DOCSLIB.ORG

Federal Register/Vol. 64, No. 102/Thursday, May 27, 1999/Proposed Rules

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 1999 / Proposed Rules 28779 this address from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR classified as nonessential experimental Monday±Friday. populations (NEP) under section 10(j) of Fish and Wildlife Service the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: amended (Act). Based on the evaluation Ramona Williams, Child Protection 50 CFR Part 17 of species experts and the State, none of Coordinator, Office of Mental Health/ RIN 1018±AE92 these species are currently known to Social Services, Indian Health Service, exist in this river reach or its tributaries. 5300 Homestead Road, N.E., Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Ongoing surveys conducted by the Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, (505) and Plants; Proposed Establishment of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and 248±4245. (This is not a toll-free Nonessential Experimental Population the State of Alabama over the past 20 number.) Status for Sixteen Freshwater Mussels years have failed to locate any (Alabama Lampmussel, Birdwing SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the individuals of the species proposed for Pearlymussel, Clubshell, Cracking Federal Register of March 25, 1999, the NEP status under this rule. Pearlymussel, Cumberland Bean IHS published proposed regulations to To ensure that any reintroduced Pearlymussel, Cumberlandian species that move upstream to Wilson implement section 408 of Pub. L. 101± Combshell, Cumberland Monkeyface 630, the Indian Child Protection and Dam or into the tributaries are covered Pearlymussel, Dromedary by these NEP designations, we propose Family Violence Prevention Act. The Pearlymussel, Fine-Rayed Pigtoe, Act requires that tribes or tribal that the geographic boundaries of the Oyster Mussel, Purple Cat's Paw NEPs extend from the base of the organizations who receive funds under Pearlymussel, Shiny Pigtoe, the Indian Self-Determination and Wilson Dam (RM 259.4 [414.0 km]) to Tubercled-blossom Pearlymussel, the backwaters of the Pickwick Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93± Turgid-blossom Pearlymussel, Winged Reservoir (RM 246.0 [393.6 km]) and 638, employ individuals in positions Mapleleaf Mussel, and Yellow-blossom include the lower 5 RM (8 km) of all involving regular contact with or control Pearlymussel) and One Freshwater tributaries that enter the Wilson Dam over Indian children only if the Snail (Anthony's Riversnail) in the tailwater. In the future, if any of the individuals meet standards of character Free-flowing Reach of the Tennessee aforementioned mollusks are found no less stringent than those prescribed River below the Wilson Dam, Colbert upstream beyond the lower 5 RM (8 km) under these regulations. Comments have and Lauderdale Counties, Alabama of these tributaries, the animals will be been received on behalf of a number of AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, presumed to have come from the tribes requesting an extension of the Interior. reintroduced NEP, and the boundaries comment period for the proposed ACTION: Proposed rule. of the NEP will be enlarged to include regulation ranging from 30 days to 2 the entire range of the expanded months. For example, some of the tribes SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service population. No designation of critical are currently engaged in contract/ (Service; also, ``we'', ``us'', ``our'') habitat will be made for any of these compact negotiations and need proposes to reintroduce 16 federally NEPs. Additionally, we do not intend to additional time to fully study the listed endangered mussels (Alabama change these NEPs from ``nonessential'' proposed regulations and consult with lampmussel (Lampsilis virescens), to ``essential'' or to ``threatened'' or their tribal councils before submitting birdwing pearlymussel (Conradilla ``endangered'' without the full written comments. Some tribes have caelata), clubshell (Pleurobema clava), cooperation of the State of Alabama and already adopted their detailed policies cracking pearlymussel (Hemistena lata), other affected parties within the NEP on this subject and need time to Cumberland bean pearlymussel (Villosa areas. These proposed reintroductions compare the proposed regulations to trabalis), Cumberlandian combshell are recovery actions and part of a series their policies. The IHS has considered (Epioblasma brevidens), Cumberland of reintroductions and other recovery these requests and determined that an monkeyface pearlymussel (Quadrula actions the Service, Federal and State additional 60 days would accommodate intermedia), dromedary pearlymussel agencies, and other partners are (Dromus dromas), fine-rayed pigtoe the need for additional time and be considering and conducting throughout (Fusconaia cuneolus), oyster mussel the species' historic ranges. The only consistent with its policy of (Epioblasma capsaeformis), purple cat's change to the NEPs we foresee would be consultation with tribes. paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma elimination of the designations if the All comments received during the obliquata obliquata), shiny pigtoe species are recovered and removed from public comment period will be given (Fusconaia cor), tubercled-blossom the Act's protection. This proposed rule full consideration in the development of pearlymussel (Epioblasma torulosa sets forth a plan for establishing the the final regulations. torulosa), turgid-blossom pearlymussel nonessential experimental population Dated: May 21, 1999. (Epioblasma turgidula), winged and provides for limited allowable legal mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa), take of the aforementioned mollusks Robert G. McSwain, and yellow-blossom pearlymussel within the defined NEP areas. Acting Director. (Epioblasma florentina florentina)) and DATES: Comments from all interested [FR Doc. 99±13505 Filed 5±26±99; 8:45 am] 1 federally listed endangered aquatic parties must be submitted on or before BILLING CODE 4160±16±M snail (Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia July 26, 1999. anthonyi)) into historic habitat in the free-flowing reach of the Tennessee ADDRESSES: Send comments and River from about 1.4 river miles (RM) material concerning this proposal to the (2.2 kilometers [km]) below Wilson Dam State Supervisor, Asheville Field Office, to the backwaters of Pickwick Reservoir U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 (RM 258.0 [412.8 km]) to (RM 246.0 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North [393.6 km]) in Colbert and Lauderdale Carolina 28801. Comments and material counties, Alabama. These reintroduced received will be available for public populations are proposed to be inspection, by appointment, during VerDate 06-MAY-99 10:32 May 26, 1999 Jkt 183247 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27MYP1.XXX pfrm01 PsN: 27MYP1 28780 Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 102 / Thursday, May 27, 1999 / Proposed Rules normal business hours at the above unless they are authorized, funded, or 1997 to discuss the possibility of address. carried out by a Federal agency. designating NEP status for the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. For the purposes of section 9 of the reintroduction of federally listed Richard G. Biggins, Fish and Mollusk Act, endangered species designated as mollusks into the tailwaters of Recovery Coordinator (see ADDRESSES EPs or NEPs are treated as threatened Guntersville, Wheeler, and Wilson section), telephone 704/258±3939, Ext. species. Therefore, special rules can be Dams. The consensus at that meeting 228, or facsimile 704/258±5330. written that lessen restrictions regarding was that: (1) the tailwaters of Wilson take of the covered listed species from Dam (the remains of Muscle Shoals) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the EP or NEP area [see under ``Special provided the best opportunity for Background rulesÐinvertebrates (3)(i-iii)'' sections successfully reestablishing federally Legislative: The Endangered Species below]. listed mollusks; and (2) the tailwaters of Individual animals used in Act Amendments of 1982, Pub. L. 97± Guntersville and Wheeler Dams should establishing an EP or NEP can be 327, made significant changes to the be considered for mollusk removed from a source population if Act, including the creation of section reintroductions at a later time. their removal is not likely to jeopardize Muscle Shoals (sometimes referred to 10(j), which provides for the designation the continued existence of the species as Mussel Shoals), a 53-mile (85-km) of specific populations of listed species (see ``Status of Reintroduced reach of the Tennessee River in Colbert as ``experimental populations'' (EP). Populations'' section of these rules) and and Lauderdale Counties, Alabama, Under previous authorities of the Act, a permit has been issued in accordance once supported the world's greatest the Service was permitted to reestablish with 50 CFR part 17.22. assemblage of freshwater mussels (van (reintroduce) populations of a listed Justification for the proposal, listing der Schalie 1939) and was one of the species into unoccupied portions of its history, and the dates of any recovery finest mussel habitats ever known (Isom historic range for conservation and plans developed for the 16 mussels and 1969). Ortmann (1924) stated that there recovery purposes. However, local 1 snail proposed for these NEPs are was no other place on earth that could opposition to reintroduction efforts, presented below in the ``Biological'' compare to this shoal with respect to stemming from concerns by some about section. Recovery plans for these species freshwater mussels. This river reach potential restrictions, and prohibitions guide recovery efforts,
Recommended publications
  • Tennessee's Extinct Species

    Tennessee's Extinct Species

    Tennessee's Extinct Species The following species Birds: once occurred in Carolina parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis Ectopistes migratorius Tennessee and are now Passenger pigeon believed to be extinct. Mammals: Following this list are two Eastern elk species descriptions-one Fishes: describing the Carolina Harelip sucker parakeet and another describing the extinct Mussels: Acornshell Epioblasma haysiana freshwater mussels Angled riffleshell Epioblasma biemarginata of Tennessee. Cumberland leafshell Epioblasma stewardsoni Leafshell Epioblasma flexuosa Narrowcat's paw Epioblasma lenoir Rough rockshell Quadrula tuberosa Round combshell Epioblasma personata Sugarspoon Epioblasma arcaeformis Tennessee riffleshell Epioblasma propinqua Carolina Parakeet Status Habitat The Carolina parakeet is an The Carolina parakeet was found Learn rrwreabout extinct species. in riverine forests, cypress swamps, Tennessee's diverse and other woodlands over much of Description the Eastern and Midwest Regions of ecosyster.n3.Su~ort The Carolina parakeet was a the United States. It was the only conservation in your small parrot, about 12inches in parrot native to the United States. community and state! length. Its head was lemon yellow, The parakeets rested at night in with an orange forehead and cheeks. groups, with as many as 30 birds The rest of its body was green. Its sleeping inside one hollowtree, while legs and beak were pale pinkish- others would hang on the outside. white. These curious birds lived and Nests were placed in hollowtrees, traveled in flocks. and three to five white eggs were laid. Up to 50 nests were often crowded into one tree. Role in the Ecosystem Carolina parakeets enjoyed a variety of different foods-apples, peaches, mulberries, pecans, grapes, dogwood fruit, and grains.
  • Checklist of Fish and Invertebrates Listed in the CITES Appendices

    Checklist of Fish and Invertebrates Listed in the CITES Appendices

    JOINTS NATURE \=^ CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Checklist of fish and mvertebrates Usted in the CITES appendices JNCC REPORT (SSN0963-«OStl JOINT NATURE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Report distribution Report Number: No. 238 Contract Number/JNCC project number: F7 1-12-332 Date received: 9 June 1995 Report tide: Checklist of fish and invertebrates listed in the CITES appendices Contract tide: Revised Checklists of CITES species database Contractor: World Conservation Monitoring Centre 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL Comments: A further fish and invertebrate edition in the Checklist series begun by NCC in 1979, revised and brought up to date with current CITES listings Restrictions: Distribution: JNCC report collection 2 copies Nature Conservancy Council for England, HQ, Library 1 copy Scottish Natural Heritage, HQ, Library 1 copy Countryside Council for Wales, HQ, Library 1 copy A T Smail, Copyright Libraries Agent, 100 Euston Road, London, NWl 2HQ 5 copies British Library, Legal Deposit Office, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BQ 1 copy Chadwick-Healey Ltd, Cambridge Place, Cambridge, CB2 INR 1 copy BIOSIS UK, Garforth House, 54 Michlegate, York, YOl ILF 1 copy CITES Management and Scientific Authorities of EC Member States total 30 copies CITES Authorities, UK Dependencies total 13 copies CITES Secretariat 5 copies CITES Animals Committee chairman 1 copy European Commission DG Xl/D/2 1 copy World Conservation Monitoring Centre 20 copies TRAFFIC International 5 copies Animal Quarantine Station, Heathrow 1 copy Department of the Environment (GWD) 5 copies Foreign & Commonwealth Office (ESED) 1 copy HM Customs & Excise 3 copies M Bradley Taylor (ACPO) 1 copy ^\(\\ Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report No.
  • Restoring the Endangered Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma Capsaeformis) to the Upper Clinch River, Virginia: an Evaluation of Population Restoration Techniques Caitlin S

    Restoring the Endangered Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma Capsaeformis) to the Upper Clinch River, Virginia: an Evaluation of Population Restoration Techniques Caitlin S

    RESEARCH ARTICLE Restoring the endangered oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) to the upper Clinch River, Virginia: an evaluation of population restoration techniques Caitlin S. Carey1,2,3,JessW.Jones4, Robert S. Butler5, Eric M. Hallerman6 From 2005 to 2011, the federally endangered freshwater mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis (oyster mussel) was reintroduced at three sites in the upper Clinch River, Virginia, using four release techniques. These release techniques were (1) translocation of adults (site 1, n = 1418), (2) release of laboratory-propagated sub-adults (site 1, n = 2851), (3) release of 8-week-old laboratory-propagated juveniles (site 2, n = 9501), and (4) release of artificially infested host fishes (site 3, n = 1116 host fishes). These restoration efforts provided a unique research opportunity to compare the effectiveness of techniques used to reestablish populations of extirpated and declining species. We evaluated the relative success of these four population restoration approaches via monitoring at each release site (2011–2012) using systematic 0.25-m2 quadrat sampling to estimate abundance and post-release survival. Abundances of translocated adult and laboratory-propagated sub-adult E. capsaeformis at site 1 ranged 577–645 and 1678–1700 individuals, respectively, signifying successful settlement and high post-release survival. Two untagged individuals (29.1 and 27.3 mm) were observed, indicating that recruitment is occurring at site 1. No E. capsaeformis were found at sites where 8-week-old laboratory-propagated juveniles (site 2) and artificially infested host fishes (site 3) were released. Our results indicate that translocations of adults and releases of laboratory-propagated sub-adults were the most effective population restoration techniques for E.
  • Guiding Species Recovery Through Assessment of Spatial And

    Guiding Species Recovery Through Assessment of Spatial And

    Guiding Species Recovery through Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Population Genetic Structure of Two Critically Endangered Freshwater Mussel Species (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Jess Walter Jones ( [email protected] ) United States Fish and Wildlife Service Timothy W. Lane Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries N J Eric M. Hallerman Virginia Tech: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research Article Keywords: Freshwater mussels, Epioblasma brevidens, E. capsaeformis, endangered species, spatial and temporal genetic variation, effective population size, species recovery planning, conservation genetics Posted Date: March 16th, 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-282423/v1 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Page 1/28 Abstract The Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens) and Oyster Mussel (E. capsaeformis) are critically endangered freshwater mussel species native to the Tennessee and Cumberland River drainages, major tributaries of the Ohio River in the eastern United States. The Clinch River in northeastern Tennessee (TN) and southwestern Virginia (VA) harbors the only remaining stronghold population for either species, containing tens of thousands of individuals per species; however, a few smaller populations are still extant in other rivers. We collected and analyzed genetic data to assist with population restoration and recovery planning for both species. We used an 888 base-pair sequence of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) gene and ten nuclear DNA microsatellite loci to assess patterns of genetic differentiation and diversity in populations at small and large spatial scales, and at a 9-year (2004 to 2013) temporal scale, which showed how quickly these populations can diverge from each other in a short time period.
  • Freshwater Mussel Survey of Clinchport, Clinch River, Virginia: Augmentation Monitoring Site: 2006

    Freshwater Mussel Survey of Clinchport, Clinch River, Virginia: Augmentation Monitoring Site: 2006

    Freshwater Mussel Survey of Clinchport, Clinch River, Virginia: Augmentation Monitoring Site: 2006 By: Nathan L. Eckert, Joe J. Ferraro, Michael J. Pinder, and Brian T. Watson Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Wildlife Diversity Division October 28th, 2008 Table of Contents Introduction....................................................................................................................... 4 Objective ............................................................................................................................ 5 Study Area ......................................................................................................................... 6 Methods.............................................................................................................................. 6 Results .............................................................................................................................. 10 Semi-quantitative .................................................................................................. 10 Quantitative........................................................................................................... 11 Qualitative............................................................................................................. 12 Incidental............................................................................................................... 12 Discussion........................................................................................................................
  • Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Final Programmatic

    Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Final Programmatic

    Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Final Programmatic Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the United States Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Title V Regulatory Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Program Division of Environmental Review Falls Church, Virginia October 16, 2020 Table of Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................3 2 Consultation History .........................................................................................................4 3 Background .......................................................................................................................5 4 Description of the Action ...................................................................................................7 The Mining Process .............................................................................................................. 8 4.1.1 Exploration ........................................................................................................................ 8 4.1.2 Erosion and Sedimentation Controls .................................................................................. 9 4.1.3 Clearing and Grubbing ....................................................................................................... 9 4.1.4 Excavation of Overburden and Coal ................................................................................
  • Mississippi Natural Heritage Program Listed Species of Mississippi - 2018

    Mississippi Natural Heritage Program Listed Species of Mississippi - 2018

    MISSISSIPPI NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM LISTED SPECIES OF MISSISSIPPI - 2018 - GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS ANIMALIA BIVALVIA UNIONOIDA UNIONIDAE ACTINONAIAS LIGAMENTINA MUCKET G5 S1 LE CYCLONAIAS TUBERCULATA PURPLE WARTYBACK G5 S1 LE ELLIPTIO ARCTATA DELICATE SPIKE G2G3Q S1 LE EPIOBLASMA BREVIDENS CUMBERLANDIAN COMBSHELL G1 S1 LE LE EPIOBLASMA PENITA SOUTHERN COMBSHELL G1 S1 LE LE EPIOBLASMA TRIQUETRA SNUFFBOX G3 S1 LE LE EURYNIA DILATATA SPIKE G5 S1 LE HAMIOTA PEROVALIS ORANGE-NACRE MUCKET G2 S1 LT LE MEDIONIDUS ACUTISSIMUS ALABAMA MOCCASINSHELL G2 S1 LT LE PLETHOBASUS CYPHYUS SHEEPNOSE G3 S1 LE LE PLEUROBEMA CURTUM BLACK CLUBSHELL GH SX LE LE PLEUROBEMA DECISUM SOUTHERN CLUBSHELL G2 S1 LE LE PLEUROBEMA MARSHALLI FLAT PIGTOE GX SX LE LE PLEUROBEMA OVIFORME TENNESSEE CLUBSHELL G2G3 SX LE PLEUROBEMA PEROVATUM OVATE CLUBSHELL G1 S1 LE LE PLEUROBEMA RUBRUM PYRAMID PIGTOE G2G3 S2 LE PLEUROBEMA TAITIANUM HEAVY PIGTOE G1 SX LE LE PLEURONAIA DOLABELLOIDES SLABSIDE PEARLYMUSSEL G2 S1 LE LE POTAMILUS CAPAX FAT POCKETBOOK G2 S1 LE LE POTAMILUS INFLATUS INFLATED HEELSPLITTER G1G2Q SH LT LE PTYCHOBRANCHUS FASCIOLARIS KIDNEYSHELL G4G5 S1 LE THELIDERMA CYLINDRICA CYLINDRICA RABBITSFOOT G3G4T3 S1 LT LE THELIDERMA METANEVRA MONKEYFACE G4 SX LE THELIDERMA STAPES STIRRUPSHELL GH SX LE LE MALACOSTRACA DECAPODA CAMBARIDAE CREASERINUS GORDONI CAMP SHELBY BURROWING CRAWFISH G1 S1 LE INSECTA COLEOPTERA SILPHIDAE NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE G2G3 SX LE LE LEPIDOPTERA NYMPHALIDAE NEONYMPHA MITCHELLII MITCHELLII MITCHELL’S SATYR G2T2 S1 LE LE 24 September 2018 Page | 1 Page | 1 Cite the list as: Mississippi Natural Heritage Program, 2018. Listed Species of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Dept.
  • September 24, 2018

    September 24, 2018

    September 24, 2018 Sent via Federal eRulemaking Portal to: http://www.regulations.gov Docket Nos. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0006 FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0007 FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0009 Bridget Fahey Chief, Division of Conservation and Classification U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: ES Falls Church, VA 22041-3808 [email protected] Craig Aubrey Chief, Division of Environmental Review Ecological Services Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: ES Falls Church, VA 22041 [email protected] Samuel D. Rauch, III National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 [email protected] Re: Proposed Revisions of Endangered Species Act Regulations Dear Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Fahey, and Mr. Rauch: The Southern Environmental Law Center (“SELC”) submits the following comments in opposition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s and National Marine Fisheries Service’s proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations.1 We submit these comments on behalf of 57 organizations working to protect the natural resources of the 1 Revision of the Regulations for Prohibitions to Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,174 (proposed July 25, 2018) (to be codified at 50 C.F.R. pt. 17); Revision of Regulations for Interagency Cooperation, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,178 (proposed July 25, 2018) (to be codified at 50 C.F.R. pt. 402); Revision of the Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,193 (proposed July 25, 2018) (to be codified at 50 C.F.R.
  • Habitat Descriptions of Mississippi's Federally Listed Species

    Habitat Descriptions of Mississippi's Federally Listed Species

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mississippi Field Office January 2018 Federally Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species in Mississippi MAMMALS Gray Bat The endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is a historical resident of Tishomingo County. They are the only listed bat species in Mississippi that roosts year round in caves. Activities that impact caves or suitable mines could adversely affect this species. Protection measures for the gray bat include preventing human entry into caves with hibernating or maternity gray bat colonies by installing bat friendly gates and establishing a buffer of undisturbed vegetation around bat caves. County: Tishomingo Indiana Bat The endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is a migratory bat that hibernates in caves and abandoned mines in the winter, then migrates to wooded areas (roost sites) in the spring to bear and raise their young over the summer. Reproductive females occupy roost sites under the exfoliating bark of large, often dead, trees. Roost trees are typically within canopy gaps in the forest where the primary roost tree receives direct sunlight for more than half the day. Habitats include riparian zones, bottomland and floodplain habitats, wooded wetlands, and upland communities. A significant threat to the survival and recovery of Indiana bats in Mississippi is the destruction of maternity and foraging habitats; therefore, we recommend that all tree removal activities in areas supporting Indiana bat habitat take place in the non- maternity season (September 1st – May 14th). Counties: Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, and Tishomingo Northern Long-eared Bat The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) (NLEB) was listed as threatened on May 4th, 2015.
  • Aquatic Biota

    Aquatic Biota

    Low Gradient, Cool, Headwaters and Creeks Macrogroup: Headwaters and Creeks Shawsheen River, © John Phelan Ecologist or State Fish Game Agency for more information about this habitat. This map is based on a model and has had little field-checking. Contact your State Natural Heritage Description: Cool, slow-moving, headwaters and creeks of low-moderate elevation flat, marshy settings. These small streams of moderate to low elevations occur on flats or very gentle slopes in watersheds less than 39 sq.mi in size. The cool slow-moving waters may have high turbidity and be somewhat poorly oxygenated. Instream habitats are dominated by glide-pool and ripple-dune systems with runs interspersed by pools and a few short or no distinct riffles. Bed materials are predominenly sands, silt, and only isolated amounts of gravel. These low-gradient streams may have high sinuosity but are usually only slightly entrenched with adjacent Source: 1:100k NHD+ (USGS 2006), >= 1 sq.mi. drainage area floodplain and riparian wetland ecosystems. Cool water State Distribution:CT, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, temperatures in these streams means the fish community WV contains a higher proportion of cool and warm water species relative to coldwater species. Additional variation in the stream Total Habitat (mi): 16,579 biological community is associated with acidic, calcareous, and neutral geologic settings where the pH of the water will limit the % Conserved: 11.5 Unit = Acres of 100m Riparian Buffer distribution of certain macroinvertebrates, plants, and other aquatic biota. The habitat can be further subdivided into 1) State State Miles of Acres Acres Total Acres headwaters that drain watersheds less than 4 sq.mi, and have an Habitat % Habitat GAP 1 - 2 GAP 3 Unsecured average bankfull width of 16 feet or 2) Creeks that include larger NY 41 6830 94 325 4726 streams with watersheds up to 39 sq.mi.
  • A Holistic Approach to Taxonomic Evaluation of Two Closely Related Endangered Freshwater Mussel Species, the Oyster Mussel Epiob

