstream of Castaic Creek below the confluence with Piru Creek in 2017.

For questions that are specific to DWR’s response, please contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer at (916) 902-7405. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.

Categories: General
  • December 11, 2023

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Virtual watercraft inspection and decontamination classes start in January! Registration is required. For class dates and to register, please visit the links below. Once registered, more information will be sent to you via email. There is no cost to attend.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Brown at elizabeth@widtraining.com.  

Categories: General
  • November 3, 2023

The deadline to submit a proposal for CDFW’s Boating Access Grant Program has been extended to Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. PST.

For more information, please see the 2024 Boating Access Proposal Solicitation Notice (PDF). All proposals must be submitted via CDFW WebGrants portal.

The recording of the October 4, 2023, Boating Access Public Workshop (Video) is now available, along with a copy of the presentation slides (PDF). Additionally, A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF) is available.

Please contact BoatingAccess@wildlife.ca.gov with any questions.

Categories: General
  • May 24, 2023
Person standing in delta weeds measuring invasive plant water, using white measuring device.

Friday, June 2, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.: Secretary Speaker Series: Defending the Golden State - Safeguarding California from Invasive Species.

Please join the California Natural Resources Agency for a webinar to kick off California Invasive Species Action Week!  Invasive plants and animals can wreak havoc on California’s environment, farms and economy. They threaten biodiversity, clog waterways, damage crops, and weaken levees and other structures. Join us for a discussion of how invasive species drive multiple challenges and what we can do to reduce their impacts. Moderated by California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot.

Panelists:

  • California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross
  • California Invasive Plant Council Executive Director Doug Johnson
  • University of California, Davis Professor and Specialist in Cooperative Extension in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy Dr. Ted Grosholz
  • Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Chief of Resources Management & Science Dr. Christy Brigham
  • California State University, Chico Professor of Geography and Planning Don Hankins

Register for the Zoom Webinar

After the event a recording will be posted at resources.ca.gov/About-Us/Secretary-Speaker-Series

Categories: General
  • April 12, 2023

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

The Funding Opportunity for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife QZAP FY2023 has officially been posted. The total funding amount for projects is approximately $2,200,000.00, which is similar to last year. There has been significant change in the application process over the past three years, resulting from our transition to GrantSolutions.gov. This opportunity will be open for application through June 12, 2023.

Applications will need to be submitted through grantsolutions.gov, and you will need to create a login and password to access the system. There are recipient tutorials online linked below. Below are the steps you will need to take to access and locate the funding announcement. The funding announcement number is F23AS00319 and the full title is "F23AS00319 FY2023 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States - 2023".

Please disseminate this opportunity to all interested parties. Please feel free to reach out to Barak Shemai, USFWS Invasive Species Coordinator, at barak_shemai@fws.gov. The opportunity can also be found at grants.gov but applications may NOT be submitted through grants.gov.

2023 QZAP GRANT

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER CREATING A GRANTSOLUTIONS.GOV LOGIN AND PASSWORD

  • Sign into grantsolutions.gov
  • Go to the Funding Opportunities page
  • Once there use CTRL + F to search the name of the opportunity "name in full" or "QZAP"
  • You should see the QZAP opportunity - Select Apply on the far right

Links to the recipient training videos:

Link to general information:

DO NOT SUBMIT APPLICATIONS THROUGH GRANTS.GOV

Categories: General

Fisheries Branch
1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605 | Fisheries@wildlife.ca.gov