VISITOR ALERT: PROGRAM CHANGES DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Four regularly scheduled ranger programs in Badlands National Park have been moved for visitor safety and comment reasons until further notice. Road construction along Badlands Loop Road, specifically at Fossil Exhibit Trail and Bigfoot Picnic Area, have caused education management to change the location for these programs until the construction activities have progressed to a point when heavy equipment traffic and noise does not cause a disruption in educational activities.

Changes

· Fossil Talks are now given at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center daily at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

· History Talks are now given at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center daily at 12 noon,

Additional Road Construction Information

The Loop Road has a gravel surface over approximately 40% of its length sporadically throughout its 30 mile length. Key areas to expect reduced speed and potential delays up to 15 minutes: · Northeast Entrance Station, located seven miles south of Exit 131 of Interstate 90 · Fossil Exhibit Trail, located seven miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center · Hamm's Draw, located approximately sixteen miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center · Dillon Pass, located approximately twenty miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center · Paving is scheduled to occur in late July or early August. For more information on Badlands National Park and its activities, visit http://www.nps.gov/badl or call 605/433- 5245 and request a 2001 Prairie Preamble, the park's visitor activity guide.