Environment
Pesticide labeling becomes issue in South Dakota’s U.S. House race
Legislation affecting the regulation of pesticide labels has become an issue in South Dakota’s U.S. House race after a Democratic challenger leveled criticism at incumbent Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson. The Washington Post reported in June that Rep. Johnson worked with biotech giant Bayer to insert a provision into a draft of the federal farm bill. […]
Black Hills Energy proposes Rapid City power plant costing up to $270 million
Black Hills Energy plans to build a new power generation plant in Rapid City for a cost between $250 million and $270 million, according to a notice sent Aug. 2 to state regulators on the Public Utilities Commission. The plant would have three engines fueled by natural gas and three turbines using natural gas and […]
McCook Lake victims still ‘in the dark,’ waiting for FEMA help nearly seven weeks after flood
Nearly seven weeks after the devastating June 23 flood at McCook Lake, victims are still in limbo about the possibility of federal aid, and some feel abandoned by government officials. Renae Hansen is a flood victim and works with the McCook Lake Izaak Walton League, which has tried to fill some of the leadership and […]
As wildfire season becomes more threatening, experts are turning to AI
With climate change driving hotter, drier summers across the West, the intensity of recent fire seasons is outpacing workers’ ability to track and analyze fires with the traditional methods. “There simply aren’t enough boots on the ground, or eyes in pairs of binoculars to cover the base and the extent of what we’ve been dealing […]
Nonprofit launches $10 million campaign for South Dakota parks and recreation areas
SIOUX FALLS — A foundation that helps fund outdoor recreation projects in South Dakota has launched a $10 million fundraising campaign. The five-year effort aims to support 28 projects across the state that would otherwise face delays due to budget constraints. Representatives of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation discussed the campaign at the […]
Black Hills National Forest proposes higher fees for motorized trails
Amid a surge in the popularity of off-highway vehicle use, the Black Hills National Forest is proposing increased fees for motorized trail permits. Forest officials announced the proposal Monday. Prices per vehicle would rise from $20 to $30 for a weekly permit, and from $25 to $50 for an annual permit. Businesses that rent vehicles […]
Federal government pays $53M for SD farmer discrimination, $2B nationwide
More than 360 South Dakota agricultural producers are receiving a total of $53.4 million through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. Eligible applicants allege they experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs before 2021, including on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability. An earlier […]
Bowhunters are volunteering to improve pronghorn survival in western South Dakota
Bowhunters in western South Dakota are volunteering to replace sheep fences with a pronghorn-friendly alternative, aiming to improve the survival of the world’s second-fastest land mammal. Pronghorns, often called antelope, are native to North America and thrive in the American West, including the area west of the Missouri River in South Dakota. The animals reach […]
25 states, including SD, file appeal to U.S. Supreme Court to halt EPA carbon rule
Attorneys general in 25 states, including South Dakota’s Marty Jackley, have sent an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court asking it to immediately halt a Biden administration rule that they say threatens to shutter the country’s remaining fleet of coal-fired power plants. The emergency appeal to stay the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to require […]
SD Supreme Court ruling will let Custer discharge treated wastewater into French Creek
A voter-backed ordinance from Custer County that sought to stop the city of Custer from discharging treated wastewater into French Creek is invalid, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The city requested a discharge permit from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2020. The city is working on an upgrade […]
McCook Lake catastrophe shatters complacency around old flood plans
When a record-high surge of water flowed down the Big Sioux River toward the southeast corner of South Dakota last month, local and state authorities activated a flood mitigation plan from 1976. It saved North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes from disaster. But their neighbors in McCook Lake suffered a graphic reminder of how different […]
Resident v. nonresident dispute yields plan limiting out-of-state hunting licenses
SIOUX FALLS — A state commission is refereeing a dispute over who should have access to a prime hunting opportunity in South Dakota’s picturesque Black Hills. In-state residents say they’re tired of competing with nonresidents for turkey hunting spots in the spring. A group representing them recently proposed limiting nonresident licenses to 661 through a […]