PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Legislation to prevent the spread of zebra mussels in South Dakota is headed for the state Senate. It received unanimous approval from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday.
The bill, which has already passed the House, requires people to decontaminate their boats by cleaning and draining them after leaving the water. It also creates inspection stations.
The Argus Leader reports senators were told the invasive species has now been found in four South Dakota lakes. Zebra mussels can cause a foul taste and smell in drinking water, increase algae and alter aquatic food chains.
The widespread invasive species wasn’t found in South Dakota until 2016 when the zebra mussels were discovered in Lewis and Clark Lake and McCook Lake. It was found to have spread to Sharpe and Francis Case lakes last year.
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