Efforts should be made to ensure our waterways are Cypress Minnow healthy through protection and/or restoration of hayi habitat for this and other aquatic species.

Guidelines for Landowners Using Conservation Practices Department of Conservation

Photo Credit: http://gwsphotos.com/images/1193.jpg Common name ▪ Cypress Minnow Scientific name ▪ Hybognathus hayi Avoid constructing stream crossings. If State status ▪ Endangered unavoidable, culverts and stream crossings should Federal status ▪ None be constructed with the same bottom elevation as the existing streambed to avoid restricting stream Ecology flow and obstructing fish passage. Cypress minnows were historically located throughout much of the drainage and the Bank stabilization materials should consist only of basin from the -Missouri rock, clean broken concrete or similar materials free border south to the . In Missouri, they of pollutants, silt and extraneous debris, including are limited to locations in the southeastern corner of exposed rebar. Erosion and sediment controls the state. Cypress minnows occur in backwaters of should be implemented, maintained and monitored large, sluggish rivers, and their associated oxbow for the duration of a project. lakes. They are found in still waters over substrates of sand, silt, and organic debris. Their diet consists Follow proper sand and gravel removal procedures of detritus, algae, and other aquatic plants. outlined in the Missouri Instream Sand and Gravel Spawning likely occurs in the spring and eggs are Removal Guidelines prepared by the Missouri spread over mud. Adult cypress minnows reach a Departments of Conservation and Natural length of 2.2 to 3.0 inches. Resources. Guidelines include the following: leave a minimum 20-foot buffer zone between the water line Reasons for Decline and the excavation area, do not mine within 20 feet The cypress minnow is rare or has drastically of streamside vegetation, and do not alter stream declined in abundance throughout most of its channels. In addition, do not remove gravel during northern range. Cypress minnows probably never the darter spawning season (April 1 to were common or widespread in Missouri. However, June 15). conversion of wetlands to agricultural fields and urban areas in its current range has decreased the Limit clearing of vegetation, including standing and habitat of this fish. downed timber, to that which is absolutely necessary for construction purposes. Re-establish Recommendations and maintain forested riparian corridors at least 100- Cypress minnows are very specific in their habitat feet wide along streams used by cypress minnows requirements, which explain their limited range in to reduce erosion and capture nutrient rich runoff. Missouri. Because of this, alterations to existing habitat could eliminate this species from part of its Exclude livestock with fences to allow the area to natural, historical range. Protection and restoration naturally re-vegetate. Discourage cattle from using of wetlands is an essential goal, not only for species streams and move watering areas into pastures and like the cypress minnow, but because wetlands away from streams. provide important environmental services.

Updated: September 9, 2008 Refer to Management Recommendations for Division of Environmental Quality Construction Projects Affecting Missouri Wetlands P.O. Box 176 and Management Recommendations for Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 Construction Projects Affecting Missouri Streams Telephone: 800-361-4827 / 573-751-1300 and Rivers for additional guidelines. http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/index.html 5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Consider the balance between adverse and Regulatory Branch beneficial practices when determining the overall 700 Federal Building effect of a conservation practice. 601 E. 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64106-2896 Beneficial Practices Telephone: 816-389-3990  Limit livestock access to streams. http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/  Nutrient and pest management on adjacent agricultural fields that results in reduced U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division opportunities for contamination of runoff. th 901 North 5 Street  Protection and restoration of riparian Kansas City, KS 66101 corridors along streams and wetlands. Telephone: 913-551-7003 / 800-223-0425  Any practice that controls erosion and http://www.epa.gov/region7/ prevents the delivery of sediment to the aquatic system will prove beneficial to this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species. Ecological Services Field Office 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A Adverse Practices Columbia, MO 65203  Sand and gravel removal beyond the excess Telephone: 573-234-2132 material on adjacent unconsolidated bars. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/partners/missouri.html

 Project activities that occur below the high Legal water level between April 1 and June 15, the The Missouri Department of Conservation prepared spawning season of the cypress minnow. these guidelines for conservation practices with  Improper erosion and sediment control. assistance from other state agencies, contractors,  Removing or degrading the riparian corridor and others to provide guidance to those people who along streams and wetlands. wish to voluntarily act to protect wildlife and habitat.  Unmanaged application of pesticides,

waste or fertilizers. Compliance with these management guidelines is  Draining or destroying wetland habitat. not required by the Missouri wildlife and forestry law  Creating dams and other impoundment or by any regulation of the Missouri Conservation structures in rivers within the range of this Commission. Other federal, state or local laws may species. affect construction practices.

“State Endangered Status” is determined by the Information Contacts Missouri Conservation Commission under Missouri Department of Conservation constitutional authority, and specific requirements Policy Coordination Section for impacts to such species are expressed in the P.O. Box 180 Missouri Wildlife Code, rule 3 CSR 10-4.111. 2901 W. Truman Blvd Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Telephone: 573-751-4115 http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/endangered/

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Updated: September 9, 2008