BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://phas-wsd.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prairie Hills Audubon Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T115000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250710T212106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T193909Z UID:19204-1755690600-1755734340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for written Comments to Nebraska G&P Commission's August Meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline for written Comments to Nebraska G&P Commission’s August Meeting is 1 pm Central time 8/20/25. Send to Sheri Henderson — go to our announcement of meeting on August 21st-22 or June Commission meeting for more details on the  issues. August notice: > https://phas-wsd.org/event/nebraska-game-and-parks-commission-meeting-8-21-8-22/ \nLink to PHAS comments on the originally proposed cougar season (NEG&P June version) are at this link  – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/nebraska-Mt-lion-comments2025.final_.pdf  We asked in June for no season at Wildcat Hills and smaller harvest caps at Pine Ridge and Niobrara units.  If you wish to comment\, you can read our letter and use it as a template or create your own for August. Or visit our August hearing  notice calendar page \nWe (PHAS) object to cougar hunting season proposal for Wildcat Hills\, Pine Ridge &  Niobrara Units –  the hunters should be killing less lions. \nAt June 2025 meeting\, the Commission disagreed with lowering the cougar harvest cap on Wildcat Hills\, as recommended by Staff\, so this next hearing rule proposed in August 2025 would keep the old 2024 harvest cap (not lower it). \nSend letters to: \nSheri Henderson \n \nAdministrative Programs Officer II \nAgency Safety Program Manager \nNebraska Game and Parks Commission \n2200 North 33rd St. \nLincoln\, NE 68503 \nPhone: 402-471-5539 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-written-comments-to-nebraska-gp-commissions-august-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250820T210000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250820T215423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T215423Z UID:19641-1755716400-1755723600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:"The Importance of Resilient Watersheds" Journey Museum Theater\, Rapid City. 8/20/25 7 pm MT DESCRIPTION:August 20\, Wednesday\, 7 pm:  Dr Ellen Wohl  “The Importance of Resilient Watersheds” Journey Museum Theater\, Rapid City.  This virtual presentation is free and open to the public.  A prolific writer\, Dr. Wohl’s work has dramatically influenced and guided river management and restoration worldwide.  Co-sponsored by many groups. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last – we guessed at 2 hours. \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-importance-of-resilient-watersheds-journey-museum-theater-rapid-city-8-20-25-7-pm-mt/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250821T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250821T160000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250726T004200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T224524Z UID:19394-1755770400-1755792000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Hearing before the Board of Minerals and Environment on Craven Canyon Mineral Exploration 8/20-8/21- DESCRIPTION:Pre-trail hearing before the Board of Minerals and Environment on approval (or not) of Craven Canyon Mineral Exploration \n8/21/2025. \nThere are 35 intervenors\, including two tribal governments. \nCurrently\, the pre-hearing conference is scheduled to occur at 11 am CDT/10 AM MDT on August 21\, 2025.  The it will be held here in Pierre and also has a call-in option.  We don’t know how long the meeting will last\, so have suggested an end at 4 pm MT \nThe Black Hills Clean Water Alliance will have updates. The actual hearing on merits will be later in time. \nYou can find this information on DANR’s Contested Case Page at https://danr.sd.gov/public/ContestedCase.aspx under the Uranium Exploration Permit. \nYou can also find it on DANR’s Exploration page at https://danr.sd.gov/Environment/MineralsMining/Exploration/NewEXNIS.aspx. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/hearing-before-the-board-of-minerals-and-environment-on-craven-canyon-mineral-exploration-8-20-8-21/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250821T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250822T170000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250710T171207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T201050Z UID:19186-1755781200-1755882000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting 8/21-8/22 DESCRIPTION:Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting\, Mid-plains Community College Conference Room\n1205 E 3 rd Street McCook\, NE Friday\, \nFriday\, August 22\, 2025\, 8:00 AM Public Hearing  – on Cougar  & other seasons at 8:15 Am \nThursday August 21st\, afternoon 1 pm – There are also informational and strategic planning meetings on Thursday afternoon (scroll down to the bottom for information on those) \n============= \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society cares about mountain lions\, especially in South Dakota. SD has breeding populations at  the Black Hills and Oglala Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe lands. The Pine Ridge Ecosystem exists in three states – Wyoming\, Nebraska and South Dakota. The Lions have no clue where the state or tribal/non-tribal boundaries are. The Niobrara Population is very close to the Rosebud cougar population. So every June we watch Nebraska mt lion management season plans which they normally adopt in June. NE & ND  do their season every year. SD does its’ season every 2 years and Wyoming every 3 yers. \nThe NE G&P Commission met in June\, but decided not to follow the recommendations of staff and to not reduce the harvest cap at Wildcat Hills. As the NEG&P changed the proposal under consideration\, they scheduled a second hearing. \nSome ranchers showed up  in June to complain about threats to livestock from cougars at Wildcat Hills.  However the new proposal still follows June staff recommendations for Pine Ridge (keep the same harvest cap) and for Niobrara unit  (increase harvest cap). Staff previously wanted to reduce the harvest cap at WildCat Hills\, after lots of cougar mortalities there. \nSAMPLE COMMENTS FOR AUGUST 21st \nLink to PHAS comments on the originally proposed cougar season (NEG&P June version) are at this link  – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/nebraska-Mt-lion-comments2025.final_.pdf  We asked in June for no season at Wildcat Hills and smaller harvest caps at Pine Ridge and Niobrara units.  If you wish to comment\, you can read our letter and use it as a template or create your own. \nColin Croft lives in Nebraska and has a Facebook page on Nebraska Lions. Here are his excellent comments written August 15th. Colin is very concerned about the cougar mortality  experienced at WildCat Hills and whether the area can support any lion hunting at all in 2026: : https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/CCroft-public-comment-for-8.22.25-public-hearing-Copy.pdf \nReferences – August 21-22. \nThe public hearing is on the second day (22nd)  starting in the morning at 8 am CDST. \nThe written comment deadline will August  20th at 1 pm CST\, with comments sent to Sheri Henderson>>  sheri.henderson@nebraska.gov\, (402) 471-5539‬. \nShe always  knows the details of the  upcoming/past meetings and how to view the proposed rule changes. \nThis will have a proposal to not reduce the harvest cap for cougars at Wild Cat Hills Unit\, which PHAS thinks is too high. \n  \nJUNE COMMISSION PAST MEETING HISTORY\nMinutes from Nebraska  June 13-13 Commission hearing\, this includes comments received from public  (scroll to the end – these include Colin Croft’s and Humane World for Animals (HSUS) comments\, for some reason PHAS’s comments are omitted (we sent them on time).\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025_June_Commission_minutes.pdf \nPHAS alert on NE lions from June 12-13 hearing: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/ne-game-and-parks-commission-june-12-13th-meeting/ \nStaffs booklet on  proposed changes from June 2025 \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mountain-Lion-Booklet-June-2025-1.pdf\n\nAUGUST FUTURE MEETING\n\nNotice of Comm meet at McCook 22n August 2025\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/8-22-2025-Commission-Meeting-Notice.pdf\n\nAugust 22nd\, 2025 Friday\, 8 am –  general meeting/hearing agenda\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-AUGUST-General-Meeting-Agenda.pdf\n\nInformation meeting on 1 pm Thursday Agenda\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-AUGUST-Information-Meeting-Agenda-General.pdf\n\nStrategic Planning Meet Thursday 3 pm\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/August-2025-Strategic-Planning-Agenda.pdf\n==============\n\n\nLEGAL NOTICE A meeting of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be held in Conference Room A at Mid-Plains Community College 1205 E 3rd St. McCook\, NE convening at 8 a.m. CST on August 22\, 2025. An agenda  shall be available for public inspection at the Game and Parks Commission office. The Commission shall have the right to modify the agenda to include items of an emergency nature at the public meeting when convened.\n\nNotice of Hearing\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/8-22-2025-Public-Hearing-notice.pdf\n\nIn accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. 84-907\, public hearings will be conducted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on August 22\, 2025\, at Mid Plains Community College Conference Room 1205 E 3rd St McCook\, NE prior to consideration and/or enactment of the following:\n\nPursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 37-301\, 37-304\, 37-308\, 37-308.01\, 37-314\, 37-228\, 37-404\, 37-405\, 37-411\, 37-426\, 37-452\, 37-473\, 37-613\, a public hearing will be held at 8:15 AM to consider amendments to Title 166 Chapter 20 Mountain Lions to clarify unit boundaries and adjust harvest limits in the Niobrara Management Unit. \n\nPursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 37-327\, 37-406\, 37-407\, 37-426\, 37-447\, 37-449\, 37-450\, 37-451\, 37-455\, 37-455.01\, 37-457\, 37-473\, 37-484\, 37-491\, 37-4\,111\, and 37-1214\, a public hearing will be held at 8:30 AM to consider amendments to Title 163 Chapter 5 Rules relating to fees for licenses and permits and Deployed Military Permits\, Section 001\, regarding increasing hunting\, fishing\, combination hunt/fish\, turkey\, antelope and deer permit fees as well as the antelope and elk application fees and nonresident Aquatic Invasive Species stamp.