MUSSEL SURVEY IN THE CHEMUNG RIVER AT ROUTE 427 …...Sep 03, 2014 · Eastern Floater [Pyganodon cataracta]), were detected. Two weathered dead shells were found from an additional

FINAL REPORT

MUSSEL SURVEY IN THE CHEMUNG RIVER AT ROUTE 427 BRIDGE, CHEMUNG,

CHEMUNG COUNTY, NEW YORK, JULY, 2014

Ecology and Environment Engineering, P. C. 368 Pleasant View Drive Lancaster, NY 14086

Phone: 716-684-8060

Fax: 716-684-0844

ES Project No. 6412 3 September 2014

5070 Stow Road Stow, Ohio 44224 800-940-4025

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=dfwKv0m797LASM&tbnid=l4uRzulChLpqvM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http://www.thegoodneighborhood.com/2012/01/02/designing-to-live-sustainably-help-wanted-sponsors-and-contest-entrants/ecology-environment-logo-1-2-12/&ei=k1hkUaakHtWl4AO0w4GACw&psig=AFQjCNE_mJdJLaAnckUYOJTyvDb3-fQSCA&ust=1365617171537845

Mussel Survey in The Chemung River at the Rt. 427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung, Chemung County, New York, July, 2014. ES Project # 6412

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 2 METHODS ...................................................................................................................... 3

Habitat Survey ........................................................................................................... 3 Mussel Survey ........................................................................................................... 3

RESULTS ........................................................................................................................ 5 Habitat Survey ........................................................................................................... 5 Mussel Survey ........................................................................................................... 5

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................. 7 LITERATURE CITED ...................................................................................................... 8

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Distribution of Diver-Observed Substrate in the Chemung River of the Route

427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung, New York, July 2014. Figure 2. Overview of Study Design and Mussel Distribution in the Chemung River of

the Route 427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung, New York, July 2014.

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Freshwater Mussel Species and Common Names, Status, Numbers,

Condition, and Relative Abundance from the Chemung River at Route 427 Bridge, Elmira, Chemung County, New York, July, 2014

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A. Digital Images Recorded During the Freshwater Mussel Survey in the

Chemung River at the Rt. 427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung

County, New York, July, 2014. Appendix B. Ecology and Environment Engineering, P. C. Exhibit 1: Scope of Work

for Mussel Survey and Relocation Services Chemung River at Route 427 Bridge Elmira, Chemung County, New York.


iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funding for this project was provided by the New York State Department of

Transportation (NYSDOT) and administered by Ecology and Environment Engineering,

P. C. (EEEPC). Mr. Steve MacLeod was the project manager and contact person for

EEEPC and kindly provided digital images he recorded of the field site and work in

progress. The project manager for EnviroScience, Inc. (ES) was Dr. Martin Huehner,

who was also field supervisor, malacologist, and diver. Ms. Mandi Caldwell was the

second malacologist and diver for ES. Mr. Patrick Evankovich was the ES dive

supervisor and safety officer. Mr. Nick Shoots and Ms. Isabella Cardenas were

additional divers for ES, while Ms. Caldwell and Dr. Huehner authored this report.

Geographic information system (GIS) mapping was completed by Ms. Mary Mahoney

(ES).


1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The New York State (NYS) Route 427 Bridge crosses the Chemung River

approximately 1.0 kilometer (km) (0.64 miles) southwest of the town of Chemung in

Chemung County, New York. The condition of the bridge has deteriorated to the point

that it will need to be replaced in the near future and in-water work will be required.

Freshwater mussels are known to reside in the Chemung River; therefore, a freshwater

mussel survey was required to determine presence, relative numbers, distribution, and

species of mussels living within the project area from 984 feet (300 meters [m])

upstream to 984 feet (300 m) downstream of the Route 427 Bridge centerline.

