The ACF and ACT Basins:
Water Allocation and Natural Resource Protection

Unique Characteristics

The ACF and ACT basins are distinguished worldwide for their diversity of freshwater aquatic snails and mussels. Unfortunately, the extinction of several snails and mussels has been recorded in these basins, due primarily to water quantity alterations from impoundments and water quality changes.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plant populations as a continuing resource for the benefit of the American people. The Service enforces Federal wildlife laws, manages migratory bird populations, restores fisheries, conserves important wildlife habitat, and administers the Endangered Species Act.

Concerns

In the ACF and ACT river basins, 65 species are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. In Southwest Georgia, four freshwater mussels and the gulf sturgeon are on this list. Recovering listed species and preventing the future listings of plant and animal species are priorities for the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Some of the water allocation proposals currently being considered could adversely affect endangered or threatened species. The Fish and Wildlife Service has provided instream flow guidelines to Georgia, Alabama and Florida that describe flow regime features that would protect listed species. A full evaluation of the current state proposals is underway relative to these guidelines.

Interests

The Fish and Wildlife Service is also a riparian landowner and water user in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin. Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge straddles the Chattahoochee River in Georgia and Alabama, and the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge in Florida is located at the mouth of Apalachicola River.

Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery and Regional Fish Technology Center are in the upper Flint River basin and rely on high quality sources of groundwater. The Fish and Wildlife Service is also responsible for protecting anadromous fish, migratory birds, and wetlands of both basins.

Solutions

In order to protect the biodiversity of the basins, the water allocation formulas should:

• Minimize departures from natural flow regimes.
• Allocate water for recognized near-term uses.
• Include federal reservoir operations guidelines in the formulas.
• Maintain and improve water quality.
• Monitor water use allocations, reservoir operations guidelines, and their effects on resources.

The service is working with the States to incorporate these principles in the water allocation decision.