Prairie Hills Audubon Society

SD Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting, Pierre, SD and Zoom
2025-03-06 12:00 - 2025-03-07 11:00 (America/Denver)
SD Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting, Pierre, SD and Zoom, March 6-7 The meeting started at 1:00 pm CT on Thursday and was supposed to have ended by 12 pm CT on Friday.
The Agenda was published on the GFP Commission “Current Meeting Overview” web page a few days before the meeting and will remain up there until they post April meeting info.: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/
A proposal to increase access for hound hunters of mountain lions to prairie unit public land was orinally be up for a finalization review and vote in March but they continued it to April meeting. . Right now, the hound hunters can only go to certain public lands in the prairie, if hunt starts on private land and moves to public land. With the change that is proposed, they can start a hunt on private or public land. Prairie Hills Audubon Society opposes this rule change.
The proposal was amended on 3/6/25 to cross of section 10 of the rule – Modify the rule § 41:06:61:06 to exclude section listing some public land areas that are closed to hunting, i.e.: Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. We think this is a “clean up” amendment, as with the expansion of lion hunting to public land in the prairie unit, they would need to list other parks and monuments, that don’t allow hunting – such as Badlands National Park, Minuteman Missile Silo National Historic Site & some areas of Missouri National Recreational River. What federal lands are open to various types of hunting can be complex. In discussion, they say folks need permission of land owner to hunt, but it doesn’t say that in the rule – but I suspect it is assumed hunters are supposed to know that. The finalization was continued until April 3rd, 2025 meeting of the Commission
January version #1: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt-Lion-proposal.-Commission_Book_-_January_9-10_2024.pdf
March version 2 – I have posted the new Mt lion hunting season rule change proposal with new amendment added:
https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/MountainLLionP-March_2025_Commission_Book-2.pdf

Oppose hound hunting of mountain lion, especially on public land. Talking points against hound hunting – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Hound-hunting-objections.pdf
Visit our cougar alert page for information on SDGFP cougar management. https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/
There was a public hearing & open forum on Thursday at 2 pm CT – testify in person and remotely on Zoom . Written comments were due, the Sunday (3/2/25) before the Thursday, before midnight CT. The is a web site to post comments to is: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/.
If your written comments are late, they are shared with Commission for the next Commission meeting.
Unless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner (those comments will not be in the public record)– https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/ (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link. Here are likely e-mails for them.
“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us>
The three new commissioners e-mails likely are: – Jim.White@state.sd.us, , Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us,
At the hearing they reviewed a rule change proposal to have a season for Jack rabbits, instead of 365 days of unlimited harvest. The Commission rejected the proposal
Issues we are concerned about
1. Allowing hound hunting of lions on the prairie unit to originate on public and private land, with consent of owner. This would be a change from status quo which allows hound hunting on private land and only on public land if the chase moves from private to public land. We oppose this rule change and urge folks to write or testify in opposition to this, as it has been continued to April 3rd meeting. The public comment tally>>> Of written comments on this issue – 39 opposed it , 20 supported it. Link to public comments – mt lion public comments (39 oppose, 20 support ) https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/mt-lion-only-PC-from-March_2025_Commission_Book-4-3.pdf At the hearing 2 folks testified against it. Go to our web site on Mt Lions for talking points..
2. Allowing a rocky mountain sheep to be shot in the Deadwood unit – concern is that population is too low to support killing one sheep. We are investigating this rule change and will likely oppose the harvest limit at Deadwood population.There were many public comments on this issue. Here is the proposal – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/BHS-from-March_2025_Commission_Book-2.pdf
3. Allow the SDGFP the hunting area of the west river prairie elk season to be increased to overlap west river Reservations, so Caucasians can hunt elk on private land in-holdings within the reservations. The tribes oppose this. At the public hearing on 3/6/25 representatives from Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribes spoke against the rule change. We are investigating this rule change.

Prairie elk season rule change proposal:
https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PrairieElkMarch_2025_Commission_Book-3.pdf

TRIBAL CONCERNS ON PRAIRIE ELK SEASON

New proposed prairie elk season would extend the area hunting is allowed with GFP license to within boundaries of the Lakota reservations west river. Elk are culturally important to Lakota – it is a symbol of strength, endurance, and patience. Elk meat is worth a lot of money – there are lots of meat in an Elk. and SDGFP charges $121-$209 dollars for an elk license. Here is the fall 2024 rule change proposal for raising GFP’s hunting/fishing fees: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/FinalzizationFee-gfp.Book_.CommSept.5_9_24.pdf Getting an elk hunting license from SDGFP is very competitive/limited.

With the change Tribes are afraid too many of their elk would be shot by Caucasians at the Caucasian owned deeded lands that exist as in-holdings on the reservation and also that Caucasian hunters would go hunt on the reservation in violation of tribal hunting laws (without a tribal license), perhaps embolden by the belief that tribes can’t prosecute Caucasians for criminal violations, I need to research this and learn more about tribal legal leverage over Caucasian hunters, which may rest in federal courts. SDGFP went ahead with publishing the proposed change without consulting all the tribes first in violation of the MOUs they have with those tribes. Conversely local Caucasian ranchers think they should be able to shoot elk eating grass on their ranches with GFP license and complained to SDGFP, who is now trying to address their complaints.

Deadline to submit comments to NAS 2025 Photo contest
2025-03-05 16:59 - 17:00
National Audubon Society has a photography contest every spring, which entry period normally starts some time in January. In 2025 it starts on January 15th, 2025 and may ends March 5th.. https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/official-contest-rules
Mail entries must be postmarked on March 5th, 2025. Entries submitted on-line must be received by 10 am MST

Written Comment Deadline SD GFP Commission's March meeting
2025-03-02 10:50 - 22:59
The written comment deadline for the SD GFP Commission’s March meeting is the Sunday night before the Thursday meeting> Comments are due just before midnight CT.
The web site to post comments to is: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/.
They have a rule change proposal to expand access by hound hunters of mountain lions to public lands on the prairie. Under the status quo the hound hunters can only access certain public lands if chasing the cougar from a hunt begun on private land. With the rule change they can start hunt on public lands, as long as the public lands allow hunting. PHAS opposes this rule change. Go our March 6 Calendar date for more information.https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-meeting-pierre-sd-and-zoom/
====================
Unless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner (those comments will not be in the public record)– https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/ (there is no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link. Here are likely e-mails for them.
“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us>
The three new commissioners e-mails likely are:
Jim.White@state.sd.us, , Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us,

Scoping Comment Deadline Sawbuck Forest Management Project- BHNF - 2/20/25
2025-02-20 23:50 - 23:59
Scoping Comment Deadline Sawbuck Forest Management Project- BHNF – 2/20/25
The Sawbuck Forest Management Project area lies approximately 13 miles west of Hill City, South Dakota.
The proposed vegetation management surrounds Pe’ Sla. The FS is proposing conifer thinning, timber stand improvement, prescribed fire, planting efforts, as well as enhancements to watersheds, riparian areas, and wildlife habitats.
For more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=67518
For information, you may contact Jim Gubbels, Mystic District Ranger, or Thawney
Stottler, Mystic Ranger District resource planner, at (605) 343-1567.
You may comment via the project website, via telephone (above) or fax (605) 343-7134, or through the U.S. mail:

Deadline for Comments on the North Sand Vegetation Management Preliminary EA - BHNF
2025-02-20 23:50 - 23:59
Deadline for Comments on the North Sand Vegetation Management Preliminary EA – BHNF – 2/20/25
This is located six to ten miles south of Beulah, Wyoming. It is north of the Sand Creek Roadless Area in the Bearlodge Ranger District.
For more information:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65540
Additional informa-tion regarding this proposedaction can be obtained fromElizabeth Krueger, ResourcePlanner, at (307) 283-1361 orby e-mail at elizabeth.krueger@usda.gov
To comment on the project digitally: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=65540

Norbeck Society meeting on “Providing for Birds & Conserving Biodiversity.” Australian speaker
2025-02-20 17:50 - 20:30
Norbeck Society meeting – topic: “ Providing for Birds & Conserving Biodiversity”
on Thursday 2/20/25, 5:50 pm MT
Jayden Gunn, Central NSW Woodland Birds Project Coordinator, BirdLife Australia will gives the talk

This is a hybrid meeting: in person or zoom (link below)!
Please join the Norbeck Society for an evening with Jayden Gunn to enjoy his amazing photographs of Australian birds and learn about his conservation projects.
Jayden has worked as an environmental management professional for over 10 years with experience in Landcare and conservation across Eastern Australia.
He is Project Coordinator for Central NSW Woodland Birds, BirdLife Australia where he works full time coordinating landscape scale threatened species conservation projects for a variety of woodland bird species on private and public lands.
Jayden holds a place on the board of Intrepid Landcare where he strives to improve national youth engagement and engagement in conservation, he also Deputy chairs the Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala Link (K2W) partnership and K2W Glideways programs who work in connecting and preserving vital ecosystems within the Great Eastern Ranges.
Jayden, while passionate about all things conservation, specializes in avian ecology and conservation with a particular passion for Australia’s Calyptorhynchus species.
From Australia, Jayden will join the Norbeck Society at the SDGF&P Outdoor Campus, Rapid City via Zoom.
The meeting will begin at 5:50 pm MT, with a brief update of the Norbeck Society’s activities & upcoming events, followed by the main presentation.
Public meeting ~ everyone is welcome ~ light refreshments available!
Can’t make it in person?
Join the meeting on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88173621695?pwd=[REDACTED]
Please email info@norbecksociety.com for more information.
We don’t know how long the meeting will last but have guessed at about 2.5 hours

Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel 2/15/25
2025-02-15 14:00 - 16:30
Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel will be Saturday, February 15th, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm.
It will be a hybrid meeting and a Zoom link offered.
This event is co-sponsored by Prairie Hills Audubon Society, Rapid City Chapter of Dakota Rural Action and the Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311.
Legislators from District 33 and 29 are invited and all 6 say they will come. It is at the American Legion Post 311 building at 101 Pine St at the corner of it’s Sturgis Rd intersection on south east side of Piedmont
Zoom Option: Register in advance to attend meeting by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c7qES-tjTq2_J37AT9Mgtw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Legislators from Districts 33 and 29 are invited and all six are expected.
What is a Cracker Barrel? – It’s a moderated question and answer session where the public can ask their elected representative questions about the legislature. The agenda will have two one-hour segments with a 20-25 minute break (with snacks) in the middle. Bob Burns will moderate.
Come join us and find out what’s happening in Pierre, meet the representatives and some of Foothills Area neighbors. The invited legislators are those who represent the towns of Southern Meade County: Black Hawk, Summerset, Piedmont and Box Elder, as well as other parts of Pennington County and Meade County.
Prairie Hills Audubon Society maintains a legislative cracker barrel list on another web page. https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislative-cracker-barrels-2022/We also have 2 other web pages on the legislative session generic legislative functions & bill tracking : .https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/ : https://phas-wsd.org/phas-bill-tracking-for-sd-legislature/

Great Backyard Bird Count 2025, Feb. 14th-17th, 2025
2025-02-14 00:00 - 2025-02-17 23:59
Great Backyard Bird Count 2025, Feb. 14th-17th, 2025. Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 14–17, 2025.
Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings, which can be done digitally.
For details visit: https://www.birdcount.org/
There are some community birding events associated with GBYBC but none that we know of yet in SD – https://www.birdcount.org/community-map/

