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: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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250618T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250618T210000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250503T025823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250503T025823Z UID:18569-1750273200-1750280400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Beaver Ecology Lecture DESCRIPTION:Beaver Ecology Lecture – Dr. Emily Fairfax presenting \nJourney Museum 7 pm 6/18/25 \n  \nWe don’t know end time\, but have guessed at 9 pm URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/beaver-ecology-lecture/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250620T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250620T225900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250523T154733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250603T022306Z UID:18903-1750459800-1750460340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on the SD GFP's Draft rewrite of their Wildlife Action Plan DESCRIPTION:June 20th is a “sort of”   Deadline to comment on the SD GFP’s staff on their Draft rewrite of their Wildlife Action Plan. \nWe call it a “sort of” as the Commission will act to approve it\, likely at the July or September Commission meeting \nThe federal government requires states to do this plan every 10 years if they want to get various federal funds.  This will be at least SD’s 3rd version of a Wildlife Action Plan.  The proposed Recovering America Wildlife Act\, (which is stalled in current GOP controlled congress) is tiered\, in part\,  to these plans. \nYou need to go to the GFP Wildlife Action Plan’s web page to download current version or proposed revision..\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife-action-plan\nCurrently there is just a one sentence note that they are revising the plan\, in white text on a brown background\nclick on those white words to download the new draft revision.\n(These are plans the federal government requires them to do every 10 years to qualify for federal funds)\nLink to draft revision:\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/docs/SDWAP_complete_draft_9_Apr_2025.pdf\n\n\nTo  comment go here:\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/\nFind the Wildlife Action  Plan and select other and type your comment.\n====================\nWe have not yet read it to advise you of commenting issues\, however once published this is a great resource to learn about our at risk species & their habitats\, so all should learn how to find it\, download its’ final version and visit the interactive web pages on GFP web site. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-the-sd-gfps-draft-rewrite-of-their-wildlife-action-plan/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-05-30-at-3.01.50-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250620T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250620T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250523T170652Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T171051Z UID:18911-1750463400-1750463940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Scoping Comments due 6/20/25 Triple Seven Vegetation Management Project - Near Black Hawk\,. BHNF DESCRIPTION:The Mystic District of the Black Hills National Forest has initiated public scoping for the Triple Seven Vegetation Management Project. This project is near Black Hawk\, SD. Scoping documents can be found at the following web address: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/68023.\n\nElectronic comments are preferred and must be submitted to the Comment Reviewing Officer via email at (comments-rocky-mounta…@usda.gov) with “Triple Seven Project” as the subject. Comments can also be sent via U.S. mail to Mystic Ranger District Office\, Attn: Triple Seven Vegetative Management Project\, 8221 S. Mount Rushmore Rd.\, Rapid City\, SD\, 57702 or by fax at 605-343-7134. Public comments will be accepted for 30 days following the date of this Scoping Letter [May 21st 2025] . Comments submitted\, including names and addresses of commenters\, are public information. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/scoping-comments-due-6-20-25-triple-seven-vegetation-management-project-near-black-hawk-bhnf/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250702T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250702T225900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250513T165052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T165834Z UID:18811-1751496600-1751497140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comments due on SDGFP Beaver Action Plan July 2nd\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:Comments due on SDGFP Beaver Action Plan July 2nd\, 2025 \nHere is a link to the plan. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/beaverActionPLan-May_2025_Commission_Book_-2-1.pdf \nYou normally need to post comments to the SDGFP Commission public comment page or postal mail to SDGFP staff\, but the comment directions have not be posted yet\, I have just been told the written comment deadline for staff review. This will be posted on their Management Plan web page – under plans up for revision –\, once they get around to posting it. https://gfp.sd.gov/management-plans/ \nHowever the SDGFP Commission takes action to approve Action Plans\, so likely the Commission will also consider this Plan at their July 10-11th  meeting\, so go to the Commission’s July meeting and hearing pages for those comment opportunities – it will be on Sunday night 7/6/25 for written comments and Thursday 10th for spoken comments. \nTALKING POINTS \nThe plan is good in that it allows for a moratorium on beaver hunting/trapping in the Black Hills. \nIt is inadequate in that it does not address needed reductions in beaver hunting/trapping season outside the Black Hills especially  in west River SD\, which we need in at least key drainages to facilitate northern river otter reintroduction and because beaver help store ground and surface water. Otter are strongly associated with beaver and if they are both present\, when you trap beaver you also catch otter as incidental take. Water sets drown the trapped beaver/otter. \nWestern SD might have water supply problems in the future and folks are proposing a .5-3 billion dollar water transfer pipeline from the Missouri.  Beaver engineering stores and saves water in western SD (if allowed to happen) & thus minimizes the need for human engineering to transfer that water from Missouri  back to west.  Also other public lands in western SD have inadequate beaver supplies and need their own beaver recovery plans. \nBeaver provide for lots of values. Go to our beaver and otter web pages for information on that. \nWatching of beaver and river otters is fun.  Watching them must be recognized as an important form of recreation\, at least as important as hunting/trapping them. Trapping  might be primarily  a commercial action done for revenue from the sale of furs & may not be primarily a recreation action. However\, it is constantly justified as outdoor recreation and we are told we must restart trapping for recreation’s sake.  Object to this and insist that watching them is important recreation. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comments-due-on-sdgfp-beaver-action-plan-july-2nd-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250706T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250706T225900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250430T225218Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T225414Z UID:18469-1751842200-1751842740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for July meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for July meeting is before midnight on the Sunday  before the Thursday meeting. There is a public comment portal on the SDGFP Commission web page \n  \nCommission’s submit public comment link –\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/\n\n\nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (there is no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them\, we are not sure how well they work. \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”   \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-send-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission-for-july-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250709T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250709T200000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T160320Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T160452Z UID:19176-1752085800-1752091200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS's July Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:PHAS’s July Board Meeting.  Members are welcome at PHAS Board Meetings that are held on Zoom\, non-members need an invitation. . Folks  need to call Nancy for details\,  605-787-6466 or e-mail has.wsd@rapidnet.com. PHAS Board meetings are normally on the eve of the second Wednesday of the month\, unless a quorum can’t be attained on that day. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phass-july-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250710T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250711T110000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250331T194349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T051850Z UID:18110-1752152400-1752231600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD GFP Commission's July hybrid meeting - 7/10/25-7/11/25\, Zoom & Yankton DESCRIPTION:SD GFP Commission’s July hybrid meeting – 7/10/25-7/11/25 \nIt will be by zoom\, teleconference and in person in Yankton. \nWhen we are closer to the meeting date\, meeting information will be posted at this site \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nJuly 10\, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT | July 11\, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. CT\nNFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center | Yankton\, SD | Livestream link \nZoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call\, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 \n\nAgenda\nCommission Book\nNotice of Regular Meeting\n\nYou will be able to testify remotely or in person at 2 pm CT on Thursday. \nWritten comment deadline is 72 hours before the day of the meeting (just before midnight CT on Sunday). You submit at this web page. \nWe expect SDGFP to submit their report on the results of the 2024-2025 mountain lion hunting season and their rule proposal for mountain lion hunting for the next 2 years. \nThey have released a proposal to allow hound hunting in the southern and SE side of the Black Hills Fire Protection District – with 15 lions to be killed via hunting.  The proposals can be found in the Commission book. The Commission moved the cougar hunting proposal forward to finalization (vote) at their September meeting. \nGFP summary: \n“Mountain Lion Season \nThe Commission proposed to expand the season dates for hunting intervals allowing the use of dogs and increase the unit size where hunting with dogs is allowed in the Black Hills Fire Protection District. The proposal would eliminate the requirement for access permits to hunt mountain lions in Custer State Park without the use of dogs. \nHunting mountain lions in the designated area with the use of dogs will be allowed for a total of fifteen individuals with access permits\, provided the harvest limits have not been met. Three access permits will be issued in each of the five 21 day intervals\, starting Dec. 26.” \nThe Black Hills Beaver Action Plan was also  up for approval; the final version has  some changes to the draft – it was approved. \nFee schedule for the Shooting Range off of Elk Vale road was up for approval & was approved. Access to some areas of the Range will be free and some will need fee for access. \n  \nSuggested that you contact Gail Buus in advance to register to testify remotely\, see agenda. gail.buus@state.sd.us\, however they allow not-registered folks to testify in person or remotely. \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-gfp-commissions-july-hybrid-meeting-7-10-25-7-11-25-zoom-yankton/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250711T165000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250711T165900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T164158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T101901Z UID:19180-1752252600-1752253140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to request opportunity to testify at Wyoming G&F Commission July meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline to request opportunity to testify at Wyoming G&F Commission July meeting (with extension) \nThe deadline register to testify orally  about Wyo.  Mt lions/wolves hunt seasons  at Wyoming GF Commission  was Thursday July 10th \,however we have been given an extension by Toni Bell so it is now until Friday 7/11th/25 at COB – which is the new deadline\nDownload the agenda\nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/media/32726/download?inline\nand see  form within the agenda at page 4 \, send form to toni.bell2@wyo.gov.\nYou will  need a printer/scanner to send in filled out form.\nI have in the past just sent in the required information\, without using the form and it worked.\nThey reserve time for you at the appropriate items  wolves – 11 (9:25-10:25 am)  and  mt lions – 13 (1:30-2:30 pm) . You can testify remotely\, by Zoom.\n\n\n11. Presenters: Dr. Dan Thompson\, Large Carnivore Section Supervisor\, and Ken Mills\,\nLarge Carnivore Biologist/Wolf Management Specialist\, Wildlife Division. Chapter\n47\, Gray Wolf Hunting Seasons. The Commission will be asked to vote to approve the\nrevised Chapter 47\, Gray Wolf Hunting Seasons. 1 hour. 9:25-10:25 a.m.\n\n\n13. Presenters: Dr. Dan Thompson\, Large Carnivore Section Supervisor\, and Justin\nClapp\, Large Carnivore Biologist\, Wildlife Division. Chapter 42\, Mountain Lion\nHunting Seasons. The Commission will be asked to vote to approve the revised Chapter\n42\, Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons. 1 hour. 1:30-2:30 p.m.\n\n\n\nWe have a filing extension till Friday Close of Business URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-request-opportunity-to-testify-at-wyoming-gf-commission-july-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250714T135900 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250714T140000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250712T045354Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T050845Z UID:19232-1752501540-1752501600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Contact Dusty Johnson to oppose 2 bills (HR 281 & HR 839 ) about Grizzly Bear Delisting DESCRIPTION:Contact Dusty Johnson to oppose 2  bills (H.R. 281 & H.R. 839 )  about Grizzly Bear Delisting and preventing federal land managers from banning lead used in hunting/fishing on their properties. Dusty Johnson’s phone number in DC  is (202) 225-2801 \nDusty Johnson is on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee\, which will meet on  Tuesday 7/15/25 to consider and vote on H.R. 281 and H.R\, 839 \nH.R. 281\, is the the “Grizzly Bear State Management Act\,” which delists grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and bars judicial review. \nH.R. 556\, the so-called “Protecting Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025” \n============ \nH.R. 281\, sponsored by Rep. Harriet Hageman\, requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a 2017 rule delisting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) population of grizzly bears and bars judicial review of the reissued rule. This 2017 delisting rule was already held unlawful by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Further\, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a January 2025 species status assessment and proposed ruling regarding grizzly bears in the “Lower 48” states. There\, FWS\, which must base its decisions on the best available scientific and commercial data\, found that GYE grizzlies should remain listed as threatened under  the ESA. \n\n\nH.R. 281 would override both the court’s decision and FWS’s science-based recognition that GYE grizzlies still need federal protection. \n============\nH.R. 556\,\n\n\n H.R. 556 would prohibit the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture from regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal lands or waters under their jurisdiction. \n H.R. 556 would restrict the ability of federal agencies to promote healthier conditions on their jurisdictional lands. By effectively precluding the replacement of lead ammunition and tackle with commonly used non-lead alternatives\, the bill would also prevent federal officials from protecting hunters and anglers from consuming lead-poisoned game and fish.  \n Lead ammunition and tackle have been shown to harm a wide variety of wildlife. For species like California condors\, bald and golden eagles\, mountain lions\, black bears\, common loons\, and dozens of others\, lead is a persistent threat that hampers conservation and recovery efforts. Ingestion of spent lead ammunition is the leading cause of death for the critically endangered California condor. A 2022 paper demonstrated population-level effects in both bald and golden eagles stemming from ingestion of spent lead ammunition. Aquatic species like loons succumb to lead toxicosis via ingesting loose tackle or fish which have consumed lead tackle.  \nThe bill includes an exception whereby lead use may be regulated only if it can be shown that declines in wildlife populations on a specific unit of land were caused by lead ammunition or tackle. This is an impossible standard to meet as population monitoring data is rarely available at the management unit level. It is inconsistent with widely accepted scientific methods\, dismisses well established facts about the dangers of lead\, and would preclude responsible management actions that could prevent future population declines.  \n Furthermore\, the bill states that any federal regulation of lead that does satisfy the exception must also be approved by the applicable State fish and wildlife agency.  \nBy constraining federal management of federal land\, H.R. 556 may also conflict with conservation statutes including the Endangered Species Act.  \n= \nThis bill will be in committee on Tuesday\, so we suggest you call  Johnson on Monday. We do not know at what time Johnson’s staff summarizes all the calls received and relays that to the Congressman.  We suggest a 4:00  pm EST deadline\, but we don’t know what the calling deadline before a committee hearing should be. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/contact-dusty-johnson-to-oppose-2-bills-hr-281-hr-839-about-grizzly-bear-delisting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250715T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250716T120000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250520T143032Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T171821Z UID:18892-1752570000-1752667200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Wyoming Game and Fish Commission July 15-16/ 2025 meeting in Evanston (hybrid) DESCRIPTION:Wyoming Game and Fish Commission July 15-16th\, meeting in Evanston & Zoom  – check here for the agenda \n15-16 ://wgfd.wyo.gov/commission \nAt this meeting they will discuss and vote on proposed changes to mountain lion and wolf hunting seasons. \nYou can attend virtually and make an appointment to testify\, if you do it many days in advance. Deadline to ask for appointment is July 10th\,  See our post on that date for more information. \nWe suggest folks object to the Mountain lions hunting season proposal. \n  \n======================= \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/wyoming-game-and-fish-commission-july-15-16-2025-meeting-in-evanston-hybrid/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250716T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250716T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250716T220950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250716T221116Z UID:19248-1752690600-1752697800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"Threats to Public Lands"\, Sierra Club Hybrid Meeting at OCW DESCRIPTION:THREATS TO PUBLIC LANDS BLACK HILLS GROUP | SOUTH DAKOTA SIERRA CLUB PRESENTATION BY CHERYL SCHREIER  \n  \nCheryl retired as Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in 2019. In her nearly 40 years with the National Park Service\, she served as superintendent of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site\, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site\, and completed a detail as acting superintendent at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Cheryl has worked at 10 different national park units\, including Bryce Canyon\, Yellowstone\, and Death Valley National Parks. She lives in South Dakota and was a leader in several positions of the Black Hills Group and South Dakota Chapter Sierra Club. \n  \n6:30 p.m. Wednesday\, July 16\, 2025 Outdoor Campus West\, 4130 Adventure Trail\, Rapid City\, SD 57702 Free and Open to the Public  \nA Zoom link will be offered – contact Suzanne\, Black Hills Group \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but have guessed at 2 hour meeting. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/threats-to-public-lands-sierra-club-hybrid-meeting-at-ocw/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250717T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250717T193000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T223019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T223019Z UID:19216-1752771600-1752780600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Nation wide Protests - "Good Trouble Lives On" in Spearfish & Rapid City Thursday eve DESCRIPTION:Nationwide Protests – “Good Trouble Lives On” -happening locally  in Spearfish & Rapid City Thursday eve \nhttps://goodtroubleliveson.org/?SQF_SOURCE=indivisible \n\n\nThu\, Jul 17\n5:00 PM — 6:30 PM MDT\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRapid City\, South Dakota\, 57701\nRapid City\, SD 57701\n========================\n\n\n\nThu\, Jul 17\n6:30 PM — 7:30 PM MDT\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhy We Fight\nSpearfish\, SD 57783\n\n\nOrganized by Indivisible & Mobilize & other groups URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/nation-wide-protests-good-trouble-lives-on-in-spearfish-rapid-city-thursday-eve/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250719T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250719T140000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250711T111959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T170253Z UID:19230-1752917400-1752933600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Visit to Beaver Dam Analog Project in Green Gulch\, Northern Hills DESCRIPTION:Visit to Beaver Dam Analog Project  (BDA) Sites in Green Gulch\, Northern Hills and learn about beaver dam analogs (BDA). \nJuly 19th is a group visit to show beaver dam analogs built in Green Gulch over several years  by volunteers and the Forest Service and Black Hills Fly Fishers.  This is an ongoing project; more BDA get built every year by volunteers. \nFolks are to meet at Dakota Angler Outfitter on 1010 Jackson Blv at 9:30 am  and a caravan from there will drive to Green Gulch. Bill Young of Black Hills Fly Fishers can send a map on request or view map at the top of this notice –  Bill Young - ‭‭‭(605) ‭‭‭391-1002 \nWe are not sure how long this event will be\, but we suspect at least 3 or 4 hours. \nPHAS strongly supports the efforts to recover beaver in SD\, including building BDAs. We urge members to join in helping build BDA and learn how to construct them. \nInstructions from Rapid City area: \n\n\n\n\n“Basically The route is Highway 44 to 385. Turn left on the Custer crossing road. And follow that to Minnesota Ridge Road. Left on Minnesota Ridge continue until you see pink flagging and you’ll take a slight right into Green Gulch.”\n\n\n\n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/visit-to-beaver-dam-analog-project-in-green-gulch-northern-hills/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-07-18-at-4.16.58-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250721T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250721T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T155942Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T105546Z UID:19173-1753141800-1753142340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comments due on Ponderosa mining project to BHNF DESCRIPTION:Ponderosa Exploration Drilling Project #64551\nScoping notice was published 7/20/25 by Black Hills National Forest. Comments are requested through 7/21/2025 11:59:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time). https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=64551 \nThe Northern Hills District of Black Hills National Forest has released information for the proposed Ponderosa gold drilling project\, with a 30-day comment period.  