the Flattened Musk Turtle Contact info and Web address: www.lakes.alabamapower.com Smith Lake Shoreline Management 5558 Curry Highway, Suites 3&4 Jasper, AL 35503 205-384-7385 Photos by Meg McKinney Flattened Flattened Musk Turtle Known Range of Flattened Musk Turtle Musk Turtle labama Power and our partners are working Endangered Species Act A to preserve the federally threatened flattened Quick Facts: musk turtle (FMT) and its habitat on Smith Lake. On June 11, 1987, the USFWS listed the FMT as a threatened species, offering • Scientific name: During the past several years, our biologists, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service it protection under the Endangered Sternotherus depressus (USFWS), have conducted research to better Species Act. • Small aquatic turtle with understand the FMT and its habitat. This research The act – passed by Congress in 1973 – a distinctly flattened led to the development of shoreline stabilization safeguards plants and animals by providing carapace (upper shell) methods that preserve the federally threatened protection against direct human threats, such up to 4.7 inches long. species and its habitat while also providing as killing and trapping, as well as preserving • Believed to live for continued recreational opportunities for lake their habitat. The protection of species 50 years. residents. listed as endangered or threatened by the • Active from April to Department of the Interior extends to public October. FMT habitat permitting and private lands. • Native to the Black Our shoreline management team reviews every Warrior River system in shoreline permit application with federal protection west-central Alabama, guidelines in mind. After review, sites identified as including Smith Lake. flattened musk turtle habitat have special permit • Preferred habitat: requirements meant to minimize the impact of APC biologist conducts crevices, submerged construction activities to the species. FMT research on boulders and rock As part of these requirements, Alabama Power Smith Lake. shelves. developed enhanced • Diet: snails, mussels and natural stabilization aquatic insects. guidelines. These outline how to use appropriate slopes and materials to provide foraging, cover and protection for the flattened musk turtle, as well as providing the turtles access to breeding sites. Permitted construction activities that may affect the flattened musk turtle or its habitat are authorized between Nov. 1 and March 31, when the Contact info and Web address: turtle is less active. www.lakes.alabamapower.com A demonstration of enhanced natural stabilization Smith Lake Shoreline Management techniques is available for viewing adjacent to the 5558 Curry Highway, Suites 3&4 Smith Dam boat launch. Jasper, AL 35503 205-384-7385.