No silver bullets to eradicate golden mussels were revealed at a symposium on the invasive species held Wednesday by the Water Association of Kern County and Kern County Farm Bureau. But participants got a solid overview of what water districts have learned so far – what’s worked, what to look out for and how big the bill is expected to be Agricultural water districts in Kern have spent about $9 million combined trying to keep the rapidly reproducing, pipe clogging little mollusks at bay, according to Stacy Kuwahara, Assistant County Administrative Officer. She said she expects those costs to balloon to $36 million a year – conservatively.

Other invasive species news:

• KBAK (Bakersfield, Calif.): Kern County groups host forum on growing threat of invasive golden mussels
• Manteca Bulletin (Calif.): Board extends emergency to combat golden mussels threat
• KVPR (Fresno, Calif.): Invasive species are taking over California ecosystems. Goats are fighting back.