The Forest Service has extended the deadline to January 14th for public comment on the Phase II Amendment for the Black Hills National Forest. Your comments are needed to help ensure that the Phase II Amendment fully protects the natural values of the Black Hills, including its rare and imperiled wildlife. Please take one minute to write a letter and make a difference for this unqiue forest! Thank you.

A Unique Ecosystem
That Needs Your Help

The Black Hills National Forest rises from the Great Plains in northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. Literally an forested island in a sea of plains, it supports an amazing diversity of plants and animals, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. Despite its special values, the Black Hills is one of the most heavily exploited National Forests in the country. As a result the natural diversity of this unique forest is at great risk.

Because of citizen pressure, the Forest Service is now proposing major changes to its long range management plan for the Black Hills to ensure protection of the natural values of the Black Hills. Through what is being called the "Phase II Amendment," the Forest Service is considering different alternatives to protect rare and imperiled wildlife, fish, and plants.

Unfortunately, the alternative preferred by the Forest Service would be a step backward for wildlife. As currently proposed, the Phase II Amendment would ignore scientific recommendations, fail to protect old growth and other important habitats, fail to protect rare and declining wildlife, and fail to ensure the long term health and sustainability of the Black Hills.

A Conservation Vision

Through the Phase II Amendment, the Forest Service must provide strong protection for the unique natural values of the Black Hills. However, this will not happen unless the Forest Service adopts the Black Hills Conservation Alternative. The Conservation Alternative calls for:

• Increased protection of old growth through enforceable standards;
• Strong, science-based standards for protecting rare and imperiled wildlife, fish, and plants;
• Strong, science-based standards for protecting important wildlife habitats, like streamside willows, burned areas, wetlands, caves, standing dead trees, and white spruce;
• Emphasizing natural processes in remote areas;
• Protecting all roadless areas as recommended wilderness;
• Protecting key plant communities through Research Natural Area designation;
• The protection of rare and imperiled wildlife, fish, and plants through "survey and manage" designation; and
• Increased monitoring.

An Opportunity to Save the Black Hills

Now is your opportunity to speak out in support of the Black Hills Conservation Alternative and for the health and sustainability of the Black Hills. One short letter or an e-mail message sent by January 14th is all it takes to weigh in and support the Conservation Alternative. In your letter, please ask the Forest Service to protect the health and sustainability of the Black Hills by:

• Adopting the Black Hills Conservation Alternative;
• Protecting rare and imperiled wildlife, fish and plants; and
• Protecting special roadless areas and Research Natural Areas.

E-mail your letter to: bhnf-phase2@saic.com

Send your letter to:
BHNF Phase II Amendment
PO Box 270990
Littleton, CO 80127

For more information on the Black Hills and the Black Hills Conservation Alternative, visit our website. Or contact Jeremy Nichols at Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, (307) 742-7978, jeremy@voiceforthewild.org.