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we were a bidder on the Cascade Creek property that sold to an 

 out-of-State real estate development firm several years ago in the 

 southern Black Hills. I think that interest indicates an element 

 that hasn't been touched on today. Large scale out-of-State real 

 estate developers will be increasingly interested in the Hills. In 

 this case they were willing to pay 20 percent over appraised value 

 for a large tract. The tract had significant rare endangered species 

 because of the nature of the hot water coming out of Cascade 

 Springs. We weren't successful in that acquisition, but we will con- 

 tinue to look for tracts that have rare endangered species. And in 

 some cases, depending on our organizational development here, 

 we'll be able to acquire those. 



I don't view our organization, though, as real aggressive in that 

 area until we have a solid data base on what's here, what's rare, 

 what needs protection. 



Senator Pressler. I think John made a good point on water con- 

 servancy. Do any of you have any comments on that or on what 

 priority it should have in the Forest Service plan? 



Mr. Fort. I would like to comment on that. Senator. I agreed 

 with that testimony. I think water is one of the biggest issues we 

 confront here in the Black Hills and in South Dakota in general. 

 And I think some relooking at the ways water is allocated — of 

 course, we're actually involved in trying to restore falls in Spear- 

 fish Canyon and restore water to Spearfish Creek so that it will be 

 the great trout stream that it could be. We think water issues are 

 very much going to come to the forefront and that we should be 

 working on that, sir. 



Senator Pressler. That concludes my questions. The record of 

 this hearing will be open for at least 7 days. You may drop off any 

 testimony or comments you want included at my office in the 

 Rushmore Mall or mail it to me in Washington, DC. Also, there 

 will be a period for public comment once the 10-year Forest Service 

 plan is proposed. 



There would be a 90-day comment period, Mr. Sylva; is that 

 right? 



Mr. Sylva. That's correct. 



Senator Pressler. I want to thank our witnesses. I know they 

 were under very great time constraints today, and all of their com- 

 ments will be placed in the record. 



This has been a very useful hearing for me, and, as I said earlier, 

 I shall summarize it in a speech on the Senate floor. I would be 

 happy to send that to anyone who wishes it. 



Let me say that these hearings are supposed to be all business 

 with not too many comments by the Senator. I am supposed to be 

 listening and collecting information. At the conclusion of this hear- 

 ing, I've got to go next door and talk to the members of the press 

 just for a few minutes. Then I'm going to return and be available 

 here in a more informal manner. I see so many familiar faces in 

 the audience. I want to greet as many of you as possible. 



If some of you have specific cases that you want to talk to me 

 about, my staff will gather over here in this area. They might start 

 talking about some of those cases or ideas. 



I want to thank all of you again for being here. I'm going to bolt 

 next door. I'm not leaving. I'm going to come right back. With the 



