by Glenn Hefley

--Santee, California

Allen Carlisle Park & Recreation Manager of the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is very excited about a pet project of his; the Cable Ski Park, which is proposed for Lake 1 of the seven lake system. Despite the fact that Zebra Mussels are already in California water systems, and that they have been found to travel from lake system to lake system via boats, water ski, inner-tubes, boat trailer and anything else that touches lake water, and is not cleaned with great attention.

The eggs of the Zebra Mussels are incredibly small, so it is unlikely that a visual inspection of water equipment would discover their existence. Being kin to what are termed the "super glue" of the aquatic world, it is very unlikely that if eggs of the Zebra Mussel have adhered to a water ski, a simple hosing off (more than most kid's skis are given), is going to dislodge the tiny eggs. In fact, even a good scrubbing will likely miss Zebra Mussel eggs.

Zebra Mussel eggs can survive great lengths of time outside of the water while adhered to skis and other water equipment, allowing them to transverse great distances. Once introduced again to suitable lake water, the eggs hatch. Which is exactly how the Zebra Mussels crossed the Rocky Mountains and landed hard in the California water systems of Hollister-area reservoir that serves growers and residents in San Benito County. (This infestation was discovered January of 2008).

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve proposes to use Lake 1, a lake which is connected to the entire water supply (both the main well, the connecting other six lakes and the recycled water plant), of the City of Santee. The infestation of Zebra Mussels would cripple the city itself, plummet Real Estate values, remove major business interests, and be disastrous to the surrounding areas. Yet Allen Carlisle and Santee Councilman Brian Jones are "enthusiastic" about the project after a trip to Texas where they got to play on ski for a weekend (according to a San Diego Tribune news article).

No area in the United States which has been infested with Zebra Mussels has come close to recovering the Real Estate and /or business value of the area previous to the infestation. No infestation has ever been reversed or controlled once Zebra Mussels have entered the water system. No eco-system (wildlife, fish, game, etc) has ever recovered from a Zebra Mussel infestation, the fish and plant life of the infested lakes are eradicated by the Zebra Mussel. "Even a moderate infestation can cause a 60 percent reduction in the fishery," said Jay Cowan, Lake Wohlford ranger supervisor who is on a San Diego County task force fighting the invasion of Zebra Mussels.

… still excited about a Ski Park in Santee?

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