Meghan Hope, Economic Growth and Endangered Species Management Division

(EGESM)

Central Texas Freshwater Mussels

Species Research Program• Funding authorized by the Texas Legislature

o Species under review for listingo Currently listed species

• Research priorities are based on:o Immediacy of listing decisionso Potential impactso Existing data gaps

FWS Work Plan for Texas Freshwater Mussels

Proposed Listing of Texas Hornshell

• Indicates the key threats that FWS will likely focus on in the upcoming listing decisions for Central Texas musselso Water quality impairmento Loss of flowing watero Increased fine sedimento Barriers to fish movement

Working Partnerships"Our office believes

a science-driven, open and

transparent stakeholder

process will lead to a collaborative

solution for issues concerning the Central Texas

mussel.” - Glenn

Hegar

Research Team

Presence of Central Texas MusselsSpecies Brazos River Colorado River Guadalupe River

False Spike X X X

Smooth Pimpleback X X

Texas Fatmucket X X

Texas Fawnsfoot X X

Texas Pimpleback X X

Summary of ResearchSurveys and Mark Recapture Study• Distribution, abundance,

habitat, behavior

Applied Research • Tolerance levels• Identify threats and

what can be done to limit those threats

Captive Propagation• Long-term study to

raise and house mussels • Gather science to allow

for future reintroduction• Enhance or provide

connectivity between wild populations

Objectives

Assist in the development of voluntary conservation measures if stakeholders are

interested in pursuing

If listings occur, ensure that compliance is cost-effective

Ensure accurate science is available to inform listing decisions

Stakeholder Process: Freshwater Mussel Work Group• Monthly meetings with presentations

and discussions about Central Texas musselso Research updates / preliminary

findingso Information about options available

for voluntary conservation measures

Upcoming Meetings

• March 24, 2017: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Stephen F. Austin Building

• April 2017 – Date to be determined

• May 16, 2017: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. William B. Travis Building

• June 20, 2017: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.William B. Travis Building

Research Program ContactsComptroller’s Office

Meghan HopeMeghan.Hope@cpa.texas.gov(512) 936-8554 Kimberly HorndeskiKimberly.Horndeski@cpa.texas.gov(512) 305-9827 

Texas State University

Dr. Timothy Bonner

Tbonner@txstate.edu(512) 245-3549