PORTLAND, Ore.– The Center for Biological Diversity today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the banded juga, an endangered freshwater snail, under the Endangered Species Act.
These snails survive only in the lower Deschutes River, where they are threatened by water quality and habitat degradation from dams, diversions, and agriculture. Remaining populations are sporadic and isolated from each other, putting them at higher risk of extinction.
“Freshwater mollusks like the banded juga are going extinct faster than any other species, so conservation authorities must act quickly,” said Trisha Sharma, a legal fellow at the center. “Without protection, it’s likely only a matter of time before the banded juga disappears from the small stretch of the Deschutes where it can still be found.”
Aquatic snails play an important role in their ecosystems. They feed on algae and plant material that would otherwise accumulate in the water. They also provide a valuable food source for other animals such as birds and fish.
The Banded Juga has very specific habitat requirements and needs cold, clean, well-oxygenated water with adequate flow velocity. The Deschutes River was once known for these characteristics, but is now considered impaired under the Clean Water Act due to several criteria that affect the Banded Juga: For example, the water is too warm and dissolved oxygen levels are too low.
The flow rate in large parts of the river is also not sufficient to support aquatic species. This is due to decades of over-exploitation and diversion of water from the river for agricultural and municipal purposes.
“Dams and agriculture have devastated the Deschutes River’s shoreline habitat,” Sharma said. “These little snails will face even more problems as climate change leads to higher water temperatures, worse droughts and more severe wildfires in the region.”
The Endangered Species Act provides effective protections for listed species and their habitat. Listing would protect not only the snail but also the Deschutes River, one of Oregon’s most popular and important waterways.
