Defenders of the Black Hills

Dear Defenders:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is planning on cutting virtually all the trees in the Natioanl Park less than 10" diameter, and then burning most of the Park, to allegedly stop a Mountain Pine Bark Beetle infestation.   The relevant information on proposed pine beetle actions and impacts on cultural resources is attached.  We are very concerned as these measures will greatly affect the landscape by logging and burning, the soil and water from pesticide use, and the spiritual aspects of this sacred mountain

Comments need to be in to the Park Service by March 15, 2010.  Please submit comments at the Mt. Rushmore Pine Beetle Plan website:

http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=152&projectId=30488&documentID=32479

Click on the Comment on Document link at the upper right to open an email comment form to the National Park Service about the Mt. Rushmore Pine Beetle Plan. You can paste up to 35,000 characters into their comment window (don't plan on using fancy text or links to other documents in your comments).

Alternatively, you could email your comments to me (by Sunday, March 14) and I will see that the Park Service receives them.

The Park Service plans on beginning operations on April 1, only 2 weeks after our comments are due (although an Environmental Assessment (EA) justifying this project is to be prepared between April 15 and November 1, 2010).  More information is available on this, including maps, at the Friends of the Norbeck website:

http://www.friendsofthenorbeck.org/

Thank you.

Brian Brademeyer, Acting Coordinator
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Link to PDF Document: Mount Rushmore Memorial Park Band Cultural Plan