A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
January 22, 2008
3. Watersheds
QUAGGA MUSSELS:
Quagga mussel threat puts focus on Lake Casitas; Tiny mollusks, big debate - Ventura County Star
ZEBRA MUSSELS:
Another western state confirms zebra mussel presence - Hollister Free Lance
Tiny mussel a giant threat to state water; Discovery results in restrictions at
INVASIVE SPECIES:
Column: Mud snail identified at
DELTA ISSUES:
Delta's struggles turn fishing festival serious - Sacramento Bee
Editorial: Klamath's water war is over -
Editorial: A deal on Klamath's dams -
Lake Davis closures lifted Friday - Sacramento Bee
QUAGGA MUSSELS:
Quagga mussel threat puts focus on
By Zeke Barlow, staff writer
The story of fishing at
Tacked onto a billboard of a lakeside bait shop is a wall of photos of young kids posing with their first catch, old men straining to hold up their 13-pound fish, and dozens of grins as wide as the mouths on the captured bass.
But these days, it's not just the record-breaking bass on fishermen's minds, but something much smaller and more menacing with the potential to quash prospects of future trophy snapshots.
Officials fear the invasive quagga mussel could infest the lake, not only changing the ecosystem of this storied reservoir, but also damaging the intricate infrastructure that provides water to many in western
In an effort to keep out the exotic mussel, the agency that runs the lake is wrestling with the idea of temporarily closing it to the roughly 30,000 outside boats that annually launch there. The fear is the mussel will attach itself to a boat transported from an infected lake to
"This has a huge impact on the
Russ Baggerly, a board member of the Casitas Municipal Water District, has been leading the charge to examine effects the mussel could have on the lake. His fear is that mussels could clog the pipes and jeopardize the district's budget and the water supply, which is the board's first priority.
"That water resource is a lifeline for 70,000 people in our district. It can't be replaced," he said. "Bass fishermen can go anywhere they want to go fishing. We don't have a choice with that reservoir."
At a recent meeting on the issue, so many fishermen crowded the Casitas boardroom that they exceeded the limit allowed by the fire marshal. Another meeting is planned for next month, when a decision on banning outside boats might be made.
Breaching the barrier
In recent years, a line was drawn at the 100th meridian, dividing the western
The mussels had already wreaked havoc across the East after they were brought into the Great Lakes in 1988 by a ship from the
The mussels can produce 1 million offspring a year and rapidly spread, altering ecosystems by eating away the bottom of the food chain. Over time, with fewer food sources, the makeup of a lake can change. Some native species might thrive and others falter. But the larger concern to water agencies is the mussel's ability to virtually envelop pipes and infrastructure, dramatically increasing costs as expensive chemicals and maintenance are needed to keep the mussels in check.
On Jan. 9, 2007, the imaginary barrier was breached when a worker found a mussel attached to a cable at
Over the next few weeks, Bryan Moore, a biologist with the National Park Service, started diving around the lake. At first he found a few mussels, then 100, then 200.
"Now there are too many to count," he said.
It's widely believed the mussels got to the lake on the hull of a boat brought there from the East.
Soon after the Lake Mead inspections, quagga mussels were found downstream in lakes Havasu and Mohave, then in the Colorado River Aqueduct, a major source of water for
It's believed the microscopic larvae, called veligers, moved down the pipes. To date, only lakes on the aqueduct system have become infected.
On the day quaggas were found at
Other agencies started scrambling, too.
The city of
But for all the time and money that have gone into fighting them, some say most people aren't paying enough attention to the quagga problem.
"This is the biggest freshwater invasion in the western
But Cohen and others think that talk of limiting access to
Is education enough?
Ron Cervenka ordered 10,000 bumper stickers he hopes will help keep the mussels at bay and
After all, this is the lake where a near-world record, 21-pound 3-ounce bass was caught.
A member of the Casitas Lake advisory board who runs some of the more than 30 tournaments at the lake every year, Cervenka is doing everything he can to convince the board that bass fishermen are not going to transport quagga mussels to the lake. The stickers admonish fishermen to make sure their boats are clean and dry before entering or leaving the lake.
The California Department of Fish and Game this year sent letters to the more than 1 million registered boaters warning them of the mussel. Cervenka and other fishermen said the educational campaign will work as boaters take care of the lakes they love.
An adult mussel can live about five days out of water. What that means depends on where you stand in the argument.
Fish and Game biologist Mike Giusti said it's likely that hot desert air would kill any mussel between trips to and from lakes.
Cohen, however, said the mussel's ability to survive during transport should not be underestimated. He pointed out that the mussel somehow got across the
But Jay Cowan, a ranger superintendent with the city of
Cohen said inspections were done at
Fishermen argue that birds could also transport the mussel to lakes. While Cohen said that's feasible, it's never been proven. He noted it took decades for water bodies in the eastern
'A wake-up call'
Dana Wisehart, general manager of the United Water Conservation District, which runs
Cohen said Casitas might be the first popular lake in the state to address the issue head-on.
That's fine with Baggerly. He says too little direction is coming from state and federal agencies.
"We really do have an incredible threat to our water resources," he said. "You can see that even the idea of temporary closure of a favorite bass-fishing facility gets people's attention this is a wake-up call."
Fishermen fear a domino effect of one lake after another closing if
"We'll be impacted with no time to prepare," he said.
Down the street from the lake, the Corner Market does about twice as much business during the summer fishing season, selling cold beer and live bait, said clerk Andre Fredrichsen.
At the Oak View Shell, owner Al Buczkowski said he fills up about 20 boat tanks a day during the summer.
The district is looking into the economic impact of a closure, as is the Ojai Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Nalepa knows well the impacts of a mussel infestation. The research biologist with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab was one of the first to examine the changes the zebra mussel could bring. Two decades later, he's still studying the environmental changes.
He said people in the
"It's very difficult to stop the spread," he said. "They spread in so many different ways.
"You are in for some interesting times," he said of
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jan/20/quagga-mussel-threat-puts-focus-on-lake-casitas/
ZEBRA MUSSELS:
Another western state confirms zebra mussel presence
Hollister Free Lance – 1/21/08
By Michael Van Cassell, staff writer
Another western state confirmed its first zebra mussel - an invasive species found recently in waters south of Hollister - present in a reservoir there, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reported.
Doug Krieger, a senior biologist with Colorado Division of Wildlife, said the agency has been searching for the pesky mollusk in the state after they were found in
The Colorado Division of Wildlife confirmed two weeks ago the species found in Lake Pueblo - a reservoir about 100 miles south of Denver that feeds the Arkansas River and eventually the Mississippi River - were indeed zebra mussels, Krieger said.
Krieger said the samples found in November at
The presence of larvae was significant, Krieger said.
"That suggests there were some reproduction by the adults there," he said.
California Department of Fish and Game officials confirmed Jan. 14 the presence of zebra mussels in San Justo Reservoir.
The shellfish found in
The finding southwest of Hollister is worrisome because the basin is connected to
Zebra mussels can clog water pipes, valves and pumps, and filter out the food base, killing local aquatic life. The mussels were first found in the Great Lakes region in the 1980s, and have since caused billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and economies there and in the
Jeff McCracken, a public affairs officer for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said Friday that San Justo Reservoir is open to the public, but the boat ramp has been closed.
McCracken said the bureau is working closely with the county and department of fish and game to assess the problem at San Justo Reservoir.
"We're mobilizing a team that's going to do some pretty intensive surveillance and observation of this little thing," McCracken said Friday. #
http://www.freelancenews.com/news/234374-another-western-state-confirms-zebra-mussel-presence
Tiny mussel a giant threat to state water; Discovery results in restrictions at San Justo Reservoir
The Weekly Pinnacle Online (Hollister) – 1/18/08
By Mark Paxton, staff writer
An unassuming mollusk not previously known to occur in
San Justo Reservoir is closed to boating until further notice, following the recent discovery of an introduced exotic, the zebra mussel.
Should the mussels spread throughout
The discovery of the mussels at
The unassuming-looking bivalve was first introduced to the Great Lakes region, probably from
The pests quickly developed into an expensive and ecologically devastating plague throughout the
State Department of Fish and Game biologists are studying the find, and endeavoring to find how many may have made their way into the popular fishing spot. Harry Morse of the Department of Fish and Game in
Morse would not speculate on the severity of the infestation.
"We're going back in and taking a better survey," Morse said. "First we wanted to verify that it was zebra mussels."
"Right now it appears to be in a limited area," Morse said. "But we have these concerns because it can do a lot of damage once it's escaped into a system."
Fish and Game employees are scheduled to attend a workshop to learn how to identify the mussels in
Zebra mussels are closely related to another recently discovered exotic in
The striped mussels seldom grow over 2 inches long, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Found only in fresh water, they anchor themselves to a stationary object, much like their ocean-dwelling cousins.
What separates zebra mussels from natives is their ability to produce with staggering dedication.
According to the Water Resources Web site, "zebra mussels cause devastating impacts on municipal water systems, water recreation opportunities and businesses and fisheries."
The mussels often form enormous clumps, clogging pumps and blocking pipelines. The cost, should they spread throughout
How the small shellfish may have traveled to
Like many marine mammals, the mussels have a free-swimming larval stage. The nearly invisible larvae could have been transported in a few inches of water left in a boat's bait well after a trip to
As filter feeders, large populations of zebra mussels can sweep bodies of water clean of other free floating larvae, effectively vacuuming much native wildlife from a site.
The
Arman Nazemi, engineer at county public works, emphasized that all visitors should be careful, as the mussel larvae can travel to other bodies of water on boots or shoes.
A telephone call to the concessionaire at the
"How long this [
The reservoir is a popular recreational venue, one that attracts visitors as well as local residents. The impact of a lengthy closure cannot yet be determined, according to county Supervisor Anthony Botelho, whose district includes
"We're all kind of having a panic about it right now," Botelho said. "This is a huge problem. It plugs up irrigation systems… and on top of that, if that water is released you do have some possible drainage issues, and then we could even contaminate the Pajaro."
"If you drain
Botelho noted that should it become necessary to poison the mussels, the impact could be dramatic for the area's many organic farms.
"We have to take action sooner rather than later to control any infestation," Botelho said. #
http://www.pinnaclenews.com/news/contentview.asp?c=234217
INVASIVE SPECIES:
Column: Mud snail identified at
Grass Valley
By Denis Pierce, Outdoors columnist
In a development that may be considered inevitable, the Department of Fish & Game announced another body of water added to the list of waterways now hosting the New Zealand Mud Snail.
Last month, it was confirmed that this non native species is present in
The New Zealand Mud Snail reproduces rapidly and can crowd out native insects that aquatic wildlife depend upon for survival. They were first discovered in
What you can do to prevent the spread of NZMS:
- Have extra waders and boots for use in infested waters only. Store them separately.
- After leaving the water inspect waders, boots, float tubes, boats and trailers, dogs and any gear used in the water.
- Remove visible snails with a stiff brush and follow with a rinsing.
- If possible, freeze or completely dry out wet gear before reuse.
- Never transport live fish or other aquatic animals or plants from one body of water to another.
The DF&G press release did not give details of where in
Another looming problem is Quagga and Zebra mussels that first invaded North America in the
Quagga mussels were found in the Colorado River in early 2007 and later in several bodies of water in
An angler fishing in the San Justo Reservoir last week reported landing a clump of what appeared to be mussels.
These mussels and a sample collected by DFG biologists were then verified to be Zebra mussels by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
No mussels have been detected on artificial substrates in the San Luis Reservoir, which flows into the San Justo Reservoir, or in the O'Neill Forebay. So far, mussels have not been found anywhere in
Both species of mussel range in size from microscopic to the size of a fingernail. Boats are the primary transporters of Zebra and Quagga mussels. Mussels attached to watercraft or trailers can be transported and spread to other water bodies. Water in boat engines, bilges, live wells and buckets can carry mussel larvae (veligers) to other water bodies as well. A mussel infestation can potentially lead to the closure of boating in affected waterways. San Benito County Public Works closed San Justo Reservoir to all boating activity.
The main risk of mussel introduction in
All boaters and anyone who accesses freshwater aquatic environments should take the following steps to inhibit the spread of mussels when leaving the water:
- Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch
- Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly, preferably with high pressure/hot water
- Remove all plants and animal material
- Drain all water and dry all areas
- Drain and dry the lower outboard units
- Clean and dry all live-wells
- Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters
I expect that we will be hearing of more such infestations into the future. I think that power washers will become standard accessories for boat owners that move their boats from lake to lake. Either that or have lots of quarters to use at the car (boat& trailer) wash. #
http://www.theunion.com/article/20080122/SPORTS/542091237
DELTA ISSUES:
Delta's struggles turn fishing festival serious
By Matt Weiser, staff writer
The "Plight of our Fisheries Summit" was the first of its kind ever held at the annual International Sportsmen's Exposition, now in its 21st year. The event continues today at Cal Expo in
The event draws about 50,000 visitors a year, most of them focused on buying the latest tackle, hunting gear or a guided trip from more than 700 vendors. It has never included an overt call to political action.
That changed Saturday as six panelists urged anglers to sign petitions and rally their elected officials to save the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a nursery for some of
"The problem is, the control of water policy in
Pool is also founder of water4fish.org, a petition drive through a Web site started last year that has already signed up 21,000 anglers. Their goal is to restore fish habitat in the Delta and on
Brian Layng, owner of the Sportsmen's Exposition, said he decided to hold the advocacy event this year after a wave of bad news about the state's fisheries.
On Jan. 10, state Department of Fish and Game biologists released the latest results from an annual fall survey of Delta fish species. The results show record-low numbers for three species and continued trouble for two others, including the striped bass, a popular sportfish.
The 2007 fall chinook salmon run in the
"Fishermen are not very 'green,' frankly," said Layng. "But they're rapidly realizing they need to take care of the fish and the habitat and the ecosystem. A lot of people's livelihoods are at risk here."
A team of state and federal biologists studying the fish declines has not yet pinpointed a cause. They point to a combination of factors, including Delta water exports to the Bay Area and
Another panelist was Lois Wolk, D-Davis, who chairs the state Assembly's
"We need to restore the entire ecosystem, and that includes sportfish and endangered species," she said. "It's not enough to introduce legislation. It's not enough to get angry. You have to engage in politics. You need to speak out and say 'save the fisheries.' "
In November, a federal judge ordered state and federal officials to reduce Delta water exports to protect fish. The first of those reductions began Dec. 29. The ruling could mean shortages for Delta water users – and a potential water war.
The final panelist was Jim Martin, retired chief of fisheries for the state of
Martin sought to motivate the crowd of about 100 listeners with the fire-and-brimstone approach of a tent revivalist.
"Fishermen have a bad tendency to be asleep at the switch while politicians sell our resources down the river," he said. "I want to know where in the hell is the outrage?"
Martin and others hope a major share of
"I stopped fishing in
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/648175.html
Editorial: Klamath's water war is over
Some doubted the day would come when environmentalists, farmers, fishermen, Native Americans and government agencies would agree on a plan for the
A tentative deal has been announced, calling for the removal of dams, restoring salmon populations, and declaring peace in the water conflicts that have divided the Klamath basin for years.
Of course, it seems as if nothing this complicated is ever wrapped up easily. The pact still has to be endorsed by the governing bodies of the various groups, not to mention getting Pacificorp -- owner of the dams -- to go along. Oh, and then hundreds of millions of dollars have to be found to pay for it. Nonetheless, it's a triumph of collaboration for the
The agreement calls for removing four dams on the Klamath, securing water and power for farms, and restoring salmon runs. For perspective, it would be the biggest dam removal project in history, and one of the most ambitious fisheries restoration efforts ever, according to the Times-Standard story by John Driscoll.
It's been seven years since a bitter water war was triggered by vacillating actions by the federal government. It may be premature to say the plans to move forward are locked in place, but it's fair to say that by finding a way for these diverse people to find consensus, the war is over. #
http://www.times-standard.com//ci_8032106?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com
Editorial: A deal on Klamath's dams
San Francisco Chronicle – 1/21/08
For complexity, the years-long water war along the Klamath River rivals the
Some two dozen interest groups ranging from back-country sugar beet farmers to coastal fishing groups have reached an agreement that could lead to demolition of four century-old dams straddling the California-Oregon border. Much remains undecided such as the source of an estimated $1 billion to remove the dams and improve the river system.
But it's hard to miss the main point: nearly all sides believe the dams can come down. If that happens, the demolition work would produce the largest dam removal in the nation. Operators of other river-blocking barriers will be on notice.
For now, focusing on this river alone will do. The Klamath, once a productive storehouse of salmon, is a sickly stream due to diversions, pollution and the targeted dams near its headwaters some 350 miles from the
Just as its problems stem from many sources, so do the active players looking to improve their chances in any remake of the river. The agreement calls for steady flows of irrigation water to
One holdout is the dam's owner, the PacifiCorp power company controlled by financier and philanthropist Warren Buffett. While not ruling out the dam removals, a spokesman says the company needs to know how demolition will be paid for, where dam-generated power for 70,000 customers will come from, and what liabilities might come from taking down the structures, among the oldest in the West.
Also, the Hoopa tribe, with a down-river reservation, and several environmental groups feel the agreement is too generous in giving farmers irrigation water.
Important questions are still unanswered, and not all participants have had their way. But the chance to rebuild a dying river in a way that could instruct the rest of the country is an moment that must be seized. #
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/21/EDQTUHPP9.DTL
Lake Davis closures lifted Friday
By Christine Vovakes, staff writer
PORTOLA – The temporary public safety closure of
In mid-December, 33,000 pounds of
While saying the chemical poses no human health issues, state officials agreed in December to continue the closure until
Randy Kelly,
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/646717.html
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