More Lakes May Be Included in Zebra Mussel Fight

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) � State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels want the public’s input on a proposal to require that people in 30 more counties drain all boats operating on public water after use. A release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Thursday said the 30 counties are in Central and North Texas. One of the counties is Henderson County west of Highway 19.

Earlier this month, the commission implemented permanent requirements for boaters in 17 North Texas counties to clean, dry and drain all watercraft before and after entering lakes and streams.

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.