ABSTRACT
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 272 Regulatory Restrictions .....................................................................................................................274 Agricultural Inspection Stations .......................................................................................................274 RiskAnalyses and Early Detection ................................................................................................... 275 Dedicated Staf‘ng and Partnerships ................................................................................................. 276
Discovery of Mussels: The Initial Response .......................................................................................... 276 Coordinated Effort ............................................................................................................................ 276 Initial Control Measures ................................................................................................................... 279 ScienceAdvisory Panel ..................................................................................................................... 279 Outreach and Education .................................................................................................................... 279 NewAuthorities ................................................................................................................................ 280 Funding ............................................................................................................................................. 281
LivingWith Mussels: A Long-Term Management Strategy .................................................................. 281 Coordination ..................................................................................................................................... 282 Prevention ......................................................................................................................................... 282 Detection ........................................................................................................................................... 283 Response ........................................................................................................................................... 283 Control and Eradication .................................................................................................................... 284 Information Dissemination ............................................................................................................... 284
Discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 284 Agency Staff ..................................................................................................................................... 285 Collaboration .................................................................................................................................... 285 Outreach ............................................................................................................................................ 286 Organized Response .......................................................................................................................... 286 LegalAuthorities ............................................................................................................................... 286 Funding ............................................................................................................................................. 287 Management Plan ............................................................................................................................. 287 Continuing Challenges ...................................................................................................................... 288
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 288 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. 289 References .............................................................................................................................................. 289
ABSTRACT California is a unique and challenging environment, both in terms of its environmental resources and sociopolitical structure. Responding to, and managing for, the discovery of quagga mussels(Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in 2007 and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in 2008 has required resource managers to work within the complex intrastate political boundaries and jurisdictional authorities with limited ‘nancial resources. Notwithstanding these challenges, there is an imperative to protect vital economic interests intertwined with crucial water conveyance systems, agriculture, and recreation. While there has been universal agreement that dreissenid mussels would, and ultimately, have negatively impacted California, diverse, sometimes competing forces in¬uenced the pace, direction,and outcomes of actions taken to plan for and manage dreissenid mussels in the state. Apost hoc review of the state’s response can offer guidance to others preparing for, or responding to, similar crises. Preplanning, utilization of internal and external expertise, collaboration and partnering, an organized structure for response efforts, development and implementation of along-term management strategy, and atailored response to the unique situation and prevailing circumstances have played important roles in the response and ongoing management of dreissenid mussels in the state.
