As the summer boating season gets underway with Memorial Day weekend, golden mussels continue to pose a threat to California’s waterways, officials said. The invasive mussels clog critical water delivery pipes, damage boats and outcompete native fish. They also spread rapidly, mostly via boats. On Tuesday, Kern County supervisors declared a local emergency over the mussels, joining San Joaquin County. Many lakes and waterways across California, including Lake Tahoe, now require inspections before you can put your boat in the water. “Golden mussels are not in Lake Tahoe, and you can help us keep it that way,” the Lake Tahoe Invasive Species Program said. Motorized boats are required to be decontaminated before entering the lake.

Other invasive species news:

• FOX26 (Bakersfield, Calif.): Rep. Fong secures $5 million to combat invasive golden mussels
• East Bay Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.): Opinion: As boating season begins, help protect our waters from golden mussels