Lone Mountain NRDAR Fresh Water Mussel Restoration

Background information.—Historically, the Powell River supported abundant and diverse populations of freshwater mussels. In recent decades, mussel density and species richness have declined and many freshwater mussel species are listed as either State or Federally threatened or endangered species. Environmental degradation from coal mining has been identified as one of the drivers of this decline. An example is the 1996 Lone Mountain slurry spill that directly affected mussel populations, as well as their host fish species. Freshwater mussels feed by filtering small particles from water, thereby improving water quality and providing an essential ecosystem service in rivers and streams. Mussels also serve as a food...

Categories: Project; Types: Map Service, OGC WFS Layer, OGC WMS Layer, OGC WMS Service; Tags: Aquatic, Aquatic species propagation, Bank stabilization/erosion control, Broadleaf, Conservation easement, All tags... Enhancement of existing (improve baseline conditions), Erosion control, Federally threatened or endangered species, Fish, Habitat-based, Hazardous substances (CERCLA) and hazardous materials (RCRA), Land acquisition, Lone Mountain Procession, Inc. coal slurry spill, Molluscs, Non-listed species, Organism-based, Perennial stream/river, Private land, Riverine (non-tidal), Species breeding/hatching/rearing, Species protection, Species reintroduction/translocation, State threatened or endangered species, Terrestrial, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Tech Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, Virginia Tech Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, Fewer tags