The Southeast has long been considered the world's center of diversity for freshwater mussels, but that status is now in jeopardy. Mussel populations in the Southern Appalachians (and around the world) have steadily declined over the past century. One mussel, the tan riffleshell, illustrates the global crisis of freshwater mussel decline and extinction.

Tan riffleshells require excellent water quality and prefer well-oxygenated, stable shoal or riffle habitat. Unfortunately, water pollution from industry and coal mining and sedimentation from logging have contributed to the mussel’s march towards extinction. Today, the last remaining naturally reproducing population of tan riffleshell mussels can be found in Virginia's Indian Creek, a small tributary to the Clinch River in Tazwell County, VA.

In 2005, the US Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to expand a coal mine along Indian Creek. The mine is located directly upstream of populations of three endangered mussels, including the tan riffleshell. Despite the proximity of these mussels, the Corps refused to consult with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as required by the Endangered Species Act.

After years of legal research and recruiting partner organizations, Wild South initiated a lawsuit in November to compel the Corps to consult with USFWS. Partners Appalachian Voices and Defenders of Wildlife have joined in the suit, with Defenders providing Wild South with legal representation. We issued 60-day notice of intent to sue to the Corps, and it appears unlikely that the Corps will voluntarily comply with the ESA.