Timber harvest, fuel reduction, prescribed fire, road improvements, meadow restoration, and riparian restoration activities.
Black Hills National Forest
Project to primarily salvage harvest beetle infected and/or killed trees to reduce the extent of a rapidly spreading bark beetle infestation and recover value of beetle-hit trees; increase forest health resiliency and reduce risk of wildfire.
Reroute NFS Road 653.1C to accommodate expansion of Custer County Airport, SD. To view documents related to this proposal, please copy and paste this link into your internet browser: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/igz27xmhnsexb2euwc5bci4ymo50vdz9
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-46d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 1/14/2026 |
Road work activities for maintenance and safety that include removal of trees within 5 ft of the Pennington County's right of way along Palmer Creek Road; decommissioning approximately 760' of the westernmost part of the road the southern wye segment; proposed chip sealing; and culvert replacement.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-42d-USFS; USDA-45d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 3/2/2026 |
Rare Element Resources Inc. has submitted a Mine Plan of Operations to the Black Hills National Forest. The project proposes to develop an open-pit mine with associated infrastructure and support facilities. The project also includes reclamation, monitoring, mitigation, and closing.
F3 Gold, LLC of Minneapolis, MN USA proposing an exploratory drilling project to be completed within one year and on less than 5 acres of National Forest System land.
This project would provide commercial timber products to local industry and would reduce fire hazard and the risk of insect infestation in the wildland urban interface. Non-commercial harvest to reduce fuels and maintain hardwood and meadows would also occur.
Authorization to Clean Nuclear Energy Corps for short term (1 year or less) exploratory drilling in search of uranium mineralization and aquifer testing on NFS lands located approximately 7.5 miles north of Edgemont, SD.
Collaborative prescribed burn with Mount Rushmore to promote forest health and improve wildfire resilience. Additionally, protect recreational residences through thinning activities.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | Pub. L. 117-58, Sec. 40806 |
The recreation staff on the Northern Hills Ranger District are proposing to officially designate the user‑created Harlan Ridge Trail and adopt it into the nonmotorized trail system.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-26d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 3/4/2026 |
The Forest Service is proposes to issue a special use permit to construct and use a short, single land access road across National Forest System lands, providing reasonable access to a landlocked private parcel from an existing Forest road.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-28d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 3/25/2026 |
Pete Lien and Sons has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling southwest of Rochford, SD. Up to 18 holes would be drilled in search of graphite materials. Each hole would be 3 inches in diameter and up to 1,000ft. deep.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Minerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Mystic Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Sections 3, 4, 5, T. 01 N., R. 03 E. and Section 25 T. 02 N., R. 02 E, and Sections 30, 32, 33 T. 02N., R 03E |
Solitario Resources has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling at up to 49 sites in the Long Draw and Limestone Plateau areas, approximately 13 mile south of Spearfish, SD. No mining would occur under this proposal.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | Usgs 9.5(G) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Minerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Owners of MS1977 have been utilizing NFSR 629.1 for access to their parcel. Since Travel Management, the road has been closed. A FLPMA SUP will bring the landowners into compliance with current Forest Service regulations. This permit will be issued for 20 years.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-28d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 2/11/2026 |
We are proposing conifer thinning, timber stand improvement, prescribed fire, planting efforts, as well as enhancements to watersheds, riparian areas, and wildlife habitats.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Mystic Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
South Dakota Game Fish and Parks has proposed to reroute Snowmobile Trail 5 and Snowmobile Trail 5A further to the west due to safety concerns raised from the public.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (1), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(1) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T04N, R03E, Sections 19, 30; T03N, R02E, Sections 20, 21, 29 |
Project to reduce hazardous fuels, primarily along public roads and/or adjacent to private lands, in Custer County, SD.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3(11) |
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T3SR5ESec16; T3SR3ESec4,16,21; T4SR5ESec8-9,17-18,31-32; T5SR5ESec 6 |
Installation of a new bridge to replace a prior bridge destroyed in the 2022 Palmer Gulch Fire.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (1), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(1) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management; Watershed Improvements |
| Palmer Creek Trailhead Bridge Replacement FANEC(d) | Decision Signed Date: 09/24/2025 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | BHM, T2S R5E Sec 8 |
Thinning, prescribed fire, watershed improvements, oak management, and wildlife habitat improvement
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Road Maintenance; Timber Sales (Salvage); Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Bearlodge Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The purpose and need of this project is to improve forest health and increase resiliency within the project area to wildfire and insect and disease using a variety of commercial and non-commercial treatments.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3 (9) |
| Special Authority | Hfra Title Vi: Wildfire Resilience Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Special Products Sales; Noxious Weed Treatments; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Mystic Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | The legal description of the project area is T3N, R6E; sections 25-27, 34, 35; T2N, R6E, sections 1-3, 10-12, 13, 14, 22, and 24. |
Forest management to encourage ecological diversity and increasing vigor of ponderosa pine, aspen, and meadows.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Rangeland Vegetation Improvements; Timber Sales (Salvage); Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Thinning and timber harvest to reduce hazardous fuels on isolated National Forest parcels.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3 (9) |
| Special Authority | Hfra Title Vi: Wildfire Resilience Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Bearlodge Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T52/53N, R64/65W, 6th PM |
5-year recreational event special use permit from 2025-2029 on Hell Canyon and Mystic Ranger Districts, Black Hills National Forest
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T2NR3E;T1NR5E;T1NR4E;T1NR3E;T1NR2E;T1SR5E;T1SR4E;T1SR3E;T1SR2E;T2SR4E;T2SR3E;T2SR2E;T2SR1E;T3SR5E;T3SR4E;T3SR3E;T3SR2E;T4SR5E;T4SR4E;T4SR3E;T4SR2E;T5SR5E;T5SR4E;T5SR3E;T5SR2E |
