Chamber Breakfast: Tiny Mussel - Huge Problem
A note of community interest from Scott Eicher, Ojai Chamber CEO...
As reported in the Ojai Valley News, Lake Casitas is threatened with Quagga Mussel infestation. If the Quagga enters the lake's ecosystem, it will be virtually impossible to remove. Closing the lake could keep it out, but at what cost? Ron Merckling, Water Conservation/Public Affairs Manager for Casitas Municipal Water District, will be our keynote speaker at the first Chamber Breakfast of 2008.
Come hear what Mr. Merckling has to say about the impacts the Quagga could bring: closing the lake; environmental effects to the lake; potential economic impacts of each case. Wednesday morning,
January 30 at Soule Park Golf Course from 7:30 to 8:45 Advance Chamber Member price is $25; non-Chamber members $30 before January 25th. After January 25th; tickets $30 for all. Buffet breakfast included. Contact the Chamber at 805-646-8126 or info@ojaichamber.org to reserve your spot. [ed. note - as this is the first public posting of this event here, perhaps you can still request an advance chamber member price today]
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Comments (5)
This is certainly a serious problem. The posts have already begun on local news pages calling this just another environmentalist plot to close the lake to boats; Russ Baggerly, et al, have always wanted to drive out fishermen, etc. “It isn’t the boats; it’s the birds”.
Actually, I understand that the boats may remain on the lake if they remain at Casitas. Only boats that lake-hop will be restricted. While this may have some short-term economic impact (maybe good for the boat rental folks), the long-term scenario is dire without timely action. It is just one of those pieces of information that no one wants to hear. Besides it is easier to close the lake to boats than birds.
Comment #1 Posted by: Dennis Rice | January 28, 2008 10:19 AM
What is the bird connection?
This is just like many other global problems. Similar to the mites that the bees now have. Has anyone heard about this frog that is in Hawaii now that makes this really high pitched sound at night? It is destroying property values in some areas because people can't sleep. I think it came from Austraila. Also there is a type of sea weed that it extremely invasive that was in the San Diego area, they seem to be making some progress on that one. We also have many invasive plants in the Chaparrel like those cane like plant. And we are losing eucalyptus trees to the bark beetle and another fungus that attacks the leaves. And the abalone got some type of diesese a while back that devastated them. It's a difficult problem indeed.
Comment #2 Posted by: Brian | January 28, 2008 12:02 PM
A few fishermen have tossed out the idea that birds are carrying the Quagga mussel. There is, however, no evidence at this time to support this claim. Those who claim that the bird-as-vector notion is false point to the fact that were either the Zebra or Quagga mussel carried by migrating birds, there would be a connect-the-dots map of infested lakes and ponds to prove it, given the amount of time that both mollusks have been in the US; 1988 and 1989, respectively.
The Wikipedia articles on both Zebra and Quagga mussels are interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_mussel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quagga_mussel
Comment #3 Posted by: Anonymous | January 28, 2008 02:08 PM
More info on the mussel:
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=95
Comment #4 Posted by: Brian | January 29, 2008 07:05 AM
This a VERY SERIOUS ISSUE...!As for the restrictions being set in place by the F&G. This is a measure that HAS to be accomplished less this wonderful watershed be closed to everyone! I am an avid bass guy and a VP of a local club in Santa Maria and I stand behind the F&G for placing these regs into place. All I can say for the bass guys is 'be ready to fish, or go home'. It's that simple. Follow the rules or stay home! Can't be any clearer than that my fellow bassers.
Comment #5 Posted by: B Dixon | February 6, 2008 07:15 PM