B.C.’s new NDP government is being told to get tough with invasive species.
The Regional District of North Okanagan wants to meet with the forests and environment ministers to discuss the potential arrival of quagga and zebra mussels in local lakes.
“They should be made aware of the issue because they’re new to the portfolio,” said director Juliette Cunningham of meeting the ministers at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in September.
“I hope as many jurisdictions will drive it home.”
Pressure is growing on the government after it was revealed that 15 boats entering the province since April were found to have adult invasive mussels attached to them. The boats – from Ontario, Texas, Quebec, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and New York– were among 117 quarantined over the last four months to meet the province’s required 30-day drying time to ensure the mussels were dead.
Representatives from the Southern Interior Local Government Association also want to talk mussels with Environment Minister George Heyman.
“Part of our role is to educate the new minister. I hope they will listen to what we are saying,” said Mike Macnabb, RDNO director who sits on the SILGA executive.