The district has spent approximately $140,000 treating for invasive golden mussels through June. A significant accumulation of juvenile mussels was discovered at a grower's filter system — the worst single-site finding to date. Staff presented three options: (1) continue low-dose treatment through October (~$509,000), (2) stop treatment now and rely on declining calcium levels and cleaner Friant water once North Kern pumping ends, returning in October for a kill dose (~$127,000), or (3) a hybrid approach. After extensive discussion — including concerns from growers about mussels reaching six- and eight-inch on-farm pipelines — the board discussed a month-to-month approach (e.g., continuing low-dose treatment through July and reassessing at the next meeting). Discussion noted concerns about mussels at on-farm filtration and smaller (6–8 inch) pipelines, and the importance of monitoring for impacts.
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