U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Conasauga Logperch/Amber Darter (2 spp.)
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 20-Jun-86
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Georgia Ecological Services Field Office ( (706) 613-9493 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 1 1.1 Continue to utilize existing legislation and regulations to protect species and their habitat Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 2076 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division, GA and TN Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service, USFWS Regional Office 4 - Atlanta, Tennessee Heritage Program, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected The draft Etowah HCP remains quiescent -- lack of urban development in the basin reduced the need/demand for the HCP. Culvert and utility line HCP measures have been incorporated into Corps NWP requirements. In both the Etowah and Conasauga basins, FWS continues to (1) work with other Federal agencies to implement actions to conserve and recover the species, including review of Corps permit applications, FWHA proposed road projects, and other federal projects; (2)encourage establishment of Corps mitigation banks and Wetland Trust Fund sites to protect and restore high priority Conasauga and Etowah reaches; (3) work with private landowners under the PFW program to restore stream habitat; and (4) work with local governments to ensure long-term growth has the least impact on listed species and their habitats. In the Conasauga, the Service is working to develop a new national wildlife refuge that would protect the entire reach of amber darter and Conasauga logperch habitat in the basin.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.1-1 The draft Etowah HCP remains quiescent -- lack of urban development in the basin reduced the need/demand for the HCP. Culvert and utility line HCP measures have been incorporated into Corps NWP requirements. FWS continues to (1) work with other Federal agencies to implement actions to conserve and recover the species, including review of Corps permit applications, FWHA proposed road projects, and other federal projects; (2)encourage establishment of Corps mitigation banks and Wetland Trust Fund sites to protect and restore high priority Conasauga and Etowah reaches; (3) work with private landowners under the PFW program to restore stream habitat; and (4) work with local governments to ensure long-term growth has the least impact on listed species and their habitats. In the Conasauga, the Service is working to develop a new national wildlife refuge that would protect the entire reach of amber darter and Conasauga logperch habitat in the basin. Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 1 1.2.2-1.2.3 Conduct research into life history and habitat requirements Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2020 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division, GA and TN Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service, USFWS Regional Office 4 - Atlanta, Tennessee Heritage Program, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Research Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance Studies evaluating genetic diversity of both species have been completed. Ongoing research in the Conasauga focuses on evaluating water quality and other factors affecting population stability. Additional information is needed on both fishes' life history and habitat requirements.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.2.2-1.2.3-1 Studies evaluating genetic diversity of both species have been completed. Ongoing research in the Conasauga focuses on evaluating water quality and other factors affecting population stability. Additional information is needed on both fishes' life history and habitat requirements. Partially Complete FY 2008 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected USGS, Conservation Fisheries, the Tennessee Aquarium, Duquesne University, and the University of Georgia also are major partners.
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 1 1.2.4 Determine present and foreseeable threats Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2020 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, GA and TN Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Population Assessment, Research, Research: Population Surveys, Research: Propagation, Research: Environmental Contaminants, Research: Reintroduction, Research: Other Information, Research: Genetics Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Field Assistance UGA/USGS completed a study on primary Etowah basin stressors in 2007. Studies to evalute Conasauga water quality (DO, agricultural/ residential chemicals) began in FY09 and FY10, and a third study, to evaluate the benefits of infiltration BMPs on runoff in agricultural ditches began in FY10.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.2.4-1 UGA/USGS completed a study on primary Etowah basin stressors in 2007, and concluded that urbanization, and particularly increased stormwater runoff, was a major stressor. Other important stressors included loss of riparian buffers, impoundments, culverts that block fish passage, and sedimentation of stream channels. Studies to evalute Conasauga water quality (DO, agricultural/ residential chemicals) began in FY09 and FY10, and a third study, to evaluate the benefits of infiltration BMPs on runoff in agricultural ditches began in FY10. Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected USGS and University of Georgia are major partners.
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 2 1.2.5 Investigate the need for habitat improvement Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, GA and TN Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance UGA completed a study that prioritized reaches in the Conasauga for protection/restoration in 2008; a similar prioritization was conducted in the Etowah as part of the HCP. The Conasauga River National Wildlife Refuge proposal to protect the highest priority Conasauga reaches is awaiting WO approval. TNC has acquired high priority habitat in the Conasauga, and several mitigation banks have been established in both basins to enhance habitat for both species. FWS is working with consultants to develop protocols to establish conservation banks in high priority Etowah habitat.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.2.5-1 UGA completed a study that prioritized reaches in the Conasauga for protection/restoration in 2008; a similar prioritization was conducted in the Etowah as part of the HCP. The Conasauga River National Wildlife Refuge proposal to protect the highest priority Conasauga reaches is awaiting WO approval. TNC has acquired high priority habitat in the Conasauga, and several mitigation banks have been established in both basins to enhance habitat for both species. FWS is working with consultants to develop protocols to establish conservation banks in high priority Etowah habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 3 1.2.6 Determine numbers of individuals needed to maintain viable populations Ongoing Current FY 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research Labor type not yet selected USGS initiated a study in 2007 to determine current Conasauga logperch population numbers; genetic analysis completed by Anna George (TN Aquarium) in 2007 indicated a population on only 200 adults. Dr. George and Conservation Fisheries, Inc. currently are conducting more intensive genetics research.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.2.6-2 USGS initiated a study in 2007 to determine current Conasauga logperch population numbers and status -- results published in 2011 indicate the species likely is declining in the lower part of its range. Genetic analysis completed by Anna George (TN Aquarium) in 2007 indicated a population on only 200 adults. Dr. George currently is conducting more intensive genetics research. Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 3 1.3 Solicit help in protecting species and critical habitats Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Work type not yet selected Volunteer, Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative FWS and Partners have assisted with formation of both the Upper Etowah River Alliance and the Conasauga River Alliance, which work to protect stream habitat in the respective basins. FWS and TNC have organized multiple Coosa or Conasauga Summits with representatives from industry, local governments, agriculture interests, environmental groups, academia, and land management to discuss aquatic stressors and protective measures.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.3-1 FWS and Partners have assisted with formation of both the Upper Etowah River Alliance and the Conasauga River Alliance, which work to protect stream habitat in the respective basins. FWS and TNC have organized multiple Coosa or Conasauga Summits with representatives from industry, local governments, agriculture interests, environmental groups, academia, and land management to discuss aquatic stressors and protective measures. Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 3 1.4 Develop and utilize information and education programs (slide/tape shows, brochures, etc) for local distribution Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected FWS, TNC, and the Upper Etowah River Alliance are developing a set of playing cards to highlight the rare species of the Etowah and Conasauga basins and to educate about stressors. There is an informative Coosa Basin poster with high-quality photos of the rare aquatic species in the basin, and the Etowah HCP Outreach Coordinator has created numberous fact sheets and other outreach materials to educate about the amber darter and other rare fishes in the basin
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
1.4-1 FWS, TNC, and the Upper Etowah River Alliance are developing a set of playing cards to highlight the rare species of the Etowah and Conasauga basins and to educate about stressors. There is an informative Coosa Basin poster with high-quality photos of the rare aquatic species in the basin, and the Etowah HCP Outreach Coordinator has created numberous fact sheets and other outreach materials to educate about the amber darter and other rare fishes in the basin Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella) 3 2 Search for additional populations and/or habitats Ongoing Current FY 2010 FY 2013 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research Volunteer, Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Field Assistance The Conasauga logperch is endemic to the basin; the amber darter was relocated in the Etowah basin in the 1990's - no other historic populations are known to have existed. A single amber darter was located in the Coosawattee below Carters dam July 2010, but none were found in 2011 surveys - it is not known if this poorly-sampled river supports an amber darter population, or if the collected fish was a vagrant.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
2-1 The Conasauga logperch is endemic to the basin; the amber darter was relocated in the Etowah basin in the 1990's - no other historic populations are known to have existed. A single amber darter was located in the Coosawattee below Carters dam July 2010, but none were found in 2011 surveys - it is not known if this poorly-sampled river supports an amber darter population, or if the collected fish was a vagrant. Ongoing Current FY 2010 FY 2012 Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 3 3 Determine the feasibility of reestablishing any historic populations of the species Obsolete U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected The Conasauga logperch is endemic to the Conasauga mainstem; the amber darter was relocated in the Etowah basin in the 1990's - no other historic populations are known to have existed. Conasauga logperch propagated in captivity by Conservation Fisheries, marked with different colored subcutaneous tags, were released in 2012 in the Conasauga to augment the wild population and provide information on juvenile habitat use and movements - this augmentation was conducted only after genetic studies of the wild and F1 populations and determination by Service and Tennessee Aquarium geneticists that limited release of F1s would not genetically swamp the wild population.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
3-1 Conservation Fisheries, Inc. successfully propagated Conasauga logperch in spring 2011. Arc populations of F1 generation fish have been established at both the Tennessee and Georgia Aquariums. Other F1 fish, marked with different colored subcutaneous tags, were released in 2012 in the Conasauga to augment the wild population and provide information on juvenile habitat use and movements - this augmentation was conducted only after genetic studies of the wild and F1 populations and determination by Service and Tennessee Aquarium geneticists that limited release of F1s would not genetically swamp the wild population. Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected The Conasauga logperch is endemic to the Conasauga mainstem; the amber darter was relocated in the Etowah basin in the 1990's - no other historic populations are known to have existed.
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 2 4 Develop and implement a monitoring program Ongoing Not Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, GA and TN Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service, Tennessee Heritage Program, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Population Surveys Volunteer, Graduate Student, Species Expert, Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance USGS monitored 10 fixed locations in the Conasauga mainstem from 1996 - 2009, when funding expired. Monitoring of both species in the Etowah and Conasauga now is sporadic due to lack of funding
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
4-1 USGS monitored 10 fixed locations in the Conasauga mainstem from 1996 - 2009, when funding expired. Monitoring of both species in the Etowah and Conasauga now is sporadic due to lack of funding. Ongoing Not Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Amber darter (Percina antesella), Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi) 3 5 Annual assessment of recovery program and modify where needed Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: General Internal Administrative The first Coosa Summit was held in 2000; 3 other Coosa Summits and a separate Conasauga Summit (2008) have since been held to evaluate current research data and reevaluate recovery priorities. We plan to hold the next Coosa/Conasauga Summit in early 2013, unless prohibited by Federal government travel restrictions.
Activity Number Description Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Comments Species
5-1 The first Coosa Summit was held in 2000; 3 other Coosa Summits and a separate Conasauga Summit (2008) have since been held to evaluate current research data and reevaluate recovery priorities. We plan to hold the next Coosa/Conasauga Summit in early 2013, unless prohibited by Federal government travel restrictions. Ongoing Current N/A N/A Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
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