Tuesday December 9, 2025
ShastaScout —
Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials have enacted a forest order to prevent the spread of invasive golden mussels.
The order prohibits the “possession and transportation of golden mussels, zebra mussels and quagga mussels to five lakes within the forest,” according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service press release.
Native to Southeast Asia and China, golden mussels were first discovered in North America in the Bay-Delta near Stockton in October 2024, and they were suspected to have arrived on a commercial ship. The invasive species can spread rapidly once established, significantly damaging surrounding ecosystems, infrastructure, agriculture and economies.