Congress of the United States Washington, DE 20510 November 28, 2018 Chief Vicki Christiansen USDA Forest Service 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-1111 Dear Chief Christiansen: We are writing to express our concern following recent discussions with the Black Hills National Forest (BIINF) regarding a reduction to its timber sale program. The forest industry has been greatly reduced in the Black Hills over the last 20 years, and any reductions to the BHNF timber sale program will reduce the infrastructure even further, along with the ability to address insect risk and wildfire hazards. Local companies. communities, and the health of the forest all depend on a timber sale program that meets the needs of existing forest products companies, In June and August of 2017, the BHNF held collaborative meetings with multiple stakeholders to discuss the condition of timber resources on the Forest and what, if any, effects those conditions may have on the sale program. Through those meetings, it was determined that the BHNF would hold the timber sale program steady at least until data from an intensified Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) survey was available in mid-2019 and then determine if any changes are necessary through a collaborative process involving those stakeholders. ‘That same process of utilizing the intensified FIA data was described in a 2016 response letter from Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon to Wyoming and South Dakota members of Congress. The letter describes the need for better information with, “To increase the accuracy of our projections, we are working with the agency’s Research and Development Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to update the inventory for the Black Hills National Forest, By 2019, we will have an updated inventory upon which to inform future projections and management decisions within the framework of the forest land management plan,” We request that the Forest Service keep the annual BHNF timber sale program at 202,000 cet until the previously agreed upon, complete forest inventory data on all plots is available and analyzed through involvement with South Dakota and Wyoming state forestry agencies, staff trom our offices, and forest products representatives. We also request that the BHNF delay any determinations to revise the current Forest Plan until the aforementioned data and analysis process are complete to determine the need, if any. for plan revision. Given that increasing the national timber program is a priority for this administration, it seems counter-intuitive to reduce the timber harvest. Local forest products companies are in dire need of raw material from the BHNF. Without updated information and necessary analysis, anydiscussion regarding reductions to timber sales is premature and poses a tremendous risk to communities and the health of the forest. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, Vela 4, Fey JOHN THUNE MICHAEL B. ENZI United States Senator United States Senator Mf , Boarasue JOHN BARRASSO, M.D. United States Senator ICHAEL R =< Inited States Senator CHENEY amber of Congress