Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Legislative Daily Update: Day 10 of 38
Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition
One new bill introduced, HB 1131. HB 1049 the request for funding for a shooting range north of RC was killed in Committee this morning. It may be brought back, it seems GFP needs to do a little more work with the neighbors. SB 73 was heard but held over for Amendments.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1048 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for expanding Custer State Park and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is opposing this current proposal, the location of the campground is in some of the best Wildlife habitat in CSP House Ag. no hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23040
HB 1072 revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged or trapping activities may occur. House Ag. no hearing scheduled SDWF-Camo is opposing, it would greatly impact legal road hunting in eastern SD. Due to smaller and closer farms. House Ag. no hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22972
HB 1090 require an annual report on nonmeandered waters. SDWF-Camo is supporting this Legislation House Ag. No hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22581
HB 1112 authorize the use of crossbows by senior hunters. SDWF-Camo will be monitoring this. Currently anyone with a disability and a Dr’s. waiver can qualify for their use of a crossbow. House Ag. no Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22783
HB 1131 provide for a revocation of hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges SDWF-Camo is reading this bill. No hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23130
Senate Bills:
SB 73 provide for the use of artificial light and night-vision equipment while hunting coyotes and other predators. SDWF-Camo is monitoring this Legislation Senate Ag. no Hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22919
Finalizations:
HB 1049 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for building a shooting range near Rapid City and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is monitoring/supporting this bill. House Ag. passed to 41st day (DEAD) https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23041
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to 2022 South Dakota Legislators (sdlegislature.gov) this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Finde
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators. Please be courteous!
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!
Monday, January 24, 2022
Legislative Daily Update: Day 9 of 38
Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition
Nothing new that we are watching, in my earlier alert I meant HB 1049 instead of 1949, sorry for the confusion. HB 1049 is up in House Ag. in the morning and we do support that Legislation. Private business and many private donators, have pledged over $7 million dollars, to help in the building of a world class shooting facility. This range if built, will be open to the public to use.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1048 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for expanding Custer State Park and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is opposing this current proposal, the location of the campground is in some of the best Wildlife habitat in CSP House Ag. no hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23040
HB 1049 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for building a shooting range near Rapid City and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is monitoring/supporting this bill. House Ag. 745am, Rm 414, Tuesday 1-25-22 scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23041
HB 1072 revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged or trapping activities may occur. House Ag. no hearing scheduled SDWF-Camo is opposing, it would greatly impact legal road hunting in eastern SD. Due to smaller and closer farms. House Ag. no hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22972
HB 1090 require an annual report on nonmeandered waters. SDWF-Camo is supporting this Legislation House Ag. No hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22581
HB 1112 authorize the use of crossbows by senior hunters. SDWF-Camo will be monitoring this. Currently anyone with a disability and a Dr’s. waiver can qualify for their use of a crossbow. House Ag. no Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22783
Senate Bills:
SB 73 provide for the use of artificial light and night-vision equipment while hunting coyotes and other predators. SDWF-Camo is monitoring this Legislation Senate Ag. no Hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22919
Finalizations:
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to 2022 South Dakota Legislators (sdlegislature.gov) this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Finde
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators. Please be courteous!
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!
Friday, January 21, 2022
Legislative Daily Update: Day 8 of 38
Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition
HB 1112 was introduced today.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1048 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for expanding Custer State Park and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is opposing this current proposal, the location of the campground is in some of the best Wildlife habitat in CSP House Ag. no hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23040
HB 1049 make an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for building a shooting range near Rapid City and to declare an emergency. SDWF-Camo is monitoring this bill. House Ag. 745am, Rm 414, Tuesday 1-25-22 scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/23041
HB 1072 revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged or trapping activities may occur. House Ag. no hearing scheduled SDWF-Camo is opposing, it would greatly impact legal road hunting in eastern SD. Due to smaller and closer farms. House Ag. no hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22972
HB 1090 require an annual report on nonmeandered waters. House Ag. No hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22581
HB 1112 authorize the use of crossbows by senior hunters. House Ag. no Hearing scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22783
Senate Bills:
SB 73 provide for the use of artificial light and night-vision equipment while hunting coyotes and other predators. Senate Ag. no Hearing scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22919
Finalizations:
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to 2022 South Dakota Legislators (sdlegislature.gov) this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Finde
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators. Please be courteous!
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Heads up; some of the responses we have been getting back from some House Ag. Members is just not true about HB 1140 Open fields
1. This bill is being brought forward by the GFP, at the request from the Gov. If any GFP employee wishes to keep their state job, they must agree and support this bill from the Gov. in public and the Legislature.
2. This bill does single out our Conservation Officers and stops them from using “open fields” as a tool in their tool box, to stop poaching of the public’s wildlife. Every other law enforcement officer is still allowed to use “open fields”
3. This bill is not closing a loophole it is changing the law!
4. Every Conservation Officer in SD is trained and educated like all other law enforcement officers in the state, treat them equally, let them do their job for all people of SD.
