RYAN SCHWEGMANManager of Marine Service / Malacologist

FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEYS IN OHIO: The Who, What, When, Where & Why

WHO CAN DO FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEYS?• The Ohio Division of Natural Resources (ODNR) and United

States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) publishes a list of approved surveys in Ohio annually

• The list is comprised of both ODNR only and USFWS permitted individuals

• ODNR Approved Surveyors: • Permitted individuals who can only complete work on

streams where no federally listed species are known• Tend to be less experienced surveyors

• USFWS Approved Surveyors:• USFWS permitted individuals can complete work in

streams with state and federally listed species • Federally permitted individuals tend to have more

experience• Important to request a copy of your selected contractors

permit, as the results of surveys completed by a non-permitted individuals will likely not be excepted

WHAT ARE MUSSELS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FROM A MUSSEL SURVEY ?

FRESHWATER MUSSELS• “Freshwater Clam”• Living water filters that are known to filter as

much as 8 gallons of water a day• 300 different species in North America • The most imperiled group of animals in North

America with 71% of the 300 species considered endangered, threatened or of special concern

• Relatively complex and interesting life cycle• Includes a host fish and

a parasitic life stage

Photo by: M. C. Barnhart

FRESHWATER MUSSEL SHAPES & SIZES

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MUSSEL SURVEY?

• The Expected • Harner Road over the St. Mary’s River

in Van Wert County • Old State Route 12 over the Ottawa

River in Putnam County

• The Un-expected • 75 Bridge over the Middle Branch of

the Portage in Wood County

NON-ENDANGERED STREAMS

• Over the St. Mary’s River in Van Wert County

HARNER ROAD

Findings:

HARNER ROAD

• Over the Ottawa River in Putnam County

OLD STATE ROUTE 12

OLD STATE ROUTE 12

Findings:

• Over the Middle Branch of the Portage in Wood County

75 BRIDGE

75 BRIDGE

Findings:

• The Expected • County 33 over the Great Miami

River in Miami County

• The Un-expected • 475 Bridge over Swan Creek in

Lucas County

ENDANGERED STREAMS

• Over the Great Miami River in Miami County

COUNTY 33

COUNTY 33

Findings:

• Over Swan Creek in Lucas County

475 BRIDGE

475 BRIDGEFindings:

WHEN CAN A MUSSEL SURVEY BE COMPLETED?

CLASSIFIED STREAM MUSSEL SURVEYS

• May 1st to October 31st• Surveys completed outside this window

are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are only approved under extenuating circumstances

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS

• May 1st to October 31st, unless prior approval is granted

WHERE DO MUSSEL SURVEYS NEED TO BE COMPLETED?

REFER TO THE OHIO MUSSEL SURVEY PROTOCOL

• Joint document created by ODNR and USFWS

• All streams listed in Appendix A of the Ohio Mussel Survey Protocol (or any stream with >10mi2 of drainage) require a mussel survey.

WHY ARE MUSSELS SUDDENLY SUCH AN ISSUE IN OHIO?

MUSSELS HAVE REGULATORY AUTHORITY

• OHIO: All mussels are protected in the State of Ohio (Section 1533.324 of the Ohio Revised Code).

• Federally Endangered Species Act

QUESTIONS?

RYAN SCHWEGMANManager of Marine Services / Malacologist(800) 940-4025RSchwegman@EnviroScienceInc.com

www.EnviroScienceInc.com