BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Prairie Hills Audubon Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://phas-wsd.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prairie Hills Audubon Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20220313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20221106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230925T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230925T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230907T061552Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231007T013723Z UID:8694-1695685800-1695686340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment deadline on Spruce Draft Environmental Assessment\, BHNF DESCRIPTION:Comment Period on Spruce Draft Environmental Assessment\, BHNF originally ended on Monday\, Sept 25th. The Forest Service later (on 10/2/23)  granted a 4 day extension till Friday October 6th. Go to Oct. 6th calendar day alert for info on that. Comments are e-mailed to Matthew Daily for later (10/6/23) deadline Matthew.Daily@usda.gov. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/spruce-comment-deadline-is-extended/ \nLink to view documents > – https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=61599 \nThere are a bunch of documents to unload – The Draft EA & 11 specialist reports. \nFirst below is an alert from the Norbeck Society and then a quote from the BHNF. \nPlease note\, Forest Service comment deadlines that would fall on weekends or Holidays (due to  counting days from announcement) move to the next working day\, so the deadline is the 25th\, not the 23rd. It actually says the 25th in the public notice.  If sending by e-mail\, do so a bit before midnight\, which is the deadline. \nOn Friday afternoon of the 22nd\,  Saturday  23rd and Sunday 24th\, the FS portal for Spruce was not working.  It was fixed on late afternoon  of Monday 25th (3:11 pm or earlier)\,.. This e-mail  is Matt Daily’s – Matthew.Daily@usda.gov –  if you want to complain about impact of the web site not working on you or if you want to send comments directly to him. \nPHAS sent a letter requesting an extension. If they give that\, it will be for 30 days. You can download documents once again and Nancy Hilding (nhilding@rapidnet.com) has a copy of the documents\, if anyone wants them e-mailed by her directly. \nAlso\, the Reading Room is still available and contains comments submitted up to the time that the project webpage failed (Friday afternoon).:  US Forest Service NEPA Project Public Reading Room (usda.gov) \nQuote from the Norbeck Society’s Alert: \n“Important Comment Opportunity – Spruce Project comments due Sept. 23 [25th] \nBlack Hills Projects lead to Timber Harvests on our already overcut forest – please take a moment to submit your comments! \nThe Black Hills National Forest proposes management activities on approximately 3\,614 acres in mixed conifer stands. \nThe modified proposed action includes: \n\n@493 acres overstory removal with reserves\n831 ac. shelterwood\n888 ac. commercial thinning\n720 ac. group selection\n682 ac. precommercial thinning restoration\n\nAssociated road activities being proposed include: \n\n@41 miles temporary road construction and closure\n22 miles of road reconstruction\, and road maintenance\n\nBlack Hills National Forest is requesting your comments on the Spruce Project (click here).This comes after an initial scoping comment period in March 2022 when around 170 people (overwhelmingly in opposition to the project) wrote comments. This public attention made a big difference: the project was reduced from about 20\,000 acres of spruce logging to 3600 acres. While to their credit\, Forest Service scaled the project down significantly\, there is still substantial reason to be concerned and in opposition to the project for these reasons: \n\nThe Spruce Project potentially authorizes more unsustainable logging simply to appease the timber industry\, without care for the needs of the forest.\nAccording to the Forest Plan\, the Forest Service is supposed to provide diverse habitats (and tree sizes and densities) to provide for a variety of life. However\, in the majority of proposed cuts\, the spruce project removes the few remaining dense stands that are essential for plant and wildlife habitats. These are currently islands of ecological integrity that we can’t afford to lose. The Spruce project leads to contiguous disturbed\, cut-over forest.\nThe Spruce Project proposes that Spruce should be cut out of these areas in order to plant pines for future harvests. However\, Forest Service has already recently over-committed to replanting trees to the tune of thousands of acres with no hope of actual achievement (Alvin\, Simon\, and Theodore Projects: 3500 acres\, Artemis Project: 2000 acres\, Moskee Burn Project: 250 acres\, Fish Fire Project: 600 acres\, for a total of about 6350 acres. This is in addition to the ongoing Jasper Fire (2000) replanting. Basically\, planting of pine in these areas will not happen for a long time because of a deficit of seedlings\, infrastructure\, and personnel.\nHistorically and recently\, industry does not want spruce because it is an inferior wood product. If the Spruce project goes forward\, and if planting takes place in 50 years\, a pine product may be available for harvest in about the year 2175. Meanwhile\, we have lost these intact forests that are the wells of biodiversity we hope can move back into the already-cut areas around them over time.\nSpruce forests do not suffer from Mountain pine beetle outbreaks\, and mixed Spruce-Pine forests have been determined to be more resistant to Mountain pine beetle. Many mixed pine and spruce stand have been logged and the (undesirable-to-industry) spruce was left behind. So\, Pine was removed from Spruce and now they want to remove Spruce from Pine?? This is nonsensical. Example from 2018 southwest of Black Fox:\nDamage to soils and water tables can take a century or more to recover from logging. Logging disturbance is of a magnitude greater than historical disturbances on the forest. The Black Hills have been recently logged at an unprecedented rate.\nAdd the reasons you want to keep your Spruce and mixed Spruce forests!\n\nBelow is a direct quote from the BHNF: \n“Release Date: Aug 28\, 2023 \nContact(s): Media Contact: Scott Jacobson\, 605-440-1409 \nCuster\, S.D.\, Aug. 28\, 2023 – The Black Hills National Forest is announcing the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Spruce Vegetation Management Project and is seeking public comment on the proposed project. \nThe project is located on National Forest System lands south of Spearfish Canyon\, east of the Wyoming/South Dakota border\, north of the Crazy Horse Memorial and west of Interstate 90. \nThe project includes management activities on approximately 3\,614 acres in mixed conifer stands. The modified proposed action includes approximately 493 acres of overstory removal with reserves\, 831 acres of shelterwood\, 888 acres of commercial thinning\, 720 acres of group selection\, and 682 acres of precommercial thinning restoration. \nThe purpose of the project is to re-establish ponderosa pine and aspen in mixed conifer stands currently dominated by spruce; increase structural heterogeneity in spruce stands lacking age and size class diversity; provide site-specific fuels reduction to protect infrastructure at risk and create defensible space; and provide economic support to local communities. \nComments are encouraged to be specific\, within the scope of the project\, have a direct relationship to the proposed project activities\, and include supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider (36 CFR 218). The 30-day comment period for this project started with the publication of the legal notice in the Rapid City Journal on Aug. 24\, 2023. The comment period will end on Sep. 25\, 2023. \nComments can be submitted electronically through the project webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=61599.  Written comments may be submitted to: Matt Daily\, Black Hills National Forest\, 1019 N. 5th Street Custer\, SD 57730; or can be dropped off in person (Monday through Friday\, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.\, excluding holidays). \nFor more information on the Black Hills National Forest\, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills\, follow the Forest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhillsnf or Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackHillsNF.” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-spruce-draft-environmental-assessment-bhnf/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230928T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230928T204000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230927T213246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T221050Z UID:8887-1695925800-1695933600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Sierra Club Hybrid Meeting on Mining Threats to Rapid Creek Watershed DESCRIPTION:Black Hills Group of Sierra Club is hosting a program on protecting the Rapid Creek watershed from mining and exploration  — Thursday \, Oct 28th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Outdoor Campus – West in Rapid City.   Suzanne Martley (an environmental attorney) will lead the discussion.  \nThis is a hybrid meeting ….Suzanne will be online by 6:15 p.m. to let folks into the chat.\n──────────\nSuzanne Martley is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.Join Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89229868938?pwd=Mll0emV6WGc5L3kybjYyVmlreGx3QT09Meeting ID: 892 2986 8938\nPasscode: 569293\n— \nOne tap mobile\n+12532050468\,\,89229868938#\,\,\,\,*569293# US\n+12532158782\,\,89229868938#\,\,\,\,*569293# US (Tacoma)\n—\nDial by your location\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n• +1 646 931 3860 US\n• +1 689 278 1000 US \nMeeting ID: 892 2986 8938\nPasscode: 569293 \nFind your local number:https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ken56p6O5J \n────────── URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sierra-club-hybrid-meeting-on-mining-threats-to-rapid-creek-watershed/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230929T213000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230929T215900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230816T193251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230928T185416Z UID:8475-1696023000-1696024740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Comment on Biden Administration's Proposed Changes to NEPA DESCRIPTION:Biden’s White House’s  Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a proposed rule-making on 31 July 2023 to implement Congress’s changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) recently enacted in the Fiscal Responsibility Act & also to complete Phase 2 of its’ rewrite of Trump’s rewrite of NEPA. The proposed rule is open for public comment through Friday\, 29 September 2023. \nIf you scroll down to the bottom on the alert\, a simple pre-fab comment letter is available there. \nTo learn about in more depth –  summaries of changes proposed.-  visit these links. \nhttps://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-white-house-continues-to-advance-6435510/ \nhttps://eelp.law.harvard.edu/2023/08/nepa-phase2-proposal/ \nA red line version of proposed rule change: \nhttps://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/CEQ-Regulations-Redline-for-Proposed-Rule.pdf \nNancy (nhilding@rapidnet.com\, 605-787-6466) can also send a link to a sign-on letter for groups\, organized by Earth Justice – any groups wanting to sign on must do so by  COB on Thursday 9/28/23.\n\n\nThe CEQ will hold virtual public meetings on the proposal on Saturday\, 26 August; Wednesday\, 30 August; Monday\, 11 September; and Thursday\, 21 September.“ \nFor more on the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s impact on NEPA\, please see alert on the topic found here. – https://www.klgates.com/Debt-Ceiling-Legislation-Serves-as-a-Vehicle-for-Substantive-Changes-to-NEPA-6-5-2023 \nSee Press Release\, Biden-⁠Harris Administration Proposes Reforms to Modernize Environmental Reviews\, Accelerate America’s Clean Energy Future\, and Strengthen Public Input\, Visit the White House at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/news-updates/2023/07/28/biden-harris-administration-proposes-reforms-to-modernize-environmental-reviews-accelerate-americas-clean-energy-future-and-strengthen-public-input/ (July 28\, 2023). \nOr visit –  88 Fed Reg. 49924 (July 31\, 2023). \nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/31/2023-15405/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-regulations-revisions-phase-2\nCEQ will look to Executive Orders 12898 and 14096 to guide its application of environmental justice. \n\n============================== \n\nHOW TO COMMENT: \nThe deadline is received in Washington DC just before midnight EST (11:59 pm EST). \nYou may submit comments\, identified by docket number CEQ–2023–0003\, by any of the following methods: \n• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. \n• Fax: 202–456–6546. \n• Mail: Council on Environmental Quality\, 730 Jackson Place NW\, Washington\, DC 20503. \nInstructions: All submissions received must include the agency name\, “Council on Environmental Quality\,” and docket number\, CEQ–2023–0003\, for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov\, including any personal information provided. Please do not submit electronically any information you consider private\, Confidential Business Information (CBI)\, or other information\, the disclosure of which is restricted by statute. \nDocket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received\, go to https://www.regulations.gov. \n======== \nFor more info: Amy B. Coyle\, Deputy General Counsel\, 202–395–5750\, Amy.B.Coyle@ceq.eop.gov  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n===============================================\nSIMPLE COMMENTS\n===================================================\nQuote from Food & Water Watch alert:\n\n\n“The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)\, one of America’s most important environmental laws\, empowers affected communities and the public to raise concerns about the environmental impacts of proposed projects involving federal activity. \nBut in 2020\, the Trump administration drastically limited NEPA’s effectiveness to fast-track dirty projects\, limit review of climate change impacts\, and keep communities in the dark. The Biden administration has worked to reverse many of these dangerous rollbacks\, and is currently accepting public comment on new proposed regulations. \nTo continue to reverse Trump’s damage\, we need the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to strengthen and quickly finalize the proposed regulations\, which will help ensure frontline communities have a way to fight polluting projects that threaten our air\, water\, and climate. \nSubmit your comment on Regulations.gov before the deadline on September 29. Tell the Council on Environmental Quality: It’s time to fully restore NEPA rules! \nSubmitting a comment to Regulations.gov is easy. \n\nClick any link in this email to be taken to the regulations.gov page.\nProvide your information.\nClick “Submit Comment.”