PORTLAND, Ore.— The Center for Biological Diversity today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the banded juga — an imperiled 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 occur sporadically and are isolated from each other, putting them at greater risk of extinction.
“Freshwater mollusks like the banded juga are going extinct faster than any other type of species, so wildlife officials need to act quickly,” said Trisha Sharma, a legal fellow at the Center. “Without protection, it’s likely just a matter of time before the banded juga disappears from the small stretch of the Deschutes where they can still be found.”
Aquatic snails play important roles in their ecosystems. They consume algae and plant material that would otherwise accumulate in the water. They also provide a valuable food source for other animals like birds and fish.
The banded juga has very specific habitat requirements and needs cold, clean, well oxygenated water with adequate flow rates. The Deschutes River was once known for these attributes but is now considered impaired under the Clean Water Act for several criteria that affect the banded juga: For example, the water is too warm and dissolved oxygen levels are too low.
Flow rates in much of the river are also insufficient to support aquatic species because of decades of overallocation and diversions of water from the river for agricultural and municipal uses.
“Dams and agriculture have wreaked havoc on riverside habitat in the Deschutes,” said Sharma. “These little snails are only going to face more challenges as climate change causes warmer water temperatures, worse droughts and more severe wildfires in the region.”
The Endangered Species Act provides powerful protections to listed species and their habitat. Listing would result in protection not only for the snail but also for the Deschutes River, which is one of the most beloved and important waterways in Oregon.
