freshwater mussel surveys in ohio: the who, what, when ... · freshwater mussels • “freshwater...
Post on 13-Jun-2020
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RYAN SCHWEGMANManager of Marine Service / Malacologist
FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEYS IN OHIO: The Who, What, When, Where & Why
WHO CAN DO FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEYS?• The Ohio Division of Natural Resources (ODNR) and United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) publishes a list of approved surveys in Ohio annually
• The list is comprised of both ODNR only and USFWS permitted individuals
• ODNR Approved Surveyors: • Permitted individuals who can only complete work on
streams where no federally listed species are known• Tend to be less experienced surveyors
• USFWS Approved Surveyors:• USFWS permitted individuals can complete work in
streams with state and federally listed species • Federally permitted individuals tend to have more
experience• Important to request a copy of your selected contractors
permit, as the results of surveys completed by a non-permitted individuals will likely not be excepted
WHAT ARE MUSSELS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FROM A MUSSEL SURVEY ?
FRESHWATER MUSSELS• “Freshwater Clam”• Living water filters that are known to filter as
much as 8 gallons of water a day• 300 different species in North America • The most imperiled group of animals in North
America with 71% of the 300 species considered endangered, threatened or of special concern
• Relatively complex and interesting life cycle• Includes a host fish and
a parasitic life stage
Photo by: M. C. Barnhart
FRESHWATER MUSSEL SHAPES & SIZES
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MUSSEL SURVEY?
• The Expected • Harner Road over the St. Mary’s River
in Van Wert County • Old State Route 12 over the Ottawa
River in Putnam County
• The Un-expected • 75 Bridge over the Middle Branch of
the Portage in Wood County
NON-ENDANGERED STREAMS
• Over the St. Mary’s River in Van Wert County
HARNER ROAD
Findings:
HARNER ROAD
• Over the Ottawa River in Putnam County
OLD STATE ROUTE 12
OLD STATE ROUTE 12
Findings:
• Over the Middle Branch of the Portage in Wood County
75 BRIDGE
75 BRIDGE
Findings:
• The Expected • County 33 over the Great Miami
River in Miami County
• The Un-expected • 475 Bridge over Swan Creek in
Lucas County
ENDANGERED STREAMS
• Over the Great Miami River in Miami County
COUNTY 33
COUNTY 33
Findings:
• Over Swan Creek in Lucas County
475 BRIDGE
475 BRIDGEFindings:
WHEN CAN A MUSSEL SURVEY BE COMPLETED?
CLASSIFIED STREAM MUSSEL SURVEYS
• May 1st to October 31st• Surveys completed outside this window
are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are only approved under extenuating circumstances
RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS
• May 1st to October 31st, unless prior approval is granted
WHERE DO MUSSEL SURVEYS NEED TO BE COMPLETED?
REFER TO THE OHIO MUSSEL SURVEY PROTOCOL
• Joint document created by ODNR and USFWS
• All streams listed in Appendix A of the Ohio Mussel Survey Protocol (or any stream with >10mi2 of drainage) require a mussel survey.
WHY ARE MUSSELS SUDDENLY SUCH AN ISSUE IN OHIO?
MUSSELS HAVE REGULATORY AUTHORITY
• OHIO: All mussels are protected in the State of Ohio (Section 1533.324 of the Ohio Revised Code).
• Federally Endangered Species Act
QUESTIONS?
RYAN SCHWEGMANManager of Marine Services / Malacologist(800) 940-4025RSchwegman@EnviroScienceInc.com
www.EnviroScienceInc.com
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