I write with an urgent opportunity to take action and protect a beautiful part of the sacred He Sapa (Black Hills) from toxic mining. For a few years now, we’ve been working closely with our friends at the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance (BHCWA) and others to preserve more than 20,000 acres at the headlands of the Rapid Creek Watershed. Now — and only for the next several days — the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is taking public comments on whether or not it should require mining companies to withdraw from this pristine and sensitive area.

Please send your comment today and help us reach our goal of 2,024 comments by the deadline on Monday, Oct. 28 at 11:59 p.m. Please make sure your comment includes the following three things:

1. Clearly state in your comment, "I support this Withdrawal."

2. Speak from your heart and give the Forest Service a good reason why you support it. (Duplicated responses won’t be counted, so it’s imperative you give a reason in your own words. We suggest you focus on clean water, preservation of pristine/sacred lands, or the value of recreation in the wild.)

3. Ask the Forest Service to expedite the Withdrawal proposal to the Secretary of the Department of Interior.

We have less than one week, so after you add your comment, please share this post widely on social media!

The USFS recently extended its deadline for comments on the Withdrawal to Monday, October 28th, and now it’s up to us to make the most of this extension! That’s why we hope you’ll join us in participating in the 2024 Comment Challenge and generate (at least) 2,024 comments supporting the Withdrawal proposal. Are you up for the Challenge? We’re hoping you — and all Lakota Law supporters — can help us blow away the challenge goal and protect the Pactola-Rapid Creek Watershed for the generations to come.

Wopila!