The following article, in the Sioux Fall Argus Leader, is about our battle with the US Forest Service over logging in the Black Hills. The US Forest Service knew about the beginning of the Pine Beetle problem since the mid-1960s. In 2002, the information from the US Forest Service was mapped by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and showed all the areas where the beetles were locating. It was predicted then that the Beaver Park Roadless Area would be devastated by wildfire without logging. Clear cutting a fireguard was allowed around the Beaver Park Roadless Area. However, no fire ever occurred, and the area has a more healthy ecosystem than before. Nature always does better than human beings.

Sioux Falls Argus Leader Black Hills MPB Article--November 19, 2011

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111120/NEWS/311200026/Pine-beetle-battle-brews-Black-Hills