Mono County has adopted an ordinance aiming to protect waterways from golden mussels. The ordinance was adopted by the Mono County Board of Supervisors and establishes the mandatory Water Vessel Inspection Program. Golden Mussels were first detected in the state of California in late 2024, and county officials say they have been spreading across the state rapidly. Unlike other species of mussels, golden mussels can survive in a wider range of temperatures and extreme alpine environments, meaning they provide a greater threat to ecosystems in the area.