Protecting Critical Habitat for Freshwater Mussels

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently proposed new critical habitat designations for four endangered freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. Spanning 3,974 river miles across 17 states, this proposal will establish critical habitat protection in areas where none previously existed. These designations emphasize the importance of safeguarding these essential species and their habitats.

Freshwater mussels are vital to aquatic ecosystems and are among the most imperiled species in North America. They face significant pressures that have led them to dramatic population declines. The proposed critical habitat designations aim to protect these species from further decline while encouraging coordinated conservation efforts that benefit entire ecosystems.

What’s Threatening These Mussels?

Freshwater mussels face a range of growing pressures. While each of the four mussel species faces unique challenges, several overarching threats contribute to their decline:

Endangered Spectaclecase Mussels

Habitat Modification and Fragmentation

Habitat modification, such as dam construction and other waterway alterations, profoundly impacts mussel populations.

Dams disrupt the natural flow of rivers, hinder sediment transport, and create conditions unsuitable for mussel survival. These changes harm species like the spectaclecase, which relies on deep, flowing pools.

Additionally, channelization and sedimentation from agricultural runoff further degrades habitats by smothering mussels and impairing their ability to filter nutrients effectively.

Endangered Rayed Bean Mussel

Pollution and Contaminants

Polluted runoff from agricultural, industrial, and urban areas introduces harmful substances like heavy metals, pesticides, and excess nutrients into waterways.

Elevated nutrient levels can lead to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that deplete oxygen in the water and suffocate mussels.

Species such as the rayed bean, which depend on pristine habitats, are particularly vulnerable to poor water quality.

Endangered Snuffbox Mussel

Invasive Species

Non-native species, like zebra mussels, pose a dual threat to native mussels. They compete for resources while also physically attaching to the shells of native mussels, restricting movement and feeding.

This is particularly damaging for species like the snuffbox, which relies on specific host fish for reproduction and is particularly vulnerable in ecosystems disrupted by invasives.

Endangered Sheepnose Mussel

Declining Host Fish Populations

The unique life cycle of freshwater mussels depends on specific fish species that serve as hosts for their larvae.

The loss or reduction of these host fish populations due to overfishing, habitat degradation, or pollution further threatens mussel reproduction.

This is a concern for species like the sheepnose, which rely on these essential relationships to sustain their populations.

Why Critical Habitat Designations Matter

Critical habitat designations are a key tool under the Endangered Species Act, identifying areas essential for the survival and recovery of listed species. These designations do not prevent land use or development outright but require federal agencies to consult with USFWS to ensure activities in these areas do not adversely modify the habitat.

The proposed designations introduce protections in areas where none previously existed and span river systems in states from Alabama to Wisconsin. These areas include habitats characterized by stable substrates, clean water, and healthy aquatic vegetation—conditions essential for mussel survival.  By designating these areas as critical habitats, the USFWS is helping protect mussels and the broader ecosystem services they provide, such as improving water quality and supporting biodiversity.

How EnviroScience Can Assist

Navigating the regulatory requirements surrounding critical habitat designations can be complex. With over 30 years of experience, EnviroScience’s team of malacologists and environmental professionals is uniquely equipped to help clients navigate regulatory landscapes. Our services include:

EnviroScience Malacologists Perform Endangered Mussel Survey

Endangered Mussel Surveys:

We assess species presence and habitat suitability.

Habitat Restoration:

Our team works to mitigate the impacts of development and pollution.

Regulatory Compliance Support:

We provide expert guidance to ensure projects meet federal, state, and local requirements for work in designated critical habitat areas.

By partnering with EnviroScience, clients can ensure their projects comply with regulatory standards while supporting essential conservation efforts. Visit our Endangered Mussel Surveys page to learn how we can assist with endangered mussel surveys and compliance needs.

