FWS Lists Freshwater Mussels as Threatened

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the western fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti), a freshwater mussel species from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, and the Ouachita fanshell (Cyprogenia cf. aberti), a freshwater mussel species from Arkansas and Louisiana, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for these species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect July 27.