Thinning, prescribed fire, and oak management
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Road Maintenance; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Bearlodge Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Special use authorization to include this Hell Canyon Ranger District location in the operation and maintenance for an early warning, flash flood streamgage for Pennington County Emergency Management in Pennington County, SD
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Sunday Gulch USGS Streamgage | Decision Signed Date: 06/18/2025 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T2S R4E Sec 13 |
The purpose and need of this project is to improve forest health and increase resiliency within the project area to wildfire and insect disease using a variety of commercial and non-commercial treatments.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3 (9) |
| Special Authority | Hfra Title Vi: Wildfire Resilience Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Special Products Sales; Noxious Weed Treatments; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Mystic Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T1S, R6E; sections 23-28, 31-36; T2S, R6E, sections 1-5, 10-15, 22-27, 36; T1S R7E, sections 17-20, 30, 31; T2S, R7E, sections 6, 7, 19, 30. |
The purpose of the Zeppelin Project is to increase the resiliency of forest landscapes to mountain pine beetle outbreaks and the potential for high severity wildfires by implementing vegetation treatments that would thin dense pine stands.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The USFS requested 20,574 acres of NFS lands be withdrawn (closed) to all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the mining laws, mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and public land laws, subject to valid existing rights
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Area Management |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Mystic Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Prescribed broadcast burning of south-facing slopes in winter.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Species Habitat Improvements |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Bearlodge Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The Black Hills National Forest is considering authorizing a 20 year FLPMA Special Use Permit for Lead-Deadwood Sanitation District to access proposed roads that lead to the LDSD Pipeline system.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The project is proposing to modify the original decision pertaining to the waterflow intake and water source as documented in the Decision Notice signed in 2012. The proposed action would allow for increased waterflow through the existing pipeline.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T6S, R4E, Sec 24; T6S, R5E, Sec 19, 20, 29 |
Over the snow grooming of fat bike trails across the Northern Hills Ranger District for use during the 2018/2019 winter season (December 15 through March 31, depending on snow conditions).
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations; Trail Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 11/20/2018 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The Days of 76 Wagon Train occurs every other year. The wagon train follows Forest roads that are open to the public. This year's route begins in Wyoming and travels east and north to Deadwood. Overnight camp sites are located on private land.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 08/08/2018 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Reissuance of a sign permit for the Custer County Conservation District.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (10) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 07/27/2018 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Hell Canyon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The BHSU rock climbing club (CRUX) has requested a one year temporary permit to conduct a rock climbing competition in Spearfish Canyon on established climbing routes near Savoy, SD.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 05/23/2018 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Several existing trails across the NHRD have been proposed for winter use by fat bike riders. These trails would be groomed for fat bike use from December 1 through March 31, as snow conditions allow.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations; Trail Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 01/05/2018 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Reroute/maintenance of three snowmobile trails to address safety and resource concerns.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 10/24/2017 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The proponent has requested a one-year special use permit to conduct a marathon that would begin at Cement Ridge in WY and follow National Forest System roads and US Hwy 14 to the finish in Spearfish, SD.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 05/19/2017 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Step Outdoors has requested a special use permit to guide up to 5 hikers on a hike of the entire length of the Centennial Trail, excluding the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and Black Elk Wilderness. The hike would occur in early June.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 04/13/2017 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Reroutes of snowmobile trails 1, 2A and 7 to alleviate safety concerns and to mitigate impacts to some trails from planned logging activities.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 08/31/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Maintenance of the Little Spearfish and Old Baldy trails, including installation of lead-off ditches to divert water from the trails and repair of the section of Little Spearfish trail through Ranger Draw, which was used for a recent timber sale.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 08/04/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Off Road Riders has requested special use permits for a series of ATV events to be held on authorized motorized trails on the Northern Hills and Mystic Ranger Districts during the summer of 2016. These permits would be valid for one year.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 07/13/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Replacement of a concrete bridge deck located on FSR 140 across Boxelder Creek. The existing deck would be removed by crane and a new pre-fabricated concrete deck would be installed by crane. No work would occur in the creek.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Road Maintenance |
| Decision Decided Date | 07/13/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The BHSU rockclimbing club has requested a 1 year permit to conduct a rockclimbing competition on established routes on the Sunshine Wall near Cheyenne Crossing, SD.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 06/06/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Would allow for tent camping at Strawberry Hill Picnic Ground, which was historically a campground. Fire rings and picnic tables would be installed at tent sites.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 05/13/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Installation of ground fire rings at Steamboat Rock Picnic Ground to allow tent campers to build campfires.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 04/29/2016 |
| Forests | Black Hills National Forest |
| Districts | Northern Hills Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |