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