VIDEO: Harder, Water Leaders Discuss New Legislation to Stop Golden Mussel Invasion
Video from the Port of Stockton tour is downloadable here
STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) joined local county supervisors and water infrastructure managers in a tour of golden mussel colonies at the Port of Stockton to highlight the dangers of these stinking invaders and discuss new legislation to halt their exploding population.
“They may look small, but these sharp, slimy, stinking invaders are part of an exploding invasion that clog our waterways with sludge and threaten our fragile Delta ecosystems,” said Rep. Harder. “We have to act right now to stop their advance and actually begin eradicating this infestation before it’s too late. I’m leading legislation to do just that, and I’m grateful for the support of our local water leaders in this fight.”
A single female mussel can produce up to one million offspring a year, and if left unchecked, the infestation could threaten the water supplies relied upon by 27 million Californians and $50 billion in agriculture. Harder’s bill, the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act, will invest in a rapid response program and new technology to combat the invasion and begin eradicating golden mussels from the Delta.
Harder was joined by Port of Stockton Director Kirk DeJesus, Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, and representatives from the Delta Counties Coalition.
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