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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0000272_Report (Appendix C)_20181113APPENDIX C 1. Aquatic Species Reintroductions in the Pigeon River, North Carolina Progress Report 2006-2010 (2012 Biological Assessment) 2. Table of Fish Species Re -introductions into the Pigeon River, North Carolina 2004-2013 Prepared for: Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. Canton, NC 28716 Prepared by: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Dr. J. Larry Wilson, PhD — Principal Investigator 244 Ellington Plant Sciences Building Knoxville, TN 37996-4563 December 2013 Aquatic Species Reintroductions in the Pigeon River, North Carolina Progress Report 2006-2010 Steve Fraley T.R. Russ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Joyce Coombs University of Tennessee, Knoxville November 22, 2010 Background The Pigeon River is a major tributary of the French Broad River that arises in Haywood Co., NC and flows northward to its confluence with the French Broad (Douglas Reservoir) near Newport, Tennessee. Throughout most of the twentieth century, the Pigeon River suffered severe impacts from effluent released from a paper mill at Canton, NC. Water quality began to improve in the mid-1990's when Champion International began a major modernization of their production and waste water treatment processes. The mill was sold to Blue Ridge Paper Products (BRPP) in 1999 and improvements continued. Fish species richness and abundance increased as aquatic communities began to recover and fish re -colonized the mainstem Pigeon. As habitat conditions continued to improve in the Tennessee reach, monitoring indicated that a number of fish species were not returning as expected. Further investigation showed that many species that had historically inhabited the mainstem Pigeon River were absent from tributaries or elsewhere with a direct route for natural recolonization. Efforts to restore aquatic species began in the Tennessee reach in 2001 and in the affected reach in North Carolina in 2003. This report updates progress since 2005. See 2006 progress report for more detailed background information and activities in North Carolina during 2003-2005. 2006 Steering Committee Meeting: The third meeting of the Pigeon River fish restoration steering committee was held on March 16 at BRPP in Canton and was attended by 19 partners and stakeholders (Table 1). Updates were presented and plans for the next two years were finalized. Fish sampling by Progress Energy in 2004 at Hepco, in the lower section of our target reach, collected tangerine darter (Percina aurantiaca), black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei), and warpaint shiner (Luxilus coccogenis) for the first time at that site. Planning included: Striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus), Tennessee shiner (Notropis leuciodus), and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) were added to the priority list of candidates for reintroduction. Saffron shiners (N. rubricroceus) were removed from the priority list due to low numbers available for translocation and perceived habitat deficiencies in the target reach. New release sites for shiners (mouth of Crabtree Cr. and Irontree Golf Course), as well as new collection sites for gilt darters (Percina evides) were identified. Late translocations were rescheduled from August to October to avoid higher temperatures and to collect larger YOY fish to hopefully minimize mortalities. We received updates on two research projects. Mike Lavoie, MS student at Western Carolina Univ., presented preliminary results from his research into patterns of larval fish drift upstream and downstream from putative physical and thermal barriers associated with the BRPP paper mill (supported by NC State Wildlife Grant funds and Pigeon River Fund). Nine hundred twenty eight drift net samples were taken during spring -fall 2005. Spikes of larval fish abundance occurred in May (predominately suckers), June (more darters), and August (mostly sunfish and catfish). Numbers were lowest below the low head dams. Larval darter densities were 3-4 times higher at the upstream site than at the lower two sites, downstream from barriers. Mike anticipated completing his thesis in summer 2006. Mike Gaugler, PhD student at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) presented a description of his application of new habitat mapping technology (supported by Pigeon River Fund and UTK). Canoe -mounted, GPS- integrated underwater video and acoustic Doppler velocimeter gear will be used to map habitat in a 26.5 mile reach of the upper Pigeon River (up and downstream of BRPP). Data collected will include substrate characteristics, depth, flow velocities, and perhaps direct observations of fish -habitat associations. Mapping is to begin in April and have deliverables by summer. Deliverables include print materials, CD's, and DVDs that can be used in GIS applications and video interpretation of instream impacts from land use practices, etc. Several folks from the NC Division of Water Quality, Asheville Field Office were invited to share information about non -point source impacts to water quality from throughout the watershed. Sources of sediment and nutrient enrichment were discussed, including permitted livestock operations and land applications of animal waste. Chris Cooper (TVA) and Eric Romanizsn (Haywood Waterways Assoc.) reported that an Integrated Pollutant Source Identification (IPSI) analysis of the Pigeon watershed in NC above Waterville Reservoir will be done this year to update, and for comparison to, the first iteration done in 1999. Other topics discussed included a proposed cooperative outreach project with Haywood Co. Schools to put striped shiners (Luxilus chrysocephalus) in aquaria in classrooms and attempt to spawn them in captivity for release in the Pigeon. There was interest in pursuing it and Eric Romanizsn and Bob Williams (BRPP) volunteered to contact the Haywood Co. school system and other potential partners. Translocations: In early April, cooperators from NCWRC (West AWD & District 9), UTK, Haywood Community College, and TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) collected 583 mirror shiners (Notropis spectrunculus) from the upper Pigeon River, 306 silver shiners (N. photogenis) and 238 telescope shiners (N. telescopus) from Cosby Creek, TN, and 60 gilt darters from Mills River and Boylston Creels (see Table 2). All fish were released in the Pigeon River reach between Crabtree Creek and Ferguson Bridge. Target fishes were again translocated to the Pigeon River in early October. Cooperators from NCWRC, UTK, Haywood Comm. College, TDEC, and NC Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) collected 1608 mirror shiners from upper Pigeon River, 214 telescope shiners and 149 silver shiners from Cosby Creek, TN, and 92 gilt darters from the upper French Broad River at Rosman. Shiners were released in the Pigeon River near the mouth of Crabtree Creek and darters were released upstream from NC 209 crossing, near Irontree golf course (see Table 2). Assessments: In August, NCWRC and cooperators from UTK, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NC Natural Heritage Project (NCNHP), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Haywood Waterways Association performed monitoring surveys for re- introduced fishes in reaches of the Pigeon River at and near release sites. Silver shiners were found in good numbers from over a mile below and above our release sites —over 4 river miles total. Mirror shiners and telescope shiners were found at and between the release sites (about 2 river miles). One tagged male gilt darter that was released in August 2005 was recovered at the Irontree release site (Pigeon River mile [PRM] 52.2). This is the first recovery of a gilt darter since re -introductions of that species began in spring 2005. No saffron shiners were recovered. Based on this and last year's monitoring data, silver shiners appear to be well established in the Riverside reach and releases of this species will be shifted to other parts of the river in subsequent re- introduction efforts. Hayivood Co. schools striped shiner project: We met with personnel from Haywood County Schools and Blue Ridge Paper to gauge interest and determine scope of proposed striped shiner propagation project. Three Haywood County school teachers (one elementary, middle, and high) and one from Bethel Christian Academy, Canton, and their students have committed to care for striped shiners in aquaria in their classrooms and attempt to spawn and rear the young. Blue Ridge Paper agreed to purchase the necessary equipment. Western AWD staff will help direct the project and collect fish this fall, as well as provide financial support (through State Wildlife Grant) for technical assistance from Conservation Fisheries, Inc. (CFI, a private, non-profit rare fish hatchery in Knoxville, TN). Other cooperators include Kathy Boydston, Water Quality Curriculum Coordinator for Haywood County Schools (who serves to coordinate the project and support the teachers —position supported by the Pigeon River Fund) and Gail Heathman, Education Coordinator, Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District. With assistance from CFI, aquaria were set-up in four Haywood County classrooms and stocked with striped shiners from the Cane River system in October. Classes will learn water quality and biology lessons through captive husbandry of these adult fishes and attempt to spawn and rear young. The adults and any progeny will be released in the Pigeon River next summer. 2007 Translocations: Again in early April, cooperators from NCWRC (West AWD & District 9), UTK, TDEC, and Haywood Community College translocated 153 silver shiners, 172 telescope shiners, 609 Tennessee shiners, 1,369 mirror shiners and 87 gilt darters to the Pigeon River in NC from source sites in TN and NC. All fish were released near PRM 52.2. Due to low water and stressed source populations caused by severe drought, fall translocations were cancelled for 2007. Assessments: Annual surveys to assess the status of reintroduced and other fishes were completed in August with assistance from UTK and BRPP cooperators. Silver and telescope shiners appear to be well established. Good numbers from multiple year classes were collected over several river miles. Mirror shiners were recovered again in the vicinity of the release sites, but no expansion of their population was evident. Tennessee shiners, released for the first time this spring, were recovered near where they were released. One untagged female gilt darter was collected, apparently the result of successful reproduction and recruitment. Tangerine darters, though not reintroduced, appear to have increased in numbers and were found to be relatively common in appropriate habitats. Fish kill. In September, Western A" staff assisted District 9 staff with the investigation of a fish kill on the Pigeon River below the Blue Ridge Paper Mill, Canton, NC. Approximately 8,400 fish were estimated killed, including an estimated 925 tangerine darters. Also among the dead fish recovered and identified were two silver shiners, which represents the first record of that reintroduced species that far up the river (Pigeon River mile 60), nearly 8 river miles upstream from the nearest reintroduction site. Due to severe drought, the Pigeon River was at historically low levels and water temperature was elevated. The kill appeared to be due to a thermal spike related to effluent from the mill. No dead fish were observed upstream or beyond 3.5 miles downstream from the paper mill. Haywood Co. schools striped shiner project: The first year of the Haywood County classroom striped shiner propagation effort ended with the successful release of 27 adults into the Pigeon River, near the mouth of Crabtree Cr. (PRM 49.8). Students that cared for the fish attended and helped release fish. Under guidance from CFI, and following advice from other fish culturists, photoperiod was manipulated, feeding was adjusted, and spawning substrate was provided beginning in late winter, in an attempt to coax them into spawning within the school year. In the wild, striped shiners spawn in late spring and summer. Unfortunately, there was no successful spawning in the classrooms, but fish husbandry was a focal point around which water quality, biology, chemistry, and ecology lessons were taught. Plans were made to continue the project through the next school year. In October, Western AWD staff again collected striped shiners from Prices Creek, Yancey Co. and put them in aquaria in Haywood Co. classrooms. Cooperation with the Haywood Co. School system continued with an additional school participating this year: Riverbend Elementary School, along with Canton Middle School, Jonathan Valley Elementary School, Tuscola High School, and Bethel Christian Academy. Fish will be held until the end of the school year, providing opportunities for hands-on water quality, chemistry, biology, and other lessons in the classroom. Students will also attempt to manipulate environmental conditions to induce the shiners to spawn in captivity, hopefully providing additional fish for reintroduction to the Pigeon River. 2008 Steering Committee Meeting: A biennial meeting of the ad hoc steering committee for our cooperative Pigeon River fish restoration efforts was held at BRPP in Canton on March 5. It was attended by cooperators from NCWRC, BRPP, UTK, NCDWQ, Western Carolina University (WCU), and Haywood Waterways Association. Updates were presented, progress since our 2006 meeting was reviewed, and potential changes in implementation were discussed. The reproducing and expanding population of re- introduced silver shiners was deemed to be re-established over approximately 8 miles of our target reach, and stocking of this species will cease following 2008 releases. Plans for the next two years include additions of a new release site in the lower portion of the target reach at Hepco Bridge (Pigeon River mile 42.5) and three new target species for reintroduction were identified (bigeye chub, Hybopsis amblops; banded darter, Etheostoma zonale; and highland shiner, N. micropteryx). Due to poor recovery of mirror shiners following releases in the mainstem, we also decided to move their release to lower Jonathan Creek, a tributary in the lower target reach. It is believed that there may be greater likelihood for reestablishing this species there and subsequently, they could recolonize the Pigeon River if conditions become more suitable over time. Other updates and topics discussed included: In July 2007, Evergreen Paper (owned by Rank Group of New Zealand) purchased Blue Ridge Paper Products, but they will continue to do business as BRPP. Dr. Tom Martin (WCU) distributed copies of Mike Lavoie's thesis (studied larval fish as related to barriers, Pigeon R.). Conclusion was that low head dams negatively affected downstream drift of darter and shiner larvae. BRPP, NCDWQ, and NCWRC personnel provided information about the fish kill in September 2007. Haywood Waterways and TVA have completed Integrated Pollution Source Inventory (IPSI) analyses in the Pigeon watershed. Eroding stream banks and roads were again identified as the first and second greatest sources of sediment. Striped shiner project was discussed and difficulties in inducing spawning were cited as reasons to discontinue the effort. Translocations: In April, cooperators from NCWRC (West AWD & District 9), UTK, TDEC, Haywood Community College, and USFWS translocated 434 silver shiners, and 250 telescope shiners, 338 Tennessee shiners, 325 mirror shiners and 93 gilt darters to the Pigeon River in NC from source sites in TN and NC. Silver and telescope shiners were released at a new site (Hepco, Pigeon River mile 42.5) in the last remaining unoccupied reach. Mirror shiners were released for the first time in Jonathan Creek, a Pigeon River tributary. Fall translocations were again cancelled due to concerns related to drought. Assessments: Annual surveys to assess the status of reintroduced and other fishes were completed in August with assistance from UTK and Haywood Community College. Silver shiners and telescope shiners continue to be recovered in good numbers and multiple size classes. Also, both species were collected several miles upstream of the nearest release site near the mouth of Richland Creek. Tennessee shiners were recovered near where they were released. No gilt darters or mirror shiners were recovered. Haywood Co. schools striped shiner project. The second year of the Haywood County classroom striped shiner propagation effort was completed with the release of 20 adults into the Pigeon River. Ms. Nikki Jayne's classroom from Riverbend Elementary School attended and took part in releasing the fish. There was no reproduction in the classrooms again this year and unfortunately, all adult fish were lost at one school. While the attempt to spawn striped shiners for stocking in the Pigeon was ultimately unsuccessful, other objectives for fish in the classroom were successful and worthwhile. We will cease working with striped shiners in the schools, but will continue to provide other, native fishes for classroom aquaria. WCU mussel project: Western AWD staff initiated a partnership with Dr. Tom Martin and MS student Caroline Rooney, WCU, to experimentally assess survival and growth of mussels in the Pigeon River. Support was provided through State Wildlife Grant funds. The study used an innovative in -situ enclosure developed at Missouri State University to place mussels in the river at points upstream and downstream of the Evergreen paper mill at Canton. Wavy -rayed lampmussels (Lampsilis fasciola) propagated at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and cultured at the NCWRC Table Rock and Marion state hatcheries were used to gauge the potential for reintroduction in the recovering reach downstream from the paper mill. This species, as well as the Federal and State Endangered Appalachian elktoe, presently inhabit the river upstream of the paper mill only. Several factors potentially inhibit the natural dispersal of mussels downstream as habitats improve. 2009 Translocations: In early April, Western AWD staff were assisted by cooperators from UTK, TDEC, Haywood Community College, BRPP, District 9 Fisheries staff, and NCDWQ to translocate 474 silver shiners, 428 telescope shiners, 518 Tennessee shiners, 276 mirror shiners, and 121 gilt darters to the Pigeon River in NC from source sites in TN and NC. This was the last translocation of silver and telescope shiners, which have been deemed restored after assessment surveys have found them in good numbers, of multiple age classes, and over several river miles from the release sites. Sufficient numbers of these two species have been translocated to ensure transfer of the majority of the genetic diversity present in source populations (-3000 fish per species). In early October, with assistance from several cooperators (UT Knoxville, NC Div. of Water Quality, RiverLink, UNC Asheville, USFWS), fishes were collected from three new source sites and released in the recovering reach of the Pigeon River. The Swannanoa River at Asheville proved to be an excellent source for gilt darters and Tennessee shiners, but success was limited at sites on the French Broad River and Spring Creek near Hot Springs due to high flows. In all, we released 958 Tennessee shiners, 144 gilt darters, and 20 telescope shiners, as well as 112 banded darters, 42 highland shiners, and 12 bigeye chubs, which were reintroduced for the first time during this effort. Assessments: Annual surveys to assess the status of reintroduced and other fishes were completed in August with assistance from UTK, District 9 Fisheries staff, and NCDWQ. Silver shiners and telescope shiners were again collected in multiple size classes, but overall abundance appeared lower than last year, perhaps due to problems associated with two years of severe drought. Tennessee shiners were recovered near where they were released. Gilt darters and mirror shiners were again not seen in the mainstem, but were collected in lower Richland Cr., a major tributary in the reach targeted for restoration. Tangerine darters, a WAP priority species that has persisted in the reach (not reintroduced) was again relatively common with a high proportion of young of the year captured. WCU mussel project: Dr. Tom Martin and MS student Caroline Rooney, Western Carolina University, successfully completed the one-year field portion of our partnership to assess survival and growth of mussels in the Pigeon River to gauge the potential for reintroduction in the recovering reach downstream from the paper mill. The study used in -situ enclosures to place mussels at two control sites upstream and at three experimental sites downstream of the paper mill at Canton. Survival and growth were monitored monthly at each site. Results were positive. Juvenile wavy -rayed lampmussels in each enclosure did well for one year and showed no significant differences in survival; however, growth rates were greater at the downstream sites, apparently due to higher temperatures and nutrient levels. Mussels used in this study were products of our partnership with NCSU and the NCWRC Conservation Aquaculture Center at Marion State Fish Hatchery to propagate and culture them in captivity. We will continue this study to assess any affect on reproduction and survival of glochidia (larvae) and early juveniles concurrent with preparations to rear mussels in numbers and reintroduce this species to the reach. Haywood Co. schools fish in classrooms: In October, an assortment of native fishes (Tuckaseegee darters, Etheostoma gutselli, greenfin darters, Etheostoma chlorobranchium; warpaint shiners, Luxilus coccogenis; river chubs, Nocomis micropogon) were collected by Western A" staff and delivered to each participating classroom. As was the case with striped shiners, husbandry of fishes will be a focal point around which water quality, biology, chemistry, and ecology lessons will be taught. However, captive spawning of these fishes will not be attempted. Fishes will be released in the Pigeon River at the end of the school year. 2010 Steering Committee Meeting: The biennial meeting of our ad hoc steering committee was held at Blue Ridge Paper/Evergreen Packaging offices in Canton, NC on March 11. It was attended by a broad group of partners (see Table 1). Updates were given, issues were discussed, and plans were made for the next two years' activities. No major changes in approach or implementation were adopted; however, an additional release site was identified at PRM 61 (near BRP/SP oxygenation station). This was chosen to address potential barriers to dispersal for some species, including the WWTP outfall at Richland Cr. confluence and to facilitate colonization of the upper target reach. Since translocations had been reduced during 2007-08 to spring only due to drought concerns, and in light of recent assessment results, it was resolved to continue with the current target species for translocation for the next two years. The logistics of translocating and/or release of propagated golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrztrum) were again discussed and it was identified as the next priority species for focus when feasible. Feasibility depends on one of the current focal species being deemed reestablished and determination of effective methods. Opportunities for collection of pre -spawning golden redhorse and methods for translocation will be assessed in more detail over the next two years. Other updates and topics discussed included: An extensive bloom of a fish toxin producing blue-green algae (Microcystis sp.) was observed in Walters Reservoir during recent sampling conducted by UTK. While the thesis research portion of WCU's mussel project was completed, monitoring of survival of wavy -rayed lampmussels in enclosures both up- and downstream of the paper mill is continuing and the same trends of no significant differences in survival at all sites and higher growth rates at at least one downstream site were indicated. Caroline Rooney presented the final results of her thesis research and copies of the thesis were made available. Completion of the UTK project to map habitat in the target reach in NC has been delayed, but review and characterization of video data is now complete and further analyses are in progress and data products should be made available to cooperators in the near future. Bryn Tracy and Ed Williams (NCDWQ) presented and discussed their plans for reintroduction by translocation of a suite of fish species to Richland Creek upstream from Lake Junaluska. Richland Cr. is a major tributary of the Pigeon River that has suffered significant water quality impacts historically and has been on the state list of Impaired Waters (Section 303d, Clean Water Act) since 2002. Impairment was defined by high levels of fecal coliforms and an impaired fish community. Focused efforts to reduce fecal coliforms have been successful and levels are now below the minimum level for impairment. The dam that impounds Lake Junaluska is a barrier to recolonization by extirpated fishes from lower Richland Cr. and Pigeon River. Thus, reintroductions are necessary to address impairment of the fish community which is required to remove the stream from the impaired list. Translocations will begin in spring 2010 (species include warpaint shiner, river chub, Tuckasegee darter, greenfin darter, fantail darter, Etheostoma flabellare; and rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris) and activities will be coordinated with Pigeon River restoration efforts and several of the Pigeon partners will cooperate (NCWRC, UTK, USFWS, et. al). Translocations: In early April, Western AWD staff and cooperators from District 9 Fisheries Staff, UTK, USFWS, NCDWQ, University of NC, Asheville, Western Carolina University, North American Native Fishes Association, Dominion Power, Haywood Community College, Bays Mountain Park (Kingsport, TN), Catawba River Keeper, NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program and Western NC Alliance/French Broad Riverkeeper translocated 588 Tennessee shiners, 392 mirror shiners, 272 highland shiners, 138 gilt darters, 71 banded darters, and 4 bigeye chubs from source sites in North Carolina to the Pigeon River and lower Richland and Jonathan creeks. Collections were coordinated with upper Richland Creek restoration efforts and personnel cooperated to collect target fishes for both projects. Again in early October, Western AWD staff and cooperators from UTK, USFWS, NCDWQ, University of NC, Asheville, Haywood Community College, Haywood Waterways Assoc., and Western Carolina University, translocated 1062 Tennessee shiners, 480 mirror shiners, 325 highland shiners, 165 gilt darters, 152 bigeye chubs, and 86 banded darters from source sites in NC to release sites in the target reaches. These efforts were also coordinated with upper Richland Creek efforts. The new collection sites in the French Broad River, Swannanoa River, and other French Broad tributaries, proved to be productive sources for most target species. Total number of fishes translocated since the project began is now 18,833 (see Table 3). Assessments: Annual surveys to assess the status of reintroduced and other fishes were completed in August with assistance from UTK, District 9 Fisheries staff, USFWS, NCDWQ, and Western NC Alliance/French Broad Riverkeeper. Eight sites on the mainstem were surveyed, as well as one site each on three tributaries: Richland, Jonathan, and Crabtree creeks. At least one reintroduced species was recovered at each site. Silver shiners remained relatively common and were collected at all but one mainstem site and in lower Richland Cr. in good numbers and multiple year classes. Total numbers collected at sites where they were present in the sample ranged from 6 to 158 (mean per site where collected= 52). In addition, during both spring and fall translocation collections, silver shiners were found in the upper Pigeon River upstream from the putative barriers at the paper mill (first known records in the reach), suggesting that these barriers may be passable upstream at some time. Telescope shiners were collected at four mainstream sites and in Crabtree Cr.; however, they were represented by only one or two specimens at each site. Results continue to indicate rapid recolonization by Tennessee shiners, which were collected at six mainstem sites and in lower Crabtree Cr. Number of individuals collected at sites where they were present in the sample ranged from 1 to 33 (mean= 14). Highland shiners, first released in the Pigeon in October 2009, were found at two mainstem sites in the lower reach, downstream from where they were released. No mirror shiners were collected from the mainstem, but 25 were found in lower Jonathan Cr., indicating that our shift to stocking that tributary may be a good strategy for long-term reestablishment. Likewise, we failed to detect any reintroduced darters in the mainstem, but five gilt darters were collected in lower Richland Creek where releases were shifted in April 2009. Of these, two were untagged, indicating some level of reproduction and recruitment. No striped shiners, bigeye chubs, or banded darters were found. Mussel reintroduction: Following positive indications from our cooperative study with WCU, we initiated steps toward propagating and eventual release of wavy -rayed lampmussels in the target reach. Gravid females were collected from the upper Pigeon River in spring 2010 and glochidia were propagated in captivity by cooperators at NCSU. These will be reared for two years at the NCWRC Conservation Aquaculture Center at Marion State Fish Hatchery before release. Haywood Co. Schools fish in classrooms: Fishes held over the 2009-2010 school year were released in the Pigeon River in late May. Following the initiation of NCDWQ's upper Richland Cr. restoration project, we made a slight shift in approach. Fishes delivered to classrooms in October 2010 were species targeted for reintroduction in upper Richland Creek and will be released there near the end of the 2010-2011 school year. River chubs, Tuckasegee darters, greenfin darters, and warpaint shiners were collected from Jonathan Creek and delivered to Jonathan Valley Elementary, North Canton Elementary, Canton Middle, and Tuscola High schools. Table 1. Steering Committee meeting attendees Agency/Company 16 March 2006 5 March 2008 11 March 2010 BRPP/Evergreen Packaging Derric Brown Derric Brown Paul Dickens Paul Dickens Paul Dickens Nick McCracken David Greene Bob Williams Haywood Waterways Assoc. Eric Romaniszyn Eric Romaniszyn Eric Romaniszyn NC Division of Water Quality Jeff DeBerardinis Landon Davidson Bryn Tracy Keith Haynes Keith Haynes Ed Williams Beverly Price Bryn Tracy Bryn Tracy Ed Williams NC Natural Heritage Program Angie Rodgers NC Wildlife Resources Commission Steve Fraley Steve Fraley Doug Besler Jeff Simmons T.R. Russ Steve Fraley Chris Goudreau T.R. Russ Tennessee Valley Authority Chris Cooper US Fish and Wildlife Service Mark Cantrell Mark Cantrell Gary Peeples US Forest Service Sheryl Bryan Lorie Stroup Lorie Stroup University of Tennessee Joyce Coombs Joyce Coombs Joyce Coombs Mike Gaugler Dr. Larry Wilson Dr. Larry Wilson Western Carolina University Mike LaVoie Dr. Tom Martin Adric Olsen Dr. Tom Martin Caroline Rooney Western NC Alliance/ French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson Table 2. Fish released at source sites in Tennessee and North Carolina and introduced to the Pigeon River downstream from Blue Ridge Paper Mill from April 4, 2006 to October 7, 2010. Date Species N Source Site Release Site 4/4/2006 Silver Shiner 306 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 48 Telescope Shiner 238 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 48 4/6/2006 Mirror Shiner 583 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 PRM 48 4/7/2006 Gilt Darter 60 Boylston Creek and PRM 48 Mills River 10/3/2006 Silver Shiner 149 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 49.8 (Crabtree Cr. confluence) Telescope Shiner 214 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 49.8 10/4/2006 Mirror Shiner 1608 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 PRM 49.8 10/5/2006 Gilt Darter 92 Upper French Broad R. PRM 52.2 4/3/2007 Silver Shiner 160 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 52.2 Telescope shiner 175 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 670 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 52.2 4/4/2007 Mirror Shiner 1269 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 PRM 52.2 4/5/2007 Gilt darter 87 Upper French Broad R. PRM 52.2 5/30/2007 Striped shiner 27 Price Cr. (Cane R.) PRM 49.8 10/16/2007 Striped shiner 63 Price Cr. (Cane R.) Crabtree Creek, near confluence Continued Table 2. Continued. Date Species N Source Site Release Site 4/2/2008 Silver Shiner 434 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 42.6 (Hepco Bridge) Telescope Shiner 250 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 42.6 Tennessee shiner 338 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 49.8 4/3/2008 Gilt Darter 93 Upper French Broad R. PRM 52.2 4/4/2008 Mirror Shiner 325 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 Jonathan Creek, near confluence 3/30/2009 Silver Shiner 474 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 42.6 Telescope Shiner 428 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 42.6 Tennessee shiner 512 Cosby Creek, TN PRM 42.6 3/31/2009 Mirror Shiner 1608 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 PRM 42.6 4/1/2009 Gilt Darter 121 Upper French Broad R. Richland Creek, near confluence 10/6/2009 Banded darter 57 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 441 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 442 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 49.8 Gilt darter 117 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 Richland Creek, near confluence l 0/7/2009 Gilt darter 27 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 15 Lower French Broad R PRM 52.2 Banded darter 40 Spring Creek (FB) PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 20 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Tennessee shiner 55 Spring Creek (FB) PRM 52.2 Telescope shiner 20 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Bigeye chub 12 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Highland shiner 42 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Continued Table 2. Continued. Date Species N Source Site Release Site 4/6/2010 Gilt darter 136 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 52 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 277 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 Bigeye chub 4 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 4/7/2010 Gilt darter 2 Spring Creek (FB) Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 19 Spring Creek (FB) PRM 52.2 Tennessee shiner 311 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Highland shiner 272 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 4/8/2010 Mirror shiner 194 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 Jonathan Creek, near confluence 4/9/2010 Mirror shiner 198 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 Jonathan Creek, near confluence 9/28/2010 Mirror shiner 480 Pigeon River, RM 64.5 Jonathan Creek, near confluence 10/5/2010 Gilt darter 82 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 6 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 Richland Creek, near confluence Tennessee shiner 903 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 Bigeye chub 22 Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 PRM 52.2 10/6/2010 Gilt darter 1 Spring Creek (FB) Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 14 Lower French Broad R. PRM 49.8 Banded darter 51 Spring Creek (FB) Richland Creek, near confluence Tennessee shiner 159 Lower French Broad R PRM 49.8 Highland shiner 325 Lower French Broad R PRM 49.8 Bigeye chub 130 Lower French Broad R PRM 49.8 10/7/2010 Gilt darter 82 Upper French Broad R. Richland Creek, near confluence Banded darter 21 Upper French Broad R. Richland Creek, near confluence Table 3. Total number of fishes by species released in the Pigeon River or tributaries 2004-2013. Species Numbers Mirror shiner 8647* Tennessee shiner 5766** Telescope shiner 3231 ** Silver shiner 2595** Gilt darter 2179*** Highland shiner 1496 Banded darter 766*** Bigeye chub 481 Grand total: 25,161 * Includes releases in mainstem and Jonathan Creek **Species deemed reestablished *** Includes releases in mainstem and Richland Creek RE -INTRODUCED SPECIES: NC jNo VIE Tags collection Gates Darter Redhorse Chub Shiner VIE tags Collect site release site Gilt Banded Golden Bigeye Highlandl Mirror Saffron Silver Telescope TN Striped 3/11/04 171 78 UPR FBR 3/30/04 167 275 CC FBR 8/25/04 318 666 CC FBR 8/26/041 973 155 JUPR FBR 3/30/05 1 3121 5051 1 CC FBR 3/31/05 39 R Pos BC GC 4/11/05 20 R Pos MR GC 8/23/05 713 85 1 UPR FBR/CTM 8/24/05 262 460 CC FBR 8/25/05 25 O ANT MR GC 4/4/06 306 238 CC FBR 4/6/06 583 UPR FBR 4/7/06 60 R Pos BC/MR FBR 10/3/06 149 214 CC CTM 10/4/06 1608 UPR CTM 10/5/06 92 Y ANT FBNC GC 4/3/07 160 175 670 CC GC 4/4/07 1269 UPR GC 4/5/07 87 1 1 1 P ANT FBNC GC 5/30/07 27 JPC CTM 10/16/07 63 JPC CTC 4/2/08 434 250 ICC IHB 4/2/08 338 CC CTM 4/3/08 93 R Pos FBNC GC 4/4/08 325 UPR JC 3/30/09 474 428 518 CC HB 3/31/09 276 UPR JC 4/1/09 121 Y Pos IFBNC RC 10/6/09 57 441 R ANT SW GC 10/6/09 117 R ANT SW RC 10/6/09 442 SW CTM 10/7/09 27 " G ANT SW RC 10/7/09 15 G ANT FBPR GC 10/7/09 1 12 42 20 20 FBPR CTM 10/7/09 40 55 G ANT SC GC 4/6/10 136 O Pos SW RC 4/6/10 52 4 277 O Pos SW GC 4/7/10 2 O Pos SC RC 4/7/101 19 1 1 10 Pos ISC GC 4/7/101 1 1 272 1 3111 1 JFBHS CTM Totals 1 8191 183 3141 59181 3181 2582 Golden lBigeye Iffighland IMirror Saffron I Silver Redhorse IChub IShiner 1 32311 3072 90 ;ooeI TN I Striped 10/4/2013 VIE Tag Color R red G green Y yellow O orange P pink VIE Tag Location ANT anterior dorsal fin POS posterior dorsal fin River Source CC Cosby Creek. TN BC Boylston Creek, NC FBNC FB a Rosman.RM217.5 MR Mills River, NC UPR Up Pigeon, RM 64.5 PC Prices Creek SW Swannanoa R.. RM 1.5 FBPR FB a Paint Rock Cr. SC Spring Creek NC FBHS FB @ Hot Springs. FBHI FB P. Huff Island FBHR FB@Hannah Rd., 212.8 N I Ivy River, near mouth Release Sites - NC FBR IFerguson Br, Riverside GC Golf Course, RM 52.5 CTC Crabtree Creek CTM Crabtree Cr., mouth JC Jonathan Cr.. mouth HB HEPCO Br.. RM 42.6 RC Rich.Cr. Rd. Bridge RCW Rich.Cr. cr Walnut Tr. PR47 Pigeon R., PRM47.0 RCB Rich. Cr.@209 Hwy. Br. RCD Rich. Cr. below dam Red VIE depleted RE -INTRODUCED SPECIES: NC No VIE Tags collectio, Elates Darter Redhorse Chub Shiner VIE tags Collect site release site Gilt Banded Golden Bigeye Highland Mirror Silver Telescope TN Pg. 2 819 183 16 314 5918 2582 3231 3072 4/8/10 194 UPR JC 4/13/10 198 UPR JC 9/28/10 480 JUPR JC 1015110 82 6 O ANT SW RC 1015110 22 903 SW GC 10/6/10 14 O ANT FBHS RC 10/6/10 130 325 159 FBHS CTM 10/6/10 1 51 O ANT SC RC 10/7/10 82 21 O ANT FBHR RC 4/5/11 64 P ANT FBNC RC 415111 44 11 P ANT BC RC 4/7/11 349 UPR JC 5/12/I1 10 469 36 FBHS CTM 10/4/11 67 12 1 720 ISW PR47 10/4/I1 199 14 P ros SW RCW 1015111 72 229 14 FBHS GC 1015111 74 P ros FBHS RCW 10/6/11 901 UPR JC 4/10/12 13 332 SW CTM 4/10/12 224 36 YArrr ISW RCB 4/11/12 42 118 57 jFBHS CTC 4/11/12 6 YANT SC RCW 10/1/12 352 48 462 Y ros SW RCB 10/22/12 300 UPR JC 10/23/12 25 5 1 FBHS IRC 10/23/12 131 Y ros FBHI RCD* 10/24/12 63 42 49 IV RC 4/8/13 54 2 R ros IV RCW 4/8/13 41 R ros IV JC 4/9/13 26 36 CCR CTM 4/10/13 32 6 R ros SW JC 4/18/13 3 PR 10 GC 10/1/13 175 UPR RCD 10/2/13 6 40 7 R ros FBHS PRS 10/3/13 165 6 132 R ros FBNC RCD 10/4/13 5 34 R ros MC PRS Totals 2179 766 3 481 1496 86471 1 2595 3231 5766 *10/23/12 - only Gilt Banded Golden Bigeye Highland Mirror Silver Telescope TN Darter Redhorse IChub Shiner VIE Tag Color R red G green Y yellow O orange P pink VIE Tag Location ANT lanterior dorsal fin POS 1posterior dorsal fin River Source CC I Cosby Creek BC Boylston Creek, NC FBNC FB a Rosman,RM217.5 MR Mills River, NC UPR Up Pigeon, RM 64.5 PC Prices Creek SW Swannanoa R., RM 1.5 FBPR FB n Paint Rock Cr. SC Spring Creek, NC FBHS FB (a, Hot Springs FBHI FB Huff Island FBHR FB Hannah Rd., 212.8 JV Ivy River, near mouth CCR Clear Cr., TN PR 10 PRM (cry 10.3, TN MC Mud Cr. 25/70 Br. Release Sites - NC FBR Ferguson Br, Riverside GC Golf Course, RM 52.5 CTC Crabtree Cr. CTM Crabtree Cr., mouth JC Jonathan Cr., mouth HB HEPCO Br., RM 42.6 RC Rich.Cr. Rd. Bridge RCW Rich.Cr.@Walnut Tr. PR47 Pigeon R., PRM47.0 RCB Rich. Cr.@209 Hwy. Br. RCD Rich. Cr. below dam PRS 12nd shoal upstr.Ferg.Br. 40 were tagged