Earth haters were granted categorical exclusion to drill near Pe'Sla

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Over twenty years ago Congress passed the Tribal Forest Protection Act when this columnist was still living in the Black Hills. It authorized tribal nations to enter agreements with the Departments of Interior and Agriculture to protect public resources bordering or adjacent to reservations and trust lands that have biological, archaeological, historical, or cultural connections. 

Then in 2012 the Sicangu Lakota Oyate or Rosebud Sioux Tribe raised some $10 million combined with contributions from the other members of the Oceti Sakowin the People of the Seven Council Fires purchased Pe'Sla, the property formerly called Reynold's Prairie by the descendants of white settlers. In 2014 the Nations acquired the final 437 acres of the Heart of Everything That Is and in 2015 the Oyates began moving bison to the meadow with hopes to add many more after winning federal trust status but in 2020 the herd of sixty five was removed after whining from welfare ranchers who lease Forest Service land for domestic cattle grazing for pennies per head.

But on Feb. 27, the U.S. Forest Service approved an exploratory drilling project directly adjacent to Pe’ Sla and on the Rapid Creek Watershed, putting the land’s ecosystem, water and Native ceremonial sites at risk. The plan approved by the U.S. Forest Service Mystic Ranger District in February says the company will drill up to 18 holes, 3 inches in diameter and 1,000 feet deep, vertically or at an angle up to 45 degrees. The project is estimated to last less than a year. On this condition, the Forest Service granted Pete Lien & Sons a categorical exclusion. This waived the requirement of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, which would identify any environmental effects the proposed project could have and extend the public and tribal consultation period. [Drilling project moves forward in the heart of the Black Hills]

Preservation is a weak spot in the Republican agenda and if enough people believe forest and rangeland resilience is a bankable position the South Dakota Democratic Party needs to exploit it by fielding candidates who can convince voters to reject politicians like John Thune, Marty Jackley, Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson who work for the grazing, mining and logging profiteers at the expense of public lands.

Wildfires in the Black Hills continue to test local fire departments and the Central Hills are under a red flag warning for Thursday and Friday.

South Dakota among least innovative states again

You can say one thing about the SDGOP. You don't have to have to raise money if you fail to accomplish anything whatsoever.

Now you hear that the Freedom Caucus is the "enemy" and that Pat Powers, AFP, Jen Beving, Scott Odenbach, and company are the "good folks," fighting the conservative fight. Ok, then. Whether you fall for that brand of bullshit, or not, is up to you. South Dakota ranks 3rd in the nation for political corruption, not because people here are stupid, but because the majority are so nice, so well meaning and altruistic that they can't possibly believe that their neighbors and elected leaders have been convinced to betray them. [Shad Olson]

Because of talent flight and brain drain in 2023 South Dakota was among the least innovative states, ranked 50th in venture capital spending per capita, 47th in R&D spending and 51st in share of tech companies. 

In 2024 South Dakota dropped to 49th in financial literacy and 50th in financial knowledge and education despite the Republican former governor's pathological Pollyannaism. The state was the 43rd best economy in the US, 51st in percentage of businesses owned by women and 50th in innovation potential. 

In 2025 WalletHub's surveys revealed South Dakota was 40th in innovation but 50th in its share of technology companies and 48th in R&D spending per capita.

Today, the horrible red state is 41st in innovation, 45th in human capital rank, 47th in innovation environment and 50th in share of technology companies.

South Dakota Earth hater Will Mortenson outlines how red state failure is a feature in Pierre.

Not Enough Focus on the Future

From our budget to our regulations to our tax policy, we are increasingly focused on preservation of the present rather than building for the future. There is a lot of talk about kids in the Capitol, but there is no real vision or overarching plan for how South Dakota will be better for them than it was for us. There has been a decline in decorum, and no real consequences, since leadership turns over every term. This is a problem that seems to be getting worse, not better. If you’re trying to change the way things have always been done, you’ve got to have a well-considered, well-supported plan, because the status quo is hard to break. You get to witness some truly bizarre behavior. [Mortenson]

Learn more at Stateline News.

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