Neosho Mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana)
May 9, 2013 - Comment Period Reopened
Photo by Chris Barnhart
Historical Range: AR, KS, MO, OK
Lead Region: Region 4
Region 3 Lead Office: Columbia Missouri
Field Office
Listing Priority: 5
Listed as Candidate: 2001
Proposed as Endangered: 2012
The Neosho Mucket is a freshwater mussel found in rivers and streams in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. We estimate the Neosho mucket has been lost from about 62 percent of its historical range with only 9 of 16 historical populations remaining. This mussel is declining throughout its range with only one of the remaining nine populations considered a large, viable population.
May 9, 2013:
Comment Period Re-opened and Draft Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Available
We are reopening the public comment period on our October 16, 2012, proposed listing and designation of critical habitat for the Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot mussels. In addition, the draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment of the proposed chritical habitat designation are also available for public review and comment. Reopening the comment period allows an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the revised proposed rule, the associated draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment.
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rules.
All comments must be received by June 9, 2013.
Public Information Meetings in Missouri
May 8, 2013 News Release for Missouri: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hosts Information Meetings on Neosho Mucket and Rabbitsfoot
May 8, 2013 News Release: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Estimates Economic Impacts and Releases Draft Environmental Assessment of Critical Habitat Designation for Neosho Mucket and Rabbitsfoot
Federal Register Proposed Rule; Reopening of Comment Period - - Proposed Endangered Status for the Neosho Mucket, Threatened Status for the Rabbitsfoot, and Designation of Critical Habitat for Both Species (PDF
)
Draft Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat for Neosho Mucket and Rabbitsfoot (141-page PDF; 2 MB
)
Two Public Information Meetings in Missouri
May 21, 2013
Joplin, Missouri
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center
Service representatives will talk about both mussel species, including life history, threats to the species, critical habitat and the process to list them as endangered, as well as address questions and concerns.
May 23,2013
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Greenville, Missouri
Greenville School District facilities
The Greenville meeting will focus on the rabbitsfoot mussel, which is found locally.
October 16, 2012:
Proposal to List as Endangered and Designate Critical Habitat
News Release (Oct. 15, 2012) Service Proposes to Protect Neosho Mucket and Rabbitsfoot under the Endangered Species Act: Agency Seeks Information from the Public, Scientific Community before making final decision
Federal Register Proposed Rule (Oct. 16, 2012): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for the Neosho Mucket, Threatened Status for the Rabbitsfoot, and Designation of Critical Habitat for Both Species (98-page PDF; 4.8MB)
Proposed Critical Habitat Maps in Missouri
Rabbitsfoot Home
Midwest Endangered Species Home