EnviroScience remains dedicated to supporting clients and conserving freshwater ecosystems. Contact us today to discover how we can help you navigate these changes and contribute to protecting these vital species.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

At EnviroScience, we pride ourselves on having a team of dedicated and passionate professionals who excel in their fields. One such team member is Scott LaValley, a talented malacologist who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our company. As we continue to grow our team of malacologists, we want to highlight Scott’s journey and his impactful work at EnviroScience.

Scott LaValley’s Background

Scott LaValley’s journey into malacology began during his undergraduate studies at Central Michigan University, where he volunteered for mussel surveys and quickly made a significant discovery—a federally listed species, the Snuffbox, on his very first field trip. This initial experience sparked a deep interest in malacology, leading him to work on a dam removal project to mitigate impacts on the endangered Snuffbox mussels.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Scott continued his work as a technician, conducting an extensive watershed-scale mussel survey of the Kalamazoo River watershed in Michigan. His role involved developing survey protocols and leading teams of graduate and undergraduate researchers. Scott’s dedication and expertise led him to a graduate position, where he furthered his research on the health of Snuffbox mussel populations across various rivers.

Scott’s journey then took him to the Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery, where he was involved in the daily tasks of raising mussels, including collecting and enumerating juvenile mussels and assisting with broodstock collection through diving and wading in streams.

Scott’s Role at EnviroScience

Since joining EnviroScience, Scott has applied his extensive background to a variety of projects, bringing invaluable expertise to our team. One of his notable projects is the Ohio Large Rivers project, where he leads mussel surveys across the state at hundreds of sites. This project is logistically similar to his work on the Kalamazoo River watershed survey, allowing Scott to leverage his previous experience effectively.  He is currently approved to survey small and large non-listed mussel streams in Ohio, New York, and West Virginia and is in the process of obtaining federal permits in multiple states.

Through this project and others, Scott is also gaining valuable handling experience with federally listed species, working alongside EnviroScience’s senior malacologists, such as Dr. Marty Huehner, Phil Mathias, and Greg Zimmerman. In addition to the large river project, Scott has led surveys for an Emergency Response project following a major train derailment and completed reconnaissance surveys for our Natural Resources practice area.

Why EnviroScience is a Great Place for Malacologists

At EnviroScience, we believe that our success is driven by the passion and dedication of our team members. Our core values— respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety—are at the heart of everything we do. We foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, ensuring that our team members have the support and resources they need to excel in their roles.

Scott enjoys working at EnviroScience because of the diverse and impactful projects he leads and the opportunity to collaborate with a team of experts who share his passion for environmental conservation. Our commitment to professional development and providing a supportive work environment make EnviroScience an ideal place for malacologists to grow their careers.

Join Our Team

We are always looking for talented and passionate individuals to join our team. If you are a malacologist looking for a dynamic and rewarding career, we encourage you to explore our current job openings and consider joining the EnviroScience family. Learn more about our career opportunities and apply today at https://www.enviroscienceinc.com/contact-us/careers/.

At EnviroScience, you’ll have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, collaborate with a team of experts, and make a meaningful impact on environmental conservation. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

FRESHWATER MUSSELS DEEMED THREATENED: March 8, 2023

Asheville, NC—After careful review of scientific data and consideration of public comment, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed both longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) and round hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) freshwater mussels as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to the USFWS, they are “also designating critical habitat and tailoring ESA protections to protect these imperiled species from going extinct throughout all or a significant portion of its range in rivers and streams in the eastern United States.”

The longsolid mussel can live up to 50 years and grow five inches long. It is currently found in ten states (AL, IN, KY, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV.)

Of the 60 known populations, “48 are in a very limited area with no sign of young mussels growing into adults. Such populations have very low resiliency. This is down from a historical high of 160 populations. The mussel is no longer found in Georgia and Illinois,” according to the USFWS.

The round hickorynut mussel can live up to 15 years and grow three inches long. It is currently found in nine states (AL, IN, KY, MI, MS, OH, PA, TN, and WV.)

Of the 69 known populations, “49 are in a very limited area with no sign of young mussels growing into adults. Such populations have very low resiliency. The mussel is no longer found in Georgia, Illinois, or New York,” according to the USFWS.

