THIS IS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THE BLACK HILLS AND THOSE FEDERAL LANDS WITHIN THE RAPID CREEK WATERSHED, BUT THE FIGHT IS STILL NOT OVER!!!!

Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the USDA Forest Service announced a proposal to protect cultural and natural resources in the Pactola Reservoir – Rapid Creek Watershed, including drinking water for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base, from the adverse impacts of mineral exploration and development. READ MORE

THIS IS FOR A 2-YEAR MINING IMPACT STUDY AND THERE WILL BE A 90-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD TO START ON MARCH 21ST.

According to our attorney, no one could mine under this withdrawal unless they have already proved that there are economically viable minerals on their claims. We still do not have an accurate map of the proposed withdrawal area. However, it only covers a little over 20,000 acres. If the F3 Jenny Gulch project or the Mineral Mountain Resources project is in this proposed withdrawal area, those could not be mined.

This is good news, but we will need to get everyone to write comments in support of the Forest Service’s ideas over the next 90 days — so be prepared to do this!

SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS. ALL HANDS ON DECK WILL BE NEEDED DURING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT!

We must also keep up our fight to protect water in other areas of the Black Hills where exploration is proposed.