While no federally listed or New York State endangered freshwater mussels have been

reported to occur in the Chemung River, mussels that may exist within the project area

include the state-listed Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) and Brook Floater

(Alasmidonta varicosa). On July 16 and 17, 2014, an EnviroScience, Inc. (ES) field

team completed the required survey at NYSDOT’s request.

The freshwater mussel search protocol was based on guidelines from Smith at al.

(2001), and was approved by the New York State Department of Environmental

Conservation (NYSDEC). A total of nine living mussels representing three species

(Yellow Lampmussel [Lampsilis cariosa], Triangle Floater [Alasmidonta undulate], and

Eastern Floater [Pyganodon cataracta]), were detected. Two weathered dead shells

were found from an additional species, Elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata).

The stream reach that was examined in the Chemung River contained a mussel

community with low species diversity and a small number of widely scattered

individuals.


2

INTRODUCTION

The NYS Route 427 Bridge crosses the Chemung River approximately 1.0 kilometer

(km) or 0.64 mile southwest of the town of Chemung in Chemung County, New York.

This bridge has deteriorated to the point that it will need to be replaced in the near

future and in-water work that will disturb the river bed is anticipated during the

construction process. Freshwater mussels are known to reside in the Chemung River.

Since freshwater mussels can potentially be harmed by construction through crushing,

or siltation, a mussel survey was required by the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to determine presence, relative numbers,

distribution, and species of mussels living within the project area from 984 feet to 300

meters upstream to 984 feet (300 meters [m]) downstream of the Route 427 Bridge

centerline.

While no federally listed or NYSDEC endangered freshwater mussel species have been

reported to occur in the Chemung River, mussels that may exist within the project area

include the state-listed (threatened) Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) and Brook

Floater, Alasmidonta varicosa (Strayer and Jirka 1997; Lord and Harman 2010;

NYSDEC 2014a).

EnviroScience, Inc. (ES) was contracted by Ecology and Environment Engineering, P.C.

(EEEPC) to perform the required mussel survey and on July 16 and 17, 2014, the work

was completed. This report presents findings of the mussel survey.


3

METHODS

Habitat Survey

While surveying for mussels, divers used slates to record their estimates of substrate

composition based on the Wentworth Scale (percent each of mud, silt, sand, gravel,

cobbles, boulder, bedrock, woody debris). Shorelines were searched for shells

deposited by floods and accumulated in muskrat middens.

Mussel Survey

The search protocol for freshwater mussels was based on methods approved by

NYSDEC and described in Exhibit 1 (see Appendix B). These methods are based on

those described by Smith et al. (2001). Searches extended from 300 m upstream to

300 m downstream from the Route 427 Bridge. Lead-cored transect lines marked every

5 m were placed across the river perpendicularly to flow and firmly attached to the

banks. Lines were placed at the bridge centerline (at 0 m) and at 10 m, 25 m, 50 m,

100 m, 150 m, 200 m, and 300 m upstream and downstream from the bridge centerline

(for a total of 15 transects, bank to bank) to complete the survey extent. Survey efforts

were concentrated around the area where bridge construction would have direct impact.

In order to accurately place transect lines, surveyors located survey points on the left

descending stream bank using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and

marked each point with orange surveyor’s tape.

Divers commenced searching each transect line at the left descending bank

(designated as the transect line 0 m mark) and searched at the rate of 2 square meters

per minute (m2/min). A 1 m wide path along each transect line was examined using

visual and tactile means while occasionally probing the bottom for buried mussels in

order to avoid excavation. Non-habitat areas were not searched (i.e., bedrock

pavement, log jams, and heavy accumulations of dead vegetation). Any mussels, living

or dead, were collected and placed in nylon mesh bags, which were subsequently

tagged with a unique plastic marker to produce a series of discrete samples for each

10 m segment of each transect line. Bags were maintained in flowing river water until

they were processed.


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Mussel Handling and Processing Procedures

Mussels were kept cool and moist during processing and were not out of the water more

than 1 minute. All live mussels were identified, counted, and sexed (sexually

dimorphic species only). Dead shell specimens were scored as fresh dead (dead less

than one year; lustrous nacre), weathered dead (dead one to many years; chalky

nacre; fragmented; and worn periostracum), or subfossil (dead many years to many

decades; severely worn and fragmented). Digital images of representative mussel

species were recorded and are included in Appendix A. After being processed, all

mussels were hand placed into the river bottom at their point of origin.

Representative dead shell samples were sent to the New York State Museum with

all necessary voucher documentation. No live mussels were harmed or taken during

this project.

Quality Control Procedures

Several measures of quality control were implemented to ensure thorough mussel

collection and accurate habitat assessment by divers. The project supervisor (Dr.

Huehner) directly supervised and participated in all survey operations. Dr. Huehner

has extensive experience identifying and handling mussels, including State of New

York and federally listed species. The second malacologist, Ms. Caldwell, also has

extensive mussel handling experience. All divers were individually trained and have

experience (each over 100 hours) in mussel sampling using both visual and tactual

means. Taxonomy followed guidelines from Turgeon et al. (1998).


5

RESULTS

Habitat Survey Stream habitat varied significantly within the project area. Upstream from the Route

427 Bridge the stream was broad, straight, and had a width of approximately 90 m.

From 50 m upstream of the bridge to the bridge’s centerline, the stream substrate

consisted of cobble, boulder, and silt. The left bank was scoured up to 6 m (20 feet) in

depth. The remaining 100 m to 300 m upstream of the bridge substrate consisted of

silt, gravel, sand, and cobble. Water depth upstream varied from 0.3 m (1 foot) deep to

6 m (20 feet) in scoured areas around bridge piers. See Figure 1 for GIS mapping of

diver-observed substrate composition along the transect lines. The entire survey area

generally lacked tree canopy cover. Around the immediate vicinity of the bridge and to

about 100 m downstream, there was significant scouring and unstable habitat, but a

stable sand and gravel-bottomed area occurred from 100 m (328 feet) to 300 m (984

feet) downstream. Water was fairly clear (approximately 1 m visibility) and flow did not

impede diving. During the course of the ES mussel survey, United States Geological

Survey (USGS) River Gauge No. 01531000 (located on the left descending bank near

the Route 427 Bridge) recorded a discharge of 470 cubic feet per second (ft3/sec) to

500 ft3/sec, and gauge height was 3.7 feet (1.1 m) throughout the mussel study. These

discharge rates were well below the mean monthly discharge of 1,188 ft3/sec recorded

for July. This mean rate is based on readings at this river gauge since 2000 that range

from 289 ft3/sec to 3,387 ft3/sec; therefore, mussel survey conditions were very good.

Mussel Survey A total of nine living mussels representing three species were found during the mussel

survey. See Table 1 for a complete listing of all living mussels detected during of this

study. Yellow Lampmussel comprised over 78% of all mussels found and the two

remaining species each represented 11% in relative frequency (see Table 1). None of

these species are endangered, threatened or of special concern in New York State

(NYSDEC 2014a), but the Yellow Lampmussel has been assigned S3 status, meaning

its populations are being monitored by NYSDEC (New York Natural Heritage Program


6

2014). Mussels found within the study area were widely scattered and no population

concentrations were found (see Figure 2). Dead shells found along the bank were from

the Yellow Lampmussel, a species that was also detected alive during the survey, and

the elktoe mussel, which was not detected alive. (See Table 1). Dead shells were not

included in the total percentage of species encountered.


7

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS According to survey reports since 1970 (Strayer and Jirka 1997; Lord and Harmon

2010; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 2014b; and

EnviroScience 2009), the following freshwater mussel species are known to reside in

the Chemung River:

Elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata);

Triangle Floater (Alasmidonta undulata);

Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa);

Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata);

Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa);

Eastern Lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata);

Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis); and

Eastern Floater (Pyganodon cataracta).

Neither recent nor historic records place any freshwater mussel species protected under

the Federal Endangered Species Act within the Chemung basin. NYSDEC only

considers such federally listed species in New York State as endangered; therefore,

NYSDEC endangered mussel species have never been reported to occur in the

Chemung River.

