(f)Clams and Snails.Canoe Creek Clubshell (Pleurobema athearni)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for St. Clair and Etowah Counties, Alabama, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the Canoe Creek clubshell consist of the following components: (i) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by a geomorphically stable stream channel (a channel that maintains its lateral dimensions, longitudinal profile, and spatial pattern over time without aggrading or degrading bed elevation) and connected instream habitats (such as stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of silt-free gravel and coarse sand substrates).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (i.e., the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found; to maintain connectivity of streams with the floodplain; and to provide for normal behavior, growth, and survival of all life stages of Canoe Creek clubshell mussels and their fish hosts.(iii) Water quality (including, but not limited to, temperature, conductivity, hardness, turbidity, ammonia, heavy metals, oxygen content, and other chemical characteristics) necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages of Canoe Creek clubshell mussels and their fish hosts.(iv) Sediment quality (including, but not limited to, coarse sand and/or gravel substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment, low amounts of attached filamentous algae, and other physical and chemical characteristics) necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages of Canoe Creek clubshell mussels and their fish hosts.(v) The presence and abundance of fish hosts, which may include the tricolor shiner (Cyprinella trichroistia), Alabama shiner (C. callistia), and striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus), necessary for recruitment of the Canoe Creek clubshell mussel.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on the effective date of the final rule.(4) Data layers defining map units were created from the National Hydrography High Resolution Dataset, and critical habit units were mapped using North American Datum (NAD) 1983 Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 16N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/daphne, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2020-0078, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(6) Unit 1: Little Canoe Creek East, St. Clair and Etowah Counties, Alabama. (i) Unit 1 consists of 9.7 river km (6.0 river mi) of Little Canoe Creek East, due east of the Town of Steele, in St. Clair and Etowah Counties, Alabama.(7) Unit 2: Big Canoe Creek/Little Canoe Creek West, St. Clair County, Alabama.(i) Unit 2 consists of 48.8 river km (30.3 river mi) of Big Canoe Creek and its tributary Little Canoe Creek West.Appalachian Elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana)
(1) Critical habitat units are described below and depicted in the maps that follow, with the lateral extent of each designated unit bounded by the ordinary high-water line. The maps provided are for informational purposes only. (2) Unit 1. (i) Macon County and Swain County, NC-the main stem of the Little Tennessee River (Tennessee River system), from the Lake Emory Dam at Franklin, Macon County, NC, downstream to the backwaters of Fontana Reservoir in Swain County, NC.(3) Unit 2. (i) Jackson County and Swain County, NC-the main stem of the Tuckasegee River (Little Tennessee River system), from the N.C. State Route 1002 Bridge in Cullowhee, Jackson County, NC, downstream to the N.C. Highway 19 Bridge, north of Bryson City, Swain County, NC.(4) Unit 3. (i) Graham County, NC-the main stem of the Cheoah River (Little Tennessee River system), from the Santeetlah Dam, downstream to its confluence with the Little Tennessee River.(5) Unit 4. (i) Transylvania County, NC-the main stem of the Little River (French Broad River system), from the Cascade Lake Power Plant, downstream to its confluence with the French Broad River.(6) Unit 5. (i) Haywood County, NC-the main stem of the West Fork Pigeon River (French Broad River system), from the confluence of the Little East Fork Pigeon River, downstream to the confluence of the East Fork Pigeon River, and the main stem of the Pigeon River, from the confluence of the West Fork Pigeon River and the East Fork Pigeon River, downstream to the N.C. Highway 215 Bridge crossing, south of Canton, NC.(7) Unit 6. (i) Yancey County and Mitchell County, NC, and Unicoi County, TN-the main stem of the North Toe River, Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC, from the confluence of Big Crabtree Creek, downstream to the confluence of the South Toe River; the main stem of the South Toe River, Yancey County, NC, from the N.C. State Route 1152 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with the North Toe River; the main stem of the Toe River, Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC, from the confluence of the North Toe River and the South Toe River, downstream to the confluence of the Cane River; the main stem of the Cane River, Yancey County, NC, from the N.C. State Route 1381 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with the Toe River; and the main stem of the Nolichucky River from the confluence of the Toe River and the Cane River in Yancey County and Mitchell County, NC, downstream to the U.S. Highway 23/19W Bridge southwest of Erwin, Unicoi County, TN.(8) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements include:(i) Permanent, flowing, cool, clean water;(ii) Geomorphically stable stream channels and banks;(iii) Pool, riffle, and run sequences within the channel;(iv) Stable sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, and bedrock substrates with no more than low amounts of fine sediment;(v) Moderate to high stream gradient;(vi) Periodic natural flooding; and(vii) Fish hosts, with adequate living, foraging, and spawning areas for them.Guadalupe Fatmucket (Lampsilis bergmanni)
(1) A critical habitat unit is depicted for Kendall and Kerr Counties, Texas, on the map in this entry.(2) Within this area, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Guadalupe fatmucket consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark:(i) Flowing water at moderate to high rates with sufficient depth to remain sufficiently cool and oxygenated during low-flow periods;(ii) Substrate including bedrock and boulder crevices, point bars, and vegetated run habitat comprising sand, gravel, and larger cobbles;(iii) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and Guadalupe bass (M. treculii) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map unit were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat unit was then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The map in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establishes the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Unit GUFM-1: Guadalupe River Unit; Kendall and Kerr Counties, Texas. (i) Unit GUFM-1 consists of three subunits: (A) Subunit GUFM-1a (North Fork Guadalupe River) consists of 6.9 river miles (mi) (11.0 kilometers (km)) in Kerr County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit GUFM-1b (Johnson Creek) consists of 10.1 river mi (16.3 km) in Kerr County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(C) Subunit GUFM-1c (Guadalupe River) consists of 35.2 river mi (56.7 km) in Kendall and Kerr Counties, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (7 percent) and private (93 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit GUFM-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit GUFM-1 follows: Figure 1 to Guadalupe Fatmucket (Lampsilis bergmanni) paragraph (5)(iii)
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TEXAS FATMUCKET (LAMPSILIS BRACTEATA)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Blanco, Gillespie, Hays, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Runnels, San Saba, Sutton, and Travis Counties, Texas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Texas fatmucket consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark: (i) Flowing water at moderate to high rates with sufficient depth to remain sufficiently cool and oxygenated during low-flow periods;(ii) Substrate including bedrock and boulder crevices, point bars, and vegetated run habitat comprising sand, gravel, and larger cobbles;(iii) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and Guadalupe bass (M. treculii) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map units were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the maps are based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map of critical habitat units for the Texas fatmucket follows: Figure 1 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit TXFM-1: Elm Creek Unit; Runnels County, Texas. (i) Unit TXFM-1 consists of three subunits: (A) Subunit TXFM-1a (Bluff Creek) consists of 11.6 river miles (mi) (18.7 river kilometers (km)) in Runnels County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXFM-1b (Lower Elm Creek) consists of 12.3 river mi (19.8 km) in Runnels County, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (3 percent) and private (97 percent) ownership.(C) Subunit TXFM-1c (Upper Elm Creek) consists of 8.9 river mi (14.4 km) in Runnels County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFM-1 follows: Figure 2 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (6)(iii)
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(7) Unit TXFM-2: San Saba River Unit; Mason, McCulloch, Menard, and San Saba Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXFM-2 consists of 90.8 river mi (146.1 km) in Mason, McCulloch, Menard, and San Saba Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-2 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of TXFM-2 follows: Figure 3 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (7)(iii)
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(8) Unit TXFM-3: Cherokee Creek Unit; San Saba County, Texas. (i) Unit TXFM-3 consists of 17.8 river mi (28.6 km) in San Saba County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-3 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFM-3 follows: Figure 4 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (8)(iii)
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(9) Unit TXFM-4: Llano River Unit; Gillespie, Kimble, Llano, Mason, and Sutton Counites, Texas. (i) Unit TXFM-4 consists of six subunits: (A) Subunit TXFM-4a (North Llano River) consists of 30.2 river mi (48.7 km) in Sutton and Kimble Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXFM-4b (South Llano River) consists of 22.5 river mi (36.2 km) in Kimble County, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (10 percent) and private (90 percent) ownership.(C) Subunit TXFM-4c (Llano River) consists of 90.9 river mi (146.4 km) in Kimble, Llano, and Mason Counties, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (0.5 percent) and private (99.5 percent) ownership.(D) Subunit TXFM-4d (James River) consists of 18.3 river mi (29.4 km) in Kimble and Mason Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(E) Subunit TXFM-4e (Threadgill Creek) consists of 8.1 river mi (13.1 km) in Gillespie and Mason Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(F) Subunit TXFM-4f (Beaver Creek) consists of 12.7 river mi (20.5 km) in Mason County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-4 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFM-4 follows: Figure 5 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (9)(iii)
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(10) Unit TXFM-5: Pedernales River Unit: Blanco, Gillespie, Hays, and Travis Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXFM-5 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit TXFM-5a (Pedernales River) consists of 78.2 river mi (125.8 km) in Blanco, Gillespie, Hays, and Travis Counties, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (10 percent), Federal Government (3 percent), and private (87 percent) ownership.(B) Subunit TXFM-5b (Live Oak Creek) consists of 2.6 river mi (4.2 km) in Gillespie County, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (54 percent) and private (46 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-5 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFM-5 follows: Figure 6 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (10)(iii)
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(11) Unit TXFM-6: Onion Creek Unit; Travis County, Texas.(i) Unit TXFM-6 consists of 23.5 river mi (37.8 km) in Travis County, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (56 percent) and private (44 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXFM-6 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFM-6 follows: Figure 7 to Texas Fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata) paragraph (11)(iii)
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TEXAS FAWNSFOOT (TRUNCILLA MACRODON)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Lampasas, Mills, Palo Pinto, Parker, San Saba, Shackelford, Stephens, and Throckmorton Counties, Texas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Texas fawnsfoot consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark:(i) Flowing water at rates suitable to prevent excess sedimentation but not so high as to dislodge individuals or sediment;(ii) Stable bank and riffle habitats with gravel, sand, silt, and mud substrates that are clean swept by flushing flows;(iii) Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map units were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the maps are based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map of critical habitat units for the Texas fawnsfoot follows: Figure 1 to Texas Fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit TXFF-1: Clear Fork of the Brazos River Unit; Shackelford, Stephens, and Throckmorton Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXFF-1 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit TXFF-1a (Upper Clear Fork Brazos River) consists of 27.3 river miles (mi) (44.0 kilometers (km)) in Shackelford and Throckmorton Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXFF-1b (Lower Clear Fork Brazos River) consists of 27.9 river mi (45.0 km) in Shackelford and Stephens Counties, Texas. This subunit is composed of lands in State/local government (1 percent) and private (99 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXFF-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFF-1 follows: Figure 2 to Texas Fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon) paragraph (6)(iii)
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(7) Unit TXFF-2: Upper Brazos River Unit; Palo Pinto and Parker Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXFF-2 consists of 78.0 river mi (125.5 km) in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFF-2 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFF-2 follows: Figure 3 to Texas Fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon) paragraph (7)(iii)
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(8) Units TXFF-3 and TXFF-4 are excluded from the designation pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Act.(9) Unit TXFF-5: Lower San Saba River and Upper Colorado River Unit; Lampasas, Mills, and San Saba Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXFF-5 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit TXFF-5a (Lower San Saba River) consists of 49.2 river mi (79.1 km) in San Saba County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (1 percent) and private (99 percent) ownership.(B) Subunit TXFF-5b (Upper Colorado River) consists of 10.3 river mi (16.6 km) in Lampasas, Mills, and San Saba Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXFF-5 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXFF-5 follows: Figure 4 to Texas Fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon) paragraph (9)(iii)
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(10) Units TXFF-6, TXFF-7, and TXFF-8 are excluded from the designation pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Act."Ouachita" Fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Ashley, Bradley, Clark, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, Grant, Nevada, and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of "Ouachita" fanshell consist of the following components: (i) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, timing, frequency, duration, rate of change, and overall seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain stream connectivity, specifically providing for the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish hosts' habitat and food availability, maintenance of spawning habitat for native host fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats. Adequate flows ensure delivery of oxygen, enable reproduction, deliver food to filter-feeding mussels, and reduce contaminants and fine sediments from interstitial spaces.(ii) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (that is, channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of silt-free gravel and coarse sand substrates).(iii) Water and sediment quality necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages, including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen (generally above 3 parts per million (ppm)) and water temperature (generally below 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( °F) (27 degrees Celsius ( °C)). Additionally, water and sediment should be low in ammonia (generally below 1.0 ppm total ammonia-nitrogen) and heavy metals, and lack excessive total suspended solids and other pollutants.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the "Ouachita" fanshell, including logperch (Percina caprodes), slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala), or orangebelly darter (Etheostoma radiosum).(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 27, 2023.(4) Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data for stream reaches using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were delineated at the nearest road crossing or stream confluence of each occupied reach. Data layers defining map units were created with U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Medium Flowline data. ArcGIS was also used to calculate river kilometers and river miles from the NHD dataset, and it was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping and calculating distances and locations within the units was EPSG:4269-NAD83 Geographic. Natural Heritage program and State mussel database species presence data from Arkansas were used to select specific river and stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/species/ouachita-fanshell-cyprogenia-sp-cf-aberti, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2021-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map for "Ouachita" fanshell critical habitat units follows: Figure 1 to "Ouachita" Fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit OF 1: Little Missouri River; Clark, Nevada, and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas. (i) Unit OF 1 consists of 22.9 river miles (mi) (36.9 kilometers (km)) of Little Missouri River in Clark, Nevada, and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas, from the mouth of Garland Creek northeast of Prescott, Nevada County, downstream to the mouth of Horse Branch north of Red Hill, Ouachita County. Unit OF 1 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit OF 1 follows: Figure 2 to "Ouachita" Fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti) paragraph (6)(ii)
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(7) Unit OF 2 has been excluded from this critical habitat designation.(8) Unit OF 3: Ouachita River; Clark, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas. (i) Unit OF 3 consists of 53.5 river mi (86.1 km) of Ouachita River in Clark, Dallas, and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas, from the mouth of L'Eau Frais Creek southeast of Arkadelphia, Clark County, downstream to the mouth of Ecore Fabre Bayou north of Camden, Ouachita County. Unit OF 3 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership. There is a Wetlands Reserve Program easement within the unit.(ii) Map of Unit OF 3 follows: Figure 3 to "Ouachita" Fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti) paragraph (8)(ii)
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(9) Unit OF 4: Saline River; Ashley, Bradley, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, and Grant Counties, Arkansas. (i) Unit OF 4 consists of 151.3 river mi (243.5 km) of Saline River in Ashley, Bradley, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, and Grant Counties, Arkansas, from U.S. Highway 270 east of Poyen, Grant County, downstream to the mouth of Mill Creek north of Stillions, Ashley County. Unit OF 4 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership, and less than 1 percent is in public ownership. The public ownership in this unit is State-owned land associated with Jenkins Ferry State Park.(ii) Map of Unit OF 4 follows: Figure 4 to "Ouachita" Fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti) paragraph (9)(ii)
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Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Fulton, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp Counties, Arkansas, and Butler, Jasper, Madison, and Wayne Counties, Missouri, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of western fanshell consist of the following components: (i) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, timing, frequency, duration, rate of change, and overall seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain stream connectivity, specifically providing for the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish hosts' habitat and food availability, maintenance of spawning habitat for native host fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats. Adequate flows ensure delivery of oxygen, enable reproduction, deliver food to filter-feeding mussels, and reduce contaminants and fine sediments from interstitial spaces.(ii) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (that is, channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of silt-free gravel and coarse sand substrates).(iii) Water and sediment quality necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages, including, but not limited to: dissolved oxygen (generally above 3 parts per million (ppm)) and water temperature (generally below 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( °F) (27 degrees Celsius ( °C)). Additionally, water and sediment should be low in ammonia (generally below 1.0 ppm total ammonia-nitrogen) and heavy metals, and lack excessive total suspended solids and other pollutants.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the western fanshell, including logperch (Percina caprodes), rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum), slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala), fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare), or orangebelly darter (Etheostoma radiosum).(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 27, 2023.(4) Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data for stream reaches using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were delineated at the nearest road crossing or stream confluence of each occupied reach. Data layers defining map units were created with U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Medium Flowline data. ArcGIS was also used to calculate river kilometers and river miles from the NHD dataset, and it was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping and calculating distances and locations within the units was EPSG:4269-NAD83 Geographic. Natural Heritage program and State mussel database species presence data from Arkansas and Missouri were used to select specific river and stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/species/western-fanshell-cyprogenia-aberti, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2021-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map for western fanshell critical habitat units follows: Figure 1 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit WF 1: Upper Black River; Butler and Wayne Counties, Missouri. (i) Unit WF 1 consists of 64.7 river miles (mi) (104.1 kilometers (km)) of Black River in Butler and Wayne Counties, Missouri, from Clearwater Dam southwest of Piedmont, Wayne County, extending downstream to Butler County Road 658 crossing southeast of Poplar Bluff, Butler County. Unit WF 1 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Riparian lands that border the unit include approximately 51 river mi (82.1 km; 79 percent) in private ownership and 13.7 river mi (22 km; 21 percent) in public (Federal or State) ownership. Approximately 2.7 miles of the public ownership in this unit are State lands associated with Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area, Dan River Access, Hilliard Access, and Stephen J. Sun Conservation Area. Eleven miles are Federal land associated with the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) Mark Twain National Forest and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Clearwater Recreation Area.(ii) Map of Unit WF 1 follows: Figure 2 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (6)(ii)
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(7) Unit WF 2: Lower Black/Strawberry River; Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, and Sharp Counties, Arkansas. (i) Unit WF 2 consists of 111.3 river mi (179.1 km) of Black River and Strawberry River in Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, and Sharp Counties in Arkansas. Unit WF 2 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Black River makes up 54.6 river mi (87.9 km) from the mouth of Spring River northeast of Black Rock, extending downstream to the mouth of Strawberry River northeast of Dowdy, Independence County. Strawberry River makes up 56.7 river mi (91.2 km) from the mouth of Lave Creek north of Evening Shade, Sharp County, extending downstream to the confluence with Black River northeast of Dowdy, Independence County. Riparian lands that border the unit include approximately 100.4 river mi (161.6 km; 90 percent) in private ownership and 10.9 river mi (17.5 km; 10 percent) in public (State) ownership. The public land ownership in this unit is associated with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Shirey Bay Rainey Brake Wildlife Management Area on Black River. The Nature Conservancy's Strawberry River Preserve and Ranch on Strawberry River is also in this unit.(ii) Map of Unit WF 2 follows: Figure 3 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (7)(ii)
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(8) Units WF 3 and WF 4 have been excluded from this critical habitat designation.(9) Unit WF 5: St. Francis River; Madison and Wayne Counties, Missouri.(i) Unit WF 5 consists of 49.3 river mi (79.3 km) of St. Francis River in Madison and Wayne Counties, Missouri, extending from the mouth of Wachita Creek west of Fredericktown, Madison County, downstream to the mouth of Big Creek northwest of Silva, Wayne County. Unit WF 5 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Riparian lands that border the unit include approximately 36.7 river mi (59.1 km; 74 percent) in private ownership and 12.6 river mi (20.2 km; 26 percent) in public (Federal or State) ownership. Approximately 2.4 river mi of the public ownership in this unit are State lands associated with MDC's Coldwater Conservation Area, Mill Stream Gardens, and Roselle Access. Ten miles are Federal land associated with the USFS's Mark Twain National Forest.(ii) Map of Unit WF 5 follows: Figure 4 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (9)(ii)
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(10) Unit WF 6: South Fork Spring River; Fulton County, Arkansas.(i) Unit WF 6 consists of 13.4 river mi (21.6 km) of South Fork Spring River in Fulton County, Arkansas, from the mouth of Camp Creek east of Salem, Fulton County, extending downstream to the Arkansas Highway 289 crossing northwest of Cherokee Village, Fulton County. Unit WF 6 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit WF 6 follows: Figure 5 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (10)(ii)
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(11) Unit WF 7: Spring River (AR); Lawrence and Randolph Counties, Arkansas.(i) Unit WF 7 consists of 14.2 river mi (22.9 km) of Spring River in Lawrence and Randolph Counties, Arkansas, from the mouth of Wells Creek at Ravenden, extending downstream to the mouth of Stennitt Creek southeast of Imboden, Lawrence County. Unit WF 7 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit WF 7 follows: Figure 6 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (11)(ii)
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(12) Unit WF 8: Spring River (MO); Jasper County, Missouri.(i) Unit WF 8 consists of 8.5 river mi (13.7 km) of Spring River in Jasper County, Missouri, from the mouth of North Fork Spring River east of Asbury, Jasper County, Missouri, extending downstream to the Kansas State line, then from where it reenters Missouri to the mouth of Center Creek west of Carl Junction, Jasper County, Missouri. Unit WF 8 includes the river channel up to the ordinary high water mark. Approximately 100 percent of the riparian lands that border the unit are in private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit WF 8 follows: Figure 7 to Western Fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti) paragraph (12)(ii)
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(13) Unit WF 9 has been excluded from this critical habitat designation.Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata)
(1) Critical habitat units are described below and depicted in the maps that follow, with the lateral extent of each designated unit bounded by the ordinary high-water line. The maps provided are for informational purposes only.(2) Unit 1. (i) Union County, NC-main stem of Goose Creek (Pee Dee River system) from the N.C. Highway 218 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with the Rocky River, and the main stem of Duck Creek, from the Mecklenburg/Union County line, downstream to its confluence with Goose Creek.(3) Unit 2. (i) Union County, NC-main stem of Waxhaw Creek (Catawba River system) from the N.C. Highway 200 Bridge, downstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina State line.(4) Unit 3. (i) Lancaster County, SC-main stem of Gills Creek (Catawba River system) from the County Route S-29-875, downstream to the S.C. Route 51 Bridge, east of the city of Lancaster.(5) Unit 4. (i) Lancaster, Chesterfield, and Kershaw Counties, SC-main stem of Flat Creek (Pee Dee River system), Lancaster County, from the S.C. Route 204 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with Lynches River, and the main stem of the Lynches River, Lancaster and Chesterfield Counties, from the confluence of Belk Branch, Lancaster County, northeast (upstream) of the U.S. Highway 601 Bridge, downstream to the S.C. Highway 903 Bridge in Kershaw County.(6) Unit 5. (i) Edgefield and McCormick Counties, SC-main stem of Mountain Creek (Savannah River system), Edgefield County, SC, from the S.C. Route 36 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with Turkey Creek; Beaverdam Creek, Edgefield County, from the S.C. Route 51 Bridge, downstream to its confluence with Turkey Creek; and Turkey Creek, from the S.C. Route 36 Bridge, Edgefield County, downstream to the S.C. Route 68 Bridge, Edgefield and McCormick Counties.(7) Unit 6. (i) Greenwood and McCormick Counties, SC-main stem of Cuffytown Creek (Savannah River system), from the confluence of Horsepen Creek, northeast (upstream) of the S.C. Route 62 Bridge in Greenwood County, downstream to the U.S. Highway 378 Bridge in McCormick County.(8) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements include:(i) Permanent, flowing, cool, clean water;(ii) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks;(iii) Pool, riffle, and run sequences within the channel;(iv) Stable substrates with no more than low amounts of fine sediment;(v) Moderate stream gradient;(vi) Periodic natural flooding; and(vii) Fish hosts, with adequate living, foraging, and spawning areas for them.GUADALUPE ORB (CYCLONAIAS NECKI)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Caldwell, Comal, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, and Victoria Counties, Texas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Guadalupe orb consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark:(i) Flowing water at rates suitable to keep riffle habitats wetted and well-oxygenated and to prevent excess sedimentation or scour during high-flow events but not so high as to dislodge individuals;(ii) Stable riffles and runs with substrate composed of cobble, gravel, and fine sediments;(iii) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), and tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map units were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the maps are based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map of critical habitat units for the Guadalupe orb follows: Figure 1 to Guadalupe Orb (Cyclonaias necki) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit GORB-1: Upper Guadalupe River; Comal, Kendall, and Kerr Counties, Texas. (i) Unit GORB-1 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit GORB-1a (South Fork Guadalupe River) consists of 5.1 river miles (mi) (8.2 kilometers (km)) in Kerr County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit GORB-1b (Upper Guadalupe River) consists of 97.1 river mi (156.3 km) of the Guadalupe River in Comal, Kendall, and Kerr Counties, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (5 percent) and private (95 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit GORB-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit GORB-1 follows: Figure 2 to Guadalupe Orb (Cyclonaias necki) paragraph (6)(iii)
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(7) Unit GORB-2: Lower Guadalupe River; Caldwell, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Victoria Counties, Texas. (i) Unit GORB-2 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit GORB-2a (San Marcos River) consists of 63.9 river mi (102.8 km) in Caldwell, Gonzales, and Guadalupe Counties, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (6 percent) and private (94 percent) ownership.(B) Subunit GORB-2b (Lower Guadalupe River) consists of 122.4 river mi (197.0 km) in DeWitt, Gonzales, and Victoria Counties, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (5 percent) and private (95 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit GORB-2 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit GORB-2 follows: Figure 3 to Guadalupe Orb (Cyclonaias necki) paragraph (7)(iii)
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Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda)
(1) Critical habitat units for the round hickorynut are depicted on the maps in this entry for Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama; Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski, and Starke Counties, Indiana; Bath, Butler, Campbell, Edmonson, Fleming, Green, Harrison, Hart, Kenton, Laurel, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Robertson, Rowan, and Warren Counties, Kentucky; Montgomery County, Mississippi; Bedford, Marshall, and Maury Counties, Tennessee; Ashtabula, Lake, and Trumbull Counties, Ohio; Crawford and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania; and Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Kanawha, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wood Counties, West Virginia.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the round hickorynut consist of the following components:(i) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, timing, frequency, duration, rate of change, and overall seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain stream connectivity, specifically providing for the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish host's habitat and food availability, maintenance of spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats. Adequate flows ensure delivery of oxygen, enable reproduction, deliver food to filter-feeding mussels, and reduce contaminants and fine sediments from interstitial spaces. Stream velocity is not static over time, and variations may be attributed to seasonal changes (with higher flows in winter/spring and lower flows in summer/fall), extreme weather events (e.g., drought or floods), or anthropogenic influence (e.g., flow regulation via impoundments).(ii) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (i.e., channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as, stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of predominantly silt-free, stable sand, gravel, and cobble substrates).(iii) Water and sediment quality necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages, including (but not limited to): Dissolved oxygen (generally above 2 to 3 parts per million (ppm)), salinity (generally below 2 to 4 ppm), and temperature (generally below 86 °F ( °F) (30 °Celsius ( °C)). Additionally, water and sediment should be low in ammonia (generally below 0.5 ppm total ammonia-nitrogen) and heavy metal concentrations, and lack excessive total suspended solids and other pollutants.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the round hickorynut (i.e., eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi), greenside darter (E. blennioides), Iowa darter (E. exile), fantail darter (E. flabellare), Cumberland darter (E. susanae), spangled darter (E. obama), variegate darter (E. variatum), blackside darter (Percina maculata), frecklebelly darter (P. stictogaster), and banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae)).(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on April 10, 2023.(4) Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data for stream reaches. The hydrologic data used in the critical habitat maps were extracted from the U.S. Geological Survey 1:1M scale nationwide hydrologic layer (https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/national-hydrography) with a projection of EPSG:4269-NAD83 Geographic. Natural Heritage program and State mussel database species presence data from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi were used to select specific river and stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2020-0010, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map for the round hickorynut follows: Figure 1 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit RH 1: Shenango River; Crawford and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania. (i) Unit RH 1 consists of 22 river miles (mi) (35.5 kilometers (km)) of the Shenango River in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, from Pymatuning Dam downstream to the point of inundation by Shenango River Lake near Big Bend, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Approximately 15 river mi (24.3 km; 68 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 7 river mi (11.1 km; 32 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership. This unit is immediately downstream from Pymatuning Dam, which is owned by the State of Pennsylvania.(ii) Map of Unit RH 1 follows: Figure 2 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (6)(ii)
