President Barack Obama signed a measure into law Friday aimed at preventing invasive freshwater mussels from entering the Columbia River ecosystem.
The measure, backed by U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, clarifies language to ensure watercraft inspection stations are able to tap funds to inspect and decontaminate boats that might be transporting the invasive species.
“Prevention is the first line of defense, and I’ve secured the resources to strengthen invasive species prevention because it’s the cheapest and most effective tool to use against invasive species. It is also key to maintain our reliable, renewable and affordable hydro energy,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement.
Quagga and zebra mussels are an expensive problem to tackle. The fast-breeding species clog pipes, crowd out other wildlife and harm dam structures.
If the species were to be introduced into the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission estimated potential costs of $500 million annually to combat the invasive species.
The initiative to fight the mussels was included in the Water Resources Development Act and carves out $4 million for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana to use for prevention efforts.
“Protecting the Columbia River ecosystem from invasive species is paramount to our way of life in Southwest Washington, and I’m pleased the president is signing my legislative effort into law today,” Herrera Beutler said Friday.
In November, mussels were found for the first time in Montana, a troubling discovery.
Officials are hoping the discovery can be contained before it spreads, according to reports by The Associated Press.
Montana state Rep. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, told The Associated Press that had the states been able to use the funds before, the mussels might not have made it into the region’s water.
“Had that money been there to help double the work being done at boat check points, the originator of these mussels might have been picked up before they were in the water,” Cuffe said.
