ANS Boardmember, David Cottingham reported the discovery of an endangered species, the shortnose sturgeon in the lower Potomac River which may have impacts on the mammoth Georgetown University Boathouse proposed for what is now C& O National Parkland.
David reported that during the past year, an historic natural history event has taken place on the Potomac River. For the first time in decades, researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have documented that two gravid female shortnose sturgeon attempted to spawn in the Potomac in the vicinity of Little Falls, above Georgetown. The tagged fish have relocated for the summer to the lower Potomac. While the researchers could not document actual spawning this spring, their presence is vitally important to restoring these endangered fish to formerly occupied habitat.
Shortnose Sturgeon once inhabited many east coast rivers. They have been listed as endangered species for many years. Researchers had not captured any in the Potomac since the mid-1970s. At that time, the water quality in the Potomac was at an all-time low. Since then, efforts to clean up the Potomac have produced significant results. Maybe, if we are extremely fortunate, the improved water quality is now adequate to provide suitable habitat for a population of shortnose sturgeon in the Potomac. The Audubon Naturalist Society wants to make sure that every agency and private citizens do all that we can to restore these magnificent fish. Neal Fitzpatrick contacted the National Park Service about the find.
“The National Park Service indicates [in the] Environmental Assessment for the proposed Georgetown University boat house that there are “…no Federally listed Rare Threatened & Endangered plant or animal species near the site.” With the documentation by USGS that Shortnose Sturgeon are in and using the river above Georgetown, this is clearly erroneous. It also means that the Park Service has not yet consulted, as required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service about potential effects of construction of the proposed Georgetown University boathouse and dock/pier. ESA requires that any federal agency that proposes an activity that may affect a listed species or its habitat consult with either the Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service over the potential impacts of the proposed activity. The Park Service’s environmental assessment fails to mention that Georgetown’s proposed dock/pier will protrude from the shore into important habitat of Shortnose Sturgeon.
The Audubon Naturalist Society believes strongly that the NPS needs to consult formally with NMFS regarding the potential impacts of building the dock/pier and its use. Failure to do so is a clear violation of the Endangered Species Act.”
It is our hope that this fragile species will present a significant hurdle to this ill-conceived project. For more information visit www.SavetheCanal.org.
