Biden administration signs off on 20-year mining ban in swath of Black Hills

Measure comes after push and pull over mining of land for years

Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest. (Travel South Dakota)

With less than a month remaining in his presidency, President Joe Biden's administration has taken steps to prevent mining activity near a world renowned South Dakota landmark.

The Department of the Interior announced Thursday that Secretary Deb Haaland had signed Public Land Order 7956, enacting a 20-year ban on mining for 20,510 acres in the Black Hills, roughly 20 miles west of Rapid City. The order specifically protects the Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed, a primary source of drinking water for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The action follows a request from the U.S. Forest Service and aims to address concerns raised by local communities and tribal nations in the region.

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The Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, with 14 miles of shoreline and depths reaching 150 feet.

"The Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed is a valued landscape, important for clean water, recreation, and cultural significance,” Haaland said in a statement announcing her decision. “This withdrawal will help protect drinking water and preserve this area for future generations.”

The ban restricts new mineral exploration and development on federal lands within the watershed for 20 years. The order does not affect existing valid rights or non-federal lands and minerals.

The withdrawal also addresses strong public opposition to a proposal by Minnesota-based F3 Gold to conduct exploratory drilling near Jenney Gulch in the Black Hills National Forest, under a mile away from the Pactola Reservoir in Pennington County. The project, which received initial approval from local Forest Service officials in 2022, faced significant backlash. According to South Dakota Searchlight, federal officials held a public meeting in Rapid City in 2023 about the proposed ban, where public sentiment was overwhelmingly against the drilling project, and in favor of a withdrawal.

Dr. Lilias Jarding, executive director of Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, touted the decision and the role opposition played in a statement.

“This shows that individuals can make a difference, and the withdrawal is a clear reflection of the will of the people of the Black Hills region,” Jarding wrote. “This is an important first step in protecting Black Hills water and cultural resources from new large-scale mining.”

The U.S. Forest Service initiated the proposal in March 2023, opening a public comment period, hosting public meetings, and conducting consultations with area tribes.

The watershed supports activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, boating, and skiing. Local ranchers also use the area for summer grazing.

The region holds cultural and spiritual significance for several tribes who have either previously or currently called the area home. The protected area includes sites used for ceremonies, gathering sacred foods, and traditional medicine.

While the withdrawal is temporary, it can be renewed in 20 years. Only Congress has the authority to legislate a permanent withdrawal from the agreement.

Concerns about mining in the Black Hills have weighed heavily on residents for years, as the industry is often viewed as a threat to the region's tranquility and way of life. Last year, state senators in Pierre narrowly defeated a proposal to impose a tax on lithium, falling short by just one vote. Supporters of the measure argued it could help address some of the pressures and claims associated with mining activities.

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