Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2012 to 12/31/2012
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, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Black Hills National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  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 09/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 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.
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R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Black Hills National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grasslands Power 230 Kv Line
EIS
 - Special use management  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/26/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2013  		Expected:06/2014
  		09/2014 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: TECKLA-OSAGE-LANGE 230Kv Transmission line
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30774
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District, Douglas and Thunder Basin Ranger District, Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota, Wyoming. COUNTY - Pennington, Weston, Campbell. On the Black Hills NF, running approximately from the SD/WY border to Pactola substation to Lange substation NW of Rapid City, SD.
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Black Hills National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Mountain Pine Beetle Response Project
EIS
 - Land management planning
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/22/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		11/2012 Katie Van-Alstyne
605-343-1567
kvanalstyne@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest is working to manage populations of mountain pine beetle (MPB) and to help protect communities, watersheds, and natural resources from wildfire by treating hazardous fuels. The BKNF is proposing further actions to address the MPB epidemic.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36775
Location: UNIT - Black Hills National Forest All Units. STATE - South Dakota, Wyoming. COUNTY - Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Weston, Crook. The project area encompasses approximately 248,000 acres of National Forest System lands. No actions are proposed on lands not managed by the Forest Service.
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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
Black Hills Field Ornithology Outfitter/Guide Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		02/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a 10-year outfitter/guide permit to allow a university to conduct field ornithology classes on National Forest System lands. Classes will include camping near netting sites and netting, banding, and taking measurements from birds.
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District, Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota, Wyoming. COUNTY - Lawrence, Crook. A variety of locations on the Northern Black Hills.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Outfitter/Guide Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  03/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a five-year outfitter/guide permit to conduct instructor-led field geology laboratories as part of for-credit university classes. Activities will include mapping, sketching, sampling, and photographing geologic features.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District, Mystic Ranger District, Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Lawrence, Pennington. Along segments of the public motorized transportation system on the Northern Hills, Mystic, and Hell Canyon Ranger Districts.
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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
Bearlodge Travel Management 2012
EA
 - Recreation management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2012  		Expected:09/2013  07/2013 Jeanette Timm
307-283-1361
jmtimm@fs.fed.us 
Description: Additions and changes to travel management status of roads, trails, and campsites
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - T51N R63W sec 4, 5, 9; T52N R63W sec. 19, 20, 29, 30, 32; T52N R63W sec. 4, 5, 8, 9, 33; dispersed campsites. Near Reuter Campground and elsewhere on district.
Buttes Forest Management Project
EA
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/08/2012
Est. Objection Period Legal Notice 10/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		01/2013 Elizabeth Krueger
307-283-1361
ekrueger@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treatment of forest infested with mountain pine beetle, at risk of infestation, or with high fire hazard.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38063
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - Township 50 North, Range 61-62 West, 6th PM. Black Buttes, south of Sundance, Wyoming.
Ellsbury ROW
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/01/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		11/2012 Jeanette Timm
307-283-1361
jmtimm@fs.fed.us 
Description: Granting of private easement on NFS road This decision will comply with direction to offer 30-day notice-and-comment and appeal opportunities, as appropriate.
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. LEGAL - T53N R63W sections 28 and 33, 6th PM. 11 miles NNW of Sundance, Wyoming.
Neiman Easement
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/11/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		02/2013 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.
RER Mineral Development Project
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 11/2012  		Expected:09/2014  12/2014 Jeanette Timm
307-283-1361
jmtimm@fs.fed.us 
Description: Development of rare earth minerals mine
Location: UNIT - Bearlodge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Crook. Bearlodge Mountains.
Tinton Small Tracts Act
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/08/2011  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 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  Cancelled  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.
Brite-X Stephie Mine Expansion
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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.
Byway Lakes Enhancement Project
EA
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/08/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2012  		Expected:01/2013
  		03/2013 David Pickford
605-673-4853
dpickford@fs.fed.us 
Description: A project to remove lake sediments from Horsethief, Lakota, and Bismarck Lakes.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Pennington. LEGAL - T3S, R5E, Section 22, T2S, R6E, Section 27, T2S, R5E, Section 11. Horsethief, Lakota, and Bismarck Lakes, Black Hills National Forest.
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.
City of Custer-Upper French Creek Well # 9 Upgrade
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 07/17/2012  10/2012 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construct a 16' x 12' addition and upgrade of the exisitng water treatment well house # 9.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39502
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - Township 3 South, Range 4 East Section 28. Upper French Creek Road.
Craven Canyon Mineral Withdrawal
EA
 - Heritage resource management  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.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 10/2012  		Expected:06/2013
  		07/2013 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.
French Creek Willow Restoration
CE
 - Watershed management  Completed  Actual: 08/16/2012  09/2012 Matthew Scott
605-673-4853
mcscott@fs.fed.us 
Description: Planting of willows in riparian areas along French Creek drainage above highway 16
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39319
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. French Creek Drainage.
GCC Dacotah Dewey Conveyor
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Golden West Telecommunications, Inc. - Pass Creek Telephone
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/13/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		10/2012 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replacement telephone cable to service a private landowner on Pass Creek Road in Custer County.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39399
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - Section 14, T2S, R5E. Pass Creek Road and Richardson Cutoff Road (NFSR 272 and 276).
Golden West Telecommunications, Inc.-Grey Rocks Road
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 07/03/2012  10/2012 Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: New buried copper telephone and fiber optic line within the ROW of Grey Rocks Road.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39356
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - Section 35, Township 3 South, Range 4 East. Grey Rocks Road.
Hell Canyon Maintenance Burn
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/01/2010  		Expected:10/2012
  		12/2012 Gwen Lipp
605-673-9373
gllipp@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribed burn to reduce fuels and site prep for tree planting.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.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.
Hell Canyon Reforestation Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  04/2013 Patricia Hudson
605-673-4853
phudson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Tree planting within fire areas where no natural regeneration exists. Tree species will be ponderosa pine which is native to the area and important for wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and timber production.
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Pennington. LEGAL - T3S R1E-2E Sec 24, 25;19, 20, 29, 30. Areas located within Jasper and Sheldon fire areas which burned in August 2000 and 2002.
Iowa Moonwort Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/04/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:03/2013
  		04/2013 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.
Norbeck Section 2 Prescribed Fire Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/31/2012
07/31/2012
07/31/2012
07/31/2012
07/31/2012  		10/2012 Patricia Hudson
605-673-4853
mtspring@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will treat a total of 582 acres within the Section 2 portion of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve (NWP) using prescribed fire as the management tool.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38040
Location: UNIT - Hell Canyon Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - located at T5S, R5E, Sections 2 and 11. The Project lies within Management Area 5.4A (Norbeck Wildlife Preserve) Custer County, SD.
Redbird STA
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Laura Burns
605-673-4853
lburns@fs.fed.us 
Description: Convey 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.
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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
Alexander FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2010  		Expected:06/2013
  		07/2013 Rodney Brown
605-343-1567 x3552
rwbrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a FLPMA Private Road Easement to Alexander.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. NE 14 of Section 2, T2S, R3E, BHM.
Black Hills Electric Cooperative (BHEC) - 2720
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/31/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		12/2012 Dave Slepnikoff
605-343-1567
dslepnikoff@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construction of a new overhead 69Kv transmission line
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30776
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.
Calumet Project Area
EIS
 - Forest products
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/08/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		12/2012 Louie Conroy
605-343-1567
lmconroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project Planning Analysis - Vegetative management to address insect (mountain pine beetle) epidemic and fuels hazard concerns, precribed fire/burning. HFRA
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37038
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. NFS lands around Sheridan Lake. Located approximately 2 mi north of Keystone,, 4 mi northeast of Hill City, and 6 mi southwest of Rapid City, SD. Rockerville, SD lies on the southeast project boundary.
Canyon City #4 Placer Mine
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2012  		Expected:03/2013  04/2013 Gary Haag
605-673-4853
ghaag@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project involves using a 4-inch gasoline powered suction dredge to mine the gravels in a placer claim along Rapid Creek. Materials will be vaccumed from the stream bed by the dredge; processed and then returned to the stream bed.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T1N, R4E, NE 1/4, NE 1/4, Section 2. The proposed mining operation is located along the Deerfield Trail approx. 1.7 miles west-southwest of Silver City.
Castle Creek Aquatic Habitat Structure Maintenance & Pool Enhancement
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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:12/2012
  		01/2013 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.
Crown Point Road District FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Land ownership management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/08/2011  		Expected:12/2012
  		01/2013 Rodney Brown
605-343-1567 x3552
rwbrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a FLPMA Private Road Easement to Crown Point Road District (Brendan P. Casey).
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. Sections 31 and 32, T1S, R6E, 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 10/2012  		Expected:01/2013
  		04/2013 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.
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 Work Center (Administrative Sale)
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2007  		Expected:11/2012
  		03/2013 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
 - Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 12/27/2011  09/2012 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.
Reynolds FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Land ownership management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/08/2011  		Expected:08/2013
  		09/2013 Rodney Brown
605-343-1567 x3552
rwbrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a FLPMA Private Road Easement to Leonard and Margaret Reynolds.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. NE 1/4 NW 1/4 Section 36, T2N, R2E, BHM.
Robbins FLPMA Private Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2010  		Expected:12/2012
  		01/2013 Rodney Brown
605-343-1567 x3552
rwbrown@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.
Sears Recreation Residence Lot Improvements Proposal (Beverly J. Sears Trust)
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2012  		Expected:03/2013  04/2013 Amy Ballard
605-343-1567
aballard@fs.fed.us 
Description: Demolish existing cabin and small out building. Build new cabin, increasing sq. footage to 960 sq. ft., plus an additional 640 sq. ft. porch. Add well, water lines, septic tank, bury electric line, and replace/move existing fence.
Location: UNIT - Mystic Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - T2N R5E Section 31. Silver City, SD.
Spring Creek Dams Improvement
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Facility management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  05/2013 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.
Two Dogz Fighting Mining Proposal
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2012  		Expected:03/2013  04/2013 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 Outfitter/Guide Permit Amendment (Rushnomore Addition)
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  03/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Amendment of an existing outfitter/guide permit to allow guided horseback riding in an additional location on National Forest System lands.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Meade. LEGAL - T4N, R5E, Sections 1 and 2. Near the Rushnomore Campground just outside of Sturgis, South Dakota.
Dangel Coach and Trail Outfitter/Guide Permit Renewal
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		03/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renewal of an existing outfitter/guide permit to continue to allow guided horseback and coach rides on National Forest System lands.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T3N, R5E, Sections 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 28. Near Nemo, South Dakota.
Eddy Reciprocal Access Easement
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		03/2013 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.
Goldsmith Plan of Operations for the Lazy Beaver Claim
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 06/27/2012  10/2012 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Approval of a plan of operations to allow small-scale mineral exploration on National Forest System lands. Activity includes removal of topsoil on an area 36 feet by 24 feet, processing materials with a sluice, and reclamation activities.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. Approximately four miles southeast of Rochford, South Dakota near the Rochford Road, Mickelson Trail, and Rapid Creek.
Hide Away OHV Trail
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 04/14/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Addition of a segment of OHV trail to the Forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map. The trail would be less than 1 mile long and open seasonally during the summer to vehicles less than 62 inches wide. The route already exists and is used as a snowmobile trail.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T4N, R4E, Section 19. A short segment of an unclassified road along Highway 385 south of Deadwood, SD. This segment is located on Snowmobile Trail #7.
Joel Cannon Access Easement Project
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:11/2012  02/2013 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.
Kelley FLPMA Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a 30-year easement to a land owner for legal access to private property. The easement would be for use of an existing non-system road approximately 0.25 long. Road work is included to bring the road up to standard.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T2N, R5E, Section 10. Three miles south of Nemo, South Dakota near Forest Service Road 201.
Lawrence County FRTA Easement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  03/2013 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a 30-year road easement to Lawrence County to secure access to several private properties under the provisions of the Forest Roads and Trails Act.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. LEGAL - T5N, R2E, Sections 27, 34, and 35. Two Johns Road approximately 4 miles west of Lead, South Dakota.
Malsam/BHP Road and Utility Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 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.
Nelson FLPMA Road Easement
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:11/2012  02/2013 Hillarie Jackson
605-642-4622
hljackson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a 30-year private road easement to allow a land owner legal access to his property. The easement would be along an existing unclassified road, and in return the Forest Service would be provided legal access across the private property.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Meade. LEGAL - T3N, R6E, Section 32. Approximately one mile southwest of Piedmont, South Dakota.
Sota Trails Connection
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 04/14/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		02/2013 Bonnie Jones
605-642-4622
bjjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Addition of three segments of trail to the public motorized transportation system to link together existing trails. Routes are in areas where motorized use occurred in the past and trails are evident. Rehabilitation to address past uses is included.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence, Pennington. LEGAL - T2N, R4E, Sections 16 and 17; T3N, R4E, Sections 8 and 9; Lawrence and Pennington Counties. Approximately 2.5 miles ENE of Rochford, SD.
Spearfish Canyon Recreation Site Improvements
EA
 - Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 07/02/2012  08/2012 Jackie Groce
605-642-4622
jgroce@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project involves constructing a viewing platform at Bridal Veil Falls, a popular scenic site, to enhance public safety and making improvements at the Long Valley Picnic Ground to enhance recreation opportunities and to address resource concerns.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38383
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. Along US Highway 14A in Spearfish Canyon south of Spearfish, South Dakota.
Steamboat Rock Picnic Ground Mineral Withdrawal
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/14/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 Scott Haas
231-745-4631 x 3131
sehaas@fs.fed.us 
Description: Withdrawal of a developed recreation site from mineral entry.
Location: UNIT - Northern Hills Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lawrence. The Steamboat Rock Picnic Ground adjacent to Nemo Road.
The Sabo Patino FLPMA Forest Road Permit
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/09/2012  10/2012 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.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.