The first round of mussel conservation projects were selected from 63 proposals submitted to the Foundation. Members of the Service's Ohio River Ecosystem Team, which covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, evaluated and ranked the proposals based upon expected benefits to freshwater mussel species. These projects will advance mussel recovery efforts. Freshwater mussels are important indicators of the health of America's waterways and their ecosystems. As mussels feed and breathe, they filter and clean large quantities of water and absorb any toxic metals into their shells.
Biologists are able to examine the shells to find out what contaminants are present in the water.
In addition, mussels strengthen the health and stability of streams. Other animals such as otters, wading birds, and game fish depend on mussels for food. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.