This agreement provides for support of the black hills national forest timber program

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R2-Rocky Mountain Region awarded a $1 million Cooperative Agreement to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources on August 18, 2026, to support the Black Hills National Forest Timber Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Restoration/Revegetation program (CFDA 10.717).

The recipient will perform reconnaissance of potential treatment areas and timber sales, conduct surveys for National Environmental Policy Act compliance, prepare timber sale and contract documentation, execute post-sale activities, and manage project administration. These activities increase forest capacity by supporting completion of forest fuels reduction and reforestation targets and sustaining active timber management and the Black Hills National Forest commercial timber sale program. The cooperative agreement is multi-year, extending through June 1, 2036, with performance taking place in South Dakota.

Project activities performed under this agreement include but are not limited to the reconnaissance of potential treatments areas and timber sales, surveys for national environmental policy act, timber sale and contract preparation, post-sale activities, and project administration. This will increase capacity for the forest by helping complete forest fuels reduction and reforestation targets. This is a multi-year agreement for multiple projects and is necessary to support active timber management and the black hills national forest commercial timber sale program.