Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) is run by volunteers. This page you are on - the home page, is up to date and is a google blog. .
Most of the other pages on this web site have not been changed in 10 or 11 years, because we lacked volunteers who knewhow to edit them -- we finally have a new
This "home page" is managed like a blog, - items are added and deleted to this page to keep it timely.
Scroll down immediately below for an index of how this "blog" is ordered..
Members can belong to only Prairie Hills Audubon Society or they can join both Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) and the National Audubon Society (NAS)
To join Prairie Hills Audubon Society & the National Audubon Society
on-line - joining both at the same time go to
https://action.audubon.org/donate/chapter-membership
Our chapter code is V02, the 0 is a zero.
Chapter only memberships are also available, for which you must mail checks to
with approval of Board in each instance.
E) Alert on Resilient Landscape DEIS (Forest Service)
BOISE, Idaho— A federal judge today overturned a Trump administration decision to strip protections from 10 million acres, mostly in Nevada and Idaho, to allow mining in vital habitat for greater sage grouse. The ruling is the latest in a series of court victories for sage grouse conservation.
Attorneys from Advocates for the West represent Western Watersheds Project, the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians and Prairie Hills Audubon Society in this case. Link to the press release:
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PHAS membership meetings are scheduled at the end of the month - in the last week. The day may vary, but check here for
PHAS schedules Zoom discussion & "working" meetings during most months that are not announced on this web page. but announcements are sent to members and friends who have expressed past interest in some of the issues we follow - let us know if you want to be invited to "working' meetings on topics we follow.
Time: Thursday, February 25th, 6:30 PM MT (History - But recording on Zoom Cloud)
Share recording with viewers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TB51fixJwbJpZX1yWxCAJ78u1HHYO_IMDEgcWDUVcmfEqPPbJJ-Y3IQc1FG-aT-T.G3-lHAH0ATAgPIaw
Passcode: f^%.Pi.4
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- a report that documents the Forest's not sustainable cut.
Speaker: Jonathan Word, BHNF's Natural Resources Staff Officer.
We helped co-sponsor a cracker barrel in Piedmont on the second Saturday of February 2020
we have temporarily discontinued those.
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SD Legislature 2021Jan 12th-March 11, with Veto day March 29th
Legislative section (which is below) has1. Reference links for the SD Legislature and other lobbyists/groups who have information relevant to environmental bills2. Alerts about a few specific bills3, Bill tracking for environmental and "good/bad government process" bills4. Bulk e-mail lists of all legislators and some committees5. Information on some committees========================
SD Legislative Research Council
Legislature's Calendar
To view bills and their progressTo get a copy of the Bill Status Report - published at end of day and lists history of all bills
Join "My LRC"This is a service where the LRC will track bills or committees for you & let you know when a change in status occurs.You have to create an account & enter bills/committees of concernCall and leave a message with the pages; The page will deliver your phone message to them.Senate 773-3821House 773-3851Scroll down past the bill list and bill alerts t findfor House and Senate bulk e-mail address lists
You can testify remotely if you contact the committee 24 hours in advance- details:link to Commitee e-mails
During the legislature - Dakota Rural Action (DRA) & SD Camo Coalition Provide On-line Resources,
Dakota Rural Action (weekly updates)
DRA Legislative Guide -the guide has lots & lots of information, including legislator & committee lists)
SD Camo Coalition (daily updates - bill tracking )
Both organizations have full time lobbyists (Rebecca Terk and Chris Hesla)that cover environmental and outdoor recreation at least in part & they post daily alerts or post weekly summaries on their web pages and send to members & Camo Coalition sends out with on-line registration.Sierra Cub and SD Izaak Walton League (Ikes) have part time lobbyists (Ailee Johns and Paul Lepisto) and Ikes send weekly summaries to members and Sierra Club sends some alerts to members .Steven Wegman for South Dakota Renewable Energy Association will also lobby
SD DENR and GFP have bill tracking, available on their web sites.SDGFP link this year - https://gfp.sd.gov/legislative-updates/
DENR link this year (find legislative review on this web page)
https://denr.sd.gov/dfta/info/info.aspx
Other NGOs with bill tracking
SD Farm Bureau also has bill tracking:
https://www.sdfbf.org/policy-advocacy/state-legislative
Prairie Hills Audubon Society has bill tracking on home page, scroll down :
https://gfp.sd.gov/legislative-updates/
DENR link this year (find legislative review on this web page)
https://denr.sd.gov/dfta/info/info.aspx
Other NGOs with bill tracking
SD Farm Bureau also has bill tracking:
https://www.sdfbf.org/policy-advocacy/state-legislative
Prairie Hills Audubon Society has bill tracking on home page, scroll down :
Scroll down past alerts for bill tracking section
Alert for Monday, Feb 22nd, HB 1253, Funding the Mt Rushmore Connector trail.House Appropriations Committee, has 24 bills to review on Monday at 10:15 am CT , these include HB 1253 , which is about funding the Mickelson Trail to Rushmore Connector Trail - the preferred alternative to this would go through the Norbeck Wildlife Refuge, which would be illegal and the last stretch of the trail from Horse Thief Lake to Mt Rushmore is much too steep for leisurely rides. The DEIS has not been completed, but they ask for emergency approval. At first they asked for 15 million, but the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reduced this to $1, which is a way to defer to Appropriations to choose the allocation of dollars. Scroll down past the bill tracking section and find e-mails of folks on House Appropriations provided. .
ACTION ALERT updated 2/20
- ATTACK ON OPEN FIELDS - HB 1140 - 2/17/21 it passed House 41 to 28, - link to the vote https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Vote/69359Contact Senators now. This was sent to Senate Judiciary (scroll down for bulk e-mails)
One of Kristi Noem's bills is legislation to attack "Open Fields" - The proposed law would be restricting SD GFP employees from entering private land without permission. Scroll down bill tracking for details on HB 1140. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22226, . Camo Coalition alert on this matter is at this link: https://sdwfcamo.net/blog/hb-1140-need-your-help
Scroll down past the bill tracking section and you will find the e-mails of Senate Judiciary & of all House members provided.
DISCUSSION OF ISSUES (Text is mostly derived from the Camo Coalition alert)
. HB 1140 was introduced on the behalf of Gov. Noem. The Governor’s press release on HB 1140 states: “ It’s important that we close the open fields loophole to ensure that our private property rights are protected just as the fourth amendment protects our homes from unreasonable search and seizure”.
The open fields’ doctrine has been reviewed many times by both the US Supreme Court and South Dakota Supreme Court.The fallacy of Noem's statement is that the Supreme Court of the United States AND the Supreme Court of South Dakota have both clearly ruled that a Conservation Officer does NOT violate private property rights by entering privately owned lands constituting open fields without probable cause, reasonable suspicion, consent or permission, or a search warrant when performing his statutory duties. In addition, the South Dakota Attorney General also affirmed the Court’s decision with Official Opinion No. 04-01 in January of 2004 as it applies specifically to Conservation Officers.
Such activity does not constitute an unreasonable search or seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution OR Article VI, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution. This is the Law – not a Loophole!!! The Fourth Amendment protects your actual home you live in, not your fields, it does not even protect some out-buildings.
“Open Fields” is something ALL law enforcement people can use to protect and serve the public. If HB 1140 were truly a private property or 4th Amendment search and seizure issue, it would apply to ALL law enforcement officers. Instead, ONLY SDGFP’s Conservation Officers are singled out, while US Fish and Wildlife Officers, Sheriffs, Policemen, Highway Patrol, etc. are free to continue utilizing the open fields pursuant to their authorized duties.
“Open Fields” if passed, would stop, the ability of our SD Conservation Officers to do compliance checks on private land. Compliance checks include checking for proper licensing and limits by hunters when in the field, on both private lands and public lands. SD Conservation Officers have a wide range of duties and since approximately 80% of South Dakota's 77,000 square miles is privately owned, much of their work involves private lands that are open fields. HB 1140 does NOT impact an officer’s legal ability to conduct compliance checks on PUBLIC land. Consequently, this bill creates TWO classes of “sportspersons": those who are essentially free from compliance checks, and those who are not! It is unfair to those who don’t have the money, political connections or other means to access private lands. It creates two classes of wildlife, those GFP can protect and those it can't.
Compliance checks in and around open fields play a critical role in enforcing regulations that conserve and sustain our wildlife populations. In addition, compliance checks help protect landowners against trespass and vandalism. Revenue from hunting/fishing licenses contributes a lot of money to SDGFP revenue stream. License and wildlife compliance checks on BOTH private and public lands are critical to ensure that people are paying their hunting/fishing license fees which support the state's continued wildlife resource management and conservation efforts.
Any proposed law which would require the officers to obtain permission from a landowner, or which would require “probable cause or reasonable suspicion that a crime has been, is being or is about to be committed,” significantly interferes with the officer’s ability to enter those open fields to conduct his/her authorized purpose to protect natural resources. A legal question also pertains to our TIPS Program – does an anonymous complaint to TIPS constitute “probable cause or reasonable suspicion” as required before the Officer can enter private ground?
Here are links that discusses requirements and training for SDGFP’s conservation officers
Actual text of "Amendment IV
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” (Emphasis added)
This will likely go next to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (please verify) and folks will be needing to contact those.
UPDATE FOLLOW UP - SENATE VOTED ON HB 1028 (Water Permits) February 10th and passed the bill, House Bill 1028 - https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22104 It would make it very difficult for people to have standing to object to & contest issuance of water permits. It went to the Senate Floor on Wednesday 2/10/21 and it passed 24 to 11. It had previously passed the house (49 to 21). At this point, all you can do is write governor for veto, thank those who voted nay, join an effort to refer it and/or try to amend it next year.
Alert on this issue with details and talking points has been written by Dakota Rural Action
Prairie Hills Audubon Society does some bill tracking, updated periodically
Feb 12-16th, 2021 was a 4 day weekend for legislatureFeb 19th-21th is 3 day weekend for legislature Status of environmental bills full update - February 24thGovernment process bills, full update - February 20th, (partial 2/22). Let Nancy know what you think about bills, nhilding (at) rapidnet.com. - help us review bills.Please go & download the most current bill status report, (Link above) for exact status details. Let Nancy knowwhat you think about bills, nhilding (at) rapidnet.com. - help us review bills.There was no legislature meetings on Friday 2/12 and will be none on 2/16 - 4 day weekend.
ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS (full update eve 2/24,)
HOUSE (environmental) (full update eve 2/24)
HB 1027 Title: An Act to identify Water Management Board officers, authorize appointment of a prehearing officer, and define the duties of the pre-hearing officer.UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 26TH, Passed 13 to 0, To House, placed on consent. Passed House 69 to 1,> AG & NR to COMMITTEE TUES. 2/9, passed 6 to 1, Senate Floor passed 34 to 1, 2/16 signed by Pres.> go governor,
*HB 1028 Title: An Act to revise petition requirements and the criteria for issuance of a water right permit.UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 26TH, Passed to floor & on 2/27 calendar, Passed House - 49 to 21 - see vote: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Vote/68004 to > S AG & NR to COMMITTEE TUES. 2/9, passed 4 to 3, Should go to the SENATE FLOOR 2/10.. Passed the senate floor 24 to 11, > go governor 2/16, PHAS opposes, DRA has review in their literature - see link to their alert BELOW
House Bill 1029 Title: require a permit to conduct mining operations for certain ore milling facilities.UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 28TH, Passed 13 to 0, placed on Consent, Passed House > S Ag & N R , 2/18 IN COMMITTEE, sent to Senate Floor on Consent, vote 2/22, passed Senate 33 to 0, signed speaker/president,
It proposes to regulate free-standing milling facilities. Right now there are no regs governing. This is progress.
House Bill 1034 Title: revise certain youth hunting requirements. https:/sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22024/210653 , Amended & Passed House 56 to 13, > S Ag & N R, IN COMMITTEE 2/16, Passed 5 to 1, 2/17 Passed Senate , 34 to 0 , signed by speaker/presidentChanges the age definition for youth from 16 to 18,
House Bill 1035 Title: remove the locking seal requirement for the transportation of big game animals.FAILED House, YEAS 33, NAYS 36 will reconsider, Passed House YEAS 45, NAYS 25. , > S Ag & Nat R. IN COMMITTEE 2/11, passed 4 to 1, To Senate FLOOR 2/16, > passed 31 to 4, Signed by Speaker/President, Does away with requirement in statute to have a locking device (tag). It would let SDGFP consider other ways to tag big game.
House Bill 1038 Title: make an appropriation from the coordinated natural resources conservation fund to the State Conservation Commission and declare an emergency. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22052 UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 26TH, Ag and NR sent to Appropriations, IN COMMITTEE 2/8, passed 8 TO 0 , 2/10 H Floor passed 68 to 0 > Senate> Ag & NR IN COMMITTEE 2/18, 6 to 0 sent to > S Appropriations, Gives $500,000 to State Conservation Commission
HB 1039 Title: An Act to make an appropriation for costs related to suppression of wildfires in the state and to declare an emergency. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22053 (to Appropriations) COMMITTEE 2/4, Passed 8 to 0 > H FLOOR, deferred, Passed 68 to 0 > Senate> Ag & NR IN COMMITTEE 2/18, 6 to 0 sent to > S Appropriations, Gives $973,514 to fires suppression special fund
House Bill 1042 Title: Revise certain provisions regarding riparian buffer strips. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22063, > to H Ag & NR Hearing UP IN COMMITTEE 2/2/21, Amended, Passed 13 to 0, Amended & Passed 69 to 0, > S Ag & NR, in COMMITTEE 2/11, Passed & placed on consent, passed Senate, Signed by Speaker/President, > Gov ,Changes some criteria needed to get a tax break.- Limits certification to 10 year periods unless changed use or failed conditions ...
