Amendment of Section 671, Title 14, CCR, Re: Addition of Invasive Non-native Mussels (including golden, pond and axe-head mussels) and Green Crab to the List of

The California Fish and Game Commission has issued a regulatory notice regarding the amendment of Section 671, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations. This amendment expands the list of live animals restricted from importation, transportation, and possession within the state to include several invasive non-native species. Specifically, the update adds the green crab (Carcinus maenas) and various invasive bivalve species, including the Limnoperna, Sinanodonta, and Xenostrobus genera, as well as golden, pond, and axe-head mussels. The primary objective of this regulatory action is to protect California's natural resources and environment from the ecological damage caused by the spread of these invasive species. The action was adopted by the Commission in late 2025 and is conducted in accordance with California Fish and Game Code sections 2118 and 2120. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the amendment relies on categorical exemptions, specifically classes 7 and 8, to facilitate these protections. While the notice is categorized under a special notice type with a solicitation number of 2024-1213-03E, the documentation serves as a regulatory Notice of Exemption rather than a traditional procurement contract, and therefore does not include specific pricing, contract values, or service delivery terms. The scope of these restrictions applies statewide across California.