WHEREAS quagga and zebra mussels pose a serious threat to BCs aquatic ecosystems, agricultural irrigation systems, salmon and other fisheries, hydro power stations, in-lake infrastructure facilities and individual farm businesses relying on intake pipe infrastructure, by clogging pipes, increasing maintenance costs for hydroelectric, industrial, agricultural and recreational facilities, causing ecological and economic damage, displacing native aquatic plants and wildlife, degrade the environment and affect drinking water quality; AND WHEREAS the funding for annual watercraft inspection and decontamination in British Columbia significantly reduces the success rates against the invasive species threat allowing for only 132 inspections in British Columbia compared to 3,747 in the province of Alberta and 49,380 in the state of Idaho: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province establish permanent inspection stations at key points of entry, coordinated with the Pacific Northwest Regional Defence Strategy for invasive species, and also develop a provincial control and containment strategy for regions that become infested, funded by the province.
Ministry of Environment The Invasive Mussel Defence program was launched in March 2015, consisting of six roving crews moving between high traffic inspection locations along the southern and eastern borders of B.C. While some permanent inspection stations at key locations are likely to be implemented in the 2016 boating season, mobile stations allow greater flexibility to move to the best locations over the course of the boating season, and respond to high risk boats anywhere in the province. Closer collaboration with Canadian Border Services Agency CBSA also reduces the need for permanent inspection stations along all southern border crossings, and instead requires a smaller number of roving inspection crews, able to respond to calls from the CBSA. The Pacific Northwest Regional Defence Strategy was developed July 2015 by the Invasive Species Group with the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and can be found at: www.pnwer.orguploads232923295822advancingaregionaldefenseagainstdreisse… B.C. is part of the planning and is collaborating with surrounding jurisdictions, on training, monitoring, education and outreach, and most importantly notification of mussel infested boats. In all cases where B.C. received notification from other jurisdictions of B.C. bound boats coming from mussel infested waters, the communication was effective and timely; allowing our inspection crews to inspect and decontaminate the boat prior to entering BC waters. The program funding for the 2015 boating season was 900K with contributions from the Province, BC Hydro, Columbia River Basin Trust, Columbia Power Cooperation, and Fortis BC. On March 30, 2016 the Premier announced a greatly expanded Invasive Mussel Defence Program that includes eight permanent inspection stations and 32 inspectors with auxiliary CO status. Insectors will provide 7 day-a-week coverage of BCs southern and eastern borders. Inspectors will coordinate closely with the Canadian Border Services Agency to cover the International border. Annual funding support of 2M has been provided by BC Hydro, the Columbia Basin Trust, Fortis BC and Columbia Power Corporation. The Ministry of Environment will co-ordinate program delivery.