By KRWG News
New Mexico – New Mexico State Parks says $500,000 in cost-sharing funds from the Bureau of Reclamation will help the state fight invasive aquatic species.
The funds will be used for a public education program to prevent and control the invasive species. State Parks will have 34 temporary summer employees implement the program.
Such invasive pests include zebra and quagga mussels.
Those mussels are found in waters in adjacent states, where they have caused serious environmental damage.
The bureau chief for law enforcement and boating safety, Toby Velasquez, says the summer employees will help State Parks make sure boaters are not bringing invasive species to New Mexico lakes.
The species are carried from place to place on boats and boat trailers.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.