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(7) Unit RH 2: Grand River; Ashtabula, Lake, and Trumbull Counties, Ohio.(i) Unit RH 2 consists of 92 river mi (148.2 km) of the Grand River in Ashtabula, Lake, and Trumbull Counties, Ohio. Approximately 59 river mi (95.2 km; 64 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 33 river mi (53 km; 36 percent) are public (State or local) ownership. The Grand River is a State Wild and Scenic River. The Wild River designation includes approximately 23 river mi (37 km) from the Harpersfield Covered Bridge downstream to the Norfolk and Western Railroad Trestle in Lake County, and approximately 33 mi (53 km) from the U.S. Route 322 Bridge in Ashtabula County downstream to the Harpersfield Covered Bridge. Harpersfield Dam within this unit is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 2 follows: Figure 3 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (7)(ii)
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(8) Unit RH 3: Tippecanoe River; Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski, and Starke Counties, Indiana. (i) Unit RH 3 consists of 75 river mi (120.8 km) of the Tippecanoe River in Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski, and Starke Counties, Indiana. Approximately 66 river mi (105.6 km; 89 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 9 river mi (14.5 km; 11 percent) are public (State or easement) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 3 follows: Figure 4 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (8)(ii)
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(9) Unit RH 4: Middle Island Creek; Doddridge, Pleasants, and Tyler Counties, West Virginia. (i) Unit RH 4 consists of 75 stream mi (120.8 km) of Middle Island Creek in Doddridge, Pleasants, and Tyler Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 74.8 stream mi (120.4 km; 99 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 0.2 stream mi (0.4 km; less than 1 percent) is public ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 4 follows: Figure 5 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (9)(ii)
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(10) Unit RH 5: Little Kanawha River; Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, and Wood Counties, West Virginia. (i) Unit RH 5 consists of 110 stream mi (176.6 km) of the Little Kanawha River in Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, and Wood Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 109 river mi (175.4 km; 99 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 0.7 river mi (1.2 km; 1 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. This unit is directly below Burnsville Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 5 follows: Figure 6 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (10)(ii)
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(11) Unit RH 6: Elk River; Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia.(i) Unit RH 6 consists of 101 river mi (163 km) of the Elk River in Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 93 river mi (150.3 km; 92 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 7 river mi (12.7 km; 8 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. This unit is immediately below Sutton Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 6 follows: Figure 7 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (11)(ii)
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(12) Unit RH 7: Kanawha River; Fayette and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia.(i) Unit RH 7 consists of 37.5 river mi (60.4 km) of the Kanawha River in Fayette and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 33 river mi (53.2 km; 90 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 4 river mi (7.2 km; 10 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. London and Marmet locks and dams within this unit are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 7 follows: Figure 8 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (12)(ii)
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(13) Unit RH 8: Licking River; Bath, Campbell, Fleming, Harrison, Kenton, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, and Rowan Counties, Kentucky.(i) Unit RH 8 consists of 150 river mi (241.9 km) of the Licking River in Bath, Campbell, Fleming, Harrison, Kenton, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, and Rowan Counties, Kentucky. Approximately 131 river mi (211.8 km; 87 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 18 river mi (30 km; 13 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. This unit is directly below Cave Run Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 8 follows: Figure 9 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (13)(ii)
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(14) Unit RH 9: Rockcastle River; Laurel, Pulaski, and Rockcastle Counties, Kentucky. (i) Unit RH 9 consists of 15.3 river mi (24.6 km) of the Rockcastle River in Laurel, Pulaski, and Rockcastle Counties, Kentucky. Approximately 0.3 river mi (0.4 km; 1 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit is private ownership, and 15 river mi (24.2 km; 99 percent) are public (Federal; Daniel Boone National Forest) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 9 follows: Figure 10 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (14)(ii)
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(15) Unit RH 10: Buck Creek; Pulaski County, Kentucky.(i) Unit RH 10 consists of 36 stream mi (58.1 km) of Buck Creek in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Approximately 33 stream mi (52.6 km; 92 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 3 stream mi (5.5 km; 8 percent) are public (State or local) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 10 follows: Figure 11 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (15)(ii)
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(16) Unit RH 11: Green River; Hart, Edmonson, Green, Butler, and Warren Counties, Kentucky. (i) Unit RH 11 consists of 98 river mi (157.7 km) of the Green River in Butler, Edmonson, Green, Hart, and Warren Counties, Kentucky. Approximately 61 river mi (98.4 km; 62 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 37 river mi (59.4 km; 38 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership, including portions of Mammoth Cave National Park. This unit is located directly below Green River Lake Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit RH 11 follows: Figure 12 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (16)(ii)
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(17) Unit RH 12: Paint Rock River; Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama.(i) Unit RH 12 consists of 48 river mi (77.5 km) of the Paint Rock River in Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama. Approximately 2 river mi (4.1 km; 2 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 46 river mi (73.4 km; 98 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 12 follows: Figure 13 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (17)(ii)
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(18) Unit RH 13: Duck River; Bedford, Marshall, and Maury Counties, Tennessee.(i) Unit RH 13 consists of 59 river mi (94.8 km) of the Duck River in Bedford, Marshall, and Maury Counties, Tennessee. Approximately 27 river mi (43.7 km; 47 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 32 river mi (51.1 km; 53 percent) are public (State or local) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 13 follows: Figure 14 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (18)(ii)
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(19) Unit RH 14: Big Black River; Montgomery County, Mississippi.(i) Unit RH 14 consists of 4 river mi (7 km) of the Big Black River in Montgomery County, Mississippi. All of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit RH 14 follows: Figure 15 to Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) paragraph (19)(ii)
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Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda)
(1) Critical habitat units for the longsolid are depicted on the maps in this entry for Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama; Bath, Butler, Campbell, Edmonson, Fleming, Green, Harrison, Hart, Kenton, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan, Taylor, and Warren Counties, Kentucky; Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania; Claiborne, Hancock, Hawkins, Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties, Tennessee; Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise Counties, Virginia; and Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Kanawha, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wood Counties, West Virginia.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the longsolid consist of the following components: (i) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, timing, frequency, duration, rate of change, and overall seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain stream connectivity, specifically providing for the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish host's habitat and food availability, maintenance of spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats. Adequate flows ensure delivery of oxygen, enable reproduction, deliver food to filter-feeding mussels, and reduce contaminants and fine sediments from interstitial spaces. Stream velocity is not static over time, and variations may be attributed to seasonal changes (with higher flows in winter/spring and lower flows in summer/fall), extreme weather events (e.g., drought or floods), or anthropogenic influence (e.g., flow regulation via impoundments).(ii) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (i.e., channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as, stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of predominantly silt-free, stable sand, gravel, and cobble substrates).(iii) Water and sediment quality necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages, including (but not limited to): Dissolved oxygen (generally above 2 to 3 parts per million (ppm)), salinity (generally below 2 to 4 ppm), and temperature (generally below 86 °Fahrenheit ( °F) (30 °Celsius ( °C)). Additionally, water and sediment should be low in ammonia (generally below 0.5 ppm total ammonia-nitrogen) and heavy metal concentrations, and lack excessive total suspended solids and other pollutants.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the longsolid (currently unknown, likely includes the minnows of the family Cyprinidae and banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae)).(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on April 10, 2023.(4) Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data for stream reaches. The hydrologic data used in the critical habitat maps were extracted from the U.S. Geological Survey 1:1M scale nationwide hydrologic layer (https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/national-hydrography) with a projection of EPSG:4269-NAD83 Geographic. Natural Heritage program and State mussel database species presence data from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama were used to select specific river and stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2020-0010, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map for the longsolid follows: Figure 1 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit LS 1: French Creek; Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties, Pennsylvania. (i) Unit LS 1 consists of 120 stream mi (191.5 km) of French Creek in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties, Pennsylvania. Approximately 106 stream mi (170.6 km; 76 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 14 stream mi (22.1 km; 24 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership. This unit begins immediately downstream of the Union City Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 1 follows: Figure 2 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (6)(ii)
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(7) Unit LS 2: Allegheny River; Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango, and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania. (i) Unit LS 2 consists of 99 river mi (159.3 km) of the Allegheny River in Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango, and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania. Approximately 15 river mi (24.1 km; 14 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 84 river mi (135.8 km; 86 percent) are public (Federal or State; primarily Allegheny National Forest) ownership. This unit is immediately downstream of Kinzua Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 2 follows: Figure 3 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (7)(ii)
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(8) Unit LS 3: Shenango River; Crawford and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania.(i) Unit LS 3 consists of 22 river miles (mi) (35.5 kilometers (km)) of the Shenango River in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, from Pymatuning Dam downstream to the point of inundation by Shenango River Lake near Big Bend, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Approximately 15 river mi (24.3 km; 68 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 7 river mi (11.3 km; 32 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership. This unit is immediately downstream from the Pymatuning Dam, which is owned by the State of Pennsylvania.(ii) Map of Unit LS 3 follows: Figure 4 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (8)(ii)
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(9) Unit LS 4: Middle Island Creek; Doddridge and Tyler Counties, West Virginia.(i) Unit LS 4 consists of 14 stream mi (23.7 km) of Middle Island Creek in Doddridge and Tyler Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 14 stream mi (23.5 km; 99 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 0.1 stream mi (0.2 km; less than 1 percent) are public (local) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit LS 4 follows: Figure 5 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (9)(ii)
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(10) Unit LS 5: Little Kanawha River; Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, and Wood Counties, West Virginia. (i) Unit LS 5 consists of 123 river mi (198 km) of the Little Kanawha River in Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, and Wood Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 122 river mi (197.2 km; 99 percent) are private ownership, and 0.53 river mi (0.9 km; 1 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership. This unit is directly below the Burnsville Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 5 follows: Figure 6 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (10)(ii)
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(11) Unit LS 6: Elk River; Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia.(i) Unit LS 6 consists of 101 river mi (163 km) of the Elk River in Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 93 river mi (150.3 km; 92 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 7 river mi (12.7 km; 8 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. This unit is directly below Sutton Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 6 follows: Figure 7 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (11)(ii)
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(12) Unit LS 7: Kanawha River; Fayette and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia.(i) Unit LS 7 consists of 21 river mi (33.9 km) of the Kanawha River in Fayette and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. Approximately 18 river mi (29.3 km; 90 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 2 river mi (4.6 km; 10 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. London and Marmet locks and dams within this unit are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 7 follows: Figure 8 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (12)(ii)
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(13) Unit LS 8: Licking River; Bath, Campbell, Fleming, Harrison, Kenton, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, and Rowan Counties, Kentucky.(i) Unit LS 8 consists of 181 river mi (291.5 km) of the Licking River in Bath, Campbell, Fleming, Harrison, Kenton, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, and Rowan Counties, Kentucky. Approximately 161 river mi (259.7 km; 90 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 19 river mi (31.7 km; 10 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership. This unit is directly below Cave Run Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 8 follows: Figure 9 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (13)(ii)
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(14) Unit LS 9: Green River; Butler, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Taylor, and Warren Counties, Kentucky. (i) Unit LS 9 consists of 156 river mi (251.6 km) of the Green River in Butler, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Taylor, and Warren Counties, Kentucky. Approximately 105 river mi (169.2 km; 67 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 51 river mi (82.4 km; 33 percent) are public (Federal, State, or local) ownership, including Mammoth Cave National Park. This unit is directly below Green River Dam, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 9 follows: Figure 10 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (14)(ii)
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(15) Unit LS 10: Cumberland River; Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties, Tennessee.(i) Unit LS 10 consists of 48 river mi (77.5 km) of the Cumberland River in Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties, Tennessee. All riparian lands that border the river are owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Federal; 48 river mi (77.5 km)). This unit also falls within the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Rome Landing Sanctuary. Cordell Hull and Old Hickory Dams, upstream and downstream of this unit, respectively, are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.(ii) Map of Unit LS 10 follows: Figure 11 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (15)(ii)
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(16) Unit LS 11: Clinch River; Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise Counties, Virginia; Claiborne, Hancock, and Hawkins Counties, Tennessee.(i) Unit LS 11 consists of 177 river mi (286.1 km) of the Clinch River in Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise Counties, Virginia, and Claiborne, Hancock, and Hawkins Counties, Tennessee. Approximately 160 river mi (258.8 km; 90 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 17 river mi (27.3 km; 10 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership. The Tennessee portion of this unit is encompassed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Clinch River Sanctuary.(ii) Map of Unit LS 11 follows: Figure 12 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (16)(ii)
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(17) Unit LS 12: Paint Rock River; Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama.(i) Unit LS 12 consists of 58 river mi (94.5 km) of the Paint Rock River in Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama. Approximately 2 river mi (4.1 km; 3 percent) of riparian lands that border the unit are private ownership, and 56 river mi (90.4 km; 97 percent) are public (Federal or State) ownership.(ii) Map of Unit LS 12 follows: Figure 13 to Longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda) paragraph (17)(ii)
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Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species: Ovate Clubshell (Pleurobema Perovatum), Southern Clubshell (Pleurobema Decisum), Triangular Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus Greenii), Alabama Moccasinshell (Medionidus Acutissimus), Coosa Moccasinshell (Medionidus Parvulus), Orange-Nacre Mucket (Hamiota Perovalis), Dark Pigtoe (Pleurobema Furvum), Southern Pigtoe (Pleurobema Georgianum), and Fine-Lined Pocketbook (Hamiota Altilis)
(1) The primary constituent elements essential for the conservation of the ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum), southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii), Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus), Coosa moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus), orange-nacre mucket (Hamiota perovalis), dark pigtoe (Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum), and fine-lined pocketbook (Hamiota altilis) are those habitat components that support feeding, sheltering, reproduction, and physical features for maintaining the natural processes that support these habitat components. The primary constituent elements include:(i) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks;(ii) A flow regime (i.e., the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary for normal behavior, growth, and survival of all life stages of mussels and their fish hosts in the river environment;(iii) Water quality, including temperature, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, and other chemical characteristics, necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages;(iv) Sand, gravel, and/or cobble substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment, low amounts of attached filamentous algae, and other physical and chemical characteristics necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages;(v) Fish hosts, with adequate living, foraging, and spawning areas for them; and(vi) Few or no competitive nonnative species present.(2) Critical habitat unit descriptions and maps. The maps provided are for informational purposes only.(i)Index map. The index map showing critical habitat units in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee for the nine Mobile River Basin mussel species follows: View Image
(ii)Protected species and critical habitat units. A table listing the protected species, their respective critical habitat units, and the States that contain those habitat units follows. Detailed critical habitat unit descriptions and maps appear below the table. Table 1 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(ii)
| Species | Critical habitat units | States |
| Ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum) | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, MS, TN. |
| Southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum) | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, MS, TN. |
| Triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii) | Units 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, TN. |
| Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus) | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 25, 26 | AL, GA, MS, TN. |
| Coosa moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus) | Units 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, TN. |
| Orange-nacre mucket (Hamiota perovalis) | Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 | AL, MS. |
| Dark pigtoe (Pleurobema furvum) | Units 10, 11, 12 | AL. |
| Southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum) | Units 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, TN. |
| Fine-lined pocketbook (Hamiota altilis) | Units 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | AL, GA, TN. |
(iii) Unit 1. East Fork Tombigbee River, Monroe, Itawamba County, Mississippi. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket.(A) Unit 1 includes the East Fork Tombigbee River main stem from Mississippi Highway 278 (T13S R7E S3), Monroe County, upstream to the confluence of Mill Creek (T11S R8E S24), Itawamba County, Mississippi.(iv) Unit 2. Bull Mountain Creek, Itawamba County, Mississippi. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 2 includes the main stem of Bull Mountain Creek from Mississippi Highway 25 (T11S R9E S30), upstream to U.S. Highway 78 (T10S R10E S6), Itawamba County, Mississippi.(v) Unit 3. Buttahatchee River and Sipsey Creek, Lowndes/Monroe County, Mississippi; Lamar County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket.(A) Unit 3 includes the Buttahatchee River main stem from its confluence with the impounded waters of Columbus Lake (Tombigbee River, T16S R19W S23), Lowndes/Monroe County, Mississippi, upstream to the confluence of Beaver Creek (T13S R15W S17), Lamar County, Alabama; and Sipsey Creek, from its confluence with the Buttahatchee River (T14S R17W S2), upstream to the Mississippi/Alabama State Line (T12S R10E S21), Monroe County, Mississippi.(vi) Unit 4. Luxapalila Creek and Yellow Creek, Lowndes County, Mississippi; Lamar County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket.(A) Unit 4 includes the Luxapalila Creek main stem from Waterworks Road (T18S R18W S11), Columbus, Mississippi, upstream to approximately 1.0 km (0.6 mi) above Steens Road (T17S R17W S27), Lowndes County, Mississippi; and the Yellow Creek main stem from its confluence with Luxapalila Creek (T17S R17W S21), Lowndes County, Mississippi, upstream to the confluence of Cut Bank Creek (T16S R16W S30), Lamar County, Alabama.(vii) Unit 5. Coalfire Creek, Pickens County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 5 includes the Coalfire Creek main stem from its confluence with the impounded waters of Aliceville Lake (Tombigbee River, T20S R17W S26), upstream to U.S. Highway 82 (T19S R15W S15), Pickens County, Alabama.(viii) Unit 6. Lubbub Creek, Pickens County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 6 includes the main stem of Lubbub Creek from its confluence with the impounded waters of Gainesville Lake (Tombigbee River, T24N R2W S11), upstream to the confluence of Little Lubbub Creek (T21S R1W S34), Pickens County, Alabama.(ix) Unit 7. Sipsey River, Greene/Pickens, Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 7 includes the Sipsey River main stem from its confluence with impounded waters of Gainesville Lake (Tombigbee River, T24N R1W S30), Greene/Pickens County, upstream to Alabama Highway 171 crossing (T18S R12W S34), Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.(x) Unit 8. Trussels Creek, Greene County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 8 includes the Trussels Creek main stem from its confluence with the impounded waters of Demopolis Lake (Tombigbee River, T21N R2W S15), upstream to Alabama Highway 14 (T22N R1E S4), Greene County, Alabama.(xi) Unit 9. Sucarnoochee River, Sumter County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 9 includes the Sucarnoochee River main stem from its confluence with the Tombigbee River (T17N R1W S26), upstream to the Mississippi/Alabama State Line (T19N R4W S15), Sumter County, Alabama.(xii) Unit 10. Sipsey Fork and tributaries, Winston, Lawrence Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, and dark pigtoe.(A) Unit 10 includes the Sipsey Fork main stem from the section 11/12 line (T10S R8W), Winston County, Alabama, upstream to the confluence of Hubbard Creek (T8S R9W S27), Lawrence County, Alabama; Thompson Creek, from its confluence with Hubbard Creek (T8S R9W S27), upstream to section 2 line (T8S R9W) Lawrence County; Brushy Creek, from the confluence of Glover Creek (T10S R7W S11), Winston County, upstream to section 9 (T8S R7W), Lawrence County; Capsey Creek, from confluence with Brushy Creek (T9S R7W S23), Winston County, upstream to the confluence of Turkey Creek (T8S R6W S33), Lawrence County; Rush Creek, from confluence with Brushy Creek (T9S R7W S15), upstream to Winston/Lawrence County Line (T9S R7W S1), Winston County; Brown Creek, from confluence with Rush Creek (T9S R7W S2), Winston County, upstream to section 24 line (T8S R7W), Lawrence County; Beech Creek, from confluence with Brushy Creek (T9S R7W S8), to confluence of East and West Forks (T9S R7W S6), Winston County; Caney Creek and North Fork Caney Creek, from confluence with Sipsey Fork (T9S R8W S28), upstream to section 14 line (T9S R9W), Winston County; Borden Creek, from confluence with Sipsey Fork (T8S R8W S5), Winston County, upstream to the confluence of Montgomery Creek (T8S R8W S10), Lawrence County; and Flannagin Creek, from confluence with Borden Creek (T8S R8W S28), upstream to confluence of Dry Creek (T8S R8W S4), Lawrence County. 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(xiii) Unit 11. North River and Clear Creek, Tuscaloosa, Fayette Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, and dark pigtoe.(A) Unit 11 includes the main stem of the North River from Tuscaloosa County Road 38 (T18S R10W S16), Tuscaloosa County, upstream to confluence of Ellis Creek (T16S R10W S6), Fayette County, Alabama; and Clear Creek from its confluence with North River (T16S R11W S13) to Bays Lake Dam (T16S R11W S2), Fayette County, Alabama.(xiv)Unit 12. Locust Fork and Little Warrior Rivers, Jefferson, Blount Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, and dark pigtoe. (A) Unit 12 includes the Locust Fork main stem from U.S. Highway 78 (T15S R4W S30), Jefferson County, upstream to the confluence of Little Warrior River (T13S R1W S3), Blount County, Alabama; and Little Warrior River from its confluence with the Locust Fork (T13S R1W S3), upstream to the confluence of Calvert Prong and Blackburn Fork (T13S R1W S12), Blount County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 12 follows: Figure 14 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xiv)(B)
Unit 12: Ovate Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Alabama Moccasinshell, Orange-Nacre Mucket, Dark Pigtoe
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(xv)Unit 13. Cahaba River and Little Cahaba River, Jefferson, Shelby, Bibb Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, and fine-lined pocketbook.(A) Unit 13 includes the Cahaba River from U.S. Highway 82 (T23N R9E S26), Centerville, Bibb County, upstream to Jefferson County Road 143 (T18S R1E S33), Jefferson County, Alabama; and the Little Cahaba River from its confluence with the Cahaba River (T24N R10E S21), upstream to the confluence of Mahan and Shoal Creeks (T24N R11E S14), Bibb County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 13 follows: Figure 15 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xv)(B)
Unit 13: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Alabama Moccasinshell, Orange-Nacre Mucket, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xvi) Unit 14. Alabama River, Autauga, Lowndes, Dallas Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the southern clubshell and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 14 includes the Alabama River from the confluence of the Cahaba River (T16N R10E S32), Dallas County, upstream to the confluence of Big Swamp Creek (T15N R12E S1), Lowndes County, Alabama.(xvii) Unit 15. Bogue Chitto Creek, Dallas County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell, and orange-nacre mucket. (A) Unit 15 includes the Bogue Chitto Creek main stem from its confluence with the Alabama River (T14N R8E S24), Dallas County, upstream to U.S. Highway 80 (T17N R7E S24), Dallas County, Alabama.(xviii) Unit 16. Tallapoosa River, Cleburne County, Alabama, and Paulding, Haralson Counties, Georgia; Cane Creek, Cleburne County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 16 includes the main stem Tallapoosa River from U.S. Highway 431 (T17S R10E S31), Cleburne County, Alabama, upstream to the confluence of McClendon and Mud Creeks (33°50'43" N 85°00'45" W), Paulding County, Georgia; and Cane Creek from its confluence with Tallapoosa River (T16S R10E S24), upstream to section 33/4 Line (T15S, R11E), Cleburne County, Alabama.(xix) Unit 17. Uphapee, Choctafaula, and Chewacla Creeks, Macon, Lee Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 17 includes the mainstem of Uphapee Creek from Alabama Highway 199 (T17N R23E S3), upstream to the confluence of Opintlocco and Chewacla Creeks (T17N R24E S26), Macon County, Alabama; Choctafaula Creek, from confluence with Uphapee Creek (T17N R24E S8), upstream to Macon County Road 54 (T18N R 25E S31), Macon County, Alabama; Chewacla Creek, from confluence with Opintlocco Creek (T17N R24E S26), Macon County, Alabama, upstream to Lee County Road 159 (T18N R26E S18), Lee County, Alabama; Opintlocco Creek, from confluence with Chewacla Creek (T17N R24E S26), upstream to Macon County Road 79 (T16N R25E S25) Macon County, Alabama.(xx)Unit 18. Coosa River (Old River Channel) and Terrapin Creek, Cherokee, Calhoun, Cleburne Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook.(A) Unit 18 includes the Coosa River main stem from the power line crossing southeast of Maple Grove, Alabama (T10S R8E S35), upstream to Weiss Dam (T10S R8E S13), Cherokee County, Alabama; Terrapin Creek, 53 km (33 mi) extending from its confluence with the Old Coosa River channel (T10S R9E S28), Cherokee County, upstream to Cleburne County Road 49 (T13S R11E S15), Cleburne County, Alabama; South Fork Terrapin Creek, 7 km (4 mi), from its confluence with Terrapin Creek (T13S R11E S18), upstream to Cleburne County Road 55 (T13S R11E S30), Cleburne County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 18 follows: Figure 20 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xx)(B)
Unit 18: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xxi)Unit 19. Hatchet Creek, Coosa, Clay Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 19 includes the main stem of Hatchet Creek from the confluence of Swamp Creek at Coosa County Road 29 (T22N R17E S26), Coosa County, Alabama, upstream to Clay County Road 4 (T22S R6E S17) Clay County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 19 follows: Figure 21 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xxi)(B)
Unit 19: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xxii) Unit 20. Shoal Creek, Calhoun, Cleburne Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 20 includes the main stem of Shoal Creek from the headwater of Whitesides Mill Lake (T15S R9E S12), Calhoun County, Alabama, upstream to the tailwater of Coleman Lake Dam (T14S R10E S26), Cleburne County, Alabama.(xxiii)Unit 21. Kelly Creek and Shoal Creek, Shelby, St. Clair Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 21 includes the Kelly Creek main stem extending from the confluence with the Coosa River (T19S R3E S5), upstream to the confluence of Shoal Creek (T17S R2E S28), St. Clair County, Alabama; and the main stem of Shoal Creek from the confluence with Kelly Creek (T17S R2E S28), St. Clair County, Alabama, upstream to the St. Clair/Shelby County Line (T17S R2E S30), St. Clair County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 21 follows: Figure 23 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xxiii)(B)
Unit 21: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xxiv) Unit 22. Cheaha Creek, Talladega, Clay Counties, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 22 includes the main stem of Cheaha Creek from its confluence with Choccolocco Creek (T17S R6E S19), Talladega County, Alabama, upstream to the tailwater of Chinnabee Lake Dam (T18S R7E S14), Clay County, Alabama.(xxv) Unit 23. Yellowleaf Creek and Mud Creek, Shelby County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook.(A) Unit 23 includes the Yellowleaf Creek main stem from Alabama Highway 25 (T20S R2E S29), upstream to Shelby County Road 49 (T20S R1W S13); and the Muddy Prong main stem extending from its confluence with Yellowleaf Creek (T20S R1E S1), upstream to U.S. Highway 280 (T19S R1E S28), Shelby County, Alabama.(xxvi)Unit 24. Big Canoe Creek, St. Clair County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 24 includes the main stem of Big Canoe Creek from its confluence with Little Canoe Creek at the St. Clair/Etowah County line (T13S R5E S17), St. Clair County, upstream to the confluence of Fall Branch (T14S R1E S28) St. Clair County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 24 follows: Figure 26 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xxvi)(B)
Unit 24: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xxvii)Unit 25. Oostanaula, Coosawattee, and Conasauga Rivers, and Holly Creek, Floyd, Gordon, Whitfield, Murray Counties, Georgia; Bradley, Polk Counties, Tennessee. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook.(A) Unit 25 includes the Oostanaula River main stem from its confluence with the Etowah River, Floyd County, Georgia (34°15'13" N, 85°10'35" W), upstream to the confluence of the Conasauga and Coosawattee River, Gordon County, Georgia (34°32'32" N, 84°54'12" W); the Coosawattee River main stem from its confluence with the Conasauga River (34°32'32" N, 84°54'12" W), upstream to Georgia State Highway 136, Gordon County, Georgia (34°36'49" N, 84°46'43" W); the Conasauga River main stem from confluence with the Coosawattee River (34°32'32" N, 84°54'13" W), Gordon County, Georgia, upstream through Bradley and Polk Counties, Tennessee, to Murray County Road 2 (34°58'27" N, 84°38'43" W), Murray County, Georgia; and the mainstem of Holly Creek from its confluence with the Conasauga River (34°42'12" N, 84°53'29" W), upstream to its confluence with Rock Creek, Murray County, Georgia (34°46'59" N, 84°45'25" W).(B) Map of Unit 25 follows: Figure 27 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xxvii)(B)
Unit 25: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Alabama Moccasinshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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(xxviii)Unit 26. Lower Coosa River, Elmore County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, triangular kidneyshell, Alabama moccasinshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern pigtoe, and fine-lined pocketbook. (A) Unit 26 includes the Coosa River main stem from Alabama State Highway 111 bridge (T18N R18/19E S24/19), upstream to Jordan Dam (T19N R18E S22), Elmore County, Alabama.(B) Map of Unit 26 follows: Figure 28 to Nine Mobile River Basin Mussel Species Paragraph (2)(xxviii)(B)
Unit 26: Ovate Clubshell, Southern Clubshell, Triangular Kidneyshell, Alabama Moccasinshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, Fine-Lined Pocketbook
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Five Tennessee and Cumberland River Basin Mussels Species: Purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea), Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata).