\n\nHere is some sample comment language to get you started: \nI urge the Council on Environmental Quality to strengthen and quickly finalize the new proposed National Environmental Policy Act regulations to help ensure frontline communities have a way to fight polluting projects that threaten our air\, water\, and climate. “ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-biden-administrations-proposed-changes-to-nepa/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230930T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230930T180000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230928T193838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230928T194416Z UID:8922-1696082400-1696096800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:The Drive Electric EV Car Event - Rapid City DESCRIPTION:The City of Rapid City’s Standing Committee on Sustainability is honored to sponsor The Drive Electric EV Car Event that will be held again this year in Rapid City in conjunction with the Cruiser Car Show to be held at Main Street Square from 2-6 pm on Saturday\, September 30\, 2023.  The EVs will be on the 6th Street side. \n\n\nSeveral different makes and models of Electric Vehicles will be on display.  Owners of the vehicles and members of the Sustainability Committee will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions. \n\n“National Drive Electric Week is presented by Plug In America\, The Electric Vehicle Association\, The Sierra Club\, EVHybridNoire\, and Drive Electric USA”   For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events\, visit:DriveElectricWeek.org \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-drive-electric-ev-car-event-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231001T233000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231001T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230930T182816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230930T185418Z UID:8954-1696203000-1696204740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Send Written Comments to SDGFP Commission DESCRIPTION:Just before  midnight MT is the legal deadline to send written comments to the SDGFP.  Even though it is illegal when meeting occurs in MT location\, SDGFP’s Artificial Intelligence may cut off the comment period at midnight CT.  If they don’t include your comment sent before midnight 11:59 MT\, it is illegal and you can complain. Comments received by the deadline are included in the Commission book & public record for October (5th-6th) 2023.  Comments received afterwards go to the November public record. \nComments can be directly sent to each commissioner at their e-mails\, 365 day of the year\, or you can postal mail or call them directly\, but such comments don’t go in the public record.  Go to our alerts on Commission meetings both future and past for issues associated with Commission. On Thursday they will be considering a petition for rule making on hound hunting of raccoons. If accepted it will move forward to rule making with a finalization hearing likely at the December meeting. \nPHAS will object to this. \nAgenda of Oct 5th-6th \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/October_2023_Commission_Agenda_[Public_Copy].pdf \nHound hunting of raccoons petition: \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Petition_203_-_Nonresident_Raccoon_Hunting_with_Hounds.pdf \nFinalization – Free admittance at Parks some days\, Hunt for Habitat rules \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FINAL_Mothers_Fathers_Day_PEL_Exemption_Repeal.pdf \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FIN_2023_Hunt_for_Habitat.pdf \nTo find public comment web page \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-send-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231004T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231005T173000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230616T173716Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230616T173757Z UID:8016-1696410000-1696527000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Water Management Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Below are the Water Management Board meetings tentatively scheduled for the remainder of 2023. \nOctober 4-5\, 2023 \nDecember 6-7\, 2023 \nPlease check the Boards and Commissions Portal a week to 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting date to confirm.  Here is the link to the portal: \nhttps://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106 \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-water-management-board-meeting-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231005T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231006T120000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230424T211912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231019T185702Z UID:6922-1696510800-1696593600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission October 2023 Meeting DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission October Meeting was in Deadwood and occurred on Thursday 5th and Friday the 6th of October 2023. It will be hybrid and Zoom links will be available.  More details will be posted later\, but as it gets close to the meeting – for details watch: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nWritten comments are due before midnight on the Sunday night before the meeting. \nYou can testify in person or by Zoom\, at 2 pm MT. \nGo to past event calendar alerts on Commission meetings for more notes on general  Commission meeting procedure. \nThe finalization for Mountain Lion season (public hearing and Commission vote on proposal) that was planned for October\, did not occur in October. The Commission killed the rule proposal from public petition at September meeting. \nVisit PHAS  Mountain Lion alert or our alert in events calendar for the July & September Commission meeting for details. \nWe still ask people write or testify in opposition to hound hunting of  cougars and raccoons\, as the Commission seems to want to allow hounding hunting in the Black Hills Fire Protection District by a different & future action.  There was a petition for rule making presented and considered on allowing hound hunting of raccoons for out-of-state hunters.  This petition was denied – it seemed that the vocal Commissioners wanted a rule to allow out-of-state hound hunters\, but were not happy with how the petitioner designed the rule to permit this. \nYear-round hunting of raccoons by hounds\, boot hunt or traps is currently allowed in SD by residents.  Non-residents can only kill for a few months in the winter (Dec-March) when fur pelts thick\, and can’t use  hounds. SDCL https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/41-6-23   Administrative rules – https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/41:08:01:08.02 \nSDGFP’s raccoon web page at SDGFP https://gfp.sd.gov/raccoon/    \nSDCL on hounds can’t be used for big game\, except Mt Lions as allowed by the Commission:\, SDCL 41-8-15\, https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/41-8-15 \nMountain lion hunting restrictions https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/41:06:61:06 \nSee our alert on NPBP.  Nest predator bounty program (NPBP) applies to raccoons\, which are species most frequently killed by NPBP bounty hunters. https://phas-wsd.org/sd-nest-predator-bounty-program/ \nREPORT ON ACTIONS \nThe Commission modified the licenses offered through the Hunt for Habitat raffle package (Custer State Park Bison\, Any Deer and Any Deer/Elk). The any antelope licenses were removed from the previous three license packages\, and two any deer licenses were added to provide an opportunity for two additional license options\, with a total of nine licenses issued.. \nThe Commission tabled action on this topic of getting rid of one day fishing license until the November meeting to allow for additional public comment opportunity. \nThe Commission killed  petition for rule making to allow  out-of-state hound hunters of raccoons\, but this was not opposition to the general concept\, but objection to how the proposed rule was written. \nYou can go to the archives to listen to audio of past Commission meetings – https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/archives/ \nIf you have a Macintosh\, you may need to download free audio files translation software for Macs\, to open PC audio files. \nAgenda of Oct 5th-6th \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/October_2023_Commission_Agenda_[Public_Copy].pdf \nHound hunting of raccoons by non-residents petition: \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Petition_203_-_Nonresident_Raccoon_Hunting_with_Hounds.pdf \nFinalization – Free admittance at Parks some days\, Hunt for Habitat rules \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FINAL_Mothers_Fathers_Day_PEL_Exemption_Repeal.pdf \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FIN_2023_Hunt_for_Habitat.pdf \nTo find public comment web page \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the next meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to record of the next meeting.  Go to our November Calendar for alerts on November Commission meeting – https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-november-2023-meeting/ \nYou can testify at GFP meetings which are held in person and by Zoom\, generally at 2 pm on the Thursday of the meeting\, in time zone of the meeting. \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us\, “charles.spring@state.sd.us”  \,\nThe two new commissioners  e-mails likely are:\nJim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us\, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-october-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231006T233000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231006T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231003T164109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T165435Z UID:9018-1696635000-1696636740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Spruce comment deadline is extended DESCRIPTION:Comment deadline on Spruce project  was extended until Friday\, October 06\, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MT. This is because the webpage for the project (including the commenting portal) was not working  for part of Friday\, all of Saturday and Sunday and part of Monday\, when comments were due on Monday the 25th. This was a  nation wide issue for Forest Service  for some of their web pagess.\n\nToni Strauss\, Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest and the Responsible Official for the Spruce Vegetation Management Project (Spruce Project)\, has decided to offer a four-day\, additional period to comment on the draft environmental assessment (EA) for the project due to a temporary outage of the Forest Service’s project website.\n  \nThe Black Hills National Forest is proposing management activities on approximately 3\,614 acres in mixed conifer stands. Proposed treatments include approximately 493 acres of overstory removal with reserves\, 831 acres of shelterwood\, 888 acres of commercial thinning\, 720 acres of group selection\, and 682 acres of precommercial thinning restoration. Associated road activities being proposed include approximately 41 miles of temporary road construction/closure\, 22 miles of road reconstruction\, and a couple hundred miles of road maintenance \nThe Spruce Project draft EA and supporting documents are available on the project webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=61599. \nYou can read comments already submitted here both during scoping and on the draft EA (the project was larger at scoping).: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//ReadingRoom?Project=61599 \nPHAS  has submitted comments as has the Norbeck Society. \nThe following options are available for submitting comments: \n\nEmail comments to: matthew.daily@usda.gov\nHardcopy comments can be mailed\, or hand delivered (Tuesday through Friday\, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. mountain time\, excluding holidays):\n\nToni Strauss\, Deputy Forest Supervisor \nBlack Hills National Forest \nAttn: Matthew Daily (Spruce Project) \n1019 N. 5th Street \nCuster\, SD 57730 \n(605) 673-9200 \n\nFax comments to (605) 673-9350. Cover page needs to include “Comments for Spruce Project\, Attn: Matthew Daily.”\n\nThank you for taking time to review the proposed Spruce Project and submitting comments. Additional information can be obtained from: Matthew Daily\, Natural Resources Staff Officer\, (605) 673-9313\, matthew.daily@usda.gov. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/spruce-comment-deadline-is-extended/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231008T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231008T170000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231007T185424Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231007T185424Z UID:9104-1696762800-1696784400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society Annual Meeting & Picnic DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, October 8\, 11:00 a.m. Annual Picnic at Steamboat Rock Picnic Area\, Nemo Road (18 miles northwest of Rapid City or 3.4 miles southeast of Nemo). There will be a potluck and the annual report. There is plenty of room to park along the closed gate. Potluck picnic – bring a dish to share and bring a chair. There’ll be a report on happenings and achievements of the past year and time to enjoy each other’s company in a beautiful Black Hills setting. \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-annual-meeting-picnic/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231012T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231012T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231001T225215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231001T225215Z UID:8995-1697133600-1697142600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society Zoom meeting on Milkweed Hybridization DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, October 12\, 6:00 p.m. – Norbeck Presents an evening Zoom with National Science Foundation grant recipient Dr. Carrie Olson-Manning\, Associate Professor of Biology & Computer Science\, Augustana University:  “The Science of Milkweed Hybridization: What happens to genomes and biochemical networks when species hybridize?” \nZoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88173621695?pwd=eVlRZ3lSQ1BhUzVGUmN3akE0bTJ4QT09 \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-zoom-meeting-on-milkweed-hybridization/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231016T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231016T120000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230927T024335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230929T224917Z UID:8864-1697446800-1697457600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Field Trip on Forestry Basics DESCRIPTION:Field Trip on Forestry Basics \nMonday\, Oct 16th\, 2023\, 9 am\nA car caravan will be organized in a dirt parking area along highway 385\, just south of the entrance to Crazy Horse Monument & north of Custer\, SD.\n\nDave Mertz\, a retired forester from the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF)\, will  drive around the forest with us. Dave is a former Natural Resource Staff Officer for BHNF – a major leadership position at the BHNF.\n\n The purpose is to learn about forestry. We will  make about 4-5  brief stops to see stands selected to highlight various forest management techniques\, terminology & the management choices made by the BHNF.   Attendees can ask a retired BHNF  forester questions about timber management by the BHNF and discuss issues with group.  Please bring water and snacks.\n\n This event is co-sponsored by PHAS & the Norbeck Society.  This will be the third year we have such a field trip in October.\n \n\nWe also refer folks to the Norbeck Society web page on timber issues\, to learn about the issues – this web page explains issues in a simple\, easy to understand way.  The Black Hills National Forest is cutting trees at a rate that is not sustainable. This is a violation of law.\nhttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d8ce039c0ab56657254042d/t/64963a42963cea10ced1ec16/1687566940885/Timber_NS.pdf\n\nHere are some group letters to the Forest service\, asking for changes in management that explain issues\, in much greater detail and complexity\n\n\n\n\n\nJune 16th\, 2021 letter to BHNF Supervisor\nhttps://www.scribd.com/document/512534528/Black-Hills-NF-Must-Supplement-BHRl-Cease-MPBR-FINAL-2021-06-16?secret_password=kr9JAVr067pAo3eto4Lg\n\n\n\nMay 17\, 2021 letter  to Regional Forester https://www.scribd.com/document/512536547/Letter-to-R2-RF-Re-Black-Hills-NF-Meeting-Followup-2021-05-17-FINAL?secret_password=A9TR4yh8N7rtSEhgBaFv\n\nMay 12\, 2021 letter’s attachment\nhttps://www.scribd.com/document/512536561/Timber-Sale-Analysis-Spring-2021-FINAL-2021-05-12?secret_password=gmxBITVD1r1BDZQ5Mz2A\n\n\nFebruary 16th\, 2021 letter to Regional Forester \nhttps://www.scribd.com/document/499857016/2021-02-16-BHNF-Regional-Office-Meet-Request-Re-BHNF-Sustained-Yield  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/field-trip-on-forestry-basics/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-09-27-at-11.14.23-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231018T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231018T163000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230920T031735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231017T235629Z UID:8753-1697634000-1697646600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills National Forest - Forest Service Advisory Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Advisory Board Meeting\nForest Service Office – Mystic Ranger District Office\n8221Mount Rushmore Road\, Rapid City\, SD 57702\nLikely at 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – October 18th\, 2023 \nWe are told that a lady from the Regional office will be there to release the final environmental assessments. This is the step needed before scoping on the Forest Plan Revision starts. \nFor agenda\, when close to the date visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114550 \nAgenda \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1145426.pdf URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-forest-service-advisory-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231019T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231019T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230616T182247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230616T182247Z UID:8031-1697706000-1697731200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Board of Minerals & environment Meeting DESCRIPTION:Tentative BME meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023: \n  \nOctober 19\, 2023 \nNovember 16\, 2023 \nPlease check the Boards and Commissions portal a week to 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting to confirm & get exact start & end times.  Here is the link for the BME: URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/board-of-minerals-environment-meeting-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231020T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231021T150000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231004T015004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231004T015004Z UID:9059-1697796000-1697900400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Dakota Rural Action Annual Meeting\, Hot Springs DESCRIPTION:October 20th and 21st\, Dakota Rural Action will hold its 2023 Annual Meeting in Hot Springs at the Red River Rock Resort. This year the Annual Meeting is free for members to attend.  Friday 10 am-4 pm\, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm\, Sat 10 am -3 pm \nFor more info: \nhttps://www.dakotarural.org/2023-annual-meeting/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/dakota-rural-action-annual-meeting-hot-springs/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231021T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231021T170000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231019T192825Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231020T033730Z UID:9166-1697889600-1697907600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"Owl-o-Ween"\, at Black Hills Raptor Center DESCRIPTION:October 21\, 2023\, 12-5 pm. For guided tours of the facility you need reservations available at the top of each hour (noon to 4 pm) \, RSVP to https://www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org/owl-o-ween-celebration/ (Once on-line\, you can click on a chosen time frame) \nBlack Hills Raptor Center\, 15256 East Hwy 44\, Rapid City \nEnjoy family fun\, tour the facility\, and meet the avian ambassadors!  Black Hills Raptor Center (BHRC)  annual event is a place where costumes are encouraged\, families relax and enjoy the outdoors\, and the birds we care for are the winners. Your walking tour will include activities\, trunk-or-treat stations\, and the avian ambassadors. Rumor has it there will be a special spooky guest bird! \nAdmission is a free will donation\, or a roll of paper towels. This is a supply that BHRC uses in a  large number of every year. BHRC merchandise will be for sale. You can find out about the third building on site\, which has been started. \nBHRC is  a Teal Pumpkin Site\, so if the people in your family have food allergies\, there will be many options for other types of collectible fun. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/owl-o-ween-at-black-hills-raptor-center/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231026T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231026T115900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230927T223924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231025T024046Z UID:8891-1698319800-1698321540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline - Updated EA on GFP's Shooting Range at Elk Vale Rd DESCRIPTION:Draft Update to the Final Environmental Assessment  SD Shooting Sports Complex was released by USFWS in late September 2023 \nComments are due to USFWS Oct 26th at noon. Send to:   Adrianna Araya\, Fish and Wildlife Biologist\, adrianna_araya@fws.gov or via mail to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attn: Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration\, P.O. Box 25486\, Denver\, CO\, 80225. \nThe USFWS plans to award lots of money to SD Game\, Fish & Parks to help fund the proposed shooting range (a federal action). SDGFP  had to change the design to overcome objections/concerns by Meade County Commissioners. As the original EA only had one action alternative and provided no other action alternative\, to address the locals concerns about section line relocation\, the USFWS needed to do a supplemental EA.  SDGFP is actually writing the EAs USFWS is supervising. \nPHAS has yet to read this\, but when we do\, we will put up some discussion comments and maybe have a conservation committee meeting about this.  We are concerned about the management of storm water (possibly contaminated with lead) running off the range to surface waters.  How storm water  management and the monitoring of downstream waters\,  would happen\, was never clear in the last EA or GFP presentations on the range since then. \nLink to Press Release  2023 \nhttps://fws.gov/press-release/2023-09/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-seeks-public-comments-draft-update-final \nMain web page 2023 \nhttps://www.fws.gov/project/south-dakota-shooting-sports-complex-project \nLink to Updated Final Environmental Assessment 2023  as PDF \nhttps://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Draft%20Update%20to%20the%20Final%20EA_SD%20Shooting%20Sports%20Complex%209.26.23.pdf \nLink to two updated Appendix 2023 as PDF \nhttps://www.fws.gov/media/2023septupdated-appendices-cpdf \nhttps://www.fws.gov/media/2023septupdated-appendices-d-hpdf \nOLD STUFF \nFinal EA from 2022 \nhttps://www.fws.gov/media/2022julyrapid-city-shooting-range-final-ea \nAppendix from 2022 \nhttps://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Rapid%20City_Shooting%20Range%20Complex_Final_EA_Appendices.pdf \nUpdated FONSI from 2022 \nhttps://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Rapid%20City_Shooting%20Range%20Complex_updated_FONSI_0.pdf \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-updated-ea-on-gfps-shooting-range-at-elk-vale-rd/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-10-24-at-5.11.45-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231026T233000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231026T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231020T045827Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231024T021908Z UID:9189-1698363000-1698364740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline - Triple G Placer mining proposal - Rapid Creek/Johnson Siding\, DESCRIPTION:October 26th is the Comment Deadline – Triple G Placer mining proposal \nIt is a placer mine proposal\, one mile southwest of Johnson Siding. It may be within a half mile east of Placerville Camp.    Hand tools will be used and a battery powered recirculating sluice.  Water will be brought from off site\, but the sluice water will be dumped on site\, which is 150 feet from the creek. We assume Rapid Creek is “the creek”.  Closed roads will be opened for traffic from camp to mining site. \n\n\n\nHere is a link to the Triple G project to view map and scoping letter: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=53352.\n\n\n\nFor more info:  Jonathan Manning (Engineer) at – Custer SO (605-673-9292) or Mystic Ranger District – 605-343-1567.  Ranger Jim Gubbels is on vacation – acting Ranger is Ben Schumacher (recreation at Mystic). \nSend comments to “comments-rocky-mountain-black-hills-mystic@usda.gov” \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-triple-g-placer-mining-proposal/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231029T223000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231029T225900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231007T004116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231007T004710Z UID:9086-1698618600-1698620340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for written comments to SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission for November meeting DESCRIPTION:10/29 is the deadline for written comments to SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission to be received by GFP. In order to be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission.  Comments must include a full name and city of residence and be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Sunday October 29.  Web portal link to submit comments: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/  If they are late\, they go to the record of the December meeting. \nThe next GFP Commission meeting will be held in Madison November 2-3.  Go to that calendar date for more info. on the meeting. \nThe Commission is considering removing the one-day-only fishing license\, they tabled the issue at October meeting and continued it till November.  To see rule change proposals in their entirety\, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information. \n  \nThere is no deadline if you wish to  communicate directly with each Commissioner  (but such comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us\, “charles.spring@state.sd.us”  \,\nThe two new commissioners  e-mails likely are:\nJim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us\, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-written-comments-to-sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-for-november-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231030T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231030T204000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230927T022453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231029T044450Z UID:8862-1698688800-1698698400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS October member's hybrid meeting on protecting French Creek water quality DESCRIPTION:PHAS October member’s hybrid meeting on protecting French Creek water quality \n  \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society’s October Monthly Meeting\nMonday October 30th\, 2023\, 6 pm\nHybrid meeting – Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City and Zoom\nTopic – Protecting French Creek from Sewage Pollution\nPresenter – Todd Konechne\nDiscussion\nCuster City is upgrading its’ sewage treatment system\, with plans to dump the effluent from that into French Creek instead of Flynn Creek.  Local folks have been upset by the threat to the water quality of French Creek.  They got a referendum passed in Custer County declaring such dumping a nuisance.  Come and learn about the concerns & activities of home owners who are fighting to protect their nearby creek.  Visit their web site – http://www.preservefrenchcreek.com\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\nOne tap mobile\n+13126266799\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n\nPhones\n• +1 253 215 8782 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US\nFind other numbers: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-october-members-hybrid-meeting-on-protecting-french-creek-water-quality/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-10-17-at-3.10.57-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231102T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231105T093000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230921T194029Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230921T194029Z UID:8762-1698926400-1699176600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:National Audubon Society National Leadership Conference - Estes Park DESCRIPTION:National Audubon Society National Chapter meeting in Estes Park\, Colorado\, \nAudubon Leadership Conference\, November 2-5\, 2023\nYMCA of the Rockies\, Estes Park\, Colorado\, USA\nIt starts at noon on Thursday and ends Sunday Morning at 9:30 am \nEvent Home page \nhttps://web.cvent.com/event/a4a5611a-1a4c-4c5c-83a2-ead1340869bd/summary?emci=929f483d-ec48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&emdi=06bc6151-fa48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&ceid=403117\nAgenda \nhttps://web.cvent.com/event/a4a5611a-1a4c-4c5c-83a2-ead1340869bd/websitePage:c9dc1695-74de-4794-a42e-587ef4d79238?emci=929f483d-ec48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&emdi=06bc6151-fa48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&ceid=403117\nScholarship page \nhttps://web.cvent.com/event/a4a5611a-1a4c-4c5c-83a2-ead1340869bd/websitePage:39b45d1d-fa14-4d59-aee8-1b246ebb59c9?emci=929f483d-ec48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&emdi=06bc6151-fa48-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&ceid=403117 \nRegistration will open August 9\, 2023. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/national-audubon-society-national-leadership-conference-estes-park/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231102T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231102T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230424T212550Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231201T233121Z UID:6925-1698930000-1698940800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission November 2023 meeting DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission November 2023 meeting will not be held in Rapid City\, but has been changed to Madison at the Prairie Shores Resort and Events\, Madison\, SD.   It will be Thursday Nov 2nd. They will not meet on Friday as originally planned.  It will be hybrid.  Written comments should be submitted by October 29th\, Sunday before midnight MT to be added to this months public record.  For more information watch this site close to the meeting date and to download materials relative to the meeting: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_November_2\,_2023_Public_Copy_(1).pdf \n====== \nLivestream link \nZoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call\, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Meeting ID: 939 1291 5359 | Passcode: 0565645 \n=== \nOnce the meeting is over and enough time has past\, at least an audio version is available in the SDGFP Commission  Archives. They say they are eventually going to put Zoom recording links there also. \n====== \nAn item under consideration is whether to get rid of the one-day-only fishing license or not.  They decided to table the issue for a while…here is a discussion of this issue –   https://gfp.sd.gov/news/detail/1588/ \n—— \nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the next meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to record of the next meeting.\nYou can testify at GFP meetings which are held in person and by Zoom\, generally at 2 pm on the Thursday of the meeting\, in time zone of the meeting. \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us\, “charles.spring@state.sd.us”  \,\nThe two new commissioners  e-mails likely are:\nJim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us\, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-november-2023-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231102T233000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231102T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231020T040736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231101T202348Z UID:9183-1698967800-1698969540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment deadline on Cutty Sark Lode Gold Silver Exploration Project DESCRIPTION:Cutty Sark Lode Gold Silver Exploration Project would be on a claim about .68 miles north of Mystic SD\, in the Castle Creek drainage.   This project is about a half mile west of the intersection of  Castle Creek and Rapid Creek about a mile & a third north west of the Canyon City Research Natural Area  – it is in section 33 (see map above). It  is probably  within a two thirds of a mile of Rapid  Creek and within a half mile of Castle Creek. \nProject will collect surface samples with hand tools. It will eventually involve going into an old shaft and drilling for ore with a pneumatic shipping hammer\, with air compressor on surface run by gasoline. All overburden/waste material will be left underground in previous workings. Ore brought to surface will be taken off site for crushing/sluicing – no waste dumps necessary at this  time. Water will not be continuously removed from any water body\, nor will waste water be continuously generated. \nIt will involve using a closed road. There will be a base camp on Forest land to the north and travel between camp and site\, will be with an ATV. \nGo to Black Hills National Forest Project web page for details and to download scoping letter\, map and plan of operations. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/158204074641 \n\nLink for the scoping letter     https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1337817611762     https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1337817611762 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-cutty-sark-lode-gold-silver-exploration-project/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Cutty-Sark-Scoping-Map.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231108T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231108T193000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231108T024127Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T024303Z UID:9321-1699466400-1699471800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society November Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) November board meeting will be Wednesday November 8th at 6 pm MT. \nPHAS board meetings are by Zoom and are open to members\, but we don’t publish the Zoom details on-line. \nIf you are a member >> call  or e-mail  PHAS president Nancy Hilding to get the Zoom details  – phas.wsd@rapidnet.com\, 605-787-6466 (LandLine) \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-society-november-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231109T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231109T210000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231101T193151Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231101T193434Z UID:9285-1699552800-1699563600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society November meeting on prescribed fire DESCRIPTION:Norbeck Society November meeting on prescribed fire – “What does it take to implement a prescribed fire?” \nNorbeck Society meets on Thursday\, November 9th 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time for an evening Zoom with Chris Stover\, Forest Fuels Specialist\, Supervisor’s Office\, Black Hills National Forest. \nChris’s career in Fire and Fuels is relatively unique in that he has worked in Fuels the vast majority of his time with the Forest Service and on the same Forest his entire career.\nAlthough his career with the Forest Service began in 2003 as a timber marker\, in 2004 he gained a position as an Assistant Engine Captain and in 2007 he started as a Fuels Technician. From 2012 to March of 2021\, he served as an Assistant Fire Management Officer-Fuels…all on the Mystic District.\nSince March 2021 he has worked in the Supervisor’s Office as the Forest Fuels Specialist.\nThe main presentation will follow a brief update.\nPublic Meeting ~ everyone is welcome!\nFor more information: info@norbecksociety.com. Norbeck Society normally meets the second Thursday\, but not always\, such as not in the summer. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-november-meeting-on-prescribed-fire/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231111T171500 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231111T183000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231110T025224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231110T025322Z UID:9394-1699722900-1699727400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"Gathering Mushrooms & Willow" - a crankie DESCRIPTION:“Gathering Mushrooms & Willow” – A crankie\, a theater box with spools\, moves an illustrated painted scroll from scene to scene as stories unfold with music (flute\, sax\,  violin & song) & narrative.  All ages $5 donation. \nAt Aby’s 406\, 5th St. Rapid City\, SD URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/gathering-mushrooms-willow-a-crankie/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231115T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231115T163000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20230920T031935Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T025322Z UID:8756-1700053200-1700065800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:BHNF Forest Service Advisory Board Meeting - to be POSTPONED DESCRIPTION:Advisory Board Meeting\nForest Service Office – Mystic Ranger District Office\n8221Mount Rushmore Road\, Rapid City\, SD 57702\nWas going to be at 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – November 15th\, 2023 but it will be postponed\, maybe to Dec. 6th\, 2023 \nFor agenda\, when close to the date visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114550 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bhnf-forest-service-advisory-board-meeting-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231127T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231127T235900 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231205T034359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231205T034359Z UID:9665-1701129000-1701129540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline of the extended comment period Cutty Sark Lode Gold/Silver Exploration Mining\, BHNF DESCRIPTION:The Black Hills National Forest extended the comment period on Cutty Sark mine\, by 15 days to Nov 23\, which was Thanksgiving\, so when deadlines fall on Holidays/Weekends you go to the next working day\, so deadline is likely\,  Monday\,Nov. 27th. Go to the calendar day for the original 11/2/23 deadline for details \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-cutty-sark-lode-gold-silver-exploration-project/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-of-the-extended-comment-period-cutty-sark-lode-gold-silver-exploration-mining-bhnf/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231129T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231129T210000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231110T024559Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231128T022032Z UID:9391-1701280800-1701291600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS's November Members meeting - Topic: Raccoons DESCRIPTION:  \nWednesday\, November 29th\, 2023 \, 6 pm MT -is the date of Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s November meeting by Zoom\, which will be on raccoons and also towards the end of the meeting\,  some other meso-carnivores. \n\nWe will talk about the raccoon’s  range\, habitat\, behaviors\, life cycle and beneficial uses and conflicts with humans. We will talk about their management in SD and in other states.  We will also talk about lives and/or management of other meso-carnivores in SD and other states. \nRaccoons in SD are one of 5 target animals  of the SD Nest Predator Bounty Program along with opossum\, stripped skunk\, red fox and badgers\, but more than 6  times as many raccoons are killed each year compared to the other 4 predators –  42\,300 killed in 2023 through that bounty program and 142\,000 were killed between 2019-2022.\n\n        The alleged reason for this killing is to benefit pheasants and other ground nesting birds. We and many others don’t believe the bounty program will help ground nesting birds as its’ impacts are too diffused.  For more info on the Nest Predator Bounty Program  (NPBP) visit  https://phas-wsd.org/sd-nest-predator-bounty-program/\n\n         SD allows hound hunting of raccoons for in-state persons and SDGFP is considering allowing out-of-state persons to hunt  them also\, in part so non-residents can participate in raccoon hound hunting competitions. \n\nRaccoons can be killed in SD at any time without a license\, if they are doing damage to property or livestock/poultry.  Also resident land occupiers on their own property and residents under 18 can kill them without a license during the raccoon hunting season (which is year-round for residents).  They are considered to be covered under predator/varmint hunting rules (although they are not listed as a predator/varmint) and can be taken with a predator/varmint license\, furbearer license and many other hunting licenses.\n\n\nSpeakers will b:\n Katherine McGill Owner/Operator\, 411 Raccoon Solutions Inc/ 411 Wildlife Org\, Florida\, \n Mellissa Smith – Executive Director Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance &\nNancy Hilding\, President Prairie Hills Audubon Society\n\n\n\nZoom details:\n\n\nNancy Hilding is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting -.November 29th\, 2023 6 pm MT\n\nTopic: PHAS November members meeting\nTime: November 29th\, 2023 6 pm MT\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\n—\nOne tap mobile\n+16694449171\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n+16699006833\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US (San Jose)\n\n—\nDial by your location\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n• +1 689 278 1000 US\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n• +1 646 931 3860 US\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/likely-date-phass-november-members-meeting-topic-raccoons/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Raccoon_climbing_in_tree_-_Facebook-Size-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231201T040000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231201T163000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231018T001645Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231018T010942Z UID:9151-1701403200-1701448200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:12/1/23 Deadline to apply for position on the Black Hills Forest Service Advisory Board DESCRIPTION:Friday\, December 1st if the deadline to submit application to serve on the Forest Service Advisory Board. \nWe are not sure if the time-of-day of the deadline  is COB or just before midnight  and/or received or post marked. We will find out and update this notice. \nNotice \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1145643.pdf \nDetails \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114570 \nSEEKING MEMBERS FROM THE\nFOLLOWING INTEREST GROUPS:\n1. Economic development; 2. Developed outdoor recreation\, off-highway vehicle users\, or commercial\nrecreation; 3. Energy and mineral development; 4. Commercial timber industry; 5. Permittee (grazing or\nother land use within the Black Hills area); 6. Nationally recognized environmental organizations; 7. Regionally\nor locally recognized environmental organizations; 8. Dispersed recreation; 9. Archeology or history; 10.\nNationally or regionally recognized sportsmen’s groups\, such as anglers or hunters; 11. South Dakota\nState-elected offices; 12. Wyoming State-elected offices; 13. South Dakota or Wyoming county-or local-\nelected officials; 14. Tribal government elected or-appointed officials; 15. State of South Dakota natural\nresource agency official; and 16. State of Wyoming natural resource agency official. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-apply-for-position-on-the-black-hills-forest-service-advisory-board/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231201T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231201T170000 DTSTAMP:20260416T225953 CREATED:20231202T012200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231202T013012Z UID:9560-1701417600-1701450000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills National Forest Releases BHNF Forest Plan Assessments DESCRIPTION:On Friday\, Dec 1st the Black Hills National Forest released its’ Forest Plan Assessments. This is the beginning step in creating  the Forest Plan Revision. Scoping will follow in the new year. \nThe Forest has released the 20 revised forest-wide resource assessments\, which will be used along with best available scientific information\, and new information as it becomes available\, to revise the current Land Management Plan. \nIn the next year (2024) scoping  and a notice of intent to start Plan Development will happen. \n================= \nBHNF’s Announcement of their release of Final Assessments \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1154261 \nBlack Hills Forest Plan Revision web site:. \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/landmanagement/planning/?cid=FSEPRD955187 \nAssessment’s web site: \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd998696 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-releases-bhnf-forest-plan-assessments/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR