Events

Public Comment deadline for January SD Game Fish and Parks (SDGFP)  Commission meeting is before midnight CT on the Sunday before - January 4, 2026 via https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/   SDGFP Commission meetings are normally on the first Thursday-Friday of the month unless holidays interfere. For January 2026 - it is January 8th-9th, 2026 in Pierre. New Years […]

WOTUS / CLEAN WATER ACT – COMMENTS DUE JANUARY 5, 2026 Issue: EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed a new definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that significantly narrows which wetlands, headwater streams, prairie potholes, and ephemeral or intermittent channels are federally protected. This proposal would remove protections from millions […]

Rapid Creek Clean Up SATURDAY, Jan. 10th, 2026 The Rapid Creek Clean Up is this Saturday 01/10/2026. 10:00 AM at Founders Park (Park off of Omaha St).  Meet near the fish.  We will be testing the creek for salt and nitrates, and policing trash.  Hope to see some of you there. For more info: Jeffrey […]

ANNOUNCING PIEDMONT (FOOTHILLS AREA) LEGISLATIVE CRACKER BARRELS We have two afternoon meeting dates chosen this year for the 2026 Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrels. .  Due to  request at the 2025 Cracker Barrel for a pre-legislative Cracker Barrel and  the deep concerns in our communities about the proposed sand/gravel mine at Piedmont, we decided […]

Deadline for Written comments for Pennington County review of draft revision Alternative Energy Ordinance is 4 pm on Wednesday... Sometimes they extend these deadlines to Friday at 2 pm (or they do not). The hearing is on Tuesday the 20th, Go to our event calendar at that date for more information.. Volunteers from Dakota Rural […]

SD Board of Minerals and Environment's January 2026 meeting The public may participate in-person or via telephone by dialing 1-605-679-7263 and entering Conference ID 972399244#. The full board packet and the link for live streaming are available on the South Dakota Boards and Commissions Portal at https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=67. Board of Minerals and Environment Telephone Conference Meeting […]

Vote on Destination Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, also known as Libertyland. 1/20/26 Rapid City residents please remember to vote in this special election. We are concerned about allowing tax breaks and the use of taxpayer money for this private enterprise, and the environmental impacts (energy consumption, water), not to mention the patriotic hubris. https://www.kotatv.com/2025/10/07/special-election-determine-libertylands-fate-will-be-held-january-20/ […]

The Commission has taken the Alternative Energy ordinance back for revisions, and a first reading of the updated version is scheduled for the January 20th meeting. Rick Bell at the Dec 16th, review, offered recommendations on behalf of DRA, in his role as a board member, regarding some of the problematic language in the ordinance […]

 Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Statewide Bonds; Extension of Phase-In Deadline Comment deadline on Federal rule to extend the phase-in period for compliance with the Oil and Gas Rule’s bonding requirement - deadline Jan 20th, 2026   Federal Register Notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/18/2025-23228/federal-onshore-oil-and-gas-statewide-bonds-extension-of-phase-in-deadline   Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 43 CFR Part 3100, A2407-014-004-065516, #O2509-014-004-125222, RIN […]

On November 20, the Department of the Interior released President Trump’s new offshore drilling lease plan, the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The proposal includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 1.27 billion acres. It includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of […]