South Dakota

BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas • South Dakota Searchlight

The Bureau of Land Management will publish a final rule soon allowing the nation’s public lands to be leased for environmental protection, a Thursday news release from the Interior Department said.

The rule, which both proponents and detractors say marks a shift in the agency’s focus toward conservation, directs land managers at the agency to identify landscapes in need of restoration and to create plans to fill those needs.

It also creates two new types of leases focused on protecting natural areas. The BLM already leases parcels of land for extractive industries including energy development, mining and livestock grazing.

Western lands fight erupts over Bureau of Land Management’s conservation proposal

The rule is likely to set off a conflict in Congress, where Republicans immediately on Thursday renewed their criticism of President Joe Biden’s conservation policies.

In a deviation from the March 2023 draft rule that proposed a new category of conservation leases, the final rule will allow two new types of leases: restoration and mitigation.

Restoration leases will be “a tool for investment in the health of our public lands” an agency fact sheet reads. Lessees would be empowered to work to restore lands, including those impacted by other uses.

Similarly, mitigation leases would be a tool to offset the impacts of other BLM land uses. The agency said an example could be a solar power company that has a facility on BLM land may receive a mitigation lease to restore nearby habitat to mitigate the impact of its development.

The rule is in line with BLM’s multiple-use mandate that requires balancing energy development, mining, recreation and other uses on the nation’s public lands, the agency said.

“As stewards of America’s public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

“Today’s final rule helps restore balance to our public lands as we continue using the best-available science to restore habitats, guide strategic and responsible development, and sustain our public lands for generations to come.”

BLM released a 178-page preliminary version of the rule Thursday, saying a substantially similar version would be published as a final rule “in the coming days.”

Congressional fight ahead

The rule has met with polarized reaction since the draft proposal was released in March 2023.

Reaction to the final rule from across the political spectrum began arriving within minutes of the announcement Thursday.

At congressional hearing, Noem calls conservation leases ‘dangerous’

Conservation groups and environmental advocates cheered the rule for prioritizing conservation, while Republicans worried it would restrict other types of uses on public lands.

The Mountain Pact, a coalition of local leaders from Western states, released a statement praising the rule.

“The BLM’s Public Lands Rule highlights the need for the agency to work with local communities to focus on the conservation of land, water, and wildlife to ensure communities can protect future access to federal public lands while combating the growing impacts of climate change,” Patrice Horstman, the chair of the Coconino County, Arizona, Board of Supervisors, said in the statement.

David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, said in a written statement the rule gives BLM “new tools to restore and conserve degraded lands, while supporting robust local economies. The rule will help the agency identify intact landscapes that wildlife depend on for survival, which will ensure that they thrive for decades to come.”

Democrats in Congress also applauded the measure.

Colorado’s Diana DeGette, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Climate, called the move “a significant accomplishment for land conservation and wildlife protection.”

“I am proud that BLM and the Biden Administration are continuing to lead in defending our natural world,” she said in a statement.

Pledge to repeal

But Republicans pledged to undo it.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, promised he and North Dakota’s senior Republican senator would challenge the rule with a resolution under the Congressional Review Act. The law allows lawmakers to try to repeal executive branch rulemaking.

“The people of Wyoming depend on access to public lands for their livelihoods — including energy and mineral production, grazing, and recreation,” Barrasso said in a statement “With this rule, President Biden is allowing federal bureaucrats to destroy our way of life. Senator John Hoeven and I will introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal this outrageous rule.”

The closely divided U.S. Senate has approved Congressional Review Act resolutions on environmental and agricultural issues in which rural-state Democrats or those in tough reelection races, such as centrist West Virginian Joe Manchin III, Ohio’s Sherrod Brown or Jon Tester of Montana, align with Republicans.

Republicans on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill, sponsored by Utah Republican John Curtis, last year to block the rule from taking effect. The legislation has not received a vote from the full House.

“This rule from the Biden Administration undermines the very people who rely on our federal lands for ranching, grazing, recreation, and beyond,” Curtis said in a Thursday release.

House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas said Thursday he would do “everything in (his) power” to get Curtis’ bill through the House.

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Related Topics:bureau of land management conservation Conservation leases Department of Interior Featured outdoors

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South Dakota

South Dakota Congressmen share excitement for defense policy bill

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Congressmen share excitement for defense policy bill

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act or the NDAA. South Dakota’s Congressional delegation applauded the bill and what it means for South Dakotans.

Over $900 billion of defense spending and policy changes were passed by a vote of 77-20. It includes some compromises between parties, but South Dakota’s delegation vouched for addressing needs in the state and providing better opportunities to students of South Dakota colleges and universities.

South Dakota Air Force and National Guard locations are getting major upgrades. Ellsworth Air Force Base will receive a total of $378 million to support the newly authorized B-21 Raider stealth bomber program. $28 million will go to the Army National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Watertown.

Senator Mike Rounds said there has been a need for upgrades in Watertown for some time and it was a welcome addition to the bill.

“We try not only to take care of the full-time operations going on with things at Ellsworth Air Force Base, but for the National Guard, they also have needs of upgraded facilities to take care of the equipment that they’re responsible for,” Rounds said.

Majority Leader Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson agreed.

“In addition to authorizing a well-deserved pay raise for our service members, this bill strengthens the important role that South Dakota plays in keeping our nation safe by continuing to prepare Ellsworth Air Force Base for the arrival of the B-21 Raider and authorizing a new facility for the South Dakota Army National Guard in Watertown,” Thune said in a release.

“This defense package ensures America’s military remains the strongest in the world,” Johnson added in a statement of his own. “It keeps our military men and women focused on military readiness and ensuring peace through strength. I’m grateful for its investment in South Dakota and the B-21, which will be an incredible addition to our fighting force.”

Senator Rounds also touted what he called a win for South Dakota colleges and universities. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, or SCIFs, allow for greater partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and the ability to share more confidential information within research.

Under the new NDAA, South Dakota universities are given a greater opportunity to partner with the DoD. Dakota State would strengthen its current SCIF status and other schools that have remained interested will get their chance to partner. According to Rounds, South Dakota School of Mines, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota have all expressed interest.

“To allow young men and women who want to either go into the military or who have a particular field of expertise to be able to stay at their university location and communicate back and forth with folks in the Washington, DC area or elsewhere on a very private or confidential basis,” described Rounds.

Despite polarizing politics, Rounds said this annual bill brings together those from both sides of the aisle.

“It shows that Republicans and Democrats do work together on certain issues and the defense of our country is one of them,” explained Rounds. “This bill also provides a 3.8 percent increase in salary policy for the young men and women that serve our country. Both of which, I believe, are very positive and items I think the citizens of South Dakota clearly care about.”

Thursday evening, President Donald Trump officially signed the bill into law. The next step would be appropriations acts to authorize the spending.

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South Dakota

100 mph winds overnight in Rapid City; Blizzard developing

Published

21 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

100 mph winds overnight in Rapid City; Blizzard developing

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Good morning KELOLAND. We are following several breaking weather headlines across the region. 100mph winds have created numerous reports of damage in and around Rapid City. Several communities West River have reported winds over 80mph this morning.

Take a look at some of the damage near Pringle, SD. There are many reports of property damage.

This is video from our Rapid City LIVE Cam as of 5am as 80-90mph winds were being reported.

Here are some of the storm reports as of 7am. Keep checking back for new updates. We will be updating this story frequently through the morning.

This is viewer video on uSHARE from Rapid City overnight. You can see the power flashes on the horizon.

Here’s a look at the wind gust map as of 5am. 80-100mph wind gusts have been common.

Meanwhile, snow and near blizzard conditions have been developing farther north and east. Take a look at this video from Eureka from earlier this morning.

More camera video below from Miller as of 7am, showing us what is looks like out there in KELOLAND.

Winter weather advisories have been posted for many areas north of Sioux Falls because of the strong winds and snow squalls. Expect near white-out conditions from time to time while the snow is moving through.

You can see how fast the weather is changing on the radar and satellite map below. Temperatures will be falling quickly with these bursts of snow East River.

Take a look at the wind forecast in the video below. The worst of the wind is moving east of Rapid City now, but Sioux Falls will see increasing winds today of 50-60 mph at times. Any snow that falls will get blown around by the strong winds.

Here’s an overview of Futurecast. You can see see the snow showing up over the blizzard and advisory areas in eastern KELOLAND today.

Now, take a closer look at the hour-by-hour forecast in the video below.

The forecast today calls for strong winds and falling temperatures through the day.

Most of the snow in Sioux Falls will melt by Christmas Day.

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South Dakota

Brookings residents question Operation Prairie Thunder

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Brookings residents question Operation Prairie Thunder

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The President of the South Dakota NAACP is happy to explain what she’s wearing.

Nieema Thasing voluntarily wears the Khimar for modesty and reflection of her beliefs. For the first time in years, she took it off before leaving the house.

“In 25 years, never had my husband tell me it would be better if I didn’t wear my stuff. I listened to him and didn’t. I felt really naked. I am being prudent.” said Thasing.

Brookings resident Tasiyagnunpa Barondeau is noticing other ethnic groups assimilating how they appear in public.

“People stop wearing cultural things or things that might speak to not being part of the white majority culture right now.” said Barondeau.

The City of Brookings acknowledged Operation Prairie Thunder’s scheduled time in their town December 17th to the 19th.

Their statement continued: “The City of Brookings will not be participating in these operations.”

Governor Rhoden responded in a statement of his own: “For security reasons, we are not going to comment on operational specifics. It’s unfortunate that the City of Brookings would jeopardize an anti-crime operation and put the safety of our officers at risk by publishing this information. In South Dakota, we enforce the rule of law.”

Barondeau questions, just exactly how many law enforcement officials are needed to consider the area “safe” with three branches of law enforcement already in town.

“Brookings Police, we have the campus police for SDSU and then we also have the Sheriff’s Department right here in Brookings as this county seat. I just don’t understand why Brookings I and I think I am not alone in that.” said Barondeau.

Thasing believes it’s because of the percentage of minorities.

“Highly melanated persons that are working in dairies and working different places, this is an escalation of what happened back in the 60s. There are no dogs or hoses; there are dog whistles.” said Thasing.

She questions the intention of Prairie Thunder.

“Causing people to be fearful. And I believe that’s the whole understanding and the idea behind it.” said Thasing.

Some Brookings residents have spoken with attorneys to better understand the rights of those stopped or questioned by ICE.

“Just staying vigilant and calm. We are not here to obstruct justice. There are trained legal observers now in our area that are aware that this is happening and are going to make themselves available should they need to.” said Barondeau.

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