Tomac returns as forest supervisor

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
With nearly 30 years of experience with the U.S. Forest Service, Jeff Tomac has returned after a decade to the Newcastle area as the new supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest. 
A graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in rangeland management and minors in soil science and botany, Tomac received his first opportunity to experiment with this line of work while still in school. He was hired as a seasonal employee in Lemmon, S.D., and it soon became a permanent position. Tomac spent the next 20 years working various positions, including resource management and rangeland specialist in the Hell Canyon Ranger District at Black Hills National Forest.
Since then, Tomac has served in officer roles and district ranger positions at national forests in Oregon and Montana, which prepared him for his job as the new supervisor overseeing operations in the Black Hills, the nation’s first national forest. He officially began working the week of Christmas, although he will not be physically present in the Custer office until Jan. 4. In preparation, he has been researching and gathering information on the issues he will take on as supervisor, so he knows what to prioritize. 
“I’ve been trying to get up to speed on issues,” Tomac said. 
While he still wants to do more research before making a definite plan, Tomac said, a forest plan revision will most likely be the top priority, and he will do this by reviewing stakeholder assessments. He is also reviewing allowable sale quantities of timber. 
When Tomac worked in the Black Hills over 10 years ago, he was responsible for just one district of the forest, but now he will be responsible for overseeing all four districts of this 1.2-million-acre forest. 
“I supervise and work with the district rangers,” Tomac said. 
Tomac is still looking for a place of residency for when he and his wife move from Montana, and he hopes to find a place in Custer, where his office is located.
As a South Dakota native, Tomac said, he is excited for “the opportunity to return to the Black Hills” because he loves the area and its topography, making it an overall “desirable location.” He also looks forward to working with former co-workers and reconnecting with friends both in and outside of work. 
Tomac’s favorite part about the job is working with the communities and stakeholders on the forest in the Hills, which is also the most important aspect, he said. He likes working with people, and overall, Tomac said, he is excited to begin this new chapter in life as forest supervisor. 
“I look forward to working with the communities,” Tomac said.