Western Governors have expressed their concern about the threat of invasive quagga and zebra mussels to western water bodies and urged action by Department of the Interior (DOI) agencies in outreach to House and Senate leadership.
The Governors noted that DOI agencies play a vital role in combatting the spread of invasive mussels, which cause millions of dollars in lost economic activity annually and significant environmental impacts.
The letters sent to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Appropriations encouraged DOI agencies to implement procedures to prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in areas under their control.
“DOI agencies have jurisdiction over several major infested waterbodies in the West, including Lake Mead, Lake Powell and Lake Havasu. The boat inspection and decontamination policies of the agencies managing these waterbodies – the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Park Service– are key to regional efforts to contain these species.”
The letters sent on March 28, 2018 were signed by WGA Chair and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and WGA Vice Chair and Hawaii Gov. David Ige.
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