Latest In Golden Mussel Battle

Like our neighbor’s morning glory, which relentlessly sends its twining stems through our shared fence in a perpetual attempt to annex our backyard, golden mussels are probably here to stay. Since they were first discovered in the port of Stockton in November 2024, the invasive species from Asia has taken hold, literally, in state waters as far north as the port of Sacramento to as far south as San Diego county. And while they have yet to be discovered in any lakes - a testament to mitigation efforts that were quickly cobbled together by various water agencies- their threat hasn’t yet been fully addressed at the state level.

That could change soon with Assembly Bill 2032, sponsored by Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom, whose district 13 includes Stockton and a portion of the Delta. The bill (which as of this writing is on the Governor’s desk waiting to be signed into law) would eliminate much of the red tape that so far prevents districts where the mussels have been found to combat them swiftly. Specifically, the bill tasks the California Department of Fish and Wildlife department “...to develop, by April 1, 2027, voluntary guidance for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems to develop effective control plans.”

So, does that mean there is reason for boaters and anglers to hope for new statewide standardized watercraft inspection protocols that might once again allow us to travel more freely from lake to lake?

“Not really.” says Jay Rowan, the Fisheries Branch Director with the state department of Fish and Wildlife. “This one was more about easing permitting pathways for folks that have golden mussels in their water systems to do control, removal and research.” 

Rowen notes that a previous bill could have created such protocols. He says AB 1772 (sponsored by San Mateo Assemblywoman Diane Papan of San Mateo) “was more focused on overland prevention standardization for vessels”. But with opposition from interests that included the State Department of Finance and boater advocacy groups concerned about the fairness of cost-sharing, it sank in committee. However, it seems there is still room for hope.

“We are still moving forward with our plan for a statewide banding and inspection program.” Rowan says, noting that a public comment period for the program, which closed recently, has been re-opened “with some minor changes”. It will be active until Thursday, Sept 17th and can be found here https://wildlife.ca.gov/Notices/Regulations/Invasive-Mussels

Rowan seems optimistic that there will eventually be some sort of statewide mitigation program. “We already have a lot of the materials in place and are working on getting the water managers on board.” In addition, Rowan also notes that some of the focus for future spread-prevention has already pivoted towards the source. “The legislature gave us $6 million to put out as grants for delta-based decontamination stations. Our hope is that folks would be able to hit those, get decontaminated, then be ready to go onto any other waterbody.” The budget also grants $1.5 million in ongoing annual support. It isn’t a solution, but it could be the first few steps.

Of course, the mussels’ biggest threat by far is encrusting dam and irrigation equipment so completely that they cease to function. China alone spends $12 billion a year to keep their conveyance systems as mussel-free as possible…and they’re native to that country! For state water managers, that difficult and costly battle is already underway and is likely a new normal. Plus, the mussels can literally destroy the food chain in a body of water, basically rendering it sterile. As I’ve said in earlier columns, when contrasted with those sort of doomsday scenarios, the inconvenience anglers and recreational boaters face seems pretty small. Still, if a solution exists, we should support and encourage execution and follow-through. At this point we may not be able to eradicate golden mussels completely, but, like that damned morning glory in our neighbor’s backyard, they can be kept in check.