Final rule · 2026-08146

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rayed Bean, Sheepnose, Snuffbox, and Spectaclecase Mussels

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus), snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta), all species of freshwater mussel, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Specifically, we designate approximately 599 river miles (rmi) (964 river kilometers (rkm)) in 15 units as critical habitat for rayed bean; approximately 801 rmi (1,289 rkm) in 11 units as critical habitat for sheepnose; approximately 2,425 rmi (3,902 rkm) in 38 units as critical habitat for snuffbox; and approximately 1,140 rmi (1,835 rkm) in 12 units as critical habitat for spectaclecase. Portions of these designations overlap among the four species; in total, approximately 3,814 unique rmi (6,138 rkm) of critical habitat within 76 units across 17 States (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designations.