LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week is publishing the final rule for critical habitat designations for two freshwater mussels in Oklahoma and 10 other states.
Fish and Wildlife Southeast Regional Director Cindy Dohner says Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot mussel populations are declining due to lost or degraded river habitats.
The service is designating critical habitat in seven areas for the Neosho mucket, covering about 483 river miles in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.