Dear Allies:

We are writing on behalf of our coalition’s members to urge you to join us to save the Black Hills from mining, water pollution, cultural and ecological destruction. An ongoing prospecting boom for lithium, uranium, and gold threatens the health and wellbeing of our lands and communities. Mining companies, many of which are foreign, are aiming to dig up the Black Hills to fatten stockholders’ bank accounts. A broad-based coalition of local organizations and residents is forming to protect our outdoors and families from for-profit destruction.

Our coalition, spearheaded by the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance alongside Lakota People’s Law Project and Sacred Defense Fund, is seeking a permanent federal mineral withdrawal of all lands in the Black Hills National Forest by August 2027. While there is currently a small portion of land for a mineral withdrawal around the Pactola Reservoir that we support, if the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management decide to finalize that withdrawal it will only protect a very small portion of the Black Hills that are currently threatened by mining. All of the Black Hills National Forest is worth protecting.

While the history, critical importance, and deep ancestral connections to the Black Hills go back much further, we have chosen August 2027 because it will mark the 100th anniversary of the commissioning of Mount Rushmore. While Mount Rushmore is just one of many sites of importance to regional and national residents, it is a commonly-recognized symbol of the Black Hills. 

A permanent mineral withdrawal, ordered through an Act of Congress or at least a temporary withdrawal put in place by the Administration, will protect the precious forests, waters, and biodiversity of the Black Hills, and western South Dakota, for current and future generations.

New mining would destroy the landscape, disrupt outdoor recreation access, generate noise, air, and water pollution, drive away wildlife and harm sacred sites. Our coalition understands that the 1872 mining law governing mining has no environmental standards, and mining companies cannot be trusted to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the communities and lands and waters impacted by their operations. In South Dakota and elsewhere, data shows a consistent pattern of spills, leaks, and water pollution by mining operations. According to the EPA, mining is the most toxic industry in America, and mining has polluted more than 40% of the headwaters of western watersheds.

Mining lithium, uranium, and gold not only pollutes local waters – they require huge quantities of water. Roughly half a million gallons of water are needed to produce a ton of lithium. The proposed uranium mine in the southwestern Black Hills has requested rights to over 9000 gallons of water per minute during its operation. New mining in the Black Hills would steal billions of gallons of water annually from our groundwater, lakes, and rivers. We know too well the harsh reality of drought here in the Great Plains. Outside and overseas-based mining companies do not care about that reality, and we can only expect their profit seeking to worsen it.

The Black Hills are special to us all and unite us in our appreciation for the great outdoors and our regional heritage. Please join us in the fight to Save the Black Hills from destruction by supporting a permanent mineral withdrawal by signing a petition and potentially joining our campaign. We would be grateful for your solidarity. You can learn more at our website – savetheblackhills.org – or by emailing info@savetheblackhills.org