Part of Henderson County among Areas Added to Mussel Fight

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels have expanded the territory where boaters are required to drain all watercraft before and after entering lakes and streams. Commissioners for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Thursday unanimously approved adding 30 counties in North, East, and Central Texas to the requirement. Among the new counties on the list is Henderson County west of Highway 19.

Currently, boaters in 17 North Texas counties must drain their boats. DNA and larvae of the small, non-native species were found earlier this week in a sixth Texas lake. It is a Class C misdemeanor statewide to possess or transport zebra mussels. Zebra mussels were first confirmed in Texas in Lake Texoma in 2009. The pesky and invasive creatures can clog pipes and damage boat motors, and have spread quickly since first being discovered.