As invasive mussel species continue to spread across the state, both local and national agencies, such as the US Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), are exploring every avenue to stop them. Now, they’re offering up some serious money for the right idea to help stop the spread of these shellfish. The three-phase ‘Halt the Hitchhiker’ program is offering up $200,000 for the winning proposal, with cash prizes offered at each phase for winning ideas. The push stems from continued concern about invasive shellfish such as the Quagga, Zebra and more recent Golden Mussels.

Other invasive species news:

• The Plumas Sun (Quincy, Calif.): Lawsuit launched to protect endemic mussels
• Field & Stream: Blog: How to make $70k a year catching unwanted fishing species