SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX26) — Aquatic invasive mussels that can hitch a ride in a small amount of trapped water are prompting a new competition aimed at stopping their spread — and it comes with significant prize money.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced the “Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge,” a three-phase prize competition designed to identify innovative solutions that stop aquatic invasive species from spreading through watercraft ballast compartments.
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Aquatic invasive species such as quagga, zebra, and golden mussels can travel between waterbodies in small amounts of water trapped in ballast systems.
The invasive mussels threaten water delivery and hydropower infrastructure across the West.
The Bureau of Reclamation said current watercraft inspection and decontamination programs are effective, but time- and labor-intensive during peak boating seasons.
The challenge includes three phases of awards:Phase 1: Up to six awards of up to $25,000 each.Phase 2: Up to three awards of up to $50,000 each.Phase 3: First prize up to $125,000, second prize up to $75,000, and third prize up to $50,000.
The competition is open to solutions from all technical fields and industries.
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More information, including eligibility and deadlines, can be found by clicking here.