\n\nPursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 37-301\, 37-303\, 37-314\, 37-308\, 37-308.01\, 37-317\, 37-404\, 37-426\, 37-427\, 37-451\, 37-452\, 37-505\, a public hearing will be held at 8:45 AM to consider amendments to Commission Order C14\, Mountain Sheep\, regarding the authorization of mountain sheep hunting permits for the 2026 season.\n\nTHURSDAY MEETINGS  1 pm-6 pm\nThe Commission will have an information meeting from 1-3 pm\, with opportunity for public comment at the end.\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-AUGUST-Information-Meeting-Agenda-General.pdf\nThe Commission will  a strategic planning meeting on Thursday afternoon at 3 pm-6pm\nhttps://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/August-2025-Strategic-Planning-Agenda.pdf\n\n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/nebraska-game-and-parks-commission-meeting-8-21-8-22/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/NE.lions-Shot-2025-05-30-at-12.35.49-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250826T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250826T130000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250825T183159Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250825T192550Z UID:19709-1756198800-1756213200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Lawrence County Board of Adjustment/Commission hearing - Sand/Gravel DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, August 26th\, 9 am Lawrence County Board of Adjustment hearing on Sand/Gravel Mine proposal –  at the Lawrence County Public Safety & Services Center\,  on a new 10 acre (101 acre max)   Sand and Gravel mine proposal – \nThis is a hybrid hearing and can be attended remotely – https://meet.goto.com/152688557  Oral testimony is allowed\, but is  limited to 3 minutes  per each. Time may be extended or not at discretion of Chair. \nThere is organized resistance to this proposal\, contact – Les Wolff \, (605) 848-4050‬‬‬  Or visit public comments- Opposition Letters  (24 letters in opposition\, one in support) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qgAGCxBvS0LoelBSxHTUe_Rk6xSr6y7l \nHOW TO COMMENT \nPlease send comments to  planning.zoning@lawrence.sd.usComments received before 2 pm Monday will be printed and handed to Board of Adjustment (BoA).  Comments that e-mailed and received by COB today (Monday) will be forwarded to BoA.  There are 5 members of the BoA\, if you go to the hearing\, you can print up one copy to hand to staff or 6 copies to hand to staff plus the Commissioners. \nBoA members are  listed at this link  with their individual e-mails – you could send to them individually but such sending\, likely won’t be part of the hearing record. .  :https://www.lawrence.sd.us/418/Board-of-Adjustment \nPlanning and zoning phone # – 605-578-3871 \nPROPOSAL DETAILS \nFor details on Proposal – visit \nhttps://www.lawrence.sd.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1330?fileID=20493 \n“The applicant Croell\, Inc is requesting a CUP for a Small Scale Sand\, Gravel\, or Rock Industry. The operation will be located off of Homestake Road. The boundary of the CUP will be 101.63 acres\, but the permit will only allow 10 acres of disturbance at any time. If they want to move to a different area\, the original 10 acres will need to be reclaimed prior to them moving locations. The nearest road would be Homestake Road.\nThe applicant applied for a Small Scale Sand\, Gravel and Rock Extractive Industry\, which is defined according to II-3.001 Definitions” \nPUBLIC HEARING ~ CUP #498. OWNER/APPLICANT: Larson Family\,\, LLLP/Croell\, Inc. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: S1/2 SE ¼ of Section 35\, T7N\, R1E and NE ¼ of Section\n2\, T6N\, R1E. \nVICINITY LOCATION: Spearfish/Homestake Rd \nSUMMARY: Small Scale Sand\, Gravel\, and Rock Extractive Industry ZONING: A-1\nACREAGE: 101.63 acres PARCEL ID: 19000-00601-020-00 and 23000-00701-354-10\nACTION REQUIRED: Approval/Denial (BOA Public Hearing: August 26\, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lawrence County Public Safety & Services Center\, 50 Tatanka Dr\, Deadwood SD )\nLinks:\nLarson Quarry Digital Copy Web Edition.pdf: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aQj1qp3aZzeDGx9j6WbkGivsTiYATKMg/view\n2025.08.14 Submission of Proposed Finding…https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_OjhHfaN1S1uVrGS4pnLFccrOOr7lsiS/view\nStaff report: https://www.lawrence.sd.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1330?fileID=20493 \nThere was a prior planning and zoning public hearing on this on August 7th. \nWe don’t know how long the hearing will last \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/lawrence-county-board-of-adjustment-commission-hearing-sand-gravel/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250826T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250826T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250823T055925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250823T060103Z UID:19664-1756245000-1756245540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on Forest Service Reorganization DESCRIPTION:USDA Opened a Public Comment Period on Department Reorganization Plan\nLink to plan – https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-015.pdf \nQuote from the Dept of Agriculture: \n“(Washington\, D.C.\, August 1\, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today the opening of a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan\, as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum (PDF\, 2.6 MB) issued on July 24\, 2025……. \n…The reorganization proposal reflects President Trump’s commitment to relocate federal agencies beyond the national capital region\, reduce bureaucracy\, and strengthen USDA’s presence in key agricultural regions across the country. As part of the plan\, USDA will consolidate operations\, close the South Building\, and relocate approximately 2\,600 Washington-based positions to five regional hubs: Raleigh\, NC; Kansas City\, MO; Indianapolis\, IN; Fort Collins\, CO; and Salt Lake City\, UT……. \n…How to Submit Comments \nAll stakeholders\, including USDA employees\, members of Congress\, and agricultural and nutrition partners\, are encouraged to provide feedback by emailing reorganization@usda.gov. The comment period is open through August 26\, 2025. \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-forest-service-reorganization/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250827T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250827T150000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250816T004912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250816T005451Z UID:19598-1756303200-1756306800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Earth Justice virtual town hall on Trump's threats to Roadless Rule 8/27/25 DESCRIPTION:Earth Justice virtual town hall on Trump’s threats to Roadless Rule \n“People for Public Land”: Action hour to Protect The Roadless Rule\, \nEarth Justice writes: \n\n\n\n“The most important land protection measure of our lifetimes — The Roadless Rule — is under attack. The Roadless Rule has protected 58 million acres of our forest lands for more than a generation\, but the Trump administration wants to undo these protections in the name of profit. We won’t let that happen — and we need your voice. “\n\n\nJoin Blaine Miller-McFeeley\, Senior Legislative Representative\, and Zarah Patriana\, Senior Digital Advocacy Manager\, for a virtual town hall and action hour to learn more about the history of the Roadless Rule and how to take action to protect our public lands\, now and for generations to come.” \nRegister at link: \nhttps://act.earthjustice.org/a/people-public-lands?utm_campaign=250827_event_roadlessaction&utm_medium=email&utm_source=crm\n\n\nWednesday\, August 27\, 2025 1pm-2pm PT /2-3 pm MT/3-4pm CT/ 4pm-5pm ET \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCan’t join live? Register online to receive a recording after the event.\n\n\nThis will be a town hall-style event and will include a live Q&A where you can submit questions for our speakers. The event platform will offer closed captioning and the option to dial-in by phone for audio-only access.\n\n\nQuestions? Contact events@earthjustice.org  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/earth-justice-webinar-on-trumps-threats-to-roadless-rule-8-27-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250827T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250827T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250824T031509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250824T031843Z UID:19673-1756319400-1756326600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS meeting on Regional Predators\, Zoom 8/27/25 DESCRIPTION:  \nPHAS  Zoom meeting on Regional Predators\, Wednesday August 27th\, at 6:30-8:30 pm MT\nZoom links are below – scroll down \n  \nAgenda\n1) SD biennial mt. lion season proposal\,- – TAKE ACTION- written comment deadline 8/31/25\, hybrid hearing 9/4/25 (remote testimony allowed)\nPHAS alerts  written comments –\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission-for-their-september-mee/\noral testimony –\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-september-commission-meeting-hybrid-meeting-in-rapid-city-zoom/ \n  \n2) Update on mt lion management in other states in the Region – i.e. NE\, Wyo\, ND\, Montana (other states if wished) \n3) Wolves – Discuss win 8/05/25 in Mont. Federal  District court –  remand of USFWS’s denial of petition to re-list western (Rocky Mt) wolves under the ESA\nCourt Order – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Wolves.Western-Order.2025.08.05.pdf \n4) 24 riders on the House Appropriation’s bill and other bills that seek to harm Endangered Species Act protections\nfor T & E species\, with special focus on predators in our region.- TAKE ACTION\nList of 24 riders – \nhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1OC0_6V8i4tBN3wTskcK8GRlNOffx-Pks1_DohZdGn1Y/edit?tab=t.0\nList of 52 riders/bills:  https://defenders.org/119th-congress-playing-politics-extinction\n  \n  5) Update on campaign to kill SD’s Nest Predator Bounty Program – – TAKE ACTION\nPHAS web page on NPBP  https://phas-wsd.org/sd-nest-predator-bounty-program/ \nThe order we review these items can be changed upon request\, if attendees at the meeting wish \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNancy Hilding is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.