Senate Floor Vote on SB 14 (was postponed from Monday to Tuesday)
2024-01-23 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver)
SB 14 (expanding conditional hunting of coyotes from snow mobiles) was removed from the Consent Calendar (thanks to Sen. Nesiba) and the Senate floor vote on SB 14 was postponed from Monday to Tuesday. Senate starts meeting at 2 pm CT on Tuesday and the bill is early on the agenda,
Go Back to previous day – Monday Jan 22nd calendar alert to read about the bill, or to our Legislative Web page
SB 14 Specific alert – https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-legislature-floor-votes-monday-on-hb-1043-lithium-tax-sb-14-expand-hunt-coyotes-w-snowmobiles/
PHAS Legislative Web Page: https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/

Objection Deadline Golden Crest Exploratory Drilling Project
2024-01-26 23:50 - 23:59
Objection Deadline Golden Crest Exploratory Drilling Project is Friday, January 26th, 2024, 45 days after it was published in RCJ newspaper on Dec 12th, 2023. To have legal standing to object (formally) you must have commented during scoping or draft EA review.
Clean Water Alliance and other groups will be doing alerts on this objection process – in fact CWA has already sent one out.,
Forest Service says:
“Access to each drill site will be along National Forest Service Roads (NFSRs) and trails branching off NFSR 134 (Tinton Road). No new road or trail construction is proposed. Water used for drilling will be sourced from an approved municipal or privately owned water supply in the Lead/Deadwood area. Equipment and supplies will be stored at a staging area approximately 1 acre in size. The total surface disturbance for the entire project will be approximately 2 acres.
The proposed project duration is 5 calendar years, which includes 27 months of active drilling. All sites will be reclaimed following drilling activities.
The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project are available upon request at the Northern Hills Ranger District office, 2014 North Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783. These documents are also available at the Black Hills National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=62590.
Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Chris Stores, Natural Resources Planner, at 605-443-3081 or by e-mail at chris.stores@usda.gov.
The Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218….
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted written comments, regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunity…..”
==========
How to submit objections. The Forest Service says:
“Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=62590. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received.
Objections can be faxed to the Objection Reviewing Officer at 605-673-9350. The fax coversheet must include a subject line with “OBJECTION: Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project” and should specify the number of pages being submitted.
Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Objection Review Officer, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730.
Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Objection Review Officer, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. Any objections sent by US mail or private carrier must be postmarked by the final day of the objection period to be eligible for consideration.”

First Rapid City Legislative Cracker Barrel
2024-01-27 09:00 - 11:00
The first Rapid City Legislative Cracker Barrel is January 27th at Western Dakota Tech, 9 am – 11 am. This is sponsored by Elevate Rapid City. Go to our web page on cracker barrels to learn about statewide cracker barrels & the next Rapid City ones – https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislative-cracker-barrels-2022/

Norbeck Society November Meeting
2024-02-08 18:00 - 20:30
Thursday, February 8, 6:00 public Zoom meeting: Norbeck Society presents Martha Geores: “Community Ownership & Sustaining the Black Hills National Forest” (poster attached to email. Martha’s book, “Common Ground: The Struggle for Ownership of the Black Hills National Forest” is available at the RC Library – 2 copies)
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88173621695?pwd=[REDACTED]

Great Back Yard Bird Count
2024-02-16 00:00 - 2024-02-19 23:59
February 16-19th, 2024, Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
This event repeats annually. This next year it is February 16th-19th 2024. In February the world comes together for the love of birds. https://www.birdcount.org, or https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.

Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel Feb. 17th, 2024, 1:30 pm
2024-02-17 13:30 - 16:00
Foothills Area Hybrid Cracker Barrel,
Piedmont, SD, 2/17/2024
When – Saturday, February 17th,
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Where – Piedmont American Legion Post
Who – Legislators for Districts 29 and 33 have been invited.
What is a Cracker Barrel? – It’s a moderated question and answer session where the public can ask their elected representative questions about the legislature. This will be a two-hour program with a 20-25 minute break (with snacks) in the middle. Bob Burns will moderate.
Come join us and find out what’s happening in Pierre, meet your representatives and some of your neighbors. The invited legislators are those who represent the towns of Southern Meade County: Black Hawk, Summerset, Piedmont and Box Elder, as well as other parts of Pennington and Meade County. This is the fourteenth Cracker Barrel for our “Foothills” communities.
This will be a hybrid meeting – the Cracker Barrel can be attended in person at the Piedmont Legion or via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting ID: 844 3405 2247, Passcode: [REDACTED]
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84434052247?pwd=[REDACTED]
One tap mobile: +17193594580,,84434052247#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
US Telephone numbers are +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbnEdey6m
The Legion’s Post is located at 101 Pine Street and is at the intersection of Pine and Sturgis Road (North First St). It is on the southeast side of the town of Piedmont, travel about a half mile northwest of exit 46 (Elk Creek Rd Exit) on Sturgis Rd.
Here is a link to a Facebook event notice for this Cracker Barrel: https://fb.me/e/eTamfLTfO
Contact information for the Cracker Barrel Sponsors:
Prairie Hills Audubon Society, Nancy Hilding, (605)-787-6466 or 787-2806 (cell), phas.wsd@rapidnet.com, http://www.phas-wsd.org
Black Hills Chapter – Dakota Rural Action, Frank James, (605) 697-5204 ext 240, fejames@dakotarural.org
Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311, Kim Anderson, (605) 787-5886, kim.ander311@gmail.com
Foothills Kiwanis, Sharon Wilson, 605-390-5919, sharwils1@rap.midco.net

SD Sierra Club Lobbyist Reports on Legislature at Zoom meeting
2024-02-22 18:00 - 20:30
SD Sierra Club Lobbyist (Guy Larson) will report on 2024 legislature at a Zoom meeting.
Thursday evening, Feb. 22, at 7:00 PM Central / 6 PM Mountain.

You have to e-mail him for a link:
whiterabbetguy@gmail.com

PHAS February Member's meeting - National Audubon Society reports on their activities in SD, ND & NE
2024-02-26 18:30 - 21:00
PHAS February Member’s meeting – National Audubon Society staff reports on their activities in SD, ND & NE
Monday, February 26th, 6:30-9:00 by Zoom. (Scroll down for Zoom details).

Audubon Great Plains (AGP) staff will join PHAS to update the group on AGP conservation programs across the three states of South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska, including working lands programs like Audubon Conservation Ranching and Conservation Forage Program, community conservation projects, and engagement and outreach efforts. Josh Lefers, Director of Conservation, and Meghan Carter-Johnson, Senior Coordinator of Engagement, will be on the Zoom call as speakers.
Topic: PHAS monthly meetings (February 26th, 2024, 6:30-9:00)
Time: This is a recurring meeting (we use these codes at all PHAS member’s monthly meetings)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 854 3392 0233
Passcode: [REDACTED]

—

One tap mobile
+16694449171,,85433920233#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
+16699006833,,85433920233#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

—

Dial by your location
• +1 669 444 9171 US
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Meeting ID: 854 3392 0233
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV

Hearing on Uranium exploitation policies with Indigenous people Inter-American Commission on Human Rights,
2024-02-28 09:00 - 17:00
IACHR GRANTS THEMATIC HEARING ON IMPACTS TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ HUMAN RIGHTS FROM URANIUM EXPLOITATION
Historic Hearing to be Held in Washington, D.C.
Weds, Feb. 28th at 11am EST/9am MST
What: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Thematic Hearing
Where: IACHR/OAS, 1889 F St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
When: Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11am EST/9am MST
Who: Members of the Navajo Nation, Ute Nation and Oglala Lakota Nation will testify
Why: Impacts of Uranium Exploitation on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United States
How to attend: In-person at IACHR/Organization of American States (OAS) located at 1889 F St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 or watch online
on IACHR’s website https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/sessions/?S=189
or on the IACHR YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@comisionIDH
Additional Background Information from Media Advisory:
“In a decision that coincides with a disturbing uptick in uranium development activity,the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has agreed to hold a “thematic” hearing on how U.S. uranium exploitation policies have resulted in human rights abuses in Indigenous communities across the country.
As the United States doubles down on the misguided notion that nuclear power is a solution to the climate crisis, the uranium development industry is beginning to benefit from generous taxpayer giveaways to the nuclear industry as a whole. Subsidies from the Biden administration have spurred uranium mining production to restart in at least 3 mines in the last few months, in Utah, Wyoming, and in Arizona near the Grand Canyon. As has been the case since the dawn of the Atomic Age, the impacts of uranium mining are largely left out of the debate over nuclear power.
The thematic hearing will allow Native communities who have lived for generations with the waste from historic uranium mining and milling to hold U.S. government officials to account in a public forum for the government’s failure to address waste from uranium development in any meaningful way. “
Tonia Stands from Rapid City and an Oglala Lakota community member will speak at this hearing.
The media advisory did not tell us how long the meeting will last so we guessed at the end time of 5 pm

Comments due on the Bluelead Vegetation Management Project Black Hills National Forest
2024-02-28 23:50 - 23:59
Scoping comments are due on Feb 28th, 11;59 pm on the Bluelead Vegetation Management Project, Mystic Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, for details and map visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65527

2024 Black Hills Area Botany & Ecology Workshop
2024-03-01 08:00 - 17:00
The 2024 Black Hills Area Botany & Ecology Workshop will be Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City, SD. Emphasis will be on the in-person event, but sponsors will offer remote participation (via Zoom) to both speakers and watchers. Therefore, sponsors will ask you to register in advance in order to plan well for both venues.
It’s now time to register for the 2024 Black Hills Area Botany and Ecology Workshop (BHABEW) on March 1st! Everything you need to know about this year’s workshop (except your personal Zoom link) is in this email, so please keep it handy!
Registration
The workshop will take place on-site at The Outdoor Campus – West, 4130 Adventure Trail, Rapid City, SD, and on-line via Zoom, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. Although there is no registration fee, sponsors ask that everyone (especially off-site speakers!!!!) pre-register, whether you will attend on-site or online. Please register at this link:
https://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcuitrTkoHNJjnQegP1KsKk2X6RQ5k0My
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting, regardless of whether you say you’ll be on-site or online. That way, if something comes up at the last minute and you can’t attend in-person, you’ll still be able to hear the great talks lined up. To help us plan, sponsors ask that you register by February 23. In the registration form, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you will attend on-site or online. Please indicate “in-person” even if you aren’t sure at this time that you’ll be able to be there. This is especially important this year because you’ll also be asked if you’ll attend a chili feed lunch at the workshop site. NOTE that this is different from previous years. Yes, it’s at the workshop site and at lunch time! There is no charge for that lunch, but donations to The Nature Conservancy to help cover costs won’t be refused.
Program and Publicity
Here is a nearly final schedule for the day. Please share this email with anyone you think may be interested but not on the BHABEW mailing list yet.
Door Prizes
Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day for on-site participants. If you would like to contribute to the selection of prizes, just bring them the day of the workshop.
Snacks and Sustainability
The Nature Conservancy will provide coffee, tea, a variety of snacks, and an optional lunch. If you attend on site, please bring your own mug for coffee, bottle for water, and even your own dishes for lunch if you like. Also please bring a name tag.
Contingency Plan for Adverse Weather Conditions
The workshop will occur on-site unless Rapid City area schools are closed the day of the workshop. Please travel only if you feel comfortable; use your Zoom link to attend if you don’t!
For more information – Amy Symstad:

