West Rim Project Environmental Impact Statement
Photo: Black Hills, SD, by sbmeaper1, Flickr
Project Summary
Completion Date:
Partners
USDA Forest Service
JW Associates was the lead consultant for a project to reduce wildfire risk in the Black Hills of South Dakota for the US Forest Service. The purpose of the project is to reduce the wildfire risk and potential of Mountain pine beetle infestation primarily in the Ponderosa pine forests of the Northern Hills Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest. The project area was 53,157 acres in size and included Spearfish Canyon, an important recreation and cultural area.
Brad Piehl was the project manager, NEPA and water resources lead. Jessica Wald was the public involvement lead and writer/editor. Laura Scotford was the silviculturist. Bob Solari was the fire/fuels and air quality specialist. JW Associates hired several subcontractors that were assembled into a unique technical team specifically for this project. The JW Associates team finished the Final EIS and the Record of Decision has been issued. The project is being implemented.
JWA Project Actions
Project management
NEPA and public involvement leaders
Management of subcontractors to assemble a specialized, technical team
GIS analysis
Scoping and public outreach
Facilitation of 9 public meetings and organization of public comment periods, including field meetings
Preparation of 7 specialist reports
Draft proposed treatments, including:
Thinning
Prescribed fire
Wildland urban interface treatments over 17, 363 acres
Preparation of draft and final EIS documents
Benefits
Reduce the wildfire risk and potential of Mountain pine beetle infestation primarily in Ponderosa pine forests
Protect important recreation and cultural area for continued usage
Key Issues Addressed
Fuel reduction fuel in Spearfish Canyon
Mountain pine beetle infestation