Projects
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.
Forest Service Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) for the Black Hills National Forest
For furthur information, e-mail or call (605) 673-9200.
Black Hills National Forest Current and Recent Projects
Developing Proposal
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Buffalo Forest Health
Forest management to encourage ecological diversity, primarily focusing on enhancement of aspen and meadow areas and movement of pine toward structural stage objectives.
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Little Spearfish Trail Restoration
Two separate trails in the Little Spearfish Watershed are in need of rehabilitation, maintenance, and alterations. Little Spearfish Trail has a section of flooding that is proposed to be rerouted. The 76 Trail requires updated water bars and signs.
Under Analysis
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Beaver Creek Riparian Restoration 2025
Restoration of a section of Beaver Creek using low-tech process-based techniques.
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Davis Hazardous Fuels Reduction
Thinning of ponderosa pine adjacent to non-Forest Service ownership to reduce fire hazard.
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Fort Forest Management Project
Thinning, prescribed fire, watershed improvements, oak management, and wildlife habitat improvement
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Frass Forest Health Project
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.
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Lead-Deadwood Sanitation District Road Access SUP
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.
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North Sand Vegetation Management
Thinning, prescribed fire, and oak management
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Ridgeback Vegetation Management Project
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.
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Sawbuck Forest Management Project
We are proposing conifer thinning, timber stand improvement, prescribed fire, planting efforts, as well as enhancements to watersheds, riparian areas, and wildlife habitats.
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Trail 8500 Riparian Area Repairs
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.
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Zeppelin Forest Health
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.
Analysis Completed
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2016 ATV Recreation Events
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.
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2016 Snowmobile Trail Reroutes
Reroutes of snowmobile trails 1, 2A and 7 to alleviate safety concerns and to mitigate impacts to some trails from planned logging activities.
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2017 Snowmobile Trail Reroutes
Reroute/maintenance of three snowmobile trails to address safety and resource concerns.
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2018 Days of 76 Wagon Train Special Use Permit
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.
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2018 Northern Hills Fat Bike Trails
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).
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BHSU Rockclimbing Competition
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.
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Black Hills State University Climbing Competition
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.
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Boxelder Creek Bridge Deck Replacement
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.
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Custer County Conservation District Sign renewal
Reissuance of a sign permit for the Custer County Conservation District.
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Golden Crest Exploration Drilling
Solitario Resources has proposed exploratory drilling activities at 25 drill sites in the Big Hill and Limestone Plateau areas south of Spearfish, SD. No mining is proposed, only exploratory drilling.
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Little Spearfish/Old Baldy Trail Maintenance
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.
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Northern Hills Fat Bike Trails
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.
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Pactola Reservoir - Rapid Creek Watershed Withdrawal
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
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Shotgun Forest Management
Timber harvest, thinning, and associated road maintenance and improvement.
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South Slope Winter Burning
Prescribed broadcast burning of south-facing slopes in winter.
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Southern Black Hills Water System Supplemental EA
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.
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Steamboat Rock Fire Rings
Installation of ground fire rings at Steamboat Rock Picnic Ground to allow tent campers to build campfires.
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Step Outdoors Outfitter and Guide Permit
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.
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Strawberry Hill Picnic Ground Tent Camping
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.
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Sundance to Spearfish Marathon Special Use Permit
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.
On Hold
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Jenny Gulch Exploration Drilling Project
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.
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Ponderosa Exploration Drilling
Solitario Resources has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling at up to 49 sites in the Long Draw area, east of Spearfish Canyon and south of Cheyenne Crossing. No mining would occur under this proposal.
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Trail 8500 Riparian Area Repairs
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.
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Westside Vegetation Management
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.
Cancelled
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Bear Lodge Project
Development of rare earth minerals mine. This project has been suspended.
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Black Hills Gold Endurance Ride Permit Renewal
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.
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Devil's Bathtub Trail
Project canceled until land ownership issues can be resolved.
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Gengler Road Use Permit
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.
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Mineral Mt. Resources Rochford Project
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
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Morton Access Road
Access to private property
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Off Road Riders Poker Runs Special Use Permit
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.
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Pine and Aspen Restoration Project
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.
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Reuter Motorized Trail
Project not carried forward due to wildlife concerns. Do Not Publish on SOPA
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Rocky Homeowners' Association Easement
FLPMA Private Road Easement to memebers of the Rocky Homeowners' Association
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Tinton Trail Robison Gulch Reroute
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.
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Under Canvas Sign Permit
Under Canvas has requested the posting of a direction sign on public lands to assist their customers in finding their way to the business.
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White Elephant Mine Amendment
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.
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Wolf Track Improvement District FLPMA Easement
FLPMA Private road easement issued to the Wolf Track Improvement District
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Wonderland Cave SUP Amendment
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.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.