The Quagga mussel was discovered for the first time west of the Continental Divide in January. Following the discovery, the California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG) and the California Department of Food & Agriculture have conducted numerous dives and boat checks to hopefully prevent the spread of the Quagga mussel around California. Underwater investigations were temporarily halted following the death of two scuba divers in the California Aqueduct in the Central Valley. DFG continues to check all boats returning to California at various border patrol sites around the clock.

The Metropolitan Water District, California’s largest urban water supplier located in southern California, voted on 13 February to spend $180,000 on a 6-month study to determine the most effective way to prevent the spread of Quagga mussels through state waterways. Components of the study will include: building boat-cleaning stations; guiding boats to off-site cleaning stations; or allowing only rental boats in the lakes. The study will also help fund an increase in surveillance, water sampling, and underwater inspections. For more information about the Metropolitan Water District announcement read Jennifer Bowles 13 February The Press-Enterprise article at www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_mussels14.23a2377.html. To read more about the study see www.mwdh2o.com/mwdh2o/pages/news/press_releases/2007-02/quagga_control.htm or the Metropolitan Water District website, www.mwdh2o.com.