Assessment Phase

The Black Hills National Forest has initiated the Land Management Plan revision process, pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) and as directed by the National Forest Management Act of 1976. The first phase of revision involves the drafting of several resource assessments. The assessment phase of forest planning calls for a rapid evaluation of existing information about relevant ecological, economic, and social conditions, trends, and sustainability. Analyzing this information will provide insight into the relationship between the current land management plan and the context of the broader landscape. These assessments represent several different resource areas, and  will lay the ground work and transition information and knowledge into plan development (phase 2) and then the monitoring (phase 3) of the process.

The Draft Assessments include:

• Aquatic, Riparian and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
• Insects, Disease, and Invasive Species
  • Map 1
  • Map 2
  • Map 3
  • Map 4
  • Map 5
  • Map 6
  • Map 7
• Soils and Watersheds
• Socioeconomics (ecosystem services, multiple uses)
• At Risk Species
• Recreation Settings, Opportunities, and Scenic Character
  • Map 1
  • Map 2
  • Map 3
• Land Status, Ownership, Use, and Access Patterns
  • Map
• Existing Special and Potential Designated Areas
  • Map
• Potential Wilderness Inventory
  • Map
• Infrastructure
• Ecological Integrity of Forested Ecosystems: Status and Trend
• Ecological Integrity of Non-Forested Ecosystems: Status and Trend
• Air Quality
• Fire and Fuels
• Cultural Resources
• Timber
• Rangeland Management 
• Baseline Carbon Stocks
• Areas of Tribal Importance
• Energy and Minerals
• Wild & Scenic Rivers
  • Map 1
  • Map 2
• Climate change vulnerability in the Black Hills National Forest (DRAFT) - This assessment was prepared by the Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center/Pacific Northwest Research Station. While it is not a required assessment per the 2012 Planning Rule, the Black Hills NF was fortunate to have this document prepared and we would like to make it available for public review along with the other draft assessments. Many of the assessment reports used information from this climate report and cited the document. Climate change is an important issue that will continue to be considered as we move through the Forest Plan revision process. 

Notice of Intent to Begin Assessment Phase

• News Release: Black Hills National Forest to Initiate Forest Plan Revision Process (Oct. 14, 2021)
• Federal Register Notice (Oct. 15, 2021)
• News Release: Black Hills National Forest Seeks Comments on Forest Plan Revision Draft Assessments (June 17, 2022)