The Department of Environmental Protection issued a permit amendment this week that restricts Hanson Aggregates' dredging activities in portions of the Allegheny River. The change was made after a type of mussel, regarded by the federal government as a species of concern, was discovered.

When DEP issued Hanson its dredging permit in June 2006, it required the company to conduct mussel surveys and report the results to the agency. The surveys and reporting had to be done before dredging could begin in a new area.

The survey—conducted in the river within South Buffalo and Gilpin townships in Armstrong County—found two live salamander mussels, which the Fish and Boat Commission have proposed be placed on the state's threatened and endangered species list.

Because species on the endangered list are protected, DEP agreed to prohibit dredging in the areas where salamander mussels were found in order to provide the Fish and Boat Commission with time to finalize the mussel's status.

The amendment prohibits Hanson from dredging in the river at mile 31.25 through mile 31.65, but authorizes the company to dredge in the river from mile 30.7 to mile 31.25 and from mile 31.65 to mile 31.7.

Hanson may request authorization to dredge in the prohibited area if the mussels are not added to the Fish and Boat Commission's threatened and endangered list.

Dredging operations have been in place on the rivers in and around Pittsburgh for more than 100 years. Dredging companies must report annually on their dredging activities, including location, depth and dates of operation.

In addition, each must pay a 30-cents-per-ton royalty to the Fish and Boat Commission for sand and gravel removed form Pennsylvania's rivers.

Visit the Allegheny River Mussel Project from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for more background.

NewsClip: DEP Restricts Dredging On Part Of Allegheny River

10/31/2008