South Dakota - Stewardship Contracting Projects

Forest Service

Balm of Gilead Stewardship Project, Black Hills National Forest
The Balm of Gilead Stewardship project area is within the larger Cement project area and is slated to reduce hazardous fuels; maintain or improve wildlife habitat, improve management of the transportation system; improve watershed conditions through a reduction in sedimentation; and provide a supply of commercial timber. The number of acres proposed for treatment is approximately 409.
Custer Peak Fuels, Black Hills National Forest
The Custer Peak project is designed to reduce hazardous surface and ladder fuels and thin out the main forest canopy for reduced risk of crown fire. This project will treat approximately 2,250 acres.
North Bearlodge Fuels, Black Hills National Forest
The North Bearlodge Fuels project is designed to reduce the continuity of hazardous fuels. This project will treat approximately 316 acres.

Mt. Roosevelt, South Dakota Field Office
This 26 acre project is located near the communities of Deadwood, Lead and Central City. This area was identified for treatment as one of the Fire Containment Zones (FCZ) in the Exemption Area Wildland Urban Interface. Project objectives include the following: provide fire suppression crews safe corridors to utilize aggressive suppression techniques on wildfires, reduce forest density and hazardous fuel loads, reduce risk to life, property, and natural resources.
Sheeptail, South Dakota Field Office
This project is located in Lawrence County, South Dakota. It is within the wildland urban interface near the communities of Deadwood, Lead and Central City. Treatment objectives include the following: provide fire suppression crews safe corridors to utilize aggressive suppression techniques on wildfires, reduce forest density and hazardous fuel loads, reduce risk to life, property, and natural resources. These objectives will be accomplished through harvest of ponderosa pine trees followed by cutting and piling of the noncommercial tree size component.