Attention! Ponderosa Gold Drilling Project comment period

The Northern Hills District of Black Hills National Forest has released information for the proposed Ponderosa gold drilling project, with a 30-day comment period. Your comments are due by July 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM MT.

The Ponderosa project would be located in an area that channels water into Spearfish Creek and Spearfish Canyon. While most of the project is southwest of Cheyenne Crossing, there are also six proposed drill pads to the northwest near Tinton.

The Ponderosa project would include 49 drill pads, and multiple holes could be drilled from each pad. Drilling could be vertical or at an angle to a depth of 3,281 feet. Drilling would take place 24 hours a day, 5 to 7 days a week. Increased lighting and traffic would disrupt wildlife and the peaceful quiet of the area. Additionally, this drilling would be disruptive because the border of the Ponderosa project lies 1.1 miles from tribally controlled land that is used ceremonially throughout the year.

This project threatens —

• the natural environment (water, trails, wildlife, land)

• the economy of the area, which is reliant upon outdoor recreation and tourism

• tribal cultural resources

• human social and physical health.

The Ponderosa Project 30-day comment period is officially open. To comment, go to the QR code or https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=64551 and complete the brief form.

• Include why you are interested in this proposed project

• Say you want the Forest Service to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this project (this is the most thorough environmental review)

• Mention potential impacts of this project that you think should be avoided

• Ask for the comment period to be extended by 60 days

• Use your own words – do not copy this wording

With gold prices at all-time highs, interest in new gold mining is also increasing. Gold is not a strategic or critical mineral, and the United States does not need more – it currently exports gold. Gold serves primarily as a store of value and as material for jewelry. It is easily recyclable, and there is no need to dig up more. Follow Us to stay up to date!

BLACK HILLS CLEAN WATER ALLIANCE – bhcleanwateralliance.org

The post Attention! Ponderosa Gold Drilling Project comment period first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

Visit Original Source