Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board is doing what it can to raise awareness and stop an infestation of invasive zebra and quagga mussels from reaching the Okanagan, in part through its Don’t Move a Mussel campaign (www.DontMoveAMussel.ca). But it is now calling on the province and federal government to step up efforts and fast.
“If the mussels get into Okanagan waters they have potential to do significant damage to our beaches, fish, people’s boats, tourism, and municipal water systems,” warned Doug Findlater, OBWB’s Board Chair and Mayor of West Kelowna. “All levels of government need to work together to take action. It looks to me like provincial and federal officials are interested, but a comprehensive strategy is needed and we’re running out of time. Every year that goes by is another year our lakes could get infected.”