Black Hills National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Dave Slepnikoff or Jeramy Rogers (605) 343-1567, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST TEAM UP WITH NORBECK SOCIETY TO BUILD DEERFIELD TRAIL BRIDGES

RAPID CITY, SD: SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

The Black Hills National Forest recently teamed up with the Norbeck Society to construct bridges for the Deerfield hiking and cycling.

Jeramy Rogers, Forestry Tech, Mystic Ranger District, said “A couple of years ago, I was hiking along the Deerfield trail and noticed the bridges were in bad shape and I tried to figure out how we could fix them, so I started asking and planning.”

With the help of the National Guard, who airlifted the 20 - 35 ft long planks in, the Forest Service and Norbeck Society hope to complete the construction of 15 bridges on the Deerfield #40 trail before winter.

“Last year we carried the planks in. It took 16 people to carry one plank for ¼ to ½ mile,” Rogers said. "This year the guard flew the bridges in. They came in one afternoon and did what would have taken us 50-60 hours of work in 4 hours.”

“It’s important for us to get these projects done while we have people and groups who are willing to help us do it,” Rogers said.

The Norbeck Society has been volunteering their time and skills with the Forest Service for the past three years.

“Our motto is sustainable management of public lands and taking care of the land for future generations. We are trying to help the Forest Service make the forest better,” said Colin Paterson, Norbeck Society President.

“We worked with the Forest Service a couple of days last summer putting in 2-3 bridges on the Deerfield trail," said Paterson. “The plan is to continue putting in more bridges to upgrade this hiking and mountain biking trail.”

Rogers said they hope to increase the number of people using this trail for hiking, biking, and enjoyment.

Both Rogers and Paterson said they welcome members and volunteers. “People can volunteer by making a simple phone call to any of the Forest Service offices,” said Rogers. For office phone #s and addresses visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/contact/addresses_new.shtml or call Jeramy Rogers or Dave Slepnikoff at (605) 343 – 1567.

Paterson said the Norbeck Society is open to anyone who is interested. To become a member of the Norbeck Society, contact Colin Paterson at cpaterson@gwtc.net
or visit the Norbeck Society website at http://www.norbecksociety.com/index.html

Rogers said over time the partners hope to complete a total of 33 bridges.