The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Public Land Order withdrawing 20,510 acres of land in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, from new settlement, sale, mining, and leasing activities for 20 years. This action is taken to protect the cultural and natural resources of the Pactola Reservoir—Rapid Creek Watershed, which includes essential water resources for Rapid City and the Ellsworth Air Force Base. The withdrawal aims to prevent environmental damage from exploration and development activities on federally owned minerals. The order will expire in 20 years unless reviewed and extended.
Simple Explanation
The government is protecting a big area of forest land in South Dakota to keep it safe from being dug up or sold for the next 20 years because it has important water that a nearby city and air base need. They want to make sure no harm comes to the land, so everyone can have clean water to drink.