Rare W.Va. Mussels May Get Species Protection
Charleston Gazette
2 November 2010
By Staff reports
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has
proposed Endangered Species Act protection for two rare freshwater
mussel species known to exist in streams in West Virginia and several
other eastern states.
The rayed bean mussel is known to exist in only six states and one
Canadian province, while populations of the snuffbox mussel are found
in 14 states and one province.
Rayed bean mussels were believed to have disappeared from West Virginia
during the 1990s, but 600 of the rare shellfish were reintroduced in
the Elk River in 2006 and 2007.
Populations of the snuffbox mussel have been found in the Elk River,
North Fork of Hughes River near North Bend State Park, Middle Island
Creek near Wheeling and in Dunkard Creek in Monongalia County prior to
last September's massive fish kill in that stream.
The snuffbox is a thick-shelled, triangular shaped mussel with a
yellowish shell with dark green rays. The snuffbox is about 2 inches
long when mature, while the rayed bean is about 1.5 inches long and has
a greenish shell with heavy, wavy rays.
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly 70 percent of all
U.S. freshwater mussel species are already extinct or vulnerable to
extinction. Six mussel species known to live in West Virginia have
already received Endangered Species Act protection.
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the rayed bean mussel have
been eliminated from 75 percent of its historical range, while the
snuffbox has experienced a 65 percent drop in the number of streams in
which it lives.
Dam and lock chamber construction, sand and gravel mining and pollution
are among causes attributed to the mussels' decline.
A public hearing will be held on whether or not to grant Endangered
Species Act protection to the two mussel species prior to any final
decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service