Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Protections for the Pactola Reservoir—Rapid Creek Watershed

WASHINGTON, Dec 26, 2024 -- Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7956, finalizing protections for the Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed on the Black Hills National Forest from the potential effects of mineral exploration and development. This order follows a request from the U.S. Forest Service to close 20,510 acres of National Forest System land to sale or exchange and mineral entry and leasing, for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing rights.

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