Norbeck Society Update
July 4, 2009
 
The first half of 2009 has been an extremely busy one for Norbeck Society activities.  Here are the highlights:
 
1. The major product of the first half of 2009 was the Norbeck Society Comments on the Black Hill National Forest Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Travel Management Plan.  The DEIS was about 360 pages long, and required an incredible amount of time in analyzing the content.  Of the alternatives presented, we favored Alternative D.  Our document reached 60 pages plus appendices, and was submitted on May 18 with copies to the South Dakota Congressional delegation, as well as Craig Bobzien (BHNF Supervisor) and Rick Cables (USFS Regional Forester).  We await the Final EIS and Decision by Craig Bobzien later this summer.  Interestingly, the EPA cited the Norbeck Society position in their comment document which also favored Alternative D. Special thanks to Ralph Kopp and Mary Zimmerman for doing the bulk of the comment document, with input from many others too numerous to list.
    Becci Rowe and Colin Paterson met with Craig Bobzien twice this spring in order to address national forest issues, but especially to convey the Norbeck Society perspective on Travel Management.
 
2. The Telegraph Project is one of the largest logging projects in our national forests, encompassing about 100 square miles between Lead and Rochford.  The Norbeck Society submitted comments on the DEIS in February, and again Ralph Kopp and Mary Zimmerman were responsible for preparing the document.  Our main request was to minimize any new road construction, to obliterate all roads used in the project, and to preserve the southern section in the Black Fox – Swede Gulch area which the Norbeck Society specified as a “Walk-in Area” in the comments on the Travel Management Proposed Action.  The final decision was made on June 17 by Northern Hills District Ranger Rhonda O’Byrne, and results in about 20% fewer miles of new and reconstructed roads than originally proposed.  There will be a 14 day appeal period beginning early July once the decision is published in the Federal Register.
 
3. Watershed Rehabilitation Projects:  The Norbeck Society has continually pushed for rehab of unauthorized trails, and has been rebuffed by the USFS citing nothing in the Travel Management authorization that “allows” such environmental repair. However, the BHNF supervisor Craig Bobzien requested proposals by mid-January for such repair under the heading of watershed rehabilitation; about $50,000 were allocated.  The Norbeck Society was the only organization that submitted proposals!!  Of the 6 that we submitted, two were selected: continuance of fencing at Black Fox botanical area, and construction of barriers on Little Elk Creek at the Dalton Lake and I-90 ends of the non-motorized trail.   We are scheduled for Saturday July 25 to provide labor to assist with the Little Elk Creek Project.  I hope you will save this day or part of it to assist.
 
4. Other Summer Projects:  We are scheduled later this summer to assist the USFS with construction of bridges for the hiking/cycling Deerfield #40 trail.  This time the bridge materials have been airlifted to the bridge sites to minimize carrying the heavy planks.  I will let you know of the date ASAP.
 
5. Proposal to evaluate grazing on eight (8) allotments on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District:  We are preparing a document for submittal by July 13 – you can visit the BHNF web site for details. http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2009/June/Day-12/i13690.htm  More details are copied at end of this email.  If you have input, please submit to Ralph Kopp for forwarding to our team (rkopp@norbecksocciety.com) .
 
6. Area Closure between Piedmont Fire Trail and Stagebarn Canyon:  In June, Supervisor Bobzien announced a temporary closure to motorized travel in the BHNF until December 2010.  This was in response to concerns expressed about the intensity of environmental damage in the soft red rocks of the Opeche Shale.  Unauthorized race tracks and hill climbs had developed over the last few years, and there has been continual trespassing on private property and cutting of fences.  What was not mentioned, but likely was a factor, was the issue of the Top 50 organization proposing to open a section line from Highway 79 up to the forest boundary to allow access for motorized travel.  Bob Burns has been instrumental in raising awareness of the issue, and interacting with affected landowners who all objected to the proposal.  The Top 50 then announced their plans to move their operations to another location.
 
