Local Politics
California Mussel Fee Sticker Rises to $42, Effective Oct. 22
The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways increased the two-year Mussel Fee Sticker from $16 to $42, a 162.5% hike effective Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. The increase responds to invasive golden mussels first discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024, which prompted emergency declarations in Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin and Kern counties. Boaters purchasing stickers in odd-numbered years pay $42; those buying in even-numbered years pay $21. Existing sticker holders do not owe the difference until their current sticker expires at vessel registration renewal on Dec. 31 of each odd year. State Parks said additional revenue will fund boat inspections, decontamination, monitoring and grants to waterway managers, though the announcement did not specify projected revenue or success metrics.