A Nevada man paid $2,500 for mussels at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but they weren't served up at some ritzy restaurant. No, the boater was fined $2,500 for failing to have his craft inspected for quagga and zebra mussels before launching on Lake Powell.
The fine handed down by a federal judge in mid-October marked the first trial involving the NRA's mussel inspection regulations, which exist to try to prevent the arrival of the small invasive mussels into the reservoir.
According to a park release, back on October 19 U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Braithwaite found Jonny Ward guilty of violating regulations that require mandatory inspections for “at risk” boats entering Lake Powell. Mr. Ward visited Glen Canyon on August 17, 2009, and was informed by park staff that he was required to have his boat inspected for zebra and quagga mussels before launching onto the lake, the release said. Nevertheless, the man instead proceeded to Lone Rock Beach, where he launched in violation of Glen Canyon regulations, the park added.
National Park Service rangers contacted Ward on Lone Rock Beach and issued him a mandatory citation to appear in court for violating mussel prevention regulations. Mr. Ward elected to go to trial, according to the park, and was found guilty of violating Glen Canyon’s quagga mussel regulations by Judge Braithwaite.
“We appreciate Judge Braithwaite’s support for our mussel prevention efforts at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,” said Glen Canyon Superintendent Stan Austin. “Our success in keeping Lake Powell mussel-free will only continue with the cooperation and support of all of our partners and visitors.”
Zebra and quagga mussels are aquatic invasive species that can lead to severe economic and environmental consequences for lakes and other waterways, according to the NRA. A number of water bodies in the region are known to be infested with quagga mussels, it added Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has had an active mussel prevention program in place since 2000 for Lake Powell. All evidence to date indicates Lake Powell is zebra and quagga mussel free.
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Sounds like this guy was determined to thumb his nose at the park's attempts to protect the lake - and other boaters - from the serious consequences of a mussel infestation. Given that all it takes to introduce zebra or quagga mussels into the lake is the launch of one contaminated boat, and the enormous financial impact of an infestation in the lake, this guy actually got off pretty easy. You need not look any further from Glen Canyon than Lake Mead to see the extent of the problems caused by these pests.
In case anyone has missed previous coverage of this problem on the Traveler, here are links to a couple of articles:
/2009/06/numbers-lake-mead-quagga-mussels
/2009/05/quagga-quandry-are-these-pests-coming-lake-near-you-maybe-theyre-already-there
The USGS has a website that's a good source of information about zebra and quagga mussels.
Ouuuch!! but I guess if he's a speed boater he can afford it. Maybe the guy should find a better use of his spare time than pulling his overweight friends around a wildlife habitat in a diesel belching power boat.
Speed boating, diesel belching, fat friended miscreant! Ad Hominum anyone?
Just sounds like a thoughtless scofflaw, actually.
Oh, where can you get one of those diesel speed boats?
Happened to me a few years ago. Was told by the gate ranger that I had to have one done because I was a day or two shy of their mandatory dry period. My boat was as dry as could be, inside and out. Told me where, when and how much. I never had it done. I believe it was $45.00 and that I had to wait until 8 or 9 am. I was in a bass tourney and that just wasnt going to work. And I have a hard time believing there are not any of them little critters there now. How do they inspect water fowl?