On Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 12:30PM MDT the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hold an Oversight Field Hearing in Hill City, South Dakota on the “Impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in the Black Hills.”
WHERE:
Rafter J Bar Ranch, 12325 Rafter J Road, Hill City, SD (Just off Highway 385)
Mountain Pine Beetles have spread throughout the West and have reached epidemic 
levels in America’s forests. These beetles specifically infect and kill trees, leaving behind large areas of dead trees that increase the risk of forest fires around homes, businesses and power lines. Since 1997, the Mountain Pine Beetles have infexted nearly 4 million acres of national forest across the Black Hills, Colorado and Wyoming.
“The pine beetle epidemic is nothing short of a slow motion disaster for the Black Hills National Forest and the region’s economy. With this hearing, I look forward to highlighting how this impacts our community, the roadblocks we face in properly managing the forest as well as the solutions that can help us win this battle,” said Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD).
National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) will be in attendance.
Please plan to attend.
