AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels could expand the territory where boaters are required to drain all watercraft before and after entering lakes and streams.
Commissioners for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are to vote Thursday on adding 30 counties in North and Central Texas to the requirement. Currently, boaters in 17 North Texas counties must drain their boats.
Earlier this week, DNA and larvae of the small, non-native species were found in a sixth Texas lake.
It is a Class C misdemeanor statewide to possess or transport zebra mussels.
Zebra mussels were first confirmed in Texas in Lake Texoma in 2009. The pesky and invasive creatures can clog pipes and damage boat motors, and have since spread to several North Texas lakes.