Comment on FR Doc # 2010-27413

I am supportive of listing the snuffbox as an endangered species. I have propagated mussels as a student and on the state and federal levels in Missouri, Virginia, Tennessee and Wisconsin, and have collected the snuffbox in each state. Even in stronghold populations it is rarely even a common species. In the Appalachian region it is less abundant than the oyster mussel or Cumberland combshell, two federally endangered mussels from the same genus. The snuffbox should warrant protection simply because it’s the only member of the genus Epioblasma that is not either federally endangered or considered extinct. The snuffbox is a species that can be recovered with a sufficient effort, but the process will be lengthy. Life history research has shown that the logperch and banded sculpin can be used for propagation of the snuffbox larvae (glochidia). I am aware that at least 2 mussel restoration programs (Minnesota DNR & Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries) have propagated and cultured multiple year classes of snuffbox to nearly adult sizes recently. In addition, the Genoa National Fish Hatchery is planning restoration efforts for 2011. Juvenile snuffbox are not difficult to product in captivity, however collecting sufficient numbers of gravid females is often difficult. In my experience extant populations of the snuffbox are not large enough to serve as donor populations for translocation efforts. In light of this captive propagation is the only restoration activity, aside from habitat restoration, that may lead to achieving restoration goals. It is imperative that propagation be listed as a recovery tool for this species when the recovery plan is written. I don't have enough professional experience with the rayed bean to comment on its' status.