(1) The primary constituent elements essential for the conservation of the purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea), Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata) are those habitat components that support feeding, sheltering, reproduction, and physical features for maintaining the natural processes that support these habitat components. The primary constituent elements include:(i) Permanent, flowing stream reaches with a flow regime (i.e, the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary for normal behavior, growth, and survival of all life stages of the five mussels and their host fish;(ii) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks;(iii) Stable substrates consisting of mud, sand, gravel, and/or cobble/boulder, with low amounts of fine sediments or attached filamentous algae;(iv) Water quality (including temperature, turbidity, oxygen content, and other characteristics) necessary for the normal behavior, growth, and survival of all life stages of the five mussels and their host fish; and(v) Fish hosts with adequate living, foraging, and spawning areas for them.(2) Critical habitat unit descriptions and maps. The maps provided are for informational purposes only. (i) Index map. The index map showing critical habitat units in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia for the five Tennessee and Cumberland River Basin mussels follows: View Image
(ii) Table of protected species and critical habitat units. A table listing the protected species, their respective critical habitat units, and the States that contain those habitat units follows. Detailed critical habitat unit descriptions and maps appear below the table. Table of Five Tennessee and Cumberland River Basin Mussels, Their Critical Habitat Units, and States Containing Those Critical Habitat Units
| Species | Critical habitat units | States |
| purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea) | Units 3, 4, 5, 7 | TN, VA |
| Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens) | Units 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 | AL, KY, MS, TN, VA |
| Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea) | Units 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 | KY, TN |
| oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) | Units 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9,10 | AL, KY, MS, TN, VA |
| rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata) | Units 4, 5 | TN, VA |
(iii) Unit 1. Duck River, Marshall and Maury Counties, Tennessee. This is a critical habitat unit for the oyster mussel and Cumberlandian combshell. (A) Unit 1 includes the main stem of the Duck River from rkm 214 (rmi 133) (0.3 rkm (0.2 rmi) upstream of the First Street Bridge) (-87.03 longitude, 35.63 latitude) in the City of Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee, upstream to Lillard Mill Dam at rkm 288 (rmi 179) (-86.78 longitude, 35.58 latitude), Marshall County, Tennessee.(iv) Unit 2. Bear Creek, Colbert County, Alabama, and Tishomingo County, Mississippi. This is a critical habitat unit for the oyster mussel and Cumberlandian combshell. (A) Unit 2 consists of the main stem of Bear Creek from the backwaters of Pickwick Lake at rkm 37 (rmi 23) (-88.09 longitude, 34.81 latitude), Colbert County, Alabama, upstream through Tishomingo County, Mississippi, ending at the Mississippi/Alabama State line.(v) Unit 3. Obed River, Cumberland and Morgan Counties, Tennessee. This is a critical habitat unit for the purple bean. (A) Unit 3 includes the Obed River main stem from its confluence with the Emory River (-84.69 longitude, 36.09 latitude), Morgan County, Tennessee, upstream to Adams Bridge, Cumberland County, Tennessee (-84.95 longitude, 36.07 latitude).(vi) Unit 4. Powell River, Claiborne and Hancock Counties, Tennessee, and Lee County, Virginia. This is a critical habitat unit for the purple bean, Cumberlandian combshell, oyster mussel, and rough rabbitsfoot.(A) Unit 4 includes the main stem of the Powell River from the U.S. 25E bridge in Claiborne County, Tennessee (-83.63 longitude, 36.53 latitude), upstream to river mile 159 (upstream of Rock Island in the vicinity of Pughs) Lee County, Virginia.(vii) Unit 5. Clinch River, Hancock County, Tennessee, and Scott, Russell, and Tazewell Counties, Virginia; Copper Creek, Scott County, Virginia; and Indian Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia. This is a critical habitat unit for the purple bean, Cumberlandian combshell, oyster mussel, and rough rabbitsfoot.(A) Unit 5 includes the Clinch River main stem from rkm 255 (rmi 159) (-83.36 longitude, 36.43 latitude) immediately below Grissom Island, Hancock County, Tennessee, upstream to its confluence with Indian Creek in Cedar Bluff, Tazewell County, Virginia (-81.80 longitude, 37.10 latitude); Copper Creek in Scott County, Virginia, from its confluence with the Clinch River (-82.74 longitude, 36.67 latitude) upstream to Virginia State Route 72 (-82.56 longitude, 36.68 latitude); and Indian Creek from its confluence with the Clinch River upstream to the fourth Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing at Van Dyke, Tazewell County, Virginia (-81.77 longitude, 37.14 latitude).(viii) Unit 6. Nolichucky River, Hamblen and Cocke Counties, Tennessee. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberlandian combshell and oyster mussel.(A) Unit 6 consists of the main stem of the Nolichucky River from rkm 14 (rmi 9) (-83.18 longitude, 36.18 latitude) (approximately 0.6 rkm (0.4 rmi) upstream of Enka Dam) upstream to Susong Bridge (-83.20 longitude, 36.14 latitude) in Hamblen and Cocke Counties, Tennessee.(ix) Unit 7. Beech Creek, Hawkins County, Tennessee. This is a critical habitat unit for the purple bean. (A) Unit 7 includes the Beech Creek main stem from rkm 4 (rmi 2) (-82.92 longitude, 36.40 latitude) of Beech Creek (in the vicinity of Slide, Tennessee) upstream to the dismantled railroad bridge at rkm 27 (rmi 16) (-82.77 longitude, 36.40 latitude).(x) Unit 8. Rock Creek, McCreary County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberland elktoe. (A) Unit 8 includes the main stem of Rock Creek from its confluence with White Oak Creek (-84.59 longitude, 36.71 latitude), upstream to the low-water crossing at rkm 25.6 (rmi 15.9) approximately 2.6 km (1.6 mi) southwest of Bell Farm (-84.69 longitude, 36.65 latitude), McCreary County, Kentucky.(xi) Unit 9. Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries, Fentress, Morgan, and Scott Counties, Tennessee, and McCreary County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberlandian combshell, Cumberland elktoe, and oyster mussel. (A) Unit 9 consists of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River main stem from its confluence with Laurel Crossing Branch (-84.54 longitude, 36.64 latitude), McCreary County, Kentucky, upstream to its confluence with the New River and Clear Fork, Scott County, Tennessee; North White Oak Creek from its confluence with the Big South Fork upstream to Panther Branch (-84.75 longitude, 36.42 latitude), Fentress County, Tennessee; New River from its confluence with Clear Fork upstream to U.S. Highway 27 (-84.55 longitude, 36.38 latitude), Scott County, Tennessee; Clear Fork from its confluence with the New River upstream to its confluence with North Prong Clear Fork, Morgan and Fentress Counties, Tennessee; White Oak Creek from its confluence with Clear Fork upstream to its confluence with Bone Camp Creek, Morgan County, Tennessee; Bone Camp Creek from its confluence with White Oak Creek upstream to Massengale Branch (-84.71 longitude, 36.28 latitude), Morgan County, Tennessee; Crooked Creek from its confluence with Clear Fork upstream to Buttermilk Branch (-84.92 longitude, 36.36 latitude), Fentress County, Tennessee; and North Prong Clear Fork from its confluence with Clear Fork upstream to Shoal Creek (-84.97 longitude, 36.26 latitude), Fentress County, Tennessee.(xii) Unit 10. Buck Creek, Pulaski County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberlandian combshell and oyster mussel.(A) Unit 10 includes the Buck Creek main stem from the State Road 192 Bridge (-84.43 longitude, 37.06 latitude) upstream to the State Road 328 Bridge (-84.56 longitude, 37.32 latitude) in Pulaski County, Kentucky.(xiii) Unit 11. Sinking Creek, Laurel County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberland elktoe. (A) Unit 11 includes the main stem of Sinking Creek from its confluence with the Rockcastle River (-84.28 longitude, 37.10 latitude) upstream to its confluence with Laurel Branch (-84.17 longitude, 37.09 latitude) in Laurel County, Kentucky.(xiv) Unit 12. Marsh Creek, McCreary County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberland elktoe. (A) Unit 12 includes the Marsh Creek main stem from its confluence with the Cumberland River (-84.35 longitude, 36.78 latitude) upstream to State Road 92 Bridge (-84.35 longitude, 36.66 latitude) in McCreary County, Kentucky.(xv) Unit 13. Laurel Fork, Claiborne County, Tennessee, and Whitley County, Kentucky. This is a critical habitat unit for the Cumberland elktoe.(A) Unit 13 includes the main stem of the Laurel Fork of the Cumberland River from the boundary between Claiborne and Campbell Counties (-84.00 longitude, 36.58 latitude) upstream to rkm 11 (rmi 6.85) in Whitley County, Kentucky. The upstream terminus is 3 rkm (2 rmi) upstream of the Kentucky/Tennessee State line (-84.00 longitude, 36.60 latitude).Seven mussel species (in four northeast Gulf of Mexico drainages): Purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), oval pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme), shinyrayed pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata), Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis), and fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted on the maps below for the following counties: (i)Alabama: Houston and Russell;(ii)Florida: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Union, Wakulla, and Washington; and(iii)Georgia: Baker, Calhoun, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Fayette, Grady, Lee, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Peach, Pike, Schley, Spalding, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell, Thomas, Upson, Webster, and Worth.(2) The primary constituent elements of critical habitat for the purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), oval pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme), shinyrayed pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata), Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis), and fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii) are:(i) A geomorphically stable stream channel (a channel that maintains its lateral dimensions, longitudinal profile, and spatial pattern over time without a consistent aggrading or degrading bed elevation);(ii) A predominantly sand, gravel, and/or cobble stream substrate with low to moderate amounts of silt and clay;(iii) Permanently flowing water;(iv) Water quality (including temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and chemical constituents) that meets or exceeds the current aquatic life criteria established under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 - 1387 ); and(v) Fish hosts (such as largemouth bass, sailfin shiner, brown darter) that support the larval life stages of the seven mussels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, airports, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of the primary constituent elements.(4) Critical habitat unit maps. Data layers defining map units were created with USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) GIS data. The 1:100,000 river reach (route) files were used to calculate river kilometers and miles. The following data sources were referenced to identify upstream and downstream extents of critical habitat units: USGS 7.5' quadrangles; Georgia Department of Transportation county highway maps; U.S. Census Bureau 1:100,000 TIGER line road data; 1993 Georgia digital orthographic quarter quads (DOQQs); 2004 Florida DOQQs; and DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The projection used in mapping all units was Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), NAD 83, Zone 16 North.(5) Note: Index map of critical habitat units in the States of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the seven mussels follows: View Image
(6) Table of listed species and critical habitat units. A table showing the listed species, their respective critical habitat units, and the States that contain those habitat units follows. Detailed critical habitat unit descriptions and maps appear below in paragraphs (7) through (17). | Species | Critical habitat units | States |
| Purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus) | Units 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | AL, FL, GA |
| Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus) | Units 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 | AL, FL, GA |
| Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus) | Unit 9 | FL, GA |
| Oval pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) | Units 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 | AL, FL, GA |
| Shinyrayed pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata) | Units 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 | AL, FL, GA. |
| Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis) | Unit 2 | AL, FL |
| Fat threeridge (mussel) (Amblema neislerii) | Units 2, 7, 8 | AL, FL, GA |
(7) Unit 1. Econfina and Moccasin creeks, Bay and Washington Counties, Florida. This is a critical habitat unit for the Gulf moccasinshell and oval pigtoe. (i)General Description: Unit 1 includes the main stem of Econfina Creek and one of its tributaries, Moccasin Creek, encompassing a total stream length of 31.4 kilometers (km) (19.5 miles (mi)). The main stem of Econfina Creek extends from its confluence with Deer Point Lake at the powerline crossing located 3.8 km (2.3 mi) downstream of Bay County Highway 388 (-85.56 longitude, 30.36 latitude), Bay County, Florida, upstream 28.6 km (17.8 mi) to Tenmile Creek (-85.50 longitude, 30.51 latitude), Washington County, Florida; and Moccasin Creek from its confluence with Econfina Creek upstream 2.8 km (1.7 mi) to Ellis Branch (-85.53 longitude, 30.41 latitude), Bay County, Florida.(8) Unit 2. Chipola River and Dry, Rocky, Waddells Mill, Baker, Marshall, Big, and Cowarts Creeks in Houston County, Alabama, and in Calhoun, Gulf, and Jackson counties, Florida. This is a critical habitat unit for the fat threeridge, shinyrayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, and Chipola slabshell. (i)General Description: Unit 2 includes the main stem of the Chipola River and seven of its tributaries, encompassing a total stream length of 228.7 km (142.1 mi). The main stem of the Chipola River extends from its confluence with the Apalachicola River (-85.09 longitude, 30.01 latitude) in Gulf County, Florida, upstream 144.9 river km (90.0 river mi), including the reach known as Dead Lake, to the confluence of Marshall and Cowarts creeks (-85.27 longitude, 30.91 latitude) in Jackson County, Florida; Dry Creek from the Chipola River upstream 7.6 river km (4.7 river mi) to Ditch Branch (-85.24 longitude, 30.69 latitude), Jackson County, Florida; Rocky Creek from the Chipola River upstream 7.1 river km (4.4 river mi) to Little Rocky Creek (-85.13 longitude, 30.68 latitude), Jackson County, Florida; Waddells Mill Creek from the Chipola River upstream 3.7 river km (2.3 river mi) to Russ Mill Creek (-85.29 longitude, 30.87 latitude), Jackson County, Florida; Baker Creek from Waddells Mill Creek upstream 5.3 river km (3.3 river mi) to Tanner Springs (-85.32 longitude, 30.83 latitude), Jackson County, Florida; Marshall Creek from the Chipola River upstream 13.7 river km (8.5 river mi) to the Alabama-Florida State line (-85.33 longitude, 31.00 latitude), Jackson County, Florida; Cowarts Creek from the Chipola River in Jackson County, Florida, upstream 33.5 river km (20.8 river mi) to the Edgar Smith Road bridge (-85.29 longitude, 31.13 latitude), Houston County, Alabama; and Big Creek from the Alabama-Florida State line upstream 13.0 river km (8.1 river mi) to Limestone Creek (-85.42 longitude, 31.08 latitude), Houston County, Alabama. The short segment of the Chipola River that flows underground within the boundaries of Florida Caverns State Park is not included within this unit.(9) Unit 3. Uchee Creek, Russell County, Alabama. This is a critical habitat unit for the shinyrayed pocketbook. (i)General Description: Unit 3 includes the main stem of Uchee Creek from its confluence with the Chattahoochee River upstream 34.2 km (21.2 mi) to Island Creek (-85.18 longitude, 32.38 latitude), Russell County, Alabama, encompassing a total stream length of 34.2 km (21.2 mi).(10) Unit 4. Sawhatchee, Sheffield Mill, and Kirkland creeks, Early County, Georgia. This is a critical habitat unit for the shinyrayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, and oval pigtoe. (i)General Description: Unit 4 includes the main stems of Sawhatchee and Kirkland creeks, and one tributary, encompassing a total stream length of 37.8 km (23.5 mi). Unit 4 includes Sawhatchee Creek from its confluence with the Chattahoochee River upstream 28.6 km (17.8 mi) to the powerline crossing located 1.4 km (0.87 mi) upstream of Early County Road 15 (-84.99 longitude, 31.32 latitude); Sheffield Mill Creek, the tributary, from its confluence with Sawhatchee Creek upstream 3.1 km (1.9 mi) to the powerline crossing located 2.3 km (1.4 mi) upstream of Sowhatchee Road (-85.01 longitude, 31.23 latitude); Kirkland Creek from its confluence with the Chattahoochee River upstream 6.1 km (3.8 mi) to Dry Creek (-85.00 longitude, 31.13 latitude).(11) Unit 5. Upper Flint River and Swift, Limestone, Turkey, Pennahatchee, Little Pennahatchee, Hogcrawl, Red Oak, Line, and Whitewater creeks in Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dooly, Fayette, Macon, Meriwether, Peach, Pike, Spalding, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Upson, and Worth counties, Georgia. This is a critical habitat unit for the shinyrayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, and purple bankclimber. (i)General Description: Unit 5 encompasses a total stream length of 380.4 km (236.4 mi) and includes the Flint River from the State Highway 27 bridge (Vienna Road) (-83.98 longitude, 32.06 latitude) in Dooly and Sumter counties, Georgia (the river is the county boundary), upstream 247.4 km (153.7 mi) through Macon, Peach, Taylor, Crawford, Talbot, Upson, Pike, Meriwether, and Coweta counties, to Horton Creek (-84.42 longitude, 33.29 latitude) in Fayette and Spalding counties, Georgia (the river is the county boundary); Swift Creek from Lake Blackshear upstream 11.3 km (7 mi) to Rattlesnake Branch (-83.84 longitude, 31.82 latitude), Crisp and Worth counties, Georgia (the creek is the county boundary); Limestone Creek from Lake Blackshear, Crisp County, Georgia, upstream 8.8 km (5.5 mi) to County Road 89 (-83.88 longitude, 32.04 latitude), Dooly County, Georgia; Turkey Creek from the Flint River upstream 21.7 km (13.5 mi) to Rogers Branch (-83.89 longitude, 32.20 latitude), in Dooly County, Georgia; Pennahatchee Creek from Turkey Creek upstream 4.8 km (3 mi) to Little Pennahatchee Creek (-83.89 longitude, 32.10 latitude), Dooly County, Georgia; Little Pennahatchee Creek from Pennahatchee Creek upstream 5.8 km (3.6 mi) to Rock Hill Creek (-83.85 longitude, 32.13 latitude), Dooly County, Georgia; Hogcrawl Creek from the Flint River upstream 21.6 km (13.4 mi) to Little Creek (-83.90 longitude, 32.28 latitude), Dooly and Macon counties, Georgia (the creek is the county boundary); Red Oak Creek from the Flint River upstream 21.7 km (13.5 mi) to Brittens Creek (-84.68 longitude, 33.11 latitude), Meriwether County, Georgia; Line Creek from the Flint River upstream 15.8 km (9.8 mi) to Whitewater Creek (-84.51 longitude, 33.28 latitude), Coweta and Fayette counties, Georgia (the creek is the county boundary); and Whitewater Creek from Line Creek upstream 21.5 km (13.4 mi) to Ginger Cake Creek (-84.49 longitude, 33.42 latitude), Fayette County, Georgia.(ii) Two maps of unit 5-northern part of unit 5 and-southern part of unit 5 follow: View Image
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(12) Unit 6. Middle Flint River and Kinchafoonee, Lanahassee, Muckalee, Little Muckalee, Mill, Mercer Mill Pond, Abrams, Jones, and Chokee creeks in Dougherty, Lee, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Terrell, Webster, and Worth counties, Georgia. This is a critical habitat unit for the shinyrayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, and purple bankclimber.(i)General Description: Unit 6 encompasses a total stream length of 302.3 km (187.8 mi) and includes the Flint River from Piney Woods Creek (-84.06 longitude, 31.61 latitude) in Dougherty County, Georgia (the upstream extent of Lake Worth), upstream 39.9 km (24.8 mi) to the Warwick Dam (-83.94 longitude, 31.85 latitude), Lee and Worth counties, Georgia; Kinchafoonee Creek from its confluence with Lake Worth at the Lee-Dougherty county line (-84.17 longitude, 31.62 latitude), upstream 107.6 km (66.8 mi) through Terrell and Sumter Counties, Georgia, to Dry Creek (-84.58 longitude, 32.17 latitude), Webster County, Georgia; Lanahassee Creek from Kinchafoonee Creek upstream 9.3 km (5.8 mi) to West Fork Lanahassee Creek (-84.50 longitude, 32.11 latitude), Webster County, Georgia; Muckalee Creek, from its confluence with Lake Worth at the Lee-Dougherty county line (-84.14 longitude, 31.62 latitude), upstream 104.5 km (64.9 mi) to County Road 114 (-84.44 longitude, 32.23 latitude), Marion County, Georgia; Little Muckalee Creek, from Muckalee Creek in Sumter County, Georgia, upstream 7.2 km (4.5 mi) to Galey Creek (-84.29 longitude, 32.17 latitude), Schley County, Georgia; Mill Creek from the Flint River upstream 3.2 km (2 mi) to Mercer Millpond Creek (-83.99 longitude, 31.67 latitude), Worth County, Georgia; Mercer Millpond Creek from Mill Creek upstream 0.45 km (0.28 mi) to Mercer Mill Pond (-83.99 longitude, 31.68 latitude), Worth County, Georgia; Abrams Creek from the Flint River upstream 15.9 km (9.9 mi) to County Road 123 (-83.93 longitude, 31.68 latitude), Worth County, Georgia; Jones Creek from the Flint River upstream 3.8 km (2.4 mi) to County Road 123 (-83.96 longitude, 31.76 latitude), Worth County, Georgia; and Chokee Creek, from the Flint River upstream 10.5 km (6.5 mi) to Dry Branch Creek (-84.02 longitude, 31.89 latitude), Lee County, Georgia.(ii) Two maps of unit 6-western part of unit 6 and-eastern part of unit 6 follow: View Image
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(13) Unit 7. Lower Flint River and Spring, Aycocks, Dry, Ichawaynochaway, Mill, Pachitla, Little Pachitla, Chickasawhatchee, and Cooleewahee creeks in Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Miller, Mitchell, and Terrell counties, Georgia. This is a critical habitat unit for the fat threeridge, shinyrayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, and purple bankclimber.(i)General Description: Unit 7 encompasses a total stream length of 396.7 km (246.5 mi) and includes the Flint River from its confluence with Big Slough (-84.56 longitude, 30.93 latitude), Decatur County, Georgia, upstream 116.4 km (72.3 mi) through Baker and Mitchell Counties, Georgia, to the Flint River Dam (which impounds Lake Worth) (-84.14 longitude, 31.60 latitude), Dougherty County, Georgia; Spring Creek, from its confluence with Lake Seminole at Smith Landing (-84.75 longitude, 30.89 latitude), Decatur County, Georgia, upstream 74.2 km (46.1 mi) to County Road 35 (-84.78 longitude, 31.34 latitude), Early County, Georgia; Aycocks Creek from Spring Creek upstream 15.9 km (9.9 mi) to Cypress Creek (-84.79 longitude, 31.15 latitude), Miller County, Georgia; Dry Creek from Spring Creek upstream 9.9 km (6.1 mi) to Wamble Creek (-84.84 longitude, 31.31 latitude), Early County, Georgia; Ichawaynochaway Creek from the Flint River, Baker County, Georgia, upstream 68.6 km (42.6 mi) to Merrett Creek (-84.58 longitude, 31.54 latitude), Calhoun County, Georgia; Mill Creek from Ichawaynochaway Creek upstream 7.4 km (4.6 mi) to County Road 163 (-84.63 longitude, 31.40 latitude), Baker County, Georgia; Pachitla Creek, from Ichawaynochaway Creek upstream 18.9 km (11.8 mi) to Little Pachitla Creek (-84.68 longitude, 31.56 latitude), Calhoun County, Georgia; Little Pachitla Creek from Pachitla Creek upstream 5.8 km (3.6 mi) to Bear Branch (-84.72 longitude, 31.58 latitude), Calhoun County, Georgia; Chickasawhatchee Creek from Ichawaynochaway Creek, Baker County, Georgia, upstream 64.5 km (40.1 mi) to U.S. Highway 82 (-84.38 longitude, 31.74 latitude), Terrell County, Georgia; and Cooleewahee Creek from the Flint River upstream 15.1 km (9.4 mi) to Piney Woods Branch (-84.31 longitude, 31.42 latitude), Baker County, Georgia.(ii) Two maps of unit 7-western part of unit 7 and-eastern part of unit 7 follow: View Image
