Send letter to the The Honourable Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship urging the following actions by the provincial government:
1. Immediate Funding for the Invasive Mussel Defence Program – $5.5 Million Investment
The IMDP has been underfunded for years, and its effectiveness has been compromised by budget reductions and staffing shortages. The number of watercraft inspections has declined by 60% since 2019, despite an increasing threat from neighboring jurisdictions like Idaho. We urge the provincial government to allocate at least $5.5 million to the IMDP in 2025 to restore and expand inspections.
2. Mandatory Inspections for All Watercraft Entering B.C.
Unlike Alberta, which is introducing mandatory watercraft inspections in 2026, B.C. currently only inspects boats that pass an open station, leaving significant gaps in coverage. We recommend amending the Wildlife Act and Water Sustainability Act to require mandatory inspections for all incoming watercraft.
3. Federal Support for Prevention, Not Just Detection
Federal funding has been largely focused on mussel detection rather than prevention. As we have seen in Lake Winnipeg and are witnessing in Idaho’s Snake River, once mussels are detected, the infestation and damage is irreversible. We urge you to advocate for federal funding that prioritizes early prevention and border screening programs, as well as a moratorium on out-of-country watercraft given that the copper-based chemical treatments in Idaho’s Snake River were unsuccessful in eliminating quagga mussels but did kill between 6 and 7 tons of fish, including 48 white sturgeon.
4. A Western Canada Invasive Mussel-Free Zone
The province should collaborate with Alberta and Saskatchewan to establish a regional invasive mussel prevention strategy, including shared policies, inspection stations, and penalties. Aligning with Alberta’s AIS Task Force recommendations will create a more effective defense against mussel contamination across Western Canada.
5. Aligning Penalties to Deter Non-Compliance
Currently, B.C.’s fines for non-compliance with inspection programs are far lower than Alberta’s. We recommend increasing penalties to at least match Alberta’s $4,200 fine for failing to stop at an inspection station and implementing higher fines for larger, high-risk watercraft.
6. Clear Policy to Limit Chemical Use in “Rapid Response” Strategies
While some jurisdictions propose chemical treatments as a last resort for invasive mussels like in the Snake River, history shows that these measures are often ineffective, costly, and harmful to other aquatic species, including salmon populations. The best strategy remains prevention through mandatory inspections and proactive funding.
Public and Business Community Support
This issue is not just an environmental concern—it is an economic imperative. In March 2024, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) convened a multi-stakeholder working group of over 100 representatives, including local governments, First Nations, marinas, tourism associations, and chambers of commerce. The overwhelming consensus was that B.C. must take stronger action now to protect our waters, economy, and way of life.
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