\n\n\n\nTopic: Protecting Predators – Northern Plains\nTime: Wednesday August 27th\,at 6:30-8:30 pm MT\n\n\n\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87181532177?pwd=RGpOaWFHZ09YTG9SYlhWR0FKRjdodz09\n\n\n\nMeeting ID: 871 8153 2177\n\n\n\nPasscode: 000770\n\n\n\n—\n\n\n\nOne tap mobile\n\n\n+12532158782\,\,87181532177#\,\,\,\,*000770# US (Tacoma)\n\n\n+13462487799\,\,87181532177#\,\,\,\,*000770# US (Houston)\n\n\n\n—\n\n\n\nDial by your location\n\n\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n\n\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n\n\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n\n\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n\n\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n\n\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n\n\n• +1 646 931 3860 US\n\n\n• +1 689 278 1000 US\n\n\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n\n\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n\n\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n\n\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n\n\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n\n\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n\n\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n\n\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n\n\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n\n\n\nMeeting ID: 871 8153 2177\n\n\n\nPasscode: 000770\n\n\nFind your local number:https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbO99EH7K URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-meeting-on-regional-predators-zoom-8-27-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250831T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250831T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250727T181913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T045422Z UID:19408-1756684200-1756684740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Submit Written Comments to SDGFP Commission for their September mee DESCRIPTION:On Sept 4th the Commission voted to approve the proposed season\, as recommended by staff. \nDeadline to Submit Written Comments to SDGFP Commission for their September meeting was  just before midnight  MT on Sunday August 31st\,  Late comments are given to the Commissioners  next month. \nOpponents to the Season got the most comments in – we achieved 69% of the comments. See report – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Report-on-Comments.SDGFP_.CougarsSept25.pdf \nHere is a link to the “short” comments sent to GFP \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Short.public-comments.-September_Commission_Book-2.pdf \nThe file for the “long” comments – the formal letters is too large to put in the library but here are links for two of them- those of  Prairie Hills Audubon Society and Humane World for Animals (HSUS) \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/August-mt-Lion-comments.pdf \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Humane-World-Mountain-Lion-Proposal-Comments-Aug-2025.pdf \nLater I will attempt to divide the too large file and post all public comments here. You can find them in the Commission Book for September at the end.  You can find the Commission book on the “Current meeting page” Go to our calendar date for the Hearing Sept 4-5th for such details. \nSCROLL DOWN THIS PAAGE FOR DISCUSSION OF ISSUES and Talking points. \nHOW tO COMMENT \nSDGFP has a public commenting web page https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ \nYou go to this page &  type in required address info and indicate you oppose the “Mountain Lion Season” rule on the “Position Comment” drop down section . That is enough- call up a friend and get them to check “oppose” also. Getting lots of comments in opposition helps us to win.   It  is best if you  also type in some comments or attach a formal letter. \n================= \nA. Commenters can comment on the entire mountain lion hunting season rule – in its’ entirety. \nB. Or commenters can just oppose the new changes to the  season  for the next two years – they proposed an  increase in areas  folks can hunt mt. lions with hounds in the Black Hills.   \n\n================================================ \nLONG TERM PHAS OBJECTIONS TO SD MT. LION HUNTING RULE\, Over many years: \nWe have always opposed “recreational” hound hunting of mt. lions anywhere in SD – this  amendment just increases the area covered by hound hunting and likely the number of lions taken via  hound hunting. Now hound hunting is allowed in Custer State Park (CSP) and the prairie unit. If they institute proposed changes it will be allowed in an expanded subset of the Black Hills Fire Protection District (beyond CSP) \nWe have always opposed the 375 day unlimited hunting (no harvest caps) \,  on the prairie – both on private and public land.  We want the prairie area broken into subset units with harvest caps and season time limits. We want SDGFP to cooperate with tribes\, when there is mixed jurisdictions in areas of confirmed cougar breeding or residency. \nWe have always opposed the current  Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD) harvest caps  as too high (60 either sex/40 females). Hunters in recent years have not meet harvest caps before the time limit closes the season.  Overly aggressive hunting results in “conflict lions” as the hunting  replaces older experienced males with younger inexperienced males. Mt lions remove ungulates with chronic wasting disease – they don’t catch it themselves and they remove most of the prions (don’t defecate most of the prions back out). \nThe mt. lion is a keystone species\, we want SD cougars managed for the benefits to  biodiversity they provide. We want all locations with suitable habitat to be managed for viable breeding populations and hopefully as source populations from which cougars emigrate to areas they have been extirpated from. \nSD GFP should not manage for one type of wildlife related recreation over another – non-game\, non-consumptive users (wildlife watchers) should be equal to consumptive users (hunters/trappers). We don’t want SD to manage our cougar population for a goal of maximizing the opportunities of hound or boot hunters\, as is required  in SDGFP’s current  Mt Lion Action Plan. \n=============================== \nProblems with NEW AMENDMENTS\nThis alert now focuses on PROBLEMS WITH PROPOSED NEW CHANGES \nSDGFP is proposing a rule change to allow hound hunting of mt. lions in  southern and southeastern areas of the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD). \nThe Commission proposed to increase the unit size\, where hunting with dogs is allowed in the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD)\, to grow beyond Custer State Park (SEE MAP ABOVE). The Commission proposed to expand the season dates for hunting intervals\, that allow the use of dogs in BHFPD. \nHunting mountain lions in the designated area with the use of hounds will be allowed for a total of fifteen individuals with\naccess permits\, provided the harvest limit has not been met. Three access permits will be issued in each of five 21-day intervals\, starting December 26\, provided the harvest limit has not been met. The proposal would eliminate the requirement for access permits to hunt mountain lions in Custer State Park without the use of dogs. \nHyperlink to the  proposed rule change (hunting season that will be voted on on 9/4/25 –   https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mtlion-proposal.-July_Commission_Book-2.pdf \nGo to Sept 4th post about the meeting for details or post about July 10-11th SDGFP Commission meeting. \nBELOW FIND OUR ACTION ALERT ON THIS RULE CHANGE – scroll past other NGO alerts \n============================= \nOther NGO Alerts: \nThe Black Hills Mountain Lion Foundation opposes this rule change also. (It is a new corporation\, under new leadership – the old BHMLF died about 2003)  You can read their action alert that opposes these changes https://blackhillsmountainlionfoundation.org/Action \nSouth Dakotans Fighting Animal Cruelty Together have an alert on \ntheir Facebook page: \nhttps://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1195198405967545&set=a.319919470162114 \nHumane World for Animals (HSUS’s new name) sent out an alert by e-mail: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Take-action-to-protect-South-Dakotas-mountain-lions.pdf \n======================== \nPHAS ACTION ALERT ON PROPOSED RULE CHANGE: \nPHAS opposes the rule change and asks folks to send in comments against such change. Link to PHAS’s talking points against hound hunting –  https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uplo change was coninuted ads/Hound-hunting-objecstions.pdf \nSome areas of concern are: \n\nHound  hunting does not allow for “fair chase”\, it increases risk of trespass\, it results in animal cruelty to dogs and cougars and many members of the public object to it\, especially in the Black Hills. It will result in more commercialization of hunting.\nThis increase in hound hunting will result in more female lions and lions of either sex being killed and will result in a decreasing  lion population and eventually cause SDGFP to lower the cougar harvest cap\, because the population will drop below the SDGFP population objective. Mt lions are a keystone species and important to biodiversity – less lions reduces their positive function on the landscape.\nOverly aggressive cougar hunting destabilizes cougar populations and thus results in more “conflict lions”.  Older males are less likely to be “conflict lions” than young males: when you kill an  older male you replace him with more younger males\, who are not as experienced & more prone to conflict with humans.  See Rob Wielgus’s video at https://mountainlion.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WA-R-Wielgus-2015-PPT-Effects-of-Sport-Hunting-on-Cougar-Population-Community-and-Landscape-Ecology-HSUSconf.pdf\nUnfairness – Black Hills Mountain Lion foundation on their web site\, says – “Only 3% of lion hunters use hounds\, yet they already take 35% of the harvest” – we assume they mean in CSP\, the Black Hills or in all SD\, but it is not totally clear where this happens and in what time period.  We see SD hound hunters getting 24%\, on average\, of cougar kills in all SD during the last 5 years (14/58).  Prairie and CSP units  averaged 7 lions/year /each.   — “Boot hunters” and hound hunters compete for the same mt. lions\, but lions are elusive and hound hunters are much\, much more effective.   The hound hunters persistently petition and ask for more areas that will allow them to hunt mt lions with hounds.  They have been allowed to hunt in Custer State Park (as of about 2012) and unlimited hunting on the prairie unit for 365 days of the year. Recently (April 2025) the restrictions on hound hunting on public land on the Prairie Unit  have been removed. . Increased use of hound hunters will likely lead to more commercialization of hunting\, with boot hunters hiring guides with dogs.\nPHAS wants the Black Hills Population managed as a source\, or at least a stable population\, not a sink.  Black Hills lions likely contributed to recovery of mt lions in North Dakota and Nebraska and on tribal lands of Oglala & Rosebud Sioux Tribes  and 3 Affiliated Tribes (ND). Now breeding lions have been confirmed in Oklahoma. They are also recovering in at least one new Canadian Province.  Mountain lions historically  occurred in all  lower 48 states but have been extirpated from most mid-west and  the eastern ones\, except Florida. – Let SD Black Hills contribute to recovery of cougars in the midwest and east\nThis proposal is not consistent with the Mountain Lion Action Plan adopted in  Fall 2024 https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Lion_Action_Plan_2024.pdf      –  at Objective 2 (b)   Quote from the Action Plan Objective 2(b)  is in italics:       “Modify and adopt hunting season structure as needed to minimize regulation complexity:                                                                                                                                                                                                      * In the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD)\, excluding Custer State Park (CSP): maximize hunting opportunity for unique hunters allowing unlimited boot hunting with harvest regulated primarily through restricted season lengths and harvest limits.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         *In CSP: maximize hunting opportunity for hunters with dogs with harvest regulated primarily through limited permits and restricted season lengths.                                                                                                                                                  * * Outside BHFPD: emphasis to minimize potential human conflicts with mountain lions and maximize hunting opportunity for hunters with dogs allowing unlimited permits and a year-round season. “\n\n============================== \nSDGFP has a public commenting web page https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/ –  Go here to submit comments \n================= \nYou must submit written comments before midnight on Sunday August 31st. As the meeting on Thursday is in Mountain Time Time Zone the deadline should be midnight\, but if GFP has not reset the Artificial Intelligence thcy could cut it off\, illegally \, in violation of the law\, at midnight CT.  You should be against the proposed changes – you don’t have to write anything – there is a form to fill out and  you can just check against or oppose\, but writing a sentence or more helps\, as they then know why you oppose the rule change.  You can also attach files if you want to write a formal letter. \nYou can testify in person in Rapid City\, SD or by Zoom on Sept 4th at 2 pm\, if wanting to testify\, it is requested that you register with Gail Buus  in advance\, but that is not required.  Go to our Sept 4th post for details – https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-september-commission-meeting-hybrid-meeting-in-rapid-city-zoom/ \nGo to our July 10-11th event calendar’s page on July Commission hearing and Sept 4-5th events page on Sept Commission meeting. We have an alert page on mt lions https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/and if you go to that page you can learn of past  (and future) opportunities to comment on cougars in SD\, NE\, Wyoming and ND. \nThere is an August 20th deadline  (12 pm MT) for commenting on Nebraska’s 2026 cougar hunting season (see our 8/20/25  https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-written-comments-to-nebraska-gp-commissions-august-meeting/  \, and 8/22/25 calendar pages  https://phas-wsd.org/event/nebraska-game-and-parks-commission-meeting-8-21-8-22/)  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission-for-their-september-mee/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-08-17-at-9.22.51-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250902T060000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250902T063000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250804T222116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T222116Z UID:19500-1756792800-1756794600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Federal House of Representatives returns from recess DESCRIPTION:Federal House of Representatives returns from August  recess \nWE are not sure of time-of-day – so just guesses at 8 am \nhttps://www.house.gov/legislative-activity URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/federal-house-of-representatives-returns-from-recess/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250904T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250905T120000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250203T234934Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T045912Z UID:17121-1756990800-1757073600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks September Commission meeting - Hybrid meeting in Rapid City & Zoom DESCRIPTION:Sept 4th\, 2025 -Commission approved the hunting season proposed by staff \nSD Game\, Fish and Parks September Hybrid Commission meeting in Rapid City and Zoom.  It was at Outdoor Campus West as this is the normal location when they meet in Rapid City (please verify). \nFor more info. visit this web site when close to the meeting – look for the “Commission Book” in which all material given the Commission\, including the public comments occur: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_Public_September_2025.pdf \nThe agenda is not final till 24 hours before the meeting. \nAt 2 pm MT on Thursday you can testify in person or by zoom for 3 minutes on any rule proposal or 3 minutes during the open forum (any  topic). They suggest you e-mail Gail.Buus@state.sd.us  in advance of the meeting to register for remote testimony by Zoom or teleconference – they want to have an idea of who to call on during the hearing and they will call on the registered folks  –  but registration  is not required.  They always ask if anyone attending in person or remotely who did not register wants to testify\, then you raise your hand on Zoom. \nYou can send written comments before Sunday 8/31/25 at midnight MT\,  4 days before the meeting . \nOur detailed action alert for this meeting is found on that page. https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission-for-their-september-mee/ \nMountain Lions We oppose the existing season rules and also the new rule change  proposed  for mountain lion hunting; \nthey are proposing an  increase in areas  folks can hunt mt. lions with hounds in the Black Hills. We have always opposed hound hunting anywhere in SD.  We have always opposed the 375 day unlimited hunting (no harvest caps)  with hounds on the prairie. We have always opposed the current harvest caps in the Black Hills Fire Protection District (BHFPD) as too high. \nThey will be voting on a the whole season proposal\, but especially the change – the new proposal to increase the area of the Black Hills subject to hound hunting – see proposal.  https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mtlion-proposal.-July_Commission_Book-2.pdf \nWe oppose hound hunting any place\, but this will increase the number of lions killed in the Black Hills likely by 7 or 8 lions\, as hound hunting is much more effective than “boot hunting”.  SDGFP has a  harvest cap of 60 lions either sex or 40 female lions. \nIn the last 10 years or so they have not reached the harvest cap\, with the season ending before harvest cap is reached\, but with hound hunting allowed in a broader area\, more lions will likely be killed.  In past SDGFP has been concerned about the number of female lions killed each year and if too many are killed (when the female harvest cap  is actually reached)\, the population numbers will drop. \nThe map at the top of this post\, shows the areas where hound hunting of lions will be allowed in the BHFPD – in a darker color. \nThe bright colors are the national parks or monuments where hunting is not allowed. \n======== \nThe Commission will also review changes to aquatic invasive species rules. \nThe Commission proposed to add Prussian Carp to the Aquatic Invasive Species list. \nThe Commission also proposed to create an exemption so that live Red Swamp Crayfish can be possessed in certain instances for human consumption. Live Red Swamp Crayfish could not be at a location that sells bait. \nThe Commission also proposed to modify the European Rudd and Snakehead species listings to align with common name changes. \nWe don’t currently have expertise on aquatic invasive species issues and aren’t planning to comment URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-september-commission-meeting-hybrid-meeting-in-rapid-city-zoom/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2025-08-17-at-9.22.51-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250909T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250909T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250908T174419Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T191136Z UID:19865-1757461800-1757462340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comments due on Rapid City Comprehensive Plan DESCRIPTION:Comments are due on Rapid City Comprehensive Plan On Tuesday\,  Sept 9th\, We are not sure of the time-of-day for the deadline\, but assume just before midnight. \nhttps://www.rapidcitycomprehensiveplan.com/ \nDraft Plan: \nhttps://plan.konveio.com/rapid-city-draft-comprehensive-plan \nCommenting: \nhttps://plan.konveio.com/rapid-city-draft-comprehensive-plan-open-house-boards \n  \nThe draft document will remain on the web site till the 12th of Sept. It is sent for rewrite after that. There will be 4 hearings on it \nPlanning Commission Sept 25th at 7 am\nPublic works Sep 30t at 12;30 pm\n Legal finance at 12;30 Oct 1st at 12;30 pm\nand finally  City Council Oct 6th 6;30 PM  – They will vote to approve it.\nWe assume you can comment on the next version of the Comprehensive Plan at these meetings. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comments-due-on-rapid-city-comprehensive-plan/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250910T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250910T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250907T173116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T175725Z UID:19837-1757529000-1757536200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS September Board meeting 9/10/25 DESCRIPTION:PHAS (Prairie Hills Audubon Society) September Board meeting by Zoom  9/10/25 \nPHAS has board meetings once a month and these are supposed to be on the eve of the second Wednesday . These are open to PHAS members and others by invitation.  We anticipate a board meeting on Wednesday the 10th of Sept. by Zoom\, with a start time of 6 pm or 6:30. I must first verify a quorum\, if no quorum is anticipated we move the date . Contact Nancy for Zoom codes – Nancy’s phone # is 605-787-6466 (land line)\, phas.wsd@rapidnet.com URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-september-board-meeting-9-10-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250913T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250913T130000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250906T044809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250906T044809Z UID:19802-1757754000-1757768400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Clean up Rapid Creek volunteer event DESCRIPTION:Clean up Rapid Creek volunteer event on Saturday September 13th. This clean up often happens on second Saturday of the month.  The assembly location is often the parking lot behind Little Caesars off West Main in Rapid City and the time might be 9 am\, but please verify with Black Hills Fly Fishers\, Bill Young – guinnessmarsh@gmail.com\, ‭(605) 391-1002‬ \nhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Clean-up-Rapid-Creek/61557424842679/?utm_source=chatgpt.com \nWe don’t know how long it will last\, but have guessed at 4 hours URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/clean-up-rapid-creek-volunteer-event/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250915T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250915T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250806T001812Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T001100Z UID:19503-1757973000-1757973540@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Comment Deadline on Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards DESCRIPTION:Monday\, 9/15/25 is the Comment Deadline on Trump administration  revoking EPAs “endangerment finding” -. The “endangerment finding” is the EPA’s scientific and legal conclusion that the Clean Air Act requires regulation of greenhouse gas emissions to protect public health and welfare. The EPA issued the endangerment finding in 2009 pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in Massachusetts v. EPA. \nIn addition to rescinding the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding\, the proposal also seeks to rescind all GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles and engines. This rescission includes GHG emission standards for light-duty\, medium-duty\, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines for model years 2012 to 2027\, and beyond. \nEarthJustice has an alert & on-line pre-fab form letter on this rule-making \nEarthJustice On-Line – pre-fab comment letter \nhttps://earthjustice.org/action/dont-let-the-epa-gut-this-cornerstone-climate-protection?ms=web \nEarth Justice Legal analysis \nhttps://earthjustice.org/experts/hana-vizcarra/a-legal-analysis-of-the-trump-epas-plan-to-revoke-the-endangerment-finding?utm_source=crm&utm_medium=email&sourceid=1048125&emci=35882ee5-017e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&emdi=41882ee5-017e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&ceid=821037 \nEnvironmental Defense Fund pre-fab comment letter \nhttps://actnow.edf.org/a/endangerment \nEDF’s You-Tube video on this \nhttps://www.youtube.com/live/-HuXY6lwQog \nColumbia Law pre-fab comment letter and legal discussion \nThe Endangerment Finding: The Local Perspective Matters Right Now (Template Comment Letter Linked) \n \nWe assume other environmental NGO’s also have alerts and pre-fab comment letters. \nWe copied the text of the EJ and EDF pre-fab comment letters\, – so you all can copy one of them\, in case  they close the pre-fab letter sending down before 9:59 pm on Monday 9/15/25 – URL: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Earth-Justice-and-Environmental-Defense-Fund-pre.pdf \nProposed rule can be viewed here\, as well as directions on how to comment by uploading or mailing individual comments: \nhttps://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0124-0001 \nQuotes from notice at above  Federal Register link \n\nACTION:\nProposed rule. \n\n\nSUMMARY:\n“In this action\, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for light-duty\, medium-duty\, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines to effectuate the best reading of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 202(a). We propose that CAA section 202(a) does not authorize the EPA to prescribe emission standards to address global climate change concerns and\, on that basis\, propose to rescind the Administrator’s prior findings in 2009 that GHG emissions from new motor vehicles and engines contribute to air pollution which may endanger public health or welfare. We further propose\, in the alternative\, to rescind the Administrator’s prior findings in 2009 because the EPA unreasonably analyzed the scientific record and because developments cast significant doubt on the reliability of the findings. Lastly\, we propose to repeal all GHG emission standards on the alternative bases that no requisite technology for vehicle and engine emission control can address the global climate change concerns identified in the findings without risking greater harms to public health and welfare.” \n\n\nDATES:\nComments. Comments must be received on or before September 15\, 2025. Comments on the information collection provisions submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) are best assured of consideration by OMB if OMB receives a copy of your comments on or before September 2\, 2025. \nPublic Hearing. The EPA will announce information regarding the public hearing for this proposal in a supplemental Federal Register document. Please refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for additional information on the public hearing. \n\n\nADDRESSES:\nComments. You may send comments\, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194\, by any of the following methods: \n• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/ (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. \n• Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 in the subject line of the message. \n• Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\, EPA Docket Center\, OAR Docket\, Mail Code 28221T\, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20460. \n• Hand Delivery or Courier: EPA Docket Center\, WJC West Building\, Room 3334\, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20004. The Docket Center’s hours of operations are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.\, Monday-Friday (except Federal Holidays). \nInstructions. All submissions received must include the Docket ID No. for this rulemaking. Comments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov/\, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on sending comments and additional information on the rulemaking process\, see the “Public Participation” heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. \n\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nAlan Stout\, Assessment and Standards Division\, Office of Transportation and Air Quality\, Environmental Protection Agency\, 2000 Traverwood Drive\, Ann Arbor\, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4805; email address: stout.alan@epa.gov.” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-reconsideration-of-2009-endangerment-finding-and-greenhouse-gas-vehicle-standards/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250917T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250917T183000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250906T070641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250913T215913Z UID:19814-1758103200-1758133800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Board of Minerals Environment - meets for tours Deadwood DESCRIPTION:Board of Minerals Environment – It will meets for tours of mines or mine sites Deadwood\nTo see the agenda and packet for the September 17\, 2025 Board of Minerals and Environment meeting in Deadwood.  This information is available on the South Dakota Boards and Commissions Portal at https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=67\nAgenda – https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/Agenda%20BME%20Sept%2017%202025%20mledits.pdf\nMeeting Packet\nhttps://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/Packet%20BME%20Sept%2017%202025%20mledits.pdf\nBoard of Minerals and Environment \, at the Mineral Palace Hotel and Gaming – Gem Theater Room\, 604 Main Street Deadwood\, SD September 17\, 2025\n—————–\nOpen to public. If you are attending the tour at 11 am – please contact Roberta Hudson or Eric Holm at (605) 773-4201. Persons interested in attending will need to provide their own transportation for the site tour. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for travel in certain areas\n\nSeptember 17 – 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time – Gem Theater Room\, Business items discussed  & public comment period\n\n11:00 AM Safety Meeting and tour of Gilt Edge Mine \n12:30 PM Break \n2:00 PM** Homestake Office Parking lot—safety meeting and brief overview of Homestake East Waste Rock Depository and Blacktail Water Treatment Plant \n2:45 PM Tour of Richmond Hill Mine \n4:30 PM Safety meeting and tour of DTRC exploration areas \n5:30 PM Informational presentation by Dakota Gold and Adjourn at Round House\, Lead \n*Times are tentative and subject to change based on number of participants and other factors. \n** Post-break meeting location subject to change based on number of participants—alternate location to be announced to participants prior to break. \n  \nNote: After adjournment of the board meeting\, on September 18\, 2025\, board members will break up into groups of four or less and tour other sites related to mining and mineral exploration. This is being done for the educational benefit of newer board members. The separate non-quorum tours are not open to public participation. \n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/board-of-minerals-environment-meets-for-tours-deadwood/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250918T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250918T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250908T091250Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T091332Z UID:19842-1758220200-1758227400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Sierra Club's meeting on timber resources 9/18/25 DESCRIPTION:Black Hills Group of the Sierra Club ‘smeeting on timber resources \nOutdoor Campus – West\, Rapid City: \nThursday\, September 18 @ 6:30 p.m. – Mary Zimmerman will lead a discussion on “The Decline of the Black Hills Timber Resource”\n\nWe are not sure how long the meeting will last\, but everyone has to be gone  from OCW (left the building) at 9 pm URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sierra-clubs-meeting-on-timber-resources-9-18-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250919T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250919T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250906T043607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T202724Z UID:19800-1758318600-1758319140@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Trump's Department of Agriculture working on rescinding Roadless Rule\, Comment deadline Sept 19th DESCRIPTION:Above is a photo of an old growth ponderosa pine in the Sand Creek Roadless Area of the Black Hills National Forest \nTrump’s Department of Agriculture working on rescinding Roadless Rule – the  Comment deadline is Friday\, Sept 19th. \nThe Clinton Administration in 2001\, after doing an EIS\, passed an administrative rule to designate subsets of many National Forests and Grasslands as Roadless Areas. The more than 58 million acres of roadless areas represent some of the USA’s most intact public lands. There are restrictions that prevent logging and roads in Roadless Areas\, with some exceptions. \nIn the Black  Hills of SD and Wyoming we have 3 roadless areas- Sand Creek\, Inyan Kara and Beaver Park. On the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands we have a least two. -Indian Creek & Red Shirt. There are roadless areas in Forests and Grasslands of neighboring states also. \nTrump would remove those protections. \nINDEX – Below are:\n1)  3  environmental groups with alerts and pre-fab letters on this. \n2) We also provide 2 environmental groups pre-fab letters to congress asking for relief via legislation. \n3) Below that are excerpts from the Federal Register\, if you want to post original comments. \nPRE-FAB LETTERS \nbut here is EarthJustice’s pre-fab letters on this: \nhttps://earthjustice.org/feature/roadless-rule-photos \nHere is the National Audubon Society’s pre-fab letters on this: \nhttps://act.audubon.org/a/save-roadless-areas-2025?ms=digital-adv-web-website-nas-x-20250700-roadless_rule-action_page&aud_path=/takeaction&_gl=1*1qzxrd*_gcl_au*MTkzNzI1MzkzMS4xNzU3MzI2ODI0*_ga*MTIwNjcyMTM4NS4xNjA1MDM3ODE1*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*czE3NTc2OTY3NjMkbzgkZzEkdDE3NTc2OTY4MTMkajEwJGwwJGgw \nSierra Club’s alert & pre-fab letter on this: \nhttps://www.sierraclub.org/Sierra/roadless-rule-trump-wants-rescind-what-does-that-mean \n=============== \nAlternate Approach\, to ask Congress for relief: \nWildEarth Guardian’s pre-fab letter to Congressmen & women: \nhttps://action.wildearthguardians.org/page/87111/action/1?ea.url.id=3987744 \nJohn Muir Project pre-fab letter request to congressmen & women for protection  of Roadless Areas in federal law: \nhttps://johnmuirproject.org/take-action/#/21 \nWilderness Society article on the subject: \nhttps://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/attack-roadless-forests-officially-underway \n  \n\n\nAGENCY:\nForest Service\, Agriculture (USDA). \n\n\nACTION:\nNotice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. \n\n\nSUMMARY:\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of National Forest System lands\, including in Alaska. The proposed rule would rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule) (66 FR 3244\, 36 CFR Subpart B (2001))\, which prohibits road construction\, road reconstruction\, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas\, with limited exceptions. State-specific roadless rules for Idaho and Colorado at 36 CFR 294 Subparts C and D will be retained and are excluded from this notice. Rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule is intended to return decision making for road construction\, road reconstruction\, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas to local officials\, in conjunction with Forest-level land management planning. As directed by Executive Order 14153: Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential\, the proposed rule will expressly exclude the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule. The EIS will evaluate the impacts of the proposed rule rescission and study alternatives for roadless area conservation on National Forest System lands\, including the Tongass National Forest\, in the context of multiple use resource management. USDA invites written comments on alternatives or effects and on relevant information\, studies\, or analyses with respect to the proposal. \n\n\nDATES:\nComments must be received in writing by September 19\, 2025. The proposed rule\, accompanied by a draft EIS\, is expected by March 2026\, along with a request for additional public comment. The final rule\, EIS\, and record of decision are expected to be released in late 2026. \n\n\nADDRESSES:\nAdditional information\, including the eventual publication of the EIS and record of decision\, can be found on the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/​managing-land/​planning/​roadless.Comments must be submitted via one of the following methods: \n\nElectronically (preferred): Through the Federal eRulemaking Portal\, https://www.regulations.gov\, identified by docket number FS-2025-0001. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.\nMail: Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the Director\, Ecosystem Management Coordination\, 201 14th Street SW\, Mailstop 1108\, Washington\, DC 20250-1124.\n\n\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\n\nBrad Kinder\, Acting Director\, Ecosystem Management Coordination\, at the following phone number: 202-205-0650. Individuals who are deaf\, hard of hearing\, or have a speech disability may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service then provide the phone number of the person named as a point of contact for further information. \n\n\n\nWE ARE NOT SURE OF THE TIME-OF-DAY the comments are due but assume before midnight EST. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/trumps-department-of-agriculture-working-on-rescinding-roadless-rule-comment-deadline-sept-19th/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/roadless.2025-09-12-at-1.46.21-PM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250920T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250920T160000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250825T004143Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T173421Z UID:19700-1758362400-1758384000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Visit to Beaver Dam Analog building project in the Northern Black Hills DESCRIPTION:Visit to Beaver Dam Analog building project in the Northern Black Hills at Green Gulch/Silver Creek. \nThere will be another group visit to the Beaver Dam Analog building project in Green Gulch on Saturday Sept 20th\, 2025 with a car pool leaving Rapid City at 9 am.  We believe the Black  Hills Fly Fishers  and the Nature Conservancy may be organizing this. \nQuote from Lori Brown of TNC: \n“There will be a field tour for our Silver Creek restoration site. This project site is a testament to what collaboration in conservation can accomplish. This tour will cover some of the nuts and bolts of Process Based Restoration techniques\, the current state of Black Hills riparian areas\, how/why beaver restoration can help heal our systems\, and what it takes to support watershed restoration at scale. Please feel free to share this tour invite with organizations and individuals who may be interested. \nA group will be meeting at 9 am Dakota Angler Saturday morning to caravan to the tour site. \n1010 Jackson Blvd\, Rapid City\, SD 57702 \nFor folks not coming from the Rapid City area\, we will be meeting at the site at 10:15/10:30. See the attached map for directions or give me a call if that’s easier. \nIf you have any questions about the tour\, please feel free to reach out to me. \nThanks\, \nLori \nLori.brown@tnc.org \n(559) 679-8163″ \nHere is Bill Young of Black Hills Fly Fishers ‘e-mail/phone -guinnessmarsh@gmail.com\, ‭(605) 391-1002‬ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/visit-to-beaver-dam-analog-building-project-in-the-northern-black-hills/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-07-18-at-4.16.58-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250924T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250924T170000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250922T170922Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T191907Z UID:19981-1758704400-1758733200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:2025 Pennington County Conservation District Annual Conference DESCRIPTION:2025 Pennington County Conservation District 2nd Annual Conference \nWednesday\, September 24th\, 2025  –  Best Western Ramkota Hotel\, Rapid City\, 9 am-5 pm MT \nlink to URL for the conference and view agenda: https://www.penningtonconservation.com/conference \nRegistration ($25.00) \nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/pennington-conservation-district-conference-2025-tickets-1622946339189 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/2025-pennington-county-conservation-district-annual-conference/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250926T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250926T130000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250924T005002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T005333Z UID:20004-1758886200-1758891600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:John Thune to speak at Black Hills Forum & Press Club Lunch - Hilton Double Tree at lunch DESCRIPTION:The Black Hills Forum & Press Club will host Senator Thune on Friday\, September 26\, 2025 at 11:30 at the Double Tree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center. Tickets include a luncheon. There might be  a protest outside the hotel. We are not sure who is organizing that\, if any\, but  Indivisible might know about that.  \n \n\n505 N 5th St\, Rapid City\, SD 57701\nDoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center\, Address is conveniently situated next to the Monument Event Center. \n\n\nFor info:  https://www.elevaterapidcity.com/events/2025/06/27/special-events/black-hills-forum-press-club\n\n“To get a ticket for a Black Hills Forum & Press Club event\, you need to register and pay in advance through Elevate Rapid City\, as payment is no longer accepted at the door. You can register online on the Elevate Rapid City website or find information about upcoming events and tickets on Elevate Rapid City’s Facebook page. “ \nPlease register no later than Monday\, September 22nd.\n\nhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1959944728113015/?acontext={“action_history”:”[{\”surface\”:\”unknown\”\,\”mechanism\”:\”unknown\”\,\”extra_data\”:[]}\,{\”surface\”:\”permalink\”\,\”mechanism\”:\”SUGGESTED_EVENTS_HSCROLL\”\,\”extra_data\”:[]}\,{\”surface\”:\”permalink\”\,\”mechanism\”:\”SUGGESTED_EVENTS_HSCROLL\”\,\”extra_data\”:[]}]”\,”has_source”:true}\nRegistration:\n\nRegister here: https://www.elevaterapidcity.com/…/black-hills-forum…/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/john-thune-to-speak-at-black-hills-forum-press-club-lunch-hilton-double-tree-at-lunch/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250927T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250927T233000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250924T003319Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T004452Z UID:19997-1758931200-1759015800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:National Public Lands Day- various events\, free admission - Sat\, 9/27/25 DESCRIPTION:National Public Lands Day event – \nJoin the nationwide celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on the fourth Saturday of September. This most extensive single-day volunteer effort for public lands\, a signature event of the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)\, unites individuals and communities to improve and enjoy our treasured outdoor spaces. Since 1994\, NPLD has inspired millions to contribute to the preservation of America’s public lands\, fostering a deeper connection with nature. \nNational Public Lands Day is also designated as a Fee-Free Day\, granting free admission for visitors to national forests\, parks\, refuges\, and rangelands across the US.  Some public lands may have special events – \nThe National Park Service announced that National Public Lands Day will allow free admission to all national parks. \nU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee will have free admission\,  \nThe Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. \nBelow find 3 events in western SD\, eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Links to look for events in USA: \n   https://www.neefusa.org/what-we-do/conservation/national-public-lands-day \nhttps://www.neefusa.org/npld-event-search \n============== \n3 In-Person Events – SD\, Wyoming and NE \nForest Exploration Program: Friends in Nature\nlocated at Black Hills National Forest\, Friendship Tower \nMt Roosevelt Rd\, Deadwood SD \nEvent Date and Time\nSaturday\, September 27\, 2025\n9:00 am to 11:00 am\nView details-\nhttps://www.neefusa.org/npld/black-hills-national-forest-friendship-tower/forest-exploration-program-friends-nature\nRegistration\nhttp://Registration Sign up at: https://blackhillsparks.org/bhpfa-event/friends-in-nature-forest-exploration-program-black-hills-nf/ \n\n\n======================================\nEvent Date and Time\, Saturday\, September 27\, 2025\, 9:00am to 10:00pm\nBirds\, Bagels\, Birdability\n\n\n\nLocation\n\n\nIn-Person Event\nlocated at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area\, NE \n\n\nEvent Address:\, 210615 NE-71\, Gering\, NE 69341\, United States\n\n\n\n\n\nContact Information: Kristin Carder\, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Website Manager\nkristin.carder@nebraska.gov\, (402) 471-5567\n\nhttps://www.neefusa.org/npld/wildcat-hills-state-recreation-area/birds-bagels-birdability-outing\n=========================\n\nTrash Pickup Day\n\nTrash clean-up event. Meet at the Cliff Shelter in Coulter Bay at 10 AM. PPE\, trash bags\, and tools will be provided. \n\n\nMoorcroft\, WY\nActivities: Volunteer\nAudiences: Adult\, Youth\, Family\nSat\, 09/27/2025 – 2:00pm\n\nView event details\nhttps://www.neefusa.org/npld/keyhole-state-park/trash-pickup-day URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/national-public-lands-day-events-sat-9-27-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250929T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250929T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250922T184207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T185903Z UID:19989-1759170600-1759177800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Presentation on America’s Public Lands\, Joy Center\, Spearfish\, 9/29/25 DESCRIPTION:Presentation on America’s Public Lands\, Joy Center\, Spearfish\, 9/29/25\n\nSeptember 29 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm\n\n\n\nPresentation – “The History & Future of America’s Public Land”\, by  presenter Walt Dabney. In Spearfish\, SD on the evening of Monday\, September 29th\, 2025\n\n\nWalt is a retired National Park Service Superintendent and Director of Texas State Parks. He has a very strong base of knowledge\, huge “street cred”\, and is an engaging speaker. Walt has been making this presentation all across the United States . \nThis program is sponsored by a non-governmental\, non-profit organization\, the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR). \nThe program will be at the Joy Center at BHSU. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/19989/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250930T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250930T203000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250913T180802Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250913T212748Z UID:19932-1759257000-1759264200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Presentation on America's Public Lands\, Journey Museum 9/30/25 DESCRIPTION:Presentation – “The History & Future of America’s Public Land”\, by  presenter Walt Dabney. At Journey in Rapid City\, SD on the evening of Tuesday\, September 30\, 2025\n\n\nWalt is a retired National Park Service Superintendent and Director of Texas State Parks. He has a very strong base of knowledge\, huge “street cred”\, and is an engaging speaker. Walt has been making this presentation all across the United States . \nThis program is sponsored by a non-governmental\, non-profit organization\, the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR). ANPR has a generous donor in the Rapid City area who has made this event possible. \nThe program will be in the theater at the Journey Museum at 222 New York Street in Rapid City. It will start with a “meet and greet”\, then Walt’s featured presentation\, which will be followed by a panel discussion with about four expert panelists (including Walt) who will take questions and engage in conversation with attendees. The program is free of charge and open to the public on a first come\, first served basis to the point of capacity of the theater. \nThe schedule of events on Tuesday\, September 30 is as follows: \n 6:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.: Informal “Meet and Greet” in the lobby of the Journey Museum\, Refreshments will be available\n 6:45 p.m to 7:40 p.m.: Featured Presentation “The History and Future of America’s Public Land” by Walt Dabney in the Journey Museum Theater \n\n 7:45 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.: Panel Discussion with four expert panelists\, including Walt Dabney\, Cheryl Schreier\, Eric Zimmer\, and Dan Wenk URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/presentation-on-americas-public-lands-journey-museum-9-30-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251001T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251001T160000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250921T120850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T120850Z UID:19954-1759307400-1759334400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Water Management Board Oct meeting DESCRIPTION:  \nWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD\nMeeting on October 1\, 2025\nFloyd Matthew Training Center\nJoe Foss Bldg.\, 523 E Capitol Ave\, Pierre SD \n9:30AM Call to Order \nFor details visit: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106 \nAgenda – https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/202510_Agenda.pdf \nPacket: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/202510_BdPkt_portal.pdf \nRemote participation Microsoft Teams – https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/202510PortalParticipationInfoPublic.pdf \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-water-management-board-oct-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251003T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251005T140000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250902T200636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T202624Z UID:19768-1759510800-1759672800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Ornithologist Union Fall Meeting at Sioux Falls 10/3/2025 - 10/5/2025 DESCRIPTION:SD Ornithologist Union \n Fall meeting of SDOU at Sioux Falls 10/3/2025 – 10/5/2025 \nSDOU holds two meetings each year. The meetings are held in various places throughout the state and provide opportunity for sharing information and fun. The autumn meeting program includes presentations on ornithology and related natural history topics. The spring meeting emphasizes field trips. \nContact Chris Anderson for more information – canderson1@sio.midco.net \nWe don’t have a copy of the agenda yet and are just guessing at the start and end times \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-ornithologist-union-fall-meeting-at-sioux-falls-10-3-2025-10-5-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251003T213000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251003T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250906T041733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T191638Z UID:19795-1759527000-1759528740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to comment on Trump Administration rewrite of BLMs plans for sage grouse management DESCRIPTION:Friday\, October 3rd\, is the deadline to comment on Trump Administration’s rewrite of BLMs plans for greater sage grouse management. We assume the time-of-day is just before midnight EST.\n\n\nURL to CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE ON THIS –\nhttps://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-nukes-protections-for-greater-sage-grouse-2025-09-02/\nA quote from their press release:\n       “Today’s document\, which opens an opportunity for public comments\, presents numerous substantial revisions that gut the plans\, including giving states authority to decide when and where protections apply. Today’s draft plan applies to greater sage grouse habitat on Bureau of Land Management lands in Idaho\, Montana\, North Dakota\, South Dakota\, Nevada\, California\, Utah and Wyoming.”\n\n\nDefenders of Wildlife’s pre-fab on-line comment letter on this : https://act.defenders.org/page/88404/action/1?supporter.appealCode=3WDE2500IXXXX&utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=092225_GreaterSage-GrouseBLMA2D&utm_content=092225+Greater+Sage-Grouse+BLM+A2D&ea.url.id=4004418&forwarded=true\n\n\n\nQuotes from the Federal Register on this proposal are below in italics.\nLink to Federal Register:\nhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-03/pdf/2025-16886.pdf\n\n============================================\nSTART OF BLM’s FEDERAL REGISTER QUOTES\n==========================================\n\n\n=\n“The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting comments on significant changes to the Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Greater Sage-grouse Rangewide Planning released in November 2024. The environmental consequences of the proposed changes have been analyzed as part of the RMPA/environmental impact statement (EIS) process. Following consideration of any comments on these changes\, the BLM will issue Records of Decision (ROD) for the Approved RMPAs for Idaho\, Montana/Dakotas\, Nevada/California\, Utah\, and Wyoming.\n\nDATES:\nWritten comments on the changes to the proposed plan amendment will be accepted until October 3\, 2025.\n\nADDRESSES:\nThe document identifying significant changes\, the Proposed RMPA/Final EIS\, and all associated documents are available on the BLM ePlanning project website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/​eplanning-ui/​project/​2016719/​510.\n\nYou may submit comments by any of the following methods:\n e-planning: https://eplanning.blm.gov/​eplanning-ui/​project/​2016719/​510. The BLM strongly encourages members of the public to submit comments electronically if possible.\nMail: BLM Anchorage District Office\, Attn: Stephanie Rice\, 4700 BLM Rd\, Anchorage\, AK 99507.\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:\nStephanie Rice\, telephone: (907) 308-9464; email: srice@blm.gov. Individuals in the United States who are deaf\, deafblind\, hard of hearing\, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY\, TDD\, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services for contacting Ms. Rice. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.”\n\n============================================\nEND OF BLM’s FEDERAL REGISTER QUOTES\n==========================================\n++++++++++++=\nPHAS COMMENTS –\nWe are not sure of the time-of-day the comments are due\, but we are guessing before midnight EST on the 3rd.  We will be writing in opposition to the proposed changes\, likely joining a multi-group  letter.\n==========\n\nNEPA CHANGES\n         They are making amendments to the EIS\,  that Biden’s Administration BLM wrote in 2024 and we think  they believe there is some legal loophole that allows them to do this\, without issuing a Supplemental EIS and a post SEIS comment period. The Biden administration only issued Records of Decisons (RODs) on their NEPA docs for Oregon and Colorado and did not issue RODs for the other states. It seems the Trump BLM might be amending or using the alternatives from 2024 docs\, without new NEPA docs and then issuing RODs.  We don’t fully understand this process yet.\n        Please note that the Trump administration changed the CEQ rules (NEPA enactment rules) in ‘spring 2025 and that has severely impacted the EIS process that will be used going forward.  The EIS process going forward will be much different than we are used to from the past 50 years.\n===\n============================================================================================\nWhat the Changes Entail\n\n         Adaptive Management Language: The updates aim to better align adaptive management frameworks with state-level policies\, giving more oversight powers to states.\n        Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA):\n       BLM will remove the “Priority Habitat Management Areas with limited exceptions (PHMA-LE) ” category\, degrading their protection levels into the standards for PHMAs and thereby reducing the BLM’s restrictions on development.\n       In the Obama era BLM sage grouse management plans (which still apply today\, due to our lawsuit) \, there are sage grouse focal areas (SFA).  SFA are sub-sets within the Priority Habitat Management Areas that have the greatest protection for the grouse\, which includes withdrawal from mineral entry.\n      We think the Biden version got rid of SFA and replaced those with areas given the  title of “Priority Habitat Management Areas with limited exceptions”\, which are also subsets of the PHMA that have greater protections for the grouse.  However the SFA were 10 million acres and PHMA -LE were 4.2 million acres (62% reduction).  The Biden version upgraded  some General Habitat Management Areas to PHMA (2.26 million acres) \, but not enough of that happened to compensate for reduction of SFA areas. SD never had SFA\, just GHMA and PHMA.\n      Now the Trump administration is getting rid of those highest quality areas entirely (whatever name you give the areas of highest protection & quality) .  We object to this.\n\nState-Specific Adjustments:\nUtah: Habitat boundaries will be realigned to match the state’s Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan.\nNevada: Allowed major rights-of-way (development corridors) in General Habitat Management Areas (GHMAs) will shift from “avoidance” to “open\,” increasing accessibility for infrastructure.\n\n=====================================\nPolicy Direction – The proposed RODs will  open more land for energy/mining\, in line with national energy priorities under Trump.\n      These changes come under the banner of President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy\,” emphasizing increased energy development on public lands.\n\nBLM says\, the modifications were made post-protest and post-Governor consultations\, in response to state feedback and evolving energy/development priorities. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-trump-administration-rewrite-of-blms-sage-grouse-management-plans/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251005T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251005T235900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20250927T180646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T181620Z UID:20017-1759708200-1759708740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to Comment to GFP Commission for their October meeting DESCRIPTION:Deadline to Comment to GFP Commission for their October meeting is Sunday night 10/5/25 at just before midnight MDT. The hybrid meeting will be in Lemmon\, SD & Zoom. Lemmon is in MDT. You can always postal mail comments\, but for commenting digitally\, you use their on-line commenting portal – https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/     When we are close to the meeting (within 5 – 7 days) you can find the agenda of the upcoming meeting here: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nUnless a public petition\, about resident bison tags\, was moved forward to rule making\, then there are no rule finalizations being considered.  There is often a dead period in rule-making from Nov-February\, as April is normally the next opportunity for review & final approval of any pending rule changes by the Legislative committee – the Interim Rules Review Committee. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-to-gfp-commission-for-their-october-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251008T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251110T215900 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20251008T233659Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251018T001455Z UID:20044-1759944600-1762811940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule Public Comment Deadline: November 10\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule Public Comment Deadline: November 10\, 2025. The purple line stretching across the Calendar days\, indicates a comment period that ends at midnight EST on November 10th.  Go to the posting on November 10th for details on how to comment and the issues involved – https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-trumps-rescission-of-blms-conservation-and-landscape-health-rule/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/rescission-of-conservation-and-landscape-health-rule-public-comment-deadline-november-10-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251008T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20251008T200000 DTSTAMP:20260417T073828 CREATED:20251009T075548Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T075548Z UID:20047-1759948200-1759953600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:PHAS October board meeting DESCRIPTION:PHAS  board of directors meetings are by Zoom on the eve of the second Wednesday\, These may be postponed if a quorum is found not to be possible. PHAS members are welcome at PHAS board meetings\, others by invitation. Contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or other board member if you wish to come and want Zoom codes. It normally starts at 6:30 pm URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-october-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR