4VAC15-340-60. Seines, traps, and nets prohibited in certain areas
Summary
The recommendation is to include Abrams Creek and its tributaries in Washington County to the list of waters in which seines, traps and nets are prohibited from use to protect populations of Tennessee Dace, a state endangered species.
Proposed Language
Note: In the “Proposed Language” document, underlined text denotes proposed new language, while text with a strikethrough denotes language that is proposed to be deleted.
Rationale
The Tennessee dace is a small, colorful minnow known from Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. In Virginia, Tennessee dace are found in the upper Tennessee drainage with populations known from the north and middle forks of the Holston River. Due to its limited range and threats to its populations resulting from habitat degradation (sedimentation) associated with regional influences such as mining, instream impoundments for flood control, and deforestation, this species was listed state endangered in 1992. A robust population has recently been found in Abrams Creek and its tributaries in Washington County. To maintain this healthy population of this endangered species, staff recommends including Abrams Creek and its tributaries in Washington County to the list of waters where the use of seines, traps, and nets are prohibited from use to minimize unintended capture of Tennessee dace.