Lady C Ranch
SOUTH DAKOTA
Location
Black Hills National Forest
Southwest South Dakota, 4 miles north of Hot
Springs.
Congressional District: 1
Member(s): Rep. Stephanie Herseth
Sandlin
Acquired to Date
Acres
Cost ($)
1,557.5
$4,672,500
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
FY 2010 Enacted
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
492.5
$1,640,000
President’s Budget FY2011
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
350
$915,000
Pending Future Request
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
0
$0
Method
Purchase
Exchange
Donation
Other
Partners
Purpose
Ecosystem and watershed management, preserve
important wildlife habitat, prevent further land
ownership fragmentation by consolidating federal
land ownership patterns.
Purchase
Opportunities
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation purchase option
has expired and will require re-negotiating with the
landowner.
Partners
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Cooperators
Local county and municipal support, South Dakota
Game Fish and Parks, Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation.
Project
Description
The Lady C Ranch property borders Wind Cave National Park on one side (1.25 miles) and
Black Hills National Forest on two other sides (3.75 miles). The remaining border is private land
that is currently undergoing subdivision and housing development. The Black Hills National
Forest recognizes the importance of acquiring property within its boundary to prevent further
habitat fragmentation, one of the four threats to the National Forest System. This property is
adjacent to Wind Cave National Park and the acquisition will aid in management of the resident
elk herd by State, federal, and non-governmental partners.
Five phases have already been completed using a variety of funding sources. This will complete
the project. The remaining portion includes vast rolling meadows, which will contribute
significantly to uninterrupted expanses of much-needed winter range habitat. It will provide
multiple-use opportunities including recreation, wood and water production,forage for livestock
and wildlife, efficient ecosystem management, and fire protection. There are two predominate
canyons, Wildcat and Cold Brook that contain a mixture of Boxelder, Ash, Oak Brush, numerous
browse vegetation species, numerous springs and flowing creeks. The land currently supports a
variety of wildlife species including turkeys, whitetail and mule deer, elk, and mountain lions.
The land has some interesting cultural and prehistoric resources including teepee rings. The
maintenance of watershed conditions and protection of riparian habitat is important for this area.
Acquisition will provide opportunities for hiking, camping, picnicking, bike riding, horseback
riding, wildlife observation, scenic viewing, hunting, photography, and rock climbing.
O&M Cost
Estimated “start up” costs: $0
USDA Goal
Consolidating federal land patterns will prevent further private development and land
fragmentation, will allow for more efficient watershed, wildlife, and wildfire management, and will
provide better access for recreational opportunities.
Estimated annual maintenance: $0