OBWB to recommend actions to prevent invasive mussel outbreaks

A call for action will be issued to protect local waterways from invasive mussels.

With quagga mussels found in Idaho recently, which sparked concern from the mayor of Vernon, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) will be proposing measures to prevent any local spread.

The OBWB will be appearing before Vernon city council Monday, Oct. 23, to request support a call for a temporary moratorium on out-of-province boats until the full status of the infestation of the Columbia Basin is assessed.

The Columbia Basin covers parts of B.C., including the Okanagan. Included in that drainage basin is Idaho and Snake River, as well as parts of Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming.

In the presentation, OBWB asks for the City of Vernon to support the call to action and to provide a letter of support to the provincial ministers of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Environment and Climate Change Strategy, as well as to the federal ministers of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Public Safety.

The OBWB noted gaps in invasive mussel prevention exist in B.C., including required inspection only if driving past an open station, no requirements to remove the drain plug from a boat when out of water, inconsistent Canada Border Service Agency inspections at crossings, and inspection staffing shortages.

The OBWB added the province relies on a “perimeter defence” against invasive mussels, which it said is no longer reliable, and that the “Early Detection, Rapid Response Plan” has not been updated since 2015. It added there are no regional plans in place for when mussels are detected.

Invasive mussels multiply rapidly and out-compete native species for foods. They eat algae, which can lead to increased water clarity and deeper sunlight penetration, resulting increased water temperatures that can be harmful to native species including fish and plant-life.

The OBWB added an invasive mussel outbreak could result in economic losses between $64 million and $129 million per year. That included up to $92.5 million for infrastructure, up to $8.2 million for extra maintenance on boats and marinas; and up to $12.6 million in lost profits and revenue from tourism. It was also estimated that there would be $30.2 million annualized loss in property value and lost property taxes.