The project addresses needs related to spill response and natural resource damage assessment and interactions with freshwater mussels

The project includes finalization of the mussel assessment techniques (mat) protocol, funded through the inland oil spill preparedness program (iospp project 24-15). This is for the fourth year of work related to development of mat protocols for spill response in wadeable streams with freshwater mussel populations (see iospp project # 18-08, 19-03, and 21-02 and previous cooperative agreement F18AC00717). The draft mat protocol was completed in 2020 and was reviewed by U.S. Fish and wildlife service (service) and U.S. Geological survey (USGS) staff in 2022-2023. The comments were extensive and required additional funds to address and incorporate. The mat protocol will be used by spill response personnel to help minimize any impacts to mussels during spill response activities and provide more information about extent of a spills impacts on aquatic organisms. The project aligns with the services goals of protecting and minimizing impacts to trust resources and threatened and endangered species and the iospp program goals of providing tool and training development. The project also includes histological work on mussels as part of a study funded through the office of restoration and damage assessment (orda). The study will examine the effects of mercury exposure on energy storage and reproductive potential in freshwater mussels. The histological endpoints included in this study and will provide critical methodology for nrdar cases involving freshwater mussels, including those cases that may develop after a spill response.