Invasive Mussels

15-Day Continuation Notice of Proposed Regulations for Invasive Mussels (Amend Sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR))

September 2, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the requirements of Government Code section 11346.8(c) and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 1, Section 44, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hereby provides notice of changes to the above-referenced regulation.

The full text of the resulting amendment with the change clearly indicated, shall be made available to the public for at least 15 days before the agency amends, or repeals the resulting regulation. Any written comments received regarding the change will be responded to in the final statement of reasons required by Section 11346.9.

On July 3, 2026, a notice of proposed action (NOPA) to adopt the above referenced regulations was distributed and noticed in compliance with Government Code section 11346.4. The NOPA stated that the Department was proposing to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14 of the CCR to expand the scope of the existing regulations to encompass all invasive mussel species, thereby ensuring consistency with the revised Fish and Game Code 2301, 2302, and new Fish and Game Code 2303 established by Assembly Bill 149. The proposed amendments incorporate components of prevention and containment to limit the spread of invasive mussels in California and to other states. Additionally, the proposal amends the Invasive Mussel Permit Application Form (DFW 1014), the Quarantine Notice Form (DFW 1015), the Administrative Penalty Form (DFW 1016), and creates a new Department Business List Request Form (DFW 1013).

The comment period for the proposed regulation ended on August 18, 2026. Consideration of input received resulted in modification to the originally proposed text in the paragraph of subsection 672.1(c)(1) to clarify who may conduct inspections of conveyances, and is provided with this notice in accordance with Government Code section 11346.8(c) and Title 1, Section 44 CCR.

The regulation with the proposed changes indicated in double underline (for added text) and double strikeout (for removed text) is attached to this notice.

Written Comment Period

Any interested person, or his or her authorized representative, may submit written comments on the proposed action to the Department. All written comments must be received by the Department via mail, or e-mail, no later than Thursday, September 17 , 2026, to the contact as follows:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Regulations Unit
Attn: Daphne Nandino, Analyst
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
Email: Regulations@wildlife.ca.gov

All written comments received by September 17, 2026, which pertain to the indicated changes will be considered by the Department and will be summarized and responded to in the Final Statement of Reasons.

Notice of Department Rulemaking: Invasive Mussels (Amend Sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR))

July 3, 2026

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has published the Notice of Proposed Action to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR).

Fish and Game Code Section 2301 authorizes the Department to adopt regulations regarding the management of invasive mussels.

The Department proposes to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Amendments include management measures for watercraft removed from invasive mussel infested waters, such as mandating the inspection of watercraft that have been launched in infested water for four or more consecutive nights. Additionally, the proposed changes establish a departmental list of conveyance service providers that adhere to industry standards for inspection and decontamination. This is necessary to expand the scope of the existing regulations to encompass all invasive mussel species, thereby ensuring consistency with the revised Fish and Game Code (FGC) established by Assembly Bill 149. The proposed amendments are intended to align regulations with current conditions and to incorporate a proactive component that addresses potential invasive mussel threats not presently identified within the California or the United States.

In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department provided notice of the proposed regulatory action with the Office of Administrative Law for publication in the California Regulatory Notice Register on July 3, 2026.

Written Comment Period

Any interested person, or their authorized representative, may submit written comments on the proposed action to the Department. All written comments must be received by the Department via mail or email no later than Tuesday August 18, 2026, to the contact as follows:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Regulations Unit
Attn: Daphne Nandino, Analyst
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
Email: Regulations@wildlife.ca.gov

Public Hearing

A virtual public hearing is scheduled by as follows:
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Teleconference/Webinar

Phone one-tap:
+1408-961-3927,,83175103584# US

Join via audio:

+1 408-961-3927 US

The current rulemaking file for this proposal consists of the following documents: