Pest Eradicated Through WHIP

NRCS in Virginia is providing $300,000 in 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 our native mussels.

Virginia NRCS State Conservationist, M. Denise Doetzer along with VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries Biologist, Dave Whitehurst, witnessed firsthand the start of the eradication process.  Contractors used a solution of potassium chloride distributed at various depths throughout the quarry. Zebra mussels are intolerant to salt; therefore this treatment which is fatal to the mussels is expected to be tolerant to the fish and other aquatic life in the water.

The zebra mussel infested quarry is located in northern Virginia 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. 

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. Hopefully this will keep Virginia, zebra mussel free.

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