Willow Creek Horse Camp Reconstruction

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1 Performance Period: 04/15/ /31/2017 The following is a summary of hours and work completed on the Black Hills National Forest and other public lands during the reporting period for 2017 by the Black Hills Back Country Horsemen of South Dakota under the current volunteer agreement. Willow Creek Horse Camp Reconstruction Our biggest project of the year was also one of the first projects. In early May, we helped Forest Service crews complete Phase I of the Willow Creek Horse Camp reconstruction. The project was begun in October of 2016 and was designed to improve water quality in Spring Creek by moving stock away from the creeks that run through the campground. Accomplishments this year included final grading of campsites, installation of picnic tables, fire rings, and corrals for 6 equestrian sites.

2 Altogether we donated 395 hours of labor, 183 hours of heavy equipment time, and obtained $18,588 in grants to purchase the corrals. Our total contribution to the project was $44,873. We had a fantastic turnout for this project. The Forest Service Hell Canyon RD recreation staff provided a much appreciated picnic lunch!! Black Elk Peak Lookout Restoration This project was a continuation of our support for the reconstruction of the historic fire lookout atop the recently renamed Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak). We spent one day packing up supplies including tools, water, and redimix concrete for the restoration crew. 2

3 Trail Maintenance As a group we completed four trail work projects during We got started early in March with the Dugout Gulch Trail #77. On Memorial Day weekend we spent three days clearing trails leading from Iron Creek Horse Camp including portions of Trails 89, 16, 15, and 3. In June we worked on the Bearlodge RD clearing portions of the Sheepnose Trail. In July we assisted Forest Service district trail crew on the Deerfield Trail #40 Loop around Deerfield Lake. BCH members working on the Dugout Gulch Trail in mid-march. Heading out for a day of trail work on the Sheepnose Trail in mid-june. 3

4 BHBCHSD President, Doug Bechen, leading Ruby the pack mule on the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail. 4

5 Clearing beetle killed trees on the Black Hills National Forest. Keeping trails open for everyone!! 5

6 In addition to our organized work weekends, several members worked on their own clearing various sections of trail over the course of the summer. Because of the mountain pine beetle outbreak in the Black Hills, dead trees blew down after most windy days. Several trails were cleared more than once. Thus the total miles of trail maintained shown below may include multiple trips on some of the same trails. The non-wilderness work occurred on all four of the ranger districts of the BHNF. The wilderness work was done on Hell Canyon RD. Miles of trails maintained: Wilderness 83 miles Non-wilderness 152 miles Total 235 miles Other BHBCHSD Projects In addition to the trail maintenance work, BHBCHSD also accomplished the following activities in support of our public lands: Blackberry Trail Review In early 2017, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial completed reconstruction of the Blackberry Trail from Black Elk Wilderness to Mt. Rushmore as a part of the NPS Centennial celebration. This trail is a popular route from equestrians from all over the U.S. to view the Memorial. We previewed the new trail prior to it s opening and provide technical advice on safety considerations. We also participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in September. 6

7 Ft. Meade Endurance Ride Support In the past couple of years, we have partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Sturgis, SD on the development of a new multiple use trail system at Ft. Meade Recreation Area. One of the events held this year on those trails was the Ft. Meade Remount Endurance Ride. Several of our members actively participate in endurance riding and we supported the event by volunteering to staff rest stations and dispense water to riders and stock. The event was very well attended and helped raise awareness of BH BCH SD among participants. 7

8 Tri-State Horse Expo In March 2017 two of our members, set up and staffed a booth for BHBCHSD at the Tri-State Horse Expo held in Sioux Falls, SD which brings together horse enthusiasts from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Our goal was to raise awareness of BCH and our chapter, to educate the public about public land issues affecting horse users, and to introduce packing techniques to equestrians unfamiliar with the use of pack stock. We hoped to gain some new members from the eastern part of South Dakota which we did! David Cameron Ride We had quite an honor in early October! Several of us had the opportunity to meet former British Prime Minister David Cameron at Mt. Rushmore and take him on a trail ride thru the beautiful Black Hills. Temps in the 30s and a bit of snow on the trail didn t bother him at all. It was his birthday request! Safety We are committed to safety in all of our chapter activities. We provide CPR and First Aid training to all of our members. We also maintain saw certification for both chainsaws and crosscut saws. However, many areas where we work are outside the range of cell phones or handheld radios. To help address safety concerns in these areas, in 2017, we purchased two AEDs thru a generous donation from one of our members. We also purchased two emergency satellite transponders that we carry with us on our work details so that we can request emergency assistance. We hope we never have to use these devices, but we are glad to have the additional security they provide for our members. Submitted by: Jim Allen Jim Allen, Public Lands Liaison Black Hills Back Country Horsemen of South Dakota March 31,

9 Backcountry Horsemen of America Volunteer Hours Report Black Hills Backcountry Horsemen of South Dakota 2017 Rate per Totals hour/mile/day Total Value Total Basic Hours 765 $24.14 $18, Calculated per hour Total Skilled Hours 132 $36.21 $4, Calculated per hour Total Trail Recon Hours 49 $24.14 $1, Calculated per hour Total LNT - Education 82 $24.14 $1, Calculated per hour Total Public Meetings 261 $24.14 $6, Calculated per hour Total Administative Service 599 $24.14 $14, Calculated per hour Total Travel Time 479 $24.14 $11, Calculated per hour Total Hours 2367 Wilderness Trail Miles 83 Other Trail Miles 152 Total Trail Miles 235 Personal Vehicle $0.90 $14, Calculated per mile Stock Hauling 6863 $1.10 $7, Calculated per mile Total Travel Miles Power Equipment 4 $26.00 $ Calculated per hour Heavy Equipment 31 $81.00 $2, Calculated per hour Total Equipment Hours 35 Total Stock (Pack and Saddle) 125 Total Stock Days 147 $ $14, Calculated per day Total Donations $0.00 $0.00 Total $98,

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