    A Holistic Approach to Taxonomic Evaluation of Two Closely Related Endangered Freshwater Mussel Species, the Oyster Mussel Epiob

    A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TAXONOMIC EVALUATION OF TWO CLOSELY RELATED ENDANGERED FRESHWATER MUSSEL SPECIES, THE OYSTER MUSSEL EPIOBLASMA CAPSAEFORMIS AND TAN RIFFLESHELL EPIOBLASMA FLORENTINA WALKERI (BIVALVIA: UNIONIDAE) JESS W. JONES1, RICHARD J. NEVES2,STEVENA.AHLSTEDT3 AND ERIC M. HALLERMAN4 1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, U.S.A.; 2U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, U.S.A.; 3U.S. Geological Survey, 1820 Midpark Drive, Knoxville, TN 37921, U.S.A.; 4Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, U.S.A. (Received 23 February 2005; accepted 16 January 2006) ABSTRACT Species in the genus Epioblasma have specialized life history requirements and represent the most endangered genus of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the world. A genetic characterization of extant populations of the oyster mussel E. capsaeformis and tan riffleshell E. florentina walkeri sensu late was conducted to assess taxonomic validity and to resolve conservation issues for recovery planning. These mussel species exhibit pronounced phenotypic variation, but were difficult to characterize phylogenetically using DNA sequences. Monophyletic lineages, congruent with phenotypic variation among species, were obtained only after extensive analysis of combined mitochondrial (1396 bp of 16S, cytochrome-b, and ND1) and nuclear (515 bp of ITS-1) DNA sequences. In contrast, analysis of variation at 10 hypervariable DNA microsatellite loci showed moderately to highly diverged populations based on FST and RST values, which ranged from 0.12 to 0.39 and 0.15 to 0.71, respectively.
  • Federally-Listed Wildlife Species

    Federally-Listed Wildlife Species

    Assessment for the Nantahala and Pisgah NFs March 2014 Federally-Listed Wildlife Species Ten federally-endangered (E) or threatened (T) wildlife species are known to occur on or immediately adjacent to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests (hereafter, the Nantahala and Pisgah NFs). These include four small mammals, two terrestrial invertebrates, three freshwater mussels, and one fish (Table 1). Additionally, two endangered species historically occurred on or adjacent to the Forest, but are considered extirpated, or absent, from North Carolina and are no longer tracked by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (Table 1). Table 1. Federally-listed wildlife species known to occur or historically occurring on or immediately adjacent to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Small Mammals Carolina northern flying Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus Endangered squirrel Gray myotis Myotis grisescens Endangered Virginia big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Endangered virginianus Northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalis Endangered* Indiana bat Myotis sodalis Endangered Terrestrial Invertebrates Spruce-fir moss spider Microhexura montivaga Endangered noonday globe Patera clarki Nantahala Threatened Freshwater Mussels Appalachian elktoe Alasmidonta raveneliana Endangered Little-wing pearlymussel Pegius fabula Endangered Cumberland bean Villosa trabilis Endangered Spotfin chub Erimonax monachus Threatened Species Considered Extirpated From North Carolina American burying beetle Nicrophorous americanus Endangered Eastern cougar Puma concolor cougar Endangered *Pending final listing following the 12-month finding published in the Federal Register, October 2, 2013. Additionally, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is addressing petitions to federally list two aquatic species known to occur on or immediately adjacent to Nantahala and Pisgah NFs: eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), a large aquatic salamander, and sicklefin redhorse (Moxostoma species 2), a fish.