Aquarius Good Neighbor Authority Timber Sale Prospectus

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Aquarius Good Neighbor Authority, is soliciting sealed bids for the harvest and removal of ponderosa pine timber from the Aquarius sale (Sale 2400-17) located in the Northern Hills Forest Service District near Sturgis, with bids due November 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and a mandatory field tour on October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. This is a competitive, unsealed timber sale with no SBA set-aside.

The sale encompasses 134 gross acres across four units with an estimated net volume of 1,002.5 CCF of ponderosa pine sawtimber (minimum 9.0 inches diameter breast height with 6-inch top) and 41.5 CCF of optional ponderosa pine poles and logs (7.0–8.9 inches DBH with 4-inch top). Timber haul distance is approximately 13 miles to Sturgis. Harvesting is seasonal with Units 1, 2, and 4 operating August 1 through January 16 and Unit 3 year-round; no more than three units may be logged simultaneously. Cut-to-length operations waive brush disposal charges; whole tree operations incur a $4.50 per CCF deposit.

The minimum acceptable bid is $5.00 per CCF for sawtimber and $0.25 per CCF for optional POL, with timber paid by weight scaling in CCF units. A $500 bid guarantee (certified check, bank draft, money order, bid bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or cash) must accompany sealed bids. The contract term runs through December 31, 2029 and extends at the State's sole discretion upon written request at least 30 days before termination if the purchaser demonstrates good faith effort and maintains extended performance bond coverage. The awardee must provide 25 percent advance payment at signing, a performance bond of 10 percent of estimated stumpage value (minimum $100), and commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence. Anticipated award is December 4, 2026, with work commencing December 21, 2026. The State reserves the right to reject any or all bids.