Central and Eastern Kentucky
(2009-11-09)
LOUISVILLE
(WEKU) -
Another freshwater mussel found in Kentucky and some other southeastern states is a candidate for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Mussels are accounting for a large number of endangered species now in the area, and US Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Janet Mizzi says that tells us something about the health of our waterways.
"Until fairly recently, there wasn't as much attention paid to these. But I think a great deal of it has to do with the drought and a lot more research going on. It really is kind of like the canary in a coal mine. The mussels are huge indicators that a lot of these river systems are imperiled," Mizzi said.
That's because mussels filter river water. Toxic chemicals from run-off can affect mussels, and so can damming rivers, which drastically alters their habitat.
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