ZEBRA MUSSELS: A non-native freshwater creature is 
wreaking havoc in Texas ... ahead on Passport to Texas. 

This is Passport to Texas

Non-native zebra mussels pose potential ecological and 
economic damage wherever there's an infestation. In 
September 2014, they showed up in Lake Waco.

06 -- Unfortunately there was a vessel that was launched on 
Lake Waco last summer; it had come from lake Belton.

Brian Van Zee, TPW Inland Fisheries Regional Director, 
says Lake Belton has an established population of zebra 
mussels; they hitched a ride to Lake Waco on the vessel in 
question.

15 -- It was heavily infested with those individuals when they 
left Lake Belton. They did not inspect it; they did not clean it. 
So, they launched on Lake Waco and introduced these mussels 
to the lake.

The zebra mussel larvae are microscopic, which is why it 
is imperative boaters clean, drain and dry their vessels 
when going from one water body to the next. 

24 -- Texas Parks and Wildlife department enacted the law last 
year requiring boaters -- anytime they leave or approach a 
freshwater lake or river system in the state -- their boats have 
to be dry. And that's all aimed at preventing the spread of 
these microscopic organisms. So, take those three simple 
steps of clean, drain, dry; it doesn't take long. It's very simple 
to do. It's better for your boat in terms of maintenance, 
anyway; so go ahead and do it.

What TPW, the City of Waco and Army Corps of Engineers 
is doing to combat zebra mussels in Lake Waco -- that's 
tomorrow.

The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.



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