Mussel Population Status Study

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This is a Notice of Intent to award a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, for the purpose of conducting a meta-analysis of environmental data that has been collected by natural resource agencies operating within the Clinch-Powell basin. The meta-analysis would be conducted to investigate relationships between measured environmental variables and documented indicators of mussel population status. Historical environmental water-quality data from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will be analyzed to determine if spatial and temporal patterns are present which correspond with mussel population status indicators, anticipating that such relationships, if detected, will aid in developing a preliminary understanding of specific factors causing mussel community decline. Results will be communicated as needed to inform natural resource agencies operating within the basin and other watershed stakeholders, to include members of the Clinch-Powell Clean Rivers Initiative (CPCRI). The CPCRI is a consortium of government agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, university research scientists, and private industries working in both Virginia and Tennessee to restore and maintain the propagation and growth of a balanced, indigenous population of aquatic life, including native mussels in that portion of the Clinch and Powell River system found upstream of Norris Lake, TN. The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (University) is uniquely qualified to accomplish the tasks outlined in Cooperative Agreement because the University is located near the affected rivers, and is the only qualified entity capable of cost-effectively conducting the meta-analysis locally. Faculty at the University are uniquely qualified to accomplish this meta-analysis because they have extensive experience and knowledge of environmental impacts (e.g., from mining, agriculture, urbanization) to aquatic faunal assemblages, statistical analysis of time series data, mussel biology and eco-toxicology, and mussel abundance trends from 1979-2009 in each river. Further, the University has a history of working cooperatively with state and federal agencies on mussel studies. University faculty have positive working relationships with state and federal natural resource agency personnel from DMME, VDEQ, Tennessee Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Service. Such relationships are essential to facilitate the timely collection and analysis of the data. This Single Source Award is being made in accordance with Department of the Interior Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4), which allows for award without competition to an applicant who is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on, technical expertise. Substantial involvement on the part of the USFWS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded. In particular, the USFWS will work closely with the Recipient to ensure that implementation of the data analysis is consistent with the terms of the Scope of Work; participate in relevant meetings and conservation planning actions; and review and provide comments on interim and final reports. In accordance with 505 DM 2.9 B the Service will be substantially involved.

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