An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
The Projects page shows current and proposed projects on the Black Hills National Forest for watershed restoration, habitat improvement, recreation sites, timber sales, roads, and more. Projects on the Black Hills National Forest follow guidelines under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This was signed into law on January 1, 1970.
Note: Not all projects may appear on map. See list below for complete list of projects with more information or documentation.
SOPA Reports
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) contains a list of proposed
actions for Black Hills National Forest that will soon begin or are currently undergoing environmental
analysis and documentation. It provides information so that you can become
aware of and indicate your interest in specific proposals. We encourage your
early and ongoing involvement in any proposals of interest to you.
Off Road Riders has requested special use permits for a series of ATV events to be held on authorized motorized trails on the Northern Hills and Mystic Ranger Districts during the summer of 2016. These permits would be valid for one year.
The Days of 76 Wagon Train occurs every other year. The wagon train follows Forest roads that are open to the public. This year's route begins in Wyoming and travels east and north to Deadwood. Overnight camp sites are located on private land.
Over the snow grooming of fat bike trails across the Northern Hills Ranger District for use during the 2018/2019 winter season (December 15 through March 31, depending on snow conditions).
The BHSU rockclimbing club has requested a 1 year permit to conduct a rockclimbing competition on established routes on the Sunshine Wall near Cheyenne Crossing, SD.
CANCELLED - REQUEST RESCINDED. The organizers of the Black Hills Gold Endurance ride, which is a competitive two-day horse endurance ride, have requested a new five-year special use permit to replace their existing permit, which is set to expire.
The BHSU rock climbing club (CRUX) has requested a one year temporary permit to conduct a rock climbing competition in Spearfish Canyon on established climbing routes near Savoy, SD.
Replacement of a concrete bridge deck located on FSR 140 across Boxelder Creek. The existing deck would be removed by crane and a new pre-fabricated concrete deck would be installed by crane. No work would occur in the creek.
Forest management to encourage ecological diversity, primarily focusing on enhancement of aspen and meadow areas and movement of pine toward structural stage objectives.
Project to primarily salvage harvest beetle infected and/or killed trees to reduce the extent of a rapidly spreading bark beetle infestation and recover value of beetle-hit trees; increase forest health resiliency and reduce risk of wildfire.
CANCELLED - REQUEST RESCINDED. Issuance of a road use permit to allow a private landowner to haul timber harvested from private land across National Forest System (NFS)land on a NFS road.
This project includes diamond core drilling at up to 42 drill sites, access road maintenance (as needed), drill pad clearing (as needed), and reclamation activities.
The Black Hills National Forest is considering authorizing a 20 year FLPMA Special Use Permit for Lead-Deadwood Sanitation District to access proposed roads that lead to the LDSD Pipeline system.
Maintenance of the Little Spearfish and Old Baldy trails, including installation of lead-off ditches to divert water from the trails and repair of the section of Little Spearfish trail through Ranger Draw, which was used for a recent timber sale.
Mineral Mt. Resources is proposing an exploration drilling project in the Rochford Area. Mineral Mt. proposes to construct a total of 21 drill sites. Generally the drill pads will be approximately 25 ft. x 40 ft. The approx. disturbed area is 2 acres
Several existing trails across the NHRD have been proposed for winter use by fat bike riders. These trails would be groomed for fat bike use from December 1 through March 31, as snow conditions allow.
Off Road Riders ATV club holds two poker runs each year in June and September. These events are held on motorized trails open to public use. The events have been held for several years under temporary permits. The club is seeking a five year permit.
The USFS requested 20,574 acres of NFS lands be withdrawn (closed) to all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the mining laws, mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and public land laws, subject to valid existing rights
Pete Lien and Sons has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling southwest of Rochford, SD. Up to 18 holes would be drilled in search of graphite materials. Each hole would be 3 inches in diameter and up to 1,000ft. deep.
Approximately 2,800 acres of treatment are being considered in mixed conifer stands with a major spruce component. Treatments would be designed to meet a restoration objective of increasing the amount of ponderosa pine and aspen in the area.
Solitario Resources has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling at up to 43 sites in the Long Draw area, east of Spearfish Canyon and south of Cheyenne Crossing. No mining would occur under this proposal.
The purpose and need of this project is to improve forest health and increase resiliency within the project area to wildfire and insect disease using a variety of commercial and non-commercial treatments.
We are proposing conifer thinning, timber stand improvement, prescribed fire, planting efforts, as well as enhancements to watersheds, riparian areas, and wildlife habitats.
The project is proposing to modify the original decision pertaining to the waterflow intake and water source as documented in the Decision Notice signed in 2012. The proposed action would allow for increased waterflow through the existing pipeline.
Step Outdoors has requested a special use permit to guide up to 5 hikers on a hike of the entire length of the Centennial Trail, excluding the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and Black Elk Wilderness. The hike would occur in early June.
Would allow for tent camping at Strawberry Hill Picnic Ground, which was historically a campground. Fire rings and picnic tables would be installed at tent sites.
The proponent has requested a one-year special use permit to conduct a marathon that would begin at Cement Ridge in WY and follow National Forest System roads and US Hwy 14 to the finish in Spearfish, SD.
Reroute of the Tinton trail in the Robison Gulch area to move the trail away from the creek bottom. The reroute would reduce the number of stream crossings and subsequent impacts to the creek.
Two sections of motorized trail 8500 are located along Jim Creek and damage to the riparian area and trail is occurring due to cattle and recreational use. Gabion baskets and buck and rail fence would be installed to mitigate damage to the stream.
Two sections of motorized trail 8500 are located along Jim Creek and damage to the riparian area and trail is occurring due to cattle and recreational use. Gabion baskets and buck and rail fence would be installed to mitigate damage to the stream.
Project activities would address forest health and fuels management concerns in the project area. Potential treatment options include prescribed burning, commercial and noncommercial thinning, planting/seeding, and slash treatments.
To amend the existing Plan of Operations for Pacer Corporation. Involves constructing an alterante access and loading area, reconstruct existing access. Some merchantable trees would need to be removed to clear the area.
This project would amend the special use permit for Wonderland Cave to allow the owners use of a National Forest System road to transport visitors from Vanocker Canyon Road to the cave.
The purpose of the Zeppelin Project is to increase the resiliency of forest landscapes to mountain pine beetle outbreaks and the potential for high severity wildfires by implementing vegetation treatments that would thin dense pine stands.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.
Climate Change Adaptation
Carbon Stewardship
Environmental Justice
Facility Management
Research
Fuels Management
Heritage Resource Management
Land Ownership Management
Land Acquisition
Minerals And Geology
Unknown
Land Management Planning
Projects That May Affect Wilderness (For Mailing List Contacts)
Road Management
Grazing Management
Regulations, Directives, Orders
Special Area Management
Recreation Management
Special Use Management
Forest Products
Vegetation Management (Other Than Forest Products)
