Oral Arguments before SD Supreme Court on the dispute from local landowners over DANR permitting waste water dumping in French Creek. Case number is - Appeal No. 30495. Oral argument has been set for April 25th at 9:45 a.m. (CT). We are not sure how long the hearing will last. They broadcast live audio of […]

BLM will host 13 public meetings to present information and answer questions on the draft environmental impact statement and proposed alternatives for strengthening conservation of greater sage-grouse on public lands. https://www.blm.gov/announcement/april-2024-blm-hold-virtual-and-person-public-meetings-greater-sage-grouse-management BLM will hold two virtual meetings online on >>>Tuesday, April 9 at 1 p.m. MDT and Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. MDT. Register for one […]

Izaak Walton League's SD Division Annual Meeting, in North Sioux City We are not yet sure of the exact start and end times, but the meetings normally run from a social on Friday night to Sunday afternoon lunch, Some meals severed.  Registration is normally required, see Kelly J. Kistner, IWLA SD Division President, kelly_kistner@hotmail.com April 26, 27, […]

Earth-day Movie - "Purple Mountains" a 53 minute film on "one man's journey to find common ground in the Mountains, one voter at a time"  - for more info: https://www.purplemountainsfilm.com/ Dahl Fine Arts Center, Rapid City Social hour 6-7 pm MT Film starts at 7 pm Sponsored by Citizen's Climate Lobby, several groups & schools will […]

Bear Butte Forum is an annual meeting between SDGFP staff from Bear Butte State Park and Native American folks to discuss the management of the state park. Bear Butte is a sacred site for many Native American Tribes. It will be April 27th, 2024.    Non-native people are welcome to come. It is traditionally held […]

Opportunity for public comment would be due on April 27 but that is a Saturday so they are actually on due Monday the 29th: North Sand Vegetation Management: Black Hills National Forest - Projects (usda.gov) https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/246546688222 Map: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1474922331799 It is in the Bearlodge Ranger District along Sand Creek and near Dugout Gulch. This beautiful area is […]

At the SDGFP Commission meeting on May 2nd, 2024. We submitted 3 petitions for rule making , these were rejected.  Here is an Argus Leader Article about that: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/might-south-dakota-beavers-receive-some-protections/ar-AA1o43Yx We will right more about what other thins  happened later. ================================ SD Game, Fish & Parks Commission's May Meeting was in Custer State Park, Thursday-Friday,  May […]

La Creek National Wildlife Refuge Annual Field trip Every year we  jointly sponsor a field trip to the La Creek National Wildlife Refuge with the Sierra Club on either the first or second Saturday in May. Folks car pool in Rapid City in the early morning of Saturday May 4th from 7:30-8:00 am MT, leaving […]

Comment deadline extended 60 days, on USFWS proposed rule changes to ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH) of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) are maintained, and where appropriate, restored and enhanced, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. For more information: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/05/2024-04583/national-wildlife-refuge-system-biological-integrity-diversity-and-environmental-health-extension-of Blog post […]

Deadline to submit Initiative and Constitutional Amendment petitions to SD SOS in Pierre, on May 7th, 5 pm CT. For info: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ballot-question-information/default.aspx Potential Ballot Questions 2024: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2024/2024-ballot-questions.aspx