Chief Patron: McDonnell
Zebra Mussel Eradication

Item 393 #1h

Language
Page 307, line 9, strike "$34,989,619" and insert "$35,639,619".
Page 307, after line 35, insert:
"C.  Out of this appropriation, $650,000 the first year from the general fund is provided for the eradication of a population of zebra mussels located in Millbrook Quarry in Prince William County."

Explanation
(This amendment provides general fund dollars to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to eradicate a population of zebra mussels found in Millbrook Quarry, a 12-acre site located in Prince William County. Based upon the department's research, this population of zebra mussels cannot be contained within the quarry. Consequently, unless this population of zebra mussels is eradicated, significant costs will be incurred by the water supply systems, power generating facilities, municipalities, and other water users in the Occoquan River watershed. The department has estimated that these costs could be several million dollars, and, when annualized over 20 years, equal about $1 million per year for each municipality in the Occoquan River watershed. The Department also fears that this invasive species might produce a significant loss in the number of rare, freshwater species in the Occoquan River. However, because of previous budget cuts, the Department does not have sufficient funds to undertake this effort on its own.)