A massive decision about the public land right next to our homes in Sundance is being rushed through its review process. The U.S. Forest Service just opened a public comment window for the proposed Bear Lodge rare earth mine at Bull Hill. Because the government put this project on a fast track, our normal right to object to final plans has been cut short. That makes this current comment window, closing Aug. 28, our only real chance to stand up and speak out to protect our water, our air and our rights as citizens. This sets a precedent which should concern our entire state.

Opinion

We simply cannot afford to guess when it comes to our water. The Forest Service must demand thorough scientific studies before a single shovel hits the ground. The Sundance community deserves clear data and baseline testing to prove this mine won’t ruin our local aquifers, dry up our residential wells or destroy our natural springs. If we don’t demand these water studies right now, our families risk paying the price for generations. Digging a deep open pit will require pumping out massive amounts of groundwater. That heavy pumping risks draining local water tables and neighboring ranch wells. Any chemical or waste leaks at the mine site could directly contaminate the regional aquifers that our town and ranches rely on every single day.

Clean air is just as critical. Because this is a rare earth mine, digging and crushing the rock will expose radioactive materials. This work turns buried elements into airborne dust and releases radon gas. Since the mine is positioned on a high ridge, our strong mountain winds can carry that fine dust straight down into our valleys and schools. We need strict, independent wind modeling to prove our air will stay safe for our kids.

Beyond these significant concerns about our air and water, the Bear Lodge Project attempts to rewrite the rules of the Black Hills National Forest. The mine is seeking a specific “forest plan amendment” to exempt this mine from standard environmental rules. Our public forests belong to everyone. Protected forest regulations should never be rewritten or waived for a mining operation without telling us what that project will actually do to our land, our views and our wildlife.

The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comment until Aug. 28. Anyone can voice their concerns, either through the U.S. Forest Service’s online portal or by mail at the address below. Please don’t let this deadline pass by silently.

Send physical written comments to:

Wendy Schuyler, Project Manager
Black Hills National Forest, Bearlodge Ranger District
101 S. 21st Street, P.O. Box 680
Sundance, WY 82729

Justin Johnson is a resident of Sundance. He is a parent and community stakeholder concerned with public land use and regional water preservation.

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  1. Another aspect to keep in mind when commenting on this proposal is that the tailings pond design requirements are based on old weather data. I think everyone is well aware that the climate has changed and the previous weather data is no longer valid for future predictions. El Nino is in the news for a reason – climate change is here. The 25 and 100-year storms that are planned for in the design of this mine are probably not adequate.

    Reply