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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230804T045000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230804T170000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230616T235121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240527T190818Z
UID:8058-1691124600-1691168400@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Comments due  > increase cougar harvest limits - western Wyoming
DESCRIPTION:Changes to Wyoming’s cougar hunting  are proposed:\n      Wyoming is supposed to change its’ mountain lion hunting seasons every 3 years\, which it last did in 2022\, however 1 year later it is proposing changes\, which are off cycle.\n       Wyoming is now proposing a significant increase in hunting\, in four hunting units on the western edge Wyoming — with the goal of increasing the mountain lion harvest limit by 50%  . (Units 29\, 26\, 17 and 14). High mule deer fatalities over winter is the reason they are proposing this\, believing reducing predators helps prey populations grow.  Wyoming normally only changes season rules every three years (last time 2022).\n    The legislature this year passed a law requiring the Department to create a mountain lion pursuit season (dogs pursue lions without the hunter killing the lions). See SF0178 – “Mountain Lion Pursuit seasons”  – link to bill: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2023/SF0178\,\n        Thus they also propose to allow hound hunting pursuit of lions by residents\, without permission to kill treed lion\, for purpose of dog training.  This would occur after the harvest limit is reached but before the season’s chronological end point. Some units allow hunting year round – thus those units never reach a harvest limit. Due to high/overly ambitious harvest limits set\, many hunting units never reach their harvest limit. – in 2023 only 8 of 32\n(25%) met their harvest limit before the chronological end point. 3 units had unlimited harvest\, with year long seasons.\n       The Black Hills will not be affected by the rule change on increased harvest\, except that dispersers to the Hills might be reduced.   The Big Horn Mts already have an unlimited harvest.  But the Black Hills will be affected by the pursuit without killing.  To learn about this issue from Wyoming Game & Fish visit:\nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings\nTo view Statement of Reasons:\nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Get%20Involved/2023%20September%20Regulations/Stmt-of-Reasons-Sept-2023-CH-42-4.pdf\nTo view rule change proposal:\nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Get%20Involved/2023%20September%20Regulations/CH-42-Draft-06-13-2023-4.pdf\n===========\nCommission hearing is in Gillette in September 12-13th. We are not sure of exact start & end time-of-day of the Commission meeting or its’ location in Gillette.  You can testify remotely by Zoom\, if you request such 4 or 5 days in advance. The form for requesting such will be found in the agenda once it is published- check out this link as it gets closer to 9/12/23:. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings\nOther public meetings were held in June & July\, in Wyoming\, by the Department\, on the rule changes proposed by WG&F Depart.  …the closest to Black Hills was likely in Sheridan or Casper – https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Get%20Involved/2023%20September%20Regulations/Public-Meeting-Dates-Sept-2023-Regs.pdf\n=============\nCommenting\nFor most details on this proposal and how to comment visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings and look for  section on > Chapter 42\, Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons.\n     Comments are due August 4\, 5 pm MT.  You can comment on line\, with a limit of 8\,000 words. You can send in more than one comment letter if you run out of space.  https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings\nYou can send written comments by mail but they must arrive by 5 pm on Friday 8/4/23 .\nWyoming Game and Fish Department\nWildlife Division\nATTN: Regulations\n3030 Energy Lane\nCasper WY 82604\n—–\n–For questions > WGF phone # in Cheyenne -(307) 777-4600 or Casper – 307-473-3400 (maybe ext 1?) –  Arron Kerr 307-233-6413 (aaron.kerr@wyo.gov) at Casper office is in charge of commenting. Casper Fax 307-473-3433\,\n It has been reported to us that sometimes\, temporarily\, the on-line comment portal does not work and when asked about that\, the Department response was –  it was probably overloaded at that moment.  A lady in Casper suggested if on-line portal should not be working\, to send comments postmarked 8/4/23\, with a note that the on-line portal was not working or use the Fax. \n——\nSome additional media coverage: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/state-seeks-to-kill-50-more-lions-in-hard-hit-deer-range/ar-AA1cBMe5?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ccacf7dc72b54731b60c9d4d22c4f1e8&ei=13\n===============\nSimple Talking points\nJust object to the 50% increase to the 4 units (Units 29\, 26\, 17 and 14) and object to them allowing chasing of lions for purpose of training dogs.\n\nMore Complex Talking points\nWe suggest folks object to both proposals. Here are many points you could select from.\nWe may add more talking points before Sept 12th.\n However these objections might be a start:\n\nObjecting to hound hunting:\n~ Lion pursuit with hounds is cruelty to lions and dogs\n~ Lion pursuit with hounds will result in more trespassing\n~ Lion pursuit with hounds will create disturbance to people\, livestock and wildlife (including mule deer). Disturbance of wildlife can stress them.\n~Lion pursuit with hounds will stress lions and especially in heavy snow or extreme heat\, especially for mothers with young.\n~ Disturbance from snow mobiles and OHV noise should be factored in as cumulative disturbance.\n\nAssuming they allow pursuit hunting – you can suggest additional regulations:\n~ Participating hunters must have GPS/stimulation collars (e-collars) used on hounds.\nVisit: https://www.sportingdogpro.com/dog-training-collars/hound-hunting\n~ Pursuit hunters should be required to report the number of pursuit hunts they engaged in and the locations of such within 72 hours.\n~ The  proposed rule only has them reporting lions who received possible mortal injuries.  Instead – require hound hunters to report any fights between dogs and cats and whether a dog or cat was wounded and if a cat was wounded where did it happen. The reports on fights between lions/dogs should be public information.\n~ It should require hunters to report any kitten\, lactating mother or group of lions traveling together that were treed or chased and at what location.\n~ In the summer\, with no snow on the ground\, hunters may not be able to find tracks to identify family groups of lions\, which they are not supposed to chase.  Cougars are more likely to give birth in the summer with August being the most with most births.  Outdoor human recreators are more likely to be out on public lands in then summer.  Therefor there should be a time limit that excludes chase during then summer months.\n~ The rule should prohibit lion pursuit by hounds in areas with too deep snow\, when it is too hot or on prairie where there are no trees or tall rock outcroppings for lions to climb.\n~ The rule should stop pursuit several hours before sunset especially in winter cold or summer heat\, so as to allow disturbed wildlife to find and return to shelter. Not all wildlife are nocturnal.\n~ When on public land\, GF should require consent of public land manager and some areas or times of the year on public lands should be off limits – for example public land areas set aside could be those with high human recreational use or for wildlife protection emphasis where key wildlife would be disturbed by hounds.  Thus the rules should require hunters to consult with public land managers to see if chasing is approved across all of the public land and at all times.\n~ Pursuit by hounds  should not be allowed in Areas 29\, 26\, 17 and 14\, as the hounds disturbs and stresses mule deer\, which population the Department wants to recover.\n~ The rule should prohibit people who don’t train hounds from being part of the pursuit.\nThis should not be public entertainment and less people is less disturbance.\n\nIncreased harvest limits – Units 29\, 26\, 17 and 14 \n      ~ On protecting mule deer in Units 29\, 26\, 17 and 14 –  Older male lions chase away the younger males. Killing by humans of large and older males may result in more “teenage” younger males replacing them.  Older males may hunt more elk and less mule deer while younger ones may avoid elk & take more deer. Wyoming has enough elk\, which are feed over winter by the State.\n       There are scientific papers that contest the theory that killing mountain lions helps their prey populations (such as mule deer) increase.\n      ~ There needs to be a termination date for the 50% increase in the harvest limit.  How long does the Department feel reduction of lions is  needed to recover mule deer and when will more data be available?\n\nFailures to act –\nFailure to propose alternative changes to the rules\n~Failure of rule change proposal to reduce the – way too high harvest limits-  in the Black Hills\, specifically Units 1\, 32 and 30.  Unit 1 (Black Hills National Forest) met its’ harvest limit on 11/20/22. Unit 32 (on edges of west the Bear Lodge ) had only 16 kills out of 24 kills allowed and Unit 30 (west of Elk Mountain)\, only had 1 kill out of 12 kills allowed.\n~Failure of rule change proposal to create a harvest limit in Unit 24 (Prairie to west of the Black Hills) which currently has an unlimited harvest limit. This area has some uplifted hills near the Montana border where hunters once killed an 8 year old female. Also Unit 15  (Big Horns) and 27  (near Casper) have yearlong\, unlimited harvest. For some unknown reason the Dept. closed Unit 24  on 6/1/23\, contrary to its’ year long season.\n~Failure of rule change proposal to add a harvest limit to Unit 15  (Southern Bighorns & southern area) – which has a yearlong season with an unlimited harvest limit and has had excessive amount of lions killed here in recent years.\n~Many hunting units have harvest limits that are never met –  16 of 32 hunting units did not have their harvest limits met when they closed in April due date limit. This indicates that Wyoming\, Game and Fish may have set unrealistic harvest limits – some of these areas need the harvest limits reduced. 7 units were still open on June 1st. 3 areas have unlimited harvest year round\, but for some reason Unit 24 was closed in June 2023.\n~ Only 8 of 32 units\, that had harvest limits\, had their area close due to meeting harvest limit before the date limit passed.  Thus in 2022 a quarter of the units could have allowed pursuit lion chasing under the proposed rule.  Pursuit hunting will disturb wildlife including ungulates. If these areas have objectives of killing predators to maximize prey population\, pursuit hunting should not be allowed.\n=============\n\nFor more reference:\n\n\n\n\nWYOMING MOUNTAIN LION MORTALITY REPORT HARVEST YEARS: 2019‒2021\n1 September\, 2019 – 31 March\, 2022 – link to this  document > \nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Wildlife/Large%20Carnivore/HY19-21LionReport_FINAL.pdf \nSee map of  Wyoming’s wolf hunting regions: \nhttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Large-Carnivore/Wolves-in-Wyoming/Wolves-and-Wyoming-Laws-and-Regulations \nOur alert on Wyoming’s 2022 setting of their season for next three years\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/event/cougar-and-wolf-alert-wyoming-comment-deadline-wgf-6-3-22/\n\n\n\n\nPHAS’s alert page on Mountain Lions in the region\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/\n\nMountain Lion Foundation on Wyoming lions:\nhttps://mountainlion.org/us/wyoming/
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comments-due-increase-cougar-harvest-limits-western-wyoming/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230808T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230810T170000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230616T184910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230616T222632Z
UID:8037-1691481600-1691686800@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:6th America's Grassland Conference - NWF -  Cheyenne Wyoming
DESCRIPTION:6th America’s Grassland Conference – Cheyenne Wyoming\, the Great Plains Conservation Network’s biennial meeting maybe piggy backed to this location/time-frame. \nWe are not sure of exact start and end times of the meetings. \nFor more information on the Conference:   http://nwf.org/grasslandsconference
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/6th-americas-grassland-conference-nwf-cheyenne-wyoming/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230814T233000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230814T235900
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230816T213230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T224158Z
UID:8495-1692055800-1692057540@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Comment Deadline on Shotgun Timber sale
DESCRIPTION:Comment Deadline on BHNF’s  Shotgun Timber sale was Monday\, August 14th\, 2023 \n  \n The USDA Forest Service is conducting an analysis of the Shotgun forest management project. The project is on Bearlodge Ranger District\, Black Hills National Forest\, in three locations in the west-central Bear Lodge Mountains and northwestern Black Hills. The proposed action would conduct timber harvest and thinning on approximately 1\,400 acres to adjust forest structure\, produce merchantable timber\, and reduce hazardous fuels. The Responsible Official for this decision is Bearlodge District Ranger Patrick Champa. A project description/request for comments on the Shotgun project is available upon request at the Bearlodge Ranger District office\, 101 S. 21st St.\, Sundance\, Wyoming. This document is also available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=63908.  \n  \nThe Responsible Official does not anticipate  providing an additional opportunity to submit written comments other  than this scoping period and suggests meeting the scoping deadline to preserve standing to object. \nSubmit comments to the Responsible Official\, District Ranger Patrick Champa\,  by one of the following methods: at the Comment/Object on Project link  at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=63908 ; mail: PO  Box 680\, Sundance\, WY 82729; telephone: 307-283-1361; or facsimile:  307-283-3727 (please include Comments on Shotgun Project in the  subject line) in order to be considered when making the final decision.  \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-on-shotgun-timber-sale/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230815T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230817T170000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230816T200651Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T201127Z
UID:8480-1692086400-1692291600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Mni Ki Wakan Summit - Indigenous Water Decade
DESCRIPTION:MKW – Mni Ki Wakan Summit – Indigenous Water Decade\, – Theme: Indigenous Water Justice\, Global Collaboration & Dismantling Water Colonialism. \nOn August 15-17\, the Mni Ki Wakan Summit will be held in Rapid City\, South Dakota\, United States\, at the Holiday Inn conference space (505 North Fifth St\, Rapid City\, SD 57701). Breakfast\, lunch\, and dinner will be served on August 15-16. Breakfast will be served on August 17. \nThere is no registration fee for community members. MKW recognizes the critical and imperative role Indigenous Peoples and youth hold in protecting their sacred waters.  They ask that ask that groups\, organizations\, and businesses register in appropriate corresponding categories. Registration fees cover costs associated with hosting the MKW Summit\, remaining fees will contribute towards MKW programming and projects. \n\nFor More Information: \nhttps://mnikiwakan.org/2023mkwsummitregistration/?emci=10841d91-1836-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&emdi=e02c9023-a337-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&ceid=8015504 \nIndividual Registration: \nhttps://mnikiwakan.org/2023-mkw-summit-individual-registration/ \nAgenda for days # 2-3 – https://mnikiwakan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023MKWSUMMITAGENDA_DAY2-3.pdf
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/mni-ki-wakan-summit-indigenous-water-decade/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230816T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230816T170000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230816T235952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T235952Z
UID:8503-1692172800-1692205200@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:
DESCRIPTION:It’s Rapid City’s  3rd Annual 5k Run/Walk for Clean Water and is being held on \nSaturday\, August 26\, 2023\, at 8:00 am (MT). \nThis special event is held to have some fun and laughs\, meet new people\, get some sunshine\, and enjoy the beautiful\, life-flowing Rapid Creek – Water Is Life.  This event also helps bring awareness about the need to protect our clean water supply for all. \nBring your family and friends at the Old Storybook Island Picnic Shelter\, \n2911 Canyon Lake Drive\, Rapid City\, SD on Saturday\, Aug. 26 at 8:00 AM. \nA morning snack and a light lunch will be provided to all participants. \nFor more info”: https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/5k23/ \nThis event is organized by – BH Clean Water Alliance | P.O. Box 591\, Rapid City\, SD 57709
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/8503/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230817T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230817T160000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230616T181935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230616T181935Z
UID:8026-1692262800-1692288000@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Board of Minerals & Environment
DESCRIPTION:Tentative BME meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023: \nAugust 17\, 2023 \nSeptember 21\, 2023 \nOctober 19\, 2023 \nNovember 16\, 2023 \nPlease check the Boards and Commissions portal a week to 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting to confirm & get exact start & end times.  Here is the link for the BME:
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/board-of-minerals-environment/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230821T233000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230821T235900
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230816T205642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T210650Z
UID:8489-1692660600-1692662340@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Deadline to Comment on Triple R Timber Sale
DESCRIPTION:The Mystic District of the Black Hills National Forest has initiated public scoping for the Triple R Vegetation Management Project.\n Comment deadline would be 8/19/23\, but that is on a Saturday\, so it will be Monday  8/21/23. Send to : <comments-rocky-mountain-black-hills-mystic@usda.gov>\n\n Scoping documents can be found at the following web address:\n\nhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=64487
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-comment-on-triple-r-timber-sale/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230831T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230831T210000
DTSTAMP:20260502T072018
CREATED:20230816T171606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230816T182004Z
UID:8461-1693504800-1693515600@phas-wsd.org
SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society Annual Meeting - Hybrid
DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society Annual Meeting – Hybrid \n  \nThis meeting will start at 6 pm MT on Thursday\, August 31st. \nIt will be hybrid >> by Zoom & face-to-face at the Piedmont American Legion Post 311 – 101 Pine St\, Piedmont\, SD 57769. The Post is located at the corner of Sturgis Rd and Pine St. on the SE side of Piedmont.  Members in good standing\, can vote in person\, by Zoom or by proxy \n\nErik Molvar\, Executive Director of Western Watersheds Project will speak on greater sage grouse & our litigation to protect greater sage grouse on BLM lands\nAfter Erik finishes\, we move to the business meeting. We will hear treasurer’s report & nominating committee report. Members will select a slate of candidates & the number of Board positions for the next year\, from an allowed range of 4 to 12 board members. An election committee will be appointed to supervise election\, which is done subsequently by mail-in ballots. =============================================ZOOM DETAILS =========================================   Nancy Hilding is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.Topic: PHAS annual meeting\nTime: August 31st\, 6 pm MTJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09Meeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620 \n— \nOne tap mobile\n+16694449171\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n+16699006833\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US (San Jose) \n— \nDial by your location (as far as we know all #s work in western SD)\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n• +1 689 278 1000 US\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n• +1 646 931 3860 US \nIf you dial in by phone you need the following data \nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620 \nFind your local number (International): https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV \n \n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-society-annual-meeting-hybrid/
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