House Bill 1047 Title: provide limited deer and antelope licenses to landowners. > H Ag & NR, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 4th, amended to limit such tags to #250, passed 9 to 4 > H FLOOR 2/8/20Passed 51 to 17 > S Ag & NR, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 25th, SDGFP is supporting the ability of Non-Res landowners to get up to 2 tags for their land, as long as they own a min. of 160 contiguous ac, these proposed tags are good for only on their own land. Amended to limit total tags to 250/per year by lottery, although can be smaller number if herd health so dictates.
House Bill 1053 Title: An Act to establish an annual fee for certain electric motor vehicles.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22004, > Trans, amended and passed 10 to 0 > House Floor passed House 51 to 18 > UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 2/17, passed S Trans 6 to 1 to S Floor, deferred 2/18 to 2/22 , Senate passed 29 to 6, Signed speaker/president,In addition to license fee, pay $50 fee per year for non-commercial electric vehicles, but not motorcycles
House Bill 1066 Title: authorize the transfer of wind energy tax revenue from a school district general fund.> H Education , UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 3rd, Amended & deferred UP IN COMMITTEE ON 2/10, passed 14 to 0 > House Floor , passed 68 to 0. > S Education, COMMITTEE 2/23, passed 6 to 1,> Floor 2/24 passed 35 to 0
HB 1085 Title: An Act to redefine the criteria for classifying land as agricultural for tax purposes.> H Tax, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 2nd , Amended Passed 10 to 2, Failed House Floor 34 to 35, Intent to reconsider, 2/5 Amended & passed 41 to 27, > S Tax > IN COMMITTEE 2/24 , amended & passed 5 to 2, This would impact smaller-scale ag
enterprises and those closer to municipalities. It may also serve to
force land out of ag production in places where development pressure is
high.
HB 1094 - revise certain provisions regarding the municipal zoning and appeals process.> H Local Gov. , UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 2nd , Amended Passed 12 to 1 > H Floor, deferred twice,passed 50 to 18 > S Local Gov.. Changes approval processes for conditional use and special permitted uses.Makes it easier to get approvals and keep status. This is a bad bill like SB 157 last year. Here is link to Dakota Free Press Article about this bill. http://dakotafreepress.com/2021/01/28/hb-1094-noem-guts-local-control-of-conditional-use-permits/
HB 1099 - revise the property tax exemption amount for certain agricultural property. > H Tax, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 2nd , Tabled 12 to 0
House Bill 1111 Title: revise certain provisions regarding inspections and seizures by, and forfeitures involving, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. > H State Affairs, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 3rd , passed 13 to 0 > H Floor, 2/4 deferred, Passed 68 to 0, >S Ag & Nat R.3/2 IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 1112 Title: revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22183 > H Ag & Nat R.> IN COMMITTEE 2/23 passed 10 to 2, > H Floor 24th, Changes the distance restrictions from 660 feet to 900 feet for hunting/trapping on highways or right of ways near dwellings/church/school/livestock without owner's written permission. Exception allows trapping in the restricted area for adjoining land owner. This will help protect pets/children/livestock/people from accidental take.
*House Bill 1115 Title: revise the qualifications of Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners. > H Ag & Nat R. In COMMITTEE 2/9, Passed 12 to 0, > Floor 2/10, Passed 45 to 22, > S Ag & Nat Res. COMMITTEE 3/2 Removes balance between political parties. Currently the Commision has 8 folks on it, and at least half must make two thirds of their living from agriculture and no more than 4 can be from one political party. This change would remove the required balance in parties, allowing the Governor to just appoint Republican friends.There is no requirement of providing for balance of sexes, or for a distribution of conservationists, outdoor recreators, animal welfare advocates, representation for tribal folk etc. PHAS opposes
House Bill 1116 Title: make an appropriation for the maintenance and repair of the dam in Lake Andes and to declare an emergency > H Ag & Nat R. In COMMITTEE 2/9, > DEAD , 9 to 3
House Bill
1121 Title: establish criteria governing the sale of homemade food items. > H Commerce & En > Local Gov , In COMMITTEE 2/23, DEAD, 10 to 3, DRA is following this bill House Bill 1133 Title: reduce fees for annual state park licenses for South Dakota residents.> H Ag & Nat R. In Committee 2/23, DEAD 12 to 1, Would set resident entrance fee at 25% less than the fee for nonresidents.
House Bill 1138 Title: revise provisions regarding the issuance of state park camping permits.> H Ag & Nat R, in Committee 2/23, amended & passed 10 to 2, residents get twice as long to reserve as non-residents
*House Bill 1140 Title: restrict the entry of conservation officers onto certain private land without permission.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22226, > H Ag & Nat R., Feb. 16th, 7:45 am CT., passed 10 to 2 > floor 2/17 2 pm CT . It passed House 41 to 28, - link to the vote https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Vote/69359 > Judiciary, March 2nd,Requested by Gov. to oppose/kill open fields doctrine for GFP's conservation officers (game wardens) .“ Open Fields doctrine” is something ALL law enforcement people can use to protect and serve the public. It allows officers to check for violation of laws in the open space/outdoors on private land, but not inside homes. This bill takes away "open fields". This is especially important for wildlife related laws. PHAS opposes this bill.
House Bill 1149 Title: establish timberland as a separate classification of property for tax purposes, define the criteria for timberland classification, and set the tax parameters for property classified as timberland. > Taxation, COMMITTEE 2/16 Withdrawn at request of sponsor,
House Bill 1155 Title: remove certain restrictions on gifts of agricultural land. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21903 > Judiciary > H Ag & NR > TaxCOMMITTEE 2/23, passed & placed on consent , Floor passed 64 to 3, Allows for a gift of land to a nonprofit organization -
House Bill 1162 Title: establish the Re-Homestead South Dakota Program.> Ag & NR > Tax , In COMMITTEE 2/11, Dead, 10 to 3, sets up terms for small parcels to get ag. tax status.
House Bill 1170 Title: appropriate funds to pave Sheps Canyon Road in Fall River County.> Transp, In COMMITTEE 2/9, > DEAD 8 to 5, 4 million $ to pave the Road.
House Bill 1183 Title: establish certain provisions related to the names of geographic places.> State Affairs, IN COMMITTEE 2/24, DEAD, substitutes "naca topa" for scalp in place names
- House Bill 1190 Title: revise the process to vacate a part of certain highways.> Transport, In COMMITTEE 2/9, > deferred , In COMMITTEE 2/16, Tabled 10 to 0 Bill changes criteria for number of folk petitioning for rule making and allows local governments discretion to vacate just because they think it in public interest. Lessens the process to close roads - (companion bill is SB 136, see below, both bills in same Committee same day)
House Bill 1198 Title: make an appropriation for a hydrology study of Brule County and to declare an emergency.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22378 > Ag & NR, In COMMITTEE 2/11> Appropriations > In COMMITTEE 2/17, 7 to 0, DEAD, $67,500 in funds to School and Public Lands for a Brule County study of Red Lake & American Creek.
House Bill 1202 Title: require that commercial pesticide applicators provide proof of financial responsibility. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22269 > Ag & NR, In COMMITTEE 2/23, DEAD 11 to 1, Proof of fiscal responsibility required - $100,000
House Bill 1213 Title: provide for an inventory of known abandoned mined lands and to make an appropriation.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22185 > Ag & NR, 2/22, Withdrawn at request sponsor, Request $250,000 for DENR and SDSMT to inventory
House Bill 1219 Title: An Act to provide for the betterment of agriculture in South Dakota (Has as new name about joining interstate meat packing compact) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/12273> Ag & NR, In COMMITTEE 2/23, amended & deferred, passed 7 to 5, Hog house vehicle amended to be about joining interstate meat packing compact
House Bill 1235 Title: provide for the platting of certain land without infrastructure requirements.> Tax, In COMMITTEE 2/9, passed 13 to 0, placed on consent, Passed Floor 2/10 68 to 0 > S Local Gov.> In COMMITTEE, 2/24, passed placed on consent
House Bill 1237 Title: make an appropriation for the purpose of funding county and township roads and bridges and to declare an emergency. > Trans , In COMMITTEE 2/11 > to H Appropriations In COMMITTEE 2/23 > amended passed 9 to 0
House Bill 1250 Title: repeal an exception to trespass liability on certain lands within national forests.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22468 > Ag & Nat R, In COMMITTEE 2/23, DEAD Would repeal an existing law that says owner not liable for animal's damage after wandering to unfenced land within BHNF (40-28-5)
House Bill 1253 Title: make an appropriation for developing the Mickelson Trail and to decla emergency.re an> H Transp, In COMMITTEE 2/18 > Amended and passed to Appropriations Committee, 7 to 5., House Appropriations, COMMITTEE Monday, 2/22, 10:15 am, > DEAD 9 To 0, Sought 15 million to connect Mickelson trail to Mt Rushmore. The DEIS has not been completed, but they ask for emergency approval. At first they asked for 15 million, but the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reduced this to $1, conditioned it on completion of the EIS & sent to H Appropriations, which is a way to defer choice on amount of $$ to H Appropriations. Part of this trail would go through the Norbeck Wildlife Refuge, which is illegal. PHAS Opposes
House Bill 1256 Title: make an appropriation for the cleanup of the Big Sioux watershed and River and to declare an emergency. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22363 > Tax,> House Appropriations, COMMITTEE , Monday 2/22, 10:15 am,passed 7 to 0, $20M for cleanup Big Sioux
House Bill 1259 Title: create the rural access infrastructure fund, to provide for the use and distribution of the fund, make an appropriation, and to declare an emergency. > Transp, COMMITTEE 2/23 > Appropriations COMMITTEE 2/25
House Bill 1260 Title: repeal the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names.> Transp, Withdrawn by sponsor
House Bill 1264 Title: make appropriations from the water and environment fund and its revolving fund subfunds for various water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency. > H Appropriations, COMMITTEE 2/22, passed 9 to 0,> Floor passed 66 to 2,
House Bill 1278 Title: An Act to make an appropriation for the purchase of a new skid steer and to declare an emergency.> H Appropriations, COMMITTEE 2/22, passed, 7 to 1, Floor passed 60 to 8, $69,565 for new skid steer, which is a compact loader for construction or landscaping
SENATE BILLS (environmental) (full update eve 2/24)
Senate Bill 37 Title: update certain citations to federal regulations regarding pipeline safety inspections.PASSED SENATE 34 TO 0, > To House State Affairs, Passed, placed on consent, Passed House 69 to 0 > Gov & signed by her
Senate Bill 47 Title: An Act to make an appropriation for the maintenance and repair of state-owned dams and to declare an emergency https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22039(to Ag & NR) Comm (1/21 to Joint Appropriations w/ favorable recommendation) IN COMMITTEE 2/17
Senate Bill 50 Title: An Act to repeal the requirement for a well pump installer license in Committee, but got to S Floor where it passed, > Commerce , Dead in H Committee 2/3/21
Senate Bill 51 Title: An Act to transfer licensure of individuals who may alter, repair, construct, or install on-site wastewater systems to the Plumbing Commission. PASSED SENATE 34 to 0, > to H Com & E, 2/8 to COMMITTEE > Passed 9 to 0 > 2/9, Passed H, 70 to 0,> Gov.
Senate Bill 52 Title: revise the permit duration on certain concentrated animal feeding operations.Passed 11 to 0, House FLOOR 2/16, PASSED 54 to 14 ,signed, > Gov. signed Increases length of permit from 5 to 10 years in certain instances,
Senate Bill 53 Title: revise certification and renewal fees for water supply and treatment system operators.PASSED SENATE 33 TO 1 > H Ag & Nat R, 2/4 to COMMITTEE. Passed 9 to 4 > H Floor 2/5 deferred 2/8 FAILED 35 to 33 > Intent Reconsider, 2/9, H amended & passed 63 to 7, back to Senate, 2/16 Senate concurred 32 to 0, 2/17 > Gov,signed
Senate Bill 54 Title. make an appropriation to build a bison visitors center in Custer State Park and to declare an emergency.> Joint Approp. IN COMMITTEE 2/18, deferred action,
Senate Bill 72 Title: Revise notification requirements for listing and delisting species on the threatened and endangered species list. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21983> Ag & Nat R (UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 26TH) moved to floor vote 1/27, Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. > H Ag & Nat R , IN COMMITTEE 2/25 - passed unanimous - 2 absent, PHAS objects - It codifies existing policy to have listing/delisting decision done as rule making (Unnecessary as has been done as rule making for 44 years), but it also unfortunately shortens public notice by 10 days (30-days to 20-days). Needs amending to keep 30 days notice. Currently "defacto" public notice is 16.5 days as you have to send in written comments 3.5 days before the hearing (unless you attend hearing for oral testimony). .
SB 74 Title: An Act to revise certain provisions regarding drones(UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 27TH) (transportation) Amended, passed unanimously, > S floor passed 34 to 0 > H Trans, IN COMMITTEE 2/9, passed 13 to 0, placed on consent, passed H Floor on 2/10 > Gov. she signed
Senate Bill 76 Title: Revise provisions regarding public access to certain meandered bodies of waters.Would allow Sec. of GFP to close portions of meandered waters to public for 2 years
Senate Bill 93 Title: make an appropriation to rehabilitate the rail line from west of the city of Fort Pierre through the city of Midland and to declare an emergency. > Transportation, 2/5 to COMMITTEE, Amended & referred J Appropriation,COMMITTEE, 2/22, amendment passed, increased cost to 20 million and distance increased to Rapid city, Senate Bill 113 Title: classify land used for horse husbandry as agricultural property for tax purposes.> Tax, In COMMITTEE 2/17, DEAD, 7 to 0
Senate Bill 114 Title: revises residency requirements for the mentored hunting programhttps://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22161 > Ag & NR - 2/16 IN COMMITTEE DEAD 4 to 2,Removes resident requirement.
Senate Bill 127 Title: An Act to require the inspection of moisture-measuring devices and to establish fees.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22200, > S Ag & NR, IN COMMITTEE 2/18, 4 to 2 DEAD, To regulate moisture & protein measuring devices used in agricultural commodities .Senate Bill 134 Title: limit the required application of green building standards.> Local Gov, (UP IN COMMITTEE ON), Feb 5th, Amended, passed 3 to 2, 2/9 senate amended, passed 34 to 1, > H. Local Gov.> N COMMITTEE on 2/25
Senate Bill 136 Title: change the criteria for a petition to vacate a highway > Transportation, In COMMITTEE 2/5, Amended & passed 5 to 1, To S FLOOR 2/9, passed 34 to 1 > H Transp. COMMITTEE 2/16, 11 to 0 passed > House Floor passed 68 to 0, > signed Pres/Speaker > Gov, as amended creates an easier way to petition for road closure (companion bill is SB 1190 see above, both bills in same Committee same day)
Senate Bill 147 Title: - revise certain provisions regarding records that are not open to inspection and copying. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22204. > Ag & NR - In COMMITTEE 2/16, 4 to 2, DEAD, Asks the Dept. of Ag to open pesticide application records. It would require Dept of Ag investigations into spray drift/chemical trespass cases to be made public. This is progress
Senate Bill 151 Title: An Act to make an appropriation to provide for infrastructure to support Ellsworth Air Force Base and to declare an emergency, > State Affairs, 2/22 in COMMITTEE , passed 9 to 0 to Appropriations in COMMITTEE 2/24
Senate Bill 159 Title: An Act to appropriate funds to enhance the Black Hills region and to declare an emergency. > Appropriations, 2/23 in COMMITTEE , Hog house appropriations bill - just holding, do pass 8-0
SR 702 Title: Acknowledging the local disaster impacting the Hideaway Hills neighborhood in the community of Black Hawk, Meade County, South Dakota(Introduced)https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22479 > S Local Gov, IN COMMITTEE 2/17. TABLED 7 to 0, Declares it a local disaster - maybe this might help with loans?
GOVERNMENT PROCESS BILLS ((full update eve 2/20, partial 2/22)
HOUSE Bills (government)(full update eve 2/22)
HB 1050 Title: An Act to modify certain publishing requirements in official newspapers. Committee amended & passed YEAS 8, NAYS 5. to House Floor, fiscal note request, 2/3 Floor, FAILED 29 to 41,DEADSeems to improve on-line availability of public notices with posting via newspapers
HB 1058 Title: authorize the recall of county commissioners.UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 26TH, DEAD vote 10 to 3
House Bill 1062 Title: authorize the recovery of costs for defending certain initiated amendments in court. (To Judiciary)1/26 Withdrawn by prime sponsor DEAD
House Bill 1090 Title: An Act to modify certain requirements for domestic not-for-profit corporations and to declare an emergency. 1090, https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22164, House passed 69 to 0, Committees have passed forward unanimously Up on Senate Floor 2/17, amended & passed 33 to 0, 2/22 House concurred amendments 66 to 2,, This allows for some meetings of members of corporations to be held electronically in some instances
House Bill 1106 Title: require that training on Native American law be provided to legislators and legislative staff. > State Affairs, 2/5 IN COMMITTEE DEAD, 9 to 4
HB 1117 Title: revise provisions for public meetings held by teleconference. > Local Gov. UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 4th , passed 7 to 6, to Floor amended, FAILED 11 to 57 ,DEAD,
House Bill 1119 Title: revise certain references to secondary elections.> Local Gov. , UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 4th, passed 13 to 0, passed on consent 69 to 0 > S Local Gov> IN COmmittee 2/24
House Bill 1120 Title: establish a website for the posting of notices for certain local governments.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22222 > Local Gov. , UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 11th , Tabled 2/11State website for posting of notice of local government meetings to be created , PHAS supports
House Bill 1124 Title: modify certain requirements concerning the printing of ballots. > State Affairs, IN COMMITTEE 2/8, deferred To 2/17, amended & passed, 12 to 1, 2/22 Passed House 66 to 1delaying ballot printing during challenge to the ballot
House Bill 1125 Title: define adjournment for the counting of ballots.> State Affairs, IN COMMITTEE 2/8, passed 11 to 1, > Floor 2/9 Passed 58 to 12 > S Local Gov. IN COMMITTEE 2/24
House Bill 1126 Title: revise certain provisions regarding absentee ballots.> State Affairs,IN COMMITTEE 2/8, amended passed 11 to 1, > Floor 2/10, passed 52 to 16 > S State Affairsprohibits SOS from sending unsolicited absentee ballots at any time.
-House Bill 1127 Title: revise certain provisions regarding official meetings conducted by teleconference.> Local Gov., COMMITTEE ON Feb 4th, Passed 12 to 1, Passed Floor 2/8, 50 to 18, > Senate > L gov.allows for voice voting with some limits,.
House Bill 1128 Title: establish requirements for public meeting notices and materials.> Local Gov., UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 11th 10 am, DEAD 11 to 1, text clean up, except it limits access to material for contested proceedings,
-House Bill 1129 Title: establish requirements for livestreamed public meetings> Local Gov., UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 4th > Feb 11th 10 am, no action on 4th, DEAD 12 to 0, places 5 conditions/limits on the type of platforms/websites that can host livestreamed public meetings - one limit is it can't require public to create an account,
House Bill 1156 Title: provide opportunities for the questioning of the Governor and the congressional delegation.> State Affairs , IN COMMITTEE 2/22, Dead 13 to 0, Governor to answer legislators questions after address, Federal congressional to be invited to legislature to answer questions
House Bill 1187 Title: require schools to provide instruction on South Dakota's tribal history, culture, and government.> State Affairs In COMMITTEE 2/24
House Bill 1194 Title: authorize the review of certain executive orders issued by the President of the United States. > State Affairs , In COMMITTEE 2/24
House Bill 1197 Title: require the attorney general be licensed to practice law in the state. > State Affairs, In COMMITTEE 2/22, placed on consent,
House Bill 1199 Title: establish the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. > State Affairs, In COMMITTEE 2/22, passed 9 to 4
House Bill 1227 Title: create a requirement for the distribution of certain voter information.> Local Gov., Withdrawn by sponsor,
House Bill 1229 Title: establish fees for information provided from the statewide voter registration file.> Local Gov., IN COMMITTEE 2/18, DEAD 10 to 3, Legislature rather than SOS set fees; fees listed
House Bill 1243 Title: protect the consumer in South Dakota.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22448 > H State Affairs, IN COMMITTEE 2/24 hog house vehicle
House Bill 1245 Title: modify the time period for absentee voting. > State Affairs > IN COMMITTEE 2/10, DEAD 7 to 6,would have shortened absentee voting by 16 days.
House Bill 1249 Title: revise fiscal note requirements for initiative and initiated amendments. > H State Affairs, IN COMMITTEE 2/10, tabled 13 to 0
House Bill 1271 Title: make an appropriation for the purchase of a new online voter registration system and to declare an emergency., > H Appropriations, amended passed 5 to 3,
House Concurrent Resolution 6001 Title: supporting the amendment of the Sioux - Dakota Removal Act. > (to State Affairs)IN COMMITTEE 2/5, DEAD, 9 to 4
House Concurrent Resolution 6002 Title: regarding the standards of conduct for legislators.> H State Affairs, 2/16 withdrawn by sponsor,
House Concurrent Resolution 6006 Title: Urging efforts to increase competition and transparency among livestock packers. > Ag & NR, N COMMITTEE 2/18, amended & passed 11 to 0,
House Concurrent Resolution 6007 Title: To provide for an interim study regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land. > Ag & NR, 2/22 ???
House Joint Resolution 5001 Title: To apply for a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. >( to State Affairs) 2/1 DEAD, 8 to 5
House Joint Resolution 5002 Title: Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota regarding appointments to fill legislative vacancies. State Affairs passed 8 to 5, 2/2 House Floor Failed 23 to 46 DEAD
House Joint Resolution 5003 Title: Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a
new section to Article XI of the Constitution of the State of South
Dakota, relating to a three-fifths requirement for certain initiated
constitutional amendments or measures. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22243 > State Affairs, 2/10 passed 11 to 2, H FLOOR 2/16, amended & passed 56 to 12 > SState AffairsRequires a 3/5th vote for some amendments & initiated measures - ones that would spend 10 million $ over 5 fiscal years
SENATE BILLS (government) (full update eve 2/20, partial 2/22)
Senate Bill 24 Title: allow a change of voter registration information through an online system provided by the Office of the Secretary of State. > State Affairs, 1/22 Amended and > Floor, 1/26 Passed Senate 21 to 13. > House
Senate Bill 71 Title: designate Juneteenth Day as a working holiday. State affairs, UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 27TH passed 7 to 2,, Amended & Passed Senate 26 to 8, > State affairs
Senate Bill 80 Title: provide for counties and municipalities in the legislative redistricting process.> State Affairs, UP IN COMMITTEE ON JAN 27TH, Passed 8 to 1, 2/1 , Amended, Passed S floor 24 to 11 > H State Affairs adds protections for counties/cities during re-districting,
Senate Bill 86 Title: revise certain requirements regarding the review of initiated amendments to the Constitution. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21906 > (to State Affairs) IN COMMITTEE 2/5 , Amended and Passed 8 to 1, Passed S Floor, 31 to 3, > H State AffairsThe SOS is to certify if initiated measures are one subject and an amendment rather than a revision to constitution .- with appeal to Supreme Court
Senate Bill 87 Title: An Act to exempt health benefit plans sponsored by nonprofit agricultural organizations from insurance regulation COMMITTEE ON 1/28, passed 7 to 1, To S Floor, 2/3 amended, passed 19 to 15, > H Ag & NR, COMMITTEE 2/9 passed 11 to 1, > to H Floor 2/10, passed 50 to 16 > Gov
Senate Bill 91 Title: authorize ranked-choice voting for certain local elections. > Local Gov, In COMMITTEE 1/27, Dead 6 to 1
Senate Bill 102 Title: protect voter registration information for certain voters.> Judiciary , COMMITTEE 2/4, passed 6 to 0, > S Floor, passed 33 to 0, > H Local Gov.,In COMMITTEE 2/18 > passed placed on Consent, 2/22 68 to 0
Senate Bill 103 Title: provide for the confidentiality of personal information of persons affiliated with nonprofit corporations and to provide a penalty therefor. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22099 > Commerce & Energy ,COMMITTEE 2/11, amended & passed 8 to 1, Senate Floor 2/17, YEAS 33, NAYS 2. > H state Affairs, Entirely new section of law to insure privacy of persons affiliated with nonprofit corporation. Some of this privacy is provided by Supreme Court decisions already.
Senate Bill 112 Title: establish requirements for filling the vacancies of certain constitutional offices. > State Affairs, To COMMITTEE 2/1 Passed 9 to 0 , > S Floor, passed 32 to 2 > H State Affairs ,
Senate Bill 116 Title: An Act .to revise certain provisions regarding voter registration records> Local Gov., To COMMITTEE Feb 17th, 7:45 am, > DEAD, 6 to 1, This bill would require monthly purging of dead, mentally incompetent & felons. It creates a process for Auditor to mail out notices that must be replied to or registration must be updated to keep voter registration.
Senate Bill 123 Title: require a comment period for the attorney general's statement regarding initiated measures and initiated amendments. > State Affairs To COMMITTEE, Feb 10th, Amended & Passed 7 to 1, likely on floor 2/12 > Senate passed 32 to 3 > H Local Gov.
Senate Bill 125 Title: temporarily require the wearing of face coverings in the state under certain conditions and to declare an emergency., > Health and Human Services > Floor without recommendation, DEAD, killed on Senate floor 2/4, 7 to 25, Required face mask in certain conditions Senate Bill 142 Title: modify the meeting place and notice requirements for county commission meetings.> S Local Gov, To COMMITTEE, Feb 3rd, Amended passed 6 to 0, S Floor passed 33 to 0 > H Local Gov.,,
Senate Bill 145 Title: revise the process of filling vacancies for candidates for elected office.https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21992 > S State Affairs , To COMMITTEE Feb 17th, passed 8 to 0, placed on consent , passed Floor
Senate Bill 147 Title: revise certain provisions regarding records that are not open to inspection and copying.> S Ag & Nat R > DEAD, 4 to 2
Senate Bill 161 Title: revise the qualifications to serve as a trustee of a county road district. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22291,To COMMITTEE Feb 17th, passed, 7 to 0, placed on consent, passed 2/22Depending on population on road, must live or own property along road to serve as a trustee
Senate Bill 184 Title: require the sorting of absentee ballots.Changes 2 "mays" to "shalls", to floor
Senate Concurrent Resolution 601 Title: Urging the members of South Dakota's congressional delegation to vote against any act admitting the District of Columbia as a separate state., Amended & Passed Committee, YEAS 8, NAYS 1., Amended & passed Senate 32 to 3, 2/1 House passes 62 to 8,
Senate Concurrent Resolution 602 Title: Supporting a United States Constitutional amendment to retain nine justices on the United States Supreme Court. > Judiciary, COMMITTEE, Feb 4th, passed 4 to 0, 2/5 Senate passed 29 to 2, House concurred 60 to 8.
-SCR 604 Title: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Supporting trade negotiations to remove barriers to country of origin labelling.> (To Ag & NR) COMMITTEE, Feb 2nd, Passed 6 to Zero , Passed Senate 34 to 0 > H Ag & NR > Up COMMITTEE FEb 16th,passed & placed on consent, passed Floor,
Senate Joint Resolution 501 Title: Rescinding a House Joint Resolution calling for a constitutional convention for the sole purpose of changing the Constitution of the United States. > State Affairs Up COMMITTEE 2/8, Passed w/o recommendation, Failed in Senate 17 to 18,
Senate Joint Resolution 502 Title: To apply for a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. > State Affairs , Up COMMITTEE 2/24
Senate Resolution 701 Title: In support of rescinding the Medals of Honor given to United States soldiers for the involvement and participation of the soldiers in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22244 > to Military and Vets > 2/16 Up COMMITTEE, Amended & passed 5 to 0. 2/22 passed 35 to 0As amended, it instead asks for investigation into the medal of honor awards and for Congress to remove each award if conduct matches that described in resolution. Asks congressional delegation to help.
