# Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2022

Zebra mussels and quagga mussels are tiny invaders that have caused billions of dollars in damage across America's waterways. These mussels attach themselves to pipes, boat engines, water intake systems, and anything else submerged in water, clogging infrastructure and destroying native ecosystems. This bill is designed to stop people from accidentally spreading these destructive mussels from one body of water to another.

The main way these mussels travel is through boats and recreational equipment. When someone takes a boat from an infested lake to a clean lake, they can carry mussel larvae in the water trapped in the boat's engine, bilge, or ballast tanks. The bill requires federal agencies to work together on prevention efforts, including inspecting boats and equipment at high-risk locations, educating the public about proper cleaning procedures, and coordinating with states to stop the spread. It also authorizes funding for research and monitoring programs to track where these mussels are and how to stop them.

If you're someone who boats, fishes, or uses water recreation equipment, this bill affects you directly. It may mean encountering inspection stations before launching your boat in certain areas, or being required to drain water from your equipment before moving it between lakes. For communities that rely on water infrastructure—which is basically everyone—this bill helps protect the systems that deliver drinking water and power to your home. By stopping mussel invasions before they happen, the bill saves taxpayers money that would otherwise go toward expensive repairs and replacement of damaged water systems. It's essentially a prevention-focused approach that's far cheaper than dealing with an infestation after it starts.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2022

Bennet, Michael F.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2022 This bill provides for activities to control invasive species on federal lands and waters. The Department of the Interior may inspect and decontaminate watercraft entering and leaving federal land and water located within a river basin that contains a Bureau of Reclamation water project. The Bureau of Reclamation shall establish a competitive grant program to provide grants to partners to conduct inspections and decontamination of watercraft in reservoirs operated and maintained by Reclamation, including to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain a watercraft inspection and decontamination station. In carrying out the grant program, Reclamation shall coordinate with (1) states with Reclamation projects, (2) affected Indian tribes, and (3) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.