Pest Eradicated Through WHIP

NRCS State Conservationist Denise Doetzer (left) and Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries Biologist, Dave Whitehurst witness firsthand the beginning of the eradication process

NRCS in Virginia is providing $300,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funds to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to eradicate a colony of zebra mussels — a non-native invasive species. The only known colony of zebra mussels is located in a quarry in Northern Virginia. The invasive species can colonize on any hard surface, posing a threat to many bottom-dwelling species including Virginia’s many rare and endangered freshwater mussels. Zebra mussels will attach to larger native mussels, making it impossible for them to open or close, burrow in the stream, or feed. Zebra mussels have the potential to invade and devastate populations of Virginia's native mussels.

Virginia NRCS State Conservationist M. Denise Doetzer along with Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Biologist Dave Whitehurst witnessed the start of the eradication process. Contractors used a solution of potassium chloride (salt) distributed at various depths throughout the quarry. Zebra mussels are intolerant to salt unlike the salt-tolerant fish and other aquatic life in the quarry.

The zebra mussel infested quarry is located near two facilities that supply water to over a million people. If the mussels were to escape, treatment could cost up to $850,000 per year for chemicals and system maintenance.

Visit the NRCS Virginia web site.

Zebra mussels have the potential to cause tremendous economic and ecological damage nationwide. According to Congressional research, zebra mussels cost the power industry $3.1 billion from 1993 to 1999. Their impact on industries, businesses and communities total over $5 billion.

Funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service will allow the Department to make its first attempt ever to eradicate a species from an open water body. This procedure will ensure reproduction of Virginia’s endangered mussels and protect food supplies for freshwater dwelling animals.
Your contact  is Dastina Johnson, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 804-287-1609.

Find out more...
Virginia to eradicate zebra mussels -- Virginia Times-Dispatch
Workers began removing zebra mussels from quarry -- Gainsville Times