The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Comments, or in some cases other expressions of interest, should include respondent's contact information. All written comments, including names and addresses of commenters, will be placed in the project file and will become a matter of public record. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the Forest Service with the ability to provide the commenter with subsequent environmental documents.
On June 6, 2025, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor, Shawn Cochran, approved the Sawbuck Forest Management Project under the Fuels and Forest Health Emergency Action Determination (EAD) Authority, granted by Secretarial Memorandum 1078-006. The Sawbuck Project area qualifies as an EAD under Section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Projects authorized through EAD are not subject to the pre-decisional objection regulations outlined in 36 CFR 218. The Sawbuck Project meets the criteria for this emergency authority by reducing wildfire risk to nearby communities and critical infrastructure. It reduces hazardous fuels through vegetation management and forest thinning by reducing stand densities, enhances forest resilience, and improves wildfire response and evacuation safety. All treatment areas fall within the authorized boundaries identified.
Thawney Stottler
