BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Prairie Hills Audubon Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://phas-wsd.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prairie Hills Audubon Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240723T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240723T000000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240723T210012Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240723T230248Z UID:14133-1721692800-1721692800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Bioblitz for counting Bumble bees DESCRIPTION:Please join other volunteers for the 6th Annual Backyard bumble bee count will take place July 23-August 1\, 2024! Each bumble bee record submitted during the Backyard Bumble Bee Count helps researchers learn more about how bumble bees are doing and how to protect them and the environment we share. All observations collected July 23- August 1 will be included. You need ani naturalist member acccount to participate. Visit web site for details: https://backyardbbcount.wixsite.com/bumblebeecount \nhttps://www.inaturalist.org/projects/backyard-bumble-bee-count   URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bioblitz-for-counting-bumble-bees/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240727T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240727T160000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240718T104433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240718T105016Z UID:13909-1722070800-1722096000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Tree protection event\, beaver/human conflict mitigation\, Rapid City\, DESCRIPTION:Tree damage mitigation along Rapid Creek in Rapid City\, Event sponsored by Black Hills Fly Fishers (BHFF) \nJoin BHFF July 27th to paint trees with sandy paint to deter beaver from killing specific trees. This is  for mitigation of beaver/human conflicts  and also habitat restoration. \nCivic Center parking lot\, east side. 9am. For info:  blackhillsflyfishers@gmail.com URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/tree-protection-event-beaver-human-conflict-mitigation-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240814T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240814T225900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240719T184105Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240719T225347Z UID:13932-1723675800-1723676340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on SDGFP's draft Antelope Action Plan DESCRIPTION:Deadline 8/14/24 to comment on SDGFP’s draft Antelope Action Plan \nPronghorn Antelope Action Plan \nSouth Dakota Game\, Fish and Parks (GFP) is seeking comments on a draft Pronghorn Antelope Action Plan. \nThe draft Pronghorn Antelope Action plan\, 2024-2028\, is a document that will be used by GFP to guide pronghorn antelope management in South Dakota through identified management objectives and measurable strategies to meet those management objectives. All individuals interested in pronghorn antelope management in South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the action plan by August 14\, 2024. \nThe draft Pronghorn Antelope Action Plan can be found here. \nDraft Action Plan:\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Pronghorn_ActionPlan_June_2024.pdf\n\nWritten comments on the plan can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave.\, Pierre\, S.D. 57501\, or submitted online. Comments must be received by the deadline and include your full name and city of residence. \nOn-line form:  https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-sdgfps-draft-antelope-action-plan/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240816T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240817T210000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240602T222341Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240603T002625Z UID:13350-1723827600-1723928400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:South Dakota Wildlife Federation Annual Board Meeting\, Rapid City DESCRIPTION:South Dakota Wildlife Federation (SDWF)  Annual Board Meeting\, Rapid City Saturday Aug 17th \nSaturday night there will be a banquet and small auction. All SDWF or Black Hills Sportsmen (BHSM ) members are free to attend\,  The door will open at 6pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. There will be door prizes and conservation awards will be given. RSVP is required for Saturday. blackhillssportsmenclub@gmail.com  \nBHSM will also be sponsoring a cocktail hour Friday night 5 pm\, Aug 16th\, for the the SDWF board members at the Hilton Garden Inn bar. Members can attend that event also and meet the board members that spend a lot of time on issues that are important to SDWF and BHSM \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/south-dakota-wildlife-federation-annual-board-meeting-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240816T220000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240816T225900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240719T183923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240906T193358Z UID:13930-1723845600-1723849140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment deadline to SDGFP on draft Mountain Lion Action Plan DESCRIPTION:August 16th is the written comment deadline for SDGFP on  their draft Mountain Lion Action Plan\, however the Commission will make the decision on it at their Sept 5-6th Commission meeting. There are other later opportunities for written & oral comments associated with that meeting. \nSee also  our calendar’s notice of July 10th-11th and September Commission meetings Sept 5th-6th for more details – click on the event notices on those dates. We include action alerts in meeting notices  – https://phas-wsd.org/events-alerts/ \nMountain Lion Action Plan \nSouth Dakota Game\, Fish and Parks (GFP) is seeking comments on a draft Mountain Lion Action Plan. \nAt the July Commission meeting they reviewed a draft Mountain Lion Action Plan\, which was to be put out for public comment.  Info at this link https://gfp.sd.gov/management-plans/. To view  draft Mountain Lion Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/MtLion-ActionPlangfp.July_2024_Commission_Book-3.pdf    \n“The draft Mountain Lion Action plan\, 2024-2028\, is a document that will be used by GFP to guide mountain lion management in South Dakota through identified management objectives and measurable strategies to meet those management objectives. All individuals interested in mountain lion management in South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the action plan by August 16\, 2024.” \nWritten comments on the plan can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave.\, Pierre\, S.D. 57501\, or submitted online. https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ \n  \nHere is a copy of the letter that PHAS sent in on August 16th on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \nHere is a copy of the letter that PHAS sent on Sept 1st on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/gfp.PHAS_.2nd-Letter-Mt-Lion-Action-Plan.pdf \nHere is a copy of a set of handouts that PHAS gave the Commission during public testimony on the draft Action Plans: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-letter_ActionPlans6.pdf \nGo to Sept 1st event notice to see all comments received by Commission \nGFP says comments must be received by the deadline (8/16/24) and include your full name and city of residence. \nWe suggest there is actually a second & later deadline of Sept 1st\, which is the deadline to send written comments to the Commission before the Commission meeting\, at which they will make decisions on the Action Plan. \nThe important part is the strategies and objectives on the last few pages (pages 10-11). \nWe may have an informal meeting to discuss this plan and bobcat season before Sept 5th.  Contact Nancy if interested in attending: nhilshat@rapidnet.com\, 605-787-6466. \nTALKING POINTS \nWe thank the staff and the C0mmission for deciding not to expand hound hunting of lions to the Black Hills Fire Protection District outside of Custer State Park\, but we fear that the hound hunters will continue to relentlessly push for this. \nHowever\,  we always \n\nObject to the 365 day – year round hunting season on the Statewide/Prairie Unit – which is all of SD that is outside of the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD).\nWe object to hound hunting of lions on Custer State Park and the Statewide/Prairie Unit.\n\nViable Populations on Reservations \nSD GFP does not manage for viable populations outside of the BHFPD. We believe that SDGFP should managed for viable populations of mountain lions at least on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations\, as both tribes manage for viable populations and due to historic Allotment Acts\, reservation properties in SD can be checker boarded with mixed tribal and Caucasian ownership. GFP has jurisdiction over properties with Caucasian ownership. \nGFP should provide for connectivity corridors between the Black  Hills with Reservation properties\, as small populations need immigrant lions to refresh population genetics. \nGFP should have a goal to cooperate with tribal governments to estimate populations of mt. lions within the checker board of tribal/state jurisdictions on Reservations. \nPro-Hunting Bias \nWe suggest folks read Goal 2 on the 11th page. We object to this goal in the Plan at the eleventh page: “Objective 2: Manage mountain lion populations for both maximum and quality recreational hunting opportunities\, considering all social and biological inputs.”   \nThe word “maximum” should be dropped and/or the entire sentence rewritten. We suggest this clause  makes human recreation dominant over ecology.  It does not adequately balance the ecological benefits of mountain lions\, an apex predator and keystone species with benefits of  human recreation. SD has an endangered species act and thus the legislature does not wish for populations of any native species to become extirpated. \nWildlife watchers exceed hunters in USFWS studies and a “harvested” lion or it’s tracks are not available for watching. Wildlife watchers exceed hunters in USFWS study that counts wildlife associated recreators nationwide at-home and away from home.  ( Visit: https://digitalmedia.fws.gov/digital/collection/document/id/2321/  and go to Table 2 on page 48  & Table 6 on page 51). \nSD is in the West North Central area\, which has 16\,677\,887 persons\, who are 16 years or older. 9% of these folks (or 1\,518\,281 persons) hunted. 58% of these folks (or 9\,744.740 persons)  wildlife watched.  Some people did both.  Of the wildlife watchers  – 4\,624\,145 wildlife watched away from home (28% of all persons)  & 9\,664\,190 wildlife watched around home (58% of all persons). Some people did both. \nThe locally generated statistics the SDGFP uses for number of wildlife watchers vs. hunters in SD\, does not count wildlife watchers at home\, while it counts hunters at home – thus it is unfairly biased/inadequate.  (Link to the Southwick study: SD-Fish-Wildlife-Boating-Economics-Southwick-6-30-22.pdf) This 2017 study at page 25\, table 29 shows 173\,825 wildlife watchers (residents – 89\,277 persons & non-resident  -84\,548 persons). All are only watching away from home. At page 8\, table 1 the study shows 103\,619  resident hunters & 112\,174 non-resident hunters or 215\,793 total hunters.  It does not delete at home hunting. \nSo the USFWS finds the number of hunters are only 15% of the number of wildlife watchers  but the 2017 Southwick study found wildlife watchers are just 80% of the hunters.  USFWS is only counting the west north central region’s people and Southwick is counting SD residents and non-residents. Southwick does not count at home wildlife watchers\, but USFWS does and in so doing more than doubles the wildlife watchers. \nVarious studies show over-hunting of lions creates more mt. lion v. human/livestock  conflicts. See You-tube video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ZD-PAKhSo \nHunting Regulation Complexity \nWe also object to this clause: “minimize regulation complexity”. The Department  in past has used the goal of simple hunting regulations to oppose changes to regulations designed to address animal cruelty issues. We assume they could also \nuse this goal of simplicity to oppose  changes needed for ecological reasons\, as maximizing hunting is “king” \nOLDER MT LION PLAN \nThere is also an older Mountain Lion Management Plan from 2019 that will more detail on mt. lions for reference: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/docs/LionPlan_FINAL_2019.pdf URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-to-sdgfp-on-draft-mountain-lion-action-plan/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240820T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240822T170000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240716T181839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240720T121723Z UID:13866-1724142600-1724346000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:He Sapa Tribal Mining Summit DESCRIPTION:He Sapa Tribal Mining –  Protecting the Black Hills From Mining – Summit\nThe basic information is that it’s on August 20 – 22\nat Storm Mountain Retreat Center near Rockerville.\nMore details are pending.\nWe are just guessing at the time-of-day for the event.\nCheck Black Hills Clean Water Alliance web site or facebook pages for updates.\nWhen we learn more\, we will post it here. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/he-sapa-tribal-mining-summit/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/SaveTheDate-Registration-URL-7-24.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240820T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240820T225000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240719T184255Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240719T184424Z UID:13934-1724194200-1724194200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on SDGFP's species list for revision of Wildlife Action Plan DESCRIPTION:Wildlife Action Plan \nSouth Dakota Game\, Fish and Parks (GFP) is seeking comments on a draft species list associated with the South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan. \nThe South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan was last updated in 2015 and is revised every 10 years. This strategic planning document is designed to address the needs of South Dakota’s important habitats and representative plant and animal species. An approved Wildlife Action Plan maintains South Dakota’s eligibility for a federal funding match source called State Wildlife Grants. \nWildlife action plans focus on “species of greatest conservation need” but also address broader wildlife issues that can impact species and habitats. GFP has revised the state list of species of greatest conservation need and welcomes feedback on the draft list. The list includes rare species\, but also species for which South Dakota constitutes an important part of the species’ range or represents a unique or declining habitat. \nLearn more about the South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan and the current revision process here. The draft species list can be found at the Wildlife Action Plan website and the management plan revisions site here. \nFeedback on the draft species list for the Wildlife Action Plan Revision 2025 will be accepted through August 20\, 2024. \nWritten comments can be sent to Wildlife Action Plan Revision Comments\, 523 E. Capitol Ave.\, Pierre\, S.D. 57501\, or emailed to swapcomments@state.sd.us. Comments must include your full name and city of residence and be received by the deadline. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-sdgfs-species-list-for-revision-of-wildlife-action-plan/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240825T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240831T173000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240830T223814Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240831T022557Z UID:14218-1724605200-1725125400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Wild 12 - 1 2 TH W O R L D W I L D E R N ESS CONGRESS - Rapid City\, SD DESCRIPTION:Wild 12 – The 12th World Wilderness Congress\, held in Rapid City\, both at the Dahl and the “Monument (Civic Center)” \nhere’s the link for the event: https://wild.org/wild12/ \nTo download document with information on speakers and schedule (the schedule is on page 18-31) \nhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bl83-tt0Hc7v6-FVeNeQBMPQ56fw78Fg/view \nIt starts on Sunday the 25th of August at 5 pm and ends at Saturday evening on the 31st of August  at 5:30 pm. \nSaturday 8/31/24 is at Fine Arts Theater of the Monument (Civic Center) 8-5:30 pm and “delegates reconvene to vote on/adopt WILD12’s resolutions and set the global wilderness conservation agenda for the next 4-5 years.” \nEvents are at both “the Monument” (Rapid City’s Civic Center) and at the Dahl Fine Arts Center\, you  need to check out the schedule to view all the events\, times and locations. \nA quote from the announcement of event: \n“This Congress was convened at the invitation of Philimon Two Eagle. In October 2022\, he spoke on behalf of the Oceti Sakowin and asked WILD to “bring the world to the Black Hills so that they can listen to the Lakota speak” about the interconnected burdens of environmental degradation and colonialism. \nPhilimon’s invitation also presented WILD and the global wilderness community with a unique opportunity to hold a sector-wide\, cross-cultural\, formal dialogue about the term “wilderness:” what it means to conservation and Indigenous Peoples\, as well as an objective assessment of its yields\, both harmful and beneficial. We embraced this challenge\, consulting with numerous Indigenous Peoples who met in working groups and as appointed advisors\, to better understand their approach to what conservation calls “wilderness.” What we learned is their terms encompass a far greater swath of reality and the cosmos than what wilderness\, at least as it has been defined by governmental bodies\, is permitted to be. Terms like Maka Sitomniya (Lakota)\, Ubuntu (Zulu)\, and Whanaungatanga (Māori) possess meanings that not only transcend the physical world\, but also stretch across time itself….” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/wild-12-1-2-th-w-o-r-l-d-w-i-l-d-e-r-n-ess-congress-rapid-city-sd/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240826T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240826T150000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240722T201453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240722T222212Z UID:14132-1724662800-1724684400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:CUP for wind/solar facility west of Badlands NP - Pennington City Planning Com DESCRIPTION:The review of the CUP application for a wind and solar facility near Conata Basin was continued from July 22nd to August 26th meetings  of the Pennington County Planning Commission.  We are not yet sure of the time the CUP will be on the agenda\, but we assume the meeting starts at 9 am.   Check the Pennington County web site\, when closer to the date for the agenda. \nhttps://www.pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=2EDD9723-76E1-440D-99F8-7D7EBA54AF7F&Type=B_BASIC \nGo to the PHAS calendar’s July 22nd meeting notice for details. https://phas-wsd.org/event/pennington-county-planning-commission-hearing-on-wind-solar-farm-near-conata-basin/ \nWe were told the meeting room was three/fourth full of people on 7/22/24 who were in opposition to the solar/wind farm. As far as we know\, the environmental community did not much know about the CUP being at the July Commission meeting\, but the Citizens for Liberty (Tea Party) were very busy organizing against this facility. \nPacket for meeting on July 22nd go from page 92 to the end of the packet\nhttps://www.pennco.org/vertical/sites/%7B94B870DC-F4F5-409E-B25D-A72449C5D7C0%7D/uploads/07-22-24_PC_Packet.pdf\n——————–\n13. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT / COCU 24-0022: Yarotek\, LLC; Mark Tippett – Agent.\nTo allow a utility-scale solar energy system in an Agriculture District in accordance with\nthe Pennington County Zoning Ordinance.\nSE1/4 of Section 12\, T1S\, R11E; E1/2SW1/4\, Lot 3-4; SE1/4 of Section 7; T1S\, R12E;\nand GL 1-4; E1/2W1/2; E1/2 of Section 18\, T1S\, R12E\, BHM\, Pennington County\,\nSouth Dakota.