BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.18.3.1//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: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
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20270314T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20271107T080000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
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/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261101T225000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261101T225900
DTSTAMP:20261030T201422Z
CREATED:20261030T201422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261030T201422Z
UID:23376-1793573400-1793573940@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to submit written comments for the Nov. SDGFP Commission meeting
DESCRIPTION:The deadline to submit written comments for the Nov. SDGFP Commission meeting is Sunday Nov 1st just before midnight CT at this web site: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. We will post more information about the meeting on our Nov 5-6 event page\, when they post the agenda\, which often doesn’t happen before Friday night or even Monday or Tuesday.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-written-comments-for-the-nov-sdgfp-commission-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261102T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261102T215900
DTSTAMP:20261102T082855Z
CREATED:20260930T221437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261102T082855Z
UID:23258-1793656200-1793656740@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Nov 2 Comment deadline --: EPA - Proposed Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under CAA
DESCRIPTION:=== \nMonday\, Nov 2\, 2026\, 9:30–9:59 pm MT — Deadline to comment against EPA’s repeal of all power plant climate pollution limits \nSummary: EPA proposes that Clean Air Act section 111 does not authorize it to regulate emissions from power plants in response to global climate change concerns\, which would require rescinding the Administrator’s contrary findings and determinations in 2015 and repealing all associated 2015 and 2024 GHG standards for coal and gas plants. This follows the February 2026 repeal of the Endangerment Finding. Comment on the authority question itself\, since EPA is not reopening the concurrently published final rule. EPA numbers its questions\, and asks commenters to include the corresponding identifier (e.g.\, “C-1”) when submitting comments relevant to that solicitation.\nDocket: EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124 · RIN 2060-AX00 · 91 FR 59002 (Sept. 17\, 2026)\nFederal Register notice: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-17/pdf/2026-19072.pdf\nComment portal: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124. The deadline is Nov 2\, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.\nEmail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov\, with Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124 in the subject line\nSnail 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. Comments must be received by Nov 2\, not just postmarked.\nReady-made alert: NRDC has a comment form at https://action.nrdc.org/letter/5269-PowerPlantReg-091426. It notes that over 26\,000 NRDC supporters already spoke out against rolling back carbon standards for power plants. The other groups on your list (EDF\, Earthjustice\, UCS\, CBD\, Sierra Club) co-filed on earlier rounds\, but I didn’t find their action pages for this round yet. \nHere is the alert for PHAS calendar\, that I have not yet posted\, as the PHAS web site is misbehaving. That happens sometimes and you just have to wait till it starts working.  \nMonday\, Nov 2\, 2026 — Deadline 11:59 pm Eastern (9:59 pm Mountain): Tell EPA not to give up its authority to limit climate pollution from power plants \nThe rule is titled 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 (Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124). Note: Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday\, Nov 1\, so the deadline is 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time = 9:59 pm in Rapid City. \nQuick action: pre-written comment forms \n\nNRDC — pre-written letter you can edit and send: https://action.nrdc.org/letter/5269-PowerPlantReg-091426\nEarthjustice — comment form: https://earthjustice.org/action/dont-let-the-epa-gut-this-cornerstone-climate-protection\n\nTip: Please add a sentence or two in your own words (where you live\, a bird or place you love\, drought or fire you have seen). EPA tends to count identical form letters as one campaign; personalized comments carry more weight. \nOr comment directly to EPA\n\nRegulations.gov docket: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124 (look for the September 17\, 2026 “Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking” and click “Comment”)\nFederal Register notice (has a “Submit a formal comment” button): https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-19072\nEmail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov — put “Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124” in the subject line\n\nWhat is happening\nOn Sept. 14\, 2026\, EPA took two actions (published Sept. 17): \n\nA final rule repealing most of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards — the carbon-capture requirements for existing coal plants\, the requirements for existing gas- and oil-fired steam units\, and the carbon-capture standards for new baseload gas turbines. It takes effect Nov. 16\, 2026. EPA is not taking comment on this part\, and environmental and health groups have already sued.