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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T170000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201338 CREATED:20231214T014754Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T021101Z UID:9915-1701849600-1701882000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Triple G/Rallo’s Roost Placer Mining Project Approved DESCRIPTION:The Triple G/Rallo’s Roost Placer Mining Project Decision Memo was signed December 6\, 2023. A copy of the final Decision Memo is available on the Black Hills National Forest website at the following web address: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=53352 \nThis Placer mining project is along Rapid Creek between Pactola and Rapid City. \nThis decision is not subject to objection and may be implemented immediately. If you would like any further information about the project\, please contact Geological Engineer Jonathan Manning at (605) 673-9314\, or myself at the Mystic District Office\, 8221 S. Mt. Rushmore Rd\, Rapid City\, SD 57702. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday\, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. To contact via telephone: (605) 343-1567. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/triple-g-rallos-roost-placer-mining-project-approved/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231207T170000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201338 CREATED:20231108T154545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231108T155050Z UID:9337-1701849600-1701968400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance Winter Water & Climate Conference December 6-7\, 2023 DESCRIPTION:Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance Winter Water & Climate Conference December 6-7\, 2023 in Box Elder\, at the Box Events Center.  Exact time-of-day it starts or ends is not yet published\, so I guessed at those start/end times \nwww.TRIBALWATERALLIANCE.ORG\, For info.: contact Reinique Black: reiniqueb@gmail.com\, 605-515-1097\, Registration fee is $50.00. You can pay on-line or mail payment to: GPTWA\, PO Box 271\, Pine Ridge\, SD 57770 \nFor details read the poster\, scroll up. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/great-plains-tribal-water-alliance-winter-water-climate-conference-december-6-7-2023/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Flyer_GPTWA-winter-water-climate-conference-Dec-6-7-2023-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T130000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201338 CREATED:20230616T173950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231205T030402Z UID:8020-1701851400-1701867600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Water Management Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Below is notice if  Water Management Board meeting in Pierre\, at Joe Foss Building\, \nYou can participate remotely by Microsoft Teams or teleconference: \nDecember 6\, 2023. \nHere is the link to the portal to  learn about the meeting\, \nhttps://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106 \nAgenda: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/202312Agenda1.pdf \nBoard Packet: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/202312PacketBoard.pdf URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-water-management-board-meeting-3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231206T163000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201338 CREATED:20231202T005420Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231202T005717Z UID:9536-1701867600-1701880200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:BHNF Forest Service Advisory Board Meeting - afternoon of Wednesday Dec 6th\, Rapid City DESCRIPTION:Advisory Board Meeting \nForest Service Office – Mystic Ranger District Office \n8221Mount Rushmore Road\, Rapid City\, SD 57702 \n1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – December 6\, 2023  \n\n\n\n\n\n \n The National Forest Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday\, December 6 at 1:00 at the Mystic District Ranger Office. The agenda is available at: fseprd1154157.pdf (usda.gov)\n The meeting is open to the public.  The first meeting next year is on January 17\, 2024.\n \n\n\n\n\n\nAGENDA \n\n\n\n\nHot Topics: \nLegislative Updates – Federal Legislative Updates – State Forest Service Hot Topics:  \n\n\n\n\nRegular Agenda: \nOff Highway Vehicle (OHV) discussion \nMitchell Lake discussion \nBHNF Forest Plan Revision \nNew membership outreach update / Charter renewal update \nElect Vice-Chair to Board  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bhnf-forest-service-advisory-meeting-afternoon-of-wednesday-dec-6th-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231207T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231208T110000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20230424T213525Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231205T053800Z UID:6929-1701950400-1702033200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission's December 2023 meeting DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission’s December 2023 meeting will be in Fort Pierre at Americinn and by Zoom. Send written comments by midnight of the Sunday before. Folks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm CT in person or by Zoom or phone. Visit this web page closer to the meeting date for more details: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_Dec_7-8\,_2023_Public_Copy.pdf?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gfp-commission-updates&utm_content=GFP+to+Hold+December+Meeting \nZoom Meeting Link  https://state-sd.zoom.us/j/93912915359?pwd=K2FVZzdQSXJTY0NwWG5mSWpSazUwdz09#success \n\nTo join via conference call\, dial 1 669 900 9128\nMeeting ID: 939 1291 5359\nPasscode: GFP2023\n\nFor a complete agenda of this meeting click here. \n  \nWe believe that GFP staff will be reporting on a survey they did in October \, in cooperation with the BHNF\,  looking to count beaver winter caches\, so as to estimate the beaver population in the Black Hills.  They will also report on their otter survey. They will report on the Statewide Fish Management Plan Revision \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 (January 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. If there is rule finalization(s) you get 3 minutes per each rule you want to testify on. During the Open Forum\, you get 3 minutes to testify on anything. \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-commissions-december-2023-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231213T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231213T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231202T174241Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231210T000723Z UID:9566-1702511400-1702511940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline (extended) to Comment on Dakota Access Pipeline DEIS DESCRIPTION:The Army Corps opened the comment period on the draft DAPL EIS on September 8\, 2023. The comment period will close at 11:59 PM ET December 13\, 2023. \nhttps://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Oil-and-Gas-Development/Dakota-Access-Pipeline/ \nThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\, Omaha District is seeking public comments on the recently published Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Dakota Access\, LLC’s request for an easement under the Mineral Leasing Act for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline crosses the Corps-managed federal land at Lake Oahe\, North Dakota. The DEIS is not a decision and does not authorize the easement. This milestone is the second step in the National Environmental Policy Act environmental review process for a range of proposed alternatives. This will be followed by a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Final Environmental Impact Statement will include public comments that were received during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement public review period. \nLink to download DEIS \nhttps://cdxapps.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/action/eis/details?eisId=428178 \nComments on the DAPL Draft Environmental Impact Statement can be mailed to: \nAttn: Brent Cossette\nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers\nCENWO-ODT-N\n1616 Capitol Avenue\nOmaha\, NE 68102 \nComments can also be emailed to NWO-DAPL-EIS@usace.army.mil. \n====================== \nLink to Lakota Law Project’s sign on letter on DAPL: \nhttps://action.lakotalaw.org/action/dapl-eis-2023?ms=ea&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=deac&utm_content=textlink2&sourceid=1059726&contactdata=Xplmn/htm8xaTc0uIfFSo1a3KxcvNm74r4rra6ZO2oSPUSWaObb8giBAjsQwGPPLnTcPQT9OYJen0AlS94KM39cb5kZUf0Np54or5GWLEWmAIm//y2qsLeulvcKHws3LMlpnpWtdYcrmgKpn7W0+E+74ev2RXbe1tJR6kHvuxVll42+mFd6NC1fBmR1sxeqJIa50HHby1TfjMPrGigDB8DgH5kNOjogQ8Mg2Drto7KY=&emci=527e099b-9e4e-ee11-a3f1-00224832e1ba&emdi=e1be0b35-a54e-ee11-a3f1-00224832e1ba&ceid=10448899 \nNDN Collective has a public comment tool kit: \nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-vwg828iy8VmcDLDXD7TABGc-iKAZp4BFQE-PE7p6s/edit?link_id=4&can_id=1685e82d69839275ffdafd580ae29aa5&source=email-opt-out-of-blackfriday-take-action-to-shutdowndapl&email_referrer=email_2119708&email_subject=opt-out-of-blackfriday-opt-in-to-action-to-shutdowndapl URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-extended-to-comment-on-dakota-access-pipeline-deis/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231214T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240105T233000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231205T041500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T181606Z UID:9695-1702512000-1704497400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Christmas Bird Count Season 2023-2024 DESCRIPTION:Christmas Bird Count Season runs from December 14th\, 2023 to January 5th\, 2024. \nThis years summary (2023-2024) of  Christmas Bird Counts in SD and near-by areas of surrounding states can be found on this PHAS web page: https://phas-wsd.org/citizsen-science/ \nYou can also download a  PDF of our Announcement of CBC’s in SD the region around western SD at https://www.scribd.com/document/692209583/Announcing-Christmas-Bird-Count-FINAL-ma-23-24-3 \nYou can also go to the National Audubon Society web page on the 2023-2024 Christmas Bird Counts. \nTo find details on a Christmas bird count near you on Audubon’s interactive map: \nhttps://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4 \nWind Cave National Park (who don’t register with NAS) will have their’s this year on Sunday\, Dec 17th \nYou can download this pdf for last years summary: https://www.scribd.com/document/690938817/Final2-2022-23-CBC-Announce-122nd-final-2 \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/christmas-bird-count-season/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-12-04-at-9.28.56-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20231215T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20231215T203000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231213T062304Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T062330Z UID:9858-1702663200-1702672200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society's December Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s December Board Meeting will be the evening of Friday evening\,  December 15th\, 2023 by Zoom. \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society’s (PHAS’s) Board Meetings are open to PHAS’s members & folks wishing to make presentations/requests. Contact Nancy Hilding for link information  – 605-787-6466\, phas.wsd@rapidnet.com \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-societys-december-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240105T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240105T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231214T035938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T040038Z UID:9919-1704498600-1704499140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Scoping Comment Deadline for Parmalee Timber Project DESCRIPTION:The Hell Canyon Ranger District is proposing a vegetation management project\, Parmlee Project \nYour comments would be most helpful if received by January 5\, 2024. The preferred method to comment is via email at: \ncomments-rocky-mountain-black-hills-hell-canyon@usda.gov \nOther ways to comment include by phone: 605-673-9200\, you can hand deliver your comments at the District office at: 1019 N. 5th Street\, Custer\, SD 57730 or by postal service: Rob Hoelscher\, District Ranger\, 1019 N. 5th Street\, Custer\, SD 57730. These documents\, including a larger map\, may be viewed on the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65281. \nScoping package https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1381590254298 \nMap: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1381587239853 \nFor information or hard copies of scoping package\,  contact Wendy\,  wendy.schuyler@usda.gov \n or call her at 605-673-9361 and she can drop one in the mail for you. You may also pick up a hard copy at the District office. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/scoping-comment-deadline-for-parmalee-timber-project/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240110T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240228T120000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240207T210809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240207T210809Z UID:10659-1704888000-1709121600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:National Audubon Society's Annual Photo Contest Entry Period DESCRIPTION:Audubon’s Annual Photo Contest Entry Period (recycles every year)\nThis event  recycles every year\, in a similar time frame & mode.  – you were able to submit  photos/videos between January 10th\, 2024 at 12 pm-February 28th\, 2024 at 12 pm. https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/audubon-photography-awards-2024-official-rules \nJudges  awarded eight prizes to photographers and videographers in 2023: the Grand Prize\, Professional Prize\, Amateur Prize\, Youth Prize\, Plants for Birds Prize\, Fisher Prize\, Female Bird Prize\, and Video Prize. \nPrizes included in 2024:\nGrand Prize: $5\,000 USD\nProfessional Prize: $2\,500 USD\nAmateur Prize: $2\,500 USD\nPlants for Birds Prize: $2\,500 USD\nVideo Prize: $2\,500 USD\nFemale Bird Prize: $1\,000 USD \nBirds in Landscape: $1\,000 USD\nFisher Prize: $1\,000 USD\nYouth Prize: Six days at Audubon’s Hog Island Audubon Camp for Teens during the 2024 season \nPrevious Years winners \nThere are some very nice photos to look at. \nThe winning photos were already sent out in Audubon’s magazine \nhttps://www.audubon.org/section/audubon-photography-awards \n2023 winners \nhttps://www.audubon.org/news/2023-audubon-photography-awards-winners-and-honorable-mentions \n2022 winners \nhttps://www.audubon.org/news/the-2022-audubon-photography-awards-top-100 \n2021 winners \nhttps://www.audubon.org/news/the-2021-audubon-photography-awards-top-100 \n2020 winners\nhttps://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2020/the-2020-audubon-photography-awards-winners \n2019-2017 winners \nhttps://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2019/the-2019-audubon-photography-awards-top-100 \nhttps://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2018/the-2018-audubon-photography-awards-top-100 \nhttps://www.audubon.org/news/the-2017-audubon-photography-awards-top-100 \n  \n  \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/national-audubon-societys-annual-photo-contest-entry-period/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240111T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240112T110000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231213T064845Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240106T004834Z UID:9825-1704974400-1705057200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish & Parks Commission's January Meeting DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish & Parks Commission’s January Meeting is in Pierre\, Thursday-Friday\,  January 11-12\, 2024\, at Matthews Training Center. \nFolks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm CT in person or by Zoom or phone. Visit this web page closer to the meeting date for more details: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda link: \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_Jan_11-12\,_2024_Public_Copy.pdf?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gfp-commission-updates&utm_content=GFP+to+Hold+January+Meeting \nZoom meeting link; https://state-sd.zoom.us/j/92827772568?pwd=cHByUFlQNi8rRXJ0dGlEazNRbjBqZz09#success \n\nTo join via conference call\, dial 1 669 900 9128\nMeeting ID: 939 1291 5359\nPasscode: 0565645\n\nSD GFP normally meets on the first Thursday-Friday of the month\, unless those days are close to a holiday and then the meeting week may shift. They normally don’t meet in February and August. \nThere are no finalizations of rule in January\, but there are 2 petitions for rule-making and 4 proposals for rule changes (includes waterfowl season rules)\, that likely won’t have a finalization hearing for at least 60 days. \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 – – thus January 7th\, 2024\, before midnight CT))  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. If there is rule finalization(s) you get 3 minutes per each rule you want to testify on. During the Open Forum\, you get 3 minutes to testify on anything. \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-parks-commissions-january-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240115T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240215T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231214T041146Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T041218Z UID:9922-1705276800-1708041540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Climate Watch Winter Season - January 15th-February 15th DESCRIPTION:Climate Watch Winter Season – January 15th-February 15th \nClimate Watch – The summer and winter seasons repeat each year.\nClimate Watch is sponsored by the National Audubon Society (NAS) & takes place during two distinct seasons—winter (January 15-February 15) and summer (May 15-June 15). Below is the alert for any season (winter or summer) . \nLike the Christmas bird count this is a chance to help create “citizen science” for birds. Climate Watch focuses on these target species: Eastern Bluebird\, Mountain Bluebird\, Western Bluebird\, White-breasted Nuthatch\, Red-breasted Nuthatch\, Brown-headed Nuthatch\, Pygmy Nuthatch\, American Goldfinch\, Lesser Goldfinch\, Painted Bunting\, Eastern Towhee\, and Spotted Towhee. \nThese birds are easy to identify\, have an enthusiastic constituency\, and Audubon’s climate models for these species offer strong predictions for range shifts for us to test. In future years\, Climate Watch may include additional target species threatened by climate change. We believe that western bluebird and painted bunting are not normally in SD. All the other birds occur in all or parts of SD. \nVisit this page to see where these birds are in SD\, and which are near you: \nhttps://www.sdakotabirds.com/species_main.htm\nLocation Climate Watch focuses on areas of predicted change for these 12 species at each location across the continent. Audubon provides volunteers with online mapping tools with a grid of 10 km x 10 km squares showing species-specific predictions for each square based on the climate models. A Climate Watch Coordinator can help select your location and survey square. If you are participating on your own\, use the online maps to decide in which square to do your surveys. You will be able to see which squares are already “claimed”. \nHow to count Volunteers should first make sure to read through all of the materials including the full protocol manual. The Climate Watch protocol is different than any other birding program. Then using the planning done with the online maps\, volunteers survey appropriate habitat for the target species within a square and conduct 12 point counts of five minutes each within one morning\, then record the number and species of all birds seen or heard within 100 meters. Participants send the data to the National Audubon Society. \nHow data will be used  Audubon’s 2019 climate change report\, ‘Survival By Degrees\, – https://www.audubon.org/climate/survivalbydegrees – reveals that up to two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. For example\, the beautiful Mountain Bluebird is vulnerable because in the vast majority of its summer range\, the climate conditions that this bird needs—temperature\, amount of rainfall\, and other environmental factors—will shift northward and eastward. This bird may be able to move into new areas over time\, or it may struggle to adapt. To test the report’s predictions\, Audubon has developed Climate Watch\, which aims to document species’ responses to climate change and test Audubon’s climate models by having volunteers in the field look for birds where Audubon’s climate models predict they will be in the 2020s. This information helps Audubon target our conservation work to protect birds. See the Climate Watch results page here to see our early reports and results from the data received by Climate Watch volunteers so far! \nLink to the Climate-watch program on the National Audubon Society web page \nhttps://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch \nClimate watch instructions for participants \nhttps://www.audubon.org/news/participant-resources-climate-watch\nClimate watch for beginners webinar\, – this has much of the same info as our November meeting \nhttps://audubon.zoom.us/rec/share/xe9NAZTe6WVOf7fz2kbRAYAQMI66eaa8hCFL_fNZn0k3a8uNjHkvp4-EZzq7vlq_?startTime=1588186808000 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/climate-watch-winter-season-january-15th-february-15th/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240117T064500 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240117T084500 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240116T060135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240116T060357Z UID:10088-1705473900-1705481100@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:House State Affairs hearing on HB 1071 DESCRIPTION:House State Affairs hearing on HB 1071 https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24868 \nCommittee: House State Affairs\nRoom: Room 414\nDate: Wednesday\, January 17\, 2024\nTime: 7:45 AM-9:45 AM \nYou can testify remotely if you ask the committee at least 24 hours in advance  to be scheduled to testify and for a link. \nYou can send written comments in before the meeting to the committee or individual members \nVisit BHCWA alert on this https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/public-hearings/state-level-comment-notices/ \nHB 1071 would let the Governor make agreements with the federal government to extend state authority over uranium mining and milling. An agreement under this bill would eliminate the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for uranium mining and milling.  This would shut tribal governments out of the permitting process by eliminating requirements for tribal consultation.  The public’s ability to oppose uranium projects would also shrink. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/house-state-affairs-hearing-on-hb-1071/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240117T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240117T163000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231202T010158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231202T010554Z UID:9555-1705496400-1705509000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills National Forest - Forest Service Advisory Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Black Hills National Forest – Forest Service Advisory Board Meeting is likely to occur on 1/17/24. \nAs the date approaches\, please verify that the meeting will occur\, – visit BHNF web page https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114550 \nor email \nscott.j.jacobson@usda.gov   URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-forest-service-advisory-board-meeting-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240118T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240118T160000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240118T053641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240118T205711Z UID:10137-1705568400-1705593600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Legislature - Floor votes HB 1071 (SD DANR would replace NRC)& Committee vote SB 14 (shooting coyotes from snowmobile) DESCRIPTION:================================ HOUSE BILLS ————————————————————-HB 1071\, Take action – ask your legislator to oppose HB 1071 –  https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24868   – \nHB 1071  would let the Governor make agreements with the federal government to extend state authority over uranium mining and milling & other processes with radioactive material . An agreement under this bill would eliminate the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for uranium mining and milling & other processes with radioactive material. This would shut tribal governments out of the permitting process by eliminating requirements for tribal consultation. The public’s ability to learn about & oppose uranium projects would also shrink. PHAS OPPOSES THIS BILL .  BHCWA has an alert on this bill. It was sent to  House State Affairs on Wednesday 1/17/24 – HB 1071 passed out of Committee with one vote against. It is listed for a second reading on the House Calendar for Thursday afternoon -1/18/24 (it will likely be debated & voted on at some time after 1 pm CT). Agenda: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committee/1197/Agendas \n================================ SENATE BILLS ————————————————————- \nTake action – ask committee to oppose Senate Bill 14\, – Senate Bill 14 = https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24559 – Would permit taking of coyotes from snowmobiles in certain conditions – hunting from snowmobiles is currently not allowed. PHAS OPPOSES THIS BILL.  In Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday 1/18/24\, 10 am CT\,  Agenda: https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/259993.pdf#page=1 \nOn 1/18/24\, the bill was amended in Committee and then passed with unanimous consent and placed on consent calendar. It will likely be voted on on the House floor on Monday.  The amendment made it illegal to harass coyotes before shooting them. \nHere is a link to a web site with arguments against indiscriminate coyote hunting – file:///Users/mac/Desktop/PC_SAB_Coyote-Facts_FINAL_2020_08.pdf \nPHAS web site on the legislature has committee e-mails https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/ \nsenateagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.gov \n\n Randy.Deibert@sdlegislature.gov\, Joshua.Klumb@sdlegislature.gov\, Liz.Larson@sdlegislature.gov\, Jim.Mehlhaff@sdlegislature.gov\, Al.Novstrup@sdlegislature.gov\,  Herman.Otten@sdlegislature.gov\, Erin.Tobin@sdlegislature.gov\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-legislature-committee-floor-votes-hb-1071-sb-14/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240122T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240122T160000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240122T075857Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240124T182132Z UID:10308-1705928400-1705939200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Legislature Floor votes Monday on HB 1043 (lithium tax) & SB 14 (expand hunt coyotes w/ snowmobiles) DESCRIPTION:Below find alerts on bills related to environment on the floors (Senate & house) Monday\n\n**Senate Bill 14\, \nWould permit taking of coyotes by invitees of landowner from snowmobiles in certain conditions – hunting from snowmobiles is currently not for any species except for coyotes & then only by landowner.  PHAS OPPOSES THIS BILL. .  \nIn Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources on Thursday 1/18/24\, 10 am CT. This bill passed out of committee with an amendmen by a unanimous vote and was placed on the consent calendar. The amendment added was to prevent harassment of coyotes before being shot.\n It was expected on the Senate floor on Monday the 22nd  but was delayed till Tuesday. It passed with 3 votes against. Folks needed to ask their senators to remove it from consent calendar.    Visit our web site https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/  for list of all Senate members.\n We object to this as cruelty to animals & indiscriminate coyote hunting doesn’t work to reduce the population.\nThe current law forbids snowmobile chasing or driving coyotes (or any animal)\, but the proposed new law does not prohibit those actions for landowners/lessee and invited guests with coyotes.\n\nHere is a link to our letter against that explains issues with the bill: https://www.scribd.com/document/700546391/Please-Remove-SB-14-From-the-Consent-CalendarF  .\n\nHere is a link to a discussion sheet for arguments against indiscriminant coyote hunting  – https://projectcoyote.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PC_SAB_Coyote-Facts_FINAL_2020_08.pdf   \nSenator Nesiba got it removed from the Consent Calendar. The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday with 3 Senators voting against it – see vote: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Vote/78751 \nWe did not start notice & working on this bill soon enough. It still has to go to the House and would likely get sent to House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (but that hasn’t happened yet) so we ask you to contact folk in the House..\n\n\n\n**HB 1043\, https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24879\n**HB 1043 would classify lithium as a precious metal for the purpose of taxation and to authorize a new tax. PHAS SUPPORTS\, House Agriculture & NR Comm\, passed amended\, It will be on the House Floor on Monday the 22nd after 2 pm. The bill passed out of the House  57 to 9  and is sent to Senate Energy and Commerce Committee\n\nLast year a similar bill made it out of the house but was killed in the Senate – in 2023 it was alleged bill needed to be rewritten for technical reasons . This passed the House floor\, with a strong vote in favor\, but last year a similar bill passed the House\nbut was killed in the Senate\, alleged to be due to technical issues with writing of that old bill.\nIf you go to our web page on the Legislature\, you can learn about bills there. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-legislature-floor-votes-monday-on-hb-1043-lithium-tax-sb-14-expand-hunt-coyotes-w-snowmobiles/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240123T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240123T160000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240123T063451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240123T200639Z UID:10394-1706014800-1706025600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Senate Floor Vote on SB 14 (was postponed from Monday to Tuesday) DESCRIPTION:SB 14 (expanding conditional hunting of coyotes from snow mobiles) was removed from the Consent Calendar (thanks to Sen. Nesiba) and the Senate floor vote on SB 14 was postponed from Monday to Tuesday.  Senate starts meeting at 2 pm CT on Tuesday and the bill is early on the agenda\, \nGo Back to previous day – Monday Jan 22nd calendar alert to read about the bill\, or to our Legislative Web page \nSB 14 Specific alert    – https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-legislature-floor-votes-monday-on-hb-1043-lithium-tax-sb-14-expand-hunt-coyotes-w-snowmobiles/ \nPHAS Legislative Web Page: https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/house-floor-vote-on-sb-14-was-postponed-from-monday-to-tuesday/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240126T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240126T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231214T014044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T014533Z UID:9911-1706313000-1706313540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Objection Deadline Golden Crest Exploratory Drilling Project DESCRIPTION:Objection Deadline Golden Crest Exploratory Drilling Project is Friday\, January 26th\, 2024\, 45 days after it was published in RCJ newspaper on Dec 12th\, 2023.  To have legal standing to object (formally) you must have commented during scoping or draft EA review. \nClean Water Alliance and other groups will be doing alerts on this objection process – in fact CWA has already sent one out.\, \nForest Service says: \n“Access to each drill site will be along National Forest Service Roads (NFSRs) and trails branching off NFSR 134 (Tinton Road). No new road or trail construction is proposed. Water used for drilling will be sourced from an approved municipal or privately owned water supply in the Lead/Deadwood area. Equipment and supplies will be stored at a staging area approximately 1 acre in size. The total surface disturbance for the entire project will be approximately 2 acres. \nThe proposed project duration is 5 calendar years\, which includes 27 months of active drilling.  All sites will be reclaimed following drilling activities. \nThe EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project are available upon request at the Northern Hills Ranger District office\, 2014 North Main Street\, Spearfish\, SD  57783. These documents are also available at the Black Hills National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=62590. \nAdditional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Chris Stores\, Natural Resources Planner\, at 605-443-3081 or by e-mail at chris.stores@usda.gov. \nThe Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218…. \nIssues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted written comments\, regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunity…..” \n========== \nHow to submit objections. The Forest Service says: \n“Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=62590. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. \nObjections can be faxed to the Objection Reviewing Officer at 605-673-9350. The fax coversheet must include a subject line with “OBJECTION: Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project” and should specify the number of pages being submitted. \nWritten objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office\, Attn: Objection Review Officer\, 1019 North 5th Street\, Custer\, SD 57730. \nObjections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office\, Attn: Objection Review Officer\, 1019 North 5th Street\, Custer\, SD 57730. Office hours are Monday through Friday\, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\, excluding Federal holidays\, for hand delivery. Any objections sent by US mail or private carrier must be postmarked by the final day of the objection period to be eligible for consideration.” \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/objection-deadline-golden-crest-exploratory-drilling-project/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240127T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240127T110000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240127T131153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240127T131324Z UID:10501-1706346000-1706353200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:First Rapid City Legislative Cracker Barrel DESCRIPTION:The first Rapid City Legislative Cracker Barrel is January 27th at Western Dakota Tech\, 9 am – 11 am. This is sponsored by Elevate Rapid City. Go to our web page on cracker barrels to learn about statewide cracker barrels  & the next Rapid City ones – https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislative-cracker-barrels-2022/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/first-rapid-city-legislative-cracker-barrel/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240208T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240208T203000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240207T221643Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240208T003810Z UID:10674-1707415200-1707424200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society November Meeting DESCRIPTION: Thursday\, February 8\, 6:00 public Zoom meeting: Norbeck Society presents Martha Geores: “Community Ownership & Sustaining the Black Hills National Forest” (poster attached to email.  Martha’s book\, “Common Ground: The Struggle for Ownership of the Black Hills National Forest” is available at the RC Library – 2 copies) \nZoom link: \nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/88173621695?pwd=eVlRZ3lSQ1BhUzVGUmN3akE0bTJ4QT09 \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-november-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240216T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240219T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231214T041331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231214T041514Z UID:9924-1708041600-1708387140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Great Back Yard Bird Count DESCRIPTION:February 16-19th\, 2024\, Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)\nThis event repeats annually. This next year it is February 16th-19th 2024. In February the world comes together for the love of birds.  https://www.birdcount.org\,    or https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count \nThe Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free\, fun\, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count\, from beginning bird watchers to experts\, and you can participate from your backyard\, or anywhere in the world. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/back-yard-bird-count/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240217T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240217T160000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240207T215953Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240217T030244Z UID:10662-1708176600-1708185600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel Feb. 17th\, 2024\, 1:30 pm DESCRIPTION:Foothills Area Hybrid Cracker Barrel\, \nPiedmont\, SD\, 2/17/2024 \nWhen – Saturday\, February 17th\, \n1:30 pm – 4:00 pm \nWhere – Piedmont American Legion Post \nWho – Legislators for Districts 29 and 33 have been invited. \nWhat is a Cracker Barrel? – It’s a moderated question and answer session where the public can ask their elected representative questions about the legislature. This will be a two-hour program with a 20-25 minute break (with snacks) in the middle. Bob Burns will moderate. \nCome join us and find out what’s happening in Pierre\, meet your representatives and some of your neighbors. The invited legislators are those who represent the towns of Southern Meade County: Black Hawk\, Summerset\, Piedmont and Box Elder\, as well as other parts of Pennington and Meade County. This is the fourteenth Cracker Barrel for our “Foothills” communities. \nThis will be a hybrid meeting – the Cracker Barrel can be attended in person at the Piedmont Legion or via Zoom. \nZoom Meeting ID: 844 3405 2247\, Passcode: 067083\nLink: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84434052247?pwd=SklyMWUxZjhYWkpCS0wwb0E1eUp5dz09\nOne tap mobile: +17193594580\,\,84434052247#\,\,\,\,*067083# US \nUS Telephone  numbers are +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or  +1 346 248 7799 or https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbnEdey6m \nThe Legion’s Post is located at 101 Pine Street and is at the intersection of Pine and Sturgis Road (North First St). It is on the southeast side of the town of Piedmont\, travel about a half mile northwest of exit 46 (Elk Creek Rd Exit) on Sturgis Rd. \nHere is a link to a Facebook event notice for this Cracker Barrel: https://fb.me/e/eTamfLTfO \nContact information for the Cracker Barrel Sponsors: \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society\, Nancy Hilding\, (605)-787-6466 or 787-2806 (cell)\, phas.wsd@rapidnet.com\, http://www.phas-wsd.org \nBlack Hills Chapter – Dakota Rural Action\, Frank James\,  (605) 697-5204 ext 240\, fejames@dakotarural.org \nPiedmont Valley American Legion Post 311\, Kim Anderson\, (605) 787-5886\, kim.ander311@gmail.com \nFoothills Kiwanis\, Sharon Wilson\, 605-390-5919\, sharwils1@rap.midco.net URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/piedmont-foothills-area-legislative-cracker-barrel-feb-17th-2024/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240222T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240222T203000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240219T041952Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240219T043457Z UID:11197-1708624800-1708633800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Sierra Club Lobbyist Reports on Legislature at Zoom meeting DESCRIPTION:SD Sierra Club Lobbyist  (Guy Larson) will report on 2024 legislature at a  Zoom meeting. \nThursday evening\, Feb. 22\, at 7:00 PM Central / 6 PM Mountain. \n  \nYou have to e-mail him for a link: \n whiterabbetguy@gmail.com URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-sierra-club-lobbyist-reports-on-legislature-at-zoom-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240226T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240226T210000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240206T235817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240217T043446Z UID:10646-1708972200-1708981200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS February Member's meeting - National Audubon Society reports on their activities in SD\, ND & NE DESCRIPTION:PHAS February Member’s meeting – National Audubon Society staff reports on their activities in SD\, ND & NE \nMonday\, February 26th\, 6:30-9:00 by Zoom.  (Scroll down for Zoom details). \n  \nAudubon Great Plains (AGP) staff will join PHAS to update the group on AGP conservation programs across the three states of South Dakota\, North Dakota and Nebraska\, including working lands programs like Audubon Conservation Ranching and Conservation Forage Program\, community conservation projects\, and engagement and outreach efforts. Josh Lefers\, Director of Conservation\, and Meghan Carter-Johnson\, Senior Coordinator of Engagement\, will be on the Zoom call as speakers. \nTopic: PHAS monthly meetings  (February 26th\, 2024\, 6:30-9:00)\nTime: This is a recurring meeting (we use these codes at all PHAS member’s monthly meetings)\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\n—\n\nOne tap mobile\n+16694449171\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n+16699006833\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US (San Jose)\n\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/phas-february-members-meeting-national-audubon-society-reports-on-their-activities-in-sd-nd-ne/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240228T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240228T170000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240219T044819Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240219T045157Z UID:11201-1709110800-1709139600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Hearing on Uranium exploitation policies with Indigenous people Inter-American Commission on Human Rights\, DESCRIPTION:IACHR GRANTS THEMATIC HEARING ON IMPACTS TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ HUMAN RIGHTS FROM URANIUM EXPLOITATION \nHistoric Hearing to be Held in Washington\, D.C. \nWeds\, Feb. 28th at 11am EST/9am MST \n What: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Thematic Hearing \nWhere: IACHR/OAS\, 1889 F St. N.W.