Last night, NDN Collective, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, and Earthworks filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for their decision in February to grant a permit for exploratory drilling at Pe’ Sla, a sacred and protected Indigenous site. PeSla, Spring of 2025. BHCWA file photo. The lawsuit is partly based on the Forest … Continue reading LAWSUIT FILED TO STOP GRAPHITE PROJECT AT PE’ SLA
Tag: Rapid Creek Watershed
DID LIEN SELL OUT?
January 7, 2026 Press Release Contact: Lilias Jarding, Ph.D. edbhcwa@gmail.com The large out-of-state – and often international -- mining companies operating in the Black Hills have a history of doing business here using a public front that is an entity that is organized in South Dakota. The local Powertech Uranium is a subsidiary of Texas-based … Continue reading DID LIEN SELL OUT?
ATTENTION: Forest Service Extends Comment Period to Friday, May 16!
The comment period for Pete Lien and Sons' Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project #67838, graphite exploration, has been EXTENDED by one week. The new deadline is FRIDAY, MAY 16TH! Contact the Forest Service today. Scan the QR code provided below to comment online or use the mailing address below. (Phone calls or talking to a Forest … Continue reading ATTENTION: Forest Service Extends Comment Period to Friday, May 16!
EMERGENCY – NEED PHONE CALLS BY TUESDAY, FEB. 18!
The Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed mineral withdrawal was hard-won this past December. Now it’s under threat (already). We need people to call the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC, in the next couple days to defend the Pactola – Rapid Creek mineral withdrawal! DEFEND THE WITHDRAWAL! Call 202-208-3100, option 3. Keep trying as they are being flooded … Continue reading EMERGENCY – NEED PHONE CALLS BY TUESDAY, FEB. 18!
Is F3 Gold Leaving?
We recently ran an update on the active mining claims held by F3 Gold, which has a permit from the US Forest Service to do exploratory drilling just west of Custer called the Newark Project. The company also requested permission from the Forest Service for a drilling project just northwest of Pactola Reservoir by Jenny Gulch. … Continue reading Is F3 Gold Leaving?
PACTOLA RESERVOIR – RAPID CREEK WATERSHED MINERAL WITHDRAWAL IS APPROVED
Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed Public Land Order 7956, which finalized protections for 20,510 acres of land and water in the Pactola Reservoir – Upper Rapid Creek area from drilling and mining for 20 years. This Order, which created a mineral claims withdrawal, is a result of the actions and voices … Continue reading PACTOLA RESERVOIR – RAPID CREEK WATERSHED MINERAL WITHDRAWAL IS APPROVED
