Kelowna council is joining a chorus of voices calling on senior levels of government to maintain funding that helps to keep invasive mussels out of B.C. waters.
Earlier in January, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) warned that the federal government may be cutting funds that support invasive mussel inspections.
READ MORE: Okanagan water board fears funding cuts to Invasive Mussel Program
At Monday’s (Jan. 22) regular meeting, Mayor Tom Dyas asked for council’s support in seeking help from the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA).
Days added he will also be reaching out to his counterparts in the Okanagan.
“Because they have positions on it too so that we get that joint effort.”
The mayor said he has seen firsthand the damage invasive mussels can do in Ontario waterways.
“They exist within lakes for about seven years before they basically clean the lake out of anything edible. These species have recently spread rapidly throughout the waterways of the United States and now pose a threat to our fresh waters.”
Coun. Charlie Hodge added there is no bigger threat to Okanagan lakes and waterways.
“This would make Milfoil look like a joke. It will wipe out life in the Okanagan as we know it.”
Eurasian milfoil grows quickly and forms a thick mass of tangled stems underwater and mats of vegetation on the surface of water bodies. Okanagan lakes are harvested annually in an effort to keep the invasive weed at bay.
Staff will prepare a resolution to present at the SILGA Convention during the last week of April, and assist with council advocacy to senior levels of government to keep the funding in place.
READ MORE: Mussel scare prompts Okanagan Water Board to call for out-of-province boat ban