Choctawhatchee River Basin Initiative

A collaborative effort between the USFWS, Wiregrass RC&D, NRCS and ADCNR has been developed to target and restore habitat threats within the Choctawhatchee River basin. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, along with NRCS cost share programs, will target problems affecting species in greatest conservation need and their habitats. Projects will be selected based on identified sites that are of high priority in Geneva and Dale counties. Projects include, but may not be limited to: streambank stabilization, establishment of riparian buffers, cattle exclusion and/or alternative watering sources for the benefit of high priority species, particularly the federally threatened Gulf sturgeon.

The Choctawhatchee basin is home to 119 fish species and 25 mussels. Recent surveys (1998-2000) documented 21 mussel species (GSA).

Species of Greatest Conservation Concern (GCN): 15

MUSSELS (8)
Fluted Elephantear	P1
Southern Kidneyshell	P1
Southern Sandshell	P1
Choctaw Bean	P2
Downy Rainbow	P2
Fuzzy Pigtoe	P2
Tapered Pigtoe	P2
Rayed Creekshell	P2

FISHES (4)
Ironcolor Shiner	P1
Gulf Sturgeon	P2
Alabama Shad	P2
Bluenose Shiner	P2

AMPHIBIANS (2)
River Frog	P1
One-toed Amphiuma	P2

REPTILES (1)
Barbour's Map Turtle	P2