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(14) Unit 8. Apalachicola River, Chipola Cutoff, Swift Slough, River Styx, Kennedy Slough, and Kennedy Creek in Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, and Liberty Counties, Florida. This is a critical habitat unit for the fat threeridge and purple bankclimber. (i)General Description: Unit 8 includes the main stem of the Apalachicola River, two of its distributaries, Chipola Cutoff and Swift Slough, and three of its tributaries, River Styx, Kennedy Slough, and Kennedy Creek, encompassing a total length of 161.2 river km (100.2 river mi). The main stem of the Apalachicola River extends from the downstream end of Bloody Bluff Island (river mile 15.3 on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Charts) (-85.01 longitude, 29.88 latitude), Franklin County, Florida, through Calhoun and Liberty Counties, Florida, upstream to the Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam (which impounds Lake Seminole) (-84.86 longitude, 30.71 latitude), Gadsden and Jackson Counties, Florida; Chipola Cutoff from the Apalachicola River in Gulf County, Florida, downstream 4.5 river km (2.8 river mi) to its confluence with the Chipola River; Swift Slough from the Apalachicola River in Liberty County, Florida, downstream 3.6 river km (2.2 river mi) to its confluence with the River Styx (-85.12 longitude, 30.10 latitude); River Styx from the mouth of Swift Slough (-85.12 longitude, 30.10 latitude) in Liberty County, Florida, downstream 3.8 river km (2.4 river mi) to its confluence with the Apalachicola River; Kennedy Slough from -85.07 longitude, 30.01 latitude in Liberty County, Florida, downstream 0.9 river km (0.5 river mi) to its confluence with Kennedy Creek; and Kennedy Creek from Brushy Creek Feeder (-85.06 longitude, 30.01 latitude) in Liberty County, Florida, downstream 1.1 river km (0.7 river mi) to its confluence with the Apalachicola River.(15) Unit 9. Upper Ochlockonee River and Barnetts and West Barnetts creeks, and the Little Ochlockonee River in Gadsden and Leon counties, Florida, and in Grady and Thomas counties, Georgia. This is a critical habitat unit for the shinyrayed pocketbook, Ochlockonee moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, and purple bankclimber. (i)General Description: Unit 9 includes the main stem of the Ochlockonee River upstream of Lake Talquin and three tributaries encompassing a total stream length of 177.3 km (110.2 mi). The main stem of the Ochlockonee River extends from its confluence with Gulley Branch (the approximate upstream extent of Lake Talquin) (-84.44 longitude, 30.46 latitude), Gadsden and Leon counties, Florida, upstream 134.0 km (83.3 mi) to Bee Line Road/County Road 306 (-83.94 longitude, 31.03 latitude), Thomas County, Georgia; Barnetts Creek from the Ochlockonee River upstream 20 km (12.4 mi) to Grady County Road 170/Thomas County Road 74 (-84.12 longitude, 30.98 latitude), Grady and Thomas counties, Georgia; West Barnetts Creek from Barnetts Creek upstream 10 km (6.2 mi) to Georgia Highway 111 (-84.17 longitude, 30.98 latitude), Grady County, Georgia; and the Little Ochlockonee River from the Ochlockonee River upstream 13.3 km (8.3 mi) to Roup Road/County Road 33 (-84.02 longitude, 31.02 latitude), Thomas County, Georgia.(16) Unit 10. Lower Ochlockonee River in Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties, Florida. This is a critical habitat unit for the purple bankclimber.(i)General Description: Unit 10 encompasses a total stream length of 75.4 km (46.9 mi) and includes the main stem of the Ochlockonee River from its confluence with Syfrett Creek (-84.56 longitude, 30.02 latitude), Wakulla County, Florida, upstream 75.4 km (46.9 mi) to the Jackson Bluff Dam (which impounds Lake Talquin) (-84.65 longitude, 30.39 latitude), Leon and Liberty counties, Florida.(17) Unit 11. Santa Fe River and New River in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, and Union counties, Florida. This is a critical habitat unit for the oval pigtoe.(i)General Description: Unit 11 includes the main stem of the Santa Fe River and its tributary the New River encompassing a total stream length of 83.1 km (51.6 mi). The main channel of the Santa Fe River extends from where the river goes underground in O'Leno State Park (-82.57 longitude, 29.91 latitude), Alachua and Columbia counties, Florida, upstream 60.2 km (37.4 mi) to the powerline crossing located 1.9 km (1.2 mi) downstream from the U.S. Highway 301 bridge (-82.18 longitude, 29.84 latitude) in Alachua and Bradford counties, Florida; and the New River from its confluence with the Santa Fe River at the junction of Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties, Florida, upstream 22.9 km (14.2 mi) to McKinney Branch (-82.27 longitude, 30.01 latitude) in Bradford and Union counties, Florida.Eight mussel species in four northeast Gulf of Mexico drainages: Choctaw bean (Obovaria choctawensis), round ebonyshell (Reginaia rotulata), southern kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus jonesi), Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera marrianae), fuzzy pigtoe (Pleurobema strodeanum), narrow pigtoe (Fusconaia escambia), tapered pigtoe (Fusconaia burkei), and southern sandshell (Hamiota australis)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for the following counties:(i) Alabama. Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Monroe, and Pike Counties.(ii) Florida. Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington Counties.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the Alabama pearlshell, round ebonyshell, southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, tapered pigtoe, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe consist of five components:(i) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) Stable substrates of sand or mixtures of sand with clay or gravel with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae.(iii) A hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species are found, and to maintain connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for habitat maintenance, food availability, and spawning habitat for native fishes.(iv) Water quality, including temperature (not greater than 32 °C), pH (between 6.0 to 8.5), oxygen content (not less than 5.0 milligrams per liter), hardness, turbidity, and other chemical characteristics necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(v) The presence of fish hosts. Diverse assemblages of native fish species will serve as a potential indication of host fish presence until appropriate host fishes can be identified. For the fuzzy pigtoe and tapered pigtoe, the presence of blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) will serve as a potential indication of fish host presence.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, dams, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on November 9, 2012, with the exception of the impoundments created by Point A and Gantt Lake dams (impounded water, not the actual dam structures).(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created with USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) GIS data. The 1:100,000 river reach (route) files were used to calculate river kilometers and miles. ESRIs ArcGIS 9.3.1 software was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates using decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping all units was Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), NAD 83, Zone 16 North. The following data sources were referenced to identify features (like roads and streams) used to delineate the upstream and downstream extents of critical habitat units: NHD data, Washington County USFWS National Wetlands Inventory, 1999 Florida Department of Transportation Roads Characteristics Inventory (RCI) dataset, U.S. Census Bureau 2000 TIGER line waterbody data, ESRIs World Street Map Service, Florida Department of Transportation General Highway Maps, DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers, and USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site, http://www.fws.gov/PanamaCity, http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2011-0050, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index maps follow (Map 1 for the Alabama pearlshell, and Map 2 for the round ebonyshell, southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, tapered pigtoe, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe): View Image
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(6) Unit AP1: Big Flat Creek Drainage, Monroe and Wilcox Counties, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the Alabama pearlshell. (i) The unit includes the mainstem of Big Flat Creek from State Route 41 upstream 56 kilometers (km) (35 miles (mi)), Monroe County, AL; Flat Creek from its confluence with Big Flat Creek upstream 20 km (12 mi), Monroe County, AL; and Dailey Creek from its confluence Flat Creek upstream 17 km (11 mi), Monroe and Wilcox Counties, AL.(ii) Map of Unit AP1, Big Flat Creek Drainage, and Unit AP2, Burnt Corn Creek, Murder Creek, and Sepulga River drainages, follows: View Image
(7) Unit AP2: Burnt Corn Creek, Murder Creek, and Sepulga River. Drainages, Escambia and Conecuh Counties, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the Alabama pearlshell. (i) The unit includes the mainstem of Burnt Corn Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek upstream 66 km (41 mi), Conecuh County, AL; the mainstem of Murder Creek from its confluence with Jordan Creek upstream 17 km (11 mi) to the confluence of Otter Creek, Conecuh County, AL; Jordan Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek upstream 12 km (7 mi), Conecuh County, AL; Otter Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek, upstream 9 km (5.5 mi), Conecuh County, AL; Hunter Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek upstream 4.4 km (2.7 mi) to the Navy Outlying Field (NOLF) Evergreen northern boundary, Conecuh County, AL; Hunter Creek from the NOLF Evergreen southern boundary upstream 3.0 km (1.9 mi), Conecuh County, AL; Sandy Creek from County Road 29 upstream 5 km (3.5 mi), Conecuh County, AL; two unnamed tributaries to Sandy Creek-one from its confluence with Sandy Creek upstream 8.5 km (5.0 mi) to just above Hagood Road, and the other from it confluence with the previous unnamed tributary upstream 2.5 km (1.5 mi) to just above Hagood Road; Little Cedar Creek from County Road 6 upstream 8 km (5 mi), Conecuh County, AL; Amos Mill Creek from its confluence with the Sepulga River upstream 12 km (8 mi), Escambia and Conecuh Counties, AL; Polly Creek from its confluence with Amos Mill Creek upstream 3 km (2 mi), Conecuh County, AL; and Bottle Creek from its confluence with the Sepulga River upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to County Road 42, Conecuh County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit AP1, Big Flat Creek Drainage, and Unit AP2, Burnt Corn Creek, Murder Creek, and Sepulga River Drainages is provided at paragraph (6)(ii) of this entry.(8) Unit GCM1: Lower Escambia River Drainage in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, FL, and Escambia, Covington, Conecuh, and Butler Counties, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the round ebonyshell, southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe.(i) The unit includes the Escambia-Conecuh River mainstem from the confluence of Spanish Mill Creek Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, FL, upstream 204 km (127 mi) to the Point A Lake dam, Covington County, AL; Murder Creek from its confluence with the Conecuh River, Escambia County, AL, upstream 62 km (38 mi) to the confluence of Cane Creek, Conecuh County, AL; Burnt Corn Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek, Escambia County, AL, upstream 59 km (37 mi) to County Road 20, Conecuh County, AL; Jordan Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek, upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to Interstate 65, Conecuh County, AL; Mill Creek from its confluence with Murder Creek upstream 2.5 km (1.5 mi) to the confluence of Sandy Creek, Conecuh County, AL; Sandy Creek from its confluence with Mill Creek upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to County Road 29, Conecuh County, AL; Sepulga River from its confluence with the Conecuh River upstream 69 km (43 mi) to the confluence of Persimmon Creek, Conecuh County, AL; Bottle Creek from its confluence with the Sepulga River upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to County Road 42, Conecuh County, AL; Persimmon Creek from its confluence with the Sepulga River, Conecuh County, upstream 36 km (22 mi) to the confluence of Mashy Creek, Butler County, AL; Panther Creek from its confluence with Persimmon Creek upstream 11 km (7 mi) to State Route 106, Butler County, AL; Pigeon Creek from its confluence with the Sepulga River, Conecuh and Covington Counties, upstream 89 km (55 mi) to the confluence of Three Run Creek, Butler County, AL; and Three Run Creek from its confluence with Pigeon Creek upstream 9 km (5.5 mi) to the confluence of Spring Creek, Butler County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM1, Lower Escambia River, follows (to preserve detail, the map is divided into south and north sections): View Image
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(9) Unit GCM2: Point A Lake and Gantt Lake Reservoirs in Covington County, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the narrow pigtoe.(i) The unit extends from Point A Dam, Covington County, upstream 21 km (13 mi) to the Covington-Crenshaw County line, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM2, Point A Lake and Gantt Lake Reservoirs, follows: View Image
(10) Unit GCM3: Patsaliga Creek Drainage in Covington, Crenshaw, and Pike Counties, AL. The Patsaliga Creek drainage is within the Escambia River basin. This unit is critical habitat for the southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe. (i) The unit includes Patsaliga Creek from its confluence with Point A Lake at County Road 59, Covington County, AL, upstream 108 km (67 mi) to Crenshaw County Road 66-Pike County Road 1, AL; Little Patsaliga Creek from its confluence with Patsaliga Creek upstream 28 km (17 mi) to Mary Daniel Road, Crenshaw County, AL; and Olustee Creek from its confluence with Patsaliga Creek upstream 12 km (8 mi) to County Road 5, Pike County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM3, Patsaliga Creek Drainage follows: View Image
(11) Unit GCM4: Upper Escambia River Drainage in Covington, Crenshaw, Pike, and Bullock Counties, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe.(i) The unit includes the Conecuh River from its confluence with Gantt Lake reservoir at the Covington-Crenshaw County line upstream 126 km (78 mi) to County Road 8, Bullock County, AL; Beeman Creek from its confluence with the Conecuh River upstream 6.5 km (4 mi) to the confluence of Mill Creek, Pike County, AL; and Mill Creek from its confluence with Beeman Creek, upstream 4.5 km (3 mi) to County Road 13, Pike County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM 4, Upper Escambia River Drainage, follows: View Image
(12) Unit GCM5: Yellow River Drainage in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties, FL, and Covington County, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the Choctaw bean, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe.(i) The unit includes the Yellow River mainstem from the confluence of Weaver River (a distributary located 0.9 km (0.6 mi), downstream of State Route 87), Santa Rosa County, FL, upstream 157 km (97 mi) to County Road 42, Covington County, AL; the Shoal River mainstem from its confluence with the Yellow River upstream 51 km (32 mi) to the confluence of Mossy Head Branch, Walton County, FL; Pond Creek from its confluence with the Shoal River upstream 24 km (15 mi) to the confluence of Fleming Creek, Walton County, FL; and Five Runs Creek from its confluence with the Yellow River upstream 15 km (9.5 mi) to County Road 31, Covington County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM5, Yellow River Drainage, follows: View Image
(13) Unit GCM6: Choctawhatchee River and Lower Pea River Drainages in Walton, Washington, Bay, Holmes, and Jackson Counties, FL, and Geneva, Coffee, Dale, Houston, Henry, Pike, and Barbour Counties, AL. This unit is critical habitat for the southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, tapered pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe. (i) The unit includes the Choctawhatchee River mainstem from the confluence of Pine Log Creek, Walton County, FL, upstream 200 km (125 mi) to the point the river splits into the West Fork Choctawhatchee and East Fork Choctawhatchee rivers, Barbour County, AL; Pine Log Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Walton County, upstream 19 km (12 mi) to Ditch Branch, Washington and Bay Counties, FL; an unnamed channel forming Cowford Island from its downstream confluence with the Choctawhatchee River upstream 3 km (2 mi) to its upstream confluence with the river, Washington County, FL; Crews Lake from its western terminus 1.5 km (1 mi) to its eastern terminus, Washington County, FL (Crews Lake is a relic channel southwest of Cowford Island, and is disconnected from the Cowford Island channel, except during high flows); Holmes Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Washington County, FL, upstream 98 km (61 mi) to County Road 4, Geneva County, AL; Alligator Creek from its confluence with Holmes Creek upstream 6.5 km (4 mi) to County Road 166, Washington County, FL; Bruce Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River upstream 25 km (16 mi) to the confluence of an unnamed tributary, Walton County, FL; Sandy Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, upstream 30 km (18 mi) to the confluence of West Sandy Creek, Holmes and Walton Counties, FL; Blue Creek from its confluence with Sandy Creek, upstream 7 km (4.5 mi) to the confluence of Goose Branch, Holmes County, FL; West Sandy Creek from its confluence with Sandy Creek, upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to the confluence of an unnamed tributary, Walton County, FL; Wrights Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Holmes County, FL, upstream 43 km (27 mi) to County Road 4, Geneva County, AL; Tenmile Creek from its confluence with Wrights Creek upstream 6 km (3.5 mi) to the confluence of Rice Machine Branch, Holmes County, FL; West Pittman Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, upstream 6.5 km (4 mi) to Fowler Branch, Holmes County, FL; East Pittman Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River upstream 4.5 km (3 mi) to County Road 179, Holmes County, FL; Parrot Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River upstream 6 km (4 mi) to Tommy Lane, Holmes County, FL; the Pea River from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Geneva County, AL, upstream 91 km (57 mi) to the Elba Dam, Coffee County, AL; Limestone Creek from its confluence with the Pea River upstream 8.5 km (5 mi) to Woods Road, Walton County, FL; Flat Creek from the Pea River upstream 17 km (10 mi) to the confluence of Panther Creek, Geneva County, AL; Eightmile Creek from its confluence with Flat Creek, Geneva County, AL, upstream 15 km (9 mi) to the confluence of Dry Branch (first tributary upstream of County Road 181), Walton County, FL; Corner Creek from its confluence with Eightmile Creek, upstream 5 km (3 mi) to State Route 54, Geneva County, AL; Natural Bridge Creek from its confluence with Eightmile Creek, Geneva County, AL, upstream 4 km (2.5 mi) to the Covington-Geneva County line, AL; Double Bridges Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Geneva County, AL, upstream 46 km (29 mi) to the confluence of Blanket Creek, Coffee County, AL; Claybank Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Geneva County, AL, upstream 22 km (14 mi) to the Fort Rucker military reservation southern boundary, Dale County, AL; Claybank Creek from the Fort Rucker military reservation northern boundary, upstream 6 km (4 mi) to County Road 36, Dale County, AL; Steep Head Creek from the Fort Rucker military reservation western boundary, upstream 4 km (2.5 mi) to County Road 156, Coffee County, AL; Hurricane Creek from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River upstream 14 km (8.5 mi) to State Route 52, Geneva County, AL; Little Choctawhatchee River from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Dale and Houston Counties, upstream 20 km (13 mi) to the confluence of Newton Creek, Houston County, AL; Panther Creek from its confluence with Little Choctawhatchee River, upstream 4.5 km (2.5 mi) to the confluence of Gilley Mill Branch, Houston County, AL; Bear Creek from its confluence with the Little Choctawhatchee River, upstream 5.5 km (3.5 mi) to County Road 40 (Fortner Street), Houston County, AL; West Fork Choctawhatchee River from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Dale County, AL, upstream 54 km (33 mi) to the fork of Pauls Creek and Lindsey Creek, Barbour County, AL; Judy Creek from its confluence with West Fork Choctawhatchee River upstream 17 km (11 mi) to County Road 13, Dale County, AL; Sikes Creek from its confluence with West Fork Choctawhatchee River Dale County, AL, upstream 8.5 km (5.5 mi) to State Route 10, Barbour County, AL; Pauls Creek from its confluence with West Fork Choctawhatchee River upstream 7 km (4.5 mi) to one mile upstream of County Road 20, Barbour County, AL; Lindsey Creek from its confluence with West Fork Choctawhatchee River upstream 14 km (8.5 mi) to the confluence of an unnamed tributary, Barbour County, AL; an unnamed tributary to Lindsey Creek from its confluence with Lindsey Creek upstream 2.5 km (1.5 mi) to 1.0 mile upstream of County Road 53, Barbour County, AL; and East Fork Choctawhatchee River from its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River, Dale County, AL, upstream 71 km (44 mi) to County Road 71, Barbour County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM6, Choctawhatchee River and Lower Pea River Drainages, follows (to preserve detail, the map is divided into south, central, and north sections): View Image
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(14) Unit GCM7: Upper Pea River Drainage in Coffee, Dale, Pike, Barbour, and Bullock Counties, AL. The Pea River drainage is within the Choctawhatchee River Basin. This unit is critical habitat for the southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean, tapered pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe.(i) The unit includes the Pea River mainstem from the Elba Dam, Coffee County, upstream 123 km (76 mi) to State Route 239, Bullock and Barbour Counties, AL; Whitewater Creek from its confluence with the Pea River, Coffee County, upstream 45 km (28 mi) to the confluence of Walnut Creek, Pike County, AL; Walnut Creek from its confluence with Whitewater Creek upstream 14 km (9 mi) to County Road 26, Pike County, AL; Big Creek (Coffee County) from its confluence with Whitewater Creek, Coffee County, upstream 30 km (18 mi) to the confluence of Smart Branch, Pike County, AL; Big Creek (Barbour County) from its confluence with the Pea River upstream 10 km (6 mi) to the confluence of Sand Creek, Barbour County, AL; Pea Creek from its confluence with the Pea River upstream 6 km (4 mi) to the confluence of Hurricane Creek, Barbour County, AL; and Big Sandy Creek from its confluence with the Pea River upstream 6.5 km (4 mi) to County Road 14, Bullock County, AL.(ii) Map of Unit GCM7, Upper Pea River Drainage, follows: View Image
Georgia Pigtoe (Pleurobema hanleyianum)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Cherokee, Coosa, and Clay Counties, Alabama; Murray and Whitfield Counties, Georgia; and Bradley and Polk Counties, Tennessee, on the maps below.(2) The primary constituent elements (PCEs) of critical habitat for the Georgia pigtoe are the habitat components that provide: (i) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found. Unless other information becomes available, existing conditions at locations where the species occurs will be considered as minimal flow requirements for survival.(iii) Water quality (including temperature, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, and chemical constituents) that meets or exceeds the current aquatic life criteria established under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 - 1387 ).(iv) Sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, or bedrock substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae.(v) The presence of fish host(s) for the Georgia pigtoe (species currently unknown). Diverse assemblages of native fish will serve as a potential indication of presence of host fish.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of the PCEs, such as buildings, bridges, aqueducts, airports, and roads, and the land on which such structures are located.(4)Critical habitat unit maps. Maps were developed from USGS 7.5' quadrangles. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were then identified by longitude and latitude using decimal degrees and converted to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone 16, coordinates.(5) NOTE: Index map of critical habitat units for the Georgia pigtoe follows: View Image
(6) Unit 1 for Georgia pigtoe (GP 1): Conasauga River, Bradley and Polk Counties, Tennessee; Murray and Whitfield Counties, Georgia. (i) Unit GP 1 includes the channel of the Conasauga River from the confluence of Minnewaga Creek (710752.23E, 3875891.03N), Polk County, Tennessee, downstream to U.S. Highway 76 (694611.06E, 3851057.36N), Murray/Whitfield County, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 1 (GP 1) for Georgia pigtoe (Conasauga River) follows: View Image
(7) Unit 2 for Georgia pigtoe (GP 2), Terrapin Creek and Coosa River, Cherokee County, Alabama. (i) Unit GP 2 includes the channel of Terrapin Creek from Alabama Highway 9 (628065.76E, 3770007.078N), downstream to the confluence with the Coosa River (621001.27E, 3777441.03N), Cherokee County, Alabama; and the Coosa River channel from Weiss Dam (614866.54E, 3781969.16N), downstream to a point 1.6 km (1 mi) below the confluence of Terrapin Creek (619751.69E, 3776654.79N), Cherokee County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 2 (GP 2) for Georgia pigtoe (Terrapin Creek, Coosa River) follows: View Image
(8) Unit 3 for Georgia pigtoe (GP 3): Hatchet Creek, Coosa and Clay Counties, Alabama.(i) Unit GP 3 includes the channel of Hatchet Creek from Clay County Road 4 (588215.16E, 3666038.46N), Clay County, downstream to the confluence of Swamp Creek at Coosa County Road 29 (561904.90E, 3636065.37N), Coosa County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 3 (GP 3) for Georgia pigtoe (Hatchet Creek) follows: View Image
TEXAS PIMPLEBACK (CYCLONAIAS PETRINA)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Brown, Coleman, Concho, Kimble, Lampasas, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, and Tom Green Counties, Texas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Texas pimpleback consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark: (i) Flowing water at rates suitable to keep riffle habitats wetted and well-oxygenated and to prevent excess sedimentation or scour during high-flow events but not so high as to dislodge individuals;(ii) Stable riffles and runs with substrate composed of cobble, gravel, and fine sediments;(iii) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), and tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map units were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the maps are based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map of critical habitat units for the Texas pimpleback follows: Figure 1 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit TXPB-1: Elm Creek; Runnels County, Texas.(i) Unit TXPB-1 consists of two subunits:(A) Subunit TXPB-1a (Bluff Creek) consists of 11.6 river miles (mi) (18.7 kilometers (km)) in Runnels County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this unit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXPB-1b (Lower Elm Creek) consists of 12.3 river mi (19.8 km) in Runnels County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (3 percent) and private (97 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXPB-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXPB-1 follows: Figure 2 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (6)(iii)
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(7) Unit TXPB-2: Concho River; Concho and Tom Green Counties, Texas. (i) Unit TXPB-2 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit TXPB-2a (Lower Concho River) consists of 34.6 river mi (55.7 km) in Concho and Tom Green Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXPB-2b (Upper Concho River) consists of 15.5 river mi (25.0 km) of the Concho River in Tom Green County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (2 percent) and private (98 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXPB-2 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXPB-2 follows: Figure 3 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (7)(iii)
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(8) Unit TXPB-3: Upper Colorado River and Lower San Saba River; Brown, Coleman, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba Counties, Texas.(i) Unit TXPB-3 consists of two subunits:(A) Subunit TXPB-3a (Upper Colorado River) consists of 150.4 river mi (242.1 km) in Brown, Coleman, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXPB-3b (Lower San Saba River) consists of 49.2 river mi (79.1 km) in San Saba County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (1 percent) and private (99 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit TXPB-3 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXPB-3 follows: Figure 4 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (8)(iii)
