Atlantic Pigtoe Listing and Critical Habitat Designation
USFWS lists Atlantic Pigtoe as a "threatened species" with a 4(d) rule under Endangered Species Act.
Reach out for #FurtherInsight. Please contact Adam Benshoff ( AKBenshoff@edge-es.com )
Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2018–0046; FF9E21000 FXES1111090FEDR 223]; RIN 1018-BD12
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status with Section 4(d) Rule for Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) and Designation of Critical Habitat.
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), list the Atlantic Pigtoe, (Fusconaia masoni), a freshwater mussel from Virginia and North Carolina, as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We also designate critical habitat for the species under the Act. In total, approximately 563 river miles (906 river kilometers) fall within 17 units of critical habitat within the following counties within North Carolina and Virginia (see table below). This rule extends the Act's protections to the species and its designated critical habitat.
DATES: This rule is effective December 16, 2021.
Atlantic Pigtoe will be listed as federally Threatened with a 4(d) rule under the Act. The species typically inhabits mid to large rivers with clean, well-oxygenated water in stable gravel and cobble substrates. Similar to other freshwater mussels, the Atlantic Pigtoe relies on fish hosts to complete their complex life cycles. Reasons for the population declines include stream sedimentation, pollution, urban development, fragmented populations, and dam installations. The 4(d) rule expresses exemptions applicable to
- forestry-related practices (with state-approved BMP installations and maintenance)
- bank stabilization projects (using natural bio-engineering practices)
- stream channel restoration projects
- species restoration efforts
As a result of the federal listing and critical habitat designation for Atlantic Pigtoe, instream (and some upland) activities that may result in adverse modification to waterbodies within the range of the species and/or critical habitat may require formal consultation with USFWS. Our mussel biologists have closely followed these regulatory developments and are well-prepared to assist with agency consultation and compliance measures. Our team has expertise with this species, completing every step of the process, from designing and conducting field surveys to composing Biological Assessments and conservation measures.
Please see the official released documentation below and you may scroll through the entire document by clicking inside of the window and using either your mouse or scroll bar along the right-hand side.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Jones: 2021
Atlantic Pigtoe is a small freshwater mussel with a thin but solid sub-rhomboid-shaped shell. The shell’s periostracum (outer layer) is yellowish brown with dark, low, concentric rings.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Jones: 2021
Atlantic Pigtoe typically inhabits mid to large rivers with clean, well-oxygenated water in stable gravel and cobble substrates.
Critical habitat for the species was also designated for approximately 563 stream miles in Virginia and North Carolina. The ruling designated 17 critical habitat units along the Atlantic Slope. These critical habitat units are located in select waterbodies of various drainages in 12 counties of Virginia and 17 counties in North Carolina.
To view each of the 17 declared critical habitat units for the Atlantic Pigtoe.
- Scroll though each of the 17 slides below depicting each unit.
- The map will automatically pan/ zoom to each unit.
- The legend will always be available by clicking on the circular button in bottom left-hand corner of each map.
- Want a better look, then click inside of the map and use the zoom button in the bottom right-hand corner of the map. Pan by right-clicking and holding the map and move your mouse.
- GIS data (unedited) obtained from the USFWs (updated November 8, 2021).
Overview: In total, approximately 563 river miles (906 river kilometers) fall within 17 units of critical habitat in the following counties,
Located in Craig and Botetourt Counties, Virginia. This unit consists of 29 river miles (46.7 river kilometers) of Craig Creek near VA Route 616 northeast of New Castle downstream to just below VA Route 817 crossing.
Located in Bath County, Virginia. This unit consists of a 1-mile (1.6-km) segment of Mill Creek at the VA39 (Mountain Valley Road) crossing.
Located in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. This unit consists of 4 river miles (6.6 river km) of Sappony Creek beginning just upstream of the Seaboard Railroad crossing and ending just downstream of the Shippings Road (SR709) crossing.
Located in Nottoway, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, and Sussex Counties, Virginia. This unit consists of 64 river miles (103 river km) of the Nottoway River, and a portion of Sturgeon Creek, beginning downstream of the Nottoway River’s confluence with Dickerson Creek and ending just downstream of Little Mill Road, and includes Sturgeon Creek upstream of Old Stage Road. Land bordering the river is primarily privately owned, although some of the land along the river is part of the Fort Pickett National Guard Installation.
Located in Brunswick County, Virginia. This unit consists of 5 river miles (8 river km) of the Meherrin River from approximately 1.5 miles below the confluence with Saddletree Creek under VA Highway 46 (Christana Highway) to VA715 (Iron Bridge Road).
Located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and Rockingham County, North Carolina. This unit consists of 14 river miles (22.5 river km) of the Dan River along the border of Virginia and North Carolina from just upstream of NC Highway 700 near Eden, North Carolina, into Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and downstream to the confluence with Williamson Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
Located in Granville County, North Carolina, and Mecklenburg and Halifax Counties, Virginia. This unit consists of 12 river miles (19.3 river km) of Aarons Creek, from NC96 in Granville County, North Carolina, downstream across the North Carolina-Virginia border to just upstream of VA602 (White House Road) along the Mecklenburg County-Halifax County line in Virginia.
