Whereas bodies of water in British Columbia are at very high risk for infestation of invasive mussels, particularly following the discovery of quagga mussels in a tributary of the Columbia River in Idaho; And whereas an infestation of invasive mussels would cause significant economic and environmental losses, with economic losses alone estimated at 64 million to 129 million annually across the Province: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of BC take action based on the Okanagan Basin Water Boards recommendations to the Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship for invasive mussel prevention, dated September 25, 2023, including requesting the federal government enhance inspections, increasing funding and staffing for the provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program, introducing provincial pull-the-plug legislation, and updating the provincial Early Detection, Rapid Response plan; And be it further resolved that UBCM request the Province of BC work with the federal government to increase long-term funding and support to prevent invasive mussels from entering waterways in British Columbia.
