Protect the Black Warrior Waterdog

Become a Member

Take Action: Protect the Black Warrior Waterdog

Black Warrior Waterdog photo by Mark Bailey.

Black Warrior Waterdog photo by Mark Bailey.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis), a rare aquatic salamander found only in the Black Warrior River basin in Alabama, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.  The FWS has also proposed designation of 669 river miles as critical habitat for the Black Warrior waterdog.  Because of the severity and immediacy of threats currently impacting the species, both of these actions are key to allow full protections afforded under the Endangered Species Act.

TAKE ACTION:  Send (2) comments supporting the Black Warrior waterdog! Comments must be received or postmarked on or before December 5, 2016.

1) Proposed Listing as an Endangered Species [for more info: FWS-R4-ES-2016-0029]

Choose either electronic or snail mail delivery below:

FWS Electronic Comment Portal (for Listing as Endangered)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Public Comments Processing
Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2016-0029
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Headquarters
MS: BPHC
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

Sample comment text (feel free to copy & paste, and add your own thoughts):

The Black Warrior waterdog deserves to be listed as an endangered species.  Known to be a rare species for over thirty years, it is time for this salamander to achieve full protections under the Endangered Species Act.  Since the Black Warrior waterdog is only found within Alabama’s Black Warrior River basin, it is a unique natural resource worth protecting from pollution, harmful activities, and habitat degradation.  Thank you for proposing to list the Black Warrior waterdog as endangered, and I trust that this important step will be taken.

2) Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat [for more info: FWS-R4-ES-2016-0031]

Choose either electronic or snail mail delivery below:

FWS Electronic Comment Portal (for Critical Habitat)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Public Comments Processing
Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2016-0031
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Headquarters
MS: BPHC
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

Sample comment text (feel free to copy & paste, and add your own thoughts):

The Black Warrior waterdog deserves to have critical habitat designated, as proposed.  It is time for this rare salamander to have its habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act.  Since the Black Warrior waterdog is only found within Alabama’s Black Warrior River basin, it is critical to protect its habitat from pollution, harmful activities, and resulting degradation.  Thank you for proposing to designate 669 river miles as critical habitat for the Black Warrior waterdog, and I trust that this important step will be taken.

Additional reasons to support the listing:

~The Black Warrior waterdog is unique to the Black Warrior River basin (endemic) and found nowhere else in the world.
~The Black Warrior waterdog is rare throughout its historical range.
~Sedimentation, siltation, algae growth due to excessive nutrients, toxic chemicals, and physical alterations to habitat are the leading threats to Black Warrior waterdogs.
~Even with current regulations, surviving populations of the waterdog are negatively affected by polluted water from mining, forestry, agriculture, industry, construction sites, and other polluting activities.
~Black Warrior waterdogs need clean water, rocky substrate, and leaf beds for proper cover, food, and nesting.
~The low population of Black Warrior waterdogs makes them extremely vulnerable to catastrophic events such as floods, droughts, chemical spills, polluted stormwater runoff, and improperly treated wastewater.
~Listing and protecting the Black Warrior waterdog will help improve water quality for all, as polluted water, stream degradation, and habitat alteration are the primary causes of its decline.
~Preserving and improving the habitat for the waterdog will also help other rare species in the Black Warrior basin, such as the flattened musk turtle.
~Existing regulatory and enforcement mechanisms have been unsuccessful in protecting the Black Warrior waterdog and its habitat.
~Without the endangered designation, the Black Warrior waterdog could become extinct.
~Only if the Black Warrior waterdog is listed may the FWS implement a recovery plan to protect the few remaining waterdogs and restore its numbers.

For more information about this unique salamander, visit the FWS website: fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/amphibian/black-warrior-waterdog/

Share Button