Located in Granville County, North Carolina. This unit consists of 3 river miles (4.8 river km) of Little Grassy Creek in Granville County, North Carolina, beginning at the Crawford Currin Road crossing and ending at the confluence with Grassy Creek.
Located in Granville, Vance, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of 91 river miles (146.5 river km) of the mainstem of the upper and middle Tar River as well as several tributaries (Bear Swamp Creek, Fox Creek, Crooked Creek, Cub Creek, and Shelton Creek), all in North Carolina. The portion of Cub Creek starts near Hobgood Road and continues to the confluence with the Tar River; the Tar River portion starts just upstream of the NC158 bridge and goes downstream to the NC581 crossing; the Shelton Creek portion starts upstream of NC158 and goes downstream to the confluence with the Tar River; the Bear Swamp Creek portion begins upstream of Dyking Road and goes downstream to the confluence with the Tar River (and includes an unnamed tributary upstream of Beasley Road); the Fox Creek portion begins downstream of NC561 and goes to the confluence with the Tar River; and the Crooked Creek portion begins upstream of NC98 crossing and goes downstream to confluence with Tar River.
Located in Warren, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of a 50-mile (80.5-km) segment of Sandy/Swift Creek beginning at Southerland Mill Road and continuing downstream to NC301.
Located in Warren, Halifax, Franklin, and Nash Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of 85 river miles (136.8 river km) in Fishing Creek, Little Fishing Creek, Shocco Creek, and Maple Branch. The Shocco Creek portion begins downstream of the NC58 bridge and continues to the confluence with Fishing Creek; the entirety of Maple Branch is included, down to the confluence with Fishing Creek; Fishing Creek begins at Axtell Ridgeway Road (SR1112) and goes downstream to I–95; and Little Fishing Creek begins upstream of Briston Brown Road (SR1532) and goes downstream to the confluence with Fishing Creek.
Located in Edgecombe and Pitt Counties, North Carolina. (This unit consists of 30 river miles (48.3 river km) of the Lower Tar River, lower Swift Creek, and Fishing Creek in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, from NC97 near Leggett, North Carolina, to the Edgecombe County-Pitt County line near NC33.
Located in Person, Durham, and Orange Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of 60 river miles (95 river km) in four reaches including Flat River, Little River, Eno River, and the Upper Eno River. The Flat River reach consists of 19 river miles (30.6 river km) in the Flat River Subbasin in Person and Durham Counties, North Carolina, including the South Flat River downstream of Dick Coleman Road, the North Flat River near Parsonage Road, and Deep Creek near Helena-Moriah Road downstream where each river converges into the Flat River downstream of State Forest Road. The Little River Subbasin includes 18 river miles (29 river km) of the North Fork and South Fork Little Rivers in Orange and Durham Counties, North Carolina. The Upper Eno River reach consists of 4 river miles (6.4 river km) in Orange County, North Carolina, including the West Fork Eno River upstream of Cedar Grove Road to the confluence with McGowan Creek. The Eno River reach consists of 18 river miles (29 river km) in Orange and Durham Counties, North Carolina, from below Eno Mountain Road to NC15–501.
Located in Wake, Johnston, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of 61 river miles (98.2 river km) in five reaches including Swift Creek, Middle Creek, Upper Little River, Middle Little River, and Contentnea Creek, all in North Carolina. The Middle Creek reach is 19 river miles (30.6 river km) below Old Stage Road downstream to below Crantock Road, and the Swift Creek reach is 25 river miles (40.2 river km) from Lake Benson downstream to its confluence with the Neuse, both in Wake and Johnston Counties. The Upper Little River reach includes 4 river miles (6.4 river km) of the Upper Little River from the confluence with Perry Creek to Fowler Road in Wake County, North Carolina. The Middle Little River reach includes 11 river miles (17.7 river km) from Atkinsons Mill downstream to NC301 in Johnston County, North Carolina. The Contentnea Creek reach consists of 2 river miles (3.2 river km) below Buckhorn Reservoir to just below Sadie Road near NC581 in Wilson County, North Carolina.
Located in Orange County, North Carolina. This unit consists of 4 river miles (6.4 river km) of habitat in the New Hope Creek from NC86 to Mimosa Road.
Located Randolph County, North Carolina. The Deep River Subbasin unit consists of 10 river miles (16.1 river km), including the mainstem between Richland and Brush Creeks as well as Richland Creek from Little Beane Store Road to the confluence with the Deep River and Brush Creek from Brush Creek Road to the confluence with the Deep River.
Located in Randolph and Montgomery Counties, North Carolina. This unit consists of 40 river miles (64.4 river km) of Little River from SR1114 downstream to Okeewemee Star Road, including the West Fork Little River from NC134 to the confluence with the Little River.
Contact Adam Benshoff ( AKBenshoff@edge-es.com )
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