Brook Floater and Green Floater are listed by NYSDEC as threatened and have been

reported to occur in the Chemung River. Within the state of New York, these species

are afforded protection under state law, but do not trigger Section 7 USFWS

Consultation as federally listed species do.

No living NYSDEC endangered or threatened mussel species were detected during this

sampling effort. Within the stream reach examined, the Chemung River was found to

possess a low diversity mussel community with individuals widely distributed within the

study area. Good visibility conditions prevailed throughout the study period and ES

considers the survey effort to be effective. During the bridge construction process, ES

recommends that best management practices should be employed to minimize

secondary effects, such as siltation, that also accompany stream bed disturbance and

could impact mussels farther downstream.


8

LITERATURE CITED

EnviroScience, Inc. 2009. Mussel Surveys of the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers

for Chesapeake Energy’s Proposed Surface Water Intakes. Submitted to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Natural Diversity Section, 450 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Lord, P. H., and W. N. Harman. 2010. Year 2: Susquehanna Freshwater Mussel

Surveys. Submitted to The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources.

Smith, D. R., R. F. Villella, and D. P. Lemarié. 2001. Survey protocol for assessment of endangered freshwater mussels in the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 20, No. 1: 118-132.

Strayer, D.L. and K. J. Jirka. 1997. The Pearly Mussels of New York State. New York

State Museum Memoir 26, The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, Albany, New York.

Turgeon, D. D., J. F. Quinn, Jr., A. E. Bogan, E. V. Coan, F. G. Hochberg, W. G. Lyons,

et al. 1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Mollusks, 2nd ed. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 26. 526.

New York Natural Heritage Program. 2014. New York Natural Heritage Program Rare

Animal Status List. May 2014. Albany, New York. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2014a. “List of

Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species of New York State.” Accessed online at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7494.html.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2014b. “New York Nature

Explorer, Listing of New York Species by County.” Accessed online at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/natureexplorer/.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7494.html

http://www.dec.ny.gov/natureexplorer/


FIGURES

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Figure 1. Distribution of Diver-Observed Substrate

in the Chemung River

of the Route 427 Bridge Replacement Site,

Chemung, New York, July 2014.°

Substrate Composition

Transect

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Figure 2. Overview of Study Design and Mussel Distribution in the Chemung River

of the Route 427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung, New York, July 2014.

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Mussel Distribution! Alasmidonta undulata! Lampsilis cariosa! Pyganodon cataracta

No Mussels Found

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TABLES



APPENDICES


Appendix A Digital Images Recorded During the Freshwater Mussel Survey in the Chemung River at the Route 427 Bridge Replacement Site, Chemung County, New York, July, 2014

Digital Image 1. Route 427 Bridge from the downstream portion of the survey area

Digital Image 2. The Chemung River upstream from the Route 427 bridge.


Digital Image 3. The Chemung River downstream from the Route 427 Bridge.

Digital Image 4. Route 427 Bridge from the upstream portion of the survey area showing ES personnel laying a transect line by boat.


Digital Image 6. View across the Chemung River at the upstream side of the Route 427 Bridge. A transect line can be seen running riverward from the stake. The USGS stream gauge is situated on the

upper right side of the image.


Digital Image 7. Side view of Eastern Floater (Pyganodon cataracta)

Digital Image 8. Umbonal view of Eastern Floater (Pyganodon cataracta)


Digital Image 9. Side view of a male Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa)

Digital Image 10. Side view of a female Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa)


Digital Image 11. Umbonal view of a female Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa)

Digital Image 12. This was the only Triangle Floater (Alasmidonta undulata) found during the survey


Digital Image 13. Umbonal view of Triangle Floater (Alasmidonta undulata)


Appendix B

Exhibit 1: Ecology and Environment Engineering, P. C. Scope of Work for Mussel Survey and Relocation Services Chemung River at Route 427

Bridge Elmira, Chemung County, New York.

Page 1 of 5 2/5/2014

Exhibit 1 Scope of Work for Mussel Survey and Relocation Services

Chemung River at Route 427 Bridge Elmira, Chemung County, New York

1. Introduction As part of a bridge replacement project, EEEPC has been tasked with conducting a survey to identify

species of mussels present near the Route 427 Bridge over the Chemung River. The survey area extends

100 meters (330 feet) upstream and 500 meters (1,640 feet) downstream from the bridge (see attached

figure). Species of interest include the yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) and elktoe (Alasmidonta

marginata). The state-listed green floater (Lasmigona subviridis) and brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa)

may also be present. Any state-listed mussel species (i.e., threatened, endangered, or species of concern)

identified during the survey shall be relocated to an appropriate habitat (preferably upstream) of the project

location. Identification of a suitable relocation area within New York State waters (if necessary) and any

necessary monitoring for re-located specimens shall be included in this scope of work. Federally listed

species are not expected to be present in the survey area.

The Chemung River within the survey area varies from 300 to 500 feet wide and from 1 foot to 15 feet

deep, depending upon precipitation levels and section of the channel. Since the year 2000, average

Chemung River discharge rates range between 1,000 and 2,500 cubic feet per second during the summer

months (June through August). Because of the depths and flow rates of the river, diving may be necessary.

Access to the survey area is available under the bridge via a single-lane dirt road connecting to Route 427.

The Pennsylvania state line is approximately 0.5 miles downstream of the bridge.

The subcontractor shall provide a cost estimate for the survey described above. In addition, the

subcontractor shall provide a separate cost estimate for the potential relocation and monitoring activities.

Please note that this is a prevailing wage contract.

2. Task Descriptions This scope of work includes the following tasks:

1) Mobilization, Health and Safety Plan (HASP) development, and permit procurement

2) A survey of the mussels and potential mussel habitat present in the study area

3) Relocation of state-listed mussels, as warranted

4) Preparation of a report of the survey and relocation activities

5) Monitoring of relocated mussels (if necessary)

6) Preparation of a comprehensive monitoring report following the final monitoring event.

Task 1: Mobilization and Health and Safety Plan Development The subcontractor shall mobilize all necessary equipment, materials, and supplies to the site at the

beginning of the project. Costs associated with mobilization to the site, including travel, per diem, etc., if

any, are to be included in this task.

The subcontractor shall prepare a site-specific HASP as described below to address the health and safety

protection of their crew during site activities. The subcontractor shall comply with the following

stipulations:

• The subcontractor shall submit a completed, signed site-specific HASP at least five business days prior

to the start of field activities. EEEPC will review, but not approve, the plan. If modifications or

clarifications of the plan are needed, changes must be made before the scheduled start of field activities.

• The subcontractor shall designate a person responsible for ensuring compliance with the HASP.

• The subcontractor shall provide all personal protective equipment (PPE) and upgrades of PPE as

specified in the HASP, including costs, and provide for proper disposal of all spent PPE.

• EEEPC will provide the subcontractor with a summary of available information regarding site

emergency and project contacts. There are no known chemicals of concern at this site. Other pertinent

Page 2 of 5 2/5/2014

information will be provided at the subcontractor's request.

• As part of the HASP, the subcontractor shall include a Dive Plan that demonstrates conformance with

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for commercial diving outlined in

29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T and/or the scientific diving exemption referenced under Appendix B of

this subpart. 1 Note that these standards generally exclude solo diving (i.e., a dive buddy and/or line

tender is typically necessary).

In addition, the subcontractor shall ensure that all members of their field team attend and receive

certification for standard First Aid and adult CPR training classes before survey activities begin.

The subcontractor shall obtain the required New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

(NYSDEC) permits/licenses before performing any work, including both a License to Collect or Possess

and an Endangered/Threatened Species License. The subcontractor shall submit a Survey Plan to EEEPC

for review prior to or concurrent with the submittal of applications to NYSDEC for state survey

permits/licenses.

