Ohio River Aquatic Restoration Implementation Plan NRDAR Project 0237

Missouri State University (MSU) will collaborate with the Ohio River Restoration NRDA Technical Committee to propagate and restore native freshwater mussels to the Ohio River. In 2015, MSU will work with the following species: Truncilla truncata and Ellipsaria lineolata: Broodstock will be provided by WVDNR and ORINWR. MSU will acquire freshwater drum if they are available, and will propagate and grow out the juveniles to taggable size. They may also receive additional transformed juveniles from Genoa NFH for grow out. Cyprogenia stegaria (federally endangered species) : Broodstock will be provided by KYDFWR or TN Tech, in coordination with KYDFWR. MSU will acquire logperch to use as host fish, and will propagate and grow out the juveniles to taggable size. Ligumia recta: MSU will receive newly transformed juveniles of Ligumia recta from Genoa NFH, and will grow them out to taggable size. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to the Missouri State University Department of Biology without competition under justification 505DM 2.14, 4. Competition for the award is not practical as Dr. Chris Barnhart, Biology Department, Missouri State University, is an expert in propagation and rearing of mussel species, including federally listed species. Because the Mussel Facility/Dr. Barnhart at MSU is Federally Permitted to hold and handle federally listed mussel species, and well equipped for successful rearing of listed mussel species, a sole source award is justified. Substantial involvement on the part of the Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: reviews Scope of Work and approves prior to beginning next stage of work; directs the work as part of larger restoration project; FWS staff attends meetings and visits to provide oversight for mussel propagation. As part of larger collaborative effort, transformed mussel juveniles will be provided by Genoa NFH.