SACRAMENTO, Calif. – 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. Applications open Monday, March 9, and must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026, by 5 p.m. PDT.

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.

To aid applicants through the requirements and application process, DBW will host a webinar on Friday, March 13, where potential applicants can learn more about the application process and program. Visit dbw.parks.ca.gov/QZGrant for more information.DBW will review and score applications in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. DBW expects to notify applicants by July 2026, with grants starting in October 2026.

Since beginning in 2014, DBW’s QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program has awarded $28.8 million in grants for 123 projects at 71 unique reservoirs. As a result of the collective efforts from all partners, the spread of quagga mussels has been slowed and limited to Southern California with two zebra mussel sightings in San Benito County.

While DBW recognizes prevention work for quagga and zebra mussels also prevents the spread of other invasive mussels, the statutes and regulations governing the QZ Mussel Infestation Grant Program are specific to quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) at this time. The ability to grant or deny a complete application is based on whether the applicant is preventing infestation of quagga and zebra mussels. The statutes and regulations are currently in the process of being updated to include work for all invasive mussels. Therefore, the grant program cannot fund activities that discuss the golden mussel or any other invasive mussels for the 2026 grant cycle. Applications that discuss the golden mussel or any other invasive mussel may be disqualified during the interagency review process.

To learn more about the QZ Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program and the upcoming webinar, please visit dbw.parks.ca.gov/QZGrant.

About Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Quagga and zebra (Dreissenid) mussels pose a serious threat to California’s waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, and the environment in general. To help stop the spread of these harmful invasive mussels, local, state and federal entities have increased watercraft inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture Border Protection Stations; developed and implemented monitoring plans for high-risk waterbodies in the state; trained staff to conduct watercraft inspections and monitoring; executed public outreach campaigns to inform watercraft owners on the need for them to clean, drain and dry their boats when transporting between freshwater bodies; and provided grants.