Lawsuit Challenges Forest Service Approval of Drilling Near Pe’ Sla

Three groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of exploratory graphite drilling near Pe’ Sla, a sacred site in the Black Hills of western South Dakota.

NDN Collective, the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance and Earthworks argue the Forest Service improperly allowed Rapid City‑based Pete Lien & Sons to proceed using a streamlined approval process that bypassed more extensive environmental and cultural review. The plaintiffs say Pe’ Sla’s spiritual and cultural significance to Native Americans should have required a fuller review.

Neither the Forest Service nor Pete Lien & Sons immediately responded to requests for comment.