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(9) Unit TXPB-4: Upper San Saba River; Menard County, Texas.(i) Unit TXPB-4 consists of approximately 51.4 river mi (82.7 km) in Menard County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXPB-4 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXPB-4: Upper San Saba River follows: Figure 5 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (9)(iii)
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(10) Unit TXPB-5: Llano River; Kimble and Mason Counties, Texas.(i) Unit TXPB-5 consists of two subunits.(A) Subunit TXPB-5a (Upper Llano River) consists of 37.2 river mi (59.9 km) in Kimble and Mason Counties, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(B) Subunit TXPB-5b (Lower Llano River) consists of 11.8 river mi (19.1 km) in Mason County, Texas. All of the riparian lands that border this subunit are in private ownership.(ii) Unit TXPB-5 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit TXPB-5 follows: Figure 6 to Texas Pimpleback (Cyclonaias petrina) paragraph (10)(iii)
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(11) Unit TXPB-6 is excluded from the designation pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Act.BALCONES SPIKE (FUSCONAIA IHERINGI)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Kimble, Mason, and San Saba Counties, Texas, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Balcones spike consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark: (i) Flowing water at rates suitable to keep riffle habitats wetted and well-oxygenated and to prevent excess sedimentation but not so high as to dislodge individuals;(ii) Stable riffles and runs with cobble, gravel, and fine sediments;(iii) Blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) and red shiner (C. lutrensis) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map units were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the maps are based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Index map of critical habitat units for the Balcones spike follows: Figure 1 to Balcones Spike (Fusconaia iheringi) paragraph (5)
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(6) Unit BASP-1 is excluded from the designation pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Act.(7) Unit BASP-2: San Saba River; San Saba County, Texas.(i) Unit BASP-2 consists of 49.1 river miles (mi) (79.0 milometers (km)) in San Saba County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State/local government (1 percent) and private (99 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit BASP-2 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit BASP-2 follows: Figure 2 to Balcones Spike (Fusconaia iheringi) paragraph (7)(iii)
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(8) Unit BASP-3: Llano River; Kimble and Mason Counties, Texas.(i) Unit BASP-3 consists of 49 river mi (78.9 km) in Kimble and Mason Counties, Texas.(ii) Unit BASP-3 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit BASP-3 follows: Figure 3 to Balcones Spike (Fusconaia iheringi) paragraph (8)(iii)
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FALSE SPIKE (FUSCONAIA MITCHELLI)
(1) The critical habitat unit is depicted for DeWitt, Gonzales, and Victoria Counties, Texas, on the map in this entry.(2) Within this area, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of false spike consist of the following components within waters and streambeds up to the ordinary high-water mark:(i) Flowing water at rates suitable to keep riffle habitats wetted and well-oxygenated and to prevent excess sedimentation but not so high as to dislodge individuals;(ii) Stable riffles and runs with cobble, gravel, and fine sediments;(iii) Blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) and red shiner (C. lutrensis) present; and(iv) Water quality parameters within the following ranges:(A) Dissolved oxygen greater than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L);(B) Salinity less than 2 parts per thousand;(C) Total ammonia less than 0.77 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen;(D) Water temperature below 29 °C (84.2 °F); and(E) Low levels of contaminants.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on July 5, 2024.(4) Data layers defining the map unit were created on a base of U.S. Geological Survey digital ortho-photo quarter-quadrangles, and the critical habitat unit was then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 14N coordinates. The map in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establishes the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet site at https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2019-0061, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Unit FASP-1: Guadalupe River; DeWitt, Gonzales, and Victoria Counties, Texas. (i) Unit FASP-1 consists of two subunits: (A) Subunit FASP-1a (San Marcos River) consists of 21.2 river miles (mi) (34 kilometers (km)) of the in Gonzales County, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State (8 percent) and private (92 percent) ownership.(B) Subunit FASP-1b (Guadalupe River) consists of 122.4 river mi (197 km) of the Guadalupe River in DeWitt, Gonzales, and Victoria Counties, Texas. The riparian lands that border this subunit are in State (2 percent) and private (98 percent) ownership.(ii) Unit FASP-1 includes stream channel up to bankfull height.(iii) Map of Unit FASP-1 follows: Figure 1 to False Spike (Fusconaia mitchelli) paragraph (5)(iii)
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Altamaha spinymussel (Elliptio spinosa).
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Appling, Ben Hill, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler Counties, Georgia, on the maps below.(2) The primary constituent elements (PCEs) of critical habitat for the Altamaha spinymussel are the habitat components that provide:(i) Geomorphically stable river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with stable sandbar, slough, and mid-channel-island habitats of coarse-to-fine sand substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae.(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species are found and to maintain connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for sand bar maintenance, food availability, and spawning habitat for native fishes.(iii) Water quality necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages, including specifically temperature (less than 32.6 °C (90.68 °) with less than 2 °C (3.6 °F) daily fluctuation), pH (6.1 to 7.7), oxygen content (daily average DO concentration of 5.0 mg/l and a minimum of 4.0 mg/l), an ammonia level not exceeding 1.5 mg N/L, 0.22 mg N/L (normalized to pH 8 and 25 °C (77 °F)), and other chemical characteristics.(iv) The presence of fish hosts (currently unknown) necessary for recruitment of the Altamaha spinymussel. The continued occurrence of diverse native fish assemblages currently occurring in the basin will serve as an indication of host fish presence until appropriate host fishes can be identified for the Altamaha spinymussel.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of the PCEs, such as buildings, bridges, aqueducts, airports, and roads, and the land on which such structures are located.(4)Critical habitat unit maps. Maps were developed from USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles, and critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were then identified by longitude and latitude using decimal degrees.(5) NOTE: Index map of critical habitat units for the Altamaha spinymussel follows: View Image
(6)Unit 1: Ocmulgee River, Ben Hill, Telfair, Coffee, and Jeff Davis Counties, Georgia.(i) Unit 1 includes the channel of the Ocmulgee River from the confluence of House Creek with the Ocmulgee at Red Bluff Landing (longitude -83.18, latitude 31.85), Ben Hill and Telfair Counties, Georgia, downstream to Altamaha River (longitude -82.54, latitude 31.96), at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, Jeff Davis and Telfair Counties, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 1 (Ocmulgee River) follows: View Image
(7)Unit 2: Upper Altamaha River, Wheeler, Toombs, Montgomery, Jeff Davis, Appling, and Tattnall Counties, Georgia.(i) Unit 2 includes the channel of the Altamaha River from the confluence of the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers (longitude -82.54, latitude 31.96), Wheeler and Jeff Davis Counties, Georgia, downstream to the US 1 crossing (longitude -82.36, latitude 31.94), and from the western edge of Moody Forest (longitude -82.33, latitude 31.93) downstream to the confluence of the Altamaha and Ohoopee Rivers (longitude -82.11, latitude 31.90), Appling and Tattnall Counties, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 2 (Upper Altamaha River) follows: View Image
(8)Unit 3: Middle Altamaha River, Tattnall, Appling, Wayne, and Long Counties, Georgia. (i) Unit 3 includes the channel of Altamaha River, extending from the confluence with the Ohoopee (longitude -82.11, latitude 31.90), Tattnall and Appling Counties, Georgia, downstream to U.S. Route 301 (longitude -81.84, latitude 31.67), Wayne and Long Counties, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 3 (Middle Altamaha River) follows: View Image
(9)Unit 4: Lower Ohoopee River, Tattnall County, Georgia.(i) Unit 4 includes the channel of the Ohoopee River, starting 2.2 km (1.3 mi) upstream of Tattnall County Road 191 (longitude -82.14, latitude 31.98), Tattnall County, Georgia, downstream to the confluence of the Ohoopee River with the Altamaha River (longitude -82.11, latitude 31.90), Tattnall County, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 4 (Lower Ohoopee River) follows: View Image
Fluted Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentus)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted on the maps below for Limestone County, Alabama; Jackson, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, and Wayne Counties, Kentucky; Bedford, Claiborne, Cocke, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hickman, Humphreys, Jefferson, Knox, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Scott, and Sevier Counties, Tennessee; and Bland, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties, Virginia.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of fluted kidneyshell consist of five components: (i) Riffle habitats within large, geomorphically stable stream channels (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) Stable substrates of sand, gravel, and cobble with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and containing flow refugia with low shear stress.(iii) A natural hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found, and connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for habitat maintenance, food availability for all life stages, and spawning habitat for native fishes.(iv) Water quality with low levels of pollutants and including a natural temperature regime, pH (between 6.0 to 8.5), oxygen content (not less than 5.0 milligrams/liter), hardness, and turbidity necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(v) The presence of abundant fish hosts, which may include the barcheek darter, fantail darter, rainbow darter, redline darter, bluebreast darter, dusky darter and banded sculpin, necessary for recruitment of the fluted kidneyshell.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, dams, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on October 28, 2013.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created with USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD+) GIS data. The 1:100,000 river reach (route) files were used to calculate river kilometers and miles. ESRIs ArcGIS 10.0 software was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates using decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping all units was USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic USGS version, NAD 83, meters. The following data sources were referenced to identify features (like roads and streams) used to delineate the upstream and downstream extents of critical habitat units: NHD+ flowline and waterbody data, 2011 Navteq roads data, USA Topo ESRI online basemap service, DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers, and USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the field office Internet site (http://www.fws.gov/cookeville), at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0026, and at the Service's Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Office. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) An overview of critical habitat locations for the fluted kidneyshell in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia follows: View Image
(6) Unit FK1: Horse Lick Creek, Rockcastle and Jackson Counties, Kentucky. (i) The unit includes approximately 19 river kilometers (rkm) (12 river miles (rmi)) of Horse Lick Creek, in Rockcastle and Jackson Counties, KY. It includes the mainstem of Horse Lick Creek from its confluence with the Rockcastle River (-84.13780, 37.31991) upstream to Clover Bottom Creek (-84.12200, 37.40879).(7) Unit FK2: Middle Fork Rockcastle River, Jackson County, Kentucky.(i) The unit includes 12.5 rkm (7.7 rmi) of the Middle Fork Rockcastle River from its confluence with the Rockcastle River (-84.11895, 37.33581) upstream to its confluence with Indian Creek and Laurel Fork (-84.04897, 37.36765) in Jackson County, KY.(ii) Map of Units FK1 and FK2 is provided at paragraph (6)(ii) of this entry.(8) Unit FK3: Rockcastle River, Pulaski, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties, Kentucky.(i) The unit includes approximately 70 rkm (43 rmi) of the Rockcastle River from the backwaters of Lake Cumberland near its confluence with Cane Creek along the Laurel and Pulaski County line, KY (-84.30594, 37.03423), upstream to its confluence with Horse Lick Creek along the Laurel and Rockcastle County line, KY (-84.13766, 37.31944).(9) Unit FK4: Buck Creek, Pulaski County, Kentucky.(i) This unit includes 61 rkm (38 rmi) of Buck Creek from State Route 192 (-84.42681, 37.05977) upstream to Route 328 (-84.55492, 37.32430), Pulaski County, KY.(10) Unit FK5: Rock Creek, McCreary County, Kentucky.(i) The unit includes approximately 19 rkm (12 rmi) of Rock Creek from its confluence with White Oak Creek (-84.69103, 36.65145) upstream to the low water crossing at rkm 25.6 (rmi 15.9) (-84.58888, 36.70800) in McCreary County, KY.(11) Unit FK6: Little South Fork Cumberland River, McCreary and Wayne Counties, Kentucky. (i) The unit includes 65.5 rkm (40.7 rmi) of the Little South Fork Cumberland River from its confluence with the Big South Fork Cumberland River (-84.58269, 36.82690), where it is the dividing line between Wayne and McCreary Counties, upstream to its confluence with Dobbs Creek (-84.85344, 36.62588) in Wayne County, KY.(ii) Map of Units FK5 and FK6 is provided at paragraph (10)(ii) of this entry.(12) Unit FK7: Big South Fork Cumberland River, Fentress, Morgan, and Scott Counties, Tennessee, and McCreary County, Kentucky.(i) The unit includes approximately 45 rkm (28 rmi) of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River from its confluence with Laurel Crossing Branch downstream of Big Shoals (-84.53642, 36.64114), McCreary County, KY, upstream to its confluence with Clear Fork and New River (-84.62394, 36.42475), Scott County, TN. This unit also includes 32.3 rkm (20.0 rmi) of Clear Fork from its confluence with the Big South Fork and New River (-84.62394, 36.42475) in Scott County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Crooked Creek (-84.78637, 36.32533) along the Fentress and Morgan County line, TN. This unit also includes 14.7 rkm (9.1 rmi) of the New River from its confluence with the Big South Fork (-84.62394, 36.42475) upstream to the Highway 27 Bridge crossing (-84.55290, 36.38279) in Scott County, TN.(13) Unit FK8: Wolf River and Town Branch, Pickett and Fentress Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes 41.0 rkm (25.5 rmi) of the Wolf River from its inundation at Dale Hollow Lake (-85.14414, 36.60670) in Pickett County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Delk Creek (-84.91064, 36.52784) in Fentress County, TN. This unit also includes 3.4 rkm (2.0 rmi) of Town Branch from its confluence with Wolf River (-85.11787, 36.58321) upstream to its headwaters (-85.12136, 36.55947) in Pickett County, TN.(14) Unit FK9: West Fork Obey River, Overton County, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 19 rkm (12 rmi) of the West Fork Obey River from the Highway 52 Bridge crossing (-85.17410, 36.39731) upstream to its confluence with Dry Hollow Creek (-85.20747, 36.25989) in Overton County, TN.(15) Unit FK10: Indian Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia.(i) The unit includes 6.7 rkm (4.2 rmi) of Indian Creek from its confluence with the Clinch River (-81.76608, 37.08893) upstream to the fourth Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing at Van Dyke (-81.71975, 37.11206) in Tazewell County, VA.(ii) Map of Units FK10 and FK11 follows: View Image
(16) Unit FK11: Little River, Russell and Tazewell Counties, Virginia.(i) The unit includes approximately 50 rkm (31 rmi) of Little River from its confluence with the Clinch River (-81.92582, 37.00223) in Russell County, VA, upstream to its confluence with Liberty and Maiden Spring Creeks (-81.67240, 37.03760) in Tazewell County, VA.(ii) Map of Units FK10 and FK11 is provided at paragraph (15)(ii) of this entry.(17) Unit FK12: North Fork Holston River, Smyth and Bland Counties, Virginia.(i) The unit includes approximately 67 rkm (42 rmi) of the North Fork Holston River from its confluence with Beaver Creek (-81.70277, 36.90825), upstream of Saltville, in Smyth County, VA, upstream to Ceres (-81.33775, 37.01035), Bland County, VA.(18) Unit FK13: Middle Fork Holston River, Washington, Smyth, and Wythe Counties, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 89 rkm (55 rmi) of the Middle Fork Holston River from its inundation at South Holston Lake (-81.90427, 36.66338) in Washington County, VA, upstream to its headwaters (-81.31345, 36.88666) in Wythe County, VA.(19) Unit FK14: Big Moccasin Creek, Scott and Russell Counties, Virginia.(i) The unit includes approximately 33 rkm (21 rmi) of Big Moccasin Creek from the Highway 71 Bridge crossing (-82.48361, 36.69109) in Scott County, VA, upstream to the Route 612 Bridge crossing (-82.32348, 36.73740) near Collinwood in Russell County, VA.(20) Unit FK15: Copper Creek, Scott County, Virginia.(i) The unit includes 55.5 rkm (34.5 rmi) of Copper Creek from its confluence with the Clinch River (-82.74538, 36.65544) upstream to the Highway 71 Bridge crossing (-82.43514, 36.73473) in Scott County, VA.(21) Unit FK16: Clinch River, Hancock County, Tennessee, and Scott, Russell, and Tazewell Counties, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 263 rkm (163 rmi) of the Clinch River from rkm 255 (rmi 159) immediately below Grissom Island (-83.40106, 36.43081) in Hancock County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Indian Creek near Cedar Bluff (-81.74999, 37.07995), Tazewell County, VA.(22) Unit FK17: Powell River, Claiborne and Hancock Counties, Tennessee, and Lee County, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 153 rkm (95 rmi) of the Powell River from the U.S. 25E Bridge (-83.63102, 36.54143) in Claiborne County, TN, upstream to rkm 256 (rmi 159) (-82.98111, 36.75730, upstream of Rock Island in the vicinity of Pughs) in Lee County, VA.(23) Unit FK18: Nolichucky River, Cocke, Hamblen, and Greene Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 52 rkm (32 rmi) of the Nolichucky River from rkm 14 (rmi 9), approximately 0.6 rkm (0.4 rmi) upstream of Enka Dam (-83.19630, 36.12970), where it divides Hamblen and Cocke Counties, TN, upstream to its confluence with Pigeon Creek, just upstream of the Highway 321 Bridge crossing (-82.92926, 36.07545), in Greene County, TN.(24) Unit FK19: Holston River, Knox, Grainger, and Jefferson Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 85 rkm (53 rmi) of the Holston River from its confluence with the French Broad River (-83.84967, 35.95903) in Knox County, TN, upstream to the base of Cherokee Dam at rkm 83.7 (rmi 52.3) (-83.49855, 36.16666) along the Grainger and Jefferson County, TN, line.(ii) Map of Units FK19 and FK20 follows: View Image
(25) Unit FK20: French Broad River, Knox and Sevier Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 56 rkm (35 rmi) of the French Broad River from its confluence with the Holston River (-83.84967, 35.95903) in Knox County, TN, upstream to the base of Douglas Dam at rkm 51.7 (rmi 32.3) (-83.53821, 35.96073) in Sevier County, TN.(ii) Map of Units FK19 and FK20 is provided at paragraph (24)(ii) of this entry.(26) Unit FK21: Hiwassee River, Polk County, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 24 rkm (15 rmi) of the Hiwassee River from the Highway 315 Bridge crossing (-84.50234, 35.18875) upstream to the Highway 68 Bridge crossing (-84.31728, 35.16811) in Polk County, TN.(27) Unit FK22: Elk River, Limestone County, Alabama, and Giles, Lincoln, Franklin, and Moore Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 164 rkm (102 rmi) of the Elk River from its inundation at Wheeler Lake (-87.06503, 34.89788) in Limestone County, AL, upstream to its confluence with Farris Creek (-86.31996, 35.16288) at the dividing line between Franklin and Moore Counties, TN.(28) Unit FK23: Duck River, Humphreys, Perry, Hickman, Maury, Marshall, and Bedford Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 348 rkm (216 rmi) of the Duck River from its inundation at Kentucky Lake (-87.88011, 36.00244) in Humphreys County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Flat Creek (-86.48778, 35.47209) near Shelbyville in Bedford County, TN.(29) Unit FK24: Buffalo River, Humphreys and Perry Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes 50 rkm (31 rmi) of the Buffalo River from its confluence with the Duck River (-87.84261, 35.99477) in Humphreys County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Cane Creek (-87.78718, 35.72298) in Perry County, TN.Suwannee Moccasinshell (Medionidus walkeri)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted on the maps in this entry for Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Union Counties, Florida; and Brooks and Lowndes Counties, Georgia.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Suwannee moccasinshell consist of the following components: (i) Geomorphically stable stream channels (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) Stable substrates of muddy sand or mixtures of sand and gravel, and with little to no accumulation of unconsolidated sediments and low amounts of filamentous algae.(iii) A natural hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found, and connectivity of stream channels with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for habitat maintenance, food availability, and spawning habitat for native fishes.(iv) Water quality conditions needed to sustain healthy Suwannee moccasinshell populations, including low pollutant levels (not less than State criteria), a natural temperature regime, pH (between 6.0 to 8.5), adequate oxygen content (not less than State criteria), hardness, turbidity, and other chemical characteristics necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(v) The presence of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the Suwannee moccasinshell. The presence of blackbanded darters (Percina nigrofasciata) and brown darters (Etheostoma edwini) will serve as an indication of fish host presence.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, dams, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on August 2, 2021.(4) Data layers defining map units were created with U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset GIS data. The high-resolution 1:24,000 flowlines were used to calculate river kilometers and miles. ESRIs ArcGIS 10.2.2 software was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates using decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping all units was Universal Transverse Mercator, NAD 83, Zone 16 North. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates on which each map is based are available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0059, the Service's internet site (https://www.fws.gov/panamacity), and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Note: Index map of critical habitat units for the Suwannee moccasinshell in Florida and Georgia follows: View Image
(6) Unit 1: Suwannee River in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Madison, and Suwannee Counties, Florida.(i) Unit 1 consists of approximately 187 kilometers (km) (116 miles (mi)) of the Suwannee River and lower Santa Fe River in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Madison, and Suwannee Counties, Florida. The unit includes the Suwannee River mainstem from the confluence of Hart Springs in Dixie and Gilchrist Counties, upstream 137 km (85 mi) to the confluence of the Withlacoochee River in Madison and Suwannee Counties; and the Santa Fe River from its confluence with the Suwannee River in Suwannee and Gilchrist Counties, upstream 50 km (31 mi) to the river's rise (the Santa Fe River runs underground for more than 3 miles, emerging at River Rise Preserve State Park) in Alachua County.(ii) Map of Unit 1, Suwannee River, follows: View Image
(7) Unit 2: Upper Santa Fe River in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, and Union, Counties, Florida. (i) The Upper Santa Fe River Unit consists of approximately 43 km (27 mi) of the Santa Fe River and New River in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, and Union Counties, Florida. The unit includes the Santa Fe River from the river's sink in Alachua County, upstream 36.5 km (23 mi) to the confluence of Rocky Creek in Bradford and Alachua Counties; and the New River from its confluence with the Santa Fe River, upstream 6.5 km (4 mi) to the confluence of Five Mile Creek in Union and Bradford Counties.(ii) Map of Unit 2, Upper Santa Fe River, follows: View Image
(8) Unit 3: Withlacoochee River in Hamilton and Madison Counties, Florida; Brooks and Lowndes Counties, Georgia. (i) The Withlacoochee River Unit consists of approximately 75.5 km (47 mi) of the Withlacoochee River in Hamilton and Madison Counties, Florida, and Brooks and Lowndes Counties, Georgia. The unit includes the Withlacoochee River from its confluence with the Suwannee River in Madison and Hamilton Counties, FL, upstream 75.5 km (47 mi) to the confluence of Okapilco Creek in Brooks and Lowndes Counties, GA.(ii) Map of Unit 3, Withlacoochee River, follows: View Image
Slabside Pearlymussel (Pleuronaia dolabelloides)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted on the maps below for Colbert, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama; Tishomingo County, Mississippi; Bedford, Bledsoe, Claiborne, Cocke, Franklin, Giles, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hickman, Humphreys, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Polk, and Sequatchie Counties, Tennessee; and Bland, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties, Virginia.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of slabside pearlymussel consist of five components: (i) Riffle habitats within large, geomorphically stable stream channels (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) Stable substrates of sand, gravel, and cobble with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and containing flow refugia with low shear stress.(iii) A natural hydrologic flow regime (magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found, and connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for habitat maintenance, food availability for all life stages, and spawning habitat for native fishes.(iv) Water quality with low levels of pollutants and including a natural temperature regime, pH (between 6.0 to 8.5), oxygen content (not less than 5.0 milligrams/liter), hardness, and turbidity necessary for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(v) The presence of abundant fish hosts, which may include the popeye shiner, rosyface shiner, saffron shiner, silver shiner, telescope shiner, Tennessee shiner, whitetail shiner, white shiner, and eastern blacknose dace, necessary for recruitment of the slabside pearlymussel.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, dams, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on October 28, 2013.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created with USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD+) GIS data. The 1:100,000 river reach (route) files were used to calculate river kilometers and miles. ESRIs ArcGIS 10.0 software was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates using decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping all units was USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic USGS version, NAD 83, meters. The following data sources were referenced to identify features (like roads and streams) used to delineate the upstream and downstream extents of critical habitat units: NHD+ flowline and waterbody data, 2011 Navteq roads data, USA Topo ESRI online basemap service, DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers, and USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the field office Internet site (http://www.fws.gov/cookeville), at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0026, and at the Service's Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Office. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) An overview of critical habitat locations for the slabside pearlymussel in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia follows: View Image
(6) Unit SP1: North Fork Holston River, Smyth and Bland Counties, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 67 river kilometers (rkm) (42 river miles (rmi)) of the North Fork Holston River from its confluence with Beaver Creek (-81.70277, 36.90825), upstream of Saltville, in Smyth County, VA, upstream to Ceres (-81.33775, 37.01035), Bland County, VA.(7) Unit SP2: Middle Fork Holston River, Washington, Smyth, and Wythe Counties, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 89 rkm (55 rmi) of the Middle Fork Holston River from its inundation at South Holston Lake (-81.90427, 36.66338) in Washington County, VA, upstream to its headwaters (-81.31345, 36.88666) in Wythe County, VA.(8) Unit SP3: Big Moccasin Creek, Scott and Russell Counties, Virginia.(i) The unit includes approximately 33 rkm (21 rmi) of Big Moccasin Creek from the Highway 71 Bridge crossing (-82.48361, 36.69109) in Scott County, VA, upstream to the Route 612 Bridge crossing (-82.32348, 36.73740) near Collinwood in Russell County, VA.(9) Unit SP4: Clinch River, Hancock County, Tennessee, and Scott, Russell, and Tazewell Counties, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 263 rkm (163 rmi) of the Clinch River from rkm 255 (rmi 159) immediately below Grissom Island (-83.40106, 36.43081) in Hancock County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Indian Creek near Cedar Bluff (-81.74999, 37.07995), Tazewell County, VA.(10) Unit SP5: Powell River, Claiborne and Hancock Counties, Tennessee, and Lee County, Virginia. (i) The unit includes approximately 153 rkm (95 rmi) of the Powell River from the U.S. 25E Bridge (-83.63102, 36.54143) in Claiborne County, TN, upstream to rkm 256 (rmi 159) (-82.98111, 36.75730, upstream of Rock Island in the vicinity of Pughs) in Lee County, VA.(11) Unit SP6: Nolichucky River, Cocke, Hamblen, and Greene Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 52 rkm (32 rmi) of the Nolichucky River from rkm 14 (rmi 9), approximately 0.6 rkm (0.4 rmi) upstream of Enka Dam (-83.19630, 36.12970), where it divides Hamblen and Cocke Counties, TN, upstream to its confluence with Pigeon Creek, just upstream of the Highway 321 Bridge crossing (-82.92926, 36.07545), in Greene County, TN.(12) Unit SP7: Hiwassee River, Polk County, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes approximately 24 rkm (15 rmi) of the Hiwassee River from the Highway 315 Bridge crossing (-84.50234, 35.18875) upstream to the Highway 68 Bridge crossing (-84.31728, 35.16811) in Polk County, TN.(13) Unit SP8: Sequatchie River, Marion, Sequatchie, and Bledsoe Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 151 rkm (94 rmi) of the Sequatchie River from the Highway 41, 64, 72, 2 Bridge crossing (-85.60583, 35.06576) in Marion County, TN, upstream to the Ninemile Cross Road Bridge crossing (-85.08304, 35.69162) in Bledsoe County, TN.(14) Unit SP9: Paint Rock River, Madison, Marshall, and Jackson Counties, Alabama.(i) The unit includes approximately 86 rkm (53 rmi) of the Paint Rock River from the Highway 431 Bridge crossing (-86.39109, 34.49926) along the Madison and Marshall County line, AL, upstream to the confluence of Estill Fork and Hurricane Creek in Jackson County, AL (-86.17048, 34.89813). The unit includes approximately 11 rkm (7 rmi) of Larkin Fork from its confluence with the Paint Rock River (-86.20833, 34.86218) upstream to its confluence with Bear Creek (-86.22512, 34.94205) in Jackson County, AL; approximately 13 rkm (8 rmi) of Estill Fork from its confluence with the Paint Rock River (-86.17048, 34.89813) upstream to its confluence with Bull Run (-86.15283, 34.99118) in Jackson County, AL; and approximately 16 rkm (10 rmi) of Hurricane Creek from its confluence with the Paint Rock River (-86.17048, 34.89813) upstream to its confluence with Turkey Creek (-86.09441, 34.98370) in Jackson County, AL.(15) Unit SP10: Elk River, Limestone County, Alabama, and Giles, Lincoln, Franklin, and Moore Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 164 rkm (102 rmi) of the Elk River from its inundation at Wheeler Lake (-87.06503, 34.89788) in Limestone County, AL, upstream to its confluence with Farris Creek (-86.31996, 35.16288) at the dividing line between Franklin and Moore Counties, TN.(16) Unit SP11: Bear Creek, Colbert County, Alabama, and Tishomingo County, Mississippi. (i) The unit includes approximately 42 rkm (26 rmi) of Bear Creek from its inundation at Pickwick Lake at rkm 37 (rmi 23) (-88.08373, 34.68909) in Colbert County, AL, upstream through Tishomingo County, MS, and ending at the Mississippi-Alabama State line (-88.15388, 34. 49139).(17) Unit SP12: Duck River, Humphreys, Perry, Hickman, Maury, Marshall, and Bedford Counties, Tennessee. (i) The unit includes approximately 348 rkm (216 rmi) of the Duck River from its inundation at Kentucky Lake (-87.88011, 36.00244) in Humphreys County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Flat Creek (-86.48778, 35.47209) near Shelbyville in Bedford County, TN.(18) Unit SP13: Buffalo River, Humphreys and Perry Counties, Tennessee.(i) The unit includes 50 rkm (31 rmi) of the Buffalo River from its confluence with the Duck River (-87.84261, 35.99477) in Humphreys County, TN, upstream to its confluence with Cane Creek (-87.78718, 35.72298) in Perry County, TN.Neosho Mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for the Neosho mucket on the maps below in the following Counties: (i) Benton and Washington Counties, Arkansas;(ii) Allen, Cherokee, Coffey, Elk, Greenwood, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties, Kansas;(iii) Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, and Newton Counties, Missouri; and(iv) Adair, Cherokee, and Delaware Counties, Oklahoma.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the Neosho mucket consist of five components:(i) Geomorphically stable river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffles, sometimes with runs, and mid-channel island habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of gravel and sand substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the severity, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species are found and to maintain connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish host's habitat, food availability, spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats.(iii) Water and sediment quality (including, but not limited to, conductivity, hardness, turbidity, temperature, pH, ammonia, heavy metals, and chemical constituents) necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(iv) The occurrence of natural fish assemblages, reflected by fish species richness, relative abundance, and community composition, for each inhabited river or creek that will serve as an indication of appropriate presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the Neosho mucket. Suitable fish hosts for Neosho mucket glochidia include smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus).(v) Competitive or predaceous invasive (nonnative) species in quantities low enough to have minimal effect on survival of freshwater mussels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as dams, piers and docks, bridges, or other similar structures) within the legal boundaries on June 1, 2015.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were developed using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software along with various spatial data layers. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were delineated at the nearest road crossing or stream confluence of each occupied reach. Data layers defining map units were created with U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Medium Flowline data. ArcGIS was also used to calculate river kilometers (rkm) and river miles (rmi) from the NHD dataset, and it was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping and calculating distances and locations within the units was North American Albers Equal Area Conic, NAD 83. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates, plot points, or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's Internet site (http://www.fws.gov/arkansas-es/te_listing.html), the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0007), and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Note: Index map of all critical habitat units for the Neosho mucket follows: View Image
(6) Unit NM1: Illinois River-Benton and Washington Counties, Arkansas; and Adair, Cherokee, and Delaware Counties, Oklahoma.(i)General Description: Unit NM1 includes 146.1 rkm (90.8 rmi) of the Illinois River from the Muddy Fork Illinois River confluence south of Savoy, Washington County, Arkansas, downstream to the Baron Creek confluence southeast of Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma.(7) Unit NM2: Elk River-McDonald County, Missouri; and Delaware County, Oklahoma.(i)General Description: Unit NM2 includes 20.3 rkm (12.6 rmi) of the Elk River from Missouri Highway 59 at Noel, McDonald County, Missouri, to the confluence of Buffalo Creek immediately downstream of the Oklahoma and Missouri State line, Delaware County, Oklahoma.(8) Unit NM3: Shoal Creek-Cherokee County, Kansas; and Newton County, Missouri.(i)General Description: Unit NM3 includes 75.8 rkm (47.1 rmi) of Shoal Creek from Missouri Highway W near Ritchey, Newton County, Missouri, to Empire Lake where inundation begins in Cherokee County, Kansas.(9) Unit NM4: Spring River-Jasper and Lawrence Counties, Missouri; and Cherokee County, Kansas. (i)General Description: Unit NM4 includes 102.3 rkm (63.6 rmi) of the Spring River from Missouri Highway 97 north of Stotts City, Lawrence County, Missouri, downstream to the confluence of Turkey Creek north of Empire, Cherokee County, Kansas.(10) Unit NM5: North Fork Spring River-Jasper County, Missouri.(i)General Description: Unit NM5 includes 16.4 rkm (10.2 rmi) of the North Fork Spring River from the confluence of Buck Branch southwest of Jasper, Missouri, downstream to its confluence with the Spring River near Purcell, Jasper County, Missouri.(11) Unit NM6: Fall River-Elk, Greenwood, and Wilson Counties, Kansas; Verdigris River-Montgomery and Wilson Counties, Kansas.(i)General Description: Unit NM6 includes a total of 171.1 rkm (106.3 rmi) including 90.4 rkm (56.2 rmi) of the Fall River from Fall River Lake dam northwest of Fall River, Greenwood County, Kansas, downstream to its confluence with the Verdigris River near Neodesha, Wilson County, Kansas. Unit NM6 also includes 80.6 rkm (50.1 rmi) of the Verdigris River from Kansas Highway 39 near Benedict, Wilson County, Kansas, downstream to the Elk River confluence near Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas.(12) Unit NM7: Neosho River-Allen, Cherokee, Coffey, Labette, Neosho, and Woodson Counties, Kansas. (i)General Description: Unit NM7 includes 244.5 rkm (151.9 rmi) of the Neosho River from Kansas Highway 58 west of LeRoy, Coffey County, Kansas, downstream to the Kansas and Oklahoma State line, Cherokee County, Kansas.Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for rabbitsfoot on the maps below in the following Counties: (i) Colbert, Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama;(ii) Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Clark, Cleburne, Cleveland, Drew, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Little River, Marion, Monroe, Newton, Ouachita, Randolph, Searcy, Sevier, Sharp, Van Buren, White, and Woodruff Counties, Arkansas;(iii) Massac, Pulaski, and Vermilion Counties, Illinois;(iv) Carroll, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, and White Counties, Indiana;(v) Allen and Cherokee Counties, Kansas;(vi) Ballard, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Livingston, Logan, Marshall, McCracken, and Taylor Counties, Kentucky;(vii) Hinds, Sunflower, Tishomingo, and Warren Counties, Mississippi;(viii) Jasper, Madison, and Wayne Counties, Missouri;(ix) Coshocton, Madison, Union, and Williams Counties, Ohio;(x) McCurtain and Rogers Counties, Oklahoma;(xi) Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties, Pennsylvania; and(xii) Hardin, Hickman, Humphreys, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, and Robertson Counties, Tennessee.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the rabbitsfoot consist of five components: (i) Geomorphically stable river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffles, sometimes with runs, and mid-channel island habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of gravel and sand substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the severity, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species are found and to maintain connectivity of rivers with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish host's habitat, food availability, spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats.(iii) Water and sediment quality (including, but not limited to, conductivity, hardness, turbidity, temperature, pH, ammonia, heavy metals, and chemical constituents) necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(iv) The occurrence of natural fish assemblages, reflected by fish species richness, relative abundance, and community composition, for each inhabited river or creek that will serve as an indication of appropriate presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the rabbitsfoot. Suitable fish hosts for rabbitsfoot may include, but are not limited to, blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) from the Black and Little River and cardinal shiner (Luxilus cardinalis), red shiner (C. lutrensis), spotfin shiner (C. spiloptera), bluntface shiner (C. camura), rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum), rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus), striped shiner (L. chrysocephalus), and emerald shiner (N. atherinoides).(v) Competitive or predaceous invasive (nonnative) species in quantities low enough to have minimal effect on survival of freshwater mussels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as dams, piers and docks, bridges, or other similar structures) within the legal boundaries on June 1, 2015.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were developed using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software along with various spatial data layers. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were delineated at the nearest road crossing or stream confluence of each occupied reach. Data layers defining map units were created with U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Medium Flowline data. ArcGIS was also used to calculate river kilometers (rkm) and river miles (rmi) from the NHD dataset, and it was used to determine longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal degrees. The projection used in mapping and calculating distances and locations within the units was North American Albers Equal Area Conic, NAD 83. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates, plot points, or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's Internet site (http://www.fws.gov/arkansas-es/te_listing.html), the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0007), and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Note: Index map of all critical habitat units for the rabbitsfoot follows: View Image
(6) Unit RF1: Spring River-Jasper County, Missouri; and Cherokee County, Kansas. (i)General Description: Unit RF1 includes 56.5 rkm (35.1 rmi) of the Spring River from Missouri Highway 96 at Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri, downstream to the confluence of Turkey Creek north of Empire, Cherokee County, Kansas.(7) Unit RF2: Verdigris River-Rogers County, Oklahoma.(i)General Description: Unit RF2 includes 38.0 rkm (23.6 rmi) of the Verdigris River from Oologah Lake dam north of Claremore, Oklahoma, downstream to Oklahoma Highway 266 northwest of Catoosa, Rogers County, Oklahoma.(8) Unit RF3: Neosho River-Allen County, Kansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF3 includes 26.6 rkm (16.5 rmi) of the Neosho River from the Deer Creek confluence northwest of Iola, Kansas, downstream to the confluence of Owl Creek southwest of Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas.(9) Unit RF4a: Ouachita River-Clark and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF4a includes 22.7 rkm (14.1 rmi) of the Ouachita River from the Tenmile Creek confluence north of Donaldson downstream to the Caddo River confluence near Caddo Valley, Hot Spring and Clark Counties, Arkansas.(10) Unit RF4b: Ouachita River-Ouachita County, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF4b includes 43.0 rkm (26.7 rmi) of the Ouachita River from the Little Missouri River confluence downstream to U.S. Highway 79 at Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas.(11) Unit RF5: Saline River-Ashley, Bradley, Cleveland, and Drew Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF5 includes 119.4 rkm (74.2 rmi) of the Saline River from the Frazier Creek confluence near Mount Elba, Cleveland County, Arkansas, to the Mill Creek confluence near Stillions, Ashley and Bradley Counties, Arkansas.(12) Unit RF6: Little River-McCurtain County, Oklahoma; and Little River and Sevier Counties, Arkansas. (i)General Description: Unit RF6 includes 139.7 rkm (86.8 rmi) of the Little River from the Glover River confluence northwest of Idabel, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, downstream to U.S. Highway 71 north of Wilton, Little River and Sevier Counties, Arkansas.(13) Unit RF7: Middle Fork Little Red River-Cleburne and Van Buren Counties, Arkansas. (i)General Description: Unit RF7 includes 24.8 rkm (15.4 rmi) of the Middle Fork Little Red River from the confluence of Little Tick Creek north of Shirley, Arkansas, downstream to Greers Ferry Reservoir (where inundation begins), Van Buren County, Arkansas.(14) Unit RF8a: White River-Independence, Jackson, White, and Woodruff Counties, Arkansas. (i)General Description: Unit RF8a includes 188.3 rkm (117.0 rmi) of the White River from the Batesville Dam at Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, downstream to the Little Red River confluence north of Georgetown, White, and Woodruff Counties, Arkansas.(15) Unit RF8b: White River-Arkansas and Monroe Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF8b includes 68.9 rkm (42.8 rmi) of the White River from U.S. Highway 79 at Clarendon, Monroe County, Arkansas, downstream to Arkansas Highway 1 near St. Charles, Arkansas County, Arkansas.(16) Unit RF9: Black River-Lawrence and Randolph Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF9 includes 51.2 rkm (31.8 rmi) of the Black River from U.S. Highway 67 at Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas, downstream to the Flat Creek confluence southeast of Powhatan, Lawrence County, Arkansas.(17) Unit RF10: Spring River-Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF10 includes 51.5 rkm (32.0 rmi) of the Spring River from the Ott Creek confluence southwest of Hardy in Sharp County, Arkansas, downstream to its confluence with the Black River east of Black Rock, Lawrence and Randolph Counties, Arkansas.(18) Unit RF11: Strawberry River-Independence, Izard, Lawrence, and Sharp Counties, Arkansas. (i)General Description: Unit RF11 includes 123.8 rkm (76.9 rmi) of the Strawberry River from Arkansas Highway 56 south of Horseshoe Bend, Izard County, Arkansas, downstream to its confluence with the Black River southeast of Strawberry, Lawrence County, Arkansas.(19) Unit RF12: Buffalo River-Marion, Newton, and Searcy Counties, Arkansas.(i)General Description: Unit RF12 includes 113.6 rkm (70.6 rmi) of the Buffalo River from the Cove Creek confluence southeast of Erbie, Newton County, Arkansas, downstream to U.S. Highway 65 west of Gilbert, Searcy County, Arkansas, and Arkansas Highway 14 southeast of Mull, Arkansas, downstream to the Leatherwood Creek confluence in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness Area, Arkansas.(20) Unit RF13: St. Francis River-Madison and Wayne Counties, Missouri.(i)General Description: Unit RF13 includes 64.3 rkm (40.0 rmi) of the St. Francis River from the Twelvemile Creek confluence west of Saco, Madison County, Missouri, downstream to Lake Wappepello (where inundation begins), Wayne County, Missouri.(21) Unit RF14: Big Sunflower River-Sunflower County, Mississippi.(i)General Description: Unit RF14 includes 51.5 rkm (32.0 rmi) of the Big Sunflower River from Mississippi Highway 442 west of Doddsville, Mississippi, downstream to the Quiver River confluence east of Indianola, Sunflower County, Mississippi.(22) Unit RF15: Bear Creek-Tishomingo County, Mississippi; and Colbert County, Alabama.(i)General Description: Unit RF15 includes 49.7 rkm (30.9 rmi) of Bear Creek from the Alabama and Mississippi State line east of Golden, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, downstream to Alabama County Road 4 southwest of Sutton Hill, Colbert County, Alabama (just upstream of Pickwick Lake).(23) Unit RF16: Big Black River-Hinds and Warren Counties, Mississippi.(i)General Description: Unit RF16 includes 43.3 rkm (26.9 rmi) of the Big Black River from Porter Creek confluence west of Lynchburg, Hinds County, Mississippi, downstream to Mississippi Highway 27 west of Newman, Warren County, Mississippi.(24) Unit RF17: Paint Rock River-Jackson, Madison, and Marshall Counties, Alabama.(i)General Description: Unit RF17 includes 81.0 rkm (50.3 rmi) of the Paint Rock River from the convergence of Estill Fork and Hurricane Creek north of Skyline, Jackson County, Alabama, downstream to U.S. Highway 431 south of New Hope, Madison and Marshall Counties, Alabama.(25) Unit RF18: Duck River-Hickman, Humphreys, Marshall, Maury, and Perry Counties, Tennessee. (i)General Description: Unit RF18 includes 235.3 rkm (146.2 rmi) of the Duck River from Lillard Mill (rkm 288.1; rmi 179) west of Tennessee Highway 272, Marshall County, Tennessee, downstream to Interstate 40 near Bucksnort, Hickman County, Tennessee.(26) Unit RF19a: Tennessee River-Hardin County, Tennessee.(i)General Description: Unit RF19a includes 26.7 rkm (16.6 rmi) of the Tennessee River from Pickwick Lake Dam downstream to U.S. Highway 64 near Adamsville, Hardin County, Tennessee.(27) Unit RF19b: Tennessee River-Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties, Kentucky. (i)General Description: Unit RF19b includes 35.6 rkm (22.1 rmi) of the Tennessee River from Kentucky Lake Dam, downstream to its confluence with the Ohio River, McCracken and Livingston Counties, Kentucky.(28) Unit RF20: Ohio River-Ballard, and McCracken Counties, Kentucky; Massac and Pulaski Counties, Illinois. (i)General Description: Unit RF20 includes 45.9 rkm (28.5 rmi) of the Ohio River from the Tennessee River confluence at the downstream extent of Owens Island downstream to Lock and Dam 53 near Olmstead, Illinois.(29) Unit RF21: Green River-Edmonson, Green, Hart, and Taylor Counties, Kentucky.(i)General Description: Unit RF21 includes 175.6 rkm (109.1 rmi) of the Green River from Green River Lake Dam south of Campbellsville, Taylor County, Kentucky, downstream to Mammoth Cave National Park North Entrance Road in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.(30) Unit RF22: French Creek-Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties, Pennsylvania. (i)General Description: Unit RF22 includes 120.4 rkm (74.8 rmi) of French Creek from Union City Reservoir Dam northeast of Union City, Erie County, Pennsylvania, downstream to its confluence with the Allegheny River near Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania.(31) Unit RF23: Allegheny River-Venango County, Pennsylvania.(i)General Description: Unit RF23 includes 57.3 rkm (35.6 rmi) of the Allegheny River from the French Creek confluence near Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, downstream to Interstate 80 near Emlenton, Venango County, Pennsylvania.(32) Unit RF24: Muddy Creek-Crawford County, Pennsylvania.(i)General Description: Unit RF24 includes 20.1 rkm (12.5 rmi) of Muddy Creek from Pennsylvania Highway 77 near Little Cooley, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, downstream to its confluence with French Creek east of Cambridge Springs, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.(33) Unit RF25: Tippecanoe River-Carroll, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, and White Counties, Indiana. (i)General Description: Unit RF25 includes 75.6 rkm (47.0 rmi) of the Tippecanoe River from Indiana Highway 14 near Winamac, Pulaski County, Indiana, downstream to its confluence with the Wabash River northeast of Battle Ground, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, excluding Lakes Shafer and Freeman and the stream reach between the two lakes.(34) Unit RF26: Walhonding River-Coshocton County, Ohio.(i)General Description: Unit RF26 includes 17.5 rkm (10.9 rmi) of the Walhonding River from the convergence of the Kokosing and Mohican Rivers downstream to Ohio Highway 60 near Warsaw, Coshocton County, Ohio.(35) Unit RF27: Little Darby Creek-Madison and Union Counties, Ohio.(i)General Description: Unit RF27 includes 33.3 rkm (20.7 rmi) of Little Darby Creek from Ohio Highway 161 near Chuckery, Union County, Ohio, downstream to U.S. Highway 40 near West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio.(36) Unit RF28: North Fork Vermilion River and Middle Branch North Fork Vermilion River, respectively-Vermilion County, Illinois.(i)General Description: Unit RF28 includes a total of 28.5 rkm (17.7 rmi). Unit RF28 includes 21.2 rkm (13.2 rmi) of the North Fork Vermilion River from the confluence of Middle Branch North Fork Vermilion River downstream to Illinois Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 136 upstream of Lake Vermilion, Vermilion County, Illinois. Unit RF28 also includes 7.2 rkm (4.5 rmi) of the Middle Branch North Fork Vermilion River from the Jordan Creek confluence northwest of Alvin, Illinois, downstream to its confluence with North Fork Vermilion River west of Alvin, Vermilion County, Illinois.(37) Unit RF29: Fish Creek-Williams County, Ohio.(i)General Description: Unit RF29 includes 7.7 rkm (4.8 rmi) of Fish Creek from Indiana and Ohio State line northwest of Edgerton, Ohio, downstream to its confluence with the St. Joseph's River north of Edgerton, Williams County, Ohio.(38) Unit RF30: Red River-Logan County, Kentucky; and Montgomery and Robertson Counties, Tennessee. (i)General Description: Unit RF30 includes 50.2 rkm (31.2 rmi) of the Red River from the South Fork Red River confluence west of Adairville, Kentucky, downstream to the Sulphur Fork confluence southwest of Adams, Tennessee.(39) Unit RF31: Shenango River-Mercer County, Pennsylvania.(i)General Description: Unit RF31 includes 24.8 rkm (15.4 rmi) of the Shenango River from Porter Road near Greenville, Pennsylvania, downstream to the point of inundation by Shenango River Lake near Big Bend, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Bath, Botetourt, Brunswick, Craig, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, and Sussex Counties in Virginia, and Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Montgomery, Nash, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson Counties in North Carolina, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Atlantic pigtoe consist of the following components: (i) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (i.e., channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of silt-free gravel and coarse sand substrates).(ii) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (which includes the severity, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain connectivity of streams with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish hosts' habitat, food availability, spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats.(iii) Water and sediment quality (including, but not limited to, conductivity, hardness, turbidity, temperature, pH, ammonia, heavy metals, and chemical constituents) necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for recruitment of the Atlantic pigtoe.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on December 16, 2021.(4) Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic data for stream reaches. The hydrologic data used in the critical habitat maps were extracted from the USGS 1:1M scale nationwide hydrologic layer (https://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/mld/1nethyd.html) with a projection of EPSG:4269-North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) Geographic. The North Carolina and Virginia Natural Heritage program species presence data and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources species data were used to select specific stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points on which each map is based are available to the public at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2018-0046 and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(6) Unit 1: JR1-Craig Creek, Craig and Botetourt Counties, Virginia. (i) This unit consists of 29 river miles (46.7 river kilometers (km)) of Craig Creek near VA Route 616 northeast of New Castle downstream to just below VA Route 817 crossing.(ii) Map of Unit 1 (Craig Creek) follows: View Image
(7) Unit 2: JR2-Mill Creek, Bath County, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of a 1-mile (1.6-km) segment of Mill Creek at the VA39 (Mountain Valley Road) crossing.(ii) Map of Unit 2 (Mill Creek) follows: View Image
(8) Unit 3: CR1-Sappony Creek, Dinwiddie County, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of 4 river miles (6.6 river km) of Sappony Creek beginning just upstream of the Seaboard Railroad crossing and ending just downstream of the Shippings Road (SR709) crossing.(ii) Map of Unit 3 (Sappony Creek) follows: View Image
(9) Unit 4: CR2-Nottoway River Subbasin, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, and Sussex Counties, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of 64 river miles (103 river km) of the Nottoway River, and a portion of Sturgeon Creek, beginning downstream of the Nottoway River's confluence with Dickerson Creek and ending just downstream of Little Mill Road, and includes Sturgeon Creek upstream of Old Stage Road. Land bordering the river is primarily privately owned, although some of the land along the river is part of the Fort Pickett National Guard Installation.(ii) Map of Unit 4 (Nottoway River Subbasin) follows: View Image
(10) Unit 5: CR3-Meherrin River, Brunswick County, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of 5 river miles (8 river km) of the Meherrin River from approximately 1.5 miles below the confluence with Saddletree Creek under VA Highway 46 (Christana Highway) to VA715 (Iron Bridge Road).(ii) Map of Unit 5 (Meherrin River) follows: View Image
(11) Unit 6: RR1-Dan River, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and Rockingham County, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 14 river miles (22.5 river km) of the Dan River along the border of Virginia and North Carolina from just upstream of NC Highway 700 near Eden, North Carolina, into Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and downstream to the confluence with Williamson Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina.(ii) Map of Unit 6 (Dan River) follows: View Image
(12) Unit 7: RR2-Aarons Creek, Granville County, North Carolina, and Mecklenburg and Halifax Counties, Virginia. (i) This unit consists of 12 river miles (19.3 river km) of Aarons Creek, from NC96 in Granville County, North Carolina, downstream across the North Carolina-Virginia border to just upstream of VA602 (White House Road) along the Mecklenburg County-Halifax County line in Virginia.(ii) Map of Unit 7 (Aarons Creek) follows: View Image
(13) Unit 8: RR3-Little Grassy Creek, Granville County, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of 3 river miles (4.8 river km) of Little Grassy Creek in Granville County, North Carolina, beginning at the Crawford Currin Road crossing and ending at the confluence with Grassy Creek.(ii) Map of Unit 8 (Little Grassy Creek) follows: View Image
(14) Unit 9: TR1-Upper/Middle Tar River Subbasin, Granville, Vance, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 91 river miles (146.5 river km) of the mainstem of the upper and middle Tar River as well as several tributaries (Bear Swamp Creek, Fox Creek, Crooked Creek, Cub Creek, and Shelton Creek), all in North Carolina. The portion of Cub Creek starts near Hobgood Road and continues to the confluence with the Tar River; the Tar River portion starts just upstream of the NC158 bridge and goes downstream to the NC581 crossing; the Shelton Creek portion starts upstream of NC158 and goes downstream to the confluence with the Tar River; the Bear Swamp Creek portion begins upstream of Dyking Road and goes downstream to the confluence with the Tar River (and includes an unnamed tributary upstream of Beasley Road); the Fox Creek portion begins downstream of NC561 and goes to the confluence with the Tar River; and the Crooked Creek portion begins upstream of NC98 crossing and goes downstream to confluence with Tar River.(ii) Map of Unit 9 (Upper/Middle Tar River Subbasin) follows: View Image
(15) Unit 10: TR2-Sandy/Swift Creek, Warren, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of a 50-mile (80.5-km) segment of Sandy/Swift Creek beginning at Southerland Mill Road and continuing downstream to NC301.(ii) Map of Unit 10 (Sandy/Swift Creek) follows: View Image
(16) Unit 11: TR3-Fishing Creek Subbasin, Warren, Halifax, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 85 river miles (136.8 river km) in Fishing Creek, Little Fishing Creek, Shocco Creek, and Maple Branch. The Shocco Creek portion begins downstream of the NC58 bridge and continues to the confluence with Fishing Creek; the entirety of Maple Branch is included, down to the confluence with Fishing Creek; Fishing Creek begins at Axtell Ridgeway Road (SR1112) and goes downstream to I-95; and Little Fishing Creek begins upstream of Briston Brown Road (SR1532) and goes downstream to the confluence with Fishing Creek.(ii) Map of Unit 11 (Fishing Creek Subbasin) follows: View Image
(17) Unit 12: TR4-Lower Tar River, Edgecombe and Pitt Counties, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of 30 river miles (48.3 river km) of the Lower Tar River, lower Swift Creek, and Fishing Creek in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, from NC97 near Leggett, North Carolina, to the Edgecombe County-Pitt County line near NC33.(ii) Map of Unit 12 (Lower Tar River) follows: View Image
(18) Unit 13: NR1-Upper Neuse River Subbasin, Person, Durham, and Orange Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 60 river miles (95 river km) in four reaches including Flat River, Little River, Eno River, and the Upper Eno River. The Flat River reach consists of 19 river miles (30.6 river km) in the Flat River Subbasin in Person and Durham Counties, North Carolina, including the South Flat River downstream of Dick Coleman Road, the North Flat River near Parsonage Road, and Deep Creek near Helena-Moriah Road downstream where each river converges into the Flat River downstream of State Forest Road. The Little River Subbasin includes 18 river miles (29 river km) of the North Fork and South Fork Little Rivers in Orange and Durham Counties, North Carolina. The Upper Eno River reach consists of 4 river miles (6.4 river km) in Orange County, North Carolina, including the West Fork Eno River upstream of Cedar Grove Road to the confluence with McGowan Creek. The Eno River reach consists of 18 river miles (29 river km) in Orange and Durham Counties, North Carolina, from below Eno Mountain Road to NC15-501.(ii) Map of Unit 13 (Upper Neuse River Subbasin) follows: View Image
(19) Unit 14: NR2-Middle Neuse River Subbasin, Wake, Johnston, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 61 river miles (98.2 river km) in five reaches including Swift Creek, Middle Creek, Upper Little River, Middle Little River, and Contentnea Creek, all in North Carolina. The Middle Creek reach is 19 river miles (30.6 river km) below Old Stage Road downstream to below Crantock Road, and the Swift Creek reach is 25 river miles (40.2 river km) from Lake Benson downstream to its confluence with the Neuse, both in Wake and Johnston Counties. The Upper Little River reach includes 4 river miles (6.4 river km) of the Upper Little River from the confluence with Perry Creek to Fowler Road in Wake County, North Carolina. The Middle Little River reach includes 11 river miles (17.7 river km) from Atkinsons Mill downstream to NC301 in Johnston County, North Carolina. The Contentnea Creek reach consists of 2 river miles (3.2 river km) below Buckhorn Reservoir to just below Sadie Road near NC581 in Wilson County, North Carolina.(ii) Map of Unit 14 (Middle Neuse River Subbasin) follows: View Image
(20) Unit 15: CF1-New Hope Creek, Orange County, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of 4 river miles (6.4 river km) of habitat in the New Hope Creek from NC86 to Mimosa Road.(ii) Map of Unit 15 (New Hope Creek) follows: View Image
(21) Unit 16: CF2-Deep River Subbasin, Randolph County, North Carolina.(i) The Deep River Subbasin unit consists of 10 river miles (16.1 river km), including the mainstem between Richland and Brush Creeks as well as Richland Creek from Little Beane Store Road to the confluence with the Deep River and Brush Creek from Brush Creek Road to the confluence with the Deep River.(ii) Map of Unit 16 (Deep River Subbasin) follows: View Image
(22) Unit 17: YR1-Little River, Randolph and Montgomery Counties, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of 40 river miles (64.4 river km) of Little River from SR1114 downstream to Okeewemee Star Road, including the West Fork Little River from NC134 to the confluence with the Little River.(ii) Map of Unit 17 (Little River) follows: View Image
Yellow Lance (Elliptio lanceolata)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake, and Warren Counties, North Carolina; Brunswick, Craig, Culpeper, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Nottoway, Orange, and Rappahannock Counties, Virginia; and Howard and Montgomery Counties, Maryland, on the maps in this entry.(2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to yellow lance conservation consist of the following components: (i) Suitable substrates and connected instream habitats, characterized by geomorphically stable stream channels and banks (i.e., channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation) with habitats that support a diversity of freshwater mussel and native fish (such as stable riffle-run-pool habitats that provide flow refuges consisting of silt-free gravel and coarse sand substrates).(ii) Adequate flows, or a hydrologic flow regime (which includes the severity, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time), necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found and to maintain connectivity of streams with the floodplain, allowing the exchange of nutrients and sediment for maintenance of the mussel's and fish host's habitat, food availability, spawning habitat for native fishes, and the ability for newly transformed juveniles to settle and become established in their habitats.(iii) Water and sediment quality (including, but not limited to, conductivity, hardness, turbidity, temperature, pH, ammonia, heavy metals, and chemical constituents) necessary to sustain natural physiological processes for normal behavior, growth, and viability of all life stages.(iv) The presence and abundance of fish hosts necessary for yellow lance recruitment.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on May 10, 2021.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created by overlaying Natural Heritage Element Occurrence data and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic data for stream reaches. The hydrologic data used in the critical habitat maps were extracted from the USGS 1:1M scale nationwide hydrologic layer (https://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/mld/1nethyd.html) with a projection of EPSG:4269-NAD83 Geographic. The North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland Natural Heritage program species presence data were used to select specific stream segments for inclusion in the critical habitat layer. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2018-0094 and at the Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(6) Unit 1: PR1-Patuxent River, Montgomery and Howard Counties, Maryland. (i) This unit consists of approximately 10 river miles (16.1 kilometers (km)) of occupied habitat, including 3 miles (4.8 km) of the Patuxent River and 7 miles (11.3 km) of the Hawlings River. Unit 1 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(7) Unit 2: RR1-Rappahannock Subbasin, Rappahannock, Fauquier, and Culpeper Counties, Virginia. (i) This unit consists of approximately 44 river miles (70.8 km) of occupied habitat in the Rappahannock Subbasin, including 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in Hungry Run, 7.9 miles (12.7 km) in Thumb Run, 5.9 miles (9.5 km) in South Run/Carter Run, 2.7 miles (4.3 km) in Great Run, and 25.8 miles (41.6 km) in Rappahannock River. Unit 2 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(8) Unit 3: RR2-Rapidan Subbasin, Madison and Orange Counties, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of 9 river miles (14.5 km) of occupied habitat in the Rapidan Subbasin, including 1.2 miles (1.9 km) in Marsh Run, 3.1 miles (5.0 km) in Blue Run, and 4.7 miles (7.6 km) in the Rapidan River. Unit 3 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(9) Unit 4: YR1-South Anna River, Louisa County, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of approximately 8 river miles (12.9 km) of occupied habitat in the South Anna River. Unit 4 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(10) Unit 5: JR1-Johns Creek, Craig County, Virginia.(i) This unit consists of approximately 14 river miles (22.5 km) of occupied habitat in the Johns Creek. Unit 5 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(11) Unit 6: CR1-Nottoway Subbasin, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Brunswick, and Dinwiddie Counties, Virginia. (i) This unit consists of approximately 41 river miles (66 km) of occupied habitat in the Nottoway Subbasin, including 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in Crooked Creek, 3.3 miles (5.3 km) in Sturgeon Creek, and 36.3 miles (58.4 km) in the Nottoway River. Unit 6 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(12) Unit 7: TR1-Tar River, Granville, Vance, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of approximately 91 river miles (146.5 km) of occupied habitat in the Tar River, including 4.4 miles (7.1 km) in Ruin Creek, 11.9 miles (19.2 km) in Tabbs Creek, 6.8 miles (10.9 km) in Crooked Creek, and 67.9 miles (109.3 km) in the Tar River. Unit 7 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(13) Unit 8: TR2-Sandy/Swift Creek, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of 31 river miles (50 km) of occupied habitat in the Sandy and Swift Creeks. Unit 8 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(14) Unit 9: TR3-Fishing Creek Subbasin, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. (i) This unit consists of approximately 37 river miles (59.5 km) of occupied habitat in the Fishing Creek Subbasin, including 1.6 miles (2.6 km) in Richneck Creek, 8.0 miles (12.9 km) in Shocco Creek, and 27.4 miles (44 km) in Fishing Creek. Unit 9 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(15) Unit 10: NR1-Swift Creek, Wake and Johnston Counties, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of approximately 24 river miles (38.6 km) of occupied habitat in the Swift Creek. Unit 10 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.(16) Unit 11: NR2-Little River, Johnston County, North Carolina.(i) This unit consists of approximately 10 river miles (16.1 km) of occupied habitat in the Little River. Unit 11 includes stream habitat up to bank full height.Tumbling Creek Cavesnail (Antrobia culveri)
(1) The critical habitat unit is depicted for Taney County, Missouri, on the map at paragraph (f)(5)(ii) of this section. The maps provided are for informational purposes only.(2) Within this area, the primary constituent elements of the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the Tumbling Creek cavesnail consist of five components: (i) Geomorphically stable stream bottoms and banks (stable horizontal dimension and vertical profile) in order to: (A) Maintain bottom features (riffles, runs, and pools) and transition zones between bottom features;(B) Continue appropriate habitat to maintain essential riffles, runs, and pools; and(C) Promote connectivity between Tumbling Creek and its tributaries and associated springs to maintain gene flow throughout the population.(ii) Instream flow regime with an average daily discharge between 0.07 and 150 cubic feet per second (cfs), inclusive of both surface runoff and groundwater sources (springs and seepages).(iii) Water quality with temperature 55-62 °F (12.78-16.67 °C), dissolved oxygen 4.5 milligrams or greater per liter, and turbidity of an average monthly reading of no more than 200 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU; units used to measure sediment discharge) for a duration not to exceed 4 hours.(iv) Bottom substrates consisting of fine gravel with coarse gravel or cobble, or bedrock with sand and gravel, with low amounts of fine sand and sediments within the interstitial spaces of the substrates.(v) Energy input from guano that originates mainly from gray bats (Myotis grisescens) that roost in the cave; guano is essential in the development of biofilm (the organic coating and bacterial layer that covers rocks in the cave stream) that cavesnails use for food.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on the effective date of this rule.(4)Critical habitat map unit. Data layers defining the map unit were created using 7.5' topographic quadrangle maps and ArcGIS (version 9.3.1) mapping software.(5) Tumbling Creek Cavesnail Critical Habitat Unit.(i) U.S. Geological Survey 7.5' Topographic Protem Quad. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 15N, North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (W, N): from the emergence of Tumbling Creek within Tumbling Creek Cave at Lat. 36°33'37.41" N, Long. 92°48'27.23" W to its confluence with Bear Cave Hollow and Owens Spring upstream of Big Creek at at Lat. 36°33'15.2" N, Long. 92°47'51.74" W.(ii) NOTE: Map of Tumbling Creek Cavesnail Critical Habitat Unit follows: View Image
Rough Hornsnail (Pleurocera foremani)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Elmore and Shelby Counties, Alabama, on the maps below.(2) The primary constituent elements (PCEs) of critical habitat for the rough hornsnail are the habitat components that provide:(i) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found. Unless other information becomes available, existing conditions at locations where the species occurs will be considered as minimal flow requirements for survival.(iii) Water quality (including temperature, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, and chemical constituents) that meets or exceeds the current aquatic life criteria established under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 - 1387 ).(iv) Sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, bedrock, or mud substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of the primary constituent elements, such as buildings, bridges, aqueducts, airports, and roads, and the land on which such structures are located.(4)Critical habitat unit maps. Maps were developed from USGS 7.5' quadrangles. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were then identified by longitude and latitude using decimal degrees and converted to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone 16, coordinates.(5) NOTE: Index map of critical habitat units for the rough hornsnail follows: View Image
(6) Unit 1 for rough hornsnail (RH 1): Lower Coosa River, Elmore County, Alabama. (i) Unit RH 1 includes the Coosa River channel from Jordan Dam (569930.28E, 3609212.67N), downstream to the confluence of the Tallapoosa River (568995.14E, 3597805.93N), Elmore County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 1 (RH 1) for rough hornsnail (Coosa River) follows: View Image
(7) Unit 2 for rough hornsnail (RH 2): Yellowleaf Creek, Shelby County, Alabama.(i) Unit RH 2 includes the channel of Yellowleaf Creek from the confluence of Morgan Creek (550285.41E, 3682865.13N), downstream to 1.6 km (1 mi) below Alabama Highway 25 (552296.38E, 3679287.87N), Shelby County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 2 (RH 2) for rough hornsnail (Yellowleaf Creek) follows: View Image
Magnificent Ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Brunswick County, North Carolina, on the map in this entry.(2) Critical habitat does not include humanmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on September 18, 2023.(3) Data layers defining map units were created in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and critical habitat units were mapped using the U.S. Geological Survey's National Hydrography Dataset. The map in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establishes the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which the map is based are available to the public at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2022-0070, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(4) Unit 1: Orton Pond; Brunswick County, North Carolina.(i) Unit 1 consists of 688 acres (ac) (278 hectares (ha)) in an impounded section of Orton Creek in Brunswick County, North Carolina, approximately 1/2 mile upstream from the confluence with the Cape Fear River and east of the town of Boiling Spring Lakes. Unit 1 is composed of lands in private ownership.(ii) Map of Units 1 and 2 follows: Figure 1 for Magnificent Ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica) paragraph (4)(ii)
View Image
(5) Unit 2: Big Pond (Pleasant Oaks Pond); Brunswick County, North Carolina.(i) Unit 2 consists of 51 ac (21 ha) in an impounded section of Sand Hill Creek in Brunswick County, North Carolina, near the confluence with the Cape Fear River across from Campbell Island. Unit 2 is composed of lands in private ownership.(ii) Map of Unit 2 is provided at paragraph (4)(ii) of this entry. Morro Shoulderband Snail (Helminthoglypta walkeriana)
1. Critical habitat units are depicted for San Luis Obispo County, California, on the map below. The map provided is for informational purposes only. View Image
Map Units 1 to 3: All located in San Luis Obispo County, California. Coastline boundaries are based upon the U.S. Geological Survey Morro Bay South 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle. Other boundaries are based upon the Public Land Survey System. Within the historical boundaries of the Canada De Los Osos Y Pecho Y Islay Mexican Land Grant, boundaries are based upon section lines that are extensions to the Public Land Survey System developed by the California Department of Forestry and obtained by us from the State of California's Stephen P. Teale Data Center. Township and Range numbering is derived from the Mount Diablo Base and Meridian.
Map Unit 1: T. 29 S., R. 10 E., all of section 35 above mean sea level (MSL); T. 30 S., R. 10 E. All portions of sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 14, 22, and 27 above MSL, SW 1/4NW 1/4 section 13 above MSL, W 1/2NW 1/4 section 24, all of section 23 above MSL except S 1/2SE 1/4, NW 1/4NW 1/4 section 26, N 1/2N 1/2 section 34.
Map Unit 2: T. 30 S., R. 10 E., E 1/2NE 1/4 section 24; T. 30 S., R, 11 E., E 3/4N 1/2 section 19.
Map Unit 3: T. 30 S., R. 11 E., All of NE 1/4 section 7 above MSL; in section 8, NW 1/4NW 1/4, S 1/2NW 1/4, SW 1/4, and NW 1/4SE 1/4.
2. Within these areas, the primary constituent elements include, but are not limited to, those habitat components that are essential for the primary biological needs of foraging, sheltering, reproduction, and dispersal. The primary constituent elements for the Morro shoulderband snail are the following: sand or sandy soils; a slope not greater than 10 percent; and the presence of, or the capacity to develop, coastal dune scrub vegetation.3. Critical habitat does not include existing developed sites consisting of buildings, roads, aqueducts, railroads, airports, paved areas, and similar features and structures.Newcomb's Snail (Erinna newcombi)
(1) Critical Habitat Units are depicted for the County of Kauai, Hawaii, on the maps below. The maps provided are for informational purposes only.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements required by the Newcomb's snail are those habitat components that are essential for the biological needs of foraging, sheltering, reproduction, and dispersal. The primary constituent elements are: cool, clean, moderate-to fast-flowing water in streams, springs, and seeps; their adjacent riparian areas and hydrogeologic features that capture and direct water flow to these spring and stream systems; a perennial flow of water throughout even the most severe drought conditions; and stream channel morphology that provides protection from channel scour by having overhanging waterfalls, protected tributaries, or similar refugia.(3) Existing human-made features and structures within the boundaries of the mapped units, such as dams, ditches, tunnels, flumes, and other human-made features that do not contain the primary constituent elements, are not included as critical habitat.(4) Critical Habitat Unit I-Na Pali Coast Streams-(i) Unit I(a): Kalalau Stream (149 ha; 368 ac). The Kalalau Stream Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 63 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 435010, 2450871; 434991, 2450828; 435008, 2450782; 435112, 2450715; 435107, 2450681; 435044, 2450591; 435058, 2450537; 435120, 2450441; 435078, 2450308; 435048, 2450279; 435017, 2450341; 434968, 2450375; 434678, 2450406; 434682, 2450441; 434678, 2450551; 434618, 2450603; 434578, 2450602; 434518, 2450564; 434418, 2450540; 434444, 2450711; 434428, 2450733; 434388, 2450657; 434338, 2450612; 434278, 2450596; 434228, 2450621; 434188, 2450596; 434166, 2450621; 434159, 2450691; 434148, 2450691; 434058, 2450599; 433995, 2450571; 433968, 2450540; 433878, 2450559; 433825, 2450544; 433767, 2450451; 433738, 2450478; 433700, 2450581; 433670, 2450611; 433670, 2450671; 433633, 2450738; 433715, 2450996; 433732, 2451168; 433740, 2451380; 433642, 2451551; 433633, 2451598; 433688, 2451664; 433842, 2451694; 434206, 2451592; 434680, 2451547; 435053, 2451609; 435129, 2451611; 435147, 2451590; 435114, 2451460; 435048, 2451400; 434973, 2451360; 435041, 2451320; 435043, 2451250; 435134, 2451170; 435126, 2451120; 435089, 2451069; 435075, 2451013; 435018, 2450933; 435010, 2450871; (ii) Unit I(b): Hanakoa Stream (63 ha; 156 ac). The Hanakoa Stream Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 24 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 435729, 2453628; 435717, 2453789; 436111, 2454127; 436637, 2454087; 436700, 2454008; 436719, 2453907; 436658, 2453889; 436654, 2453857; 436735, 2453697; 436744, 2453577; 436558, 2453527; 436518, 2453555; 436478, 2453559; 436250, 2453496; 436152, 2453358; 436123, 2453263; 436068, 2453238; 435998, 2453171; 435918, 2453168; 435869, 2453229; 435799, 2453248; 435780, 2453320; 435770, 2453490; 435729, 2453628.(iii) Unit I(c): Hanakapiai Stream (35 ha; 86 ac). The Hanakapiai Stream Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 25 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 438438, 2453772; 438785, 2453827; 438899, 2453794; 438961, 2453796; 439113, 2453829; 439216, 2453871; 439257, 2453846; 439234, 2453666; 439263, 2453606; 439310, 2453377; 439299, 2453306; 439258, 2453253; 439158, 2453265; 439098, 2453290; 438949, 2453407; 438769, 2453508; 438692, 2453457; 438674, 2453387; 438618, 2453307; 438591, 2453347; 438578, 2453417; 438525, 2453507; 438443, 2453622; 438429, 2453677; 438438, 2453772.(iv) Map 1-Unit I-Na Pali Coast Streams follows: View Image
(5) Critical Habitat Unit II-Central Rivers- (i) Unit II(a): Lumahai River (492 ha; 1,216 ac). The Lumahai River Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 89 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 447598, 2445954; 447344, 2446136; 447298, 2446352; 447248, 2446290; 447178, 2446384; 447088, 2446327; 446972, 2446364; 446950, 2446572; 446787, 2446678; 446648, 2446627; 446648, 2446739; 446445, 2446836; 446409, 2447000; 446278, 2447034; 446208, 2447169; 446097, 2447178; 446141, 2447349; 446024, 2447449; 446014, 2447649; 445808, 2447618; 445809, 2447680; 445839, 2447840; 445616, 2447859; 445773, 2448009; 445589, 2448069; 445728, 2448189; 445531, 2448299; 445685, 2448359; 445605, 2448469; 445728, 2448478; 445854, 2448578; 445858, 2448680; 445728, 2448778; 445759, 2448939; 445618, 2448896; 445548, 2448954; 445318, 2448932; 445338, 2449080; 445164, 2449034; 445171, 2449211; 444998, 2449168; 444932, 2449348; 445008, 2449493; 445936, 2450417; 446309, 2450498; 446262, 2450317; 446309, 2450238; 446476, 2450245; 446385, 2450007; 446688, 2450060; 446714, 2449913; 446811, 2449890; 446799, 2449758; 446998, 2449747; 447028, 2449643; 447101, 2449690; 447098, 2449525; 447228, 2449509; 447343, 2449387; 447229, 2449247; 447298, 2449117; 447128, 2449116; 446901, 2448918; 447174, 2448778; 447144, 2448668; 447066, 2448628; 447190, 2448478; 446898, 2448400; 446778, 2448451; 446649, 2448198; 446831, 2448108; 446782, 2447899; 447064, 2447862; 446986, 2447707; 447038, 2447583; 447225, 2447529; 447162, 2447395; 446973, 2447289; 447008, 2446969; 447288, 2446719; 447234, 2446659; 447268, 2446571; 447448, 2446499; 447548, 2446559; 447484, 2446393; 447518, 2446304; 447739, 2446259; 447507, 2446131; 447598, 2445954; (ii) Unit II(b): Hanalei River (876 ha; 2,165 ac). The Hanalei River Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 91 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 450038, 2447210; 451786, 2447529; 453099, 2446469; 453648, 2446167; 453691, 2445925; 453614, 2445904; 453508, 2446074; 453044, 2445908; 452961, 2445785; 452974, 2445578; 453125, 2445605; 453267, 2445468; 453258, 2445377; 453550, 2445238; 453508, 2445111; 453318, 2445096; 453238, 2444991; 453098, 2445064; 453010, 2444769; 452768, 2444606; 452680, 2444349; 452760, 2444169; 452581, 2444039; 452723, 2443844; 452429, 2443810; 452486, 2443680; 452419, 2443309; 452280, 2443240; 452198, 2443073; 452088, 2443185; 451948, 2442960; 451678, 2442885; 451549, 2442979; 451471, 2442787; 450955, 2442448; 451082, 2442651; 450916, 2442988; 450337, 2443081; 450718, 2443188; 450968, 2443197; 451068, 2443077; 451255, 2443133; 451414, 2443330; 451612, 2443370; 451552, 2443666; 451549, 2444330; 451107, 2443911; 450988, 2444210; 450894, 2443874; 450638, 2443920; 450431, 2443773; 450492, 2444026; 450614, 2444100; 450468, 2444134; 450592, 2444250; 450389, 2444360; 450621, 2444363; 450698, 2444275; 450967, 2444669; 450939, 2444770; 450803, 2444769; 450978, 2444899; 450611, 2445032; 450698, 2445101; 450573, 2445219; 450969, 2445168; 450768, 2445479; 451068, 2445422; 451226, 2445489; 451158, 2445584; 451251, 2445606; 451216, 2445692; 451335, 2445819; 451188, 2445824; 451124, 2445925; 450928, 2445983; 450904, 2446088; 451017, 2446148; 450940, 2446208; 451031, 2446325; 451208, 2446428; 450928, 2446552; 450788, 2446490; 450688, 2446603; 450538, 2446560; 450668, 2446774; 450418, 2446700; 450199, 2446739; 450133, 2446913; 449784, 2447034; 450038, 2447210.(iii) Map 2-Unit II-Central Rivers-follows: View Image
(6) Critical Habitat Unit III-Eastside Mountain Streams-(i) Unit III(a): Waipahee Stream (66 ha; 163 ac). The Waipahee Stream Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 78 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 458921, 2447414; 458943, 2447424; 458998, 2447420; 459102, 2447444; 459044, 2447534; 459104, 2447563; 459108, 2447613; 459085, 2447643; 459100, 2447671; 459118, 2447693; 459108, 2447714; 459078, 2447703; 459048, 2447661; 459028, 2447663; 459017, 2447694; 459045, 2447696; 459054, 2447727; 459118, 2447770; 459164, 2447749; 459191, 2447646; 459231, 2447596; 459309, 2447603; 459321, 2447623; 459306, 2447685; 459351, 2447663; 459398, 2447531; 459478, 2447584; 459518, 2447553; 459568, 2447656; 459586, 2447613; 459648, 2447556; 459738, 2447649; 459918, 2447569; 459998, 2447569; 460018, 2447584; 460048, 2447572; 460055, 2447576; 460261, 2447303; 460229, 2447182; 460178, 2446882; 460172, 2446875; 460058, 2446836; 459978, 2446834; 459906, 2446782; 459887, 2446803; 459902, 2446878; 459848, 2446946; 459818, 2446933; 459778, 2446940; 459694, 2446904; 459702, 2447004; 459648, 2447020; 459638, 2447098; 459608, 2447104; 459508, 2447031; 459502, 2447068; 459448, 2447061; 459500, 2447134; 459467, 2447203; 459445, 2447214; 459408, 2447183; 459388, 2447194; 459318, 2447163; 459268, 2447169; 459248, 2447139; 459218, 2447136; 459182, 2447074; 459148, 2447057; 459078, 2447076; 459083, 2447094; 459148, 2447124; 459185, 2447224; 459166, 2447274; 459178, 2447334; 459118, 2447345; 458948, 2447313; 459001, 2447384; 458928, 2447407.(ii) Unit III(b): Makaleha Stream (95 ha; 235 ac). The Makaleha Stream Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 68 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 459368, 2444730; 459372, 2444732; 459414, 2444830; 459438, 2444851; 459498, 2444854; 459528, 2444873; 459588, 2444828; 459601, 2444832; 459689, 2444388; 459662, 2444260; 459604, 2444112; 459455, 2444044; 459279, 2444030; 459064, 2444037; 459008, 2444069; 459002, 2444101; 458968, 2444099; 458944, 2444123; 458878, 2444096; 458808, 2444142; 458803, 2444197; 458748, 2444245; 458658, 2444279; 458633, 2444322; 458576, 2444325; 458582, 2444377; 458552, 2444407; 458568, 2444467; 458478, 2444527; 458474, 2444587; 458537, 2444607; 458492, 2444667; 458608, 2444684; 458633, 2444746; 458545, 2444763; 458495, 2444803; 458485, 2444833; 458418, 2444844; 458347, 2444897; 458418, 2444925; 458411, 2444963; 458504, 2444960; 458503, 2444991; 458458, 2445046; 458458, 2445076; 458528, 2445084; 458582, 2445036; 458678, 2444990; 458718, 2445049; 458798, 2444992; 458818, 2444992; 458868, 2445050; 458908, 2445056; 458933, 2445106; 458927, 2445176; 458854, 2445276; 458808, 2445463; 458960, 2445258; 459033, 2445116; 459033, 2445066; 458978, 2444969; 458983, 2444831; 459038, 2444842; 459088, 2444900; 459158, 2444877; 459218, 2444913; 459331, 2444816; 459368, 2444730.(iii) Unit III(c): North Fork Wailua River (36 ha; 90 ac). The North Fork Wailua River Newcomb's snail critical habitat location consists of all flowing surface waters within 23 boundary points with the following coordinates in UTM Zone 4 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83): 450656, 2440137; 450861, 2440154; 450920, 2440206; 450968, 2440196; 451045, 2440217; 451079, 2440286; 451145, 2440241; 451197, 2440262; 451211, 2440324; 451291, 2440314; 451291, 2440244; 451426, 2440217; 451589, 2440237; 451616, 2440286; 451811, 2440230; 451801, 2440139; 451748, 2440049; 451717, 2439976; 451701, 2439841; 451455, 2439688; 451343, 2439745; 450968, 2440043; 450840, 2440040.(iv) Map 3-Unit III-Eastside Mountain Streams follows: View Image
Pecos Assiminea (Assiminea Pecos)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Chaves County, New Mexico, and Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas, on the maps below.(2) The primary constituent element of critical habitat for the Pecos assiminea is moist or saturated soil at stream or spring run margins:(i) That consists of wet mud or occurs beneath mats of vegetation;(ii) That is within 1 inch (2 to 3 centimeters) of flowing water;(iii) That has native wetland plant species, such as salt grass or sedges, that provide leaf litter, shade, cover, and appropriate microhabitat;(iv) That contains wetland vegetation adjacent to spring complexes that supports the algae, detritus, and bacteria needed for foraging; and(v) That has adjacent spring complexes with: (A) Permanent, flowing, fresh to moderately saline water with no or no more than low levels of pollutants; and(B) Stable water levels with natural diurnal and seasonal variations.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on the effective date of this rule.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created on a base of USGS 1:24,000 maps, and critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.(5) Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.(ii) Map of Pecos Assiminea Critical Habitat Units 1 and 2b follows: View Image
(6) Unit 2b: Assiminea Impoundment Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.(ii) Map of Unit 2b for Pecos assiminea is provided at paragraph (5)(ii) of this entry.(7) Unit 4: Diamond Y Springs Complex, Pecos County, Texas.(ii) Map of Pecos Assiminea Critical Habitat Units 4 and 5 follows: View Image
(8) Unit 5: East Sandia Spring, Reeves County, Texas.(ii) Map of Unit 5 for Pecos assiminea is provided at paragraph (7)(ii) of this entry.Interrupted Rocksnail (Leptoxis foremani)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Cherokee and Elmore Counties, Alabama, and Gordon and Floyd Counties, Georgia, on the maps below.(2) The primary constituent elements (PCEs) of critical habitat for the interrupted rocksnail are the habitat components that provide:(i) Geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks (channels that maintain lateral dimensions, longitudinal profiles, and sinuosity patterns over time without an aggrading or degrading bed elevation).(ii) A hydrologic flow regime (the magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of discharge over time) necessary to maintain benthic habitats where the species is found. Unless other information becomes available, existing conditions at locations where the species occurs will be considered as minimal flow requirements for survival.(iii) Water quality (including temperature, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, and chemical constituents) that meets or exceeds the current aquatic life criteria established under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 - 1387 ).(iv) Sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, or bedrock substrates with low to moderate amounts of fine sediment and attached filamentous algae.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of the PCEs, such as buildings, bridges, aqueducts, airports, and roads, and the land on which such structures are located.(4)Critical habitat unit maps. Maps were developed from USGS 7.5' quadrangles. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits were then identified by longitude and latitude using decimal degrees and converted to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone 16, coordinates.(5) NOTE: Index map of critical habitat units for the interrupted rocksnail follows: View Image
(6) Unit 1 for interrupted rocksnail (IR 1): Coosa River, Cherokee County, Alabama. (i) Unit IR 1 includes the Coosa River channel from Weiss Dam (614866.53E, 3781969.15N), downstream to a point 1.6 km (1 mi) below the confluence of Terrapin Creek (619751.694E, 3776654.79N), Cherokee County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 1 (IR 1) for interrupted rocksnail (Coosa River) follows: View Image
(7) Unit 2 for interrupted rocksnail (IR 2): Oostanaula River, Gordon and Floyd Counties, Georgia. (i) Unit IR 2 includes the primary channel of the Oostanaula River from the confluence of the Conasauga and Coosawattee Rivers (692275.90E, 3824562.96N), Gordon County, downstream to Georgia Highway 1 Loop (668358.62E, 3792574.63N), Floyd County, Georgia.(ii) Map of Unit 2 (IR 2) for interrupted rocksnail (Oostanaula River) follows: View Image
(8) Unit 3 for interrupted rocksnail (IR 3): Lower Coosa River, Elmore County, Alabama.(i) Unit IR 3 includes the Coosa River channel from Jordan Dam (569930.28E, 3609212.67N), downstream to Alabama Highway 111 Bridge (574324.83E, 3600042.81N), Elmore County, Alabama.(ii) Map of Unit 3 (IR 3) for interrupted rocksnail (Lower Coosa River) follows: View Image
Chupadera Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis chupaderae)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Socorro County, New Mexico, on the map below.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the Chupadera springsnail consist of springheads, springbrooks, seeps, ponds, and seasonally wetted meadows containing: (i) Unpolluted spring water (free from contamination) emerging from the ground and flowing on the surface;(ii) Periphyton (an assemblage of algae, bacteria, and microbes) and decaying organic material for food;(iii) Substrates that include cobble, gravel, pebble, sand, silt, and aquatic vegetation, for egg laying, maturing, feeding, and escape from predators; and(iv) Nonnative species either absent or present at low population levels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, roads, and other paved areas, and the land on which they are located) existing on the effective date of this rule.(4) Critical habitat map units were plotted on 2007 USGS Digital Ortho Quarter UTM coordinates in ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer GIS program(5) Unit 1: Willow Spring, Socorro County, New Mexico.(i) The critical habitat area includes the springhead, springbrook, small seeps and ponds, seasonally wetted meadow, and all of the associated spring features. This area is approximately 0.5 ha (1.4 ac) around the following coordinates: Easting 316889, northing 3743013 (Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 13 using North American Datum of 1983).(6) Unit 2: Unnamed Spring, Socorro County, New Mexico.(i) The critical habitat area includes the springhead, springbrook, small seeps and ponds, seasonally wetted meadow, and all of the associated spring features. This area is approximately 0.2 ha (0.5 ac) around the following coordinates: Easting 317048, northing 3743418 (Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 13 using North American Datum of 1983).(ii) Map of Unit 2 is provided at paragraph (5)(ii) of this entry.Koster's Springsnail (Juturnia Kosteri) and Roswell Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis Roswellensis)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Chaves County, New Mexico, on the map below.(2) The primary constituent element of critical habitat for the Koster's springsnail and Roswell springsnail is springs and spring-fed wetland systems that: (i) Have permanent, flowing water with no or no more than low levels of pollutants;(ii) Have slow to moderate water velocities;(iii) Have substrates ranging from deep organic silts to limestone cobble and gypsum;(iv) Have stable water levels with natural diurnal (daily) and seasonal variations;(v) Consist of fresh to moderately saline water;(vi) Vary in temperature between 50-68 °F (10-20 °C) with natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that range; and(vii) Provide abundant food, consisting of: (A) Algae, bacteria, and decaying organic material; and(B) Submergent vegetation that contributes the necessary nutrients, detritus, and bacteria on which these species forage.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on the effective date of this rule.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created on a base of USGS 1:24,000 maps, and critical habitat units were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.(5) Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.(ii) Map of Koster's Springsnail and Roswell Springsnail Critical Habitat Units 1 and 2a follows: View Image
(6) Unit 2a: Springsnail/Amphipod Impoundment Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.(ii) Map of Unit 2a for Koster's springsnail and Roswell springsnail is provided at paragraph (5)(ii) of this entry. San Bernardino Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernardina)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Cochise County, Arizona, on the map in paragraph (5) of this entry.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the San Bernardino springsnail consist of four components: (i) Adequately clean spring water (free from contamination) emerging from the ground and flowing on the surface;(ii) Periphyton (attached algae), bacteria, and decaying organic material for food;(iii) Substrates that include cobble, gravel, pebble, sand, silt, and aquatic vegetation, for egg laying, maturing, feeding, and escape from predators; and(iv) Either an absence of nonnative predators (crayfish) and competitors (snails) or their presence at low population levels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures other than the road culvert and concrete spring-boxes, which are included to protect the water flowing within them.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were plotted on 2007 USGS Digital Ortho Quarter Quad maps using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates in ArcMap. Because of the small size of the springs, spring runs and ditches, for mapping purposes we created a circle that encompasses them.(5) Map of critical habitat units for the San Bernardino springsnail follows: View Image
(6) Snail Spring Unit contains approximately 0.457 ha (1.129 ac) in Cochise County, Arizona. This critical habitat unit is a spring approximately 5 m (16 ft) in diameter and has a spring run that goes south from the spring approximately 23.5 m (77 ft) to a manmade ditch, which runs 10.2 m (33.5 ft) to a dirt road. It passes under the road in a 3.5 m (11.5 ft) culvert, then flows approximately 17 m (56 ft) below the road. The culvert beneath the road is included in critical habitat, but not the road itself. We include a 1-m (3.3-ft) upland area on each side of the spring, spring run, and ditch. The critical habitat unit is the spring, spring run, ditch, and buffer within the 76-m (249-ft) diameter circle centered on UTM coordinate 663858, 3468182 in Zone 12 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).(7) Goat Tank Spring Unit contains approximately 0.002 ha (0.005 ac) in Cochise County, Arizona. The unit is a spring contained entirely within a square concrete box approximately 0.61 by 0.91 m (2 by 3 ft) and spring seepage emanating from the base of a cottonwood tree about 2 m (7 ft) from the spring-box. This unit includes a 1-m (3.3-ft) upland area on each side of the spring box and spring. The critical habitat is the spring-box, spring seepage, and buffer within the 5-m (16.4-ft) diameter circle centered on UTM coordinate 663725, 3468162 in Zone 12 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).(8) Horse Spring Unit contains approximately 0.032 ha (0.078 ac) in Cochise County, Arizona. The unit is a spring and springrun approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft) wide and 15.5 m (50.9 ft) in length. We include a 1-m (3.3-ft) upland area on each side of the springhead and spring-run. The designated critical habitat unit is the spring-box, spring seepage, and buffer within the 20-m (66-ft) diameter circle centered on UTM coordinate 663772, 3468091 in Zone 12 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).(9) Tule Spring Unit contains approximately 0.324 ha (0.801 ac) in Cochise County, Arizona. The unit is a spring, which forms a pond approximately 23 m (75 ft) north-south and 13 m (43 ft) east-west, and it has a spring run that is approximately 22 m (71 ft) in length. The spring run emerges from the southeastern side of the spring pond, runs northeast for approximately 12.5 m (41 ft) to a manmade ditch, which runs southeast 9.2 m (30 ft). This unit includes a 1-m (3.3-ft) upland area on each side of the spring, spring run, and ditch. The designated critical habitat unit is the spring, spring-run, ditch, and buffer within the 64-m (210-ft) diameter circle centered on UTM coordinate 664259, 3468499 in Zone 12 with the units in meters using North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).Three Forks Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Apache County, Arizona, on the map at paragraph (5) of this entry.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the Three Forks springsnail consist of four components: (i) Adequately clean spring water (free from contamination) emerging from the ground and flowing on the surface;(ii) Periphyton (attached algae), bacteria, and decaying organic material for food;(iii) Substrates that include cobble, gravel, pebble, sand, silt, and aquatic vegetation, for egglaying, maturing, feeding, and escape from predators; and(iv) Either an absence of nonnative predators (crayfish) and competitors (snails) or their presence at low population levels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures other than concrete spring-boxes, which are included to protect the flowing water within them.(4) Critical habitat map units were plotted on 2007 USGS Digital Ortho Quarter Quad maps using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates in ArcMap.(5) Map of critical habitat units for the Three Forks springsnail follows: View Image
Phantom springsnail (Pyrgulopsis texana) and Phantom tryonia (Tryonia cheatumi)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Jeff Davis County and Reeves County, Texas, on the maps below.(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Phantom springsnail and Phantom tryonia are springs and spring-fed aquatic systems that contain:(i) Permanent, flowing, unpolluted water (free from contamination) emerging from the ground and flowing on the surface;(ii) Water temperatures that vary between 11 and 27 °C (52 to 81 °F) with natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that range;(iii) Substrates that include cobble, gravel, pebble, sand, silt, and aquatic vegetation, for breeding, egg laying, maturing, feeding, and escape from predators;(iv) Abundant food, consisting of algae, bacteria, decaying organic material, and submergent vegetation that contributes the necessary nutrients, detritus, and bacteria on which these species forage; and(v) Either an absence of nonnative predators and competitors or nonnative predators and competitors at low population levels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, well pads, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on August 8, 2013.(4)Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer geographic information system (GIS) program. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004 and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) San Solomon Spring Unit, Reeves County, Texas. Map of San Solomon Spring Unit follows: View Image
(6) Giffin Spring Unit, Reeves County, Texas. Map of Giffin Spring Unit is provided at paragraph (5) of this entry.(7) East Sandia Spring Unit, Reeves County, Texas. Map of East Sandia Spring Unit follows: View Image
(8) Phantom Lake Spring Unit, Jeff Davis County, Texas. Map of Phantom Lake Spring Unit follows: View Image
Diamond tryonia (Pseudotryonia adamantina) and Gonzales tryonia (Tryonia circumstriata)
(1) A critical habitat unit is depicted for Pecos County, Texas, on the map below.(2) Within this area, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Diamond tryonia and Gonzales tryonia are springs and spring-fed aquatic systems that contain:(i) Permanent, flowing, unpolluted water (free from contamination) emerging from the ground and flowing on the surface;(ii) Water temperatures that vary between 11 and 27 °C (52 to 81 °F) with natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that range;(iii) Substrates that include cobble, gravel, pebble, sand, silt, and aquatic vegetation, for breeding, egg laying, maturing, feeding, and escape from predators;(iv) Abundant food, consisting of algae, bacteria, decaying organic material, and submergent vegetation that contributes the necessary nutrients, detritus, and bacteria on which these species forage; and(v) Either an absence of nonnative predators and competitors or nonnative predators and competitors at low population levels.(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, roads, oil and gas well pads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on August 8, 2013.(4)Critical habitat map unit. Data layers defining the map unit were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer geographic information system (GIS) program. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004 and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2 .(5) Diamond Y Spring Unit, Pecos County, Texas. Map of Diamond Y Spring Unit follows: View Image
Newcomb's tree snail (Newcombia cumingi)
(1) The critical habitat unit is depicted for Maui County, Hawaii, on the map below.(2)Primary constituent elements. In unit 1, the primary constituent elements of critical habitat for the Newcomb's tree snail are: (i) Elevation: Less than 3,300 ft (1,000 m).(ii) Annual precipitation: Greater than 75 in (190 cm).(iii) Substrate: Clays; ashbeds; deep, well-drained soils; lowland bogs.(iv) Canopy: Antidesma, Metrosideros,Myrsine, Pisonia,Psychotria.(v) Subcanopy: Cibotium, Claoxylon,Kadua, Melicope.(vi) Understory: Alyxia, Cyrtandra,Dicranopteris, Diplazium, Machaerina, Microlepia.(3) Existing manmade features and structures, such as buildings, roads, railroads, airports, runways, other paved areas, lawns, and other urban landscaped areas, do not contain one or more of the physical or biological features. Federal actions limited to those areas, therefore, would not trigger a consultation under section 7 of the Act unless they may affect the species or physical or biological features in adjacent critical habitat.(4)Critical habitat map. Map was created in GIS, with coordinates in UTM Zone 4, units in meters using North American datum of 1983 (NAD 83).(5)Newcombia cumingi -Unit 1-Lowland Wet-Maui, Maui County, Hawaii (65 ac, 26 ha). This unit is critical habitat for the Newcomb's tree snail, Newcombia cumingi. Map of Newcombia cumingi-Unit 1-Lowland Wet-Maui follows: View Image