In action on Capitol Hill earlier this month, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) introduced legislation with members of the Delta delegation to halt the exploding invasion of golden mussels, a razor-sharp invasive species that spouts sludge, emits a rotting odor, and destroys ecosystems and water infrastructure. The Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act fights the invasion by deploying new eradication efforts to the Valley.

The Delta is ground zero for the golden mussel’s continental invasion.

The first U.S. sighting of golden mussels occurred near the Port of Stockton just last October, and the infestation now ranges as far south as Kern County.

A single female mussel can produce up to one million offspring a year, and in some river systems, they have spread up to 150 miles per year on average.

If left unchecked, the infestation could threaten the water supplies relied upon by 27 million Californians and $50 billion in agriculture.

“Don’t let the name fool you, these golden mussels are sharp, slimy, and stinking invaders that clog our waterways with sludge and threaten our fragile Delta ecosystems. We need to act now to stop their advance,” said Rep. Harder. “This bill protects our waterways and our Delta economy by jumpstarting eradication efforts right now, not when it’s far too late.”

Highlights of the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act include:

Deploying a rapid response program to monitor, contain, and begin eradicating the current infestation.

Investing in new technology and inspection stations to speed up local eradication efforts.

Increasing state, local, and federal coordination through a comprehensive report on best practices and new guidance on golden mussel prevention.

The Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act is endorsed by the Delta Counties Coalition, which is made up of county supervisors from Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo counties.