SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) today announced the availability of grant funding to prevent the further spread of quagga and zebra mussels into California’s waterways. Funded by the California Boater Mussel Fee Sticker (popularly known as the Quagga sticker), the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Program expects to award up to $3 million to eligible applicants. Applications will be accepted from Monday, March 7 through Friday, April 15, 2022. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on April 15, 2022.
Quagga and zebra (Dreissenid) mussels pose a serious threat to California’s waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture and the environment in general. To stop the spread of these harmful invasive mussels, California asks boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats. Additionally, DBW provides grants to entities that own or manage any aspect of water in a reservoir that is open for public recreation and is mussel-free.
Funds for the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Program are available for prevention projects such as planning, watercraft inspection stations and inspectors, launch monitors, watercraft decontamination units, educational signage and outreach. These competitive grants are intended to augment local resources. To aid applicants through the application process, DBW will host a webinar on Thursday, March 10, 2022, where potential applicants can learn more about the application process and program. To sign up for the webinar, visit DBW’s webpage.
Application review and scoring will be conducted by DBW in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Grants are expected to be encumbered by August 2022.
To learn more about the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Program, please visit DBW’s website at dbw.ca.gov/QZGrant.
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