California's golden mussel invasion sparks increased concerns from Stockton-area leaders

Invasive golden mussels continue to spread through California waterways, increasing concerns about damage to water infrastructure, threats to agriculture and rising costs for boaters and communities.The issue was the focus of a public discussion Monday in Stockton, where Rep. Josh Harder and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom discussed efforts to contain the mussels and limit their spread.Stockton was where golden mussels were first detected in California more than two years ago."It continues to be where we have the biggest problem with golden mussels across our state," Harder said.Since their arrival, the mussels have spread to other waterways, attaching themselves to boats and potentially clogging pipes and other water infrastructure.Ransom warned that the impacts could reach households and farms through higher costs and increased risks to water supplies."Our water payers are going to pay more. Our farmers are going to have to charge us more, and we are at more risk as a community until