PLEASE it is very important each and every one of us becomes involved in this matter. Send your concerns to House Ag. Members today ask them to VOTE NO on HB 1140 next week.
House Ag. Members; caleb.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
Please also send ALL House members and ask them to vote NO on HB 1140 if it reaches the House Floor.
House members; 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 ,aaron.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 ,david.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.miskiminsdlegislature.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
Here are our talking points against HB 1140;
An Act to restrict entry of conservation officers onto certain lands without permission
1) SD Conservation Officers have a wide range of duties and since approximately 80% of South Dakotas 77,000 square miles is privately owned, much of their work involves private lands that are open fields.
2) Our sportsmen’s and sportswomen’s license fees, along with the Federal Aid funding for wildlife restoration and management make up the revenue structure for our Division of Wildlife – the Division of Wildlife does NOT receive any state general funds.
3) License and wildlife compliance checks on BOTH private and public lands are critical to ensure that people are paying their fees for continued resource management and conservation efforts.
4) Our Conservation Officers are required to complete the exact same law enforcement training at the DCI Academy as ALL other sworn officers who work in South Dakota.
5) The Open Fields Doctrine applies to All law enforcement officers whether they be Federal, State, or local and the Doctrine allows all Officers to enter open fields to perform their duties as authorized.
6) The open fields’ doctrine has been reviewed many times by both the US Supreme Court and South Dakota Supreme Court. 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.
7) 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 in addition to the education and interaction with the public.
8) 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?
9) 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.
10) HB 1140 appears to be in direct opposition to our SD Constitution Article VI Section 18 – Equal Privileges or Immunities – “No law shall be passed granting to any citizen, class of citizens, or corporation, privileges or immunities which upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens or corporations.”
11) 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 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.
12) Why does this bill only apply to our Conservation Officers? Have a very small number of landowners, guides or outfitters become upset when hunters on their land, perhaps paying customers were ticketed for violations?
13) Is there specific evidence that documents that private landowners are being overrun by our Conservation Officers and trampling landowner’s rights?
14) 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 fallacy of that 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. 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!!!
Monday, February 1, 2021
LEGISLATIVE CRACKER BARRELS/COFFEES - 2021
January 30th through March
This 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.
https://business.aberdeen-chamber.com/events/details/2021-legislative-cracker-barrel-6476?calendarMonth=2021-01-01
Belle Fourche's are in person February 6th and March 6th, in the afternoon around 1pm. With increases in Covid19 pandemic locally, alternatives may be considered.
Brandon Legislative cracker barrel
February 6 at 9:00 a.m. CT
Tailgators Grill & Bar - 1013 N. Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD 57005
https://www.facebook.com/events/730507384252993
Canton Legislative cracker barrel
Event by Canton Chamber of Commerce
Canton Depot, 600 W 5th St, Canton, SD 57013, Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 9 AM MST – 11 AM MST
https://www.facebook.com/events/455471025461790/
Clear Lake Legislative Cracker Barrel (District #4),
Saturday, February 13th, Time: 10am
Deuel School District-School Library, 410 5th Street West,
Huron Legislative Cracker Barrel/Coffee
February 27, 2021, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CST,
Huron Community Campus - Fine Arts Center
http://chamber.huronsd.com/events/details/coffee-with-the-legislators-30633
Newell- Saturday, February 13, 2021? * 10:00 am, Tentative, may be moved till later in Feb.
Hybrid
Rapid City Legislative Cracker Barrels will be hybrid - limiting attendance to 60 persons and requiring folks to sit 6 feet apart and wear masks and also live streaming
Jan 30th, Feb 20th, February 27th, March 6th -
https://elevaterapidcity.com/advocacy/rapid-city-crackerbarrels/
Sioux Falls Legislative Cracker Barrels
February 6th, Feb 20th, Feb 227th,
The HUB at Southeast Technical College, 10 am, & livestreamed
http://www.siouxfallschamber.com/upcoming-event-details.cfm?EventID=4962
Spearfish/Deadwood (Lawrence County) Legislative Cracker Barrels will be hybrid cracker barrels = Face-to-face and livestreamed on Facebook. District 31 Cracker Barrels will be held 10 am Saturday, January 30th at the High Plains Western Heritage Center and Saturday, February 20th at the Deadwood Mountain Grand
https://business.spearfishchamber.org/events/details/district-31-cracker-barrel-26859?calendarMonth=2021-01-01
Sturgis Legislative Cracker Barrels will be a hybrid, - February 6th, 9 am, Erskin Bldg, Face-to-face and livestream on Facebook, questions can be posted on-line
https://www.facebook.com/events/434169027930287
Virtual
Brookings, Legislative Cracker Barrel
January 30th, February 13
at 9:00 a.m. CT, Zoom by Brookings’ Chamber
https://www.facebook.com/events/220090436403443
Pierre Legislative Cracker Barrel
is having virtual only - sometime in early and late February, “watch the Pierre Chamber social media and website for details.” https://www.facebook.com/PierreAreaChamber
Piedmont Legislative Cracker Barrel (District 29 & 33)
is to be Feb 13th in the afternoon by Zoom, (but waiting final confirmation & Zoom details)
Details will be posted to this web page - http://www.phas-wsd.org).
Vermillion Legislative Cracker Barrel
Saturday Feb 13, 2021, Facebook Live and Channel Three
https://chamber.livevermillion.com/events/details/legislative-cracker-barrel-02-06-2021-22917
Yankton Legislative Cracker barrel
January 30th, February 27th, Live streamed on Chamber's Facebook
https://www.kynt1450.com/2021/01/25/district-18-legislative-cracker-barrel/
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Legislative Daily Update: Day 7 of 37
Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition
HB 1034, 35, 36 were heard in House Ag. all passed and HB 1034,36 passed on consent meaning they will not be debated on the House Floor unless someone wants to pull it off the consent calendar when it comes up on the Floor.
The current biggest bill looming is the introduction to give ER landowners up to 2 tags for their 160 ac. nearly 4200 farms qualify if passed. To qualify at the same time there are nearly 10,000 Resident SD deer hunters that don’t get their first choice.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1034 revise certain youth hunting requirements. Changes the age definition for youth from 16 to 18, SDWF-Camo is monitoring and supporting as is written. Passed House Ag. to Full House https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22024/210653
HB 1035 remove the locking seal requirement for the transportation of big game animals. Does away with the requirement in statute to have a locking devise (tag). And allows GFP to look at different ways to tag big game. SDWF-Camo is monitoring bill. Passed House Ag. to Full House https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22025/210654
HB 1036 correct technical errors in certain code cross-references regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. SDWF-Camo is monitoring bill and supporting as written. Passed House Ag. to Full House https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22118/210656
HB1042 revise certain provisions regarding riparian buffer strips. It appears it changes some criteria needed to qualify for tax break, SDWF-Camo is monitoring supporting as written. No action scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22063/210672
HB1047 provide limited deer and antelope licenses to landowners. GFP 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 ac, these proposed tags are good for only on their own land. The problem is last year 10,000 residents didn’t get their first choice of ER deer, and with an additional possibility of 8,000 more tags where do you think the number will be cut from? SDWF-Camo is strongly opposing, we need to take care of our resident hunters. No action scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22117/210782
Senate Bills:
SB 72 revise notification requirements for listing and delisting species on the threatened and endangered species list. If passed would allow a rule to be placed to change the 30 day requirement to 20 days to change listing, which is the standard language in most rules. .SDWF-Camo is monitoring and supporting as written. No action scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21983/211004
SB 76 revise provisions regarding public access to certain meandered bodies of water. SDWF-Camo has been working with the sponsor and we will monitor No action scheduled.https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/211514.pdf
Finalizations:
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Contacts/44 this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Find
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators.
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!
Friday, January 15, 2021
Legislative Daily Update: Day 4 of 37
Brought to you by SDWF Camo-Coalition
Here is a listing of bills so far, looks like some of the Hose bills will be heard next Thursday will put it down when they are scheduled.
HB = House Bill SB = Senate Bill
SDWF comments on the Bill
Location of Bill and scheduled hearing of Bill
Link to actual Bill
House Bills:
HB 1034 revise certain youth hunting requirements. Changes the age definition for youth from 16 to 18, No action scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22024/210653
HB 1035 remove the locking seal requirement for the transportation of big game animals. Does away with the recruitment to have a tag, No action scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22025/210654
HB 1036 correct technical errors in certain code cross-references regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. SDWF-Camo will monitor No action scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22118/210656
HB1042 revise certain provisions regarding riparian buffer strips. It appears it changes some criteria SDWF-Camo will monitor No action scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22063/210672
HB1047 provide limited deer and antelope licenses to landowners. GFP 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 ac, these proposed tags are good for only on their own land. The problem is last year 10,000 residents didn’t get their first choice of ER deer, and with an additional possibility of 8,000 more tags where do you think the number will be cut from? No action scheduled. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/22117/210782
Senate Bills:
SB 72 revise notification requirements for listing and delisting species on the threatened and endangered species list. If passed would allow a rule to be placed to allow SDWF-Camo will monitor No action scheduled https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/21983/211004
Finalizations:
How to contact your Legislator:
Go to https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Contacts/44 this will pull up all members of the House and Senate simply click on the Legislator you want your message sent to and create or paste your message.
If you do not know who your Legislator is go to this link:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Find
Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk
Senate 773-3821
House 773-3851
Please write your response in your own words. It is fine to use our suggestions, but best if you do not simply just copy our points. Make your message a personal note from you to them. Include a family fishing picture if you have one for effect. As always, be polite and respectful.
Please include your name, number and address on all messages sent to your Legislators.
Thank you for all that you do! Together we can and do make a difference!
Saturday, January 9, 2021
Jan. 6, 2020
The Honorable Senate President Pro Tempore Sen: Lee Schoenbeck
The Honorable Speaker of the House Rep. Spencer Gosch
The 2020 South Dakota Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment
Dear Sirs: The South Dakota Wildlife Federation Board of Directors is opposed to the merger of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. These two organizations perform distinctly different missions and should be separate. If allowed, South Dakota becomes the only state to not have a separate department focused on environmental issues. The vast majority of DENR’s mission has nothing to do with agriculture. The portion that does overlap is primarily of a regulatory nature. DENR is essentially the enforcement agency when it comes to agricultural operations complying with state and local laws. Various boards under DENR spend significant time in contested hearings, and DENR’s enforcement division often interacts with agricultural operations, through permit approvals and enforcement. The Department of Agriculture’s mission is “to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow.” One of the few areas that they overlap involves conservation and DENR’s conservation resources are limited and a small part of its mission. The conflicting nature of the two departments is summarized in the following recent report known as the 2020 South Dakota Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment. The reports states that “South Dakota has about 10,094 miles of perennial rivers and streams (Table 1) and about 87,474 miles of intermittent and ephemeral streams. About 5,875 stream miles have been assessed in the past five years. During this 5-year interval, 22% of assessed stream miles were found to support all their assigned beneficial uses; 78% did not support one or more beneficial uses. DENR has listed a total of 97 different streams or stream segments as impaired requiring TMDL development. Similar to previous reporting periods, nonsupport for fishery/aquatic life uses was caused primarily by total suspended solids (TSS) from agricultural nonpoint sources and natural origin. Nonsupport for recreational uses was primarily caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination from livestock and wildlife contributions.” On the lake side, standards for Mercury concentrations were changed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency making most lakes non-supporting. Language in the reports changed substantially minimizing other sources of pollution. It is necessary to go back to the 2014 report to see what the issue was prior to the change in the mercury standard. Page 2 The 2014 South Dakota Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment states the following. “DENR has assessed 143 of the 572 classified lakes. The assessed lakes account for 75.1% of the total classified lake acreage. An estimated 44.2% of the assessed lake acreage was considered to support assigned beneficial uses. DENR has listed a total of 72 lakes as impaired and require TMDL development. Sediment and nutrients conveyed in surface water runoff are the main nonpoint source pollutants impacting South Dakota lakes and reservoirs. Similar to previous reporting periods, nonsupport for fishery/aquatic life uses was caused primarily by total suspended solids (TSS) from agricultural nonpoint sources and natural origin. Nonsupport for recreational uses was primarily caused by fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination from livestock and wildlife contributions.” It is easy to see that agriculture contributes significantly to the pollution of South Dakota’s lakes and streams and what little enforcement action that has occurred regarding pollution violations has come through DENR’s enforcement division. About the only time DENR has taken enforcement action is when a written complaint is filed, as required by South Dakota law. An effort to make it easier for the public to report possible violations and initiate DENR investigations was introduced and defeated during the last legislative session. DENR staff members were among the leading opponents of making it easier to initiate investigations, primarily citing the lack of staffing. The message was clear that DENR and political forces at higher levels were not interested in enforcement actions to protect South Dakota’s lakes and streams. Now, when the two departments are combined it is very unlikely the general public will have any confidence in one division of the Department of Ag effectively investigating violations by agricultural operations. SDWF humbly asks the respective legislative bodies to make the inquires necessary to objectively determine whether this merger is in the best interests of South Dakota’s water resources. Any personnel savings will be minimal at a time when budgetary issues do not seem pressing. The public’s loss of confidence in a combined department will result in more violations going unreported and South Dakota’s lakes and streams suffering the consequences. Sincerely, Zach Hunke President SD Wildlife Federation
Friday, May 22, 2020
View how your SD Legislator voted.
Recently the South Dakota Wildlife Fed. Camo-Coalition (SDWFCC) released its 2020 Legislative voting record on select topics that are important to SDWF members.
It is important to note that legislators should not necessarily be judged based entirely on one vote, but rather on their pattern of voting. In this case, only selected issues of major importance to sportsmen and other conservationists are shown. Only losses are shown, not the wins. It is also important to note that not all issues carry the same weight. The bills presented below are among the most important of the 2020 legislative session as determined by SDWFCC.
2020LegSessionVoting.pdf
Categories: 2020 Legislative Bills< Previous Page Next Page >