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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260820T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260820T160000
DTSTAMP:20260913T123900Z
CREATED:20260913T123900Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T123900Z
UID:23221-1787216400-1787241600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Board of Minerals and Environment's August Meeting 8/20/26
DESCRIPTION:Board of Minerals and Environment’s August Meeting 8/20/26 \n  \n Board of Minerals and Environment  \nMatthew Training Center  \n523 East Capitol Avenue  \nPierre\, SD  \nAugust 20\, 2026  \n10:00 a.m. Central Time  \nAGENDA: \n Mining issues consent calendar – Tom Cline  \nPowertech (USA)\, Inc request for approval of Socioeconomic Contractor for proposed large-scale mine permit application – Eric Holm  \nPublic comment period in accordance with SDCL 1-25-1  \nExecutive Session in accordance with SDCL 1-25-2 (3) to discuss Clean Nuclear Energy Corporation Uranium Exploration Permit Application; EXNI 453 with Board Counsel  \n Motions by the Board  \nElection of Officers  \nUpcoming meetings  \nWe are not sure how long the meeting will last
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/board-of-minerals-and-environments-august-meeting-8-20-26/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260824T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260824T215900
DTSTAMP:20260718T105229Z
CREATED:20260718T100056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T105229Z
UID:23107-1787607000-1787608740@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on BLM's proposed  revisions of Biden era fluid Leasing reforms.
DESCRIPTION:Oil and Gas Leasing proposed rule\, 91 FR 38084\, Docket BLM-2025-0037\, comments due August 24\, 2026\, with the companion Royalty/lost gas rule (91 FR 37906) on the same deadline. \nBLM published two related proposed rules in the Federal Register on June 24\, 2026\, both with public comments open until August 24\, 2026: \n1. Oil and Gas Leasing (91 FR 38084; RIN 1004-AF05)\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/24/2026-12734/oil-and-gas-leasing\nThis is the main one — it would revise the leasing process across 43 CFR parts 3000–3180\, citing the OBBB and the “Unleashing American Energy” and DOGE deregulatory executive orders. It’s proposed changes to expedite and encourage oil and gas development; industry is calling it a repeal of Biden-era measures\, while environmental groups say it will stifle critical public participation and reduce incentives for companies to clean up drilling sites. This is largely an unwinding of the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule (the one that raised royalty rates\, rentals\, minimum bids\, and bonding under the IRA). \nSubmit your comments using one of these methods: \n\nMail\, personal\, or messenger delivery: U.S. Department of the Interior\, Director (630)\, Bureau of Land Management\, 1849 C St. NW\, Room 5646\, Washington\, DC 20240\, Attention: 1004-AF05.\n\n\nFederal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search-box\, enter “BLM-2025-0037” and click the “Search” button. Follow the instructions at this website.\n\n2. Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost From Onshore Federal and Indian Leases (91 FR 37906; RIN 1004-AF33)\nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/24/2026-12738/royalty-for-oil-and-gas-lost-from-onshore-federal-and-indian-leases\nThis companion rule covers venting\, flaring\, and lost gas — it would reframe the rule’s purpose around reducing regulatory burdens for operators and streamlining administration of oil and gas losses\, with new venting/flaring measurement point requirements. \nSubmit your comments using one of the following methods: \n\nMail\, Personal\, or Messenger Delivery: U.S. Department of the Interior\, Director (630)\, Bureau of Land Management\, 1849 C St. NW\, Room 5646\, Washington\, DC 20240\, Attention: RIN #1004-AF33.\n\n\nFederal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box\, enter the docket number “BLM-2025-0235” and click the “Search” button. Follow the instructions at this website. As required by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4)\, the Portal also contains a plain language summary of the proposed rule.\n\nGo to the federal register notice for commenting instructions. We assume the deadline is  before midnight eastern time\, \nENVIRONMENTAL GROUP ALERTS – pre Fab letters: \n================ \n1. The Wilderness Society — “Tell Interior you oppose rolling back the Oil and Gas Rule!”\nhttps://act.wilderness.org/a/ogrule-2026-alert\nTheir action page frames the rollback as a handout to fossil fuel interests\, slashing safeguards and the fees oil companies pay to drill. The act.wilderness.org platform is EveryAction \n2. WORC (Western Organization of Resource Councils) — https://worc.org/blm-oil-and-gas-rule-revision-could-devastate-parts-of-the-rural-west/\nTheir page says they’ve made it quick and easy to send a comment and urges people to tell BLM to leave the 2024 rule alone. WORC may actually be a good framing fit for a South Dakota audience — Dakota Resource Council and Dakota Rural Action are WORC member groups\, and their messaging is pitched at rural Western communities and ranchers: bonding rollbacks leaving taxpayers with cleanup costs\, ending notification of split-estate landowners when federal minerals under their property are leased\, and cutting the public objection window from 90 days to 10. \n—– \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society has been in litigation for several years\, with other environmental groups\, represented by Western Environmental Law Center\, to intervene on behalf of the Biden Administration in support of Biden’s revisions.  Those revisions are being rewritten here. PHAS will sign on to the comment letter written by WELC and others.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-blms-proposed-revisions-of-biden-era-fluid-leasing-reforms/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260828T233000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260828T235900
DTSTAMP:20260829T064051Z
CREATED:20260829T034643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260829T064051Z
UID:23130-1787959800-1787961540@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to send FS  scoping comments on the proposed Rare Earth Mine in Bear Lodge's Bull  Hill
DESCRIPTION:August 28th is the deadline to send FS scoping comments on the proposed Rare Earth Mine in Bear Lodge’s Bull Hill. Deadline is just before midnight MT.  The Forest Service plans to not offer a comment opportunity on the draft EIS and plans to not offer objection on the FEIS and ROD.  This is a function of Trump Administration rewriting NEPA for all federal agencies in early 2025. Lawsuits exist over those actions. \n Submit comments online: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093 \nProject information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/291093 \n  \nPHAS August 2026 scoping comment letter on proposed Bull Hill Mine – submitted 8/28/26 \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_BearLodge_2026_Scoping_Comments_v6_FINAL.pdf\n\nPHAS attachment transmittal letter on  proposed Bull Hill Mine – submitted 8/28/26\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_BearLodge_Transmittal_Letter_v2F.pdf\n\nPHAS 2014 scoping comment letter on  proposed Bull Hill Mine  – submitted in 2014 and again on 8/28/26\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-Comments-on-the-Bull-Hill-Mine-and-Bull-Hill-and-Utpon-Mills.pdf\n\nCenter for Biological Diversity NEPA complaint for Dept of Ag.\nhttps://biologicaldiversity.org/programs/environmental_health/pdfs/USDA-IFR-Complaint.pdf\n\nI am not providing links to  all the attachments we submitted – if you want those contact Nancy at phas.wsd@rapidnet.com 605-787-6466 \n\n\n\n========================
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-send-fs-scoping-comments-on-the-proposed-rare-earth-mine-in-bear-lodges-bull-hill/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260831T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260831T215900
DTSTAMP:20260902T215602Z
CREATED:20260829T123415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T215602Z
UID:23141-1788211800-1788213540@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on Trump's proposal to weaken NRC radiation protections
DESCRIPTION:COMMENT BY the 11:59 PM Eastern time Monday August 31\, 2026 Comment\nDeadline* \nPresident Trump’s Executive Orders are pushing the Nuclear Regulatory\nCommission (NRC) to weaken radiation protections as part of an effort to\naccelerate the construction of more nuclear reactors\, nuclear-powered data\ncenters\, and the expansion of the nuclear weapons complex. These changes\ncould expose people and communities to dramatically more radiation while\ndisregarding decades of evidence about the health risks of even low-dose\nexposure. \nGo to this page to comment: \nhttps://www.regulations.gov/commenton/NRC-2025-1140-0001?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=34255a6d-9b75-491d-a798-232d681c5257 \nWE MUST MAKE CLEAR: \n· *No exemptions for radiation exposure.* Nuclear licensees must be\nrequired to track and count all radiation doses and radioactive emissions\,\nwith no minimum threshold. Any proposal allowing 25 millirem per year—or\nany millirem or microrem level—before exposures begin to “count” would\neffectively permit additional radiation exposure to go untracked. That\ncould mean higher worker doses and increased radioactive releases into our\nair\, water\, and sewage\, while making it harder to understand the true\nhealth impacts of cumulative\, low-dose radiation exposure. If radiation is\nreleased and people are exposed\, it should be tracked and reported and kept\nto a minimum. \n· *If new nuclear reactors are as safe and clean as the industry claims\,\nwhy do our existing health and safety protections need to be weakened to\nbuild them?* The rush to expand nuclear power should not come at the\nexpense of safeguards designed to protect workers\, communities\, and the\npublic. If nuclear expansion requires weaker radiation standards to move\nforward\, that should raise serious questions—not justify lowering the\nbar. *Don’t\nweaken the regulations. * \n· *We MUST retain the goal of keeping exposures to radiation As Low As\nReasonably Achievable.* \n  \nNRC Radiation Protection Rewrite — COMMENT BY MONDAY\, AUG. 31\nNRC proposes to strip the ALARA standard (“as low as reasonably achievable”) out of its regulations entirely and to let licensees apply case-by-case for higher public dose limits. First major rewrite of 10 CFR Part 20 since 1991. Driven by Executive Order 14300. \nSouth Dakota stake: the package amends Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 40 (uranium mill tailings criteria) and includes a revised Regulatory Guide 8.31 on radiation protection programs at uranium recovery facilities — Dewey-Burdock and Edgemont territory. \nDeadline: August 31\, 2026\, 11:59 p.m. Eastern (10:59 p.m. Mountain)\nFederal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/15/2026-14208/reforming-and-modernizing-the-nrcs-radiation-protection-framework — 91 FR 43456\, Docket NRC-2025-1140\nComment directly: https://www.regulations.gov/document/NRC-2025-1140-0001\nAction alert / talking points / draft comments: https://www.protectbetter.org/nrc-comments\nCampaign home: https://www.protectbetter.org/\nBackground — Beyond Nuclear: https://beyondnuclear.org/protect-better-stop-more-radiation-exposure/\nUnion of Concerned Scientists analysis: https://www.ucs.org/about/news/new-nrc-radiation-rules-put-workers-communities-risk
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/23141/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260904T235000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260904T235900
DTSTAMP:20260801T221356Z
CREATED:20260801T215455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260801T221356Z
UID:23122-1788565800-1788566340@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to comment to SD DOT on the planned rebuild of Highway 85
DESCRIPTION:Deadline to comment to SD DOT on the planned rebuild of Highway 85 from Cheyenne Crossing to Wyoming border is Sept 4th\, 2026 \n  \nHwy. 85 Cheyenne Crossing to Wyo. Line project: https://dot.sd.gov/ushighway85towy \nQuestions or comment to the SD DOT about Hwy. 85 project: Mark.Malone@state.sd.us \nDavid Miller is one of the people organizing opposition to the project or concerns to mitigate it. \nDavid Miller: dvdm4321@gmail.com. Here is a link to David Miller’s flyer. https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Highway-85-flyer-7.20.26.pdf \nThis is not written by PHAS\, we have concerns about the project and sent in a comment letter. If you want a copy of that\, ask Nancy at nhilshat@rapidnet.com. \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-to-sd-dot-on-the-planned-rebuild-of-highway-85/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260906T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260906T225900
DTSTAMP:20260902T213025Z
CREATED:20260902T211544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T213025Z
UID:23151-1788690600-1788735540@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to submit written  comments for SDGFP Sept Commission meeting
DESCRIPTION:Deadline to submit written comments for SDGFP Sept Commission meeting is Sunday night just before midnight Central Time.  You can attend the Commission meeting on the 10th by Zoom\, teleconference or in person in Winner. \nWRITTEN — due Sunday\, September 6\, 2026\, before midnight Central Time. Submit at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. Comments must include your full name and city of residence to enter the public record. \nThursday\, September 10\, 2026\, at the public hearing. You get three minutes to testify on each rule change and three minutes at the open forum. The meeting is at Winner\, but you can testify by Zoom or teleconference without leaving home. Connection details and the agenda are posted at gfp.sd.gov/commission/information closer to the date. \nInformation on the issues is in our July  Commission notice on the rule making proposals that are being finalized in Sept. \nOf concern to us is the proposal to delist the interior least tern and eskimo curlew (delist from the State of SD’s T & E list)
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-written-comments-for-sdgfp-sept-commission-meeting/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260910T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260911T110000
DTSTAMP:20260902T210939Z
CREATED:20260717T203947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T210939Z
UID:23103-1789041600-1789124400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD GFP Commission September Meeting -Sept 10th-11th\, Hybrid Winner and Zoom
DESCRIPTION:SD GFP Commission September Meeting will be Sept 10th-11th at Winner and by Zoom \nVisit this site closer to the meeting for the Agenda and Commission Book. https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nChanges to the States list of Threatened and Endangered Species are proposed…that would be delisting the Interior Least Tern and the Eskimo Curlew and some changes to the delisting objectives for some species.  Go to July meeting to view proposals in the Commission book. Proposals from July will be finalized in September. \nWritten comments are due the Sunday before the Thursday before midnight Central Time – https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. \nYou can attend  by Zoom and testify by Zoom or phone.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-gfp-commission-september-meeting-sept-10th-11th-hybrid-winner-and-zoom/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260911T042000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260911T162900
DTSTAMP:20260913T122130Z
CREATED:20260913T122102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T122130Z
UID:23217-1789100400-1789144140@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to submit applications to serve on the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board
DESCRIPTION:Deadline to submit applications to serve on the Black Hills Forest Advisory Board \n  \nThe Black Hills National Forest is seeking nominees for the Black Hills Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). \nBlack Hills National Forest is looking for South Dakota residents— including citizens\, locally elected officials\, Tribal representatives\, and special interest group representatives —to serve on this important committee. \nApplications are due Sept. 11\, 2026 at the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Custer\, SD. \nThe RAC recommends projects funded through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act\, supporting fish and wildlife habitat\, natural resource restoration\, and community benefit projects on or near the Forest. \nNew members will serve four-year terms and represent one of three categories: \n\nCommunity and industry interests\nEnvironmental and recreation organizations\nElected officials\, Tribal representatives\, educators\, and the public-at-large\n\n  \nHow to Apply: \nSubmit a completed AD 755 form and a resume to: \nBlack Hills National Forest\, Attn: Todd Butler \n1019 N. Fifth Street\, Custer\, SD 57730 \nOr email: todd.butler@usda.gov \nThe AD 755 form is available at: https://www.usda.gov/…/ad-755-advisory-committee… \nFor questions\, contact Todd Butler at todd.butler@usda.gov or 605-673-9301. \nWe are not sure of the time-of-day for the deadline\, so we put COB\, but it might be midnight
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-applications-to-serve-on-the-black-hills-forest-advisory-board/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260921T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260921T215900
DTSTAMP:20261008T042341Z
CREATED:20260902T221546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T042341Z
UID:23157-1790026200-1790027940@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Original comment deadline for Trumps proposed revocation of the 2001 Roadless Rule (deadline extended to 10/6/26)
DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society — Action Alert\nThe Roadless Rule Is on the Chopping Block \nUSDA proposes to erase road and logging protections on roughly 45 million acres of national forest — including inventoried roadless areas here on the Black Hills National Forest. \nTHE ORIGINAL COMMENT DEADLINE WAS: Monday\, September 21\, 2026. It got EXTENDED till October 6\, 2026  \nComment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-223869\nFederal Register notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-16965\n91 Fed. Reg. 53\,827 (Aug. 20\, 2026) · RIN 0596-AD66 · Docket FS-2025-0001 \nBy mail: Director\, Ecosystem Management Coordination\, USDA Forest Service\, 201 14th Street SW\, Mailstop 1108\, Washington\, DC 20250-1124. Reference RIN 0596-AD66.\nIs this scoping\, or comment on a rule? It is both at once. \nThis is not scoping. Scoping already happened — USDA published its Notice of Intent on August 29\, 2025 and gave the public 21 days\, drawing more than 220\,000 comment letters on behalf of over 625\,000 individuals and organizations. What is open now is a single combined comment period on three documents released together: the proposed rule itself\, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement\, and the cost-benefit analysis. One comment can address all three\, and comments on the DEIS are the ones that build the NEPA record. This is the last public comment opportunity before a final rule. \nLinks to Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s comments are at the bottom \nRead the documents yourself\nThere are more than three. The core set is the proposed rule\, the 333-page Draft EIS\, and the cost-benefit analysis — but the agency also released a preliminary biological assessment and a Tribal consultation summary\, and both matter. \n\n\n\nProposed rule\n(easiest to read)\nFederal Register HTML version\, with a table of contents and searchable text:\nfederalregister.gov/d/2026-16965\nThe typeset PDF as filed is at public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-16965.pdf\n\n\nAll documents in one place\nThe Forest Service posted the proposed rule\, the Draft EIS\, the cost-benefit analysis and the additional supporting analyses to a public online folder:\nusfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6\nThis is the fastest route to the DEIS and the cost-benefit analysis. No login required.\n\n\nRegulations.gov docket\nSame documents plus every comment filed to date\, and the comment form:\nregulations.gov/docket/FS-2025-0001\n\n\nInteractive map\nLayer the three alternatives against roads\, towns\, national forest boundaries and the wildland-urban interface. This is how you find the roadless areas nearest you.\nexperience.arcgis.com/experience/c6122042b4ae46c9b323306912e8b40e\nInstructions for reading the map are in the online folder above.\n\n\nTribal consultation summary\nUSDA’s own summary of what Tribal governments told it:\nfs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2001-roadless-rule-rescission-summary-analysis.pdf\n\n\nRoadless area boundary data\nFor anyone who wants the actual GIS layer:\nZipped shapefile of 2001 inventoried roadless areas\n\n\nAgency landing page\nfs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless — the Forest Service hub\, updated as the rulemaking moves\n\n\n\nWhat the proposal would do \nRemove and reserve 36 C.F.R. part 294\, subpart B — the entire 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule — which has barred road construction\, road reconstruction\, and most timber harvest in inventoried roadless areas since January 2001.\nThe 2001 rule covered 58.5 million acres. Because the Idaho and Colorado state-specific roadless rules are unaffected\, roughly 45 million acres across 38–39 states are at stake.\nManagement of inventoried roadless areas would fall to individual forest plans\, where a forest supervisor or regional forester may later amend the plan to allow roading and logging.\nBy the agency’s own numbers in the DEIS and cost-benefit analysis: about 18.2 million acres (45.5%) are lands where forest plans already allow roads and only the Roadless Rule prohibits them; about 4.8 million acres become newly available for timber harvest; recreationists could lose an estimated $6.1 million per year in economic benefit; total annual impacts could exceed $100 million. \nWhy South Dakota should care \nIn our region – the Black Hills National Forest\, Custer-Gallatin National Forest \, Buffalo Gap National Grasslands\, Grand River National Grasslands\, Little Missouri National Grasslands and  Thunder Basin National Grasslands contain inventoried roadless areas.  In the Black  Hills\, roadless and wilderness areas provide protection from the endlessly aggressive logging in the rest of the forest.   Strip roadless areas out and their fate rests entirely on the Black Hills forest plan — a plan already under enormous pressure from timber-target politics\, and Plan Revisions that PHAS has been contesting since the 1997 Plan Revision appeal. Rescission also removes a nationwide backstop at exactly the moment when the Endangered Species Act’s habitat protections are being narrowed (see our companion alert) and when the Forest Service is separately proposing to open more of the forest road and trail system to motorized use.\nThe process itself is worth commenting on \nWhen the Roadless Rule was written in 2000–2001\, the agency allowed 129 days of comment and held more than 400 public meetings; over 1.6 million comments came in. When the Bush administration tried to replace the rule in 2005\, it gave two comment periods\, each over 100 days.\nThis time the agency gave 30 days and has scheduled no public hearings anywhere except Alaska (those are ANILCA section 810 subsistence hearings\, required by a different statute).\nEarthjustice\, on behalf of the Wilderness Society\, Sierra Club and roughly a dozen other groups\, formally asked USDA to extend the comment period to at least 120 days — to December 21\, 2026 or later — and to hold hearings around the country. The agency has responded with an extra two weeks for commenting.\nUSDA’s own Tribal summary reports that the majority sentiment among Tribal governments consulted is opposition\, and that Tribes raised the failure to fulfill trust responsibilities through adequate government-to-government consultation. Several requested alternatives the agency did not analyze\, including a strengthened roadless rule and a Traditional Homelands Conservation Rule. \nPre-written comment tools from national groups \nEach of these lets you add your own words. Please do add them. Form letters get counted; substantive\, personal\, place-specific comments must be individually addressed by the agency and are what hold up in court. If you can only do one thing\, personalize the first paragraph.\nNational Audubon Society act.audubon.org/a/save-roadless-areas-2026\nSierra Club sierraclub.org/save-roadless-rule-protect-our-forests\nNRDC action.nrdc.org/letter/5017-roadless-rule-052826\nDefenders of Wildlife defenders.org/roadless-rule\nNational Wildlife Federation support.nwfactionfund.org/page/101819/action/1\nRoadless.org roadless.org — comment-drafting tool plus a library of two dozen peer-reviewed studies with DOIs and key findings you can cite directly\nEarthjustice statement earthjustice.org/press/2026/conservationists-blast-federal-proposal-to-bulldoze-forestlands \nAlso call your delegation \nThe durable fix is legislative. The Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 3930 / S. 2042\, 119th Congress) would write the Roadless Rule into federal law so that no administration could repeal it by regulation. Ask Senator Thune\, Senator Rounds and Representative Johnson to cosponsor it\, and to press USDA for a longer comment period and public hearings in the West. U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.\nCompanion action — the other half of the one-two punch \n=============== \nTwo days after the roadless proposal\, the Forest Service opened a second national rulemaking: a rewrite of the Travel Management Rule (36 C.F.R. parts 212 and 261). It would drop the national “minimization criteria” that currently require the agency to minimize damage to soil\, water\, wildlife and habitat when designating motorized routes\, and replace them with a presumption that existing roads\, trails and areas are open unless the agency documents a reason to close them. It expressly reaches section-line access on the national grasslands. Comments due Wednesday\, September 23\, 2026.\n91 Fed. Reg. 54\,686 (Aug. 24\, 2026) · Docket FS-2026-0100\nFederal Register: federalregister.gov/d/2026-17211 · \nComment: regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2026-0100-0001 \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society · P.O. Box 788\, Black Hawk\, SD 57718 · 605-787-6466 · phas.wsd@rapidnet.com · phas-wsd.org \n+++++++++++++++++++++++++\n======================\nHere are links to the PHAS comments on the Roadless Rule Revocation.\n\nLETTERS\n1)The first is our unique original letter\, \n\n    2) the second a “sign-on” letter from John Muir Project we joined. \n\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Rule_Comments_FINAL_V7.pdf \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/John-Muir.Stop-the-Roadless-Rescission.-Close-the-Loopholes.-5Oct26.pdf\n\n\n\nATTACHMENTS\nThe PHAS original letter had 19 attachments. I have learned that just giving a bibliography or giving links/URLs to references\ndoes not get them into the Administrative Record\, so I have started doing attachments.  I had notice the professional\ngroups doing this and did not understand why…now I do\n\n\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission1_of_3_A01-A08.pdf\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission2_of_3_A09-A14.pdf\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission3_of_3_A15-A19.pdf
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-trumps-proposed-revocation-of-the-2001-roadless-rule/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/roadless.Don-Pay-Shot-2025-10-01-at-3.25.36-PM-copy.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260923T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260923T215900
DTSTAMP:20260924T005300Z
CREATED:20260902T225151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T005300Z
UID:23163-1790200200-1790200740@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline for scoping comments on rewrite of the Forest Service's Travel Management Rule
DESCRIPTION:Deadline for scoping comment on DEIS and rewrite of the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule\n\nWednesday\, September 23 @ 9:50 pm – 9:59 pm\nHere is a link to our alert on this issue – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Travel_Management_Rule_Alert_v4.pdf\nScroll down for links to pre-fab letters.\n\n\n\nQuote from the Forest Service at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/​visit/​recreation/​programs/​off-highway-vehicle-program.\n:\n “The U.S. Forest Service published a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for amending the existing Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212). This proposed revision simplifies the regulatory requirements to enhance quicker local decision-making and increases access for motorized vehicles\, including e-bikes\, and other mobility devices. The public can continue to enjoy motorized access to national forests throughout this process. Existing plans and related maps will remain in place until updated by local line officers.”\nFor full description visit the Federal Register Notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/24/2026-17211/travel-management-national-forest-system-lands\n \nTwo days after the Administration proposed the revocation of the 2001 Roadless Rule\, the Forest Service started another national rulemaking: a rewrite of the Travel Management Rule (36 C.F.R. parts 212 and 261). It would drop the national “minimization criteria” that currently require the agency to minimize damage to soil\, water\, wildlife and habitat when designating motorized routes\, and replace them with a presumption that existing roads\, trails and areas are open unless the agency documents a reason to close them. \n\n\n\n\nComments due Wednesday\, September 23\, 2026\,  before midnight Washington DC time\n\n\n\n\n91 Fed. Reg. 54\,686 (Aug. 24\, 2026) · Docket FS-2026-0100\nFederal Register: federalregister.gov/d/2026-17211 · Comment: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2026-0100-0001\nAdditional information\, including the eventual publication of the environmental impact statement and record of decision\, can be found on the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/​visit/​recreation/​programs/​off-highway-vehicle-program.\n \nComments must be submitted via one of the following methods:\n\nElectronically (preferred): Through the Federal eRulemaking Portal\, https://www.regulations.gov\, identified by docket number FS-2026-0100. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.\n\n\nMail: Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the Director\, Public Benefits\, 201 14th Street SW\, Public Benefits Office\, Washington\, DC 20250.=\n\n\nWe assume the time-of-day deadline is just before midnight in Washington DC.\n\============\nEarth Justice’s pre-fab comment letter: https://earthjustice.org/action/tell-the-administration-keep-our-forest-protections?ms=web\n========\nHere is a link to sign a petition written by WildEarth Guardians – https://action.wildearthguardians.org/page/102401/petition/1?ea.url.id=5998640\n===========\nHere is a link to their letter: https://pdf.wildearthguardians.org/support_docs/travel-management-rule-letter-rollins-schultz-202609.pdf\nHere is a quote from that letter:\n“The changes outlined in the Forest Service’s Notice of Intent would dismantle core elements of\nthe current protective framework and replace them with an “open unless closed” presumption\,\nessentially creating a motorized free-for-all. The proposal would put greater pressure on land\nmanagers to justify closures and repeatedly reconsider those protections\, eliminate existing\ncriteria for minimizing resource damage and conflicts among recreational uses and with other\npublic land users\, and potentially expand cross-country motorized use through new exemptions.\nThe result would be more uncertainty\, conflict\, and resource damage”\n\n\n\n\n\nQuote from Federal Register Notice:\n\nSUMMARY:\n“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is initiating an environmental impact statement and rulemaking to revise the Forest Service’s travel management regulations\, 36 CFR part 212. The proposed action would establish a uniform national policy favoring increased access while simplifying regulatory requirements and preserving local decision-making. The proposed access rule would establish a national policy with a presumption that existing roads\, trails\, airfields\, trailheads\, and other access routes and points on National Forest System lands are open to appropriate public use unless closure or restriction is required by applicable law\, valid existing rights\, or another governing instrument\, or supported by specific\, documented and justifiable reasons based on science-based resource conditions\, public safety\, conflicts among uses\, or maintenance and administrative capacity. Commonly available public data sets\, including aerial imagery\, may be used as evidence that a physical route or airfield exists or existed at a time relevant under the definition adopted in the proposed rule\, but would not by themselves establish that the feature is part of the forest transportation system\, that the Forest Service has jurisdiction or sufficient legal access\, or that it is open to a particular public use. The proposed access rule would require annual review of all trails\, roads\, airfields\, trailheads\, and other access routes and points that are closed or highly restricted. The proposed access rule would establish processes and conditions for limited off-route motor vehicle use and other motorized equipment for\, among other things\, downed big-game retrieval\, firewood collection and dispersed camping\, and for designating areas for over-snow and other motorized recreation. \nThe presumption embodied in the national policy would guide future decisions and would not itself change the legal status of any road\, trail\, airfield\, trailhead\, area\, or other access route or point. Any change in lawful use resulting from a vehicle- or use-specific exemption would be limited to the scope and conditions expressly provided in the revised regulations. Existing motor vehicle use designations and maps would remain in effect until revised under the amended regulations. The environmental impact statement will evaluate the impacts of the proposed rule revisions and study alternatives for managing public access\, including the motorized and other forms of access addressed by the proposed rule\, on National Forest System lands in the context of multiple-use resource management. USDA invites written comments on alternatives\, effects\, and relevant information\, studies\, or analyses related to the proposal.”
