Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Betsy Koncerak or Kelly Honors (605) 673-4853, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR SOUTH PROJECT AREA AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

CUSTER, SD: JUNE 9, 2008

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the South Project is now available for review.

Hell Canyon District Ranger Mike Lloyd said the Forest Service is proposing to improve forest conditions in the South project area through commercial timber harvest, thinning, and fuel reduction activities. These treatments are intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire, reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle infestation, and provide a diverse habitat for wildlife.

The project area is located approximately five miles west of the town of Custer, South Dakota in the Upper and Lower Pleasant Valley watersheds. Of the 52,081 acres in the project area, 7800 acres are private land and 1200 acres are owned by the State of South Dakota where no actions are proposed.

The major roads within the project area include US Highway 16, Pleasant Valley Road and Lightning Creek Road.

The South Draft EIS is available for review at the Hell Canyon Ranger District Office, 330 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer, South Dakota. Comments will be accepted until July 21, 2008.

For additional information, contact Betsy Koncerak, Project Leader or Michael Lloyd, District Ranger at (605) 673-4853.

For more information, see our website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.