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ASK LEGISLATURE TO Protect DENRGovernor Noem has a plan to combine the S D Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the SD Department of Agriculture to create the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (No "Environment"). We object to this plan as Dept of Agriculture's job it is to promote agriculture and it would be a conflict of interest to also be regulating the pollution associated with agriculture. Much of our water pollution issues are related to agriculture. The legislature can kill this proposal by objecting to it before the end of session by resolution
See article:"Concerns arise over Merger of S.D. Agricultural and Environmental Agencies"By Nick Lowrey, South Dakota Newswatch, September 2, 2020
Contact you legislator or candidates and object to this plan.
Here are some opposition letters Here's SDWF "Camo Coalition" letter: DENR proposed merger to Ag. - SDWF Camo CoalitionSD Farmers Union Announcement: State's largest agriculture organization opposes merger of departments | News | rapidcityjournal.comFriends of the Big Sioux River:
ATTACK ON OPEN FIELDSTuesday Jan 26th, Kristi Noem introduced two property rights bills, She will be supporting legislation to attack "Open Fields" - The proposed laws would be restricting SD GFP employees from entering private land without permission or from taking private property to enforce laws. Scroll up for details of bills . Camo Coalition alert on this matter https://sdwfcamo.net/blog/hb-1140-need-your-help
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Bulk E-mail address lists - senate and house & some key committeesThanks to Laura Bidwell for creating some of these lists
2021 East River Senators (District 1-25)
al.novstrup@sdlegislature.gov, arthur.rusch@sdlegislature.gov, blake.curd@sdlegislature.gov, brock.greenfield@sdlegislature.gov, bryan.breitling@sdlegislature.gov, casey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov, david.wheeler@sdlegislature.gov, erin.tobin@sdlegislature.gov, herman.otten@sdlegislature.gov, jack.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov, jean.hunhoff@sdlegislature.gov, jim.bolin@sdlegislature.gov, jim.stalzer@sdlegislature.gov, john.wiik@sdlegislature.gov, joshua.klumb@sdlegislature.gov, kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.gov, larry.zikmund@sdlegislature.gov, lee.schoenbeck@sdlegislature.gov, margaret.sutton@sdlegislature.gov, marsha.symens@sdlegislature.gov, mary.duvall@sdlegislature.gov, michael.rohl@sdlegislature.gov, reynold.nesiba@sdlegislature.gov, wayne.steinhauer@sdlegislature.gov, ,
2021 West River Senators (District 26-35) david.johnson@sdlegislature.gov, gary.cammack@sdlegislature.gov, helene.duhamel@sdlegislature.gov, jessica.castleberry@sdlegislature.gov, julie.fryemueller@sdlegislature.gov, mike.diedrich@sdlegislature.gov, reddawn.foster@sdlegislature.gov, ryan.maher@sdlegislature.gov, timothy.johns@sdlegislature.gov, troy.heinert@sdlegislature.gov
2021 West River House (District 26-35)becky.drury@sdlegislature.gov, chris.johnson@sdlegislature.gov, dean.wink@sdlegislature.gov, jess.olson@sdlegislature.gov, kirk.chaffee@sdlegislature.gov, liz.may@sdlegislature.gov, mary.fitzgerald@sdlegislature.gov, mike.derby@sdlegislature.gov, oren.lesmeister@sdlegislature.gov, peri.pourier@sdlegislature.gov, phil.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, rebecca.reimer@sdlegislature.gov, sam.marty@sdlegislature.gov, scott.odenbach@sdlegislature.gov, shawn.bordeaux@sdlegislature.gov, taffy.howard@sdlegislature.gov, tim.goodwin@sdlegislature.gov, timothy.johns@sdlegislature.gov, tina.mulally@sdlegislature.gov, tony.randolph@sdlegislature.gov, trish.ladner@sdlegislature.gov
2021 East River House districts 1-13aaron.aylward@sdlegislature.gov, arch.beal@sdlegislature.gov, bethany.soye@sdlegislature.gov, carl.perry@sdlegislature.gov, chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, doug.barthel@sdlegislature.gov, drew.dennert@sdlegislature.gov, ernie.otten@sdlegislature.gov, fred.deutsch@sdlegislature.gov, greg.jamison@sdlegislature.gov, hugh.bartels@sdlegislature.gov, jennifer.keintz@sdlegislature.gov, john.mills@sdlegislature.gov, kaleb.weis@sdlegislature.gov, lana.greenfield@sdlegislature.gov, larry.tidemann@sdlegislature.gov, mark.willadsen@sdlegislature.gov, marli.wiese@sdlegislature.gov, nancy.york@sdlegislature.gov, randy.gross@sdlegislature.gov, rhonda.milstead@sdlegislature.gov, richard.thomason@sdlegislature.gov, steven.haugaard@sdlegislature.gov, sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, tamara.stjohn@sdlegislature.gov, tim.reed@sdlegislature.gov
2021 East River House Districts 14-25david.anderson@sdlegislature.gov, erin.healy@sdlegislature.gov, jamie.smith@sdlegislature.gov, jon.hansen@sdlegislature.gov, kent.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, lance.koth@sdlegislature.gov, linda.duba@sdlegislature.gov, mike.stevens@sdlegislature.gov, mike.weisgram@sdlegislature.gov, paul.miskimins@sdlegislature.gov, ryan.cwach@sdlegislature.gov, spencer.gosch@sdlegislature.gov, sydney.davis@sdlegislature.gov, taylor.rehfeldt@sdlegislature.gov, tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov, will.mortenson@sdlegislature.gov
======================= COMMITTEES
2021 Joint Committee on Appropriationsbrock.greenfield@sdlegislature.gov, bryan.breitling@sdlegislature.gov, chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, david.johnson@sdlegislature.gov, jack.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov, jean.hunhoff@sdlegislature.gov, john.mills@sdlegislature.gov, john.wiik@sdlegislature.gov, linda.duba@sdlegislature.gov, liz.may@sdlegislature.gov, margaret.sutton@sdlegislature.gov, mary.fitzgerald@sdlegislature.gov, randy.gross@sdlegislature.gov, reynold.nesiba@sdlegislature.gov, ryan.maher@sdlegislature.gov, steven.haugaard@sdlegislature.gov, taffy.howard@sdlegislature.gov, tina.mulally@sdlegislature.gov
2021 House Ag & Nat Resources Committeecaleb.finck@sdlegislature.gov, charlie.hoffman@sdlegislature.gov, dean.wink@sdlegislature.gov, lynn.schneider@sdlegislature.gov, marty.overweg@sdlegislature.gov, nancy.york@sdlegislature.gov, oren.lesmeister@sdlegislature.gov, richard.vasgaard@sdlegislature.gov, rocky.blare@sdlegislature.gov, roger.chase@sdlegislature.gov, sam.marty@sdlegislature.gov, tim.goodwin@sdlegislature.gov, trish.ladner@sdlegislature.gov
2021 House State Affairsarch.beal@sdlegislature.gov, chris.johnson@sdlegislature.gov, david.anderson@sdlegislature.gov, jamie.smith@sdlegislature.gov, jon.hansen@sdlegislature.gov, kent.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, kirk.chaffee@sdlegislature.gov, marli.wiese@sdlegislature.gov, oren.lesmeister@sdlegislature.gov, rebecca.reimer@sdlegislature.gov, spencer.gosch@sdlegislature.gov, tim.goodwin@sdlegislature.gov
2021 Senate Ag & Nat Resources Committeegary.cammack@sdlegislature.gov, herman.otten@sdlegislature.gov, joshua.klumb@sdlegislature.gov, julie.fryemueller@sdlegislature.gov, mary.duvall@sdlegislature.gov, troy.heinert@sdlegislature.gov, vj.smith@sdlegislature.gov
2021 Senate State Affairscasey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov, gary.cammack@sdlegislature.gov, helene.duhamel@sdlegislature.gov, jim.bolin@sdlegislature.gov, kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.com, lee.schoenbeck@sdlegislature.gov, michael.rohl@sdlegislature.gov, mike.diedrich@sdlegislature.gov, troy.heinert@sdlegislature.gov
2021 House TransportationRocky.Blare@sdlegislature.gov, Shawn.Bordeaux@sdlegislature.gov, Roger.Chase@sdlegislature.gov, Mike.Derby@sdlegislature.gov, Caleb.Finck@sdlegislature.gov, Lance.Koth@sdlegislature.gov, Rhonda.Milstead@sdlegislature.gov, Ernie.Otten@sdlegislature.gov, Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov, Tony.Randolph@sdlegislature.gov, Larry.Tidemann@sdlegislature.gov, Mark.Willadsen@sdlegislature.gov, Dean.Wink@sdlegislature.gov,
2021 Senate JudiciaryArthur.Rusch@sd.legislature.gov, Helene.Duhamel@sd.legislature.gov, Mike.Diedrich@sd.legislature.gov, Timothy.Johns@sd.legislature.gov, Michael.Rohl@sd.legislature.gov,Lee.Schoenbeck@sd.legislature.gov, David.Wheeler@sd.legislature.gov,
2021 House Appropriations
House Agriculture and Natural Resources houseagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.govSenate Agriculture and Natural Resources senateagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.govHouse Commerce and Energy housecommerce@sdlegislature.govSenate Commerce and Energy senatecommerce@sdlegislature.govHouse Committee on Appropriations houseapprops@sdlegislature.govJoint Committee on Appropriations appropriations@sdlegislature.govSenate Committee on Appropriations senateapprops@sdlegislature.gov House Local Government houselocalgov@sdlegislature.govSenate Local Government senatelocalgov@sdlegislature.govHouse State Affairs housestateaffairs@sdlegislature.govSenate State Affairs senatestateaffairs@sdlegislature.govHouse Taxation housetaxation@sdlegislature.govSenate Taxation senatetaxation@sdlegislature.govHouse Transportation housetrans@sdlegislature.govSenate Transportation senatetrans@sdlegislature.govSenater Judiciaiary senatejudiciary@sdlegislature.gov
Some legislative committees
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Meets: T/TH 10:00 am Room: 423Chair: Smich, V.J. Vice-Chair: Klumb, JoshuaSenators: Cammack, Gary (R); Duvall, Mary (R); Frye-Mueller, Julie (R); Heinert, Troy (D); Klumb, Joshua (R); Otten, Herman (R); Smith, V.J. (R)
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Meets: T/TH 7:45 am Room: 414 Chair: Overweg, Marty Vice-Chair: Hoffman, CharlieRepresentatives: Blare, Rocky (R); Chase, Roger (R); Finck, Caleb (R); Goodwin, Tim (R); Hoffman, Charlie (R); Ladner, Trish (R); Lesmeister, Oren (D); Marty, Sam (R); Overweg, Marty (R); Schneider, Lynn (R); Vasgaard, Richard (R); Wink, Dean (R); York, Nancy (R)
Senate State Affairs Meets: M/W/F 10:00 am Room: 414 Chair: Cammack, Gary Vice-Chair: Diedrich, MichaelSenators: Bolin, Jim (R); Cammack, Gary (R); Crabtree, Casey (R); Diedrich, Michael (R); Duhamel, Helene (R); Heinert, Troy (D); Rohl, Michael (R); Schoenbeck, Lee (R); Schoenfish, Kyle (R)
House State Affairs Meets: M/W/F 7:45 am Room: 414 Chair: Peterson, Kent Vice-Chair: Johnson, ChrisRepresentatives: Anderson, David (R); Beal, Arch (R); Chaffee, Kirk (R); Goodwin, Tim (R); Gosch, Spencer (R); Hansen, Jon (R); Jensen, Kevin (R); Johnson, Chris (R); Lesmeister, Oren (D); Peterson, Kent (R); Reimer, Rebecca (R); Smith, Jamie (D); Wiese, Marli (R)
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+++++++==========++++++++INDEX to this section - Chronological list of eventsBlue text is passed, black text is future.
Climate watch (History - recycles biennial)Jan 27th PHAS meeting (History) Audubon's Annual Photo Contest GFP Comm. Jan Meet - Zoom Meeting (History -recycles - monthly)Cracker Barrel List, Statewide Great Backyard Bird Count (History -recycles annual)Piedmont Cracker Barrel - Zoom Meeting (History - recycles annual)CWA Zoom Meeting (History)BHGSC Zoom meeting - Legislature (History)Advocates for the West Zoom Meeting - Sage GrouseGFP Comm. Feb Meet - Zoom Meeting - Nest Predator Bounty Program Appropriation ApprovalBHAB&E Workshop (Zoom) GFP Photo Contest2021 Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference
==========Climate WatchJanuary 15th-February 15th, 2021
Climate Watch is sponsored by the National Audubon Society (NAS) & takes place during two distinct seasons—winter (January 15-February 15) and summer (May 15-June 15). Like the Christmas bird count this is a chance to help create “citizen science” for birds In 2020 there will be Covid19 guidelines that are found here.Climate Watch focuses on these target species: Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, Painted Bunting, Eastern Towhee, and Spotted Towhee. These birds are easy to identify, have an enthusiastic constituency, and Audubon’s climate models for these species offer strong predictions for range shifts for us to test. In future years, Climate Watch may include additional target species threatened by climate change.
We believe that western bluebird and painted bunting are not normally in SD. All the other birds occur in all or parts of SD. Visit this page to see where these birds are in SD, and which are near you:Climate Watch focuses on areas of predicted change for these 12 species at each location across the continent. Audubon provides volunteers with online mapping tools with a grid of 10 km x 10 km squares showing species-specific predictions for each square based on the climate models. A Climate Watch Coordinator can help select your location and survey square. If you are participating on your own, use the online maps to decide in which square to do your surveys. You will be able to see which squares are already "claimed".How to count
Volunteers should first make sure to read through all of the materials including the full protocol manual. The Climate Watch protocol is different than any other birding program. Then using the planning done with the online maps, volunteers survey appropriate habitat for the target species within a square and conduct 12 point counts of five minutes each within one morning, then record the number and species of all birds seen or heard within 100 meters. Participants send the data to the National Audubon Society.
How data will be used
Audubon’s 2019 climate change report, ‘Survival By Degrees,’ reveals that up to two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. For example, the beautiful Mountain Bluebird is vulnerable because in the vast majority of its summer range, the climate conditions that this bird needs—temperature, amount of rainfall, and other environmental factors—will shift northward and eastward. This bird may be able to move into new areas over time, or it may struggle to adapt. To test the report’s predictions, Audubon has developed Climate Watch, which aims to document species’ responses to climate change and test Audubon’s climate models by having volunteers in the field look for birds where Audubon’s climate models predict they will be in the 2020s. This information helps Audubon target our conservation work to protect birds. See the Climate Watch results page here to see our early reports and results from the data received by Climate Watch volunteers so far!
Link to the Climate-watch program on the National Audubon Society web page
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch
Climate watch instructions for participants
Climate watch for beginners webinar, - this has much of the same info as our November meeting,
It proposes to regulate free-standing milling facilities. Right now there are no regs governing. This is progress.
HB 1099 - revise the property tax exemption amount for certain agricultural property. > H Tax, UP IN COMMITTEE ON Feb 2nd , Tabled 12 to 0 |
al.novstrup@sdlegislature.gov, arthur.rusch@sdlegislature.gov, blake.curd@sdlegislature.gov, brock.greenfield@sdlegislature.gov, bryan.breitling@sdlegislature.gov, casey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov, david.wheeler@sdlegislature.gov, erin.tobin@sdlegislature.gov, herman.otten@sdlegislature.gov, jack.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov, jean.hunhoff@sdlegislature.gov, jim.bolin@sdlegislature.gov, jim.stalzer@sdlegislature.gov, john.wiik@sdlegislature.gov, joshua.klumb@sdlegislature.gov, kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.gov, larry.zikmund@sdlegislature.gov, lee.schoenbeck@sdlegislature.gov, margaret.sutton@sdlegislature.gov, marsha.symens@sdlegislature.gov, mary.duvall@sdlegislature.gov, michael.rohl@sdlegislature.gov, reynold.nesiba@sdlegislature.gov, wayne.steinhauer@sdlegislature.gov, ,
House Agriculture and Natural Resources houseagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.gov Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources senateagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.gov House Commerce and Energy housecommerce@sdlegislature.gov Senate Commerce and Energy senatecommerce@sdlegislature.gov House Committee on Appropriations houseapprops@sdlegislature.gov Joint Committee on Appropriations appropriations@sdlegislature.gov Senate Committee on Appropriations senateapprops@sdlegislature.gov House Local Government houselocalgov@sdlegislature.gov Senate Local Government senatelocalgov@sdlegislature.gov House State Affairs housestateaffairs@sdlegislature.gov Senate State Affairs senatestateaffairs@sdlegislature.gov House Taxation housetaxation@sdlegislature.gov Senate Taxation senatetaxation@sdlegislature.gov House Transportation housetrans@sdlegislature.gov Senate Transportation senatetrans@sdlegislature.gov Senater Judiciaiary senatejudiciary@sdlegislature.gov |
Climate Watch focuses on these target species: Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, Painted Bunting, Eastern Towhee, and Spotted Towhee. These birds are easy to identify, have an enthusiastic constituency, and Audubon’s climate models for these species offer strong predictions for range shifts for us to test. In future years, Climate Watch may include additional target species threatened by climate change.
Climate Watch focuses on areas of predicted change for these 12 species at each location across the continent. Audubon provides volunteers with online mapping tools with a grid of 10 km x 10 km squares showing species-specific predictions for each square based on the climate models. A Climate Watch Coordinator can help select your location and survey square. If you are participating on your own, use the online maps to decide in which square to do your surveys. You will be able to see which squares are already "claimed".How to count
Volunteers should first make sure to read through all of the materials including the full protocol manual. The Climate Watch protocol is different than any other birding program. Then using the planning done with the online maps, volunteers survey appropriate habitat for the target species within a square and conduct 12 point counts of five minutes each within one morning, then record the number and species of all birds seen or heard within 100 meters. Participants send the data to the National Audubon Society.
How data will be used
Audubon’s 2019 climate change report, ‘Survival By Degrees,’ reveals that up to two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. For example, the beautiful Mountain Bluebird is vulnerable because in the vast majority of its summer range, the climate conditions that this bird needs—temperature, amount of rainfall, and other environmental factors—will shift northward and eastward. This bird may be able to move into new areas over time, or it may struggle to adapt. To test the report’s predictions, Audubon has developed Climate Watch, which aims to document species’ responses to climate change and test Audubon’s climate models by having volunteers in the field look for birds where Audubon’s climate models predict they will be in the 2020s. This information helps Audubon target our conservation work to protect birds. See the Climate Watch results page here to see our early reports and results from the data received by Climate Watch volunteers so far!
Link to the Climate-watch program on the National Audubon Society web page
https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch
Our November meeting was on this topic (posted to the Zoom Cloud)
November PHAS meeting recording Topic: Title: Climate Watch: Monitoring Birds in aChanging ClimateSpeakers: Kathy Dale, National Audubon Society’sDirector of Science Technology
Share recording with viewers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TB51fixJwbJpZX1yWxCAJ78u1HHYO_IMDEgcWDUVcmfEqPPbJJ-Y3IQc1FG-aT-T.G3-lHAH0ATAgPIaw
Passcode: f^%.Pi.4
Here is a map of Climate Watch grid in south western SD near and east of the Black Hills.
===========================
January 27th, (HISTORY)PHAS Zoom MeetingTime: Wednesday, January 27th, 6:30 PM MTTopic: Audubon Dakota - State Office Update Speakers: Megan Carter, Audubon Dakota,
The National Audubon Society's field office for SD & ND works on the restoration & conservation efforts at the Wolsey Crane Stopover Important Bird Area. Audubon has community science projects across the country such as Audubon’s 121st Christmas Bird Count & the Winter 2021 Climate Watch survey (currently underway). Learn more about Audubon Dakota’s programs & how you can also help birds.
Link to recording on Zoom Cloud:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/9zh6Ue1oM8mNmn_ARN83Dz_RU7hynDltXODaN3-0G_X_slQYL7ugA4C9C_VkCF5s.-5DC_-7l2EcahHgY
Passcode: N9mM#p&8
===========================Audubon's Annual Photo Contest Entry Period
January 27, 2021–April 7, 2021 at 12 p.m. (noon) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Cash prizes up to $5,000The rules:2020 winners
Previous Years winners
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========================================Game, Fish and Parks Commission meetingby ZoomJan 28th-29th (HISTORY - but proposals will be voted on at later meeting)
Agenda
November ProposalsStudy these proposals as they will be voted on at future Commision meetings.
Also a few rule making petitions will be considered.Nest Predator bounty program 2021 proposal was on the agenda and a draft resolution in support of the 2021 & 2022 $10/tail bounty program at $500,000 @ year was moved forward for final approval/vote at the Commission's March meeting. To listen to the meeting beginning at 1 P.M. CT on Jan. 28 the livestream can be found at https://www.sd.net.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission held their monthly meeting via Zoom on Jan. 28-29.
The open forum portion of the meeting begann at 2 P.M. CT.To provide comments, individuals can dial in via conference call or join online via Zoom. To conduct the open forum as efficiently as possible we ask those wishing to testify to register by 1:00 p.m. CT by email to Rachel.comes@state.sd.us. Testifiers should provide their full names, whom they are representing, city of residence, and which proposed topic they will be addressing.
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LEGISLATIVE CRACKER BARRELS/COFFEES - 2021January 30th through MarchThis year some are virtual, some are face-to-face and some are hybrid
Legislative Cracker Barrel summary (of which I know)
Face-to-Face
Aberdeen Legislative cracker barrels February 6, 13, March 6, 2021 in the Jewett Theatre within the Johnson Fine Arts Center on the campus of Northern State University from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Belle Fourche Legislative cracker barrelFebruary 6th and March 6th, 1pm. , Grap's Burgers and Brew on 3/6/21,With increases in Covid19 pandemic locally, alternatives may be considered.
Canton Legislative cracker barrelSaturday, February 6, 2021 at 9 AM MST, Canton Depot, 600 W 5th St,
Clear Lake Legislative Cracker Barrel (District #4), Saturday, February 13th, 10 am, Deuel School District-School Library, 410 5th Street West,
Custer Legislative Cracker Barrel District 30Saturday, February 13th, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jr/Sr. High School Theater
Faith Legislative Cracker Barrel Sunday , February 28th2 pm. 2R Bar and Grill,Sponsored by Meade & Ziebach County Farm Bureau
Gregory Legislative Cracker Barrel Saturday, February 6th,10:30 am in Gregory at Gregory Lanes
Hill City Legislative Cracker Barrel District 30Saturday, February 13th, , Super 8 Conference Room 1-3 p.m.
Huron Legislative Coffee February 27, 2021, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CST, Huron Community Campus - Fine Arts Center
Kimball Legislative Cracker BarrelSaturday, February 20th 10 a.m. Kimball Fire Station
Newell Legislative Cracker Barrel - Saturday, February 27th date changeNewell City Hall, 10:00 am,
Platte Legislative Cracker BarrelSaturday, February 6th8:00 am Dutch Oven Bakery , District 21
Redfield Legislative Cracker BarrelMonday, February 15th3:00 PM•Community Room--Spink County Court House
Wall Legislative Cracker BarrelThursday, February 11th5:30 pm at the Wall Community Center
Watertown Legislative Cracker barrelSaturday, February 20th1:00 pm, LATC on 4th Floor
Winner Legislative Cracker BarrelSaturday, February 6th,1:00 pm at the Winner Middle School Gym Hybrid
Brandon Legislative cracker barrelFebruary 6 at 9:00 a.m. CTTailgators Grill & Bar - 1013 N. Splitrock Blvd
Rapid City Legislative Cracker BarrelsJan 30th, Feb 20th, February 27th, March 6th - Western Dakota Tech, 9 amDistricts 30, 32, 33, 34, and 35 limiting attendance to 60 persons and requiring folks to sit 6 feet apart and wear masks and also live streaming
Sioux Falls Legislative CoffeeFebruary 6th, Feb 20th, Feb 227th,The HUB at Southeast Technical College, 10 am, & livestreamed
Spearfish/Deadwood (Lawrence County) Legislative Cracker Barrels Saturday, January 30th at the High Plains Western Heritage Center and Saturday, February 20th at the Deadwood Mountain GrandDistrict 31 Cracker Barrels will be held 10 am. Face-to-face and livestreamed on Facebook.
Sturgis Legislative Cracker Barrels February 6th, March 6th, 9 am, Erskine Bldg, Face-to-face and livestream on Facebook, questions can be posted on-lineVirtual
Brookings Legislative Cracker BarrelJanuary 30th, February 13 at 9:00 a.m. CT, Zoom by Brookings' Chamber
District 24 (Pierre) Legislative "On Air" Cracker BarrelJanuary 30th, February 6th On air
Mitchell Legislative Cracker BarrelMarch 5, 202110:30 AM - 11:00 AM CST, Virtual, http://www.mitchellsd.comstreamed via Facebook Live submit questions during the live feed or questions can also be emailed to Meghen at meghen@mitchellsd.com.Pierre Legislative Cracker BarrelAbout s virtual Cracker Barrel - “watch the Pierre Chamber social media and website for details.” Chamber's Facebook allows you to submit questions for legislators to answer and watch for their answers
Piedmont Legislative Cracker Barrel (District 29 & 33) Saturday, February 13th, 2-4 pmby Zoom webinar, Details will be posted to this web page - http://www.phas-wsd.org
Please click the link below to join the webinar:Passcode: 132639Call In: (669) 900 6833 Webinar ID: 830 0185 7082Passcode: 13263Will be livestreamed on Dakota Rural Action Black Hills Chapter's Facebook page.
Vermillion Legislative Cracker BarrelSaturday Feb 13, 2021, Facebook Live and Channel Three
Yankton Legislative Cracker barrelJanuary 30th, February 27th, Live streamed on Chamber's Facebook, Dist. 18https://www.facebook.com/events/449281952933783
LINKS TO STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVE CRACKER BARREL INFO:
SD Rural Electric’s list
ACLU's list - similar to PHAS's
SDDP's list - similar to PHAS's
PHAS's list
SD CAMO Coalition List similar to PHAS's=============================Thursday February 11th6 pm MSTNorbeck Society Monthly MeetingSpeaker: Terry
Sohl, a Research Physical Scientist with the US Geological Survey's
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. ============================================February 12-15thGreat Backyard Bird Count
Join us, February 12–15, 2021, when the world comes together for the love of birds.
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.
Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Recently, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded.
The 24th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2021. Please visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information and be sure to check out the latest educational and promotional resources.
============================================Saturday, February 13th
Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel (District 29 & 33) Saturday, February 13th, 2-4 pmby Zoom webinar, (waiting on final Zoom details)Details will be posted to this web page - http://www.phas-wsd.org
Zoom & livestream details deleted Webinar is co-sponsored by Prairie Hills Audubon Society, Dakota Rural Action Black Hills Chapter and Foothill Area Chamber of Commerce
=============================Saturday, February 13th
Clean Water Alliance monthly meeting is this Saturday, February 13th at 10:00 am (MST) via Zoom and there's lots to discuss and plan to Protect Water from destructive mining in the Black Hills.
Zoom details deleted ======================================================February 15thSierra Club, Black Hills Group - February 15th Legislature Discussion Zoom Meeting
Panel Discussion on the 2021 Legislature featuring lobbyists from conservation and environment groups.
Ailee Johns, representing the South Dakota Chapter of Sierra Club; Rebecca Terk, representing Dakota Rural Action, and Paul Lepisto, representing the Izaak Walton League will discuss measures that passed, legislation still under consideration, and calls to action to communicate with the legislature on issues that affect land, water, and wildlife.Join the conversation and learn what you can do.
Zoom details deleted
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======================================================Tuesday, February 23rd (History - recording available)This month, Advocates for the West February Social Distancing Hour
Topic: Can Sage-Grouse Save the West?The greater sage-grouse once dominated the American West, but their populations have plummeted in modern times due to overgrazing, oil and gas development, roads and power lines, and other human disturbance. As an “umbrella” species, the health of the bird's population is also an indicator of the perilous state of sagebrush ecosystems and the over 350 other native species they support.
This presentation by Staff Attorney Sarah Stellberg will discuss the ongoing legal and policy battles to save the sage-grouse – one of the largest conservation efforts in U.S. history – and its implications for public lands management across the West. Tuesday, February 23rd7pm MTThe video recording of Tuesday’s webinar is now available.
====================================================
Share recording with viewers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TB51fixJwbJpZX1yWxCAJ78u1HHYO_IMDEgcWDUVcmfEqPPbJJ-Y3IQc1FG-aT-T.G3-lHAH0ATAgPIaw
Passcode: f^%.Pi.4
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/9zh6Ue1oM8mNmn_ARN83Dz_RU7hynDltXODaN3-0G_X_slQYL7ugA4C9C_VkCF5s.-5DC_-7l2EcahHgY
Join us, February 12–15, 2021, when the world comes together for the love of birds.
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.
Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Recently, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded.
The 24th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2021. Please visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information and be sure to check out the latest educational and promotional resources.
The video recording of Tuesday’s webinar is now available.
Time: Thursday, February 25th, 6:30 PM MTTopic: Tribal Efforts to Conserve Biodiversity (History - recording link)Speakers: Emily Boyd Valandra, Biologist, Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Dept. of Natural Resources - Game, Fish & Parks,Shaun Grassel, PhD, Wildlife Biologist, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe’s Dept. of Wildlife, Fish & Recreation.
Learn about the challenges and successes in conserving biodiversity on tribal lands in South Dakota.
RECORDING LINK
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March 4-5, 2020SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Meeting - ZoomSend written comments by midnight CT on Sunday Feb 28th. Oral comments, normally limited to 3 minutes, at 2 pm. CT
Eventually details will be posted by GFP on this website:
Public Notice of hearing on March 4th - includes Zoom hyperlink
Nest Predator bounty program 2021 proposal will be on the agenda.If you go to our links to our older posts you will find info on Nest Predator Bounty Program, which we object to.They are proposing $10 bounties, with $500,000 allocation/year for two years.
1. History of 2019 past Nest Predator Bounty Program and beginning of the 2020 proposed Nest Predator Bounty Program
2. Links to other's alerts & references
3. Reasons to oppose the nest predator bounty program.________________________________________________________________
1. History of 2019 past program and 2020 proposed program
________________________________________________________________
2019 NEST PREDATOR BOUNTY (NPBP) PROGRAM HISTORY
Last year (2019), SD Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) approved a bounty program that started on April 1st and ended on August 12, 2019 when they ran out of money. It was supposed to provide $500,000 for bounties. This program paid ten dollars each for 54,470 tails and killed: 43,779 raccoons, 6,001 striped skunk, 3,706 opossum, 494 red fox & 490 badgers.
The bounty program had 3,151 participants of which 90% were from East River and 12% were under 17 years old. SDGFP also gave away live traps. They taught a trapping course to 603 participants of which 387 were youth & taught an ethics course to 50 youth. License sales increased by 6.7%.
The live trap give-away program cost $958,171, the payment for tails cost $547,400, salaries/benefits cost $190,915 & miscellaneous expenses cost $35,778 - This has a total cost of $1,732,264. The alleged purpose was to increase success of pheasant and duck nests and thus increase their populations and increase number of trappers, especially children and introduce children to outdoor recreation and conservation/wildlife management (via trapping).
The staff approved the expenditures and the program before taking public comment on the program. The commission also passed a rule to extend the deadline to remove live traps from public land and public right-of-ways from May 1st to September 1st.
Despite the 2019 expenditure of 1.7 million on the NPBP, "South Dakota Pheasant Brood Survey 2019 Report" showed that the statewide Pheasants Per Mile (PPM) index for the 2019 pheasant brood survey decreased 17% (2.47 to 2.04, 90% confidence interval = -32 to 0%) compared to 2018. Link to SD GFP’s 2019 Report:
2020 APPROVED NEST PREDATOR BOUNTY PROGRAMOn 1/16/2020, the SD GFP Commission & staff created a draft resolution for support of the 2020 Bounty program.It includes: 1) A $250,000 expenditure on a nest predator bounty, targeting the same species as last year. 2) This year the bounties will be $5 each (not $10). 3) Applicants for bounty must possess a hunting, fishing or trapping license (unless youth or landowner hunting on their own land). & 4) The time period will be shorter --from April 1st to July 1st (last year it was permitted till the end of August but ran out of funds & thus ended in mid August) & method of take can include shooting. There is no provision for giving away free traps this year.
Return of tails is slower in 2020, -- Bounty is $5 per tail, not $10 per tail and they are spending about an eighth of the money on this program than they did in 2019 and due to virus , they are requiring people to wait in cars while submitting tails.. Only about half the tails were submitted and half the money appropriated was spent.
Link to tails reportTo see the 2020 Nest Predator Bounty Program Approval Resolution - that GFP Commission voted to approve at a meeting on March 5th - visit this link:
SDGFP Commission on Friday 3/6/20 approved the 2020 Nest Predator Bounty Program in a 6/2 vote -- Gary Jensen and Mary Ann Boyd voted against. They are both no longer on the Commission in 2021..
News articles on:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Links to other's alerts /references-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links to SD HSUS & SD FACT’s Facebook Pages. Both have alerts on this issue, you need to scroll down their pages
The Humane Society of U.S. (HSUS) funded a public opinion survey on the NPBP of 1,000 random people that got much different responses, than SD GFP funded public opinion survey. HSUS asked some of the same questions and some different questions than SDGFP. After a series of questions 26% approved of NPBP and 53% disapproved. Link to HSUS report:Link to the SDGFP’s public opinion survey of 400 random people - GFP funded both a NPBP participants and a public opinion survey (found in the second half of report). Link to survey:
GFP references this study in the resolution about 2020 NPBP and on their current web page about the bounty program. SD GFP’s hired survey (of random people) found that 62% South Dakotans had no clue about the Nest Predator Bounty program and only 38% knew about it, of which 43% were mostly positive about it (which would be 16% of the population supported it, before being read GFP's description of program). (Page 44 of report)
Survey staff then read the respondents a short 3 sentence description of the program, which description convinced them to support it and then survey then claimed 83% of SD folks support the program. (Page 45). This is what GFP and Governor seem to brag about. HSUS found different results…Please compare GFP survey with HSUS’s larger survey (scroll up), some questions are the same cold asks but then they have different prompted questions — with different paragraphs read into the prompted/shepherded questions, surveys get different answers.
For statements that predator control won't work well in large areas visit these links on predator control and pheasants/ducks:
We refer you to Pheasants Forever's web page on "Effects of Predators",
& Ducks Unlimited's web page on "Ducks, Habitat Conservation & Predators":
Also see page 11 of SD GFP's Pheasant Management Plan, in the section on predators:"Where predator control may be considered as a management option, managers should be aware that cost, logistics, and lack of effectiveness often limit success when compared to habitat management."
SD's 2019 Pheasant Brood reporthttps://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/docs/PBR_2019FINAL.pdf
Greater prairie chicken's IUCN Red List web page.
Please remember the exotic male pheasant fight over territory with and drive off the male chickens and female pheasants lay eggs in the chicken's nest, which hatch before the chickens, causing moms to abandon their own eggs:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Reasons to oppose the nest predator bounty program.
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WHY OPPOSE?
This killing of predators is not scientifically justified. ----
- Wildlife biologists agree that nest predator control is ineffective unless it is extremely intense and carried out annually.
- Effective nest predator control may require hundreds of dollars & man-hours per year & per section of land. The Governor’s budget might be enough to cover one township, or possibly even a county, but certainly not the state.
- Even intense predator control has limitations. Those animals that escape capture or death often reproduce at a higher rate. This means more effort must be expended and more money must be appropriated each year.
- Nature does not exist in a vacuum. When one animal is removed, others move in, including other species that may be more effective predators.
- Nest predators also feed on rodents. Opossums also eat ticks. If these nest predators are successfully controlled, an explosion in rodents can be expected, with a huge and potentially devastating impact on farmers and ranchers. Rodents eat grain in the field, & infest grain bins, outbuildings and farmhouses. In SD rodents carry Hantavirus or fleas/ticks that can have bubonic plague, or Lyme disease. These costs must also be considered.- Some nest predators are protected by state and federal laws. This would include ALL raptors. (Hawks, owls and eagles are examples.)
- The nest predator bounty may encourage illegal activity, from trespassing and unlawful night hunting to submitting tails collected out-of-state. NO funds have been allocated for the extra law enforcement.
-The nest predator program is fiscally irresponsible. The money is desperately needed on habitat programs that actually do provide a return on the investment.
- Habitat improvements can be cost shared at a rate of 50% to over 75% through a variety of programs. GF&P receives 75% cost share on habitat purchases and improvements through Pittman Robertson funds.
- Predation is much lower when sufficient habitat for nesting birds is provided.
- Successful nesting will not occur where there is not sufficient habitat, regardless if most predators are removed or not.
- Good habitat also provides high-protein food sources, clean water and protection from the elements, all in a suitable arrangement. Habitat for pheasants/ducks also benefits various other wildlife & bird species.
- This is a statewide program, but areas with pheasant and duck populations are much more limited West River. Why pay bounties for West River predator tails?
- Much of SDGFP budget derives from sale of licenses and most hunters do not want GFP’s limited budget spent on this program.
- Pheasants are an exotic species that competes with a native species - the greater prairie chicken, whose range and population are declining -- losing half its' population every decade.
- Accidental take of threatened and endangered species may occur. The swift fox is state listed. The black-footed ferret is listed federally. There is a petition before the USFWS to list the plains spotted skunk and the prairie grey fox under the Endangered Species Act. The American Martin is a “sensitive species” for the Black Hills National Forest.
- This program will result in animal cruelty. Some trappers will be trapping with leg-hold traps or snares, or body crushing traps. Some will use live traps. People should realize that in SD the law allows for animals to be left in traps West River for three and a partial day and East River for two and a partial day. Trapping can be cruel. In high heat or bitter cold, an animal in a box can die in half a day. Animals in boxes or leg-hold traps can freak out and damage their bodies and/or teeth & thus not survive even if released. Dead animals or animals in boxes or traps can't feed their dependent young. Even via a "live trap" non-target species adults and their dependent young will die, in addition to target species.
- Part of the rational/spin for the program is to introduce children to nature & trapping. Why not introduce children to nature via non-lethal interactions with wildlife such as wildlife watching and spend money on nature guidebooks, binoculars, cameras & not via bounties & traps?- Empathetic children may encounter moral dilemmas such as how to kill the 12 or 13 babies in an opossums pouch, and later learn that they did this killing of babies, based on lies told them by SD GFP about effects of a bounty program on nesting success. How does this engage children with nature or give them trust in government?
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March 8th and 10th, Black Hills Area Botany & Ecology workshop
If you want to listen to any of the talks or participate in any of the discussions, please do two things:
- The first week of March (i.e., before the workshop), please download the latest zoom app to your computer from https://zoom.us/. Although it's not absolutely necessary to use the app, your experience, especially for the break-out discussions, will be better with it than if you just use your browser.
- As soon as you know you'll attend, register using this link: https://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYocumtqDgoGNHkW37B2LiRvDQZAiJnHeXD. We ask that you register by February 25th so we have time to get the World Cafe sessions worked out.
After you register, you'll receive a confirmation email (with my name in the sender line) with the Zoom link that we'll use for both days of the workshop. If you have any questions, please email me.
Here's the schedule.
Monday, March 8: Sweetclover Symposium
12:30 Symstad – welcome and introduction
12:35 Dyer – Sweetclover biology and invasion history of the Great Plains
12:50 Johnston – Sweetclover encroachment and effects on sage-grouse habitat quality
1:05 Clabo – Wildfire and sweetclover: Do outbreaks lead to higher fire potential?
1:25 Larson – Sweetclover at the bee buffet
1:45 break
2:00 Ollila – Sweetclover: Nuisance weed or missed opportunity? A rancher’s perspective
2:20 Sedivec – Managing yellow sweetclover to minimize its impacts in Dakota rangelands
2:40 All – Round-table discussion with questions from audience
Wednesday, March 10: Contributed Talks and World Café
12:30 Symstad – welcome and introduction
12:35 Peterson – Integrating structure metrics into burn severity mapping
12:55 Spiess – Benefits of using prescribed fire in working rangeland ecosystems: Takeaways from a patch-burn grazing study in southwestern North Dakota
1:15 Symstad – Fall prescribed fire controls invasive annual brome grasses, up to a point
1:35 break
1:50 World Café Session 1
2:10 Blodgett – Limber pine restoration in South Dakota
2:30 Gaskin – One genotype dominates facultatively outcrossing Verbascum thapsus(common mullein) invasion
2:50 Porensky – Post-plague vegetation dynamics in the Thunder Basin ecoregion
3:10 break
3: 25 World Cafe Session 2
World Café discussion topics- Why should I think about mycorrhizal fungi?
- How do we advance riparian health and build resilient riparian communities?
- What new weeds have I found and what should I be looking for?
- How can forest management provide more and improved habitat for the listed Northern long-eared bat? What does the 4d rule really mean?
- What plant is that? Apps for plant identification.
- What are some creative ways to get field work done in the times of COVID?
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March 22nd, Deadline for Snapshot Photo Contest, Winter SeasonSD Game, Fish and Parks Seasonal Photo ContestThe 2021 contest is divided into three periods–winter, spring, and
summer–which will lead to a grand-prize winner announced at the 2021
South Dakota State Fair.For details 2020 Photo contest winners==============================
April 21-22, 2021 2021 Western South Dakota Hydrology ConferenceWednesday-Thursday, April 21-22, 2021 Virtual format held via Zoom.
Conference website link: www.usgs.gov/WSDHC
Program link:
Registration link:
============================================================================================================================STATE BASED - ALERTS=================================================================================================
1. History of 2019 past Nest Predator Bounty Program and beginning of the 2020 proposed Nest Predator Bounty Program
2. Links to other's alerts & references
3. Reasons to oppose the nest predator bounty program.
1. History of 2019 past program and 2020 proposed program
________________________________________________________________
2019 NEST PREDATOR BOUNTY (NPBP) PROGRAM HISTORY
Last year (2019), SD Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) approved a bounty program that started on April 1st and ended on August 12, 2019 when they ran out of money. It was supposed to provide $500,000 for bounties. This program paid ten dollars each for 54,470 tails and killed: 43,779 raccoons, 6,001 striped skunk, 3,706 opossum, 494 red fox & 490 badgers.
The bounty program had 3,151 participants of which 90% were from East River and 12% were under 17 years old. SDGFP also gave away live traps. They taught a trapping course to 603 participants of which 387 were youth & taught an ethics course to 50 youth. License sales increased by 6.7%.
The live trap give-away program cost $958,171, the payment for tails cost $547,400, salaries/benefits cost $190,915 & miscellaneous expenses cost $35,778 - This has a total cost of $1,732,264. The alleged purpose was to increase success of pheasant and duck nests and thus increase their populations and increase number of trappers, especially children and introduce children to outdoor recreation and conservation/wildlife management (via trapping).
The staff approved the expenditures and the program before taking public comment on the program. The commission also passed a rule to extend the deadline to remove live traps from public land and public right-of-ways from May 1st to September 1st.
Greater prairie chicken's IUCN Red List web page.
Please remember the exotic male pheasant fight over territory with and drive off the male chickens and female pheasants lay eggs in the chicken's nest, which hatch before the chickens, causing moms to abandon their own eggs:
4. Reasons to oppose the nest predator bounty program.
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WHY OPPOSE?
This killing of predators is not scientifically justified. ----
- Wildlife biologists agree that nest predator control is ineffective unless it is extremely intense and carried out annually.
- Effective nest predator control may require hundreds of dollars & man-hours per year & per section of land. The Governor’s budget might be enough to cover one township, or possibly even a county, but certainly not the state.
- Even intense predator control has limitations. Those animals that escape capture or death often reproduce at a higher rate. This means more effort must be expended and more money must be appropriated each year.
- Nature does not exist in a vacuum. When one animal is removed, others move in, including other species that may be more effective predators.
- Nest predators also feed on rodents. Opossums also eat ticks. If these nest predators are successfully controlled, an explosion in rodents can be expected, with a huge and potentially devastating impact on farmers and ranchers. Rodents eat grain in the field, & infest grain bins, outbuildings and farmhouses. In SD rodents carry Hantavirus or fleas/ticks that can have bubonic plague, or Lyme disease. These costs must also be considered.
- The nest predator bounty may encourage illegal activity, from trespassing and unlawful night hunting to submitting tails collected out-of-state. NO funds have been allocated for the extra law enforcement.
-The nest predator program is fiscally irresponsible. The money is desperately needed on habitat programs that actually do provide a return on the investment.
- Habitat improvements can be cost shared at a rate of 50% to over 75% through a variety of programs. GF&P receives 75% cost share on habitat purchases and improvements through Pittman Robertson funds.
- Predation is much lower when sufficient habitat for nesting birds is provided.
- Successful nesting will not occur where there is not sufficient habitat, regardless if most predators are removed or not.
- This is a statewide program, but areas with pheasant and duck populations are much more limited West River. Why pay bounties for West River predator tails?
- Much of SDGFP budget derives from sale of licenses and most hunters do not want GFP’s limited budget spent on this program.
- Pheasants are an exotic species that competes with a native species - the greater prairie chicken, whose range and population are declining -- losing half its' population every decade.
- Accidental take of threatened and endangered species may occur. The swift fox is state listed. The black-footed ferret is listed federally. There is a petition before the USFWS to list the plains spotted skunk and the prairie grey fox under the Endangered Species Act. The American Martin is a “sensitive species” for the Black Hills National Forest.
- This program will result in animal cruelty. Some trappers will be trapping with leg-hold traps or snares, or body crushing traps. Some will use live traps. People should realize that in SD the law allows for animals to be left in traps West River for three and a partial day and East River for two and a partial day. Trapping can be cruel. In high heat or bitter cold, an animal in a box can die in half a day. Animals in boxes or leg-hold traps can freak out and damage their bodies and/or teeth & thus not survive even if released. Dead animals or animals in boxes or traps can't feed their dependent young. Even via a "live trap" non-target species adults and their dependent young will die, in addition to target species.
- Part of the rational/spin for the program is to introduce children to nature & trapping. Why not introduce children to nature via non-lethal interactions with wildlife such as wildlife watching and spend money on nature guidebooks, binoculars, cameras & not via bounties & traps?
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- The first week of March (i.e., before the workshop), please download the latest zoom app to your computer from https://zoom.us/. Although it's not absolutely necessary to use the app, your experience, especially for the break-out discussions, will be better with it than if you just use your browser.
- As soon as you know you'll attend, register using this link: https://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYocumtqDgoGNHkW37B2LiRvDQZAiJnHeXD. We ask that you register by February 25th so we have time to get the World Cafe sessions worked out.
Monday, March 8: Sweetclover Symposium
12:30 Symstad – welcome and introduction
12:35 Dyer – Sweetclover biology and invasion history of the Great Plains
12:50 Johnston – Sweetclover encroachment and effects on sage-grouse habitat quality
1:05 Clabo – Wildfire and sweetclover: Do outbreaks lead to higher fire potential?
1:25 Larson – Sweetclover at the bee buffet
1:45 break
2:00 Ollila – Sweetclover: Nuisance weed or missed opportunity? A rancher’s perspective
2:20 Sedivec – Managing yellow sweetclover to minimize its impacts in Dakota rangelands
2:40 All – Round-table discussion with questions from audience
Wednesday, March 10: Contributed Talks and World Café
12:30 Symstad – welcome and introduction
12:35 Peterson – Integrating structure metrics into burn severity mapping
12:55 Spiess – Benefits of using prescribed fire in working rangeland ecosystems: Takeaways from a patch-burn grazing study in southwestern North Dakota
1:15 Symstad – Fall prescribed fire controls invasive annual brome grasses, up to a point
1:35 break
1:50 World Café Session 1
2:10 Blodgett – Limber pine restoration in South Dakota
2:30 Gaskin – One genotype dominates facultatively outcrossing Verbascum thapsus(common mullein) invasion
2:50 Porensky – Post-plague vegetation dynamics in the Thunder Basin ecoregion
3:10 break
3: 25 World Cafe Session 2
- Why should I think about mycorrhizal fungi?
- How do we advance riparian health and build resilient riparian communities?
- What new weeds have I found and what should I be looking for?
- How can forest management provide more and improved habitat for the listed Northern long-eared bat? What does the 4d rule really mean?
- What plant is that? Apps for plant identification.
- What are some creative ways to get field work done in the times of COVID?
Information on overcutting of trees in the Black Hills National Forest
================================================================
The Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) has released data from a Forest Inventory & Analysis that shows the BHNF is cutting trees faster than then forest growth replaces them. If current rate of cutting continues the live sawtimber volume will be depleted in the next several decades. To meet the current rate of cutting allowed by the Forest Plan, they need twice the standing live timber they have. The rate of cutting must be reduced to provide for a sustainable supply of timber, wildlife habitat, and other forest resources. Various laws require a sustainable logging program. Our speaker is Jonathan Word, Natural Resource Staff Officer at the BHNF who will talk about the timber program & this recent report that discusses the sustainability of the BHNF timber program.
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The Black Hills National Forest has done research and determined it is cutting pine trees faster than they can grow back...the cut is not sustainable. Direct link to a report on this research: Timber Growth and Yield Draft General Technical Report (TGYDGTR)
These actions are illegal, violating the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act and the National Forest Management Act. In the future the Forest Service will need to change it's cutting rate. Future timber cutting scenarios proposed in the TGYDGTR do not reduce the cut fast enough or deep enough; they take years to reach timber sustainability and do not provide for sustainability of other values nor forbid logging on some lands that are unsuitable for logging nor do they forbid cutting young trees before their finish fastest growing period.
A not sustainable cut is not desirable, as viability of some wildlife species will be at risk and values such as some habitats, scenic quality, back country recreational & water quality will be harmed. The Forest has less than .5% old growth left, the Forest Plan says it was supposed to provide at least 5%. Some species at risk include the northern goshawk, brown creeper and black backed woodpecker that need mature dense stands, and the pgmy nuthatch that needs large old yellow barks. The forest does not have money, or ways to generate revenue to pay for all the needed pre-commercial thinning of the huge area of understory baby pine trees.
The timber industry is very opposed to the necessary reduction in annual timber volume. They are busy lobbying our elected leaders. Other forests have also had reports that found the forests had not-sustainable harvests. Several such reports were buried due to politics and never made it past draft form. We need the public to fully understand what has been discovered by the Forest Service, to listen to critiques of the analysis and to insist that politics does not bury this report and that the Forest Service commits to quickly reducing the annual harvest on the Black Hills to a level that is not just sustainable for commercial goals (i.e.: timber production) but also sustainable for wildlife habitat, scenery protection, back country recreation, water quality, soils etc. The natural amenities of the forest that give us spiritual renewal and cause us to want to live near the BHNF, need to be valued & protected, not just it's timber production valued.A comprehensive article about the Black Hills timber situation was recently published:
Here is a link to the Forest Service's (FS) web page on this topic:
This web page has a discussion of the issues & lots of links to more data on this issue, including the Timber Growth and Yield Draft General Technical Report (TGYDGTR) and links to webinars from 4 FS meetings with stakeholders/local governments, some of which include power-points created by the FS & stakeholder groups on the issues. April 3rd & May 1st are virtual meetings the FS had with "timber stakeholders" - namely NGO environmental, timber industry & state government stakeholders. Environmentalists attending the 4/3/20 meeting were from Prairie Hills Audubon Society, The Norbeck Society, BHG of the Sierra Club.
An ad hoc group of retired foresters was also represented. In May the Nature Conservancy was added as stakeholder. At least one future "timber stakeholder" meeting is planned. April 10th & May 15th are virtual meetings the FS had with the local government.All 4 meetings are recorded,A link to the April 3rd meeting's presentations and related documents (mostly saved as PDFs) is:We recommend that you view power points from Bob Burns of the Norbeck Society, Jim Margadant of Sierra Club and Dave Mertz of retired foresters.
Webinar link
https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/pf84e9rqbh6f/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal&proto=true.
Quote from Abstract of the TGYDGTR:
"If the current (2019) annual sawtimber harvest of 153,534 CCF per year (CCF = 64 100 cubic feet) were to continue, the live sawtimber volume will be depleted in the next several decades. To meet the current allowable sale quantity (ASQ) of 181,000 CCF as described in the BHNF Plan, a standing live sawtimber volume of approximately 12 million CCF would be required. However, current standing live sawtimber volume is approximately 5.9 million CCF. Furthermore, the current forest conditions in 2019 and probable growth and mortality estimates suggest a saw timber program on the BHNF with an annual harvest of 70,000 to 115,000 CCF per year would be possible. Nevertheless, these harvest levels would allow the live sawtimber inventory amounts to increase to 6 million CCF in approximately 60 years and return to the level needed to support ASQ as identified in the current forest plan (181,000 CCF) within a century." (emphasis added)
Page 4 at lines 80 to 82 TGYDGTR says:
“All scenarios assume no harvest reduction for other resources (e.g., wildlife, botany, aquatics, and so on) or for Forest Plan adjustments. However, Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) may have restrictions that could alter the amount of area treated and the volumes removed.”
At lines 431 to 437 TGYDGTR says:
“Forest Plan constraints such as slope steepness, wildlife, recreation, grazing, or other values were not considered in the scenarios.”
Page 6 of the TGYDGTR, Lines 111-120, states
“In 2019 the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (USDA 2019) identified 765,733 acres of timberland: (suitable), as forestland that is producing or is capable of producing 20 cubic feet per acre per year of industrial wood in natural stands and not withdrawn from timber utilization by statute or administrative regulation. Lands inaccessible and inoperable were included.”(Emphasis added)==========================
To help understand terminology used in timber management on the Black hills Structural stages are any of several developmental stages of tree stands described in terms of tree size and the extent of canopy closure they create. In the Black Hills stands are inventoried and assigned to one of 9 structural stages: SS1, SS2, SS3A, SS3B, SS3C, SS4, SS4B, SS4C, SS5. Various wildlife are associated with older dense stands of live trees. Some are associated with large snags (large dead trees).
The Rocky Mountain Research Station (the research branch of the Forest Service), has a draft report out that analyzes a large data set showing the current level of logging on the Black Hills National Forest is unsustainable. Below find a direct link to a report on this research: Timber Growth and Yield Draft General Technical Report (TGYD-GTR)
The BHNF has admitted it is cutting the pine trees at a faster rate than the trees can replace themselves. They have very little old growth (structural stage 5) left - less than1 percent (.6 percent) and an inadequate supply of one of their other structural stages for adult pine stands (SS4B) . If cutting continues at the current rate, they will run out of saw timber in about 30 years.
We worry about various species associated with dense forest conditions, older trees, large snags and fire/insects. The northern goshawk, brown creeper and black backed woodpecker need mature dense stands and the black-backed woodpecker needs them as snags, burned by wildfire. Pygmy nuthatch needs older yellow barks and it and the Lewis woodpecker need larger snags. The silver haired bat and fringed myotis need large snags for maternity roosts. The golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets need relatively dense older forests. The northern flying squirrel and red squirrel need older, dense forests, at least mature stands. Pine Martins need connectivity corridors with 50% canopy closure. Rare snails need forest cover (shade) and damp ground. Some big game need thermal cover in the winter.
Come learn about what tree habitat species need and which may be at risk if the Black Hills National Forest loses it's older dense saw timber and old growth. ===============
Excerpted slides from an April 2020 Powerpoint by Andrew Johnson of the Forest Service (BHNF)
"How the FIA data and sustainability analysis relate to the Forest Plan and available timber "Below are photos from Andrew Johnson's powerpoint and quotes from the Glossary of the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 2006 - at pages Glossary -67-68"DBH" stands for "diameter at breast height".
"Structural Stage 1 (Grass/Forb): The grass/forb stage was historically a product offires, windthrow or similar disturbances. Under forest management, this stage can becreated through harvesting. This stage is dominated by grasses and forbs lasting untiltree seedlings become established."
Structural Stage 2 (Shrub/Seedling): The shrub/seedling stage consists of shrubssuch as chokecherry, rose and serviceberry along with tree seedlings. A stand remainsin Stage 2 until the tree seedlings reach one inch diameter at breast height (DBH),which should take less than a decade
Structural Stage 3 (Sapling/Pole): The sapling/pole stage consists of trees withstems one to nine inches DBH. This stage typically persists up to 30 years to age 70.Less than 40 percent canopy closure is 3A; 40 to less than 70 percent canopy closuresis 3B; and greater than 70 percent canopy closure is 3C. Understory production isinversely related to overstory pine canopy cover.
Structural Stage 4 (Mature): The mature stage begins when trees reach the 9-inchDBH class. Trees remain in this stage until they are about 160 years old. As withStructural Stage 3, understory productivity depends upon the overstory canopy cover.Less than 40 percent canopy closure is 4A; 40 to less than 70 percent canopy closuresis 4B; and greater than 70 percent canopy closure is 4C. The sizes of trees in thisstage will vary depending upon growing-site potential and the density of the stand.
Structural Stage 5 (Late Succession): This structural stage is characterized by verylarge trees (16+ inches DBH). Trees are at least 160 years in age; ponderosa pinethat reach this age are commonly referred to as “yellow barks.” Late successionponderosa pine may occur in dense stands, but may also grow in the open or in “parklike”stands (Mehl 1992).
=================================== ====================================================================
A not sustainable cut is not desirable, as viability of some wildlife species will be at risk and values such as some habitats, scenic quality, back country recreational & water quality will be harmed. The Forest has less than .5% old growth left, the Forest Plan says it was supposed to provide at least 5%. Some species at risk include the northern goshawk, brown creeper and black backed woodpecker that need mature dense stands, and the pgmy nuthatch that needs large old yellow barks. The forest does not have money, or ways to generate revenue to pay for all the needed pre-commercial thinning of the huge area of understory baby pine trees.
Here is a link to the Forest Service's (FS) web page on this topic:
Webinar link
https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/pf84e9rqbh6f/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal&proto=true.
The BHNF has admitted it is cutting the pine trees at a faster rate than the trees can replace themselves. They have very little old growth (structural stage 5) left - less than1 percent (.6 percent) and an inadequate supply of one of their other structural stages for adult pine stands (SS4B) . If cutting continues at the current rate, they will run out of saw timber in about 30 years.
"How the FIA data and sustainability analysis relate to the Forest Plan and available timber "
FEDERAL ACTIVITIES SECTION========================================
Wildlife watching exceeds hunting/fishing for participants
2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation: National Overview Download the USFWS survey on wildlife related recreation 2016. Wildlife watching - page 7, fishing- page 5, hunting -page 6 Nationwide: Total wildlife watching expenditures: $75.9 billion, Total fishing expenditures: $ 46.1 billion, Total hunting expenditures: $ 25.6 billion, Total wildlife watching participants: 86.million, Total Anglers 35.8 million, Total hunters: 11.5 million Of this Wildlife Watching subset Wildlife watching away from home: 23.7 million participants or at watching home: 81.1 million; --- Observe Wildlife away from home:19.6 million, at home 43.8 million, Photograph Wildlife away from home:13.7 million, at home 30.5 million Feed wildlife away from home: 4.9 million, at home 59.1 million, Visit public parks or areas 11.4 million; Maintain plantings or natural areas 11.0 million Bird Observers: 2016 Away-from-Home Observers : 16.3 million Around-the-Home Observers: 38.7 million
Total Bird Observers: 45.1 million==================================
=========================We include link to another report, done just for SD by SD Game, Fish and Parks"Economic Impact of Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Boating, and Wildlife Viewing in South Dakota"=====
"South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks commissioned this study to estimate the regional and statewide economic activity generated by the State’s fish, wildlife and boating-related resources. Drawing from license sales records and survey-based data sources, this report presents economic contributions based on retail spending in South Dakota attributable to recreational fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating and trapping. "---Please note the report does not include income from "at home wildlife watching" - which is very significant in the federal study..
=========================
===================================================================================================================Wild Earth Guardians Alert on Trump's latest attack on the Endangered Species Act, late August 2020
==========================We are not sure what will happen to this bill due to pandemic, we think it is on hold.Recovering America’s Wildlife Act PHAS and the National Audubon Society support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act bill - it is in the House.It seeks to increase federal funding to state and tribal wildlife agencies, to protect "at risk wildlife".
RAWA passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee by a vote of 26-6. All of the Democrats voted for it, and 7 of the 13 committee Republicans voted for it. Such an overwhelming, bipartisan vote should provide real momentum for the bill. All totaled, RAWA now has 163 co-sponsors, including 41 Republicans. Such a large number of co-sponsors should also help make it easier for the bill to move forward towards a successful House floor vote. It may go to the floor in February or March.
Dusty Johnson, John Thune, Mike Rounds are not yet co-sponsors or indicated support
(as of Feb 6th). Link to the billHere is a link to some basic South Dakota-centric facts regarding the bill that might be good to include in your message:
National Audubon Society Review of the bill:
Excerpt from above NAS article:"In wildlife action plans submitted to USFWS, state agencies have identified some 8,000 animal species of “greatest conservation need,” including more than 800 birds. To implement those plans and keep species from sliding toward extinction, each state would need an average of $26 million a year—a total of $1.3 billion. But current federal spending for state and tribal wildlife grants falls far short of the mark, "
National Wildlife FederationHere are some South Dakota media hits that might be helpful:
There is a resolution to support this in the SD Legislature, passed house and to be considered next in Senate Ag and Natural Resources (as of 3/2/20)============== ================================================================================= Endangered Species Act under Attack - Contact Congress=====================================================================================================Trump's Department of Interior rule-making to harm the Endangered Species Act
National Audubon Society Alert - Send a letter to SD congress members:
New York Times Article
Earth Justice Alert:
Common Dreams Article
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Trump Administration to delist wolves,
Trump strips protections for endangered gray wolves
"Hunters and ranchers celebrate while conservationists say wolves will be hunted to extinction".
link to Washington Post article:
=============================================================
Washington Post article Trump rolls back 125 Environmental Regulations/Policies
Trump rolled back more than 125 environmental safeguards. Here’s how.
"The administration has allowed more pollution, drilling and loggingwhile weakening protections for animals such as bees, bears and birds"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/climate-environment/trump-climate-environment-protections/?itid=hp-more-top-stories
RAWA passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee by a vote of 26-6. All of the Democrats voted for it, and 7 of the 13 committee Republicans voted for it. Such an overwhelming, bipartisan vote should provide real momentum for the bill. All totaled, RAWA now has 163 co-sponsors, including 41 Republicans. Such a large number of co-sponsors should also help make it easier for the bill to move forward towards a successful House floor vote. It may go to the floor in February or March.
Dusty Johnson, John Thune, Mike Rounds are not yet co-sponsors or indicated support
(as of Feb 6th)
Here is a link to some basic South Dakota-centric facts regarding the bill that might be good to include in your message:
Excerpt from above NAS article:
National Wildlife Federation
Here are some South Dakota media hits that might be helpful:
Trump strips protections for endangered gray wolves
"Hunters and ranchers celebrate while conservationists say wolves will be hunted to extinction".
=======================================================
There is a Oct 15, 2020 update of the New York Times Article - a summary of Trump's war on environmental regulation -The Trump Administration Is Reversing Nearly 100 Environmental Rules. Here’s the Full List. Here is an earlier July 15th, version, New York Times Article
"The Trump Administration Is Reversing 100 Environmental Rules. Here’s the Full List."Link to a New York Times Article, updated July 15th, 2020https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html
Excerpt from article:After three years in office, the Trump administration has dismantled most of the major climate and environmental policies the president promised to undo.
Calling the rules unnecessary and burdensome to the fossil fuel industry and other businesses, his administration has weakened Obama-era limits on planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and from cars and trucks, and rolled back many more rules governing clean air, water and toxic chemicals. Several major reversals have been finalized in recent weeks as the country has struggled to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
In all, a New York Times analysis, based on research from Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School and other sources, counts counts nearly 70 environmental rules and regulations officially reversed, revoked or otherwise rolled back under Mr. Trump. More than 30 additional rollbacks are still in progress."
Rollbacks completed - 68 Rollbacks in process - 32; Total rollbacks - 100 The sequence of numbers is
1) # of rollbacks completed, 2) # in progress and 3) total # rollback -- these numbers appear to right side of text
Air pollution and emissions - 19, 8, 27, Drilling and extraction - 11, 8, 19, Infrastructure and planning - 12, 1, 13 Animals - 11, 1, 12 Toxic substances and safety - 6, 2, 8 Water pollution - 4, 7, 11, Other - 5, 5, 10
We suggest you read the article to learn more details on rollbacks- see link above Also Nancy can send you a PDF of the Article (nhiding (at) rapidnet.com) PHAS has sued Trump Administration over greater sage grouse management plans, We won an injunction & are thus part of fighting these 100 roll backs, under animals.
TRUMP HARMS NEPAOn January 10, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that would revise NEPA’s implementing regulations.[1]=========
====================================Trump announced changes to NEPA rules in mid July.Articles about:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/15/donald-trump-environmental-reviews-pipelines-highwaysCouncil on Environmental Quality publications:
CEQ’s website has the final CEQ NEPA rule, https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/regulations.html At the website, you can access the following documents. - The advance notice publication Federal Register version of the final rule: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-fr-notice-2020-07-16-prepublication.pdf
- CEQ’s response to comments: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-response-to-comments-2020-06-30.pdf (603 pages!)
- The “Regulatory Impact Analysis”: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis-2020-06-30.pdf
- The redline version comparing soon-to-be former, and soon-to-be final, regs: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-redline-changes-2020-07-16.pdf
Proposed rule's text:Fact Sheet from Government"
Alerts
American Rivers: Don’t let the Trump administration kneecap NEPA!Audubon Society: Don’t Let the White House Gut the National Environmental Policy ActEarthjustice: PROTECT THE PEOPLE’S ENVIRONMENTAL LAWEnvironmental Defense Fund: Tell Trump: Don't Roll Back Environmental StandardsOhio Environmental Council: Action alertNational Wildlife Federation: Don’t Let the Trump Administration Mute Your Voice for WildlifeNRDC: Don’t let Trump silence the American people and embolden pollutersSierra Club: Stop One of the Trump Administration’s Biggest Environmental Assaults YetWaterkeeper Alliance: Undermining a Fundamental Law*WildEarth Guardians
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YOU WILL BE EXITING THIS POSTNOW GO TO "OLDER POSTS",
which is a button on the home screen to the right side towards the bottom of the white screen.Information on older campaigns...that are dormant or less active.
Link to older postshttps://phas-wsd.blogspot.com/2015/02/item-2-eventsdeadlines_47.html Old Alert - OLD POST Topics -1. SD River otters2. Nest Predator Bounty Program3. Mining4.Greater sage grouseA) SD Mountain Lion Plan Revision & Nebraska 2020 season revisions AlertsB) Mineral Mountain Resources Exploration projectC) Pennington County - Croell Sand/Gravel Mine Issue
D) Non-meandered waters Alert
E) Alert on Resilient Landscape DEIS (Forest Service)F) announcement of Petitions to list or de-list under ESA and :G) S3254/SB 114 (Land Trade Little Spearfish Canyon & Bismark Lake) & H). SD Important Bird AreasI) Missouri River RecoveryJ) to Sage Grouse Litigation filed by PHAS and others in February 2016K) then goes to - suspended campaigns discussions,
for which comment deadlines have past, but related issues persist
Link to older posts
Here is an earlier July 15th, version, New York Times Article
Excerpt from article:
====================================
Proposed rule's text:CEQ’s website has the final CEQ NEPA rule, https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/regulations.htmlAt the website, you can access the following documents.
- The advance notice publication Federal Register version of the final rule: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-fr-notice-2020-07-16-prepublication.pdf
- CEQ’s response to comments: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-response-to-comments-2020-06-30.pdf (603 pages!)
- The “Regulatory Impact Analysis”: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis-2020-06-30.pdf
- The redline version comparing soon-to-be former, and soon-to-be final, regs: https://ceq.doe.gov/docs/laws-regulations/ceq-final-rule-redline-changes-2020-07-16.pdf
E) Alert on Resilient Landscape DEIS (Forest Service)