7. Field Trips: Mark Zimmerman has been organizing a wonderful mix of field trips. The highlight was the Elaine Ebbert Botanical Day Wonder-crawl and potluck on June 13 at the Zimmermans’ property out off Nemo Road.  More than 60 turned up for a special day and remembrance.  Special thanks to Mark and Mary for being such wonderful hosts.  We have proposed that the second Saturday of June each year be designated as the Elaine Ebbert Botanical Day.  We apprised other organizations in South Dakota and encouraged them to conduct appropriate events on this day.
 
8. Elaine Ebbert Memorial:  The committee has been discussing plans for a permanent memorial to Elaine Ebbert.  These include an interpretive sign and brochure in Botany Canyon, and naming of a hiking trail on the Black Hills National Forest.  Craig Bobzien is investigating the USFS procedure for the latter option.
 
9. Establishment of Norbeck Uni at SDSM&T:  A subsidiary group of the Norbeck Society has been established at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.  It is an official student organization and has received more than $500 for the coming year for their activities. They plan to be involved in work projects in the forest, and to be mentors for school children, raising awareness and skills in outdoor activities.
 
10. Norbeck Kids:  Steve Price has been spearheading the Norbeck Kids group, and finally conducted the Flume Trail hike near Sheridan Lake in April after two previous postponements because of weather.  The latest event was on M-Hill or Cowboy Hill in Rapid City on June 27.  Keep up with Norbeck Kid activities on the web site – http://www.norbeckkids.com
 
11. Annual Norbeck Society Dues  - July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010:  The committee has agreed to temporarily lower the annual dues for the Norbeck Society from $25 to $15 per family in light of the current economic situation.  You are most welcome to contribute more if you wish, and especially for a memorial to Elaine Ebbert.   As mentioned above, decisions regarding the nature of the memorial are pending, and I will let you know of the details later.  You may delay donations to the memorial until that time.  There are some polo shirts (large sizes only – grey, green, putty) available for $15 including postage
    Send your check for dues etc. payable to “Norbeck Society”, and addressed to:
    The Norbeck Society
    P. O. Box 9730
    Rapid City, SD 57709
 
Encourage your friends to join our group by forwarding their name and email address – our effectiveness is related to our numbers.   As always, I welcome your input and suggestions at any time – email me at cpaterson@norbecksociety.com
 
Best wishes, 
Colin J. Paterson
President, Norbeck Society, Inc.

 

Appendix:
Proposal to evaluate grazing on eight (8) allotments on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District
 
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
 
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement on a proposal to evaluate grazing on eight (8) allotments on the Black Hills National Forest,
Mystic Ranger District comprising approximately 85,055 acres within the constraints of the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended.
 
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of analysis must be received by July 13, 2009. The draft environmental impact statement is expected September 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is expected December 2009.
 
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Robert J. Thompson, District Ranger, Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District, Mystic Range Project, 8221 South Highway 16, Rapid City, South Dakota 57702. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to
comments-rocky-mountain-black-hills-mystic@fs.fed.us
or via facsimile to (605) 343-7134. Please list ``Mystic Range'' as the subject on comments sent via e-mail or facsimile. Electronic comments must be readable in Word, Rich Text, or PDF formats. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have any questions or need additional
information, please contact Mark Vedder, Range Specialist; Katie Van Alstyne, Team Leader; or Robert J. Thompson, District Ranger, at the Mystic Ranger District office in Rapid City at (605)343-1567. Individiuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8330 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
 
Purpose and Need for Action
 
    The purpose of this project is to authorize livestock grazing on all or part of the project area and to ensure that livestock grazing occurs in an enviromentally acceptable manner. The EIS will
determine current conditions, analyze environmental consequences of grazing mangement actions on those conditions, and assist the decisionmaker in selecting mangement/monitoring strategies
consistent with meeting desired conditions in the Forest Plan.
    The underlying needs for this proposal include:
    • Improve livestock management so that it is consistent with the goals,
        objectives, standards, and guidelines of the Forest Plan, as amended.
    • Improve species composition of upland vegetation.
    • Improve streambank stability.
    • Improve riparian vegetation diversity and abundance.
    • Reduce opportunities for cattle conflicts with vehicle traffic.