These Kentucky waterways are now ‘critical habitats’ with wildlife on the line
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated several rivers and creeks in Kentucky as “critical habitat” areas for endangered species that play an important role in water quality.
The federal agency announced April 24 it was designating roughly 3,814 river miles across 17 states critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussel species: the rayed bean, sheepnose mussel, snuffbox mussel and spectaclecase mussel.
“Critical habitat is a tool to guide federal agencies in fulfilling their conservation responsibilities by requiring them to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act if their actions may ‘destroy or adversely modify’ critical habitat for listed species,” USFWS spokesperson Ashley Peters wrote in an email to the Herald-Leader.
The designation not only aids in protecting areas necessary for a species’ conservation, but also requires the USFWS to gather more information about a species. This increases the knowledge the USFWS can share with federal agencies and helps promote conservation efforts, Peters continued.
A critical habitat designation does not affect land ownership, and it does not create preserves or protected areas or authorize government or public access to private land, the USFWS reports. The designation can affect development that involves federal agencies.
Which Kentucky waterways have ‘critical habitat’ designations?
In Kentucky, critical habitat designations included the sheepnose mussel within the Green River and the snuffbox mussel within Tygarts Creek, Kinniconick Creek, Licking River, Slate Creek, Middle Fork Kentucky River, Red Bird River, South Fork Kentucky River, Red River, Green River and Rolling Fork Salt River.
- The sheepnose mussel can grow up to 5.5 inches long and can live up to 30 years, according to the USFWS. The species was once found in 79 streams, rivers and a canal, but is now only in 22 waterways.
- The snuffbox mussel is smaller and reaches less than 3 inches in length, and can live up to 20 years. Its range has declined from more than 210 streams, rivers and other waterways to only 85.
Why mussels are important to maintain water quality
Mussels are critical for water quality, and some estimates say a single mussel can filter up to 20 gallons of water each day. The USFWS reports mussels filter food, sediment and pollutants from the water, and they also serve as great indicators of stream health.
“Mussels play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. They can be thought of as livers of the river — once you have a bunch of mussels, it’s basically a filtering mechanism and cleans the river. Mussels also provide food for other creatures and are good indicators of a river’s health,” Sara Schmuecker, biologist at the USFWS Illinois-Iowa Field Office, wrote in an email to the Herald-Leader.
An ideal mussel habitat includes clean, clear, flowing water and stable substrates, and the mollusks are intolerant of pollution. Habitat destruction, dam construction and draining of wetlands all pose risks to the livelihood of individual mussels and species.
Competition from invasive species, such as the invasive zebra mussel, also threatens mussel survival. The zebra mussel species harms native mollusks by directly colonizing them and eating their food.
Officials with federal and state agencies participate in propagation programs to promote the conservation of mussel species.
How can you support mussel conservation?
The USFWS recommends a few best practices to support mussel populations:
- Reduce fertilizer use.
- Stabilize shorelines or allow natural vegetation buffers to grow along stream edges.
- Leave mussels where they are found — don’t collect mussels.
- Carry canoes and kayaks over shallow waters to avoid crushing mussels.
- Wash boats to avoid the spread of invasive species.
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