\n14. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT / COCU 24-0023: Yarotek\, LLC; Mark Tippett – Agent.\nTo allow a utility-scale wind energy system in an Agriculture District in accordance with\nthe Pennington County Zoning Ordinance.\nSE1/4 of Section 12\, T1S\, R11E; E1/2SW1/4\, Lot 3-4; SE1/4 of Section 7; T1S\, R12E;\nand GL 1-4; E1/2W1/2; E1/2 of Section 18\, T1S\, R12E\, BHM\, Pennington County\,\nSouth Dakota.\n\nOn the map of Pennington County look for a small blue rectangle. That is one of 3 parcels all next to each other\, that is the proposed site – URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/cup-for-wind-solar-facility-near-conata-basin-pennington-city-planning-com/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-07-22-at-3.18.44-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240901T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240901T235900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240530T032623Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240906T192800Z UID:13244-1725234600-1725235140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to send written Comments to SD GFP Commission for September Meeting DESCRIPTION:Before midnight MT is the deadline to send written Comments to SD GFP Commission for their September Meeting. \nIf folks missed the comment deadlines of August 14th\, 16th and 20th on various wildlife action plans\, we suggest people still send in comments before this August 1st deadline\, as a copy of these comments will still be given to the Commissioners (who make the decisions). Go to those dates on the calendar for alerts.  Also go to Sept 5th-6th Commission meeting event item fo more info. Here is PHAS’s comments on the draft Mountain Lion Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \n\nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the most immediate meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to record of the next meeting . \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nPHAS COMMENT LETTERS FOR TEMPLATES: \nHere is a copy of the first letter that PHAS sent in on August 16th on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \nHere is a copy of the  second letter that PHAS sent on Sept 1st on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/gfp.PHAS_.2nd-Letter-Mt-Lion-Action-Plan.pdf \nHere is a copy of a set of handouts that PHAS gave the Commission during public testimony on the draft Action Plans: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-letter_ActionPlans6.pdf \nOTHER LETTERS \nHere are a copy of all the short letters about cougars in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt.lion_.ACTION.PLAN_.PublicComment.Sept2024.MERGED.pdf \nHere is a copy of all the long formal letters about cougars in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/LONG.LETTERS1x.PublicComment.Sept2024.SDGFPComm-2.pdf \nHere is a copy of the MLF Letter: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-08-16-SD-Action-Plan-MLFcomments.pdf\n\nVisit or September 5th-6th Commission meeting event notice for more details\nSD Game Fish and Parks Commission Sept Hybrid Meeting- Rapid City URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-send-written-comments-to-sd-gfp-commission-for-september-meeting/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-08-16-at-3.28.23-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240905T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240906T120000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240516T225134Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240906T154040Z UID:12732-1725541200-1725624000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Sept Hybrid Meeting- Rapid City DESCRIPTION:SD Game Fish and Parks Commission September’s Hybrid Meeting is to be in Rapid City\, SD \nMore information will be posted here: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/\, but  normally when closer to the date (maybe the Friday orvMonday before the meeting.) To see rule change proposals or petitions download the Commission Book once published. \n========== \nSeptember 5\, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. MT | September 6\, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. MTOutdoor Campus West — Rapid City\, SD | Livestream link \nZoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call\, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 \nSeptember Agenda: \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_September_5-6\,_2024.pdf \n============ \nRESULTS \nThe Commission adopted the proposed rules. They approved the Antelope Action Plan. They amended the proposed Mt. Lion Action Plan to drop population objectives down from 200-300 lions to 150-250 lions. This will result in overhunting of lions.  There will be another 30 day comment period\, with changes adopted (or not) at October meeting. \nThe SDGFP will have an Endangered Species Review on Friday morning\, likely after 9 am.  This may be the biennial review of the state’s threatened and endangered species list\, that is mandated by the legislature. It was expected in July\, but this is likely it.  The Commission puts or removes species on or off the list as rule making. \nRULE CHANGE FINALIZATIONS \nIn September there will be rule change finalization hearings on spring turkey season\, bobcat season and fishing regulations. To view these proposed rules view the Commission Book for the  July meeting or the Sept meetings: \nJULY \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/July_2024_Commission_Book.pdf \nSEPTEMBER \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/September_2024_GFP_Commission_Book.pdf \nGFP needs to reduce bobcat hunting in the Black Hills as the bobcat population is dropping below their objectives. They propose to change the unlimited take\, to just one bobcat per hunter/trapper in the Black Hills.  We support dropping the allowed take per hunter/trapper. Hound hunting of bob cats is allowed and we object to that. Trapping of bob cats is allowed and in SD there is a three and a partial day trap check time requirement.  Many states require 24 hour trap check times.  We ask for 24 hour trap check times or at least 30 hours as a compromise.  Bobcat Action Plan approved this spring https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Bobcat_Management_Action_Plan_2024-2028.pdf \nView bobcat season proposal to be approved in Sept: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/bobcatPropgfp.July_2024_Commission_Book-4.pdf   \n— \nGFP proposes reductions in out-of-state licenses for spring turkey hunting\, to address complaints of in-state hunters over excessive take of turkeys by out-of-state hunters.  The reduction offered is less than what the in-state hunters asked for. The South Dakota Wildlife Federation (SDWF) asked for  licenses for out-of-state folks to be limited to 22% of the number of total spring turkey licenses  or about 661 licenses and the GFP instead offered to  limit the number of nonresident licenses to 2\,225 one-tag male turkey licenses in the Black Hills hunting unit.  SDWF and others express concern for low turkey population numbers. \n— \nChanges to fish limits at Belle Fourche Reservoir \, Lake Oahe salmon snagging and reporting requirements for private fish hatcheries are proposed. \n=============== \nACTION PLANs \nAt the July Commission meeting they reviewed a draft Mountain Lion Action Plan\, which was to be put out for public comment. The public comment deadline is August 16th. The Commission must act at this meeting to approve the Acton Plan.  Info at this link https://gfp.sd.gov/management-plans/. To view  draft Mountain Lion Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/MtLion-ActionPlangfp.July_2024_Commission_Book-3.pdf \nFor talking points see our comments: – \nHere is a copy of the first letter that PHAS sent in on August 16th on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \nHere is a copy of the second letter that PHAS sent on Sept 1st on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/gfp.PHAS_.2nd-Letter-Mt-Lion-Action-Plan.pdf \nHere is a copy of a set of printed handouts that PHAS gave the Commission during public testimony on the draft Action Plans: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-letter_ActionPlans6.pdf \nPHAS may have an informal discussion meeting by Zoom in an evening just before the Meeting – contact Nancy if you want to attend that – 605-787-6466\, has.wsd@rapidnet.com \nWe always object to the 365 day year round hunting season on the Statewide/Prairie Unit. We object to hound hunting of lions on Custer State Park and the Statewide/Prairie Unit\, which is all of SD outside of the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD).  SD GFP does not manage for viable populations outside of the BHFPD. We believe that SDGFP should have objectives for viable populations of mountain lions at least on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations\, as both tribes manage for viable populations and due to Allotment Acts reservation properties in SD are checker boarded with mixed tribal and Caucasian ownership. GFP has jurisdiction over properties with Caucasian ownership. It should provide for connectivity corridors between the Black  Hills with Reservation properties. \nWe object to this goal in the Plan at the eleventh page: “Objective 2: Manage mountain lion populations for both maximum and quality recreational hunting opportunities\, considering all social and biological inputs.”  SD has an endangered species act and thus the legislature does not wish for populations of any native species to become extirpated.  We suggest this clause does not adequately balance the ecological benefits of mountain lions\, an apex predator and keystone species with benefits of  human recreation. Wildlife watchers exceed hunters in USFWS studies and their recreational needs also matter. The word “maximum” should be dropped.\n \nWhile the formal public comment period on the Plan ends August 16\, you can still send in written public comment for the Commission meeting by Sept 1st & testify at the meeting. \n============ \nPublic Comments Received \nThe Public Comments can be found in the Commission Book . The public comments start at page 101 and go on for about 100 pages. Comments on the Mt Lion Action Plan take up about 48 pages of 101.  