Urgent Action Alert! Help Protect two Aquifers in the Black Hills from Uranium Mining. Comment period ends on November 9.

As you may be aware, POWERTECH, (USA) INC. submitted two applications for water rights permits (Appl. No. 2915-2 and Appl. No. 2914-2), which the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) received on June 24, 2026. The state didn’t make the applications public until October 27, at which time the public was given only 13 days to study the applications, decide whether to make a public comment or to petition to become an intervenor in the permitting process, and file the required paperwork.

Now, we’re scrambling to get the word out for people, like you, to submit comments and/or petitions to intervene to the DANR on the proposed Dewey-Burdock Uranium Project water rights permits by November 9, 2026.

These two permit applications are for water RIGHTS to use billions of gallons of water annually from the Madison and Inyan Kara Aquifers in the Black Hills for 20 years, or more. Both applications must be commented on, and/or petitioned, individually. Use these links below to each application on the DANR’s webpage to start your commenting process:

Water Permit Application or Permit No. 2915-2 – Madison Aquifer – This application requests rights to 84,096,000 gallons of groundwater per year for 20 years, with the possibility of an additional 20 years.
Water Permit Application or Permit No. 2914-2 – Inyan Kara Aquifer – This application requests rights to 2,365,200,000 gallons of groundwater per year (2.36 billion gallons, with a “B”). No time limits are mentioned.

You can find more information on our State Level Comment Notices webpage, including how to submit your comment or steps to submit a petition to intervene. We have also included hints on commenting.

State Level Comment Notices

DANR Public Notices

In the meantime, an article and a commentary about the reality of our water crisis here in the Black Hills were just published by the Rapid City Post and the South Dakota Searchlight. Both are a must read. Both mention the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium project. Both state how important water is for future generations.

Rapid City Post article: State aquifers decline threatening water supplies

South Dakota Searchlight, Commentary by Brad Johnson: With mining, remember: The people who may need the water in 50 years won’t be at the hearing

Watch our Public Comment Opportunity notices to help protect Black Hills water from radioactive and distructive mining.

Thank you.

PROTECT THE FUTURE OF BLACK HILLS WATER – DONATE HERE.

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