Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2011 to 09/30/2011
Black Hills National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest,  Bearlodge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest,  Hell Canyon Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest,  Mystic Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest,  Northern Hills Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/19/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		10/2011 Noel Schneeberger
610-557-4121
nschneeberger@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are analyzing a range of strategies for controlling gypsy moth damage to forests and trees in the United States.
Web Link:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wv/eis/
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/25/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		12/2011 Larry Hayden
202-205-1559
lhayden@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Department of Agriculture proposes to promulgate a new planning rule, which will set out the process for development, revision, and amendment of National Forest System land management plans.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Agency-wide Rule.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Lands.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/27/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		01/2012 Glen Stein
208-869-5405
gstein@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for the continued nationwide aerial application of fire retardant on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/retardant/index.html
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
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Black Hills National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2011 Motorized Recreation Event Permits
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of 5-year permits for motorized recreation events to occur annually on National Forest System lands. Permits are being considered for both 4x4 events as well as off-highway vehicle events.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District, Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence, Meade, Pennington. A variety of routes on the Northern Hills and Mystic Ranger Districts, the majority of which are open to public motorized use.
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Black Hills National Forest,   Bearlodge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Herman Forest Management Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/07/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		02/2012 Elizabeth Krueger
307-283-1361
ekrueger@fs.fed.us 
Description: Thinning, fuel reduction, habitat management, watershed improvement
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33834
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - 6th PM, T52N R63-65W, T53N R63-64W, T54N R63W. Crook County, Wyoming, 6-20 miles north of Sundance.
Moskee Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/01/2010  		Expected:09/2011
  		11/2011 Elizabeth Krueger
307-283-1361
ekrueger@fs.fed.us 
Description: Acquire private inholdings in exchange for isolated NFS tracts
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=17391
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - Acquire T49N R60W sec 6-8, 17-18; T50N R60W sec 4, 31; in exchange for T50N R61W sec 26, 27, 30, 31. Twelve miles southeast of Sundance, Wyoming.
Neiman Easement
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/01/2010  		Expected:08/2011
  		10/2011 Jeanette Timm
307-283-1361
jmtimm@fs.fed.us 
Description: Landowner easement on 1.3 miles of NFSR 848.1 for access to private land
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - T53N R63W sections 31, 32, 6th principal meridian. Eight miles north of Sundance, Wyoming.
Tinton Small Tracts Act
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/08/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		12/2011 Jeanette Timm
307-283-1361
jmtimm@fs.fed.us 
Description: Conveyance of 16 acres of small NFS mineral fractions
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - T51N R60W section 28, 6th principal meridian. 16 miles of east of Sundance, Wyoming.
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Black Hills National Forest,   Hell Canyon Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Alabaugh Fuels
EA
 - Fuels management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Matthew Spring
605-673-9374
mtspring@fs.fed.us 
Description: Fuel reduction along wildland/urban interface south of Hot Springs, SD.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. South of Hot Springs, SD.
Briggs
EA
 - Forest products  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/14/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/2011  		Expected:09/2011
  		05/2012 Wendy Steuerwald
605-673-4853
wsteuerwald@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management project within Management Area 5.1.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=28361
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T.01.N, R.01.E, Sections 11-14, 21-28, 33-36 and T.01.S, R.01.E, Sections 1-5, 9-16, 21-24, 28-30, 33-36 and T.01.S, R.02.E, Sections 6-8, 18, 19, 30-32 and T.02.S, R.02.E Sections 5-8, 18, 19 and T.0. West of Redbird Canyon, east of Moon, south of Crow's Nest Peak, north of Dumbuk Ridge.
Brite-X Stephie Mine Expansion
EA
 - Minerals and Geology   In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/27/2009  		Expected:08/2009
  		12/2009 Patricia Hudson
605-673-4853
phudson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed expansion of the Brite-X Mine operated by Pacer Corporation.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - Section 28, T2S, R4E, Black Hills Meridian. Tenderfoot Gulch, approximately 6 miles north of Custer, South Dakota.
Cattail Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Cindy Hockelberg
970-884-1418
chockelberg@fs.fed.us 
Description: Exchange NFS land south of Hwy 16 along with one parcel north of Hwy 16 for land south of Hwy 16 and owned by The Nature Conservancy and Oonagh Wood.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Fall River. LEGAL - T6S R4E Sections 23 & 24; T3S R4E Sections 9, 16; T8S R4E Sec. 24 and 14; T8S R5E Sec. 19; T9S R6E Section 6 (to be conveyed). T4S R3E Sec. 4, 5, 9, 32; T6S R5E Sec. 31, 32 (to be acquired). Parcels throughout the District, but primarily south of Hwy 16.
Craven Canyon Mineral Withdrawal
EA
 - Heritage resource management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/25/2010  		Expected:08/2011
  		10/2011 Patricia Hudson
605-673-4853
phudson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Recommendation to BLM a withdrawal from mineral entry to protect cultural resources of significant interest within and surrounding Craven Canyon in portions of T 7 S, R 2E and T 7S, R 3 E for approximately 3,968 acres of National Forest System land
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=26623
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. T 7 S R 2 E, portions of Sections 12, 13, 24 & 25; T 7 S R 3 E, Sections 18, 19, 31, 32 and portions of Section 30.
Deer Valley
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/17/2007
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		05/2012 Cindy Hockelberg
970-884-1418
chockelberg@fs.fed.us 
Description: Land Adjustment
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T3S R4E Sections 23 & 26. Custer County, adjacent to Custer, South Dakota.
GCC Dacotah Dewey Conveyor
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/14/2009
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		03/2012 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construction of an elevated conveyor to move material from a GCC Dacotah mine to a railhead, on both NFS and BLM lands.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T6S, R1E, Sec 9-10. Southern Elk Mountain, near Dewey.
Greyhound Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/11/2007
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		05/2012 Meagan Buehler
605-673-4853
mkbuehler@fs.fed.us 
Description: Land ownershipadjustment to consolidate lands and protect habitat within Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T2S, R6E, Sec 16; T1S, R5E, Sec 26, 27; T1S, R6E, Sec 22. Acquiring land within Norbeck WIldlife Preserve.
Hell Canyon Maintenance Burn
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/01/2010  		Expected:09/2011
  		01/2012 Gwen Lipp
605-673-9373
gllipp@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribed burn to reduce fuels and site prep for tree planting.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=22242
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T 3 S R 2 E. Within perimeter of Jasper Burn.
Iowa Moonwort Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/04/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/2011  		Expected:11/2011
  		10/2012 Matthew Scott
605-673-4853
mcscott@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project name was changed from, Cascade Allotment Iowa Moonwort Habitat Improvement Project. The objectives of the project are to enhance Iowa moonwort habitat, improve overall ecosystem function and to reduce existing fuel accumulations.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - T7S R5E, Sec 34. Hell Canyon Ranger District.
Noah Mine
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 02/08/2011  02/2011 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: Mining of feldspar and mica on the Noah lode claim
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T4S, R4E, Section 35. South of Custer, SD.
Redbird STA
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Exchange portion of road crossing private parcels for a witches lane that is not needed for public acess.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T3S R1E S1/2 Section 9. Redbird Canyon, including FSR 376.
Southern Black Hills Water system
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/06/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/2011  		Expected:08/2011
  		10/2011 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Easement across National Forest for water pipeline
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Fall River. LEGAL - T7S, R6E, Sec 2; T6S, R5E, Sec 24, 29. Southern Black Hills -.
Vestal Project
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 04/22/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2011  		Expected:05/2012
  		05/2012 Kelly Honors
605-673-4853
khonors@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation treatments to reduce mountain pine beetle risk in forested stands surrounding the City of Custer, SD. Prescribed burning and fuels treatments are also included to reduce fire hazard.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=35919
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. The project area surrounds and includes the City of Custer, SD.
Zebra Mine
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/15/2004  		Expected:07/2011
  		09/2011 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: FS analysis and decision of proposal to mine mineral materials near Pringle, South Dakota
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - SW1/4, SW1/4, Sec. 30, T5S, R5E. Approximately 2 miles south of Pringle along Shirtail Canyon Road.
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Black Hills National Forest,   Mystic Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Black Hills Electric Cooperative (BHEC) - 2720
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/20/2010  		Expected:06/2012
  		12/2012 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construction of a new overhead 69Kv transmission line
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. Sections 18, 19 &31, T1S, R7E, BHM. Sections 24, 25 & 36, T1S, R6E, BHM. Sections 5 & 6, T2S, R7E, BHM.
Black Hills Power 230 Kv Line
EIS
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 08/2011  		Expected:06/2014  09/2014 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: TECKLA-OSAGE-LANGE 230Kv Transmission line
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. On the Black Hills NF, running approximately from the SD/WY border to Pactola substation to Lange substation NW of Rapid City, SD.
Castle Creek Aquatic Habitat Structure Maintenance & Pool Enhancement
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/09/2010  		Expected:09/2011
  		10/2011 Louie Conroy
605-716-1872
lmconroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Maintenance of approximately 14 fish habitat structures in the Castle Creek Walk-In Fishery. Existing downed logs on adjacent hillsides will be anchored to existing wooden posts that are embedded in the stream bottom.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T1N, R3E, Section 16 & 20. Castle Creek Walk-In Fishery located on the northside of Deerfield Dam. Approximately 2 miles along FSR 371.
Copper Mountain Ranch LLC FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/22/2009  		Expected:07/2011
  		09/2011 Rodney Brown
605-343-1567 x3552
rwbrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: The private landowners of the Copper Mountain Ranch LLC have requested a FLPMA Private Road Easement to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - National Forest System lands in Sect 36. T1S, R3C, Sect 36 (N1/2 SE1/4 NW 1/4) BHM, Pennington County, SD.
Crisman/Lewis FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2010  		Expected:10/2011
  		11/2011 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a FLPMA Private Road Easement to Bob Crisman and Faith Lewis
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. NE 14 of Section 2, T2S, R3E, BHM.
Gateway to Hill City (Reder Administrative Sale)
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2007
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/2011  		Expected:11/2011
  		12/2011 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: FS proposes to sell 83 acres on NFS lands (either collectively or by individual lots) inside the city limits of Hill City, SD
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T1S, R5E, Lot 26 Sec 30; Lot 7 Sec 29; Lot 6 Sec 29; Lot 5 Sec 29; Lot 13 Sec 19; Lot 13 Sec 20. South and North of Hwy 16 between Hill City and east of China Gulch Road.
Gold Bug Mine Closure
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/12/2009  		Expected:10/2011
  		11/2011 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed project is to close several shafts and collapsed workings associated with the Gold Bug Mine.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - SW1/4 SW1/4 Section 24, Township 2 South Range 4 East. Project is located approximately 6 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota.
Min Sec Frac Sand
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: To remove sandstone bearing rock from the National Forest that is used in the gas and oil industry.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - SW1/4 SE1/4 Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 6 East. Project location is approximately 7 miles Northwest of Rapid City.
Pactola Planning Area
EIS
 - Forest products
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/06/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 08/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		12/2011 Katie Van-Alstyne
605-343-1567
kvanalstyne@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project Planning Analysis - Vegetative Management to address insect (Mountain Pine Beetle) epidemic and fuels hazard concerns, prescibed fire/burning. HFRA Project.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32770
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence, Pennington. NFS lands around Pactola Lake and Silver City. Located approximately 5 miles north of Hill City and 10 miles east of Rapid City.
Pactola Work Center (Administrative Sale)
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2007  		Expected:11/2011
  		12/2011 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FS proposes to sell 20 acres (of the 100 acres) of the Pactola Administrative Work Center site.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T2N, R5E, Sect 26 E1/2 SE 1/4 SE 1/4. Approx. 12 miles west of Rapid City, SD via highway 44.
Removal of Slate via Mineral Contracts via Roadside Collection Areas
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/10/2011  		Expected:08/2011
  		08/2011 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: Roadside collection of slate via mineral material contracts. Collection will take place along NFSR 249, 254 and 727. The slate collection areas are suitable for surface collecting or using hammer & chisel to remove vertical slabs.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - NFSR 249: T1S, R5E, Sec 7, 8, 17, 18 & 20. NFSR 254: T1S, R5E, Sec 7 & 18. NFSR 727: T1S, R4E, Sec 26 & 35. NFSR 249: Turnoff to Bailey Trailer Ct. to NFSR 254 intersection. NFSR 254: NFSR 249 interestion to Sec 19 gate. NFSR 727: NFSR 727 to NFSR 727.1A & 727.1C intersection.
Robbins FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2010  		Expected:09/2011
  		10/2011 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a FLPMA Private Road Easement to William and Margaret Robbins
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. N 1/2 SW 1/4 of Section 29, T1S, R5E, BHM.
Section 30 Limestone Mining
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/18/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		12/2011 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: A Plan of Operation has been submitted by Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. for the purpose of mining chemical grade limestone within mining claims on approximately 100 acres of NFS lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=17657
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T2N, R7E, NE1/4 Section 30. Northwest of the city boundary of Rapid City, SD.
Spring Creek Dams Improvement
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/06/2007  		Expected:08/2011
  		10/2011 David Plummer
605-642-4622
dgplummer@fs.fed.us 
Description: USFS, in partnership with the SD Dept. Game, Fish & Parks proposes to make improvements to The Major & Mitchell Dams to meet federal dam safety requirements & improve the aquatic ecosystem by dredging silt that has been deopositied into these lakes.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T1S, R5E, Sec 28, 29; T1S, R5E, Sec 30. Mitchell Dam/Lake two miles east of Hill City along Hwy 16/385; Major is located within the community of Hill City, SD.
Spring Creek Floodplain Restoration Near Oreville
CE
 - Watershed management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/12/2008  		Expected:09/2011
  		11/2011 Leslie Gonyer
605-716-1884
lgonyer@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project will remove an old road fill across the floodplain to re-establish flood flows across the blocked floodplain.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T2S R4E Section 14 SWNW. The site is located just West of US Highway 16/385 and the Mickleson Trail. The site is just North of the old Oreville Mill Site.
Time Out Mining Proposal
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2011  		Expected:09/2011  10/2011 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal is to explore and mine for gold on some existing workings.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - SW SW Section 4 Township 1 North Range 4 East. Proposal is approximately one half mile south of the town site of Mystic.
Two Dogz Fighting Mining Proposal
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2011  		Expected:10/2011  11/2011 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal is to mine for gold.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - NE 1/4 of Section 07, T1N R4E, Pennington County, SD. Approximately 8 miles northwest of Hill City, SD on Castle Creek.
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Black Hills National Forest,   Northern Hills Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Andy's Trail Rides Addition
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/25/2011  		Expected:07/2011
  		07/2011 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Amendment of an outfitter/guide permit to include use of a new area for guided horseback rides on existing routes and big game retrieval services via horseback.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T4N, R2E, Sections 14, 22, 23, and 24. Guided riding just southwest of Lead, SD and elk retrieval in Roubaix Hunting Area 4.
Blue Crystal Cave Closure and Restoration
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Minerals and Geology 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/23/2011  		Expected:07/2011
  		08/2011 Valerie Carlson
605-642-4622
vcarlson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Installation of bat gates on two entrances to Blue Crystal Cave to prevent unauthorized human access while allowing access to bat species. Restoration of cave resources will include removal of debris and removal of soot and graffiti from cave walls.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Meade. LEGAL - T5N, R5E, Section 29. South of Sturgis, South Dakota off of Vanocker Canyon Road.
Cold Springs Project
EA
 - Forest products
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/20/2011
Est. Objection Period Legal Notice 08/2011  		Expected:09/2011
  		09/2011 Jackie Groce
605-642-4622
jgroce@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is intended to reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle caused mortality in ponderosa pine stands in an area managed primarily for timber production. Commercial and non-commercial thinning as well as prescribed burning are being proposed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=34455
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. The southwest corner of the Northern Hills Ranger District in the vicinity of O'Neil Pass.
Eddy Reciprocal Access Easement
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Provide an access easement across National Forest System lands to Helene Eddy in exchange for reciprocal access to the NFS across the Eddy property.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - Northeast 1/4 of Section 35 & Northwest 1/4 of Section 36, T4N, R3E, Black Hills Meridian. About three miles north of Deadwood, SD.
Iron Creek Placer Plan of Operations
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/25/2011  		Expected:07/2011
  		07/2011 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to conduct a small placer mining operation along a Iron Creek. Operations will be conducted in an area about 3 acres in size. Water used for operations would be transported to the site for use. No waters would be discharged into the creek.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T5N, R1E, Section 23, Black Hills Meridian. In the vicinity of Iron Creek at its intersection with Tinton Road (NFS Road 134.1) about 10 miles southwest of Spearfish, SD.
Joel Cannon Access Easement Project
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Authorization of a 30 year private road easement to a landowner for access to a parcel of land surrounded by National Forest System Lands.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Meade. LEGAL - T3N, R6E, Section 32. Route off of Forest Service Road 527.1.
Malsam/BHP Road and Utility Access
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance/modification of special use permits to allow road and utility access to private property surrounded by National Forest System (NFS) lands. Road will cross 1/3 mile of NFS land, and power line will cross 1/4 mile of NFS land.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T5N R2E SEC 33. Twelve air miles south of Spearfish, South Dakota in Mineral Survey 1691.
Mattson Fence
CE
 - Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 05/09/2011  06/2011 Tom Smith
605-642-4622
tsmith01@fs.fed.us 
Description: Installation of approximately 500 feet of 4-strand barbed wire fence in the Pasture Allotment to facilitate management of livestock grazing.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T3N, R4E, NE 1/4 Section 28. In the vicinity of Forest Service Road 204.2A.
Plymouth County Parks Outfitter and Guide Camping Permit
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Completed  Actual: 04/15/2011  06/2011 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a 10-year outfitter guide permit to allow guided backpack trips on National Forest System lands. Guided backpacking would occur along established trails. One trip would be conducted annually, and trips would last about 4 days.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T5N, R1E, Sections 28, 29, 32, 33, 35 and T4N, R1E Sections 2 to 5, 9, 10, and 15. The Old Baldy, Rimrock, Little Spearfish, and '76 Trails.
Presbytery of South Dakota Access Easement
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Provide an access easement across National Forest System lands to an organization for development of a youth/church camp on private land.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - Mineral Survey #1564-1742 in the east 1/2 of Section 34, T3N, R3E, Black Hills Meridian. Approximately 3 miles north of Rochford, SD.
Steamboat Project
EIS
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 12/15/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2011  		Expected:09/2011
  		12/2011 Christopher Stores
605-642-4622
cstores@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management to improve big game winter range habitat and reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle infestation and wildfire. Management actions include commercial and non-commercial thinning as well as road construction and maintenance.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=34305
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence, Meade, Pennington. Northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Sabo Patino FLPMA Forest Road Permit
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2011  		Expected:08/2011  08/2011 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a road easement to a private land owner for use of an existing route to access private land.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T4N R3E Section 13, Black Hills Meridian. Sections of Forest Road 538.1 and 538.1F about 5 miles southease of Lead, South Dakota.
The World Outdoors Outfitter/Guide Permit
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/28/2011  12/2011 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renewal of an outfitter/guide permit for a 10-year term to conduct guided hiking tours on established trails on National Forest System lands, including the Crow Peak, Roughlock Falls, and '76 trails.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. The Crow Peak, Roughlock Falls, and '76 trails.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.