The long formal letters written by groups are at the end of the public comments: \nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/September_2024_GFP_Commission_Book.pdf \nWritten comments for the Commission could have been submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the most immediate Commission meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to record of the next meeting.  We believe if you hand them comments directly\, in person at the meeting\, they are included in the meeting’s record. \nYou can testify at GFP meetings which are held in person and by Zoom\, generally at 2 pm on the Thursday of the meeting\, in time zone of the meeting. If there is rule finalization(s) you get 3 minutes per each rule you want to testify on. During the Open Forum\, you get 3 minutes to testify on anything. To conduct the public hearing and/or open forum as efficiently as possible GFP asks those wishing to testify to register by 1:00 pm CT by email to Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us. However they are polite and at the end of each commenting period\, normally ask if anyone who didn’t register wants to testify. \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240908T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240908T170000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240906T200608Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240906T203856Z UID:14363-1725796800-1725814800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society Annual Meeting Picnic DESCRIPTION:September 8: 12 noon – Norbeck Society annual meeting and potluck picnic \nWhere: The Chalet\, 9203 South High Meadows Drive\, High Meadows. \nDirections: From Sturgis Road (Hwy 79)\, between Black Hawk and Piedmont\, on the north edge of Summerset\, turn west onto High Meadows Road.  Continue up the  gravel road keeping right up the hill to High Meadows\, turn left at the T-junction\, and in 100 yards continue straight ahead on to the asphalt driveway\, and park next to the tennis court. \nBring:  Food to share and beverage of your choosing\, folding chair (optional) \nWe are not sure of the end time\, so have guessed at 5 pm end point. \nPlease join Norbeck Society (NS) to review their activities of the past year and to learn of plans for the next year\, our 20th!!!  NS would love to hear your opinions on what you would like NS to do to advocate for management of our public lands. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-annual-meeting-picnic-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240914T084500 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240915T150000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240909T203804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240916T124350Z UID:14405-1726303500-1726412400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Help with Beaver Dam Analog Construction in Northern BHs Saturday\, Sept 14th & Sunday 15th DESCRIPTION:Build like a beaver and restore habitat \n—— \n What? Come play in the creek and help support watershed restoration! Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA) are habitat restoration methods utilizing natural material to simulate a real beaver dam. Beaver dams help clean water\, provide fish habitat and support wildlife. Volunteers will be tasked with hammering stakes into the ground\, weaving branches and digging up sod and dirt. The goal of BDAs is to slow the flow of water and expand the local water table.  \nWhere?  \n Where? Silver Creek\, located just east of Rochford Road a little north of the town of Rochford. Directions and map on next page  \nLat Long is: 44.162900\, -103.714895  \nWhen? Sept 14 &  Sept 15th \, check in 8:45 am\, orientation and demonstration 9:00 am. If some folks need to leave early or to arrive late that is okay. Ends each day at about 3 pm. \nPlease RSVP to Black Hills Fly Fishers:  blackhillsflyfishers@gmail.com  \nFor questions – Bill Young (605) ‭‭‭391-1002 (there is no cell reception at Silver Creek) \n\n\n\nDirections – 1.5 hours from Rapid and Spearfish\, high clearance vehicle recommended From Rapid City  \n\nTake Hwy 44 to Hwy 385. \nAt 385 take a right. Travel 11.8 miles on 385 to the Custer Crossing Rd intersection. \nTurn left on Custer Crossing Rd. \nTravel about 4.8 miles and then turn left on Minnesota Ridge (Forest Service Road 203.1C) \nTravel about 2.5 miles to a four-way intersection and take a right down Greens Gulch. \nFollow the road down about 0.6 miles until you see the flagged parking area. \n\nFrom Spearfish  \n\nTake I-90 to Deadwood \nTake exit 17 and travel to Deadwood \nIn Deadwood continue on Pioneer Way to 85 Bypass towards Central City \nContinue on 14A past Lead. \nAbout 4 miles south of Lead take a left onto North Rochford Road \nTravel about 9.5 miles on North Rochford Road and then take a left onto Custer Crossing Rd. \nTravel about 1.4 miles on Custer Crossing and then take a right onto Minnesota Ridge (Forest Service Road 203.1C). \nTravel about 2.5 miles to a four-way intersection and take a right down Greens Gulch. \nFollow the road down about 0.6 miles until you see the flagged parking area.  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/help-with-beaver-dam-analog-construction-saturday-sept-14th/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-07-18-at-4.16.58-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240917T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240917T193000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240916T172944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240921T013531Z UID:14542-1726597800-1726601400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:National Old-Growth Amendment Comment On-line Workshop on submitting comments to the FS on Old Growth due 9/20/24 DESCRIPTION:Sept 17th\, 6:30 pm Mt – On Line Workshop on submitting comments to the National Forest on Old Growth due 9/20/24 \nThis meeting is passed but a you-tube video recording of it exists – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXPKllTjrmw \nThe U.S. Forest Service has proposed a policy that could reduce the logging and destruction of old-growth trees in national forests. The comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this amendment ends on September 20\, 2024. \nJoin Rocky Mountain Wild\, Environment Colorado\, and Wild Connections to learn about this opportunity to protect mature and old-growth forests. They will discuss how these forests are critical to protecting our climate\, the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed National Old-Growth Amendment\, and how to add your voice to request strong protections for this critical natural resource. Learn more at https://rockymountainwild.org/protect-climate-forests \nRocky Mountain Wild is  hosting a workshop tomorrow evening with  Environment Colorado and Wild Connections! Register here to save your seat! \nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sdeygrj4vHtNBeOQhv5aFtovw7DCrDKto#/registration \nThe workshop is free\, but you do need to register to join sponsors. \nNote there is an environmentalist portal for submitting comments.\nhttps://www.climate-forests.org/take-action\n\nAlso go to our PHAS events calendar for 9/20/24/ for  notice on comment opportunity and other references \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-forest-services-deis-on-old-growth-amendments-to-forest-plans/ \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/national-old-growth-amendment-comment-on-line-workshop-on-submitting-comments-to-the-fs-on-old-growth-due-9-20-24/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240918T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240918T163000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240515T012903Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240916T170253Z UID:12669-1726664400-1726677000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills National Forest - Advisory Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Black Hills National Forest – Advisory Board meeting likely at Mystic Ranger District from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. \n9/16/24 – THIS MEETING IS CANCELLED AS THEY WAIT FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED BY UPPER LEVELS OF THE FOREST SERVICE. This  happens periodically\, as the Board has to appointed periodically and it takes a while  for the appointment process to work through. \nCheck for updates:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114550 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-advisory-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240918T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240918T210000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240913T185956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T202122Z UID:14424-1726686000-1726693200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Information Meeting on Proposed Mining near Custer (F3) DESCRIPTION:Information Meeting on proposed mining near Custer (F3)\, – the meeting is sponsored by Black Hills Preservation Project\, \nSeptember 18\, 2024  7:00 PM MT\, Custer High School Auditorium \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but have guessed it will end at 9 pm MT \nFor more information contact Gary Placo – (605) 673-2197‬\, figarose2000@yahoo.com \n—- \nAlso for information – here is a link to Black Hills Clean Water Alliance page on F3 Gold proposed mining https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/?s=F3 \nF3 Gold \n \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/information-meeting-on-proposed-mining-near-custer-f3/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/F3-Meeting-1-1.pdf END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240919T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240919T203000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240908T171355Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T115654Z UID:14396-1726768800-1726777800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Forum and Panel Discussion of Referred Law 21\, Rapid City DESCRIPTION:There is a moderated Public Forum and Panel Discussion of Referred Law 21.  It is at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in the Washington Room. Doors open at 6 pm and Forum is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.  This event is sponsored by Citizens for Liberty.   See the attached poster for details. \nAt our July Board Meeting\, the PHAS Board of Directors endorsed the referendum of Senate Bill 201 (Referred Law 21). We opposed SB 201 during the 2024 legislature. This is related to the fight in eastern SD over CO2 pipelines and local control vs. state control over regulations about pipelines as they go through local counties. Some Counties ordinances are more protective\, but SB 201 causes state laws/rules to supersede local ordinances\, when this regulatory conflicts exist. It is about use of eminent domain for private pipe lines. Dakota Rural Action has a web page on the fight over C02 pipelines in SD – https://www.dakotarural.org/our-work/carbon-pipelines/ \nHere is an article quoting DRA staff on referred law 21:  https://www.sdpb.org/environment/2024-09-06/recent-polling-shows-strong-opposition-in-pipeline-battles \nCitizens for Liberty said they would record the Forum and post to their Rumble Channel. I don’t have that link yet. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/forum-and-panel-discussion-of-referred-law-21-rapid-city/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-09-08-at-11.20.58-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240920T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240920T213000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240830T224302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T201001Z UID:14221-1726855200-1726867800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:BH's Environmental Coalition quarterly movie - "Biggest Little Farm" DESCRIPTION:  \nBiggest Little Farm Movie Screening at the Dahl\nFriday\, September 20\, 2024 at 06:00 PM \nLink: https://www.blackhills.earth/biggest_little_farm_at_the_dahl \nSocial starts at 6pm with music by Shane Skinner and treats for you to enjoy. Music starts at 6pm and the movie begins at 7. \nThe event is free and open to all! \n“THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature’s conflicts\, the Chesters unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm\, its seasons\, and our wildest imagination. Featuring breathtaking cinematography\, captivating animals\, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call\, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM provides us all a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet.” \nBH’s Environmental Coalition is grateful for the Izaak Walton\, Rapid City Sustainability Committee and Citizens’ Climate Lobby who have helped bring this screening to Rapid City for free. \nWikipedia review https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Biggest_Little_Farm \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bhs-environmental-coalition-quarterly-movie-biggest-little-farm/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-09-13-at-2.07.20-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240920T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240920T215900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240621T153602Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240920T193713Z UID:13737-1726869000-1726869540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Comment on Forest Service's DEIS on Old Growth - Amendments to Forest Plans DESCRIPTION:The United States Department of Agriculture has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Amendments to Land Management Plans to Address Old-growth Forests Across the National Forest System. The Forest Service’s proposed old-growth amendment amends over 120 land management plans through one analysis and decision. The proposed amendment is intended to provide a consistent management framework to conserve and steward old-growth forests in response to rapidly changing climate conditions and other threats (e.g. wildfire\, insect and disease).   \n\n\nThe draft environmental impact statement and supporting documentation is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356.   \nHOW TO COMMENT:\n\n\nComments on the DEIS will be accepted for 90-days\, starting the day after the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the DEIS in the Federal Register. \n \n\n\nComments may be submitted online through the Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA) (preferred) or hardcopy.   \n\n\n\nSubmit comments via webform at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=65356.  \nHardcopy letters must be submitted to: Director\, Ecosystem Management Coordination\, 201 14th Street SW\, Mailstop 1108\, Washington\, DC 20250–1124   \n\n\n\nAs the CARA webform and hardcopy are the two platforms for accepting comments\, comments submitted outside these methods will not be prioritized for consideration and response; however\, they will be included in the project record. \nWe assume the time-of-day deadline is comments submitted on-line by 9:59 MT\, or 11:59 EST\, as the deadline is usually the time zone of address\, which is in DC\, but this needs to be verified. \nALTERNATIVELY USE A PRE-FAB FORM LETTER\n===================== \nFORM LETTER # 1 \nCBD form letter (pre-fab sign on letter) \nhttps://act.biologicaldiversity.org/gQivV6PZXk6NehW3THNZLw2?sourceid=1009609&utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&contactdata=pUxC9h2WSLpilHuDWye8ZVzK+nhcWDH5HaDJBWNxfAe3lKq6UmlR0nUmEDP%2fc29xoXh0IvwkZ47Sjd%2fWhBGD5L1VEtxvxFisHqphY8X0ACwnwM7MtK7ij6etQqXjmEhTurqBRwdryKv01Wxgv0LIMPkTURMtc5TmZbzJ0y1mn8vQgvsB4YUCgQWN+GmQjp7jhCQ89fvNDSzbhK7DXLjWz6xZuEOQrMNmhVpLuV1cAnk%3d&emci=ffa97720-7865-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&emdi=8b687a8c-f466-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&ceid=586032 \nFORM LETTER # 2\nNote there is an environmentalist portal created by Climate Forest coalition  for submitting comments – it has pre-fab comments.\nhttps://www.climate-forests.org/take-action\nLETTER TEMPLATE\nhttps://www.oldgrowthforest.net/add-your-comment\n===============================\nRESOURCES\n++++++++++++++++++++++\nYou can go to the Reading Room of the Forest Service and read letters that have been submitted. You type in the name of the organization or individual that submitted them.\nhttps://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//ReadingRoom?Project=65356\n\nHere are the 2 letters created by the John Muir Project on the DEIS that Prairie Hills Audubon Society signed on to:\n\nThe 36 page longer letter:  https://johnmuirproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Biden-MOG-DEIS-JMP-et-al.-comments-17Sept24RFS-compressed.pdf\nThe two page shorter letter:  https://johnmuirproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Organizations-Call-on-Biden-Administration-to-Protect-Mature-and-Old-Growth-Forests-from-Logging.pdf\nYou can go to the Forest Service reading room and see letters submitted by other environmental organizations.\n\n\nVIDEO\n“CROWN JEWELS” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl2RFcvTuqQ \n\n\n ARTICLES  or statements on Old Growth Forest amendments DEIS\, Comments due Sept 19th \nCenter for Biololgical Diversity’s Press Release: \nForest Service Urged to Strengthen Protections for Mature\, Old-Growth Forests in Draft Plan \nhttps://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/forest-service-urged-to-strengthen-protections-for-mature-old-growth-forests-in-draft-plan-2024-06-21/ \nEarth Justice’s Press Release: \n\n\n\nForest Service takes key step toward first national rule to protect mature\, old-growth trees\, forests.       \nhttps://earthjustice.org/press/2023/forest-service-takes-key-step-toward-first-national-rule-to-protect-mature-old-growth-trees-forests \nClimate Forests Discussion of DEIS effort: \nhttps://www.climate-forests.org/post/biden-administration-moves-to-protect-old-growth-forests \nClimate Forests provides educational material on benefits of old growth forest: \nhttps://www.climate-forests.org/copy-of-news-1 \nNational Audubon Society’s article \nhttps://ak.audubon.org/news/tongass-national-forest-and-new-old-growth-protections \nLinks to useful articles by Climate Forest relative to old growth\nInsects –  https://www.climate-forests.org/post/native-insects-and-mature-forests\n\nFire – https://www.climate-forests.org/post/mature-trees-are-fire-resistant \nBiodiversity – https://www.climate-forests.org/post/biodiversity-co-benefits-of-mature-forests \nCarbon sequestration –https://www.climate-forests.org/post/carbon-sequestration-and-storage-capacity-of-older-trees-and-forests\nRoads – https://www.climate-forests.org/post/effects-of-forest-roads-on-mature-and-old-growth-forests\n\nTEXT OF THE TWO ON-LINE COMMENT LETTERS \nCENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY FORM LETTER’s TEXT\n \n\nI urge the U.S. Forest Service to significantly strengthen its final record of decision on the national old-growth amendment to (1) ensure meaningful protections for the United States’ remaining old-growth forests and (2) lay a foundation that will increase the abundance and distribution of old-growth trees for future generations. \n \nThe agency’s proposed policy includes numerous loopholes that allow for continued — or even increased — logging of old-growth trees. Logging old-growth trees to save them from potential threats is a false solution. These climate champions are worth more standing.  \n \nTo successfully protect old-growth forests and trees\, the final national old-growth amendment must support a modified alternative 3 that does the following: \n \n– Eliminate exceptions and end *all* logging of old-growth trees in national forests. \n \n– Remove the economic incentive for logging old growth by prohibiting the sale\, exchange\, and milling of old-growth trees. This should prevent all but truly rare removals of such trees. \n \n– Set the stage for durable protections for mature trees and stands\, which is paramount to expanding the abundance of future old growth. To recover old growth that was lost to past mismanagement\, mature forests and trees must be protected from commercial logging. \n \nGiven the outstanding role mature and old-growth trees and forests play in curbing the climate and extinction crises\, the Forest Service must establish *meaningful* safeguards for their conservation. Failure to do so undermines the objectives of this amendment\, contravenes the direction of President Biden’s Executive Order 14072\, and ignores more than half a million public comments the U.S. Forest Service received following the advance notice of proposed rulemaking it published in April 2023. \n \nChief Moore\, I’m counting on you to listen to the public and end the commercial exploitation of the country’s oldest forests and trees. They should be left standing to store climate-heating carbon\, improve watershed health\, provide crucial wildlife habitat\, increase forest resilience to wildfires\, and act as a bulwark against climate-change impacts like flooding and drought.\n—\n===============\nCLIMATE FORESTS FORM LETTER’s TEXT:\n \n\nMature and old-growth trees and forests protect our climate by absorbing and storing carbon\, boost resilience to fire\, help regulate temperatures\, filter drinking water and shelter wildlife. Logging them deprives us of the benefits and beauty of our largest\, oldest trees.\n \nThe Draft Environmental Impact Statement fails to protect old-growth trees and forests. The proposal allows old-growth trees to be sent to the mill and allows agency staff to manage old-growth out of existence in pursuit of “proactive stewardship” goals. The draft also contains ambiguous language that could be used to justify continued commercial logging of old growth in the Tongass.\n \nThe final record of decision should:\n1.End the cutting of old-growth trees in all national forests and forest types and end the cutting of any trees in old-growth stands in moist forest types.\n2.End any commercial exchange of old-growth trees. Even in the rare circumstances where an old-growth tree is cut (e.g. public safety)\, that tree should not be sent to the mill.\n \nCutting down old-growth trees to save them from potential threats is a false solution. They are worth more standing.\n \nThe DEIS fails to protect mature trees and forests. Mature forests and trees – future old growth – must be protected from the threat of commercial logging in order to recover old growth that has been lost to past mismanagement. Protection of mature forests can be accomplished in a manner that is consistent with addressing the threat of fire. They must be protected to aid in the fight against worsening climate change and biodiversity loss. And they must be protected to ensure that our children are able to experience and enjoy old growth.\n \nWe urge you to take this opportunity to protect our oldest trees and forests. Failure to do so undermines the objectives of this amendment\, contravenes the direction of EO 14072\, and ignores 500\,000+ public comments the agency received on last summer’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-forest-services-deis-on-old-growth-amendments-to-forest-plans/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-05-16-at-6.59.29-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240923T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240923T205000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240922T171842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T201502Z UID:14609-1727118000-1727124600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:BH Clean Water Alliance's\, Rapid Creek Watershed's\, Sierra Club Meeting - Mining in Black Hills "Important Meeting" DESCRIPTION:BH Clean Water Alliance’s\, Rapid Creek Watershed’s & Sierra Club Meeting – Mining in Black Hills “Important Meeting” \nSeptember 23rd & pm Monday at Outdoor Campus West (OCW) \, Rapid City on Aventure Trail in northwestern side of  Rapid City. \nWhile the announcement doesn’t say this\, the Forest Service recently released the NEPA document on Pactola Mineral  Withdrawal and have a virtual meeting on that on Wednesday and a comment deadline in later October. (check our Calendar for event/deadline notices). \nWe are not sure which group(s)  is sponsoring this meeting \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but OCW  closes its’ doors at 9 pm. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bh-clean-water-alliances-and-rapid-creek-watersheds-meeting-mining-in-black-hills-important-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T200000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240920T183225Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T171714Z UID:14587-1727287200-1727294400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:BHNF virtual meeting on Pactola Mineral Withdrawal Environmental Assessment DESCRIPTION:BHNF virtual meeting on Pactola Mineral Withdrawal Environmental Assessment \nTHIS MEETING WAS CANCELLED LAST MINUTE DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED\nPublic Meeting \nThe USDA Forest Service will host a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. MDT on Wednesday\, \nSeptember 25. The meeting will include a short presentation about the withdrawal application \nand draft environmental assessment\, information about how to submit comments\, and a question and-answer session. The virtual meeting will be a Microsoft Teams live event available at \nhttps://bit.ly/3ZjTWaW. For inquiries about accessibility or to request accommodations\, please \ncontact Scott Jacobson at scott.j.jacobson@usda.gov. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but have estimate meeting length at 2 hours. \nThe public meeting will be recorded and  posted on the USFS project website. \nSee our notice about the comment deadline on Oct 21st\, with details on commenting  – the notice is on our calendar for that date. \n Electronic comments must be submitted at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63876. \nThe draft environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the Pactola \nReservoir- Rapid Creek Watershed Withdrawal Project are available at the USFS project \nwebsite: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=63876. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/bhnf-virtual-meeting-on-pactola-mineral-withdrawal-environmental-assessment/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T210000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240919T193745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T202749Z UID:14572-1727289000-1727298000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS meeting - topic - SD Mountain Lions and GFP management plans by Zoom DESCRIPTION:PHAS meeting – topic – SD Mountain Lions and SD Game\, Fish and Parks  management plans for them \nWednesday\,  Sept 25th\, 6:30 pm MT by Zoom \nNancy Hilding of PHAS and Josh Rosenau of the Mountain Lion Foundation will present topic\, other(s) may join as presenters but they are not firmly confirmed. \n  \nTHIS MEETING WAS RECORDED – Link and passcode to recording: \n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Eck6IQIpiIv6LvCOtpFgEXbdNQ8fyRhqYD76uGbOra3FT6XACkJNx-1ytWUKD5ze.fnB5C84Ktl5CI7V5\nPasscode: U0qyc=2I\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n—–\nOne tap mobile\n+16694449171\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n+16699006833\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US (San Jose)\n———-\nDial by your location (as far as we know all work in western SD)\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n• +1 689 278 1000 US\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n• +1 646 931 3860 US\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV\n\n For more information on cougars and SDGFP visit our web page:  https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-meeting-topic-sd-mountain-lions-and-gfp-management-plans-by-zoom/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T225000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240925T225900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240913T224255Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T161331Z UID:14448-1727304600-1727305140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline SD Game\, Fish and Parks Mt Lion Action Plan (2nd iteration) DESCRIPTION:Comment Deadline to SD Game\, Fish and Parks on Draft Mt Lion Action Plan (the revised – 2nd iteration) is  Wednesday Sept 25th just before midnight CT. \nThe Oct 2024 revised version of the Mt Lion Action Plan can be found here: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Lion_Action_Plan_Oct2024.pdf \nAt September Commission meeting some Commissioners wanted population objectives lowered\, so they issued a new draft version of the Action Plan.  Changes to text will be in at least two spots. The population objectives would drop from 300-200 to 250-150 cougars. People should write in opposition to this. We provide sample comments in the Oct 3rd-4th Commission meeting notice and the Mt Lion alert web page.  We object to much of GFP policy on cougars\, not just the lower population objective. (see our Mt Lion Action Alert page\, link is below) \nThe comments  must be posted to web portal – https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ \nSay you object to the Plan \nInclude your name and town of residence. You can type into the portal text block or attach documents. \nTHERE ARE TWO DEADLINES: \n9/25/24  is the deadline for staff to read & review your comments – this gives them a week before the Commission meeting to do so.  Their review will be explained orally to the Commission on Oct 3rd or 4th at the Oct. Commission meeting. At the September meeting\, their review was extremely cursory and simple i.e – they said they saw nothing in the public comments that should result in changes to the Action Plan.  It was the Commission that suggested changes\, not staff \nSunday at midnight CT on Sept 29th\, is the deadline for the Commission to receive and read your comments\,  whereas staff’s deadline is Wednesday a few days before that.  The place you submit your comments for either\, is actually on the SD GFP Commission public comment portal. From this portal they will download all the public comments received between Sept 2nd and Sunday Sept 29th at midnight CT and put them in the Commission Book for Commissioners to read. \nIt is the Commission not the staff that makes the decisions. Folks can try to get comments in by the 25th if possible\, but if you miss it\, want extra time  or want to send additional comments\, use the 29th as your deadline. \nPeople can also contact Commissioners as individuals directly at any time – we provide their e-mails on our October 3rd & 4th meeting notice & Commission web site gives their phone numbers. \nRESOURCES FOR COMMENTING \nIf you want something simple – say you object to the draft Action Plan\, object to the lowering of population objectives and  you want  the Black Hills mt lions managed as a source population and for GFP to manage for viable populations of mountain lions in some other parts of SD besides the Black Hills. Say you object to hound hunting of lions. \nFor more depth: \nLink to PHAS Cougar alert page: https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/ \nLink to PHAS Talking Points on Oct Version Draft Mt Lion Action Plan – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/TAKE-ACTION-Talking-Points-Cougars-Sept-2024.pdf \n============================= \nPHAS COMMENT LETTERS FOR  COMMENT TEMPLATES: \nHere is a copy of the first letter that PHAS sent in on August 16th on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \nHere is a copy of the  second letter that PHAS sent on Sept 1st on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/gfp.PHAS_.2nd-Letter-Mt-Lion-Action-Plan.pdf \nHere is a copy of a set of handouts that PHAS gave the Commission during public testimony on the draft Action Plans: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-letter_ActionPlans6.pdf \nOTHER LETTERS \nHere are a copy of all the short letters about cougars in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file (includes both sides) \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt.lion_.ACTION.PLAN_.PublicComment.Sept2024.MERGED.pdf \nHere is a copy of all the long formal letters about cougars in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file (all pro-cougar) \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/LONG.LETTERS1x.PublicComment.Sept2024.SDGFPComm-2.pdf \nHere is a copy of the MLF Letter (pro-cougar)): \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-08-16-SD-Action-Plan-MLFcomments.pdf URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-sd-game-fish-and-parks-mt-lion-action-plan-2nd-iteration/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-09-13-at-8.07.39-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240927T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240929T140000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240922T175916Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240922T180938Z UID:14615-1727461800-1727618400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Ornithologist Union's Fall Meeting - in Spearfish at BHSU\, Sept 27th-29th DESCRIPTION:SD Ornithologist Union’s Fall Meeting – in Spearfish at BHSU\, Sept 27th-29th \nThe meeting will be held on the campus of Black Hills State University\, 1200 University Street\, Spearfish (see schedule for specific locations). \nThe Friday evening speaker is Ruben Mares talking about “Aspen Restoration on the Northern Hills Ranger District”. The banquet keynote is Jessica Graham who will be presenting “American Dippers in the Black Hills”. \nThe Saturday paper sessions will describe some of the latest research by South Dakota ornithologists on bird ecology\, behavior and physiological adaptation. There are field trips on Saturday and Sunday Morning. \n It should be a stimulating weekend\, so SDOU hopes that you can join them. Campus Map \nRegister here by Tuesday Sept 24th to sign up for food. Registration is $25 and banquet is an extra $25\, https://sdou.org/SDOU/Registration.aspx?mtg=20 \nSchedule:\nhttps://sdou.org/SDOU/NextMeeting.aspx \nMenus\n\nBanquet: Honey garlic chicken\, mashed potatoes\, and green beans (there is a  meatless option)\nSouth Dakota Ornithologists’ Union\n8504 EAST 38TH ST\nSIOUX FALLS\, SD 57110-6745 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-ornithologist-unions-fall-meeting-in-spearfish-at-bhsu-sept-27th-29th/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20240929T223000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20240929T225900 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240907T174911Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240924T202346Z UID:14380-1727649000-1727650740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for Written Comments for the SDGFP Commission's Oct. Meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline for Written Comments for the SDGFP Commission’s Oct. Meeting is just before midnight CT on Sunday Oct 29th \nWe are asking folks to comment in opposition to the draft Mt. Lion Action Plan. They amended the draft plan in Sept to make it worse. Their change will allow annual killing of more lions. They continued commenting on it for another month. \nFor info on Mt Lion issues go to our web page on Mt Lion Alerts: https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/ \nor the Sept 5th-6th Commission meeting notice: https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting/ \nYou can also comment on the proposed rule about fees for hunting various species. To see proposed rule and learn about costs  of hunting licenses in SD. Cougar licenses are to go from $22 to $24. That is not enough. – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/fees-from-gfp.Book_.CommSept.5_9_24-2-1.pdf \nYou can also comment on the biennial report on threatened and endangered species. – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/TE-status-reviews_2024.pdf \n  \nPHAS will have a discussion meeting on the mountain lion drat Action Plan on Sept 25th by Zoom at 6:30 pm. with Nancy Hilding and Joshua Rosenau of the Mt. Lion Foundation as speakers   It is announced on our Facebook Page at – https://www.facebook.com/share/4HUtZLpMFijdvaBz/  and announced on our events/deadline calendar at https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-meeting-topic-sd-mountain-lions-and-gfp-management-plans-by-zoom/ You can find Zoom codes at these links. The meeting will be recorded and video  link provided at our recorded meetings web page. \n  \n\nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the most immediate meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to the public record of the next meeting . \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, \n\n==== \nFor details on the Oct 3rd-4th meeting: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/october-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting-in-huron/ \n\nYou can also testify in person or remotely by Zoom at 2 pm CT . You get 3 minutes at the open forum and at each finalization  hearing. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-written-comments-for-the-sdgfp-commissions-oct-meeting/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-09-13-at-8.07.39-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241003T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241004T110000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240516T230629Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T214247Z UID:12738-1727956800-1728039600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:October Game\, Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid Meeting in Huron DESCRIPTION:October Game\, Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid Meeting in Huron (Huron Events Center\,) There will be  face-to-face and Zoom attendance. \nDetails on and documents related to the meeting will be published here when close to the meeting date – watch for the Commission Book to be published on Wednesday 10/2/24\, This has the public comments in it: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nMeeting notice with some details – https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/NOTICE_OF_REGULAR_MEETING_-_September_2024.pdf \nAgenda as of Oct 1st with Zoom/Teleconference details – https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_October_2024_Public_Copy.pdf \nINSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ATTEND \nListen to the meeting beginning October 3\, 2024\, at 1:00 p.m. CST via Livestream at https://www.sd.net/remote1/ or join via Zoom Webinar by clicking on the link below. Depending on your application\, you may be required to enter the Zoom Webinar ID and password. Meeting attendees will not be able to have video and will be muted upon entry.  \nMeeting Dates and Times:  \n\nThursday\, October 3\, 2024\, starting at 1:00 p.m. CST \nFriday\, October 4\, 2024\, starting at 8:00 a.m. CST \n\nZoom Webinar Link: https://state-sd.zoom.us/j/91264176710?pwd=Vm00NEowdGV6N09Ib1hnVlJkMUF3Zz09  \nOr join via phone:  \n\nDial: 1-669-900-9128 \nWebinar ID: 912 6417 6710 \nPasscode: 970458 \n\nContact Liz Kierl \, Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us\, in advance of the meeting to register to testify for open forum (Mt Lion Action Plan) and/or rule finalization (license fees). \nFolks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm MT in person or by Zoom or phone on rule finalizations and/or at the Open Forum . \nGo to our notice on September Commission meeting on 9/5/24 for more details\, as some items were continued. https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting/ \nUPDATES ON THURSDAY \n\nWE WON – the SDGFP Commission decided not to reduce the population objective from 300-200 cougars to 250-150 cougars. They adopted the July Version of the Action Plan\, which has some other unfortunate provisions that did not change\, but at least  the population objective is 300-200. This was alleged to be due to the public comments they received. Alleged 56% opposed dropping the objective. We had 7 people testify in person against dropping the population objective and other concerns with respect to mountain lions in SD.  In order for hound hunting of lions to be allowed in the future\, in the Black Hills outside of Custer State Park\, that population objective needed to drop. THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT IN COMMENTS AND TESTIFIED\n\nIncreases in various Park\,  hunting\, fishing & trapping  fees were approved but with a  proposed  very minor change due to style/format type stuff\n\nCommenting on the T & E review was continued for another month\, as they had not published the Review on line (you had to call for a copy).  It is  now up \, visit https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/FULL_TE_status_reviews_2024.pdf\n\nFEES FINALIZATION: Changes to various fees for Parks and Hunting/fishing licenses  are proposed for finalization in Oct. We believe that cost of mountain lion license at $22 is too low and $24 is still too low: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/fees-from-gfp.Book_.CommSept.5_9_24-2.pdf \nT & E REVIEW We can comment on the Threatened or Endangered Species Biennial Review.  We petitioned for listing of the Lake Chub in 2020. The report should provide more information on the results of surveys for it. https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/TE-status-reviews_2024.pdf \nMOUNTAIN LION ACTION PLAN \nThe Commission requested changes in the mt lion population goals to be  reduced from 300-200 to 250-150 lions – thus  Commission did not approve the July draft of the Mt Lion Action Plan.. This  goal change will result in overhunting of mt lions and a population reduction. So the new revised draft will be out for 27 days of comment and review. Please comment. \nHere are our  talking points and  also letters sent in the Mt Lion Action Plan for August 16th/Sept 5th. These letters were written before the Commission made the Draft Plan worse by lowering the population objectives (which means more lions in the Black Hills can be killed annually and the population reduced).  Go to our  Mt Lion Alert page for  more details \nMountain Lion Alert \n \nPHAS TALKING POINTS on DRAFT MT LION ACTION PLAN OCT 2024. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/TAKE-ACTION-Talking-Points-Cougars-Sept-2024.pdf \nPHAS COMMENT LETTERS FOR TEMPLATES: \nHere is a copy of the first letter that PHAS sent in on August 16th on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PHAS-Comments-on-the-Mountain-Lion-Action-Plan-.pdf \nHere is a copy of the  second letter that PHAS sent on Sept 1st on the draft Action Plan: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/gfp.PHAS_.2nd-Letter-Mt-Lion-Action-Plan.pdf \nHere is a copy of a set of handouts that PHAS gave the Commission during public testimony on the draft Action Plans: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-letter_ActionPlans6.pdf \nOTHER LETTERS \nHere are a copy of all the short letters about cougars (from both sides) in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt.lion_.ACTION.PLAN_.PublicComment.Sept2024.MERGED.pdf \nHere is a copy of all the long formal letters about cougars in the Sept 5th-6th public comment file\, this includes Humane Society of the US 29 page letter. \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/LONG.LETTERS1x.PublicComment.Sept2024.SDGFPComm-2.pdf \nHere is a copy of the MLF Letter: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-08-16-SD-Action-Plan-MLFcomments.pdf\n  \nPHAS will have a discussion meeting on the mountain lion drat Action Plan on Sept 25th by Zoom at 6:30 pm. with Nancy Hilding and Joshua Rosenau of the Mt. Lion Foundation as speakers   It is announced on our Facebook Page at – https://www.facebook.com/share/4HUtZLpMFijdvaBz/  and announced on our events/deadline calendar at https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-meeting-topic-sd-mountain-lions-and-gfp-management-plans-by-zoom/ You can find Zoom codes at these links \nPublic Input at the meeting: \nTo provide comments\, join the meeting in person\, via zoom\, or via conference call per the info above. To conduct the public hearing and/or open forum as efficiently as possible SDGFP asks those wishing to testify to register by 1:00 pm CT by email to Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us. Testifiers should provide their full names\, whom they are representing\, city of residence\, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. If you forget\, they are polite and normally ask if anyone who failed to register wants to testify. \nWritten comments can be submitted here. To be included in the public record of the October meeting \, comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting). Late comments will end up in November record. \n  \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/october-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting-in-huron/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241007T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241007T210000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20241011T161423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241011T163158Z UID:15283-1728325800-1728334800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Forest Service Virtual Meeting on Pactola Withdrawal - eve Oct.7th DESCRIPTION:Forest Service Meeting on Pactola Withdrawal \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society supports this withdrawal \nPactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed Withdrawal \nPublic Information Meeting \nMonday\, October 7\, 2024 \n6:30 p.m. MDT \nThe Forest Service will host the virtual public meeting through Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting\, click on the following link: Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed Withdrawal – Public Information Meeting\, \n https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_YmE1NGI0NjktNDhjZS00MDE5LTk2M2ItOGU0ZWI3MDMwZmMz%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25223b5086ff-0889-4416-830e-23fc89910e35%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=6e82f2f9-b2bc-49fb-b789-db82243997ef&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true \nor enter the following address into your browser: https://bit.ly/3BqZhU9.   Microsoft Teams is not required to view the meeting. If you do not have Microsoft Teams\, select “continue on this browser” after clicking on the link above. \nFor additional information about the withdrawal\, please visit the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63876 or contact Elysia Retzlaff\, Withdrawal Project Manager at elysia.retzlaff@usda.gov. \nWe have no idea how long the meeting will last\, but we guessed and put the end point at 9 pm \n  \n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/forest-service-meeting-on-pactola-withdrawal/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241008T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241008T200000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20241011T163408Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241011T164800Z UID:15288-1728406800-1728417600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"Comment Jam" event for support of Pactola Watershed Mineral Withdrawal DESCRIPTION:“Comment Jam” event for Pactola Watershed Mineral Withdrawal \nTuesday\, Oct. 8th\, Rapid Creek Watershed Action is holding a “Comment Jam” event from 5:30-8pm at Hay Camp Brewing Co. with live music\, food\, presentations\, and tools to help you write and submit a brief comment in support of the withdrawal. \nMore info at rapidcreekwatershed.org URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-jam-event-for-support-of-pactola-watershed-mineral-withdrawal/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241012T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241012T113000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20241011T190058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241011T191643Z UID:15294-1728727200-1728732600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills Clean Water Alliance Monthly Virtual Meeting DESCRIPTION:Black Hills Clean Water Alliance Monthly Meeting\, Saturday Oct 12th\, morning by Zoom at 10 am \nWe are not sure how long the meeting will last and thus we guessed at 11:30 am for end point \nUpdates will include: \n\nPactola mineral withdrawal\nLithium projects\nChord uranium project\nAnd More!\n\nJoin BHCWA this Saturday morning to find out how you can help! Zoom ID and Passcode is below. \nJoin Zoom Meeting \nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/81822451048 \nMeeting ID: 818 2245 1048 \nPasscode: 305092 \nDial by your location \n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) \n• +1 669 444 9171 US \n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-clean-water-alliance-monthly-virtual-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241018T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241018T120000 DTSTAMP:20260415T011642 CREATED:20240924T190115Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241013T143248Z UID:14753-1729242000-1729252800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Field Trip on Forestry Basics with Dave Mertz in Black Hills DESCRIPTION:Friday\, October 18\, 9:00 a.m. – noon \nForestry Basics Field Trip – back by popular demand! \nwith retired BHNF Natural Resource Staff Officer\, Dave Mertz  \nJoin us for a field trip to learn about Forestry and see examples of prescribed burning\, thinning\, and overstory removal. This is great opportunity to understand terminology and concepts that guide forest management. These will be illustrated with real life examples on the Black Hills National Forest. Dave retired from the Black Hills National Forest in 2017 as the forest’s natural resource staff officer. Over the course of his career\, he was a forester\, silviculturist\, forest fire management officer and a fire staff officer. \nForests live beyond the confines of our own lifetimes!\nMeet at 9:00 at the Mickelson Trailhead in Hill City. The Trailhead is in Tracy Park on S. Newton Ave. We will caravan/carpool from there with about 4 or 5 stops along the way. \nBring water and snacks.   If you know you are coming in advance\, if you send an e-mail to phas.wsd@rapidnet.com\, it will help us to plan\, however you can come if you don’t send us or other sponsors\, an e-mail.  For more information call Nancy 605-787-6466 or e-mail phas.wsd@rapidnet.com. \nThis field trip is traditionally sponsored each October\, by Prairie Hills Audubon Society\, the Norbeck Society and the Black Hills Group of the Sierra Club URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/field-trip-on-forestry-basics-with-dave-mertz-in-black-hills/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-10-13-at-8.17.05-AM.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR