Western South Dakota News

On May 29, 2024, U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) urged the Biden administration to increase timber harvesting targets in the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF). In a letter addressed to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore, the senators criticized current forest management policies that they claim have reduced available trees for harvest and negatively impacted the health of BHNF. These policies, they argue, have led to sawmill closures and job losses for South Dakota timber workers.

"Unfortunately, dwindling sawmill capacity near our nation’s national forest is not unique to the Black Hills," wrote the senators. "Since 2020, more than 20 mills near national forests have been forced to curtail production or close altogether. While the timber industry faces its own unique market pressures, the recent layoffs are a direct result of reductions to the U.S. Forest Service’s timber sale program."

The letter was spearheaded by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

The full letter stated:

"Dear Chief Moore,

We write to you regarding the recent layoffs at the Neiman Enterprises sawmill near the Black Hills National Forest. On April 11, 2024, Neiman Enterprises announced that it would be curtailing production and laying off 50 employees at their last remaining South Dakota facility, Spearfish Forest Products. This announcement came roughly three years after Neiman Enterprises was forced to close their sawmill in Hill City, South Dakota, upending the lives of another 120 hard-working individuals.

Unfortunately, dwindling sawmill capacity near our nation’s national forest is not unique to the Black Hills. Since 2020, more than 20 mills near national forests have been forced to curtail production or close altogether. While the timber industry faces its own unique market pressures, the recent layoffs are a direct result of reductions to the U.S. Forest Service’s timber sale program. Inconsistent log supplies from our national forests undermine our local sawmills and it is unacceptable.

Without a dependable and affordable supply of timber from our national forests, these businesses will not survive. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the Black Hills National Forest timber harvest target sits at 63,000 CCF (one CCF is equal to 100 Cubic Feet). This is only half of the 120,000 CCF that the forest was able to cut and sell in FY 2023.

The layoffs at Spearfish Forest Products are a direct result of these drastic reductions in the timber sale program and reflect the tragic and all-too-real consequences of this administration’s misguided and harmful policies. Across Wyoming and South Dakota we are experiencing impacts from this administration’s extreme climate obsession resulting in efforts to lock up public lands and restrict multiple use mandates regardless of local economy.

If Spearfish Forest Products facility and other few remaining mills in Black Hills region are forced to close we will reverse years of progress. Without forest products sector forest health will suffer catastrophic wildfire risk will grow damage from insects diseases will become more likely ripple effects from stifling sustainable timber harvests harm economy devalue forest grazing leases jeopardize recreation opportunities we depend on The forest products industry hanging on by thread continued reductions cannot continue

For years false promises heard agency has no interest finding real solutions problems face September encouraged invest new equipment costly retrofits process small diameter trees other residuals materials different traditionally harvested little no commercial value suggested consider moving away producing lumber transition other by-products used construction Aside transport pilot program brought logs rail California seen no efforts increase levels help industry

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In interest protecting remaining request written responses following questions before June28 appreciate attention prompt response questions contact offices any questions regarding request."