Summary
In late August and early September 2000, a large arson-set fire (called the Jasper Fire) burned approximately 83,500 acres in the Black Hills National Forest, 7-10 miles west of Custer, South Dakota. The Forest Service is now asking for public comment on the management of roads in the fire area--what roads should be open, closed, etc. The Black Hills N.F. has over 8,000 miles of roads. This high number of roads has resulted in the loss of wildness in this special Forest. The roads have left few chances for people or wildlife to get away from the sights, sounds, and smells of cars and motorized vehicles. However, now that the Forest Service is asking for public comment on roads management in the fire area, we have great opportunity to demand restoration and recovery of some of the lost wildness in the Black Hills. Please send a letter or email to the Black Hills by July 13, at the addresses shown below.

Here is more information:

Background
The Black Hills is an ecologically rich biogeographic "island" ecosystem that is home to rare plant and animal communities, some found nowhere else in the world. However, these natural values are severely threatened. The Black Hills is one of the most heavily developed, logged and roaded National Forests in the country. Less than 2% of the Forest remains in old growth condition. And, with over 8,000 miles of roads, only a few small roadless areas remain on the Forest. Due to logging and fire wood cutting, there is also a severe shortage of snag habitat on the Forest, especially large snags. The situation is so bad that the Chief of the USFS concluded the Revised Plan for the BHNF did not ensure viable, well-distributed populations of sensitive species such as the goshawk, marten, pygmy nuthatch, woodpeckers, and land snails of special concern. And, as mentioned above, there are almost no opportunities for wildlife or people to get away from the sounds, sights, and smells of cars and other motorized vehicles. Please see our website for informative maps of the 'Hills. Scroll down to the Black Hills maps. There is more information on the fire at www.biodiversityassociates.org/bhnf/alerts/a5feb01.html

An Opportunity
The greatest needs in the Black Hills are for the Forest to regain some of its lost wildness and for recovery of diminished wildlife populations and habitats. One way to help this happen is to reduce the high number and density of roads in the Forest. At the time of the Jasper Fire, several hundred miles of road existed in the fire area. Many of these roads serve no purpose, or only served the mammoth, unsustainable logging program on the Forest. Of course, there are many negative environmental impacts associated with roads as well. So NOW is the time for the Forest Service to get rid of the unnecessary roads and begin the ecological restoration of the Forest.

Take Action Now
Please consider sending a letter to the Forest Service asking the agency to restore the natural values of the fire area by closing all unnecessary roads. Here are some points you may want to mention in your letter: