Benchmark Vegetation Management Project, Black Hills National Forest. Comment deadline unknown
There will not be a comment period on the Benchmark Vegetation Management Project until the future – MID MAY
Here is a quote from the Forest Services Letter we received on this project
“This letter is intended to give you early notification of the Benchmark project. It is not initiating a
comment period. Information about this project can be found on the Black Hills National Forest website
(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/68498). A comment period will be offered with the
release of the Draft Environmental Assessment, which is expected to be available in mid-May.”…..
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The Benchmark Project is being analyzed under the provisions of the Emergency Action Determination
(EAD) under Section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. EAD authorities can be
applied to projects that pre-emptively address the potential impacts of natural disturbances, such as
wildfire and insect infestation, to nearby communities and National Forest System lands that have been
identified as being in an emergency situation. The Benchmark project area is in such a landscape as
determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. The EAD provisions expedite implementation of eligible
projects by eliminating the objection process under 36 CFR 218.………
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“The Black Hills National Forest, Northern Hills Ranger District (NHRD), is preparing an environmental
assessment (EA) for the Benchmark Vegetation Management Project (Benchmark Project), located south
of Lead-Deadwood, SD, west of Vanocker Canyon Road, north of Benchmark Road and Custer Crossing
Road, and east of Rochford Road.
The purpose of the Benchmark project is to implement forest management actions to provide commercial
timber to local industry, reduce hazardous fuels, and reduce the risk of insect infestation.”
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We assume a 30 day comment period will be offered in mid May, which would make the comment deadline mid June. We are assigning a comment deadline of June 15th, 2026, but that is theorectical. WE DON’T YET KNOW THE DEADLINE
Information can be found on the project webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/68498