Photo: Contributed - Ministry of Environment

The province's battle against invasive mussels got a boost from the Columbia Basin Trust.

The trust, which includes the Columbia Power Corporation, FortisBC and four Kootenay based invasive species councils, is providing $360,000 in new funds.

The funding means three additional mobile inspection and decontamination crews will be deployed to ensure boats coming into the province are free of quagga and zebra mussels.

The new teams will be based in Cranbrook, Valemont and Nelson to target major entry points from Alberta and the U.S.

“Preventing the threat of invasive mussels is critical to protecting our waterways for environmental, economic and recreational reasons, and has been identified as a priority by the residents that live here," said Neil Muth, president and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust.

"Increasing the level of protection in this region is key and we are pleased to support the prevention efforts this summer to keep mussels out of the Columbia Basin.”

The addition of these specialized mussel detection teams further enhances the provincial early detection and rapid response program for invasive mussels. This includes supporting education and outreach activities, such as the “Clean, Drain, Dry” program being delivered by the invasive species councils.

Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, pose a significant threat to Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and critical infrastructure such as hydroelectric and drinking water facilities.

No zebra or quagga mussels have ever been found in B.C. waterways, and the Province is hard at work ensuring it stays that way.