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Aug
22
Written by:
news editor
8/22/2012 12:00 AM
Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife announce the removal of the bluebreast darter from Ohio’s list of threatened species.
Fish are flourishing in Scioto and Muskingum Watersheds
COLUMBUS, OH – Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife announce the removal of the bluebreast darter from Ohio’s list of threatened species.
Over the years, bluebreast darters had become quite rare in the state and were only found in limited portions of the Muskingum and Scioto River watersheds. With the establishment of the Clean Water Act in 1972, which regulated point source pollution, the removal of low-head dams that block upstream fish movement and better land use practices, the bluebreast darter began to flourish in Ohio waters.
Between 1900 and 1980, many known populations of the bluebreast darter were rather small, and only a few individuals could be found at any given location. Since the 1980s, this species has dramatically increased its known distribution in Ohio and is now found in almost every major tributary to the Scioto River from Columbus downstream to the Ohio River. Most impressive is the expansion along the eastern border of Ohio where it now is found in abundance in the Ohio River.
Monitoring and recovery efforts are supported by the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund, which receives donations from Ohioans through the state income tax check-off program and by the purchase of cardinal license plates. Individuals wanting to donate to the fund can also donate online at wildohio.com. No state tax dollars are used to support this program.
The new Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp provides an additional funding opportunity to support conservation especially among wildlife watchers, photographers, campers, hikers and others who support wildlife causes. The $15 collectible Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp is available annually and highlights a different wildlife species each year chosen through a photo competition. Federal funds for endangered species and wildlife diversity efforts are also provided through the State Wildlife Grant Program, which targets species with greatest conservation need.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
John Navarro, ODNR Division of Wildlife
614-265-6346
Bethany McCorkle, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6873
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