Pine River Mussel Survey

ASTI Environmental conducted a freshwater mussel salvage and relocation effort in the Pine River at the Lumberjack Road (north crossing) in Seville Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. The project was required prior to construction activities due to the presence of state-listed mussels and resulted in the successful relocation of 1,219 live mussels representing eleven species, including six state-threatened slippershell and more than 200 individuals classified as species of special concern.

The scope included planning and executing the salvage and relocation of all live native mussels within an approximately 900 m² survey area to an MDNR-approved upstream relocation area. Tasks included mussel species identification, tagging and documentation, habitat assessment, and the safe transport of mussels to the relocation site. Compliance with the Michigan Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocols and Relocation Procedures was maintained throughout the relocation.

A high density of mussels was documented within the survey area, with more than 1,200 live individuals collected and processed for relocation. A representative subset (approximately 20%) of the non-listed and special concern mussels was marked to assist with post-relocation monitoring. Interns from PEA Group assisted during the initial phase of fieldwork, significantly reducing overall field time.