I believe you are on the right track in what is causing the disappearance on mussels in the Tennessee River. The dams and TVA's control of water flow, plus the silt ladened areas in the river bottoms. The same problem is ruining the spawning of certain fish, including Sauger. These fish are bottom feeders, but the main issue is they have to have proper water flow and water temperature to reproduce. TVA changed their water flow in the last 10 years or so. Their one motive of mazimizing water flow for electicity production appears to be ruining the spawning habitat for many native Tennessee River mussels and fish. If the government is interested in protecting these habitats, TVA oversight would be the place to start. A government agency has single handedly caused these problems. I would be surprised if another government agency could do anything aobut it. TheTennessee River is dying and TVA's water control policies are a major cause of it.
Comment on FR Doc # 2011-00469
This is comment on Proposed Rule
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Endangered Status for Sheepnose and Spectaclecase Mussels
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