Mussel Survey Guidelines and Protocols
Various states and US Fish and Wildlife regions have developed standard mussel survey and translocation guidelines or protocols and fewer have guidelines for gastropod surveys. Adherence to these survey protocols may be required in order to obtain a scientific collectors permit from the state or USFWS if ESA listed species are involved. The table below provides examples of what some regulatory entities require when mussel surveys are requested as part of an environmental review of a proposed project. The referenced documents provided here are for informational purposes only and the relevant state or federal permitting authority should be consulted for site and project specific information. The information is also provided for those who may be in the process of developing their own protocols or guidelines and are interested in reviewing what other states/regions have developed.
We encourage states and federal agencies with regulatory authority regarding mollusk survey guidelines or protocols to contact Mary McCANN (mary.mccann@hdrinc.com) or the FMCS committee chairs Ryan SCHEWGMAN (rschwegman@enviroscienceinc.com) and Lisie KITCHEL (Lisie.Kitchel@wisconsin.gov) with any new or updated survey protocols, survey qualification requirements, or contact information that can be shared on this website.
| STATE | WEBLINK | PREPARED BY | CONTACT | |
| West Virgina | West Virginia Mussel Survey Protocols - Updated 2018 | Click here for link to VW DNR site and Survey Protocols PDFs | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources US Fish and Wildlife Service |
Janet L. Clayton (WVDNR) 304-637-0245 Janet.L.Clayton@wv.gov Barbara Douglas (USFWS) 304-636-6568 (x19) Barbara_Douglas@FWS.gov |
| Virgina | Freshwater Mussel Guidelines for Virginia – DRAFT - Last Updated: 9-4-13 | Click here for link to PDF | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office (804-693-6694) Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries (804-367-1000) |
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| Tennessee | 2012 Working Draft Tenneessee and Cumberland River Mussel Survey Protocol where dredging/disposal/development activity is proposed. Third Edition (December 2014) |
Click here for link to PDF | Modified from the Ohio River Protocol, Developed by the Ohio River Valley Ecosystem Mollusk Subgroup | Don Hubbs tnmussels@aol.com Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency |
| Ohio | Ohio Mussel Survey Protocol – April 2020 | Click here for link to PDF | Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ohio Ecological Services Field Office |
Angela Boyer 614-416-8993, ext. 22 angela_boyer@fws.gov |
| Illinois | Investigating Mussel Communities in Wadeable Illinois Streams. Appendix A. Protocol for Surveying Freshwater Mussels in Wadeable Streams and Wadeable Portions of Large Rivers December, 2002 |
Click here for link to PDF You'll be prompted for a name and password. Cancel out and the link will work |
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| Wisconsin | State of Wisconsin Guidelines for Sampling Freshwater Mussels in Wadable Streams Wisconsin DNR Mussel Relocation Protocol |
Click here for link to PDF Click here for link to PDF |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Lisie Kitchel (Conservation Biologist
WDNR/Natural Heritage Conservation) 608-266-5248 Lisie.Kitchel@wi.gov |
| Minnesota | MINNESOTA FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEY AND RELOCATION PROTOCOL - April 2013 Only individuals who have been tested and approved by the DNR will be permitted to conduct mussel survey or relocation projects |
Click here for link to PDF | MN DNR, Div of Ecological and Water Resources USFWS, Twin Cities Field Office |
Richard Baker 651-259-5073 richard.baker@state.mn.us Lisa Joyal 651-259-5109 lisa.joyal@state.mn.us |
| Indiana | Guidelines for Sampling Freshwater Mussels in Indiana Third Edition (December 2014) | Click here for link to PDF | Indiana Department of Natural Resources | Brant Fisher, IDNR 812-526-5816 bfisher@dnr.IN.gov |
| New York | New York State Freshwater Mussel Survey Guidelines for Waterbody Disturbance Projects | https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/122781.html Click here for link to PDF |
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation | Corbin Gosier Bureau of Ecosystems Health, NYSDEC 518-402-8872 corbin.gosier@dec.ny.gov Natalie Sacco Bureau of Fisheries, NYSDEC 518-402-8932 natalie.sacco@dec.ny.gov |
| Massachusetts | Endangered Species Survey Guidelines: Freshwater Mussels – May 2013 Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Guidelines: Freshwater Mussels (May 2013) Endangered Species Translocation Guidelines: Freshwater Mussels (May 2013) |
Survey: Click here for link to PDF Habitat: Click here for link to PDF Translocation: Click here for link to PDF |
MA - NHESP | Dr. Peter Hazelton (MA – NHESP) peter.hazelton@state.ma.us |
| Michigan | Michigan Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocols and Relocation Procedures - May 2021 |
Click here for link to PDF | ||
| Pennsylvania | The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has updated their website providing information on lists of qualified freshwater mussel surveyors and the qualifications need to be qualified to conduct mussel surveys. CLICK HERE U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – PA Field Office. Mussel Survey Guidelines. |
Surveyor Requirements: Click here for link to PDF Qualified Surveyor Application Click here East Surveyors: Click here for PDF West Surveyors: Click here for PDF |
Nevin Welte, PA F&G 412-586-2334 c-nwelte@pa.gov |
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| Florida and Georgia | Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocol for the Southeastern Atlantic Slope and Northeastern Gulf Drainages in Florida and Georgia – April 2008 | Click here for link to PDF | United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services and Fisheries Resources Offices Georgia Department of Transportation, Office of Environment and Location |
Stacey Carlson, Alice Lawrence, Holly Blalock-Herod, Katie McCafferty, and Sandy Abbott |
| Western US | Freshwater Mussel Guidelines - September 2018 | Click here | Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation | Emilie Blevins, Laura McMullen, Sarina Jepsen, Michele Blackburn, Aimée Code, and Scott Hoffman Black |
| Western US | Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocol - June 2024 | Click here for link to PDF | Xerces Society, CTUIR, BLM, USFWS, and USFS | |
| Ontario, Canada | Protocol for the Detection and Relocation of Freshwater Mussel Species at Risk in Ontario Great Lake Area (OGLA) - 2008 |
Click here for link to PDF | Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2790 | G. Mackie, T.J. Morris, and D. Ming |