Research Ecologist“asymstad@usgs.gov” <asymstad@usgs.gov>

U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
605-745-1191
Mailing address:
Wind Cave National Park, 26611 U.S. Hwy 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Written Comments due to SDGFP Commission Sunday before their March meeting.
2024-03-03 22:50 - 22:59
The deadline to send in written Comments to the SDGFP Commission before their March Meeting is just before midnight CT on Sunday night. You can still attend remotely and testify by Zoom on Thursday 3/7/24 or send comments to them individually. But to get them in the public record, you need to send about 3.5 days in advance. . Go to 3/7/24 event notice for more info.
https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commissions-march-meeting/

Comment deadline to USFWS on the proposed biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH) rules of our national wildlife refuges
2024-03-04 09:30 - 21:59
March 4th is the deadline to submit comments on USFWS proposed rule about predator hunting and other issues on National Wildlife Refuges. We assume comments must be posted on-line just before 10 pm MT, or midnight CT. Or if sending by postal mail, postmarked on 3/4/24.
For the federal register notice … https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/02/2024-02076/national-wildlife-refuge-system-biological-integrity-diversity-and-environmental-health
Quotes from the FR:
SUMMARY:
“We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose new regulations to ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH) of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) are maintained, and where appropriate, restored and enhanced, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. In addition, the Service is proposing updates to the existing BIDEH policy, which will be available for public comment concurrently with the proposed regulations in this docket. These proposed regulatory and policy revisions would support conservation throughout the Refuge System in response to both longstanding and contemporary conservation challenges, including the universal and profound effects of climate change on refuge species and ecosystems. Together, these proposals would uphold BIDEH across the Refuge System by providing refuge managers with a consistent approach for evaluating and implementing management actions to protect vulnerable species, restore and connect habitats, promote natural processes, sustain vital ecological functions, increase resilience, and adapt to climate change.”………..
DATES
USFWS will accept comments on the proposed rule and proposed revisions to the Service Manual chapter at 601 FW 3 that are received or postmarked on or before March 4, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
Document availability: This proposed rule and the draft Service Manual chapter 601 FW 3 are available at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. To access the Service Manual chapter, go to the tab for Supporting & Related Material.
Comment submission: You may submit comments on this proposed rule or the proposed revisions to 601 FW 3 by one of the following methods:
• Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting screen, find the correct document and submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.

Deadline to comment on Draft 2024 SD Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment
2024-03-05 22:50 - 22:59
March 5th is the deadline to comment on Draft 2024 SD Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment (Integrated Report),
See Dept. Of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) notice page at https://danr.sd.gov/public/
Public notice on this deadline is here
https://danr.sd.gov/officeofwater/surfacewaterquality/pn/2024IR_PNLetter.pdf
The Integrated Report is required under the federal Clean Water Act. This report combines the 305(b) Water Quality Report to Congress and the 303(d) Impaired Waterbodies list into one document for the purpose of reporting on South Dakota’s surface water quality. The Integrated Report also lists those waterbodies that require Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development. The final Integrated Report is due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on or before April 1, 2024. The 2024 Integrated Report contains the following information:
1. An assessment of the surface water quality of South Dakota’s waters;
2. A description of South Dakota’s water quality monitoring programs;
3. Pollutants causing or expected to cause violations of the applicable water quality standards;
4. Identification of waters targeted for TMDL development.
A copy of the draft 2024 Integrated Report is available on DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page at: https://danr.sd.gov/public/. Copies of the draft Integrated Report may also be obtained by emailing Josh Strobel at the following email address; Joshua.Strobel@state.sd.us or writing to Josh Strobel at the address below, or by calling him at 1- 605-773-6710. The department must receive public comments by March 5, 2024. Comments can be submitted online at DANR’s One-Stop Public Notice page at https://danr.sd.gov/public/, emailed to Josh Strobel at Joshua.Strobel@state.sd.us, or submitted in writing to the address below
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Surface Water Quality Program
523 East Capitol Avenue – Joe Foss Building Pierre,
South Dakota 57501-3181

