5 Things You Can Do to Save the American Dipper
in the Black Hills

News Release
The American Dipper * pdf (70 KB)
Key Threats to the Dipper * pdf (153 KB)
5 Things You Can Do * pdf (14 KB)
Executive Summary of Petition
Download the Petition (650 KB)

#1 Protect Water Quality in the Black Hills

One of the greatest threats to the dipper population in the Black Hills is water pollution. Preventing livestock from grazing in or near streams, avoiding driving in streams, avoiding driving off-road, preventing pollution of streams, and avoiding
Pete Gober, Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
420 S. Garfield Ave., Suite 400
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 224-8693

Ralph Morgenweck,
Regional Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
134 Union Boulevard
Lakewood, CO 80228
(303) 236-7920
mining in streams will greatly benefit water quality and the dipper. Reporting water quality violations to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources will also help immensely to protect water quality and the dipper in the Black Hills.

#2 Tell The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Protect the American Dipper in the Black Hills

The best available science shows the American dipper in the Black Hills needs protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to prevent its extinction. Please call or write the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in South Dakota or Colorado and tell them to immediately list the dipper population in the Black Hills under the ESA.

#3 Tell The U.S. Forest Service to Protect The American Dipper and Its Habitat on the Black Hills National Forest
John Twiss, Supervisor
Black Hills National Forest
Highway 385 North
RR 2, Box 200
Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-9201

The Forest Service is responsible for protecting the American dipper and its habitat in the Black Hills National Forest. Please call or write the Forest Service and tell them to implement strong and enforceable measures that fully protect the dipper and its habitat. Tell them to prevent logging, grazing, and mining in dipper habitat.

#4 Tell Environment And Natural Resources to Enforce Water Quality Laws in the Black Hills
Steven Pirner, Secretary
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Joe Foss Building
523 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3151

Water quality laws have not been adequately enforced in the Black Hills and the American dipper now face extinction. The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, responsible for protecting water quality, cannot allow water quality to suffer any longer. Please call the Department and tell them to enforce water quality laws in the Black Hills and protect the dipper.

#5 Join Biodiversity Conservation Alliance!

Biodiversity Conservation Alliance's efforts to protect the natural values of the Black Hills cannot happen without the support of its members. By supporting BCA, your membership can make a huge difference for the dipper and for the Black Hills. As a member, you can become more involved in issues affecting the Black Hills and your financial support enables BCA to be an effective voice for the wild!


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Biodiversity Conservation Alliance
P.O. Box 1512, Laramie, WY 82073
(307) 742-7978 - maggie@voiceforthewild.org