Grant Awarded to Restore Freshwater Mussels in Clarion and Kiski Rivers – Melissas Meals Freedom

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Fee (PFBC) is happy to announce that it has obtained a Nationwide Fish and Wildlife Basis Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program grant as a part of a collaborative effort to revive freshwater mussel populations within the Clarion and Kiskiminetas rivers.

Funds from this grant might be used for ongoing, complete species and river restoration efforts which embrace analysis, group schooling, and outreach.  The PFBC has partnered with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) and PennWest Clarion College to revive riparian areas alongside each rivers and to have interaction college students and the general public’s participation on this restoration effort.

“We couldn’t be extra excited to obtain this grant and to associate with different conservation organizations to proceed the important work of restoring freshwater mussels in these recovering rivers,” mentioned Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Govt Director.  “The Allegheny River basin is one in every of North America’s most various and necessary freshwater mussel river methods.  Pennsylvania has a accountability to take care of and restore the well being of the aquatic species that decision it dwelling whereas bettering total water high quality for the area and downstream.”

Traditionally, the Clarion River was one of the vital closely polluted streams in western Pennsylvania.  Its waters had been described by Dr. Arnold Ortmann, curator on the Carnegie Museum, as “one of many worst within the state” with waters working “black like ink” as a result of unregulated discharges from the tanning and mining industries that had been compounded by widespread deforestation.  No residing mussels had been ever reported from the Clarion River till lately, and 37,000 widespread mussels have been stocked from relocation initiatives to assist increase restoration.

The Kiskiminetas River was likewise devastated by poor water high quality circumstances related to in depth and unregulated coal mining and deforestation.  Dr. Ortmann described “that in virtually the entire drainage basin of the Kiskiminetas fresh-water life is extinct.”  State and federal companies and their conservation companions have made great strides in each river basins to enhance the panorama and water high quality in order that they will now help freshwater mussels and vibrant fish communities for advantage of anglers, river customers, and all people who get pleasure from clear water.

The water high quality of those two rivers have improved, permitting fish to naturally colonize the decrease reaches of the Clarion and Kiskiminetas rivers.  These improved circumstances have restricted advantages to the Clarion upstream of the reservoir due to the impassable barrier that’s Piney Dam.  Dams act as obstacles that forestall the pure restoration of native mussels, which require attachment to a fish host with a purpose to disperse and full their distinctive life cycle.

This undertaking goals to proceed Clarion River mussel restoration efforts and to start Kiskiminetas River restoration efforts by reintroducing mussels upstream of Piney Dam or reintroducing Kiski River populations upstream of their recognized restoration limits.  The undertaking crew producing mussels on the PFBC Aquatic Conservation Heart in Union Metropolis, Pennsylvania might be supported by WPC tree-planting efforts and obtain tutorial help from PennWest Clarion College.

“We’re excited to associate with PFBC and WPC to revive native freshwater mussel populations in these traditionally defaunated streams,” mentioned Dr. Andrew Turner, professor at PennWest Clarion College.