The battle over invasive mussels is being taken straight to the powers-that-be.
Regional District of North Okanagan directors are demanding to discuss quagga and zebra mussels with Mary Polak, B.C.’s environment minister, at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in September.
“We need to look at the issue further,” said director Juliette Cunningham. “There hasn’t been a significant or meaningful response to stopping the mussels from coming into the province.”
The Okanagan Basin Water Board and local jurisdictions have been pressuring the provincial government to bring in inspection stations through self-funded boater-pay sticker programs.
And the federal government is being asked to approve pending legislation allowing Canada Border Services agents to stop and inspect boats coming into the country.
They are known to stimulate toxic algae blooms, litter beaches with sharp shells, clog boat motors, foul water intakes and outfalls, put fish and the ecology of our lakes at risk, and more.
Go to www.DontMoveAMussel.ca for more information.
