In January of 2008, the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County, California, was closed to the public due to an infestation of Zebra Mussels.  The invasive species reproduces rapidly and has no competition for resources in local areas.  This can become a problem for environmentally sensitive areas like those in California.  The mussels attach themselves to the undersides of boats, and are easily transferable to different bodies of water.

A plan was developed to eliminate the invasive species from the reservoir using potassium chloride to suffocate the mussels.  Unfortunately for the residents of San Benito County, the process has taken longer than expected, and may actually never happen. 

The San Benito County Water District, the operator of the reservoir, must acquire clearance from federal agencies and programs in order to even begin thinking about implementing the eradication process.  An environmental impact review must be completed by the United States Reclamation Bureau, a part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

Assuming the plan is approved, the next challenge would be receiving funding for the project.  The risk that the potassium chloride may not be able to eliminate all of the Zebra Mussels present in the reservoir, thus leading to the possibility of an second infestation, tends to deter possible benefactors (including funding from a federal level) from even considering saving San Justo. 

The biggest issue, however, does not necessarily lie in the seven-year-long foot dragging of eradicating the Zebra Mussels the United States Reclamation Bureau and San Benito County Water District are participating in, but rather the closure of one of the most popular outdoor recreational areas in the county.

The San Justo Reservoir need not be closed to picnics, hikes, bike rides, and shoreline fishing.  These recreational activities, which cannot lead to the spread of the Zebra Mussel, have been taken away from San Benito County residents and visitors for seven years.  By signing this petition, you are asking the County of San Benito, the SBC Water District, and the United States Reclamation Bureau to reopen this beautiful area to the public for recreational use that does not enter the water.