Ohio River Valley Ecosystem Team Work Activity Guidance for 2003

Native Mollusks

In FY2003, the Mollusk Subgroup is undertaking status reviews for two mussel species, the snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra) and rabbitsfoot (Quadrula c. cylindrica). These are two very widespread (ranging over five Service regions and Ontario, Canada), but declining, mussels, with their center of distribution in the ORVE. Two subcommittees of the Mollusk Subgroup--Mollusk restoration and resurvey of mussels in the Ohio River--have submitted project proposals through the Service's flex funding process, and are awaiting potential funding to conduct priority subcommittee tasks. A third subcommittee--mussel survey protocol for the Ohio River--plans to test and verify the draft mussel survey protocol this coming field season.

Migratory Birds

1) Implement the second year of a 2-year study on cerulean warbler nest productivity.

2) Work with PIF, NAWMP, and others to coordinate various bird conservation efforts underway within these organizations for the ORVE

3) Work with bird conservation organizations, academia, and agencies to identify key migratory bird research needs for the ORVE

4) Continue using the Migratory Bird Subgroup GIS to identify and refine important areas of forest, shrub land, and grassland within the ORVE

5) Employ the Migratory Bird Subgroup GIS to conduct initial investigation of bottomland hardwood forest and riparian habitat within the ORVE

Contaminants

Work activity for FY 2003 will include the implementation of the 2001 Clean Water Act (CWA) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding enhanced coordination between the USEPA, FWS, and National Marine Fisheries Service under the CWA and Endangered Species Act. In order to accomplish the goals of the MOA, cooperative efforts with State water quality agencies and EPA should be initiated to prioritize waterbodies in the ORVE for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) development; develop a standardized approach to TMDL modeling and implementation procedures utilized in each of the States within the ORVE; reduce point source and non-point source discharges to waterbodies in the ORVE; and enhance water quality standards, discharge limits, monitoring efforts, and use designations to foster protection and recovery of fish and wildlife populations.

Work activities for FY 2003 will also include cooperative efforts with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State emergency response agencies to implement the 2001 Memorandum of Agreement regarding oil spill planning and response activities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act=s National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA); continue cooperative efforts with agricultural interests, private land owners, and state and federal agencies to promote Best Management Practices and partnership projects that reduce soil, nutrient, pesticide, herbicide, and crop residue runoff which significantly contribute to water quality degradation including the Gulf of Mexico summer hypoxia zone; the preparation of proposals to investigate oil and hazardous material spills and potentially contaminated sites (superfund sites, new and existing Service lands, other areas with evidence of contamination); and the development of recommendations for cleanup and restorative measures to protect Service trust resources.

Wetlands

Standing Committee chair will continue to monitor significant issues within the ORVE (e.g. Hypoxia, 2002 Farm Bill) which might provide opportunities for the protection and/or restoration of wetland resources within the basin.

GIS

Work activity in fiscal year 2003 will include updating the ORVE web site with features pertaining to Team issues, projects, and announcements; working with the endangered species subgroup to collect GAP analysis spatial layers for each state in the ORVE as data becomes available from state projects; and responding to requests from Team sub-groups for custom maps and data analysis.