On July 1, the Kern County Farm Bureau submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, requesting that a State of Emergency be declared related to the spread of invasive golden mussels in California. The letter also called for immediate permitting and financial assistance to support prevention, monitoring, mitigation, eradication, and infrastructure protection efforts throughout California.
The letter was signed by 19 agricultural associations and organizations, 14 agencies and districts, and two government and economic organizations. According to the letter, golden mussels pose a significant threat to California’s water delivery systems, agricultural economy, public infrastructure, and environmental resources.
“Recent confirmations by state and federal agencies have established the presence of golden mussels within California’s water conveyance infrastructure, including facilities associated with the State Water Project and United States Bureau of Reclamation Central Valley Project,” the letter stated. “This is no longer a potential threat, but an active infestation affecting critical systems relied upon by communities, farms, businesses, and water agencies across the state.”…