{"id":33953,"date":"2014-05-22T11:45:35","date_gmt":"2014-05-22T16:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/?p=33953"},"modified":"2014-05-22T11:52:01","modified_gmt":"2014-05-22T16:52:01","slug":"after-invading-lakes-are-zebra-mussels-coming-for-power-plants-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/2014\/05\/22\/after-invading-lakes-are-zebra-mussels-coming-for-power-plants-next\/","title":{"rendered":"As Zebra Mussels Spread in Texas, Boating Rules Will Apply Statewide"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Zebra<\/a>

Photo by USGS<\/p>

Zebra mussels attached to native mussels.<\/p><\/div>\n

Update:<\/strong> Fishing and boating\u00a0enthusiasts\u00a0take note: you’re probably going to need a little extra time as you head out on the lake this year. Rules to prevent the spread of the invasive zebra mussel<\/a> will be going into effect statewide.<\/p>\n

“All boats operating on public fresh water anywhere in Texas be drained before leaving or approaching a lake or river,” according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department <\/a>(TWDB).<\/p>\n

The mussels have spread rapidly since 2009, and now “the Highland Lakes are in the cross hairs, as are many of the public waters in Central Texas,” says\u00a0Brian Van Zee, Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries Division regional director, in a statement.<\/p>\n

The rules<\/a> will go into effect July 1.<\/p>\n

Original story, Jan. 24, 2014:<\/em><\/h5>\n

As invasive zebra mussels were found in yet another Texas lake this week, state regulators are expanding rules urging boaters<\/a> to completely drain their vessels after using public waters. The rules also place restrictions on transporting live fish and bait.\u00a0The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department voted unanimously Thursday to require to extend the rules to an additional 30 counties in North and Central Texas, including the Austin area.<\/p>\n

Zebra mussels\u00a0<\/a>are\u00a0an invasive species that attach to boats and can damage motors and water systems. They’re small, only growing up to 1.5 inches, and can be hard to spot. They also spread easily, with just one mussel having the potential to produce up to a million microscopic larvae, according to Texas Invasives<\/a>. As the mussels have spread, fears have grown that they could do more than hurt props: the invasives could clog vital water intakes for drinking water, power plants and manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Parks and Wildlife Commissioner Dick Scott warned that it might be necessary to consider extending the rules even further \u2013\u00a0across all of Texas \u2013 to protect those resources. “This cannot be overplayed, because this will be a serious economic impact on the state of Texas if we don’t act on it,” Scott said at the meeting.<\/p>\n

Ralph H. Duggins, vice-chairman\u00a0of the commission, asked staff to put together a proposal to extend the boating rules statewide “as soon as possible.” Duggins said the invasive\u00a0mussels\u00a0pose “an extraordinary risk” to “our state, our water systems and our businesses.”<\/p>\n

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