Conservation Success Story: A Tale of Two Mussels

Contact:  Denise Rowell, denise_rowell@fws.gov, 251-206-0056  

Two species of freshwater mussels living in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint basin may no longer require federal protection after decades of partnered habitat restoration work. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to remove the Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis) and fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii) from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. The Service seeks comments on this proposed rule until Monday, December 30, 2024.

"Never doubt the passion of conservationists with a common purpose. These mussels are now found in more places in the ACF basin and there are more of them,” said Maureen Walsh, the Service’s ACF Coordinator. “We could not restore these species without our partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Apalachicola Riverkeeper, and many more like-minded groups.”

According to the best available science and commercial information, the threats to the Chipola slabshell and fat threeridge mussels have been removed or lessened so that the species are no longer considered threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Stream restoration and bank stabilization projects, as well as the establishment of Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs), helped move the needle for these species. 

For more detailed information about today’s announcement see our Frequently Asked Questions.

To provide comment, use the Federal eRulemaking Portal and search for docket number FWS-R4-ES-2024-0051. Comments submitted electronically must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. 

The agency must receive requests for public hearings in writing at the address shown below by December 13, 2024.  

For more information contact:  Gianfranco Basili, Deputy State Supervisor, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, (904) 228-2503, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256-7517.  Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339.   

-FWS-

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/program/southeast-region. Connect with us on social media: Facebook, X, Flickr, and YouTube.