Rush Darter Proposed for Listing as an Endangered Species

A rare fish that is found in the Clear Creek Watershed in Winston County is getting some attention. Today the US Fish & Wildlife Service announced in the Federal Register that it is proposing to list Rush darter, Etheostoma phytophilum, as an endangered species. The primary threat to this small fish and reason for the proposal is physical habitat destruction and/or modification. More information can be obtained from Bill Pearson, the Field Supervisor for the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Alabama. His number is 251-441-5181.

Several years ago the Winston County Natural Resources Council, the Winston County Commission, the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service partnered on a road improvement project on Wildcat Branch to improve Rush Darter habitat in Winston County.