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The Invermere
ALLEY A CHO l
June 17 2015
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THE GIFT OF A BICYCLE
Vo l . 59 Issu Legion launches downtown market
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Former valley resident Alison Harper is helping kids in her new hometown of Kugluktuk, Nunavut acquire bikes. Anyone interested in donating used bikes in working condition can drop them off at the local RCMP detachment. See page A10 for the full story. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Zebra mussels cause for major concern across B.C. KEVIN NIMMOCK kevin@invermerevalleyecho.com A new predator is on its way to the Columbia Valley, but there is still hope for water enthusiasts. The Lake Windermere Ambassadors have joined forces with the East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council and the provincial Ministry of the Environment to fight against zebra mussels, an invasive and harmful crustacean. “It affects drinking water, recreation and biodiversity,” Megan Peloso, program co-ordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors said. “Basically, they attach onto any solid surface and colonize that surface.” Once zebra mussels are established in a body of water, there is no known environmentally friendly way of eradicating them. “They took over the Great Lakes region of Eastern Canada and the
U.S. and, since then, they have been boats. In addition, there will be more slowly moving their way west,” Pelo- signage on highways in the area inso said. “We have not had a scare yet forming drivers about the risks. and we are just trying to avoid the “We recently got $2,500 worth of situation that other lakes are going funding from the Regional District of through now.” East Kootenay and the Columbia Basin The Columbia Headwaters Commu- Trust so that we can really be a good nity-based Invasive support in preventWe have not had ing invasive musMussels Prevention Project involves acsels,” Peloso said. a scare yet and tion and education. Environmental conwe are just trying to Through the procerns for zebra musgram, teams are now avoid the situation that sels include their rate on highways in the area other lakes are going of reproduction and performing mandatotheir eating habits. through. ry boat inspections. MEGAN PELOSO The mussels devour LAKE WINDERMERE AMBASSADORS phytoplankton Boats with evidence of and mussel presence will zooplankton, which be decontaminated on site. other animals rely on for food. Groups like the Lake Windermere “They are kind of greedy creatures, Ambassadors are responsible for edu- and they take away vital food from nacating the public about the risks asso- tive fish,” Peloso said. ciated with zebra mussels, as well as Zebra mussels do not just affect aniwhat to do if mussels are spotted on mals under the water in large lakes. In-
stead, they also make beaches dangerous for swimmers and loungers alike. “They have a shell that is very fine, small and hard, so it is razor sharp,” Peloso said. “If they are on our beaches or in our waters it will be pretty much impossible to be bare foot.” The most pressing financial concern created by the mussels is that they attach themselves to drinking water equipment, clogging intake pipes. “You have to pay someone to take them out regularly, which is quite expensive,” Peloso said. “That price never goes away.” As the weather heats up and boaters flock to the water, organizations fighting against zebra mussels will become extra attentive. For any questions about the mussels or where to go to get a boat decontaminated, please call the Lake Windermere Ambassadors at 250-341-6898. See A3
ART WALK
Invermere on the Lake Every Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm
What does ART Nine galleries from Cross Roads Collective to mean to you? Pynelogs Art Gallery · Come walk the walk…
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1914 - 2014
Celebrating 100 years