Your comments are due by July 21\, 2025\, at 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time). \nBlack Hills Clean Water Alliance has an alert at: https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/2025/06/21/attention-ponderosa-project-comment-period-begins-now/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comments-due-on-ponderosa-mining-project-to-bhnf/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-07-11-at-4.32.10-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250724T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250724T193000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250717T002134Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T165033Z UID:19251-1753380000-1753385400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:The Next Fight for Wildlife and Wild Places - Call to Action (Zoom webinar) DESCRIPTION:Topic\nThe Next Fight for Wildlife and Wild Places – Call to Action\n\n\nDate & Time\n\nSelected Sessions: \n\nJul 24\, 2025 06:00 PM MT \n\n\n\n\nDescription\nCongressional leaders are working on a sneaky way to take away protections for the wildlife and wild places we love. This is a serious moment. Gray wolves and grizzly bears could lose federal protections for good\, going back to a time when they were poisoned\, trapped and shot until they disappeared from the American landscape. Prairie birds\, bats\, wolverines\, national wildlife refuges and more could be lost to unchecked development. Join us to learn how some members of Congress are sneaking these harmful laws into big “must-pass” legislation\, find out what we know about where your House Representative stands on these issues\, and what our movement for biodiversity can do together to keep endangered species protected. Together we are stronger!\n\nSponsored by the Endangered Species Coalition.\, www.endangered.org\nRegistration link:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w0W-pZpqTPuKaD3ptRdTkw?_gl=1*1cw5y6y*_gcl_au*MTU0Mzg1NDk4NS4xNzUyMDc2NzI4LjEzMTc3ODk0NS4xNzUyMDc2NzI5LjE3NTIwNzY3Mjg.*_ga*NDA5OTc1OTk3LjE3NDExMTk3MzU.*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3NTIwNzY3MjgkbzMzJGcxJHQxNzUyMDc3MDI1JGo1OCRsMCRoMA#/registration\n\nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last and have guessed at 1.5 hours.\n\n\nFOR MORE INFORMATION\n  \nFY26 Appropriations Riders: Harm to Endangered Species \nHere is a link that contains the description and status of bills (riders) related to endangered species that are headed to committees or floor for FY26 appropriations cycle . This was dated to mid-july https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OC0_6V8i4tBN3wTskcK8GRlNOffx-Pks1_DohZdGn1Y/edit?tab=t.0\n\nTAKE ACTION – SIMPLE EFFORT\n\nOn-line Pre Fab letter asking congress to protect endangered species  by Animal Commons- “Protect the Endangered Species Act From Trump and Republican Attacks” – you can just add your name to pre-fab text\n\nhttps://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-the-endangered-species-act-from-trump-and-republican-attacks?source=direct_link&referrer=group-endangered-species-coalition&link_id=0&can_id=894d0cc0d439d8d2425a681aec9625bc&email_referrer=email_2816423&&&email_subject=americans-support-the-endangered-species-act-nil-now-we-need-to-defend-it\n\n\n  \n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-next-fight-for-wildlife-and-wild-places-call-to-action-zoom-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250725T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250725T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250724T222718Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250724T223455Z UID:19373-1753487400-1753487940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment deadline for revised logging proposal at Buffalo project BHNF DESCRIPTION:Forest Service says: \nDue to changes in the planning process and proposed action for this project\, an additional comment period will be conducted. . Additional information is available on the Buffalo project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/67248\n\n\n  \nIn notice says: \n” The 30-day public comment period for the Buffalo project was initiated on March 4\, 2025\, via a legal notice published in the Black Hills Pioneer\, the newspaper of record for the Northern Hills Ranger District. On April 3\, 2025\, US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued Secretarial Memo 1078-66: Increasing Timber Production and Designating an Emergency Situation on National Forest System Lands. This memo makes an Emergency Action Determination (EAD) under section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Per direction issued by Jacqueline Emmanuel\, Acting Deputy Chief of the Forest Service\, relating to the Secretarial Memo: All actions eligible within the lands covered will use this EAD authority as the default approach including ongoing actions. Because the entirety of the Buffalo project area is within an area identified as being in an emergency situation\, the EAD authorities will be used for the Buffalo Project. As such\, the Buffalo Project will not be subject to the pre-decisional objection process provided by 36 CFR 218\, and the decision on this project\, when rendered\, will be final.  \nIn response to the Secretarial Memo referenced above and Executive Order 14225: Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production issued on March 1\, 2025\, the proposed action for the Buffalo project has been modified. Prior to finalization of the environmental assessment for the Buffalo project\, we will collect additional comments on the modified proposed action for a period of ten (10) days\, beginning the day after the date of this letter. A modified project description is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/67248. Comments may be submitted online at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=67248\, via email to NorthernHillsComments@usda.gov\, or via hardcop  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-for-revised-logging-proposal-at-buffalo-project-bhnf/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-07-24-at-4.27.44-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250726T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250726T190000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T172153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T215432Z UID:19193-1753520400-1753556400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Spearfish Creek Watershed Festival July 26th\, DESCRIPTION:Spearfish Creek Watershed Festival July 26th\, \nLink to learn more: \nhttps://visitspearfish.com/events/spearfish-creek-watershed-festival \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCome celebrate Spearfish Creek and learn about the watershed from organizations that are working with and within it.\n\n1. TOUR the Spearfish Hydro Plant.\n2. A volunteer community CREEK CLEANUP.\n3. Watershed FESTIVAL activities and education fair at Meier Park (right across the street from Brady Park).\n4. Post-festival SOCIAL at Spearfish Brewing.\n\nSCHEDULE:|\n9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Hydro Plant Tours – to best accommodate flow through the hydro plant and our generous guide\, Ben\, tours are happening every 20 minutes with a maximum of 20 people on each tour. ie if a group is full\, please hang tight and enjoy the park & birds for a bit & join the next tour.\n12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Community Creek Clean-up. Meet at the Meier Park (just across the street from Brady Park)\, we’ll have garbage bags and gloves available.\n2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Watershed Festival and Education Fair at Meier Park. Activities for all ages. Boat races and Bingo!\n\n5:00 Post Festivus Social at Spearfish Brewing Company\n\n*keep your eye on this page – events & times may be updated. \nFor more info contact:  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/spearfish-creek-watershed-festival-july-26th/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-07-14-at-2.30.27-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250731T145000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250731T145900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250728T013933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T014141Z UID:19418-1753973400-1753973940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for groups to sign on to EarthJustice letter in opposition to Trump's rewrite of CEQ rules DESCRIPTION:Deadline for groups to sign on to EarthJustice letter in opposition to Trump’s rewrite of CEQ rules is – Thursday July 31st COB. If a group or individual wants a copy of the letter contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com and I will forward it to you.  It is however for groups to sign (not individuals).  I am not sure which time zone the Earth Justice office means\, so I have selected Eastern Time\, but it might be another time zone. \nTo read about this issue in detail go to August 4th post on the event/deadline’s calendar\, that is the actual comment deadline for various federal agencies to receive your comments. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-groups-to-sign-on-to-earthjustice-letter-in-opposition-to-trumps-rewrite-of-ceq-rules/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T170000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250804T201415Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T202608Z UID:19487-1754294400-1754326800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on - Mandatory Regulatory Reviews to Unleash American Energy and Improve Government Efficiency -Rulemaking DESCRIPTION:8/4/25 is Deadline for Mandatory Regulatory Reviews to Unleash American Energy and Improve Government Efficiency \n-Link to rulemaking docket: \nhttps://www.regulations.gov/document/PHMSA-2025-0050-0001 \n  \nThis is an opportunity for advocates of less regulation of pipelines in America to submit suggestions for less regulation of pipelines.  We suggest advocates more regulation write in and ask for more regulations. \nQuote from public notice: \n“PHMSA is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit stakeholder feedback on whether to repeal or amend any requirements in the Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR; 49 CFR parts 190 through 199)—as well as any letters of interpretation\, guidance documents\, or other materials implementing those regulations—to eliminate undue burdens on the identification\, development\, and use of domestic energy resources and to improve government efficiency. (1) PHMSA also solicits stakeholder feedback on whether to amend the PSR to require PHMSA conduct periodic\, mandatory regulatory reviews. \nBackground\nPHMSA’s pipeline safety program plays an essential role in the energy supply chain\, ensuring the safe\, reliable\, and affordable transportation of energy products to millions of ordinary Americans. The PSR apply to more than 3.3 million miles of pipelines that are used to transport natural gas\, crude oil\, refined petroleum products\, carbon dioxide\, and other gases and hazardous liquids to end users. The PSR also ensure the safety of nearly 400 underground natural gas storage (UNGS) facilities and 177 liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities—from peak shaving facilities operated by local distribution companies to large-scale export terminals supplying natural gas to U.S. allies and trading partners around the world. (2) \nMore than 3\,000 operators of transportation-related pipelines\, UNGS facilities\, and LNG facilities are responsible for complying with the PSR\, each of whom must invest scarce resources to satisfy PHMSA’s design\, construction\, testing\, operation\, maintenance\, and reporting requirements. The costs of these investments are passed along to other entities in the energy supply chain (including downstream shippers and pipeline systems\, oil and gas companies\, and electric and gas utilities)\, to the industrial manufacturing and commercial goods sectors\, and\, ultimately\, to the American consumer. PHMSA has an obligation to ensure that the burdens imposed by its regulations on all potential stakeholders are necessary for the PSR to serve the public interest.” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-mandatory-regulatory-reviews-to-unleash-american-energy-and-improve-government-efficiency-rulemaking/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250722T165652Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T204807Z UID:19344-1754344200-1754344740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Comment on agencies such as Dept of Agriculture or Dept of Interior rewrite of NEPA Rules DESCRIPTION:Trump started revising CEQ rules earlier in the year –  saying CEQ rules don’t apply anymore and each agency needs to write their own new versions\nhttps://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/CEQ-Interim-Final-Rule-Pre-publication-Version.pdf\n\nSo the agencies have been doing that and Federal Register has recently published them\nThese rules are effective July 3rd\, but comments are due August 4th . We assume the deadline is midnight EST.\nThere are seven agencies revising rules also (scroll down).\, with 30 day comment period.  We suggest folks object to the comment period for 7 agencies all at once. \nSIGN-ON LETTERs\nThere is an Earth Justice group sign-on comment letter – for groups to sign on to. The deadline to sign on was July 31st COB. The Southern Environmental Law Center has a  group sign-on comment letter for Department of Agriculture as does Western Environmental Law Center\, who also has a letter for Department of Agriculture and for  Interior. SELC sign-on deadline is 8 am MT Monday August 4th and WELC sign-on deadline is 11 am MT Monday August 4th.  Contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com to get a copy of those\nINDIVIDUAL ACTION\nPETITION:\n\n PDF a Wild Earth Guardians has  a petition on this issue for individuals to sign\,\nhttps://action.wildearthguardians.org/page/85776/petition/1?ea.url.id=3797347&forwarded=true\nINDIVIDUAL PRE-FAB ON-Line Letters\nThe Wilderness Societys’s alert that allows folks to send an email to DOI and USDA. https://act.wilderness.org/a/trumpnepachanges-alert\nNancy can send folks the multi-group sign-on letter drafts\, if individuals want to cut and paste or paraphrase from them.\n\n=================\nForest Service changes deadline _ \nLink to Federal Register (was due July 30th\, but deadline was extended to August 4th)\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12326/national-environmental-policy-act\n\n“This interim final rule modifies the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and removes various USDA agency regulations for implementing NEPA. USDA is taking this action in response to the Council on Environmental Quality’s rescission of its NEPA implementing regulations (which USDA’s NEPA regulations were designed to supplement)\, statutory changes to NEPA\, executive orders\, and case law. Comments are voluntarily requested on this action to inform USDA’s decision-making.”\n \n================\n \nLinks to Federal Register on NEPA rewrite\n \nDept of Interior  (comments due August 4th)\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12433/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-regulations\n\nDept of Agriculture – was due July 30th but extended to August 4th\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12326/national-environmental-policy-act\n\nDept of Energy – due August 4th\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12383/revision-of-national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-procedures\n\nTransportation Dept – due August 4th\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12365/procedures-for-considering-environmental-impacts#h-13\n\nArmy Corp of Engineers –  due August 4th\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/03/2025-12360/procedures-for-implementing-nepa-processing-of-department-of-the-army-permits#summary\n\n============\nThird party review\n=+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\n\n\n\nWe anticipate group sign-on letters becoming available for groups\n=====\n\nHere is a law review by Vinso & Elkins Law\n\nhttps://www.velaw.com/insights/the-new-nepa-federal-agencies-overhaul-procedures-for-environmental-reviews/\n\n\nThe New NEPA: Federal Agencies Overhaul Procedures for Environmental Reviews\n\n\nQUOTE FROM THIS ARTICLE:\n\n“On July 3\, 2025\, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(“FERC” or the “Commission”)\, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Army Corps”)\, and the Departments of Energy (“DOE”)\, Interior(“DOI”)\, Transportation (“DOT”)\, Agriculture (“USDA”)\, and Defense (“DOD”) released sweeping updates to their regulations and procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). These changes come on the heels of the Council on Environmental Quality’s (“CEQ”) interim final rule in February 2025 rescinding its agency-wide NEPA regulations. These changes also follow the Supreme Court’s decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition vs. Eagle County\, Colorado(“Seven County”) on May 29\, 2025\, which reinforced the ability of agencies to establish reasonable limits on the scope of their environmental reviews. The procedures as a whole are more concise than the regulations they replace and hew closely to the first Trump administration’s 2020 NEPA reforms and reflect a government-wide preference for a guidance-based approach to implementing NEPA……..\n \nComments to DOI\, DOE\, DOT\, and the Army Corps are due on August 4\, 2025\, while USDA is accepting comments until July 30\, 2025. With the exception of FERC\, whose rule changes go into effect on August 18\, 2025\, and DOD\, whose guidance became effective on June 30\, 2025\, changes from all other agencies were effective on July 3\, 2025.” \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-agencies-such-as-dept-of-agriculture-or-dept-of-interior-rewrite-of-nepa-rules/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250804T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250725T223959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T010319Z UID:19391-1754344200-1754344740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on adverse rule-making about Alaska wild areas 8/4/25 DESCRIPTION:Deadline to comment on adverse rule-making about Alaska wild areas – BLM proposes to rescind the- “Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska” final rule. Comments must be received by August 4th\, 2025 \nEarthJustice has a pre-fab online comment letter on drilling in arctic: https://earthjustice.org/action/the-western-arctic-is-under-threat-protect-one-of-the-most-important-ecosystems-on-earth?ms=web \nFederal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Searchbox\, enter “BLM-2025-0002” and click the “Search” button. Follow the instructions at this website.  We have not checked but assume the deadline is 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on August 4th\, 2025 \nFederal Register notice: \nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/03/2025-10058/rescission-of-the-management-and-protection-of-the-national-petroleum-reserve-in-alaska-regulations \nTake action to protect Teshekpuk Lake and other special areas within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. \nWe urge the federal government to not move forward with this proposed rule. Below are quotes from a National Audubon Society letter on this issue: \n“The NPR-A is a vast approximately 23-million-acre area (similar in size to the state of Indiana) on Alaska’s North Slope. The NPR-A is world famous for its ecological value\, providing critical wildlife habitat for millions of migratory birds that come from six continents\, including threatened species like Spectacled Eider and Steller Eider. It is home to several caribou herds\, including the famous Teshekpuk Lake Caribou Herd\, which are vital for ecosystem balance and provide subsistence to five Indigenous communities. Its coastal areas provide denning habitat for polar bears and land areas for walruses and seals\, which are critical for reproduction and rest. Moreover\, the rivers and lakes in the NPR-A support diverse fish populations\, including Arctic char and whitefish\, critical to food webs and human diets….. \nRecission of the rule will have an outsized impact on North Slope communities\, especially those closest to industrialization. The rule explicitly incorporates government-to-government consultation\, mandates inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge\, and promotes tribal co-stewardship in land management decisions. Removing protections jeopardizes species and landscapes fundamental to subsistence resources and traditions. \nMore than 90% of public commenters supported the rule during both draft and final stages\, underscoring the broad support that exists for this rule. \nFinally\, the impact of rescinding this rule could be devastating to a vast number of birds and other wildlife. Bird populations are in decline\, with a loss of 3 billion birds in North America since 1970\, and numerous species of birds are now listed under the Endangered Species Act\, primarily due to habitat loss. Rescission could lead to additional habitat loss for some of our most vulnerable species\, and discourage proactive measures\, which will only make it harder for species to recover.” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-adverse-rule-making-about-alaska-wild-areas-8-4-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250807T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250807T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250804T211022Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T221146Z UID:19498-1754603400-1754603940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline on U.S. EPA's proposal to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. DESCRIPTION:The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. \nComments must be received on or before August 7\, 2025. \nLink: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124-0001 \nDocket: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124 \nThe EPA is proposing that the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires it to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution\, as a predicate to regulating GHG emissions from those plants. The EPA is further proposing to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution. The EPA is also proposing\, as an alternative\, to repeal a narrower set of requirements that includes the emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units\, the carbon capture and sequestration/storage (CCS)-based standards for coal-fired steam generating units undertaking a large modification\, and the CCS-based standards for new base load stationary combustion turbines \nADDRESSES: You may send comments\, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124\, by any of the following methods: \n• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. \n• Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124 in the subject line of the message. Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124. \n• Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\, EPA Docket Center\, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124\, Mail Code 28221T\, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20460. \n• Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center\, WJC West Building\, Room 3334\, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20004. The Docket Center’s hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.\, Monday-Friday (except Federal holidays). Instructions: \nAll submissions received must include the Docket ID No. for this rulemaking. Comments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov\, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and additional information on the rulemaking process\, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. \nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this proposed action\, contact Ms. Lisa Thompson\, Sector Policies and Programs Division (D243-02)\, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards\, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\, Research Triangle Park\, North Carolina 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-5158; and email address: thompson.lisa@epa.gov. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-u-s-epas-proposal-to-repeal-all-greenhouse-gas-ghg-emissions-standards-for-fossil-fuel-fired-power-plants/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250807T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250807T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250806T012036Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T012118Z UID:19509-1754610600-1754611140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for scoping comments on BLM proposed RMP amendments to enable coal mining in Powder River Basin DESCRIPTION:Deadline for scoping comments on BLM proposed RMP amendments to enable coal mining in Powder River Basin. \nLink to federal register notice: \nhttps://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-12672.pdf \nEarth Justice objects to this amendment & has a pre-fab comment letter on this project on their action alerts web page. \nhttps://earthjustice.org/action/this-coal-rich-area-was-protected-from-new-mining-but-now-the-trump-administration-wants-to-reverse-course?ms=web \nQuotes from Notice: \n” The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Director intends to prepare a resource management plan (RMP) amendment with an associated environmental assessment (EA) for the Buffalo Field Office. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments\, identify issues\, provide the planning criteria for public review\, and solicit coal resource and development potential data. \nYou may submit comments on issues\, coal data\, and planning criteria related to the Buffalo Field Office RMP amendment and associated EA by any of the following methods: \n• Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2039033/510 \n• Mail: Buffalo Field Office 1425 Fort Street\, Buffalo\, WY 82834 \nThis document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 07/08/2025 and available online at https://federalregister.gov/d/2025-12672\, and on https://govinfo.gov \nDocuments pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2039033/510 and at the Buffalo Field Office.” \n“FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bills\, Planning and Environmental Coordinator\, telephone: (307) 684-1133; email: tbills@blm.gov; address: 1425 Fort Street\, Buffalo\, WY 82834. Contact Mr. Bills to have your name added to our mailing list.” \n“Purpose and Need \nThe purpose and need of this RMP amendment and EA is to evaluate coal allocations in the planning area and to determine the availability of lands acceptable for further consideration for coal leasing in accordance with Executive Order (“E.O.”) 14154\, “Unleashing American Energy” (90 FR 8353\, Jan. 29\, 2025); E.O. 14156\, “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” (90 FR 8433\, Jan. 29\, 2025); E.O. 14148\, “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” (90 FR 8237\, Jan. 28\, 2025); and Secretary’s Order 3418\, which implements E.O. 14154. \nPreliminary Alternatives \nThe RMP amendment/EA will include two alternatives varying the amount of BLM-administered Federal coal authorized to be available for leasing. The preliminary alternatives are the coal allocation decisions from: (1) The 2024 approved RMP amendment/record of decision making zero acres of BLM-administered Federal coal within the planning area available for further consideration for coal leasing (No Action/current decision); and (2) The 2019 approved RMP amendment/record of decision making 481\,000 acres of BLM-administered Federal coal within the planning area available for further consideration of leasing (Proposed Action). The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions for additional alternatives” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-scoping-comments-on-blm-proposed-rmp-amendments-to-enable-coal-mining-in-powder-river-basin/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250811T155000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250811T155900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250603T191044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T192654Z UID:19088-1754927400-1754927940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline on Air Quality Construction Permit for Black Hills Power\, in Rapid City DESCRIPTION:Black Hills Power\, Inc proposes to rescind their PSD permit and construct new dual fuel engines and emergency units with an air quality construction permit. DANR recommends approval of an air quality construction permit and to rescind the PSD permit.  Comment or the intervention deadline is 8/11/2025. That is COB . \nPublic Notice -mhttps://danr.sd.gov/Environment/AirQuality/PN/BHPLpn.pdf \n  \nThe air quality construction permit and Prevention of Significant Deterioration Preconstruction\nPermit will allow the construction and operation of the following processes and units:\n1. Unit #1: 2001 General Electric\, model #LM6000PD\, a natural gas-fired\, stationary simple\ncycle gas turbine with lean-premix staged combustion (dry low NOx combustors) with a\nmaximum operating rate of 325 million Btu per hour heat input based on the lower\nheating value of the fuel fired;\n2. Unit #2: Turbine inlet air heater\, model CT-1\, equipped with a low NOx burner. The\nturbine inlet air heater is fired with natural gas with a maximum operating rate of 17.5\nmillion Btu per hour heat input;\n3. Unit #4: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n4. Unit #5: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n5. Unit #6: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n6. Unit #7: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n7. Unit #8: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n8. Unit #9: 2-ICB-ENG-001. Wartsila 18V50DF dual-fuel engine fired on natural gas and\ndiesel fuel with a maximum operating rate of 16\,600 kilowatts. 130.2 million Btus per\nhour for natural gas and/or 134.6 million Btus per hour for diesel fuel controlled by a\nselective catalytic reduction and oxidation catalyst systems;\n9. Unit #10: 2-API-ENG-001. Caterpillar C18. Emergency diesel fired black start engine\nwith a maximum operating rate of 770 kilowatts or 7.22 million Btus per hour; and\n10. Unit #11: 2-FPA-PMP-001. Diesel fired emergency fire pump with a maximum operating\nrate of 2.79 million Btus per hour or 400 horsepower \n  \nPHAS currently does not have enough volunteers to study and understand this issue\, so if anyone adopts this issue or  air quality generally and learns about the issues & concerns with air quality in western SD\,  please contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com\, \n========================== \nWe are not sure of the Time-of-Day\, the comments must be sent or received by – so to be safe assume –  COB in Pierre. \nWritten comments may be directed to the following mailing address: Teresa Williams; PMB\n2020; Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources; 523 East Capitol; Pierre\, South Dakota\n57501. \nAlso you can go to DANR public notice web page\, https://danr.sd.gov/public/ find this notice under air quality section and click on the deadline date.  That will link you to the on-line portal to comment on this proposed air quality permit via the internet. (This is often the way to comment on DANR public notices) \nDANR will consider and address all comments submitted and issue a final permit\ndecision pursuant to ARSD 74:36:20:13 and 74:36:05:18. \nCopies of DANR’s draft permit conditions and other information may be obtained from Teresa\nWilliams\, at the above address or telephone at (605) 773-3151 – office secretary. E-mail is likely  teresa.williams@state.sd.us URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-air-quality-construction-permit-for-black-hills-power-in-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250811T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250811T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250804T205237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T003107Z UID:19494-1754949000-1754949540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units DESCRIPTION:National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units \nComment Period Ends: Aug 11\, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT \nEarthJustice has a prefab comment letter on this rule proposal: \nhttps://earthjustice.org/action/this-crucial-air-pollution-rule-is-under-attack?ms=web \nTo view rule: \n https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794-6978 \nQuote from federal web page: \n“In this action\, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal specific amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs)\, commonly referred to as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)\, that were promulgated on May 7\, 2024. The amendments that the EPA is proposing to repeal include the revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard\, which serves as a surrogate for non-mercury hazardous air pollutant (HAP) metals for existing coal-fired EGUs; the revised fPM emission standard compliance demonstration requirements; and the revised mercury (Hg) emission standard for lignite-fired EGUs. \nYou may send comments\, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794 by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/ (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. \n • Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794 in the subject line of the message. \n• Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\, EPA Docket Center\, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794\, Mail Code 28221T\, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20460. \n• Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center\, WJC West Building\, Room 3334\, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20004. \nThe Docket Center’s hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.\, Monday-Friday (except Federal holidays). Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. for this rulemaking. \nComments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov/\, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and additional information on the rulemaking process\, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-national-emission-standards-for-hazardous-air-pollutants-coal-and-oil-fired-electric-utility-steam-generating-units/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250813T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250813T200000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250809T193139Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250809T193347Z UID:19572-1755109800-1755115200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS August Board Meeting - August 13th\, DESCRIPTION:PHAS August Board Meeting – August 13th\, \nPHAS board meetings are supposed to be the evening of the 2nd Wednesday of the month. They are generally on this day\, but can be moved if we know in advance that  a  quorum won’t be achieved. \nPHAS board meetings are held by Zoom and normally start at 6 or 6:30 pm. . Members are welcome\, non-members by invitation.  People who belong to the National Audubon Society in our territory\, which is much of western SD are PHAS members. \nWe review conservation issues that PHAS is following as well as club business. We are always looking for new board members. The By-laws allow for a board the size of 5-12 people – with the size decided at the annual meeting. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-august-board-meeting-august-13th/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250814T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250814T170000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250813T211445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T223655Z UID:19574-1755190800-1755190800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:DRA webinar on CO2 Pipelines given recent Federal rules/laws DESCRIPTION:Webinar  – Thursday August 14th 6PM CT \n“Charting the Next Steps in the  Fight Against Carbon Capture” \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMessage from DRA quoted below:\n“Friends and Allies\, \nCongress’s massive budget bill gifted carbon capture companies a bigger taxpayer subsidy and fresh tax loopholes\, but our work alongside other communities nationwide helped keep them from gutting local safety and property-rights protections. That win shows what we can do together at the federal level. \nNow the industry is racing ahead\, and the next flashpoints are already on the calendar: \n\nPermitting-reform push that could steamroll communities\nPipeline-safety bill that could strengthen or weaken CCS pipeline safety\n\nHere are the details on our 60-minute strategy webinar on Thursday\, August 14 at 6 PM CT to debrief\, look forward\, and set rapid-action priorities through live polling. \nWhat we will cover: \n\nGet the inside scoop on victories you helped secure and the fight ahead\nHear where CCS project developers are pivoting next\nMap the federal policy timeline that matters most (pipeline safety\, permitting)\nGive input in real time on the CCS Action Network’s next moves\nReconnect with activists nationwide ready to mobilize\n\nSave your seat for Thursday’s strategy webinar: https://forms.gle/aZppbPtim5oeUYHg7“ \nRegister: \nhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqB0auU6_bpu296tQqNU5sr2HKzAdt6PpmIiJFvzqpkusTdA/viewform?usp=send_form \nWe do not know how long the meeting will last\, so we have guessed at 1.5  hours URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/dra-webinar-on-co2-pipelines-given-recent-federal-rules-laws/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250819T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250819T113000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250815T200109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250815T200642Z UID:19596-1755597600-1755603000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:The Next Fight For Wildlife - Virtual Call to Action to protect ESA - Webinar DESCRIPTION:The Next Fight For Wildlife – Virtual Call to Action to protect ESA – Webinar \nSponsored by Endangered Species Coalition \nDate & Time Tuesday\, Aug 19\, 2025 10:00 AM in MT\n\n\n\n\n\nDescription\nPoliticians in the U.S. House of Representatives are up to sneaky tactics. Snuck into a high stakes government funding bill\, H.R. 4754\, are sections to eliminate and block protections for wildlife and wild places. This is a serious moment. If these politicians get their way\, gray wolves and grizzly bears could lose federal protections for good\, going back to a time when they were poisoned\, trapped\, and shot until they disappeared from the American landscape. Prairie birds\, bats\, wolverines\, and national monuments\, and more\, could be lost to unchecked development. Join us for this virtual call to action to learn how some House Reps are abusing the government funding process\, find out what we know about where your House Rep stands on the bill\, and what our movement for biodiversity can do together to keep endangered species protected.\n\n\n\n\n\nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, so we guessed at 1.5  hours URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-next-fight-for-wildlife-virtual-call-to-action-to-protect-esa-webinar/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T115000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250710T212106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T193909Z UID:19204-1755690600-1755734340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for written Comments to Nebraska G&P Commission's August Meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline for written Comments to Nebraska G&P Commission’s August Meeting is 1 pm Central time 8/20/25. Send to Sheri Henderson — go to our announcement of meeting on August 21st-22 or June Commission meeting for more details on the  issues. August notice: > https://phas-wsd.org/event/nebraska-game-and-parks-commission-meeting-8-21-8-22/ \nLink to PHAS comments on the originally proposed cougar season (NEG&P June version) are at this link  – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/nebraska-Mt-lion-comments2025.final_.pdf  We asked in June for no season at Wildcat Hills and smaller harvest caps at Pine Ridge and Niobrara units.  If you wish to comment\, you can read our letter and use it as a template or create your own for August. Or visit our August hearing  notice calendar page \nWe (PHAS) object to cougar hunting season proposal for Wildcat Hills\, Pine Ridge &  Niobrara Units –  the hunters should be killing less lions. \nAt June 2025 meeting\, the Commission disagreed with lowering the cougar harvest cap on Wildcat Hills\, as recommended by Staff\, so this next hearing rule proposed in August 2025 would keep the old 2024 harvest cap (not lower it). \nSend letters to: \nSheri Henderson \n \nAdministrative Programs Officer II \nAgency Safety Program Manager \nNebraska Game and Parks Commission \n2200 North 33rd St. \nLincoln\, NE 68503 \nPhone: 402-471-5539 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-written-comments-to-nebraska-gp-commissions-august-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T210000 DTSTAMP:20260417T120205 CREATED:20250820T215423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T215423Z UID:19641-1755716400-1755723600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"The Importance of Resilient Watersheds" Journey Museum Theater\, Rapid City. 8/20/25 7 pm MT DESCRIPTION:August 20\, Wednesday\, 7 pm:  Dr Ellen Wohl  “The Importance of Resilient Watersheds” Journey Museum Theater\, Rapid City.  This virtual presentation is free and open to the public.  A prolific writer\, Dr. Wohl’s work has dramatically influenced and guided river management and restoration worldwide.  Co-sponsored by many groups. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last – we guessed at 2 hours. \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-importance-of-resilient-watersheds-journey-museum-theater-rapid-city-8-20-25-7-pm-mt/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR