Zebra mussel law going into effect

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jul 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM MDT

HELENA - A new law declaring zebra mussels an invasive species goes into effect Wednesday.

Most of the significant laws adopted by the Legislature earlier this year went into effect with the governor's signature. But with the July 1 start of the new state budget period, when the Legislature's two-year spending plan will go into effect, a few other changes in law go into place. Most are just small tweaks to administrative procedure or current law.

One proclaims that the zebra mussel is an invasive species. The mollusks have wreaked havoc in lakes in other states. The new law provides a small amount of money to coordinate education programs and other efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the zebra mussel in Montana lakes.

Mussels, which multiply rapidly, can rob fish of the plankton they need to survive.

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