| National Press Release | Local Black Hills Press Release |
“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action to save the rivers our nation depends on for clean drinking water, a strong economy, and connection with each other and the natural world,”
Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers.
NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE:
Washington, DC – American Rivers today released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, spotlighting ten rivers that are vital to the nation and face imminent threats.
Increasingly severe flooding fueled by climate change threatens the upper Mississippi and lower Missouri, the top two rivers on the 2020 list, underscoring the need for action by local, state and federal decision makers.
LOCAL PRESS RELEASE:
Rapid Creek named among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2020
“The protection of Rapid Creek is a public health issue, an economic issue, a recreational issue, a national security issue, and the basis of our ability to continue enjoying living here in Rapid City and the central Black Hills. We are happy to join forces with American Rivers in an effort to draw attention to the need to protect this special river.”
Lilias Jarding, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance
SEE LINKS BELOW FOR THE LOCAL BLACK HILLS PRESS RELEASE AND REPORT.
Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named Rapid Creek in the Black Hills among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. The report cites the threat that mining poses to clean water and sacred sites. American Rivers and its partners called on the U.S. Forest Service to complete thorough Environmental Impact Statements on proposed mining projects, including formal consultation with sixteen tribal nations.
“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action,” said Chris Williams, senior vice president for conservation at American Rivers. “Mining could devastate Rapid Creek’s clean water, fish and wildlife and sacred cultural sites. The Forest Service must seriously consider these risks and listen to the tribal nations who have cared for the Black Hills since time immemorial.”
Today, large-scale gold mining must be stopped from moving south into the Rapid Creek watershed, where it would threaten the Oceti Sakowin (The Great Sioux Nation) homelands, treaty territory and present-day reservation lands and rural and ranching communities.
We must see water in a whole new light and as the living being she is. Water must be protected from destructive mining that left my generation with abandoned mines, superfund sites, and waste water dead zones – this is not the legacy I want to leave our future generations. Water is Life.
Carla R. Marshall, Titunwan Lakota (CRST)
Links for the Local News Press Release and MER Rapid Creek Report are directly below:
Black Hills Clean Water Alliance would not be able to do this important work without support from citizen allies and organizations. We hope you too will join us. Contact us to receive email updates or join us on Facebook.
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