SD Water Management Board March Meeting
2024-03-06 08:00 - 13:30
A meeting is scheduled for the Water Management Board on 3/6/2024 9:30:00 AM. Please visit the Boards and Commissions Portal to learn more about past and upcoming meetings! (3/6/2024, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
Agenda: https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/bcuploads/3.6.2024%20WMB%20Agenda.pdf
https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106
https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/
live audio: https://www.sd.net/mtc/

Includes Appointment of Rapid Valley Water Master – Nakaila Steen
Includes: Consider Water Permit Application Nos. 479A-2 and 485A-2, Rockerville Gold Town LLC –
Nakaila Steen

Rapid City Chapter, Izaak Walton League, hybrid membership meeting on legislature and Missouri River
2024-03-06 18:30 - 20:40
Paul Lepisto is the guest speaker at the Rapid City Chapter, Izaak Walton League (Ikes), membership meeting, 6:30 pm Wednesday 3/6/24 at Outdoor Campus West . Paul is the Ikes representative for the Missouri River Initiative (MRI) panel and also the SD Division’s lobbyist. Paul will give the Ikes a rundown on what his roll is on the MRI panel is and what they are trying to accomplish on the Missouri River. Paul will also give us a quick rundown on this year’s legislative session.
It will also be available by Zoom, Alan Anderson supplies Zoom codes for Ikes meeting , alandand@rap.midco.net, For info. on meeting Ike’s president – Mark, at boddicker@mt-rushmore.net
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89247028790?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 892 4702 8790
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Comments due Northwest Forest Management Project - Black Hills National Forest
2024-03-06 23:50 - 23:59
The Forest Service writes:

“A new project is proposed on seven isolated parcels of National Forest land adjacent to the Bear Lodge Mountains, Black Hills National Forest. High fuel loading on these lands poses a risk to surrounding lands and communities. Proposed activities include thinning and removal of ponderosa pine trees. Project information, collaboration opportunities, and request for comments may be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63381.

Submission of comments is requested by March 6, 2024.”

SD Game, Fish and Parks Commission's March Hybrid Meeting
2024-03-07 12:00 - 2024-03-08 12:00
SD Game, Fish & Parks Commission’s March Meeting is in Pierre, Thursday-Friday, March 7-8th 2024, at Missouri River Events Center.
SDGFP Commission continues in 2024 with its’ normal meeting policies from 2023, — folks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm CT in person or by Zoom or phone. Visit this web page close to the meeting date, for more details: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/
Agenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/Commission_Agenda_-_March_2024_Public_Copy.pdf
There are a lot of rule change proposals (changes to hunting seasons), but no finalizations
Thursday, March 7, 2024 starting at 1 pm CST and Friday, March 8, 2024 starting at 8 am CST,
Zoom Meeting Link https://state-sd.zoom.us/j/92827772568?pwd=[REDACTED]
or join via conference call Dial 1 253 205 0468 Meeting ID: 928 2777 2568 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Public Input: To 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, GFP asks those wishing to testify to
register by 1:00 pm CST the day of the meeting by email to Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us. Testifiers should provide
their full names, whom they represent, their city of residence, and which proposed topic they will address.
Written comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the next 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.

=============
SD GFP normally meets on the first Thursday-Friday of the month, unless those days are close to a holiday and then the meeting week may shift. They normally don’t meet in February and August.
You 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.
Unless 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.
“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us> or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us,
The three new commissioners e-mails likely are:
Jim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us

Deadline for objections to Spruce Project
2024-03-11 23:50 - 23:59
Deadline for objections to Spruce Project of the Black Hills National Forest. To download documents:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61599
Spruce Vegetation Management Project
“A project to treat mixed conifer stands across the Black Hills National Forest System lands with the objective of increasing overall forest resiliency and reducing undesirable fire behavior.”

“Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Deputy Regional Forester C/O Director of Strategic Planning 2nd floor, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 1617 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 17, Lakewood, CO, 80401. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=61599, with “Spruce Vegetation Management Project Objection” in the subject line. Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received.”

Public meeting on Mitchell Dam Project in Hill City
2024-03-13 18:00 - 20:00
Public meeting on Mitchell Dam Project at the Community Center in Hill City, March 13th 6-8pm
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1166271

The Black Hills National Forest is proposing a project to address the deferred maintenance of the dam at Mitchell Lake, located on Spring Creek just east of Hill City along Highway 16. The project is called the Great American Outdoors Act Mitchell Dam Project.

. The scoping document is currently available for a 30-day agency and public review period. Documents relating to this project can be found on the Black Hills National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65637.
(April 1st Is comment due date)

March Forest Service Advisory Board meeting
2024-03-20 13:00 - 16:30
March Forest Service Advisory Board meeting
Forest Service Office – Mystic Ranger District Office
8221Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD 57702

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – March 20, 2024 Time
Agenda items include;

Legislative Updates – Federal and State
Length of Stay on Forest
Mitchell Dam Project
BHNF Forest Plan Revision

For more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/workingtogether/advisorycommittees/?cid=stelprdb5114550

Item
Pres

World Water Day 2024 Celebration in Rapid City
2024-03-23 13:00 - 16:00
World Water Day’s (WWD) 2024’s THEME IS “Water for Peace.”
“Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.”
– United Nations
March 23 from 1-4 pm (MT)
at Aby’s on 406 5th, St. in Rapid City.
Sponsors will again have Entertainment, Silent Auction, Refreshments, and more.
BH Clean Water Alliance is seeking co-sponsors and auction items as donations. If you’re interested in helping out again,
or for the first time, please email: edbhcwa@gmail.com.

Deadline for candidates to submit some candidate nominating petitions in SD
2024-03-26 16:45 - 17:00
March 26th is the deadline for candidates for election to statewide offices, county offices & some municipal and school board elections to submit candidate nominating petitions. Municipalities and school boards can select from 3 options for election dates and thus can have one of three candidate nominating petition submission deadlines. Go to the SD Secretary of State’s web site for more information, or call your counties, municipalities or school boards.
https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/municipal-school-information/default.aspx
The deadline is 5 pm at the location candidate is submitting to or sent by registered mail postmarked by deadline date and time.

PHAS's March Members Meeting on Osprey and American Dipper in the Black Hills
2024-03-26 18:30 - 21:00
PHAS’s March Members Meeting will be on beaver dam analogs in the Black Hills National Forest.
A Black Hills National Forest employees (Melissa Dempsey and Matt Scott) will join us and tell us about volunteer help they need with building beaver dam analogs (imitation beaver dams) in the northern Hills.

SD Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will be conducting American dipper and osprey nests surveys this year. These are both state-threatened species (https://gfp.sd.gov/threatened-endangered/) and GFP would like to monitor nests to gather data on their recovery in the state and seeks our members help with volunteer birding. Jennifer Buchanan of GFP was going to be telling us about her monitoring efforts and about the American dipper and osprey in the Black Hills, but she has the stomach flu and had to cancel.
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Hearing on Draft Comprehensive Plan for Meade County, Meade County Planning Commission
2024-04-01 15:00 - 17:00
Hearing on Draft Comprehensive Plan for Meade County, Meade County Planning Commission, Monday, April 1st 2024
The Planning Commission Public Hearing is scheduled for:
Monday, April 1, 2024 at 3:00pm
Meade County Commission Room (1300 Sherman St. Sturgis, SD)
(605) 347-3818
Link to download draft plan:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61a79945f91fb63fe590c49d/t/65a1a8fe3c94fc49094d6cc6/1705093383152/Meade+County+Draft+01-11-2024+2.0.pdf
Planning Commission 4/1/24 Agenda should be on this web page on Friday before Monday:
https://go.boarddocs.com/sd/meade/Board.nsf/Public
List of Meade Committees:
https://www.meadecounty.org/committees
You can send written comments to the Meade County Planning Dept, but they wanted them several working days in advance of hearing.
PLANNING BOARD (3-yr term)

Commissioner Wieczorek

Commissioner Liggett (alternate)

San Monahan- (Term expires 12/31/2026)

Michael Charnholm – (term ends 12/31/24)

Shawna Schmidt – (term ends 12/31/24)

Robert Burns – (term ends 12/31/24)

Roger Gallimore – (Term expires 12/31/2026)

Cecilia Faulkner (term ends 12/31/25

CONTACTS
Kailey Snyder, Community Development Planner
Black Hills Council of Local Governments
KSnyder@wrbsc.com | (605) 394-2681
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Meade County Equalization and Planning Dept.
Tonya Vig,
tonya.vig@meadecounty.org, (605) 347-3818

Scoping Comments due date for Mitchell Dam project, BHNF
2024-04-01 23:50 - 23:59
April 1st, scoping comments are due for Mitchell Dam project, Black Hills National Forest (BHNF). Scoping deadlines are a little flexible, if you miss the deadline date, you can still send them in late (but do that ASAP). They hope to make a decision by May 1st.
The proposed project is to either decommission (remove) the dam or repair the dam and remove the built-up silt. It is on Spring creek, just off of Highway 16, East of Hill City SD 3 miles.
Documents relating to this project can be found on the Black Hills National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65637.
For more info visit our web page http://Comment due date on Scoping comments for Mitchell Dam project, BHNF

SD Game, Fish and Parks April Commission Meeting
2024-04-04 12:00 - 2024-04-05 11:00
SD Game, Fish & Parks Commission’s April Meeting is in Pierre, Thursday-Friday, April 4th-5th, 2024, at Matthew Training Center
We assume that SDGFP Commission continues in 2024 with its’ normal meeting policies from 2023, in which case, folks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm CT in person or by Zoom or phone. Visit this web page closer to the meeting date, for more details: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/
SD GFP normally meets on the first Thursday-Friday of the month, unless those days are close to a holiday and then the meeting week may shift. They normally don’t meet in February and August.

Written comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the next 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.
You 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.
Unless 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.
“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us> or Julia.Bartling@state.sd.us, “charles.spring@state.sd.us” <charles.spring@state.sd.us> ,
The two new commissioners e-mails likely are:
Jim.White@state.sd.us or James.White@state.sd.us, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us

Grant deadline for Chapter Grant Applications to be submitted to NAS
2024-04-05 14:30 - 15:00
PHAS can apply for grants to the National Audubon Society for projects ranging in award from $1,000-$15,000 dollars.
Projects must meet various terms and goals set by the National Audubon Society. If any one has an ideas for a project they want to volunteer to work on, that needs money…contact a board member of PHAS or Nancy Hilding (President) at phas.wsd@rapidnet.com, 605-787-6466
I am not sure of the time of day they are due, so I guessed > close of business EST, which it has been in the past.

Some Municipal and School Board elections in SD
2024-04-09 07:00 - 19:00
Some municipal and school board elections in SD will occur on this day (4/9/24) others can occur on the primary day in June – first Tuesday after the first Monday (Tuesday 6/4/24) or on third Tuesday in June (Tuesday 6/18/24). The cities/school boards have a choice of 3 dates, but most choose the first or second date options. The deadline to register is 15 days before any election (March 25th for April 9th) .

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Great Plains Regional Conference
2024-04-17 08:00 - 2024-04-18 12:00
Native American Fish & Wildlife Society
Great Plains Regional Conference
April 17-18, 2024
Big Horn Resort – Billings, MT

Non-member $200.00 (Includes $ 50.00 Membership Fee)
Current Member (Tribe and Individual) Registration Fee: $150.00
https://www.nafws.org/product/2024-great-plains-regional-conference/
Agenda – https://www.nafws.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Great-Plains-Agenda-2024-4.3.pdf