\nA supplemental proposal (open for comment until Nov. 2) that goes much further. EPA proposes that Clean Air Act section 111 never gave it authority to regulate power plant greenhouse gases to address global climate change\, proposes to rescind its 2015 findings that support that regulation\, and proposes to repeal all remaining power plant greenhouse gas standards\, including efficiency standards for new gas turbines and the 2015 standards for new coal units. If finalized\, no federal limit on power plant climate pollution would remain\, and a future EPA would have a much harder time restoring one.\n\nThis builds on EPA’s February 2026 repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding for motor vehicles\, which 24 states and other parties are challenging in the D.C. Circuit. Fossil-fueled power plants produce about a quarter of U.S. climate pollution\, second only to transportation. \nTalking points (pick a few and use your own words)\n\nKeep your comment on EPA’s authority. The open question is whether EPA can regulate power plant climate pollution at all. Say clearly: EPA has that authority and the duty to use it; withdraw the supplemental proposal and keep the 2015 findings.\nThe Clean Air Act already covers climate. The Act’s own definitions say effects on “welfare” include effects on “weather” and “climate.” EPA’s new claim that “air pollution” means only local or regional pollution conflicts with the law Congress wrote.\nThe Supreme Court has already answered this. Massachusetts v. EPA (2007) held greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Act. American Electric Power v. Connecticut (2011) held that section 111 “speaks directly” to carbon dioxide from power plants\, and on that basis closed the courthouse door to public-nuisance suits against utilities. West Virginia v. EPA (2022) limited how EPA may regulate power plants\, not whether it may.\nDon’t leave the public with no protection at all. If EPA disclaims authority\, polluters get the benefit of court rulings that relied on EPA having that authority\, and the public is left with neither regulation nor a remedy.\nCongress has confirmed the authority. In 2022 Congress added language to the Clean Air Act directing EPA to achieve greenhouse gas reductions from electricity generation “through use of the existing authorities” of the Act. Congress would not have written that if it believed EPA had no such authority.\n“Our share is too small to matter” is not a legal or moral excuse. The U.S. power sector emits more carbon dioxide than most entire nations. The Supreme Court rejected this same “futility” argument in Massachusetts v. EPA: big problems are solved step by step\, and if every large emitter used this excuse\, no one would ever act.\nTiny savings\, huge risk. EPA itself estimates this supplemental proposal would save industry only about $370 million in compliance costs over 20 years. Compare that to the costs of drought\, wildfire\, crop losses\, extreme heat and rising insurance premiums.\nCleaner air for our lungs\, too. Measures that cut carbon dioxide from burning coal and gas also cut soot\, smog-forming pollution and mercury.\nBirds are telling us. National Audubon’s Survival by Degrees study found 64% of North American bird species studied (389 of 604) are moderately or highly vulnerable to climate change\, including 69% of grassland birds and 86% of western forest birds — the birds of our prairies and the Black Hills. Holding warming down greatly improves their odds.\nSouth Dakota & Black Hills impacts. Hotter\, drier summers mean more fire weather and drought stress in Black Hills ponderosa pine forests\, less water in prairie potholes (the “duck factory”) and stock dams\, and harder times for ranchers and farmers. These are exactly the harms to “welfare” the Clean Air Act was written to prevent.\nRegional sources matter. South Dakota’s Big Stone coal plant reports roughly 1.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gases a year to EPA\, and coal plants in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and North Dakota’s lignite fields are among the region’s largest emitters. Without federal standards\, nothing requires new or rebuilt plants to use the cleaner\, more efficient technology already available.\nDon’t finalize on a shaky foundation. EPA ties this proposal to its 2026 repeal of the Endangerment Finding\, which is under legal challenge. EPA should not stack a second repeal on top of one that may be overturned.\n\nBackground reading\n\nNature World News: EPA repeals most power plant carbon standards\, proposes it has no authority to regulate their climate pollution\nHarvard Environmental & Energy Law Program analysis: https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/epa-repeals-power-plant-carbon-standards/\nEPA rule page: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/greenhouse-gas-standards-and-guidelines-fossil-fuel-fired-power\nFederal Register notice (PDF): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-17/pdf/2026-19072.pdf\nAudubon\, Survival by Degrees: https://www.audubon.org/our-work/science/survival-degrees/survival-degrees-about-study\n\nPrairie Hills Audubon Society plans to file its own comment letter by the deadline. \n+=================== \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/nov-2-comment-deadline-epa-proposed-repeal-of-regulations-for-power-plant-greenhouse-gas-emissions-under-caa/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261103T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261103T190000
DTSTAMP:20260930T232302Z
CREATED:20260930T232023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T232302Z
UID:23265-1793689200-1793732400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Election Day\, Nov 3rd
DESCRIPTION:Election Day\, Nov 3rd \n  \nPlease Vote for candidates of your choice \nPlease  study  Amendment L\, that would make it harder to pass constitutional amendments by ballot measures \nWhat it does: Amendment L would require 60% of the votes cast\, instead of a simple majority\, to amend the South Dakota Constitution. It would apply to every future amendment\, whether it comes from citizens or from the Legislature.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/election-day-nov-3rd/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261105T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261106T110000
DTSTAMP:20261106T202820Z
CREATED:20261030T201025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261106T202820Z
UID:23370-1793880000-1793962800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks November Meeting 11/5/26-11/6/26\, Sioux Falls and Zoom
DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks November Meeting 11/5/26-11/6/26\, Sioux Falls and Zoom \nVisit this link for more Zoom and teleconference codes\, agenda and more info.\, when closer to the meeting date: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_November_2026.pdf \nZoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call\, dial 1.719.359.4580 | Webinar ID: 1 719 359 4580 | Passcode: 970458 \nhttps://state-sd.zoom.us/j/91264176710?pwd=Vm00NEowdGV6N09Ib1hnVlJkMUF3Zz09#success \n====== \nThere will at least be an Open Forum at about 2 pm CT on Thursday\, where you get 3 minutes to testify on anything. Written comments are due Sunday night by midnight CT – at this web site – https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-november-meeting-11-5-26-11-6-26-sioux-falls-and-zoom/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261107T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261107T120000
DTSTAMP:20261106T202412Z
CREATED:20261106T182147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261106T202412Z
UID:23381-1794042000-1794052800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Nov. 7th\, Morning field trip on "Fire in the Black Hills"\,  Norbeck Society
DESCRIPTION:Nov. 7th\, Morning field trip on “Fire in the Black Hills”\, Norbeck Society\, Chris Stover (Forest Fuels Specialist retired from BHNF) will lead the Field Trip.- \n ** Meet at 9:00 at the Three-Forks parking lot (intersection of Hwy 385 and Hwy 16). We will carpool into the area of interest and make 3 or 4 stops along the way. High clearance & 4-wheel drive are required\, and we need volunteers with suitable vehicles who are willing to take on passengers. The total loop is about 15 miles\, 10 on forest roads. You might enjoy a burger and brew at Cohort Craft Brewery afterwards!  \n** Bring water and snacks and appropriate footwear!  \n** Please RSVP: info@norbecksociety.com  \nLet us know if you are a passenger or a driver 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/nov-7th-morning-field-trip-on-fire-in-the-black-hills-norbeck-society/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T060000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T220000
DTSTAMP:20261106T234228Z
CREATED:20261106T210110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261106T234228Z
UID:23399-1794204000-1794261600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Expected Monday\, Nov. 9: Senate vote on the permitting bill that would weaken NEPA\, ESA & the Clean Water Act.
DESCRIPTION:Expected Monday\, Nov. 9: Senate vote on the permitting bill that would weaken NEPA\, ESA & the Clean Water Act. Call now\, before the vote.\n\nWhat: The U.S. Senate is expected to hold its first vote as early as Monday on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA\, S. 5653). This is the cloture vote to open debate\, and it needs 60 votes to pass. The 417-page bill would narrow environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)\, shorten Endangered Species Act consultation deadlines\, limit states’ and Tribes’ authority to put conditions on federal permits under Clean Water Act Section 401\, and weaken National Historic Preservation Act review. It would also fast-track oil and gas\, mining\, logging\, and large AI data centers. \nSenate schedules often change\, and the vote could slip to later in the week. Calls are useful any time before the vote\, so don’t wait. Senate offices open at 7 a.m. Mountain / 8 a.m. Central. They also take voice mail messages after hours.  Much of the time \,Thune’s staff doesn’t answer the phone and often all you can do\, 8 to 5\,  is leave messages for him. \nSouth Dakota angle: Sen. Thune\, as Majority Leader\, controls when this vote happens and supports the bill. Rep. Dusty Johnson voted for the House version (the SPEED Act). We don’t expect to change their votes\, but they should hear from South Dakotans\, and the talking points below are aimed at what matters here. \nCall (as an individual constituent): \n\nSen. John Thune: DC (202) 224-2321 | Rapid City (605) 348-7551\nSen. Mike Rounds: DC (202) 224-5842 | Rapid City (605) 343-5035\nRep. Dusty Johnson (if the bill reaches the House): DC (202) 225-2801\nOr the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121\n\nTalking points. Pick two or three that matter most to you. Calls go better in your own words. \n\nNEPA is how South Dakotans get a voice on Black Hills projects. Timber sales\, mining\, road building\, and grazing on the Black Hills National Forest all go through NEPA review. That review is where citizens\, ranchers\, hunters\, and Tribes find out what’s planned\, comment\, and get mistakes fixed before the damage is done. This bill would reduce the federal actions that require review\, narrow the alternatives agencies have to consider\, and exempt more projects completely. Fewer projects reviewed means fewer chances for local people to weigh in.\nLess time to catch problems\, and less ability to challenge them. The bill sets new deadlines and new limits on court challenges to permitting decisions. When an agency gets it wrong on a public forest\, a citizen challenge is often the only remedy left. Shutting that door rewards rushed decisions.\nMining in the Black Hills. The Black Hills have a long history of mining and its damage\, from Gilt Edge Mine\, now a Superfund site\, to polluted Whitewood Creek. New gold\, lithium\, uranium\, and rare earth mines are proposed in and around the Hills today. The bill is designed to speed approvals for mining. This is exactly where careful environmental review protects our water and saves taxpayers from cleanup bills.\nHistoric preservation and sacred sites. The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota and other Tribal nations and full of archaeological and historic sites. The bill weakens National Historic Preservation Act review and would waive it for certain reissued nationwide permits. It also weakens Tribal consultation\, which affects South Dakota’s nine Tribal nations. Once a site is bulldozed\, it’s gone for good.\nState authority over our waters. Clean Water Act Section 401 lets South Dakota put water-quality conditions on federal permits for pipelines\, mines\, and other projects crossing our rivers and streams. The bill narrows that authority. Decisions about South Dakota’s water should stay in South Dakota.\nEndangered species. The bill shortens ESA consultation deadlines\, which means less careful review for species like the whooping crane\, pallid sturgeon\, and black-footed ferret.\nFix the real cause of delays. Permitting delays mostly come from understaffed\, underfunded agencies\, not from environmental laws. Fully staffing the Forest Service\, BLM\, and Fish & Wildlife Service would speed permits without cutting the public out.\n\nShort sample message: “I’m a constituent from [town]. Please vote NO on cloture for S. 5653\, the permitting bill. It weakens NEPA review\, which is how South Dakotans get a say on timber\, mining\, and other projects in the Black Hills. It also undercuts historic preservation and protection of sacred sites\, speeds up mining approvals\, and limits South Dakota’s own authority over our waters. Permits are slow mainly because federal agencies are understaffed. The answer is to give agencies the staff and funding they need\, not to cut the public out of decisions about our public lands.” \nFriends and family in other states: The votes that matter most are Democratic senators’ votes\, because 60 votes are needed. Please forward this to people in states with Democratic senators\, especially Oregon (Merkley\, Wyden)\, Illinois (Duckworth)\, Massachusetts (Markey)\, New Mexico\, Colorado\, Arizona\, Nevada\, Washington\, and California. Ask them to call their own senators and urge a NO vote. \nMore information: Western Environmental Law Center statement and policy analysis (https://westernlaw.org/)\,  | Bill text and summary (Congress.gov) \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/expected-monday-nov-9-senate-vote-on-the-permitting-bill-that-would-weaken-nepa-esa-the-clean-water-act/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T024812Z
CREATED:20261106T225739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261107T024812Z
UID:23405-1794238200-1794240000@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline comment/intervene in 2 ground water right permit applications for Uranium mine
DESCRIPTION:DEADLINE Monday\, Nov. 9: Comment or petition on Powertech’s water permits for the Dewey-Burdock uranium mine (Madison & Inyan Kara aquifers)\nWhat: Powertech (USA) Inc.\, a subsidiary of enCore Energy\, has applied to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) for two water permits for its proposed Dewey-Burdock in-situ uranium mine. The mine site is about 20 square miles in southwestern Custer and northwestern Fall River counties\, near Edgemont\, on the southern edge of the Black Hills. DANR received the applications in June but didn’t publish notice until late October\, leaving the public less than two weeks to respond. Comments and petitions are due Monday\, November 9\, 2026. \n\nApplication No. 2914-2\, Inyan Kara Aquifer: Water to mine uranium out of the Inyan Kara formation. Powertech would pump at up to 4\,500 gallons per minute from up to 1\,000 wells. At that rate\, about 2.36 billion gallons a year would pass through the wells\, with net consumption capped at 274.2 acre-feet a year (about 89 million gallons). The notice gives no end date.\nApplication No. 2915-2\, Madison Aquifer: About 84 million gallons a year for 20 years\, with a possible 20-year extension. The Madison water would mainly be used to try to restore the mined aquifer after mining\, plus facility operations.\n\nThe Water Management Board will hear both applications at 10:45 a.m. Central\, Wednesday\, December 2\, 2026\, at the Matthew Training Center\, Joe Foss Building\, 523 E. Capitol Ave.\, Pierre. The Chief Engineer found that the applications raise important public interest issues and should not be approved without a hearing. \nWhy it matters: \n\nThe Madison and Inyan Kara are among the main aquifers supplying drinking\, ranch\, and irrigation water across western South Dakota. In-situ mining injects chemicals into the aquifer to dissolve uranium\, and in-situ mines elsewhere have rarely\, if ever\, returned an aquifer to its pre-mining quality.\nBlack Hills water is already stretched. A 2025 U.S. Geological Survey study found that the region’s aquifers and reservoirs are falling short of demand\, and after years of drought many shallow wells have gone dry.\nA federal appeals court has noted that a sizable number of cultural\, historical\, and archaeological sites\, including burial sites\, have been identified in the project area. The court also found that the Oglala Sioux Tribe has the most direct historical\, cultural\, and religious ties to the area. The Tribe\, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance\, and others have fought this project in state and federal proceedings since at least  2012.\n\nTwo ways to take part (you must file separately for EACH application): \n\nComment: Anyone may comment to the Chief Engineer on DANR’s comment form. A comment goes into the record\, but it does not make you a party to the hearing.\nPetition to intervene: To become a party of record\, you must file a written petition on DANR’s form with both the Chief Engineer and Powertech. You must describe an injury to you that is unique\, not just the general public’s injury. For example\, you might own a well\, land\, or water rights near the site or downgradient from it. The petition must also give your reasons for opposing the application and your name and mailing address. A petitioner may also ask in writing\, by Nov. 9\, to postpone the hearing. Individuals can represent themselves in an intervention\, but corporations must be represented by an attorney\n\nForms and notices: Go to danr.sd.gov/public\, scroll to the Powertech notice under “Water Rights\,” and click the dates in the “Petition/Comment Deadline” column. You can maybe read the Inyan Kara (2914-2) or Madison (2915-2) hearing notices here.  However it is possible that parts of this web site will be broken & not work correctly this weekend (11/6-11/9). \nMail\, e-mail or deliver to: Chief Engineer\, Water Rights Program\, Foss Building\, 523 E. Capitol\, Pierre\, SD 57501. Phone (605) 773-3352. Petitioners also send a copy to Powertech (USA) Inc.\, 101 North Shoreline Blvd.\, Suite 450\, Corpus Christi\, TX 78401. The mail must be POSTMARKED by 11/9/26.  Also DANR normally has a web portal you can upload comments to\, however due to talking to DANR on Friday\, I am warned that DANR public notice/public commenting web page may be broken this weekend at least in part and you can e-mail comment to  DANRmail@state.sd.us. \nWe are not sure if the deadline for e-mails is COB on Monday or 11:59 pm CT.  Normally it is 11:59 for commenting.  Call and ask DANR on Monday to verify if you want to e-mail late at night Monday. \nHelp with writing comments: Black Hills Clean Water Alliance has step-by-step filing instructions and commenting hints and videos on how to comment on its State-Level Comment Notices page. —  https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/public-hearings/state-level-comment-notices/ \nDakota Rural Action’s action alert and links to the permit applications and comment pages for each permit are here:\nhttps://www.dakotarural.org/powertech-seeking-billions-of-gallons-of-groundwater-comment-or-intervene-by-nov-9/\nBackground reading: “Public comment period opens as company seeks state permits for uranium mine” (SD Searchlight / Rapid City Post). Also see the Rapid City Post’s article on declining state aquifers and Brad Johnson’s SD Searchlight commentary\, “With mining\, remember: The people who may need the water in 50 years won’t be at the hearing.” \nSources: \n\nDANR notice of hearing\, Application 2914-2\nSD Searchlight / Rapid City Post: Public comment period opens\nDANR Powertech water rights page
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-comment-intervene-in-2-ground-water-right-permit-applications-for-uranium-mine/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T215000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261109T215900
DTSTAMP:20260930T225159Z
CREATED:20260930T225159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T225159Z
UID:23262-1794261000-1794261540@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Nov 9\, Deadline to comment against fast-track oil drilling permits in Alaska's Western Arctic
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, Nov 9\, 2026\, 9:30–9:59 pm MT — Deadline to comment against fast-track oil drilling permits in Alaska’s Western Arctic (NPR-A) \nSummary: Qualifying oil and gas production sites in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska would get a decision within 60 days of a complete application\, with no additional project-level environmental analysis required. To qualify\, a project’s entire footprint would have to sit within 25 miles of existing permanent oil and gas infrastructure. The proposal came following a formal petition from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. Earthjustice warns that new projects in the Western Arctic\, including in Teshekpuk Lake\, the Colville River and other special areas that have long been off limits to development\, could be fast-tracked. The impacts analysis is missing: BLM published only a portion of the environmental impact statement for the proposed rule and did not include the section that analyzes its environmental impacts.\nFederal Register notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/08/2026-18261/national-petroleum-reserve-in-alaska-production-site-development\nComment portal (rule): https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2026-0133-0001 · RIN 1004-AF57\nDraft EIS chapters (separate comment): Comments on the draft environmental chapters go through the BLM ePlanning site. Both close on November 9. Go to eplanning.blm.gov; the NEPA Number is DOI-BLM-AK-0000-2026-0012-EIS.\nSnail mail: U.S. Department of the Interior\, Director (630)\, Bureau of Land Management\, 1849 C St. NW\, Room 5646\, Washington\, DC 20240\, Attention: RIN 1004-AF57. (This is BLM’s standard rulemaking address. I didn’t open the full ADDRESSES section to confirm it\, so please check the Federal Register notice before posting.)\nReady-made alert: \nEarthjustice’s press release is at https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/trump-administration-proposes-regulations-to-rubber-stamp-drilling-in-alaskas-western-arctic. \nTheir Pre-fab letter – https://earthjustice.org/action/no-shortcuts-for-oil-and-gas-companies?ms=web \nAlaska Wilderness League and The Wilderness Society are also active on this issue. I didn’t find a pre-filled comment form yet.\nArticle: “BLM Proposes 60 Day Decisions for Arctic Oil Sites Within 25 Miles of Existing Alaska Infrastructure”  URL link >>https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/73225/20260907/blm-proposes-60-day-decisions-arctic-oil-sites-within-25-miles-existing-alaska-infrastructure.htm \nComments are likely due before midnight EST.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/nov-9-deadline-to-comment-against-fast-track-oil-drilling-permits-in-alaskas-western-arctic/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261110T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261110T203000
DTSTAMP:20261106T203557Z
CREATED:20261106T201616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261106T203557Z
UID:23386-1794333600-1794342600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Jack Gladstone - "Montana's Troubadour" Preforms at the Journey in Rapid City
DESCRIPTION:Jack Gladstone – “Montana’s Troubadour” Preforms at the Journey in Rapid City in the evening.
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/jack-gladstone-montanas-troubadour-preforms-at-the-journey-in-rapid-city/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Jack-Gladstone-Flyer-Word-Ver-4-FINAL-003.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20261112T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20261112T203000
DTSTAMP:20261106T202212Z
CREATED:20261106T201844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261106T202212Z
UID:23388-1794506400-1794515400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Travis Lavieri speaks on Black Footed Ferret - Norbeck Society meeting 11/12/26\, Rapid City
DESCRIPTION:Travis Lavieri speaks on Black Footed Ferret – Norbeck Society meeting 11/12/26. 6 pm presentation at OCW in Rapid City\,
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/travis-lavieri-speaks-on-black-footed-ferret-norbeck-society-meeting-11-12-26-rapid-city/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-11-12-Norbeck-presents-Travis-Livieri.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR