TWCA 2017 Annual Conference

1. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Meghan Hope, Economic Growth and Endangered
Species Management Division (EGESM)
Central Texas Freshwater Mussels

2. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Species Research Program
• Funding authorized by the Texas Legislature
o Species under review for listing
o Currently listed species
• Research priorities are based on:
o Immediacy of listing decisions
o Potential impacts
o Existing data gaps

3. FWS Work Plan for
Texas Freshwater Mussels

4. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Proposed Listing of Texas Hornshell
• Indicates the key threats that FWS will likely focus on
in the upcoming listing decisions for Central Texas
mussels
o Water quality impairment
o Loss of flowing water
o Increased fine sediment
o Barriers to fish movement

5. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Working Partnerships
"Our office believes a
science-driven, open
and transparent
stakeholder process
will lead to a
collaborative solution
for issues concerning
the Central Texas
mussel.”
- Glenn Hegar

6. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Research Team

7. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Presence of Central Texas Mussels
Species Brazos River Colorado River Guadalupe River
False Spike X X X
Smooth Pimpleback X X
Texas Fatmucket X X
Texas Fawnsfoot X X
Texas Pimpleback X X

8. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Summary of Research
Surveys and Mark
Recapture Study
• Distribution, abundance,
habitat, behavior
Applied Research
• Tolerance levels
• Identify threats and what
can be done to limit those
threats
Captive Propagation
• Long-term study to raise
and house mussels
• Gather science to allow for
future reintroduction
• Enhance or provide
connectivity between
wild populations

9. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Objectives
Assist in the development of voluntary conservation
measures if stakeholders are interested in pursuing
If listings occur, ensure that compliance is
cost-effective
Ensure accurate science is available to inform listing
decisions

10. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Stakeholder Process:
Freshwater Mussel Work Group
• Monthly meetings with presentations and
discussions about Central Texas mussels
o Research updates / preliminary findings
o Information about options available for
voluntary conservation measures

11. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Upcoming Meetings
• March 24, 2017: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin Building
• April 2017 – Date to be determined
• May 16, 2017: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
William B. Travis Building
• June 20, 2017: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
William B. Travis Building

12. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Research Program Contacts
Comptroller’s Office
Meghan Hope
Meghan.Hope@cpa.texas.gov
(512) 936-8554
Kimberly Horndeski
Kimberly.Horndeski@cpa.texas.gov
(512) 305-9827
Texas State University
Dr. Timothy Bonner
Tbonner@txstate.edu
(512) 245-3549