U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Status for Scaleshell
Mussel

FT. SNELLING, Minn., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service today proposed to list the scaleshell mussel, a freshwater species
once found in many rivers in the eastern United States, as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act.  A plant or animal is designated as endangered if
it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its
range.

Nearly 75 percent of historically known river populations of scaleshells have
disappeared, said Bill Hartwig, the Service's regional director for the Great
Lakes-Big Rivers region.  The species once inhabited 53 rivers or streams
throughout most of the eastern United States, with populations found as far
west as Oklahoma, but now is found only in 13 rivers.

"The decline of the scaleshell is an all-too-common trend in freshwater
mussels in the United States," Hartwig said. "Freshwater mussels are valuable
members of aquatic ecosystems, and act as excellent indicators of the quality
of the water they inhabit -- water we all depend upon.  Unfortunately,
mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals in the country."

The scaleshell is a relatively small freshwater mussel species measuring 1 to
4 inches in width with a thin, fragile shell and faint green rays.  This
species inhabits medium-sized and large rivers with stable channels and good
water quality.

Scaleshells currently exist in Missouri (Meramec River, Big River, Bourbeuse
River, Gasconade River and possibly Big Piney River); Arkansas (St. Francis
River, Spring River, South Fork Spring River, Strawberry River, South Fourche
LaFave River, Cossatot River, Saline River, and Little Missouri River); and
Oklahoma (Kiamichi River).  Of these populations, 10 are thought to be
declining.  The status of the scaleshell in the Missouri River in South
Dakota is unknown.

Threats to the scaleshell, as with many other mussel species, include
degraded water quality due to pollution and sedimentation, alteration of
habitat through damming of waterways, dredging and channelization of rivers,
and competition with non-native species like the zebra mussel.  In
particular, pollutants from industrial sources, sewage, and spills can kill
mussels, and sedimentation from dredging and erosion along rivers and streams
can cover them and impair respiration and feeding.  Mussels are sedentary
animals and cannot move away from threats.

The scaleshell's range overlaps those of several other mussel species that
are already federally listed as endangered or threatened. They include the
pink mucket in the Meramec, Big, Gasconade, Spring, Strawberry, and Little
Missouri rivers; the fat pocketbook in the St. Francis River; the Curtis
pearly mussel in the South Fork Spring River; the Ouachita rock-pocketbook in
the Kiamichi River; the Arkansas fatmucket in the Saline River; and the
winged mapleleaf in the Little Missouri.

Because the primary threat to the scaleshell -- degradation of water quality
due to non-point source pollution -- is the same as that for listed mussels,
steps needed to conserve the scaleshell would be similar to measures already
in place for other mussels in its range. In general, recovery actions focus
on best management practices and existing technology to control pollutants
and sedimentation and minimize their impacts on mussels.  As a result, the
Service does not expect that a decision to list the scaleshell would have any
significant additional impact on activities on the rivers.

The Service's action initiates a thorough review of the scaleshell during
which the agency will determine whether endangered status is appropriate.
Public comment will be sought on the proposal, and the Service will make a
final determination in one year.

If the Service determines that endangered status is appropriate for the
scaleshell, the species will benefit from protections and recovery actions
under the Endangered Species Act.  Species listed as endangered are protected
from direct and indirect "take," which includes killing, harming, or
harassing.  Federal agencies must consult with the Service to ensure that any
action they authorize, fund, or carry out does not jeopardize the continued
existence of the species.  In addition, the Service would assemble a recovery
team to identify and implement actions to restore populations so that
extinction is no longer a threat.

The Service published the proposal to list the scaleshell in today's Federal
Register.  The public may comment in writing until October 13, 1999. Comments
may be directed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Field Office, 608
East Cherry Street, Room 200, Columbia, Missouri 65201-7712.

For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our
HomePage at:  http://www.fws.gov/r3pao /

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System
comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small
wetlands, and other special management areas.  It also operates 66 national
fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78
ecological services field stations.  The agency enforces Federal wildlife
laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and
restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments
with their conservation efforts.  It also oversees the Federal Aid program
that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing
and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies.

SOURCE  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

CO:  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service