Texas declares war on zebra mussels
| Austin, Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials have expanded to the entire state a mandate that boaters on lakes and rivers drain their watercrafts to combat the spread of聽zebra聽mussels聽and other invasive species.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission took the action Thursday. It takes effect July 1 but officials are urging boaters and fishermen to embrace the practice immediately.
Zebra聽mussels聽were first confirmed in Texas in Lake Texoma in 2009 and since then have spread through North Texas and into Central Texas. They can clog pipes and damage boat motors and have spread quickly.
Authorities believe the infestations are accelerated by people who don't drain and clean their boats and trailers and move from waterway to waterway around the state.
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