Cannabis firm sues shipper
Check your travel medical
New orca rescue attempt
No bail in Ottawa killings 
Banks must say rebate 
Regulating power prices
Iran fires at attack drones 
World's largest election 
2 detained in Volkov attack 
Apple pulls apps from China
Oil and gas leases restricted
Indigo needs turnaround 
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
Hilton teams up with Sia
Swift still 'can't forgive' Kim
Grimes to ‘cap the disarray’
Since international travel is out of the question for the foreseeable future, Canadians have been encouraged to travel within the country. But the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is concerned that increased domestic travel could lead to the spread of invasive species.
The Chamber has voiced their concerns to the federal minister of fisheries and oceans and the federal minister of public safety by writing a letter to each. The letter states the risks that quagga and zebra mussels could have on the Okanagan if they are brought in from other provinces.
"The spread of aquatic invasive mussels poses a significant threat to the Okanagan’s ecosystem, lifestyle
and economy," says Krystin Kempton, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce president. "The potential for an infestation is very real as Canadians are encouraged to travel and explore this great nation during the pandemic."
The Chamber is urging the federal government to emphasize proper watercraft cleaning, draining and drying practices when promoting domestic tourism. They also want the government to strengthen the Pleasure Craft Operator Card course by educating boaters more on Aquatic Invasive Species stations.
"U.S. citizens entering B.C. to reach Alaska could also put our lakes at risk, particularly given the recent
increase in watercraft arriving in Montana infested with zebra and quagga mussels," adds Kempton. "We urge the government to provide the Canadian Border Services Agency with the necessary resources to prevent the infestation of Canadian waters by watercraft and equipment crossing our border."
The Chamber warns against the potential repercussions the mussels could bring to the region. For one, the Okanagan Basin Water Board estimates the annual lost tourism revenue due to invasive species could range between $12 and $22 million. The invasive species could also decrease real estate values by $10 million per year due to the razor-sharp mussels covering local beaches. Infestations could lead to higher taxes too because of increased species removal maintenance.
