Greater Enforcement for Provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program

Whereas the invasion of zebra and quagga mussels poses a serious threat to watercourses in British Columbia and the primary vector for invasive mussels is watercraft entering the province; And whereas the provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program IMDP is the first line of defence and remains grossly underfunded with less than 10 watercraft inspection stations throughout the province; And whereas the Province has yet to introduce pull-the-plug legislation, legislation that requires watercraft owners to clean, drain and dry their vessels or mandatory watercraft inspections for vessels entering British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask that the Province increase funding for the IMDP, introduce legislation that requires watercraft owners to clean, drain and dry their vessels when entering BC and establish mandatory watercraft inspections to ensure the protection of our watercourses.