GOLDEN MUSSELS: Harder’s Control and Eradication Bill Advancing in Congress
U.S. Fish and Wildlife signals support for Harder’s bill during legislative hearing earlier today
VIDEO from the hearing is available here
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that his bill to stop the golden mussel invasion is advancing in Congress. Earlier today, the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a bipartisan hearing on Harder’s Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act and highlighted the need for halting the mussels’ spread and kickstarting eradication efforts.
“The Service works closely with partners to combat golden mussels – last summer, we conveyed a work group to evaluate immediate and long-term needs,” said Dave Miko, Acting Deputy Director for Operations at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, during the hearing. “The work group is developing a national control and management plan to guide and coordinate efforts. In January 2025, the Service published a proposed rule that would add golden mussels to the list of injurious wildlife. The service recognizes the importance of addressing invasive species and supports the goals of H.R. 3717.”
Golden mussels are using the Delta as the staging ground for a continental invasion:
- The first U.S. sighting of golden mussels occurred near the Port of Stockton in 2024 and the infestation now ranges as far south as San Diego County.
- A single female mussel can produce up to one million offspring a year, and in some river systems, they have spread up to 150 miles per year on average.
- If left unchecked, the infestation could threaten the water supplies relied upon by 27 million Californians and $50 billion in agriculture.
“Our community is on the front lines of efforts to prevent a continental infestation, but we deserve more than just becoming the nation’s quarantine zone,” said Rep. Harder. “That’s why I introduced legislation to supercharge control efforts and invest in eradication technologies, and I’m grateful to see these solutions gaining support in Congress. Washington should quickly pass this bill into law to halt the golden mussel invasion and kick them out of our waterways once and for all.”
How the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act works:
- Deploys a rapid response program to monitor, contain, and begin eradicating the current infestation.
- Invests in new technology and inspection stations to speed up local eradication efforts.
- Increases state, local, and federal coordination through a comprehensive report on best practices and new guidance on golden mussel prevention.
“The golden mussel is the most significant invasive species threat California’s water infrastructure has faced in a generation, and it will not stay isolated to California either,” said Rachel Murphy, General Manager for the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). “The Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act gives the country the tools to respond: a lead agency, a focused program, applied research, technical assistance, and a way to share what works. CCWD strongly supports the bill, and thanks Congressman Harder for his leadership in bringing it forward.”
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