Kern County extended its local emergency for golden mussels for 60 days after staff reported $7.3 million in current costs and water agencies warned remediation could reach $36 million annually; staff asked the state to declare a statewide emergency to unlock funding.

The Board unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming a local state of emergency after county staff and water districts reported golden mussel infestations in the California Aqueduct and local canals, citing immediate operational risks and millions in emergency spending by local water agencies.