twca annual convention: mussels: regulations and survey techniques, victor palma and dave buzan
TRANSCRIPT
Mussels: Regulations and Survey Techniques
4009 Banister Lane, Suite 300Austin, Texas 78704
512/329-0031www.amaterra.com
10431 Morado Circle, Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78759512/617-3164
www.freese.com
Victor Palma
Dave Buzan
Mussels (Clams)
http://molluskconservation.org/MUSSELS/Natural_History.html
http://1mississippi.org/zebra-mussels-are-taking-over-our-river/ls
Protection Status in Texas52 Species
• 1 Federally-Endangered
• 15 State-Threatened• 6 Candidates for Federal Listing • “Listed” – Threatened or Endangered
When am I affected?Impacts to Stream, River, or Reservoir Bottom
• Native MusselsoCan’t disturb any threatened or
endangered species without permission
• Can’t Transport Zebra Mussels
# of TPWD Threatened Mussel Species
Yes
Survey (Approved by
TPWD)
Are Listed Mussels Present?
Mussels Found?
Yes
- Aquatic Resource and Recovery Plan
(ARRP)- Permit to Introduce Shellfish
(Both Approved by TPWD)
Aquatic Resource Recovery Plan
(ARRP)
Scientific Collecting Permit
30-Day TPWD Review
Permit to Introduce Shellfish
Newsletter of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Volume 16 – Number 4 December 2014
Aquatic Resource Recovery Complete
Yes
Report to TPWD
Financial LiabilityState-Threatened Mussels - $500 per Mussel
Non-Listed Mussels – Dollars per Mussel
Case Study: Little Brazos River at
FM 481
Timing• Seasonal Timing
o TPWD: March to OctoberoUSFWS: Late-April to November
• Why?• Reduce Burrowing• Protect from Freezing• Lower Flows
Schedule• Reconnaissance• TPWD Approval • Construction Pending
Considerations - Hazards• Locational
oNatural: Depth, Current, Visibility, Substrate, Steep/Undercut Banks, Trees/Brush
oOther: Fishing Lines/Hooks, Fences, Glass, Other Debris
• OperationaloAccessoWater Intake Structures, Pipes, Screens, Pumps
• Biologicalo Snakes, Alligators, Snapping Turtles, Spiders, Ticks
Surveys Generally Have One of Two Goals
• Identify Presence/Absence of Freshwater Mussels• Recover and Relocate Freshwater Mussels
Survey Techniques• Timed
Surveys• Area
Surveys• Recovery
and Relocation
Collection in Shallow-Water (<3 ft)
Collection in Deeper-Water (>3 ft)
• Location• Number of each
species• Measurements of
specimens• Species richness• Catch per unit of effort • Distribution/densities• Photo documentation
Data Collection/Analysi
s
Mussel Relocation• Habitat• Water Quality• Proximity
Post-Survey Requirements• Debrief SCUBA/Survey Team• Decontamination
o Per 31 TAC 57.112, regarding provisions to prevent spread of exotic plants and animals (i.e., Hydrilla, Zebra Mussels)
o At site: Remove mud, plants, other debris from all vehicles, boots, buckets, mesh bags, dive equipment, etc.
o Wash all equipment/vehicles with warm soapy water (~110°F) to kill larval stageso Ensure drains lead to a WWTP, not directly into a waterway
o Allow all equipment/vehicles to thoroughly dry for at least 24 hrs before use at a second (uncontaminated) site
THANK YOU!
4009 Banister Lane, Suite 300Austin, Texas 78704
512/329-0031www.amaterra.com
10431 Morado Circle, Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78759512/617-3164
www.freese.com
Victor Palma
Dave Buzan