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Detailed Information or
call Biodiversity Associates at 307-742-7978 (ask for Jeff or Angie).
Your comments needed by January 28th to
protect wildlife & wild
places on the Black Hills National Forest
Background
The Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming is like no other forest in
this country. A forested island in a sea of prairie, this uplift robed
in Ponderosa Pine once supported an astonishing diversity of wildlife
and plant species. Old growth once covered much of the 'Hills, streams
ran free and clear, caves were undisturbed, and natural processes such
as fire, insects and decay were free to run their course. Wildlife
like the northern goshawk, American marten, and northern flying
squirrel thrived in their preferred old growth forest habitat. In
addition, the Black Hills is the only place in the world where
wildflower-rich montane grasslands occur.
But, a century of mining has polluted many streams, making them
uninhabitable to native fish. Livestock have trampled the springs and
seeps that are hotspots of natural diversity. And like most forests
in this country, the Black Hills has been subjected to years of
excessive logging, creating nearly 8,000 miles of roads and leaving
less than 5% of old growth forest habitat. Most of the beautiful
montane grasslands have been lost or severely degraded.
As a result, many species of animals and plants have declined
severely, and some are on the brink of extinction.
The Black Hills is truly at a critical moment
in its history.
Responding to citizens' challenges, the Chief of the Forest Service
concluded in 1999 that the Forest Plan for the Black Hills did not
ensure healthy populations of goshawks, land snails, pygmy nuthatches,
and other wildlife. To address these problems, the Forest Service was
ordered to prepare amendments to the Forest Plan. The first, or
"Phase I", amendment was released last year. The "Phase II"
Amendment is being developed now. It should address the issue of
long-term wildlife and plant survival and should provide strong
protection measures to restore and protect this valuable forest and
its wild inhabitants. But this will only happen if concerned citizens
demand it.
The Black Hills Need Your Help
The Forest Service is currently seeking public input on this
Phase II Amendment. Your comments can make a huge difference! Please
write a letter to the Forest Service and tell them that the long-term
natural values of the Black Hills–wildlife, rare plants, unique
natural areas, and clean, healthy streams–are more important than
short-term economic gain for special interests and big business.
Help the Forest Service realize that, once wildlife and plant species
and their habitat disappear from the Black Hills, they are gone
forever!
In your letter, please ask the Forest Service to:
- Create a "restoration alternative" that emphasizes protection and natural restoration of all native plant and animal communities, including aquatic communities and those dependent on old-growth forest.
- Guarantee long-term survival of all native Black Hills animals and plants, not timber industry demands to "get out the cut."
- Protect all roadless areas over 1,000 acres.
- Protect existing old growth forest and allow a greater amount of younger forest to reach old growth stature.
- Designate Research Natural Areas to protect the best examples of all native plant communities and other natural features on the Forest—for their natural wealth and scientific value. (See our website for a list.)
- Devise and implement conservation strategies for all individual "sensitive species" and their habitat, and for other vulnerable plants and wildlife on the Forest.
- Seriously and honestly assess the impacts of logging, road building, livestock grazing, mining, and off-road vehicle use on wildlife, plants and their habitat. Previous assessments have been disingenuous.
- Significantly reduce the road density on the forest by prohibiting future road construction and obliterating unnecessary and environmentally damaging roads and two-track routes.
- Allow natural processes such as wildfire and insect outbreaks to provide wildlife habitat and ensure long-term forest health. Logging or spraying chemicals can not mimic nature.
Please send a letter to the Forest Service by January 28 at:
Black Hills National Forest
Phase II Amendment
USDA Forest Service CAT
PO Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59807
email address:
mailroom_wo_caet@fs.fed.us
You need to add
"Black Hills NF Phase II Amendment" in the subject line.
View more detailed information .
If you have questions, contact Biodiversity Associates at
(307)742-7978 or
jeremy@voiceforthewild.org
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