\, Washington\, D.C. 20006 \nWhen: Wednesday\, February 28\, 2024 at 11am EST/9am MST \nWho: Members of the Navajo Nation\, Ute Nation and Oglala Lakota Nation will testify \nWhy: Impacts of Uranium Exploitation on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United States \nHow to attend: In-person at IACHR/Organization of American States (OAS) located at 1889 F St. N.W.\, Washington\, D.C. 20006 or watch online \non IACHR’s website https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/sessions/?S=189 \nor on the IACHR YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisionIDH \nAdditional Background Information from Media Advisory: \n“In a decision that coincides with a disturbing uptick in uranium development activity\,the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has agreed to hold a “thematic” hearing on how U.S. uranium exploitation policies have resulted in human rights abuses in Indigenous communities across the country. \nAs the United States doubles down on the misguided notion that nuclear power is a solution to the climate crisis\, the uranium development industry is beginning to benefit from generous taxpayer giveaways to the nuclear industry as a whole.  Subsidies from the Biden administration have spurred uranium mining production to restart in at least 3 mines in the last few months\, in Utah\, Wyoming\, and in Arizona near the Grand Canyon. As has been the case since the dawn of the Atomic Age\, the impacts of uranium mining are largely left out of the debate over nuclear power. \nThe thematic hearing will allow Native communities who have lived for generations with the waste from historic uranium mining and milling to hold U.S. government officials to account in a public forum for the government’s failure to address waste from uranium development in any meaningful way. “ \nTonia Stands from Rapid City and an Oglala Lakota community member will speak at this hearing. \nThe media advisory did not tell us  how long the meeting will last so we guessed at the end time of 5 pm URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/hearing-on-uranium-exploitation-policies-with-indigenous-people-inter-american-commission-on-human-rights/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240228T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240228T235900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240213T030559Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240213T031039Z UID:10919-1709164200-1709164740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comments due on the Bluelead Vegetation Management Project Black Hills National Forest DESCRIPTION:Scoping comments  are due on Feb 28th\, 11;59 pm on the Bluelead Vegetation Management Project\, Mystic Ranger District\,  Black Hills National Forest\, for details and map visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65527 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comments-due-on-the-bluelead-vegetation-project-black-hills-national-forest/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240301T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240301T170000 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20231215T062250Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240219T074734Z UID:9933-1709280000-1709312400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:2024 Black Hills Area Botany & Ecology Workshop DESCRIPTION:The 2024 Black Hills Area Botany & Ecology Workshop will be Friday\, March 1\, 2024\, at the Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City\, SD. Emphasis will be on the in-person event\, but sponsors will offer remote participation (via Zoom) to both speakers and watchers. Therefore\, sponsors will ask you to register in advance in order to plan well for both venues. \nIt’s now time to register for the 2024 Black Hills Area Botany and Ecology Workshop (BHABEW) on March 1st! Everything you need to know about this year’s workshop (except your personal Zoom link) is in this email\, so please keep it handy! \nRegistration \nThe workshop will take place on-site at The Outdoor Campus – West\, 4130 Adventure Trail\, Rapid City\, SD\, and on-line via Zoom\, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. Although there is no registration fee\, sponsors ask that everyone (especially off-site speakers!!!!) pre-register\, whether you will attend on-site or online. Please register at this link: \nhttps://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcuitrTkoHNJjnQegP1KsKk2X6RQ5k0My \nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting\, regardless of whether you say you’ll be on-site or online. That way\, if something comes up at the last minute and you can’t attend in-person\, you’ll still be able to hear the great talks lined up. To help us plan\, sponsors ask that you register by February 23. In the registration form\, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you will attend on-site or online.  Please indicate “in-person” even if you aren’t sure at this time that you’ll be able to be there. This is especially important this year because you’ll also be asked if you’ll attend a chili feed lunch at the workshop site. NOTE that this is different from previous years. Yes\, it’s at the workshop site and at lunch time!  There is no charge for that lunch\, but donations to The Nature Conservancy to help cover costs won’t be refused. \nProgram and Publicity \nHere is a nearly final schedule for the day. Please share this email with anyone you think may be interested but not on the BHABEW mailing list yet. \nDoor Prizes \nDoor prizes will be drawn throughout the day for on-site participants. If you would like to contribute to the selection of prizes\, just bring them the day of the workshop. \nSnacks and Sustainability \nThe Nature Conservancy will provide coffee\, tea\, a variety of snacks\, and an optional lunch. If you attend on site\, please bring your own mug for coffee\, bottle for water\, and even your own dishes for lunch if you like. Also please bring a name tag. \nContingency Plan for Adverse Weather Conditions \nThe workshop will occur on-site unless Rapid City area schools are closed the day of the workshop. Please travel only if you feel comfortable; use your Zoom link to attend if you don’t! \nFor more information – Amy Symstad: \n\nResearch Ecologist“asymstad@usgs.gov” \n\nU.S. Geological Survey\, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center\n605-745-1191\nMailing address:\nWind Cave National Park\, 26611 U.S. Hwy 385\, Hot Springs\, SD 57747 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/2024-black-hills-area-botany-ecology-workshop/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240303T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240303T225900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240303T222716Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240303T222742Z UID:11941-1709506200-1709506740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Written Comments due to SDGFP Commission Sunday before their March meeting. DESCRIPTION:The deadline to send in written Comments to the SDGFP Commission before their March Meeting is just before midnight CT on Sunday night. You can still attend remotely and testify by Zoom on Thursday 3/7/24 or send comments to them individually. But to get them in the public record\, you need to send about 3.5 days in advance. . Go to 3/7/24 event notice for more info. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commissions-march-meeting/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/written-comments-due-to-sdgfp-commission-before-their-march-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240304T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240304T215900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240225T214122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240225T214340Z UID:11561-1709544600-1709589540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment deadline to USFWS on the proposed biological integrity\, diversity\, and environmental health (BIDEH) rules of our national wildlife refuges DESCRIPTION:March 4th is the deadline to submit comments on USFWS proposed rule about predator hunting and other issues on National Wildlife Refuges.   We assume comments must be posted on-line  just before 10 pm MT\, or midnight CT. Or if sending by postal mail\, postmarked on 3/4/24. \nFor the federal register notice … https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/02/2024-02076/national-wildlife-refuge-system-biological-integrity-diversity-and-environmental-health \n Quotes from the FR: \nSUMMARY: \n“We\, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)\, propose new regulations to ensure that the biological integrity\, diversity\, and environmental health (BIDEH) of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) are maintained\, and where appropriate\, restored and enhanced\, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. In addition\, the Service is proposing updates to the existing BIDEH policy\, which will be available for public comment concurrently with the proposed regulations in this docket. These proposed regulatory and policy revisions would support conservation throughout the Refuge System in response to both longstanding and contemporary conservation challenges\, including the universal and profound effects of climate change on refuge species and ecosystems. Together\, these proposals would uphold BIDEH across the Refuge System by providing refuge managers with a consistent approach for evaluating and implementing management actions to protect vulnerable species\, restore and connect habitats\, promote natural processes\, sustain vital ecological functions\, increase resilience\, and adapt to climate change.”……….. \nDATES \nUSFWS  will accept comments on the proposed rule and proposed revisions to the Service Manual chapter at 601 FW 3 that are received or postmarked on or before March 4\, 2024. \nADDRESSES: \nDocument availability: This proposed rule and the draft Service Manual chapter 601 FW 3 are available at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box\, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106\, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then\, click on the Search button. To access the Service Manual chapter\, go to the tab for Supporting & Related Material. \nComment submission: You may submit comments on this proposed rule or the proposed revisions to 601 FW 3 by one of the following methods: \n• Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box\, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106\, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then\, click on the Search button. On the resulting screen\, find the correct document and submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.” \n• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public Comments Processing\, Attn: FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike\, MS: PRB (JAO/3W); Falls Church\, VA 22041–3803. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-usfws-proposed-rule-about-predator-hunting-other-issues-on-wildlife-refuges/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240305T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240305T225900 DTSTAMP:20260414T201339 CREATED:20240306T045033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240306T045444Z UID:12020-1709679000-1709679540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on Draft 2024 SD Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment DESCRIPTION:March 5th is the deadline to comment on Draft 2024 SD Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment (Integrated Report)\, \nSee Dept. Of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) notice page at https://danr.sd.gov/public/ \nPublic notice on this deadline is here \nhttps://danr.sd.gov/officeofwater/surfacewaterquality/pn/2024IR_PNLetter.pdf \nThe Integrated Report is required under the federal Clean Water Act. This report combines the 305(b) Water Quality Report to Congress and the 303(d) Impaired Waterbodies list into one document for the purpose of reporting on South Dakota’s surface water quality. The Integrated Report also lists those waterbodies that require Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development. The final Integrated Report is due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on or before April 1\, 2024. The 2024 Integrated Report contains the following information: \n1. An assessment of the surface water quality of South Dakota’s waters; \n2. A description of South Dakota’s water quality monitoring programs; \n3. Pollutants causing or expected to cause violations of the applicable water quality standards; \n4. Identification of waters targeted for TMDL development. \nA copy of the draft 2024 Integrated Report is available on DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page at: https://danr.sd.gov/public/. Copies of the draft Integrated Report may also be obtained by emailing Josh Strobel at the following email address; Joshua.Strobel@state.sd.us or writing to Josh Strobel at the address below\, or by calling him at 1- 605-773-6710. The department must receive public comments by March 5\, 2024. Comments can be submitted online at DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page at https://danr.sd.gov/public/\, emailed to Josh Strobel at Joshua.Strobel@state.sd.us\, or submitted in writing to the address below \nDepartment of Agriculture and Natural Resources \nSurface Water Quality Program \n523 East Capitol Avenue – Joe Foss Building Pierre\, \nSouth Dakota 57501-3181 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-draft-2024-sd-integrated-report-for-surface-water-quality-assessment/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR