Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Department of Water Resources, and California State Parks issued a joint press release on April 16, 2025 titled "California Takes Action to Halt Golden Mussel Invasions” announcing the development of a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework developed by the Golden Mussel Task Force.

In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering $1 million in grant funding to boating facility operators to enhance efforts against invasive mussels, particularly the threat of golden mussels. This funding supports projects that help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive mussels in lakes, reservoirs and waterways, ensuring the long-term health of state waters. The grant solicitation and application link can be found on CDFW’s website.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife is relaying the following information received from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). CDFW anticipates the following changes to CDFA's Border Protection Stations program operations will impact the interdiction and inspection of overland conveyances that may carry invasive mussels. Questions can be directed to CDFW via Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or (866) 440-9530 and will be shared with CDFA.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the CDFA:

The State of California is currently facing a significant and ongoing budget deficit, and programs across CDFA are being required to implement budget reductions. In accordance with the budget reductions, the Border Protection Stations (BPS) Program will be reducing scheduled staffing levels to the minimum necessary to maintain safe operations for all working shifts, and will be reducing the hours of operation at multiple stations.

The following schedules of operation will be implemented effective April 1, 2025:

• Alturas: Open daylight hours
• Benton: Open daylight hours
• Blythe: Open 24/7
• Dorris: Open 24/7
• Hornbrook: Open 24/7
• Long Valley: Open 24/7
• Meyers: Open 8 hours per day
• Mt. Pass: Open 24/7
• Needles: Open 24/7
• Redwood Highway: Open daylight hours
• Smith River: Open daylight hours
• Topaz: Open 8 hours per day
• Truckee: Open 24/7
• Tulelake: Open daylight hours
• Vidal: Open 24/7
• Winterhaven: Open 24/7

For the stations open during daylight hours, they will be open for two shifts, which may vary seasonally from 14-16 hours.

Additionally, all stations are being instructed to focus on commercial traffic, with a primary focus on the compliance of high-risk agricultural commodities and the Program’s responsibilities for its cooperative agency agreements. Private vehicle inspections will be impacted by the reduced staffing levels, and should continue to be conducted as traffic and/or staffing allows.

And while all stations will continue to be scheduled for operation seven days per week, with the reduced available staffing there may be days where Station Managers will need to close operations for a day to ensure the safety of both program staff and the traveling public.