Prairie Hills Audubon Society January 29th, members Zoom Meeting
2025-01-29 18:30 - 21:00
Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS)
Our members Zoom Meeting January 2025
Wednesday, January 29th, 6:30 pm MT
Joshua Lefers and other Audubon Great Plains staff will be talking about National Audubon Society’s programs in SD, ND and NE. The Audubon Great Plains staff will update us on National Audubon Society’s (NAS) “working lands” program and National Audubon Society’s outreach efforts across SD, ND, and NE. They will provide an update on NAS “Flight Plan”, which is the National Audubon Society’s most recent Strategic Plan which can be viewed at https://www.audubon.org/about/welcome-flight-plan and the regional efforts to align with and contribute to the outcomes prioritized in that [NAS) strategic plan.
We don’t know how long the meeting will last, but we don’t run meetings longer than 9 pm
More details might be posted later
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Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting URL: https://audubon.zoom.us/j/99297959712?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 992 9795 9712
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
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Webinar on Keystone Effects of Prairie Dog Ecosystem on Grassland Birds
2025-01-27 12:00 - 14:00
Webinar on Keystone Effects of Prairie Dog Ecosystem on Grassland Birds at 12 pm MST
For info on webinar:
https://plainsconservation.org/keystone-effects-of-prairie-dogs-on-grassland-birds-current-knowledge-and-future-directions/
“Keystone species are central to the ecology and conservation of grassland birds. But although the role of fire and bison has been well-studied, less is known about how prairie dogs affect grassland birds. In this talk, Andrew Dreelin will discuss his work conducting an extensive literature review on the ecological relationships between prairie dogs and grassland birds, synthesizing what we know about the myriad ways prairie dogs influence the entire grassland bird community (not just Burrowing Owls). In addition, he will identify what we don’t know and how we can fill these important knowledge gaps to inform conservation efforts for both imperiled groups. While we’ve learned quite a lot about the importance of this keystone species, there’s much more to unravel…”
This meeting lasted about 45 minutes. It was recorded and will be posted to the Great Plains Conservation Network’s Resources page about a week after the meeting. They have other previous webinars, on other grassland topics, posted also: https://plainsconservation.org/resources/

March for Democracy, Rapid City, Rescheduled Date is Jan 25th 10 am-12 pm MT
2025-01-25 10:00 - 12:00
March for Democracy Rescheduled Date is Saturday Jan 25th
The March for Democracy, scheduled for previous week was postponed due to weather. It will be held Saturday, Jan 25, at 10am. Meet at the Rapid City Memorial Park band shell at 10am. March begins at 10:15 am MT- approximately 1 mile walk. Signs encouraged, – organizers suggest “Stand for something rather than being against something”. Speakers on various topics at the Band Shell, we assume after the walk returns to bandshell – but don’t know for sure. Event is supposed to end at noon.

Sierra Club meeting on the 2025 legislative session and environmental bills
2025-01-23 18:00 - 20:30
Sierra Club meeting on the 2025 legislative session and environmental bills

The Black Hills Group of the South Dakota Sierra Club is hosting a program with Seth Tupper, Editor in Chief of South Dakota Searchlight, at 6 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the Outdoor Campus West. Tupper will speak on environment topics in the legislature. The program is free and open to the public. We don’t know how long the meeting will last, but have guessed at 2.5 hours

There will be a link to watch the program via Zoom. You need to contact the BHG of Sierra Club to get a copy of the Zoom Link. We will also have a copy of the link.

March for Democracy, Rapid City
2025-01-18 10:00 - 12:00
March for Democracy,
January 18th, 10 am -12 am,
Meet at the Bandshell in Memorial Park off Fifth St and Omaha,
March begins at 10:15 am MT – for about a 1 mile walk
Guest Speakers TBA
Signs are encouraged – promoters say: “Stand for Something Rather Than Being Against Something”

The date the National Audubon Society will announce rules for its' 2025 photography competition
2025-01-15 06:00 - 23:30
This is the date the National Audubon Society will start and also will have announced its’ rules for its’ 2025 photography competition.
The contest is open to photography and video submissions From January 15th until March 5, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) U.S. Eastern Time; 11 a.m. CST; 10 a.m. MST; and 9 a.m. PST. Each entry costs $15.00
https://www.audubon.org/photoawards-entry
The rules for USA/Canada contestants: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/official-contest-rules
The prizes: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/contest-prizes
View 2024 prize winning photos: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/2024-audubon-photography-awards-winners-and-honorable-mentions

Climate Watch Winter Season Jan. 15th-February 15th
2025-01-15 00:00 - 2025-02-15 23:59
Climate Watch’s Winter Season is Jan. 15th-February 15th. This is a National Audubon Society community science project where birders adopt a square and bird in it and send reports to the National Audubon Society. It is designed to collect data on climate change’s impacts to certain birds. It happens twice a year in the winter and summer/spring. To learn more visit:
https://www.audubon.org/community-science/climate-watch

Training meeting about the SD Legislature - The 2025 Legislative Calendar
2025-01-14 18:00 - 20:00
SD Advocacy Network for Women is hosting a series of webinars in January 2025 on how to engage with the legislature
Legislative Essentials,-,All you need to know to increase your advocacy impact is at your fingertips in the three-part Legislative Essentials training series. Each session is one hour long and begins at 7:00 PM Central and 6:00 PM Mountain.
January 14 – Legislative Essentials Part II
https://zoom.us/j/96826758216?pwd=[REDACTED]
The 2025 Legislative Calendar – – Presenter — Kitty Kinsman, former Secretary, SD Dept. of Health and public policy consultant. Understand how a bill becomes law in our state and review key dates in the upcoming legislative session. On 1/14/25
We don’t know how long the meeting will last, so we have guessed at 2 hours.

Public Comments Sought for "Fort Project" on Bearlodge Ranger District
2025-01-13 23:50 - 23:59
Sundance, Wyo., — The Black Hills National Forest is proposing treatments on National Forest land eight miles northwest of Sundance, WY, and eight miles southeast of Huelett, WY through commercial timber harvest, small-tree thinning, mastication, tree planting, watershed improvements, and prescribed fire.
The Fort project area includes Blacktail Creek, Lytle Creek, Taylor Divide, Hershey Creek, and Beaver Creek. The Cook Lake recreation area is within the project boundary but is excluded from activities and analysis.
The proposal includes up to 7,500 acres of commercial timber harvest. Harvest would be based on current stand conditions. Thinning reduces stand density to improve growth, reduce fire hazard, and enhance forest health.
Thinning of small pine trees (less than seven inches in diameter) is also proposed. Cut material that is not sold would be chipped, burned, or otherwise modified to reduce fire hazard. Thinning would reduce competition among trees and decrease crown fire potential by removing ladder fuels and increasing space between crowns.
Watershed improvements are proposed to restore degraded watersheds and increase wildlife habitat. These include removal of pine encroachment, construction of beaver dam analogs, and stream crossing improvements.
Prescribed broadcast burning is proposed throughout the project to diversify the understory species composition and reduce fuel loading. A detailed burn plan would be prepared prior to burning.
Link to project documents – https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=67343
Comments should be submitted within 30 days after publication of the legal notice of opportunity to comment in the Rapid City Journal. The notice was published on December 14, 2024, so comments are due Monday the 13th, 2025. It is scoping so due date may be a little flexible. The preferred method to submit comments is online and can be found on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67343. Comments can also be submitted through the U.S. Mail: Fort Project, Bearlodge Ranger District, P.O. Box 680, Sundance, WY 82729.

Current
For questions on the proposed project, please contact Patrick Champa, Bearlodge District Ranger, or Ryan Tallmadge, Bearlodge Ranger District assistant resource planner, at (307) 283-1361, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., mountain daylight time. Ryan.Tallmadge@usda.gov, Patrick Champa <patrick.champa@usda.gov>

Meeting by organizers of referendum on Lawrence County Zoning changes
2025-01-09 17:30 - 20:00
Meeting at which organizers of referendum on Lawrence County Zoning changes (to put Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) under authority of Board of Adjustments, not the Commission) will speak.
An informational meeting is being held this Thursday (1/9) at the VFW in Spearfish starting at 5:30pm. The VFW is located at 3102 E Fairgrounds Loop – just down the road from Guadalajara restaurant.
The volunteers in Lawrence County got more than enough signatures to refer Ord 2024-05 (rewrite of Zoning Ordinance > to put CUPs under the Board of Adjustment, instead of Commission).
The signatures were due on Dec 20th, 2024
However on Jan 3rd, 2025 the Lawrence County Auditor wrote a letter to referendum leader who submitted petitions and said the County Commission thinks the rewrite of Zoning Ordinance is an administrative action not a legislative action and they think administrative actions are not referable, so she refused to plan an election.
The volunteers in Lawrence County have retained counsel (Bangs McCullen Law Firm) and planned to proceed with court challenge. Litigation was filed and a court date is expected in March sometime, but date is not yet set, (as of 1/24/25)
For more info -Kevin Farmer at 605) 641-2595‬‬‬ cell, visionsmf22@gmail.com,
“Save Centennial Valley Association”, a nonprofit organization, organized in 1975 is accepting donations to help pay for the legal fight.
Mail donations to support the campaign against Ord. 24–05 to Checks payable to Save Centennial Valley Assoc., ℅ Kevin Farmer, 11794 Crook City Rd., Whitewood SD. 57793
This is relevant to mining as Lawrence county requires CUPs for sand/gravel and hard rock mining. These CUPs gives another layer of oversight and public involvement beyond DANRs oversight.
We don’t know how long the meeting will last, but guessed it would take 2.5 hours.

SD Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting Jan 9th-10th, 2025
2025-01-09 12:00 - 2025-01-10 11:00
SD Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting Jan 9th-10th, 2025, Hybrid meeting > Pierre, Ramkota Convention Center and Zoom
Date and Time: January 9, 2025, from 1-5 pm CST | January 10, 2025, from 8 am-12 pm CST
Zoom Webinar: Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 912 6417 6710 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call In: +16699009128,,91264176710# US Video Conference ID: 91264176710@zoomcrc

Link to Current Meeting Overview _ https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/
Agenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_January_2024_Public_Copy.pdf
There was a proposal presented, , to increase hound hunting of cougars in the prairie unit to allow hunters to hunt on public land (currently can only hunt on public land if the chase began on private land and moved to public land). This proposal moved forward to finalization hearing on March 6th. There is also a proposal on Bear Butte Public Use Restriction, about spreading human remains.
Please write in opposition to this cougar hunting proposal or attend to testify against it.
URL for GFP’s cougar hunting proposal
https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt-Lion-proposal.-Commission_Book_-_January_9-10_2024.pdf

You can testify during open forum in person or on Zoom (2 pm CT) . Please inform Liz Kierl at liz.kierl@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting

Deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for their January 25 meeting
2025-01-08 08:00 - 17:00
Sunday night just before midnight CT is the deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for their January 9-10, 2025 meeting. Go to our event calendar for January 9-10 to learn more about the upcoming meeting.

The Commission normally meets on the first Thursday of the month, unless holidays interfere (they normally skip meeting in August and February ).
The written comment deadline is midnight of the Sunday before meeting, in the time Zone the meeting happens in, which is usually Central Time (more Commission meetings occur in Eastern than Western SD).
Written comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the most immediate meeting, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting) If you miss that deadline it goes to the public record of the next meeting .
Unless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner (those comments will not be in the public record)– https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/ (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link. Here are likely e-mails for them.

“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us>
The three new commissioners e-mails likely are:
Jim.White@state.sd.us, , Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us,
You can comment orally at the Commission meeting by Zoom or teleconference – or in person. This opportunity will be a 2 pm CT and you will be given 3 minutes for each rule finalization and 3 minutes for Open Forum.

Meeting on “How to Use the LRC Website and MyLRC+” - SD Legislative Training
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:00
SD Advocacy Network for Women is doing a training series on the SD legislature
Did you miss the January 7th video conferencing presentation? Here’s your link to the recording of Betty Oldenkamp’s session on “How to Use the LRC Website and MyLRC+”
It is about an hour long.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11WzjCEkgh4oAsQYB5xvT666JiA_Qtfqe?usp=drive_link

Deadline to return notarized petitions on referring Lawrence County's Zoning Ordinance's 24-05 Changes
2024-12-18 08:00 - 20:00
The 18th of December is the deadline to return the notarized petitions with signatures, to the organizers of petition drive (who will deliver the set to the County). The referendum petition, would refer Lawrence County’s recent Zoning Ordinance’s 24-05 .
Organizers have to return the cluster of notarized petitions to the County by COB on Dec 20th. Circulators wanted an extra few days to xerox and organize petitions and/or inspire a last minute push, if not enough signatures have been gathered by the 18th.
Ordinance’ 24-05 approved changes to Lawrence County’s Zoning Ordinance to place Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approvals under the appointed Board of Adjustment rather than under the elected Commission. Lawrence County has allowed their approval of a mining CUP to be referred in the past and the public rejected the mine’s approval. Some decisions of County Commissions can be referred, but none of those of the Boards of Adjustments.
We (PHAS) are concerned about all land use management, but especially the approval of new mines, which in Lawrence County need a CUP. This adds an extra layer of protection and local control to Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources mine permitting/licensing process, as the mine must be approved by both Lawrence County and DANR. See Lawrence County’s Extractive Industries CUP terms: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lawrencecounty/latest/lawrencecty_sd_land/0-0-0-3178#JD_TitleIIChapter20 Only counties with zoning can achieve this authority over hard-rock mining.
More information about referendum effort that was sent to us by petition circulators can be found here – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Note-on-Referendum-Ord-24-05-Lawrence-Cnty.pdf.
For now, for more information also go to our alert on November 26th about Lawrence County Commission’s meeting. https://phas-wsd.org/event/lawrence-county-commission-2nd-reading-of-ordinance-24-05/
Contact persons for referendum in Lawrence County are Les Wolf – les.wolff@icloud.com, 605-848-4050 or Kristin Wing at 713-542-7559, kawing2218@gmail.com.
Places/Times to sign petitions:
Rosalie Aslesen will be at the coffee shop Ruby’s Roost on Thursday, December 12, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon with petitions for people to sign. Ruby’s Roost is located on Jackson, close to the corner of Main Street.
There will also be petitions to sign at a Democratic Party meeting – LCDems Monthly Meeting – Wednesday, December 11 · 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Lewies in Lead, SD, For info – <sodakdemocrats31@gmail.com>
Petitions return
We don’t yet know time of day when petitions need to be returned by and to whom, but we will update this post with more information when we have it.

Treaty Council Meeting - Oceti Sakourin Treaty Conference
2024-12-17 08:00 - 2024-12-19 16:00
Oceti Sakourin Treaty Conference Dec 17th-19th, 2024 at the Holiday Inn near the Civic Center, Downtown, Rapid City. For info, Phillip Two Eagles of Rosebud Sioux Tribe is arranging it. (pd2eagle@yahoo.com)
https://sicangudata.org/2024_oceti_sakowin_treaty_conference
Deadline to reserve rooms at cheaper rate with Holiday Inn, was November 20th, 2024.
The official registration fee is $250
Link to the agenda: https://sicangudata.org/2024_oceti_sakowin_treaty_conference#heading-agenda

Deadline to File Protest on BLM's Decision on Greater Sage Grouse Amendments to RMPs
2024-12-16 21:50 - 21:59
Deadline to File Protest on BLM’s Decision on Greater Sage Grouse Amendments to RMPs
Link to the FEIS
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-administration-tightens-sage-grouse-protections-ahead-of-second-trump-term/ar-AA1tKRLm
The Federal Register notice ran on November 15, which would mean the protest is due December 15th, which is a Sunday. There is no postal delivery on Sundays so the deadline thus becomes Monday (the Post Office’s next working day)
We are not sure of the time of day, but likely it is just before midnight Eastern Time (i.e. – 10 pm MT ) but it might be later such as midnight MT. If concerned about time of day of deadline, ask BLM.
Newspaper article on BLM action
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-administration-tightens-sage-grouse-protections-ahead-of-second-trump-term/ar-AA1tKRLm

Prairie Hills Audubon Society's December Meeting on Mining by Zoom
2024-12-16 18:30 - 21:00
Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s (PHAS) December Meeting will be on mining threats to the area, by Zoom,
Lilias’s Presentation’s Title: 2024 Updates on Exploration/Mining Projects

Description: “Things are moving very fast around water and mining issues in the Black Hills. This is your chance to catch up on what’s going on at the end of 2024 — and what might be expected in early 2025. New projects will be mourned! Successes will be celebrated!”

It will start at 6:30 pm MT. Lilias Jarding of Black Hills Clean Water Alliance and Gary Placco of Black Hills Preservation Project will be speaking. Gary Placo of Black Hills Preservation Project will be the MC. We have also invited the folks, who are circulating a referendum petition on who approves Conditional Use Permits in Lawrence County, to speak. Many mines in the Black Hills occur in Lawrence County and they first need to get a county Conditional Use Permit. For more info on referendum effort with 12/18/24 petition return deadline: https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-return-notarized-petitions-on-referring-lawrence-countys-zoning-ordinances-24-05-changes/
We get Lilias to come to a PHAS meeting about once every year or year and a half to update us on mining threats to our area. If you go to our recordings of past PHAS meetings you can watch Lilias’s past presentations to PHAS – https://phas-wsd.org/recorded-meetings/.
Topic: PHAS monthly meetings
Time: These are recurring codes for the PHAS monthly meetings

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Christmas Bird Counts 2024-2025
2024-12-14 05:30 - 2025-01-05 19:30
125th Annual Christmas Bird Counts 2024-2025
The Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) run from December 14th to January 5th of every year.
This year, in western SD: Rapid City, Sturgis & Pierre CBCs are Dec 14th, Wind Cave & Hot Springs are Dec 15th., Shadehill is Dec. 17th, Bison is Dec. 19th, Badlands is Dec. 27th, Harding County is Dec . 28th, Pine Ridge is the 30th of December, Spearfish is Jan the 5th, 2025, As far as we know Piedmont is orphaned and lacking a compiler. Date is yet unknown for – Sundance, Wyoming.
For details visit our Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count web page: https://phas-wsd.org/christmas-bird-counts-regional/
We have more information about CBCs in eastern SD and nearby counts in other states in our region on our Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count web page: https://phas-wsd.org/christmas-bird-counts-regional/
Each count has a compiler, who you need to contact for more information about the counts. Information on the official counts, that are affiliated with the National Audubon Society, can also be found on their Christmas Bird Count web page. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
National Audubon Society’s map of CBC circles: https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*cw58ys*_gcl_au*MTA3MzM5NzIwNy4xNzMzMTk0NDI3*_ga*MTE0ODc1NDgxMC4xNjg0MTE2Mzkw*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*MTczMzE5NDQyOC4xMy4xLjE3MzMxOTQ0NjkuMTkuMC4w
Counts normally start after the sunlight arrives on Count day and some counts have pre-count and/or post count meetings. You can also feeder watch.

Prairie Hills Audubon Society December Board Meeting
2024-12-11 18:30 - 20:00
Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) Board Meetings are normally the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm MT, if there will be a quorum of board members. If a quorum will be lacking, we move the date, which then might be the second Thursday or third Wednesday/Thursday. These meetings are open to members and others by invitation. For more information contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com,

SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid meeting - likely in Pierre
2024-12-05 12:00 - 16:00
SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid meeting – in Pierre, December 5th

There will be face-to-face and Zoom attendance.
Folks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm MT in person or by Zoom or phone on rule finalizations and/or at the Open Forum . Visit this web page for more details when close to the date:
: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/
AGENDA
https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_December_5,_2024_Public_Copy.pdf

December 5, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT
Capitol Building Room 414 — Pierre, SD | Livestream link
Zoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: [REDACTED]

December is often a month without rule finalizations.
Public Input at the meeting:
To provide comments, join the meeting in person, via zoom, or via conference call per the info above. To conduct the public hearing and/or open forum as efficiently as possible SDGFP asks those wishing to testify to register by 1:00 pm CT by email to Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us. Testifiers should provide their full names, whom they are representing, city of residence, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. If you forget, they are polite and normally ask if anyone who failed to register wants to testify.
Written comments can be submitted here. To be included in the public record of the December meeting , comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting). Late comments will end up in the next month’s record.

Unless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner (those comments will not be in the public record)– https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/ (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link. Here are likely e-mails for them.
“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” <Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us>, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” <Jon.Locken@state.sd.us>, “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” <Travis.Bies@state.sd.us>, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” <Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us>, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” <Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us>
The three new commissioners e-mails likely are:
Jim.White@state.sd.us, , Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us,

Water Management Board December Meeting
2024-12-04 08:30 - 18:00
A meeting is scheduled for the Water Management Board on 12/4/2024 9:30:00 AM CT. Please visit the Boards and Commissions Portal to learn more about past and upcoming meetings! https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/

Water Management Board meeting’s web page:
https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106

Water Management Board's December meeting
2024-12-04 08:00 - 17:00
Water Management Board’s December meeting

A meeting is scheduled for the Water Management Board on 12/4/2024 9:30:00 AM CT. Please visit the Boards and Commissions Portal to learn more about past and upcoming meetings!

https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/
https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106
