Evaluation of Degradation of Benthos in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers: Health Survey of Native Freshwater Mussels

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In an effort to better understand how contaminants impact mussel health and the Degradation of Benthos Beneficial Use Impairment (Benthos BUI) in the Michigan Areas of Concern (AOC) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requires a detailed freshwater mussel survey in the Clinton, and Kalamazoo Rivers AOCs and the reference, St. Joseph River in Michigan. Detailed surveys of common and federally endangered species need to be performed. Large area (128m2) surveys should be performed to maximize detection of rare species. Surveys should include external annular ring counts, length measurement and population structure analyses which will be used to determine population health. Additional density estimates of endangered species will be required. Surveyors will work closely with USFWS personnel to collect common species for additional contaminant and pathology evaluations. Contaminant concentrations, pathology assessments, mussel size and population structure data will be evaluated with site specific environmental samples to determine freshwater mussel health. Such analyses will be used by the USFWS to inform state partners of the extent of the Benthos BUI in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers. The USFWS intends to award a single source grant to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory-Michigan State University (MNFI) without competition under justification 505DM 2.14B.4. Competition for the award is not practical as MNFI is uniquely qualified to perform the research needed to evaluate the degradation of benthos beneficial use impairment (Benthos BUI) in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers in Michigan. They are familiar with the locations that need to be surveyed and are acknowledged as leaders in freshwater mussel surveying. The techniques and data they provide will be comparable to other state run databases and will therefore be of more value to the project. MNFI personnel have provided high quality relevant work on past projects for the East Lansing Field Office. The have provided timely and easy to understand reports on their findings. The proposed research will greatly benefit from the past knowledge and experiences of the MNFI personnel and is important to the USFWS directive of providing information to state agencies to inform BUI removal.

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