Task 2: Mussel Survey This survey shall include the following activities:

• The survey activities shall, at a minimum, include the following procedures and protocols:

o Before the survey, and as conditions allow, visually examine the bottom substrate. Areas

that are not likely to support mussels (e.g., dense mud or large rocks with no sand/gravel

in between) can be excluded from the survey. Document the types and general locations

of identified substrates.

o Since some species tend to burrow into the sediment, surveyors should probe the

substrate to search for mussels as warranted by site conditions, but excavation should be

avoided.

o Include the shoreline in the survey area to identify any shells of dead mussel.

o All non-listed species of mussel encountered are to be identified and returned to the

stream as they were found.

o Any live specimens of state-listed species are to be measured and transferred to the

relocation area as described under Task 3 below. At least two photographs of each state-

listed specimen (side view and beak) are to be taken. Dead shells of state-listed mussels

shall be retained and sent to the New York State Museum with appropriate

documentation.

• Record general habitat conditions and time spent searching each area, along with specific habitat

used by any located mussel species. Using GPS,record the coordinates of the stream bottom at the

location where each state-listed specimen is initially found. Photo-document the study area

(underwater photos optional if visibility is suitable, but not required).

As part of the cost estimate, the subcontractor shall state the assumptions used for total man-hours spent

during the survey and the anticipated total survey duration.

The subcontractor shall be required to follow all state laws and possess the required NYSDEC

permits/licenses before performing any work, including both a License to Collect or Possess and an

Endangered/Threatened Species License.

The subcontractor shall be responsible for obtaining access permission to the survey site, if necessary.

The subcontractor may propose additional activities if deemed necessary.

Task 3: Mussel Relocation If relocating state-listed mussel species is required, the task shall include the following activities:

1 OSHA instruction for commercial diving standards can be found at the following web site:

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02-00-151.pdf.

Page 3 of 5 2/5/2014

• Identify a suitable relocation area within New York State waters, preferably upstream of the

survey area and as close to the survey area as feasible.

• Tag any live specimens of state-listed species encountered during the survey described under Task

2 above for later identification and transfer to the relocation area. Record the relocation

coordinates for each specimen using GPS and physically mark the position so that it can be found

again. The markers should be permanent enough that high-flow events or casual vandals would

not remove them (e.g., rebar set in the substrate).

• Relocate mussels in a manner that minimizes their time out of the river, avoids extreme

temperature changes, and maintains moist or wet conditions using river water from the survey site.


during the relocation and the anticipated total relocation duration.

The subcontractor shall be required to follow all state laws and to obtain the required NYSDEC

permits/licenses before performing any work, including both a License to Collect or Possess and an

Endangered/Threatened Species License. The subcontractor shall submit a Survey Plan to EEEPC for

review prior to or concurrent with the submittal of applications to NYSDEC for state survey

permits/licenses.

The subcontractor shall be responsible for obtaining permission to access the relocation site, if necessary.

The subcontractor may propose additional activities if deemed necessary.

Task 4: Survey and Relocation Report The subcontractor shall submit a draft letter report for review by EEEPC and the NYSDOT within 45 days

following completion of the mussel survey and relocation activities described under Tasks 2 and 3 above.

The report shall include a summary of field procedures, survey results (including maps, GPS coordinates of

mussel locations and, if available, GIS shapefiles), and representative photographs of the site (including

JPEG-formatted versions, if available). If listed species are found, their locations shall be mapped as

closely as possible onto a USGS topographic map and onto a more finely detailed map showing the survey

area and locations of all mussels found. The draft report may be submitted electronically.

The subcontractor shall prepare a final report for the survey and relocation activities that incorporates

comments received on the draft report from EEEPC and the NYSDOT. The final report may be submitted

electronically.

Task 5: Post-Relocation Monitoring If relocation has been performed under Task 3 above, monitoring shall include the following activities:

• For the purposes of this SOW and cost estimate, assume the subcontractor shall return to the

relocation site on two separate occasions, approximately one month after relocation and again

approximately one year after relocation. Actual frequency of monitoring will be determined by

NYSDEC.

• During each post-relocation monitoring effort, conduct an intensive visual search of the area

surrounding the location of each relocated mussel. If necessary, extend the area approximately 5

meters (16 feet) upstream and downstream from the position identified during the initial

relocation. If a mussel is not located visually in this zone, excavate a 0.25-square-meter quadrat

encompassing the location where the unrecovered mussel was released. If the mussel or its shell

has not been located after this effort, do not make any further effort to locate it during that

monitoring event.

• If found, record the location of any previously relocated (tagged) mussel specimens using GPS

and note if this location differs from the previous location. In addition, document the presence and

location of untagged state-listed species that are encountered.

• Within 10 days following completion of the first (one-month) monitoring event, submit notice to

EEEPC and NYSDOT that the monitoring event has been completed and summarize the findings

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(e-mail acceptable).

• During the second (annual) monitoring event, measure the length of each tagged mussel that is

recovered. Estimate survival of tagged mussels over the course of the monitoring period using the

number of mussels found dead (if any) divided by the total number of mussels originally tagged.

Tagged mussels that are not recovered will not be assumed dead, since they could have burrowed

into the nearby substrate, been transported downstream by high flow, or otherwise been moved out

of the immediate area.

• At the conclusion of the final monitoring event, remove all physical markers and document if any

markers are missing after a reasonable search period.


during the monitoring and the anticipated total monitoring duration for each event.

The subcontractor shall be required to follow state laws and to obtain the required NYSDEC permits before

performing work.

The subcontractor shall be responsible for obtaining permission to access the relocation site, if necessary.

Task 6: Post-Relocation Monitoring Report Within 45 days following completion of the final post-relocation monitoring effort described under Task 5

above, the subcontractor shall submit a draft letter report for review by EEEPC and the NYSDOT.

The report shall document the results of both post-relocation monitoring events. The report shall include a

summary of field procedures, survey results (including maps, GPS coordinates of mussel locations and, if

available, GIS shapefiles), and representative photographs of the site (including JPEG-formatted versions,

if available). The draft report may be submitted electronically.

The subcontractor shall prepare a final report for the post-relocation monitoring activities that incorporates

comments received on the draft report from EEEPC and the NYSDOT. The final report may be submitted

electronically.

3. Other Project Considerations No locked equipment-staging areas will be provided by EEEPC. EEEPC does not accept any responsibility

for any equipment left on-site.

4. Permitting and Bonding The subcontractor shall be responsible for obtaining all required permits and any additional insurance and

bonding required to secure said permits if required by Chemung County and/or the state of New York. 5. Schedule All work shall be performed during 10-hour workdays on a 5-day per week work schedule. Work is not

expected to be conducted on weekends or holidays. EEEPC anticipates that field work shall be conducted

during summer 2014 when river flow and turbidity are relatively low. The subcontractor shall be

responsible for monitoring river levels, weather conditions, and upstream dam activity to select an

appropriate survey period. The subcontractor shall coordinate field dates with EEEPC to ensure an EEEPC

representative is available to be present at the site during the survey. Task 1 (mobilization and HASP

development) must be completed and state permits/licenses noted under Task 2 must be obtained before

initiating field activities. The subcontractor shall submit the draft survey report within 45 days after the

completion of this field work. The subcontractor shall submit notification of completion of the initial

relocation monitoring event described above within 10 days of completion of this event. The subcontractor

shall submit a draft comprehensive relocation monitoring report within 45 days of completion of the final

monitoring event.

Page 5 of 5 2/5/2014

Figure 1. Approximate Location of Site

Documents

MUSSEL SURVEY IN THE CHEMUNG RIVER AT ROUTE 427 …...Sep 03, 2014 · Eastern Floater [Pyganodon cataracta]), were detected. Two weathered dead shells were found from an additional