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Pittsfield, MA – State officials are ramping up monitoring efforts in Berkshire County to discourage the spread of zebra mussels. WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...
Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Edward Lambert announced yesterday the state has set aside $71,000 to prevent the expansion of the invasive aquatic species.
The money will help pay for eight full-time boat ramp monitors to be stationed at seven lakes from late May through early September. The state will also install a portable boat wash facility at Laurel Lake in Lee.
The goal is to prevent the mussels from migrating from one lake to another.
Lambert says the aggressive freshwater mollusk can cripple an ecosystem and endanger many of the fish and plants already living there.
Lambert met with local and state officials in Pittsfield to make the announcement.
Tristan O'Neill, WAMC News.
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