Current:Home > NewsRare freshwater mussel may soon go extinct in these 10 states. Feds propose protection. -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Rare freshwater mussel may soon go extinct in these 10 states. Feds propose protection.
View
Date:2025-04-15 22:56:31
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday announced it's proposing protections for a rare freshwater mussel historically found in 10 states.
The at-risk green floater is a small freshwater mussel found in small streams and large rivers in the eastern United States, the federal agency reported.
The short-lived green floater is near endangerment due to "the loss, fragmentation, and degradation of its aquatic habitat," the service told USA TODAY.
The agency said it is proposing to list the mussel as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
What states historically have green floaters?
The mussel is historically native to the District of Columbia and the following 10 states:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia.
As of Tuesday, the green floater could still be found in seven states within its native range: Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
But wildlife officials said there are no recent records of green floater from New Jersey or D.C., and green floaters were considered eradicated in Alabama and Georgia.
What is a green floater mussel?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees management of endangered species including the green mussel which have ovate trapezoidal shaped shells.
Their shells are yellowish brown or olive green and adults rarely exceed 2.17 inches, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.
The species were first found in Pennsylvania, according to a fact sheet rom the commission, are omnivore and eat microscopic matter including bacteria and algae, the agency said. Their lifespan is three to four years.
Where do you find green floaters?
The fast-growing mussels prefer rivers and streams with slow to medium flows and good water quality.
Green floaters are often found in sand or gravel where they secure a foothold then bury themselves as deep as 15 inches.
"They have limited mobility, and fast-flowing currents or high-water events can cause them to be washed downstream," the agency said. "When they occur in larger streams and rivers, they are found in quieter pools and eddies, away from strong currents."
Click here to view an interactive map of where the mussels are found.
Why are green floaters at-risk?
Green floaters face high risks of declines based on current land-use pattern, the agency said.
"Development, energy production and agriculture have affected the quality of many streams within the species’ range, and increasing drought, intense storms and rising temperatures associated with climate change are projected to further degrade aquatic habitats," the agency wrote in a press release.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is proposing to designate about 1,600 miles of river in eight units now occupied by green floater as critical habitat in these six states:
- Maryland
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- AP PHOTOS: Soldiers mobilize, mourners bury the dead as battles rage in Israeli-Palestinian war
- Rome buses recount story of a Jewish boy who rode a tram to avoid deportation by Nazis. He’s now 92
- LIV Golf loses bid for world golf ranking points due to format issues
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Kendall Jenner Recreates Fetch Mean Girls Scene in Must-See TikTok
- Canada's autoworker union orders a strike against GM after failure to reach a new contract
- Voters in Iowa community to decide whether to give City Council more control over library books
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Former Dodgers, Padres star Steve Garvey enters US Senate race in California
Ranking
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Amazon October Prime Day Deal: Shoppers Say This $100 Vacuum Works Better Than Dyson
- Robert Irwin's Girlfriend Rorie Buckey Receives Ultimate Stamp of Approval From Bindi Irwin
- Under heavy bombing, Palestinians in Gaza move from place to place, only to discover nowhere is safe
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- NFL power rankings Week 6: How far do Cowboys, Patriots drop after getting plastered?
- Russia will only resume nuclear tests if the US does it first, a top Russian diplomat says
- RHOC's Tamra Judge Slams Disgusting Ozempic Claims After Suffering Intestinal Obstruction
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Sam Bankman-Fried directed me to commit fraud, former FTX executive Caroline Ellison says
Special counsel asks judge in Trump's Jan. 6 case to implement protections for jurors
Guns N' Roses forced to relocate Phoenix concert after stadium team make baseball playoffs
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
A conversation with Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin (Update)
IMF outlook worsens for a world economy left ‘limping’ by shocks like Russia’s war
NHL season openers: Times, TV, streaming, matchups as Connor Bedard makes debut