EnviroScience has permitted malacologists throughout the ranges for both species of freshwater mussels with extensive mussel-handling experience.

Not only do we provide field support, but we also provide Section 7 consultation services (Biological Assessment including effects on Critical Habitat) to meet the requirements of the ESA between our clients and their federal nexus.

Visit our Endangered Mussel Surveys page to learn more about EnviroScience’s malacologists and the expert services we provide our clients to ensure compliance with ESA protections and guidelines.

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.

Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

The EnviroScience mussel team is hard at work as the 2022 mussel season is well-underway. Our malacologists are performing mussel surveys within the Mississippi River basin to the Atlantic Slope, and all the rivers in between.

EnviroScience is fortunate to have some of the best malacologists in the country, each of whom exemplify our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. Below are just a few of the many reasons we find them to be uniquely special and why we are honored to have them on our team (and these are only a handful of the members of our robust marine group!) The EnviroScience mussel team is also supported by two other phenomenal mussel biologists, Mr. Matt Gilkay (West Virginia and Ohio approved surveyor) and Dr. Marty Huehner. 

The end of mussel survey season in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia quickly approaches. If you have a project with in-water work slated to start before July 2023, be sure to call us now to help get your project cleared for mussel resource issues prior to construction!

Becca Winterringer

ES Malacologist Becca Winterringer

Becca is federally permitted throughout much of the Interior Basin and Atlantic Slope drainages. She has handled over 100 of North America’s 300+ mussel species; and yet, the elusive salamander mussel remains on her watch list. This is her year! A senior biologist and project manager for EnviroScience, as well as a key member of the Corporate Responsibility Committee, Becca loves outreach and all the places mussel surveys take her in the country. According to Becca, “This is my year for my bucket list mussel: a salamander mussel.” 

Phil Mathias

ES Malacologist Phil Mathias

Phil enjoys his days in remote small creeks and rivers surveying for mussels, but also willingly accepts the challenges of managing large mussel surveys. He is a permitted malacologist throughout most of the Great Lakes and Ohio River drainages. The French Creek in Pennsylvania and the Kankakee River in Illinois are two of his favorite rivers in which to perform mussel work. As a senior scientist and project manager at EnviroScience, Phil supports our clients’ mussel service needs from private landowners; nonprofit organizations; local, state, and federal government agencies; and major international corporations.

Brian Carlson

ES Malacologist Brian Carlson

Like many folks who develop expertise in mussels, Brian is an “accidental” mussel expert. A man of many skills—from aquatic insects to mussels, fish, and crayfish, Brian manages and leads our Ohio and West Virginia mussel projects. He is federally permitted for Ohio River basin mussels as well as the Guyandotte and Big Sandy crayfish. Brian’s motto is “right-on,” and his favorite place to be (other than playing with his daughter) is face-to-face with the stream bottom looking at darters, mussel siphons, and crayfish.

Emily Grossman

ES Malacologist Emily Grossman

Emily is a federally permitted malacologist and project manager at EnviroScience, specializing in Upper Mississippi River mussel surveys. While she primarily spends her time on a boat leading big river survey teams, Emily also enjoys snorkeling for mussels in her free time in beautiful streams like those in northern Wisconsin. She looks forward to getting back on the mighty Mississippi this summer in locations from the Twin Cities all the way down to St. Louis, assisting clients with endangered species surveys and permitting issues.

Joanne Pem

ES “Marine Mom” Joanne Pem

Joanne began her journey with the Marine Services practice area at EnviroScience in 2013, and just completed the Project Management and Leadership training programs through Kent State University. Also known as the “Marine Mom,” she handles the internal functions that keep our Marine Services practice area efficient and running smoothly at all times. A consummate organizer and planner extraordinaire, Joanne enjoys the challenges the busy field season brings and looks forward to joining the crew in the field one day for a more hands-on approach.

Greg Zimmerman

ES VP & Malacologist Greg Zimmerman

Greg is a federally permitted malacologist throughout the eastern U.S. and an ADCI-certified commercial diver. As VP, he focuses on project management, business development, and health and safety. However, Greg still supports fieldwork and freshwater mussel research. He recently noted, “I like to mix things up…pre-mussel season, I performed coral reef monitoring in Guam, experiencing giant clams in the wild—a huge thrill. But I still love the challenge of freshwater mussel projects and working with our great staff.”  

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.

EnviroScience proudly highlights our Morgantown, West Virginia office and two of its many areas of expertise. Since opening in 2019, the office has grown to seven full-time staff members. We are always looking to add key personnel to both enhance and increase our capabilities and capacity. Rooted in our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety, every EnviroScience office strives to provide high-quality, region-specific natural resource and environmental services. Our West Virginia office is no exception, offering top-notch expertise in services that include: wetland delineation; permitting; threatened and endangered freshwater mussels, crayfish, fish, and bats; environmental inspection; and surface and groundwater monitoring.

With over 30 years of experience managing complex projects, EnviroScience experts have a rich understanding and familiarity with environmental laws and regulations, as well as an outstanding reputation with these regulatory agencies. Because most of our employees have over ten years of experience in their respective fields, our team’s collective knowledge and diverse backgrounds—paired with our use of state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technologies—afford our clients innovative, cost-conscious solutions. We always put our clients’ needs first and only use resources that are necessary, allowing us to reliably complete projects on-time and within or below budget.

Abiding by the same credo, our West Virginia office holds its assets and values to the same standard, carefully selecting high-specialized and capable employees when staffing and consistently delivering first-rate services. These practices are evidenced by the master service agreements we hold with clients in the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries, as well as municipal, state, and federal agencies. 

WEST VIRGINIA EXPERTISE: ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION

Our West Virginia environmental inspectors mobilize rapidly, perform high-quality work, and tailor our services to meet our clients’ needs. We have the manpower, capacity, and fortitude to support multiple large-scale construction projects seven days a week. Due to the unpredictability that accompanies weather-related requirements associated with stormwater monitoring and construction oversight, our inspectors are accustomed to responding in the evening and on weekends or holidays to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit requirements or other essential functions relating to environmental compliance during construction.

Since 2008, EnviroScience environmental inspectors have performed inspections or provided environmental support on more than 1,000 projects. These projects range from obtaining construction national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits for natural gas pipelines and preparation and implementation of site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP.) Documentation required by the SWPPP or environmental agencies such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), public utilities commissions, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), departments of environmental protection, soil and water conservation districts, and other local entities is recorded on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis to maintain comprehensive environmental compliance logs.

WEST VIRGINIA EXPERTISE: WETLAND DELINEATION AND PERMITTING

Proposed development projects in West Virginia and surrounding states that involve streams or wetlands may be subject to permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Food Security Act. Permits are regulated by federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the USEPA, as well as state and local agencies such as the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and local water conservation districts.

EnviroScience biologists perform thousands of wetland assessments and delineations on projects ranging in size from less than one acre to over 6,000 acres. Our wetland scientists complete an average of 30 permit applications for wetland and stream impacts each year, including: USACE nationwide permits; individual USACE 404 permits; individual EPA 401 water quality certifications; state joint permits; state general permits; and isolated wetland permits for various clients in surrounding states. In-depth knowledge of the permitting process allows our scientists to tailor applications in a manner that often expedites the approval process. For projects that do not require permits or when impacts occur under a non-notification permit, EnviroScience employs a highly refined documentation process to clearly outline project details and support project compliance with state and federal regulations.

Before breaking ground on your next project, protect your efforts and the environment by entrusting EnviroScience to help safeguard your plans in accordance with applicable requirements and regulations. The wetland scientists at our West Virginia office provide an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving you time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Click here to learn more today!

Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results. Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today, as our scientists explore the latest in environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.

EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to: aquatic survey (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring);  emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.