Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant

The Division of Boating and Waterways is offering the QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels in California's waterways. Funded by the California Mussel Fee Sticker, the program allocates up to $2 million to eligible entities managing mussel-free reservoirs. Grants support preventive measures such as watercraft inspections, decontamination units, and public education initiatives, ensuring safe recreational use of these vital ecosystems.

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) today announced the availability of grant funding to help prevent the further spread of quagga and zebra mussels that threaten California’s waterways and cause negative impacts to recreational boating, fishing and the ecosystem. Funded by the California Mussel Fee Sticker (also known as the Quagga Sticker), the Quagga and Zebra (QZ) Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program expects to award up to $2 million across eligible applicants.
Grants are available to entities that own or manage any aspect of water in a reservoir that is open for public recreation and is mussel-free. If a reservoir is already covered by a two-year 2026 grant, that reservoir will not be considered during this application period. Funding is intended to augment local resources aimed at stopping the spread of these harmful invasive mussels. The funds must be used for prevention projects, such as planning, watercraft inspection stations and inspectors, launch monitors, watercraft decontamination units, educational signage and outreach.
California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways’ (DBW) mission is to provide safe and convenient public access to California’s waterways. DBW fulfills this mission, in part, through the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program (QZ Grant Program) pursuant to Harbor and Navigation Code (HNC), Section 675 et. seq. and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Section 5300 et. seq. The QZ Grant Program provides funding to entities who own or manage any aspect of the water in the reservoir, where recreational, boating, or fishing activities are permitted, for the development and implementation of a QZ Prevention Program. Prevention programs shall include public education, monitoring, and management of the recreational activities allowed at a reservoir.