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-rewrite-of-the-forest-services-travel-management-rule/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260926T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260926T180000
DTSTAMP:20260925T051534Z
CREATED:20260925T042743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T051534Z
UID:23242-1790434800-1790445600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:"Save Public Lands" Postcard Drive- September 26\, 2026
DESCRIPTION:“Save Public Lands” Postcard Drive- September 26\, 2026 \n3-6 pm Dakota Point Brewing\, Rapid City\, \nSupporting organizations – BH Bike Hub\, Black Hills Environmental Coalition and other groups\, \nFor info. contact Jeff Anderson at jandy5750@gmail.com
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/save-public-lands-postcard-drive-september-26-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/publiclandspost.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260930T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260930T200000
DTSTAMP:20260930T220600Z
CREATED:20260930T215724Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T220600Z
UID:23254-1790791200-1790798400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Teach- Wednesday night - "Stop Craven Canyon Uranium Mining" - NDN Collective
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNDN wants your help to protect Craven Canyon\, a sacred site< from destruction. Join NDN Wednesday\, September 30th at 6 pm MT/7 pm CT for a virtual teach-in.  LINK TO REGISTER – https://ndncollective.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n9SehlvST5Gx0fFSC_4C8Q#/registration \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQuote from NDN alert:\n“FACTS ABOUT THE PROJECT: \n\nThe Chord Project alone seeks to drill 38 holes up to 750 feet deep.\nViolations of treaty rights of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 and religious freedom apply here.\nThe vibrations from the drilling could risk the petroglyphs fracturing off the canyon wall.\nEach hole is a potential conduit of pollution to the watershed\, forever\n24-hour lights\, noise\, and dust\, 5-7 days a week\nLoss of recreational\, historical\, and ceremonial lands\nClear-cutting of trees and vegetation at each of the 17 drill pads is required for this project\nDrilling mud pits are full of barium\, toxic to all life forms\nIn March 2026\, thousands of people in the Ȟe Sápa submitted public comments in opposition to this uranium mining project.\nArchaeological and paleoenvironmental investigations in Craven Canyon indicate that there is still much to be learned about post-Pleistocene deposits and human activities.\nMuch of the area north of Craven Canyon along what is known as Long Mountain has yet to be surveyed and likely contains additional archeological discoveries.”\n\n\n\n\n\nQuote from NDN alert: \n\n\n\n\n“This Canadian company is coming from thousands of miles away to destroy our earth and threaten our water\, with no consequence to their own homelands – we need to keep them out of our sacred Black Hills\,” said Alex White Plume\, Grandfather and former vice president and president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “The Black Hills legally belong to the Sioux through a treaty that has never been respected because they thought they could buy us off. Well\, we’re here to say the Black Hills are not for sale. We will continue to fight for Craven Canyon and all our land so we can practice the ceremonies we’ve had since time immemorial.” \nWe don’t know how long the webinar lasts but guessed at 2 hours \nWHO IS NDN? \nThe Protect the Ȟe Sápa Campaign\, of NDN Collective\, fights to protect the land\, water\, and people of our Sacred Black Hills (Ȟe Sápa). In Lakota\, the Black Hills are known as\, “The Center of Everything That Is.” Ȟe Sápa is connected to origins of Lakota people\, who emerged from the sacred site of Wind Cave into the world. Learn more about NDN campaign by visiting the website.– https://ndncollective.org/protect-the-he-sapa/
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/virtual-teach-wednesday-night-stop-craven-canyon-uranium-mining-ndn-collective/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261001T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261002T140000
DTSTAMP:20260930T213721Z
CREATED:20260930T212339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T213721Z
UID:23249-1790838000-1790949600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:EPA Public hearing:  Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants (Day 1 & 2)
DESCRIPTION:EPA Public hearing: Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants (Day 1 & 2) \nWe think this starts at 9 am on Thursday Oct 1st and lasts till  6:30 EST and starts again on Friday at 9 am and lasts till 4 pm Friday EST. \nSpeaker registration has closed\, but you could listen. This is link to list of speakers\, showing time segments: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-09/epa_publichearing_repeal_ghg_egu_oct1_pre-registered_speakerlist_10-01-02-2026.pdf \nI think this is the link to listen on you-tube. \nhttps://www.youtube.com/live/CQvq_YIaIbc?si=tZYKAwFLUyNwZery \nEPA will hold a virtual public hearing for the proposed Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Clean Air Act Section 111 on October 1 and 2\, 2026. \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/epa-public-hearing-rescission-of-the-greenhouse-gas-findings-for-fossil-fuel-fired-power-plants-day-1/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261004T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261004T170000
DTSTAMP:20260913T121425Z
CREATED:20260913T121248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T121425Z
UID:23213-1791100800-1791133200@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Written Comment Deadline for SDGFP October Commission meeting - Sunday night
DESCRIPTION:Written comments are due Sunday for the SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission October hybrid meeting 10/8/26-10/9/26 Pierre/Zoom. Details  about meeting and agenda\, will be printed closer to the date at https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/\, but likely times will  be Thursday at 1 pm- 5 pm CT and Friday at 8 am till 11 am or so CT.  Written comments are due Sunday night before midnight  submitted at their portal: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ -and you can testify in person or by Zoom at the meeting at 2 pm CT Thursday. If there are rule finalizations you get 3 minutes per rule and then there is the “Open Forum” where you can comment on anything.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/written-comment-deadline-for-sdgfp-october-commission-meeting-sunday-night/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261005T235000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261005T235900
DTSTAMP:20261006T051844Z
CREATED:20260913T051957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261006T051844Z
UID:23207-1791244200-1791244740@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:October 5th\, Monday\, Deadline to comment on Roby Forest Management Project Environmental Assessment\, BHNF
DESCRIPTION:The USDA Forest Service has completed analysis of the Roby Forest Management project. A preliminary Environmental Assessment is now available for review and comment. \nComments are due on October 5\, 2026. \nInformation may be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/293810. Submit comments by any of the following means: \n\nhttps://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=293810\nU.S. mail or hand-delivery: Roby Project\, Hell Canyon Ranger District\, 1019 N. 5th St.\, Custer\, SD 57730\nFax: 605-673-9208\n\nProject is West of Custer\, South Dakota\, along the Wyoming state line \nPreliminary Environmental Assessment: \nhttps://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/9pxw99pbbsb61xvw9ks47hxhjckqvewk/file/2446543261312 \nMaps: \nhttps://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/9pxw99pbbsb61xvw9ks47hxhjckqvewk/file/2446487630248 \nhttps://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/9pxw99pbbsb61xvw9ks47hxhjckqvewk/file/2446490747586 \nThe Roby project overlaps the Mountain Mahogany Shrubland Important Bird Area\, recognized by the National Audubon Society. This IBA holds most of South Dakota’s mountain mahogany shrubland\, in Boles\, Roby\, Redbird and Buck Horn Canyons along the Wyoming line. Its dry slopes of mountain mahogany and skunkbrush under an open ponderosa pine canopy support western birds that are rare or absent elsewhere in the state. These include most of South Dakota’s known breeding population of Virginia’s Warbler\, isolated more than 200 km from the next nearest population\, along with the western Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and the Black Hills’ own white-winged Dark-eyed Junco. South Dakota Game\, Fish and Parks ranks Virginia’s Warbler as Imperiled and warns that this isolated population “may be vulnerable to controlled burns.” Yet the Forest Service’s Environmental Assessment never mentions the IBA or these birds. It proposes removing conifers\, including commercial-size trees\, from 4\,698 acres of shrubland\, and prescribed burning across nearly the entire 49\,000-acre project area\, with no protections for the nesting season. By our estimate\, about 85% of the IBA lies inside the project boundary\, and the Fanny/Boles Research Natural Area\, set aside for its mountain mahogany\, sits within both. For more\, read PHAS’s comments- we will provide link after they are finalized. You can go to the NAS\,  nationwide IBA web page https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas\, look for State of SD maps and reports. \nPHAS is working on a comment letter and will post the link to that once they are final and sent to FS. \nQuote from draft EA: \n“Summary of Proposed Action\nSee Figure 1 (p. 5). Detailed descriptions can be found starting on p. 8.\nCommercial timber harvest is proposed on up to 9\,677 acres. Prescriptions would include\nthinning\, regeneration\, removal\, and improvement cuts. In most areas\, logging slash would be\npiled and either burned or removed. Where slash is not piled\, it would be treated to meet\nForest Plan objectives for hazardous fuels.\nActivities that may include a component of commercial timber harvest are proposed on up to\n39\,059 acres. These activities include thinning of smaller trees\, creation of shaded fuel breaks\,\nand removal of encroaching conifers from aspen stands\, meadows\, and shrublands. Any\nmerchantable trees that are cut as part of these activities would be removed and sold. Slash\nfrom cutting smaller trees would be chipped\, piled and burned\, or otherwise mitigated.\nTo facilitate timber harvest\, approximately one-half mile of new permanent road would be\nconstructed. Reconstruction of 20 miles of roads would also occur\, along with standard\nmaintenance activities on other roads.\nTree planting would occur on 1\,442 acres in areas burned by recent wildfires. \nPrescribed fire is proposed across most of the project area. Broadcast burning would occur in\nsmaller blocks as weather and fuel conditions allow. A detailed burn plan would be prepared\nprior to burning. Qualified burn bosses\, ignition squads\, and holding resources would be\nrequired\, along with any other resources the burn boss deems necessary. Contingency\nresources would include heavy equipment\, additional firefighters\, and cooperating agencies.\nBurned areas would be monitored until the fire is completely extinguished.\nAdjacent to the Fanny/Boles RNA\, fuel breaks would be established to reduce the risk of high-\nseverity fire negatively affecting the characteristics for which the RNA was established. In the\nRNA\, manual thinning and prescribed fire would be applied to restore natural ecological\nconditions. Before implementing any approved management activity in the RNA\, a Forest\nService botanist will develop a site-specific RNA management plan.\nLow-tech process-based riparian restoration techniques are proposed where stream and\nchannel conditions warrant. Most streams (97 percent of stream miles) are ephemeral or\nintermittent. Even where streams are generally dry\, however\, there may be opportunities for\nrestoration\, such as repairing headcuts. Exact locations and techniques would be determined\nbased on field review.\nUp to 16 miles of system roads would be closed and removed from the Motor Vehicle Use Map\nto reduce damage to soil and water\, disturbance of wildlife\, and open road density. Various\nmethods and combinations of methods are proposed\, depending on current road condition and\nfuture needs. User-created roads that connect system roads would be closed. Other\nunauthorized roads would be closed as the opportunity arises.\nBureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are adjacent to the western edge of the project area.\nTo facilitate timber harvest on these lands\, approximately one-half mile of road would be\nconstructed and three to four miles of road would be reconstructed.\nMaps\nGeneralized maps are displayed on the next two pages. Detailed maps may be found at\nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/projects/293810“
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-roby-project-timber-sale-environmental-assessment-bhnf/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/IBA-map-2026-09-24-at-11.58.56-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261006T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261006T110000
DTSTAMP:20261002T203439Z
CREATED:20261002T202814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T203439Z
UID:23275-1791275400-1791284400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD's Public Utility Commission's Oct meeting
DESCRIPTION:SD’s Public Utility Commission’s Oct meeting \nStart Date/Time: 10/06/2026 09:30 AM\nEnd Date/Time: 10/06/2026 12:00 PM\nTime Zone: Central Standard Time\nDescription:\nLocation: Capitol Building – Room 413\nDocuments: \n\n\n\n\nThere are no documents for this meeting.\n\n\n\n\nLinks: \n\n\n\n\nListen Live\n\n\nAgenda\n\n\nAddendum
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sds-public-utility-commissions-oct-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261006T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261006T215900
DTSTAMP:20261007T205005Z
CREATED:20260913T034423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T205005Z
UID:23191-1791323400-1791323940@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:New Comment deadline on revocation of the 2001 Roadless Rule\, EXTENDED DEADLINE
DESCRIPTION:Complete Repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule  \nDue Date: October 6\, 2026 (Extended from September 21)  \nFederal Register Notice: 91 FR 53827 – Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation  \nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/11/2026-18648/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation \nUnique Comment Submission Link: Regulations.gov Docket FS-2025-0001 / RIN 0596-AD66  \nComments\, identified by RIN 0596-AD66\, should be sent via one of the following methods: \n\nElectronically (preferred): Through the Federal eRulemaking Portal\, https://www.regulations.gov\, identified by docket number FS-2025-0001 or RIN 0596-AD66. Follow the instructions for sending comments; or\n\n\nMail: Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the Director\, Ecosystem Management Coordination\, 201 14th Street SW\, Mailstop 1108\, Washington\, DC 20250-1124.\n\n\nEXTENDED DEADLINE: Tuesday\, October 6\, 2026\, 9:59 pm Mountain (11:59 pm Eastern) \nUSDA proposes to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule\, removing road-building and logging protections from about 45 million acres of national forest and grassland. That includes Beaver Park\, Sand Creek and Inyan Kara on the Black Hills National Forest and roadless areas on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland such as Indian Creek and Red Shirt. The 2001 rule came out of an 18-month public process. This repeal got about six weeks of comment and no hearings outside Alaska. Please comment\, either in your own words or with a ready-made letter from a national group. Add a sentence or two of your own either way\, ideally naming a place you know. \nComment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-223869 \nPHAS alert\, with step-by-step instructions and ready-made letters: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Rule_Alert_FINAL_V11.pdf \nor later version of the alert – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Rule_Alert_FINAL_V16-1.pdf \n\nAlso please go back to our posting for the Sept 21st deadline on our calendar for more info. We have a very long and more thorough discussion about the issue\, at that original due date – https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-trumps-proposed-revocation-of-the-2001-roadless-rule/   \nAlso visit this URL for state maps of Roadless Areas: \nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless/state-maps \nand also in the PDF of  OUR  Roadless Alert. \nThis is very important in the Black Hills\, which are so very aggressively over logged. We  need to keep our roadless areas.  Over the years PHAS has spent a lot of time and effort protecting the Sand Creek Roadless Area\, including litigation to stop mine exploration (which we won). We helped work on the petition for status “Very Rare and Uncommon” designation – (a status awarded to protect special areas  from mining)\, in Wyoming (which we all lost and Wyoming revoked the VRU law for new areas). \n=============== \nHere are links to the PHAS comments on the Roadless Rule Revocation.\n\nLETTERS\n1)The first is our unique original letter\, \n    2) the second a “sign-on” letter from John Muir Project we joined. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Rule_Comments_FINAL_V7.pdf \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/John-Muir.Stop-the-Roadless-Rescission.-Close-the-Loopholes.-5Oct26.pdf\n\n\nATTACHMENTS\nThe PHAS original letter had 19 attachments. I have learned that just giving a bibliography or giving links/URLs to references\ndoes not get them into the Administrative Record\, so I have started doing attachments.  I had notice the professional\ngroups doing this and did not understand why…now I do\n\n\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission1_of_3_A01-A08.pdf\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission2_of_3_A09-A14.pdf\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS_Roadless_Attachments_Submission3_of_3_A15-A19.pdf
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-revocation-of-the-2001-roadless-rule-extended-deadline/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/roadless.Don-Pay-Shot-2025-10-01-at-3.25.36-PM-copy.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261007T081500
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261007T160000
DTSTAMP:20261002T201431Z
CREATED:20261002T200110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T201431Z
UID:23271-1791360900-1791388800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD's Water Management Board October 7\, 2026 meeting
DESCRIPTION:October 7\, 2026 Water Management Board Meeting \nwill be on 10/7/2026 9:15:00 AM CT in Pierre.   Here is specific link for this meeting: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106 \nAgenda – https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/2_agenda.pdf \nMeeting Packet – https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/Boaard%20Packet.pdf \nMostly consists of consideration of various Water and Future Use permits\, but also: Public comment period\, Update on DANR Activities\, Status and Review of Water Rights Litigation\, Seven-Year Review of Future Use Permits & Annual Review of Open Meeting Laws \n  \nIt is in Pierre\, at the Joe Foss Building\, 523 E Capitol Ave\,  but also – Live audio of the meeting is available at https://www.sd.net and you can testify remotely \nAny person(s) interested in speaking during the public comment period via remote connection can\nlearn how at https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov on the Water Management Board page \n  \nPlease visit the the Boards and Commissions Portal to learn more about past and upcoming SD board and commission meetings!
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/water-management-board-october-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261007T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261007T203000
DTSTAMP:20261007T201638Z
CREATED:20261002T203904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T201638Z
UID:23278-1791397800-1791405000@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:10/7/26 Sierra Club & Ikes meeting on Trump's attack\, on Roadless Rule\, hybrid meeting
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, October 7th. (yes\, next Wednesday) there will be a public meeting sponsored by the Sierra Club and the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League about the attack on the Roadless Rule. \n It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Outdoor Campus – West. \nRuth Esperance from the Norbeck Society will lead the discussion. This meeting will happen right after the deadline to submit comments (which both the Sierra Club and Izaak Walton chapters did)\, but it’s important to educate folks about what’s going on. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but folks must leave OCW before 9 pm. \nGO to our Calendar date of Oct 6th to learn more about Roadless Rule\, issues and how to comment. –http://Calendar: https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-revocation-of-the-2001-roadless-rule-extended-deadline/ \nTHIS IS HYBRID MEETING – Face-to-Face and Zoom\nAlan Anderson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. \nTopic: IKES Oct Meeting / Sierra Club / Roadless Rule by Ruth Esperance \nTime: Oct 7\, 2026 06:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) \nJoin Zoom Meeting –https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82608502818?pwd=M2O3ev8rBisYn5MKtm202N53bd8cjw.1 \nMeeting ID: 826 0850 2818 \nPasscode: 076382 \nJoin and take notes– https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82608502818?pwd=M2O3ev8rBisYn5MKtm202N53bd8cjw.1&mynotes=on \nMeeting chat link – https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82608502818 \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sierra-club-ikes-meeting-on-trumps-attack-on-roadless-rule/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261008T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261008T160000
DTSTAMP:20261005T235635Z
CREATED:20260913T052910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T235635Z
UID:23210-1791460800-1791475200@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission October meeting 10/8/26 Pierre/Zoom
DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission October meeting 10/8/26  at Pierre/Zoom. Details\, such as the agenda can be found at – https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/.Written comments are due Sunday night before midnight  submitted at their portal https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ -and you can testify in person or by Zoom at the meeting at 2 pm CT. If there are rule finalizations you get 3 minutes per rule and then there is the “Open Forum” where you can comment on anything for 3 minutes. The meeting was shortened to just one day. \n  \n Date and Time: October 8\, 2026\, from 1-5 pm CST  \nMeeting Location: State Library\, Mercedes Meeting Hall\, 800 Governors Drive\, Pierre\, SD 57501  \nWebinar Info: GFP will be using Zoom Webinar® for this meeting. As a participant\, you will not have audio or video capabilities by default. During the open forum and public hearing\, if you’d like to testify\, please ‘Raise Your Hand’ using the button at the bottom of the screen\, or by pressing *9 on your phone. To lower your hand via phone\, press *9 again. When it’s your turn to speak\, the meeting host will unmute you\, allowing you to have audio but no video. If your phone is muted when called upon\, press *6 to unmute.  \n• *9 to ‘Raise Your Hand’ or ‘Lower Your Hand.’  \n• *6 to Unmute or Mute  \nPlease inform Gail Buus at gail.buus@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting. This helps GFP to accurately identify and call on speakers during the session. However they are polite and always ask if anyone not registered wants to talk. \nZoom Webinar: Click here to join the meeting – https://state-sd.zoom.us/j/91264176710?pwd=Vm00NEowdGV6N09Ib1hnVlJkMUF3Zz09#success \nMeeting ID: 912 6417 6710 Passcode: 970458 Call In: +17193594580\,\,91264176710# US Video Conference ID: 91264176710@zoomcrc.com 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-october-meeting-10-8-26-10-9-26-pierre-zoom/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261009T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261011T170000
DTSTAMP:20261012T235130Z
CREATED:20261012T235130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T235130Z
UID:23358-1791572400-1791738000@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Oct. 9-11 Black Hills Powwow\,
DESCRIPTION:The He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate\, or Black Hills Powwow\, is scheduled for Oct. 9-11\, 2026\, at Summit Arena\, at the Monument. \nThe first grand entry is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday\, followed by grand entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Besides dancing and dance competitions- the weekend also includes an arts and vendor marketplace\, giving visitors an opportunity to see and purchase Indigenous artwork\, beadwork\, ribbon skirts and other handmade work. \nThere is an Indigenous People day parade on Saturday morning and Indigenous People day events at Rapid City Main St. Square on Monday afternoon and evening and Crazy Horse Memorial on Monday morning…go to those dates on the calendar for more info. \nWe are not sure when the pow-wow ends on Sunday\, but have guessed at 5 pm.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/oct-9-11-black-hills-powwow/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261009T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261009T215900
DTSTAMP:20261008T052029Z
CREATED:20260925T034956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T052029Z
UID:23240-1791581400-1791583140@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Friday\, October 9\, 2026: Comment against further gutting of Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands
DESCRIPTION:DEADLINE: Friday\, October 9\, 2026: Comment against further gutting of Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands & also announcing Oct 1st  webinar on issues \n\nDeadline confirmed: regulations.gov says the period closes Oct 9\, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT\, which is 9:59 PM Mountain time. The docket had 28\,659 comments as of 10/7/26 evening\nFederal Register notice 2026 – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/09/2026-18317/updated-definition-of-waters-of-the-united-states\nPrevious Nov. 2025 Federal Register notice (90 FR 52498\, FR Doc. 2025-20402)\, 49 pages.\nhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-20/pdf/2025-20402.pdf\n\nThe EPA and Army Corps of Engineers have proposed new options that would further shrink which streams and wetlands the Clean Water Act protects. This is a supplement to their November 2025 proposal. Federal authority would be limited to streams and wetlands that hold water year-round (a “perennial” standard)\, which goes beyond even what the Supreme Court required in Sackett v. EPA. Gravel2gavel \nKey facts and concerns: \n\nUnder the proposed definition\, a stream that is dry from June through August every year under ordinary conditions would not be protected. Intermittent and ephemeral streams would lose federal protection. federalregister\nA wetland would be protected only if it has perennial surface water continuously connected to a protected water\, so that it is difficult to tell where the water ends and the wetland begins. Most prairie pothole and seasonal wetlands would fail this test. federalregister\nThe sharpest effects would fall in arid and semi-arid regions\, which includes much of western South Dakota. Many Black Hills streams naturally lose their flow in stretches where water sinks into limestone\, and prairie streams often run only part of the year. Gravel2gavel\nStates and Tribes would be left to protect waters that fall outside federal jurisdiction. South Dakota has no comparable state program to fill that gap. federalregister\nThe National Audubon Society writes: —-“For over 50 years\, the Clean Water Act has stood as the backbone of protecting our nation’s waterways and wetlands. Approximately one-third of North American bird species\, including the Bald Eagle\, Great Blue Heron\, and Least Bittern use wetlands for food\, shelter\, or breeding. But a proposed federal rule would weaken Clean Water Act protections for many of the wetlands and waterways that birds rely on”\n\nHow to comment: \n\nOnline: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0322-15447\nEmail: OW-Docket@epa.gov\, with “Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0322” in the subject line\nThe Federal Register notice itself: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-18317\nPersonal\, specific comments count most. Mention the creeks\, wetlands\, or stock dams you know\, and how they flow through the year.\nIf you already commented on the November 2025 proposal\, the agencies say they are still considering those comments and ask people not to resubmit them. Comment on the new “perennial” options instead. federalregister\n\n==== \nWEBINAR OCT 1st \nLearn more: The Izaak Walton League is holding a free Clean Water Webinar on Thursday\, October 1\, at 12 pm Central / 11 am Mountain. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-FuCqHRIQjyApq1vMgiPfA \n============== \nPre-written letters\n  \n\nNRDC: https://action.nrdc.org/letter/5263-wotus-public-comment-091126\n Izaak Walton League: https://iwla.org/conservation-priorities/advocate-for-conservation/#/167\nNational Audubon Society – https://act.audubon.org/a/wotus-2026\nTrout Unlimited: https://www.tu.org/get-involved/take-action/stand-up-for-the-clean-water-act/#take-action. This one fits Black Hills trout streams well.\nClean Water Action: https://cleanwater.org/take-action. It is the first item on their Take Action page\, which notes the Oct 9 deadline. cleanwater\nEnvironment America: https://environmentamerica.org/take-action/tell-the-epa-dont-strip-wetland-protections/\nEnvironmental Action (cites the docket number): https://environmental-action.org/take-action/tell-the-epa-dont-leave-wetlands-vulnerable-to-destruction/.\n\n3. Press releases and alerts\n\nNRDC statement (Sept 4): https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/trump-administration-takes-another-swing-dismantling-clean-water-protections\nSELC (Sept 4). Its attorney says the wording changed but the result is the same: more flooding and greater threats to water quality. https://www.selc.org/?p=44086 selc\nAssociation of State Floodplain Managers: notes the proposals never recognize that most rivers have floodplains that support wetlands. https://www.floods.org/news-views/policy-matters/new-proposal-further-limits-clean-water-act-wetland-protections/ floods\n\nThe file: the PDF of the November 20\, 2025 proposed rule (90 FR 52498\, FR Doc. 2025-20402)\, 49 pages.\nhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-20/pdf/2025-20402.pdf \nSources: \n\nFederal Register: Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States” (Sept. 9\, 2026)\nGravel2Gavel: Perennial Question\, Perennial Answer?\n\nSources: \n\nFederal Register notice 2026-18317\nRegulations.gov docket page\nBloomberg Law\, Oct 7\, 2026\nOutdoor Life\nDTN\nDavis Wright Tremaine\nUniv. of Arkansas / National Ag Law Center\nAP via Local10\nEarthjustice (closed action)
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/friday-october-9-2026-comment-against-further-gutting-of-clean-water-act-protections-for-streams-and-wetlands/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261010T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261010T123000
DTSTAMP:20261012T234455Z
CREATED:20261012T234151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T234455Z
UID:23356-1791622800-1791635400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:10/10/26 Indigenous People Day Parade\, Rapid City
DESCRIPTION:Indigenous People Day Parade \nSaturday 10/10/26\, 9 am- 12 pm \n  \n\noin us Saturday\, October 10\, for the 2026 Indigenous Peoples Day Parade in Rapid City.\n\n\nThis year’s theme is:\n\n\n\n“WE DANCE FOR THE PEOPLE”\n\n\n\nSponsors are inviting tribal nations\, organizations\, schools\, programs\, businesses\, families\, and community groups to join the celebration and build a float inspired by dance.\n\n\n\nTraditional dance. Contemporary dance. Hip-hop. Powwow. Social dance. Your own interpretation.\n\n\nShow us what “We Dance for the People” means to you.\n\n\n\nFestivities begin at 9 AM adjacent to Main Street Square with live performances by Antoine X and Rez Coast Griz to kick off the celebration.\n\n\n\n\nThe parade begins at 10 AM.\n\n\nSaturday\, October 10\, 2026\nDowntown Rapid City\nKickoff Festivities: 9:30 AM\nParade: 10 AM\n\n\n\n\nRegistration is now open. Sign up your float\, organization\, or group and help us fill downtown Rapid City with music\, movement\, culture\, and community.\nRegister Here
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/10-10-26-indigenous-people-day-parade-rapid-city/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261012T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261012T210000
DTSTAMP:20261012T233658Z
CREATED:20261012T233658Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T233658Z
UID:23354-1791804600-1791838800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Monday\, 10/12/2026 - Indigenous People's Day events\, Rapid City & Crazy Horse Memorial
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, 10/12/2026 – Indigenous People’s Day – 2 event location – at\, Rapid City and Crazy Horse Memorial \n  \nIndigenous Peoples’ Day Gathering and Concert\, Monday\, October 12\, 2–9 p.m. MT\, Main Street Square\, downtown Rapid City \nNDN Collective hosts its annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration\, opening with a rally and ending with a free evening concert. Main Street Square is closed to traffic for Indigenous and local food vendors\, shops\, and family activities. If you can’t attend\, NDN Collective livestreams the event on its platforms and on LANDBACK.org. Free and paid parking is available downtown and in the Main Street parking garage.\nDetails: https://ndncollective.org/event/indigenous-peoples-day-2026/ \n\nThere’s also a second event today\, outside town: \n\nNative Americans’ Day at Crazy Horse Memorial\, Monday\, October 12 \nCrazy Horse Memorial holds its annual celebration with cultural activities\, educational programs\, live performances\, and a community meal\, with Indigenous Enterprise dancers performing at 11:30 a.m. South Dakota was the first state to officially recognize Native Americans’ Day\, in 1990\, replacing Columbus Day.\nDetails: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2026/10/09/crazy-horse-memorial-host-native-americans-day-celebration-oct-12/
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/monday-10-12-2026-indigenous-peoples-day-events-rapid-city-crazy-horse-memorial/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261013T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261013T170000
DTSTAMP:20261012T233308Z
CREATED:20260913T044149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261012T233308Z
UID:23201-1791874800-1791910800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Public Hearing on Deep Seabed Mining Exploration and Recovery Applications
DESCRIPTION:Public Hearing on Deep Seabed Mining Exploration and Recovery Applications \nThe Action: Following a rewrite of deep seabed mining regulations earlier in the year\, NOAA has formally accepted a massive consolidated application from The Metals Company USA\, LLC (TMC USA). The application seeks federal exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits to mine the ocean floor for hard minerals. This is heavily focused on regions in Pacific’s international waters between Hawaii and Mexico.. \nNOAA is holding a virtual public hearing on October 13\, 2026\, and gathering public environmental input.  The deadline to register for the hearing is past (as of 10/12/26) and we think you  need to be registered to get hearing internet codes\, but we think a recording will be available. We are not sure of the time of the hearing\, which you can’t watch live\, if you are not registered. \nComment Deadline: October 19\, 2026. (Virtual Public Hearing scheduled for October 13\, 2026)  \nPlease go to our calendar page on hearing deadline  for details – \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-and-recovery-applications-2/ \nFederal Register Notice: 91 FR 53608 – Deep Seabed Mining; Notice of Receipt of Consolidated Application   \nUnique Comment Submission Link: Regulations.gov Docket NOAA-NOS- 2026-1751  \nPre-Fab Action Letter Links:  go to our calendar page > https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-and-recovery-applications-2/ \nWhy It’s Problematic:  \nDestruction of Unexplored Ecosystems: Granting these commercial permits opens the floor of the Pacific island territorial waters to massive mechanical extraction. This process directly strips away benthic habitats\, killing rare\, slow-growing deep-sea species before they can even be studied.  \nUnderwater Toxic Plumes: Mining machines kick up massive\, miles-long sediment plumes choked with heavy metals. Traveling on underwater ocean currents\, these clouds can choke midwater marine life\, disrupt fish migratory patterns\, and damage regional fisheries.  \nIrreversible Ecological Damage: The deep ocean floor recovers at a near-zero rate. Compacting the sea floor and altering its chemical matrix constitutes a permanent scar on a vital global common space.  \nAttached photo is from NOAA of a swimming armored searobin from off the coast of Hawaii. \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-and-recovery-applications/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/swimming-searobin.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261015T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261015T203000
DTSTAMP:20261005T234957Z
CREATED:20261005T234957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T234957Z
UID:23284-1792085400-1792096200@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:October 15\,\, Norbeck Society meeting on "The Greatest Good: Finding Common Ground on Our Public Lands"
DESCRIPTION:Title: Norbeck Society film & panel: “The Greatest Good: Finding Common Ground on Our Public Lands” \nWhen: Thursday\, October 15\, 2026. Social at 5:30 pm\, program at 6:00 pm (Mountain) \nWhere: The Journey Museum & Learning Center\, Rapid City \nCost: Free and open to the public. RSVP required:  Love the Outdoors Series: The Greatest Good — The Journey Museum \nAs part of the Journey Museum’s “Love the Outdoors Series\,” the Norbeck Society presents The Greatest Good: Finding Common Ground on Our Public Lands\, a 34-minute film. A panel discussion follows\, with photographer and author Paul Horsted\, Marty Two Bulls Jr.\, and Valerie Naylor. \nThe Norbeck Society works for sustainable use of public lands in the Black Hills region. With the Roadless Rule\, the Black Hills timber program and public lands generally under pressure\, this is a good chance to hear local voices on finding common ground. \nMore information: norbecksociety.com \nWe did not know how long it would last so we guessed at 8:30 end point.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/october-15-norbeck-society-meeting-on-the-greatest-good-finding-common-ground-on-our-public-lands/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261017T060000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261017T120000
DTSTAMP:20261001T004241Z
CREATED:20261001T004150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T004241Z
UID:23269-1792216800-1792238400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:No Kings Protest Oct 17th\,
DESCRIPTION:The  next No Kings Protest is Oct 17th – It is nationwide and in USA territories \nhttps://www.nokings.org/nkve-home \nHere is a link to find a Map of protests. https://www.nokings.org/#map \nAs of today (Sept 30th)\, there are none yet displayed on the map for west River\, but 2 east river (Sioux Falls\, Aberdeen) and more in  neighboring states of – Minnesota\, Nebraska\, Wyoming\,  ND\, Iowa and Montana. For previous protests\, there were protests in Spearfish\, Sturgis\, Rapid City in the Black Hills Area\, at least that  I was aware of\, there could have been more.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/no-kings-protest-oct-17th/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261019T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261019T170000
DTSTAMP:20261001T003138Z
CREATED:20260930T233008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T003138Z
UID:23267-1792396800-1792429200@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD Voter Registration Deadline Oct 19th.
DESCRIPTION:SD Voter Registration Deadline Oct 19th \nAnyone unsure of their registration status may check it in the South Dakota secretary of state’s Voter Information Portal at vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 19. The SD Legislature passed a law in 2026\, that requires proof of citizenship for new registrations (not for folks already registered). Registration applications and instructions are available from the secretary of state and county auditors. You may wish to consult with SOS or auditors on what type of proof of citizenship they will accept\, so you have it when registering. You may wish to check with County Auditors as to the hours their offices are open . \nItems on ballots in South Dakota include four proposed state constitutional amendments; races for the U.S. Senate\, U.S. House\, governor and the SD Legislature; and various local races and ballot questions. Sample ballots are available in the state’s Voter Information Portal.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-voter-registration-deadline-oct-19th/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261019T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261019T215900
DTSTAMP:20261013T054030Z
CREATED:20261012T203641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T054030Z
UID:23337-1792446600-1792447140@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on Deep Seabed Mining Exploration and Recovery Applications 10/19/26
DESCRIPTION:Deadline Monday\, Oct 19th\, –deep seabed mining regulations \nThe Action: Following a rewrite of deep seabed mining regulations earlier in the year\, NOAA has formally accepted a massive consolidated application from The Metals Company USA\, LLC (TMC USA). The application seeks federal exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits to mine the ocean floor for hard minerals. This is heavily focused on regions near Clarton-Clipperton Zone in international waters. \nNOAA is holding a virtual public hearing on October 13\, 2026\, and gathering oral public environmental input. The deadline to register has closed & we think only registered folks can attend\, but we believe a recording will eventually be available \nComment Deadline: October 19\, 2026. (Virtual Public Hearing scheduled for October 13\, 2026)  \nFederal Register Notice: 91 FR 53608 – Deep Seabed Mining; Notice of Receipt of Consolidated Application   \nhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/19/2026-16869/deep-seabed-mining-notice-of-receipt-of-consolidated-application-for-deep-seabed-mining-exploration \nUnique Comment Submission Link: Regulations.gov Docket NOAA-NOS- 2026-1751 \n==== \nWhat’s at stake: The Clarion-Clipperton Zone\, between Hawaii and Mexico\, is a deep-sea plain three miles down\, scattered with mineral nodules that grow a few millimeters per million years. Mining machines would scrape up the nodules and the top layer of seafloor\, wiping out animals that live nowhere else\, most of them not yet even named by scientists. Test tracks from small experiments decades ago still haven’t recovered. Sediment clouds stirred up by the machines would spread far beyond the mined areas. \nThe mining ship would also dump sediment-laden wastewater back into the ocean at mid-depths\, where tuna\, swordfish and other fish feed. University of Hawaiʻi researchers found this could cloud the water and starve the small animals at the base of that food web. The area overlaps major Pacific tuna fishing grounds\, and whales and sea turtles migrate through it. \nWhy other nations care: The open ocean belongs to no single country\, and its fish\, currents and ecosystems are shared by everyone. Damage in international waters can affect other nations’ fisheries and food supplies\, especially Pacific island nations that depend heavily on tuna. That’s why the world agreed that decisions about mining the deep seabed should be made together\, with rules to protect the environment and share any benefits\, rather than by whichever country moves first. \nWhy this matters internationally: Almost every nation\, including our closest allies\, has joined the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea\, which treats the deep seabed beyond national borders as the “common heritage of mankind” and assigns mining decisions to the International Seabed Authority. The U.S. never ratified the treaty\, largely because of objections to its seabed mining rules\, even though those rules were rewritten in 1994 to meet U.S. demands. The International Seabed Authority has not yet adopted environmental rules for commercial mining\, and dozens of countries support a pause until the science is in. \nThe Metals Company spent years seeking approval through that international system\, then turned to NOAA after a 2025 executive order opened a U.S. route under a 1980 law. Many nations and the Seabed Authority say unilateral U.S. permits for international waters would violate international law. \nOPPOSE THESE PERMITS\nPlease tell NOAA to deny these permits and urge the U.S. to work through the international process instead. Comments are due by Monday\, October 19\, 2026. \nPre-fabricated letter: \n1. Surfrider Foundation\, \nAction alert: https://surfrider.advocacyai.com/action/rejectseabedmininginpacific\nIt submits a comment to NOAA\, and members can click “edit my message” to personalize it. Surfrider’s page also has sample talking points for anyone who wants to write their own. Background page: https://www.surfrider.org/news/massive-seabed-mining-project-proposed-in-the-pacific-take-action \nDeep ocean starts at 200 meters\, Chart on ocean depths is attached –  chart by NOAA.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-and-recovery-applications-2/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/ocean-zones-pressure.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261029T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261029T215900
DTSTAMP:20261026T232402Z
CREATED:20261026T232120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261026T232402Z
UID:23366-1793310600-1793311140@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:COMMENT DEADLINE: Thursday\, October 29\, 2026 — EPA air permits for the Blue Marlin Offshore Port
DESCRIPTION:COMMENT DEADLINE: Thursday\, October 29\, 2026 — EPA air permits for the Blue Marlin Offshore Port (crude oil export terminal\, Gulf of Mexico) \nSummary \nEPA has proposed air permits that would allow construction of the Blue Marlin Offshore Port in the Gulf off Cameron Parish\, Louisiana; if finalized\, the port could export about 80\,000 barrels of crude oil per hour\, roughly 605 million barrels per year. The project is Energy Transfer’s. The terminal would sit in federal waters about 82 miles offshore\, in about 162 feet of water. Its oil would come from Energy Transfer’s existing Nederland Terminal in Jefferson County\, Texas\, through a new 42-inch onshore pipeline and the existing Stingray pipeline. Up to 275 Very Large Crude Carriers would load there each year. \nThe draft permits would allow about 1\,329 tons per year of volatile organic compounds and about 75 tons per year of hazardous air pollutants. They also include a “maintenance allowance” scenario\, in which vapors that cannot be captured are vented directly to the air from the tanker being loaded. \nEarthworks and Gulf community groups say the terminal would raise export profits rather than lower U.S. fuel prices. They also say it would add about 14 million tons of CO2 a year and that its pipeline would cross Bessie Heights Marsh and Sabine Lake\, in habitat used by 29 threatened and endangered species. MARAD and the Coast Guard issued the project’s Final EIS in July\, but Blue Marlin does not yet have its federal deepwater-port license.\nwww.epa.gov \nSouth Dakota connection: the terminal’s source is the same Nederland\, Texas terminal that receives Bakken crude through the Dakota Access Pipeline. Dakota Access runs about 1\,172 miles across North Dakota\, South Dakota\, Iowa and Illinois to a hub near Patoka\, Illinois. From there the Energy Transfer Crude Oil pipeline carries the oil to Nederland\, Texas. Blue Marlin would give that system a new export outlet. The Gulf link also matters for ESA reasons. In March 2026 the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) used ESA Section 7(j) for the first time\, voting unanimously to exempt Gulf oil and gas activities from ESA requirements on national-security grounds. That decision put the Rice’s whale at risk\, and only about 51 of these whales remain.\nenergytransfer \nNotice / documents \nNo Federal Register notice exists for these EPA permits. EPA Region 6 published the notice on its own website: EPA Public Notice — Blue Marlin PSD & Title V draft permits\nRelated Federal Register notice: MARAD/Coast Guard Final EIS\, Blue Marlin Offshore Port (FR Doc. 2026-14336\, July 16\, 2026) \nHow to comment directly by 10/29/2026\, we assume before midnight in DC. \nSubmit at Regulations.gov\, Docket EPA-R06-OAR-2026-1323: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-R06-OAR-2026-1323\nEach comment must say whether it concerns the PSD preconstruction permit or the Title V operating permit\, and it must be specific to the permit action. \nSupporting materials must be submitted in full. They cannot be incorporated by reference unless they are already in the record or are generally available references such as statutes or EPA documents. In practice\, attach what you cite. \nInclude an email or postal address if you want EPA’s response to comments and notice of its final decision. \nIn-person hearing (no virtual option listed): Thursday\, Oct. 29\, 6–8 p.m. CDT\, Cameron Parish Police Jury West Annex\, 148 Smith Circle\, Cameron\, LA. \nPre-written letter (Earthworks)\nhttps://act.earthworks.org/page/103936/action/1 — Earthworks asks people to add a personal comment\, because EPA groups identical letters together.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-thursday-october-29-2026-epa-air-permits-for-the-blue-marlin-offshore-port/
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