Why It Matters: Like many Midwestern states, approximately 80% of the land in South Dakota is privately owned, making public access for sportsmen and women a limiting factor in the state. The Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP), relies heavily on limited public lands to promote quality fish and wildlife conservation efforts while providing public access opportunities. To maximize their ability to achieve the Department’s mission, the GFP utilizes sportsmen-generated dollars, along with federal moneys, to acquire land from willing sellers. South Dakota House Bill 1180 would have required legislative approval for any land purchases made by GFP, creating an unnecessary step for the agency and hindering their ability to quickly and efficiently take advantage of opportunities to acquire property from willing sellers.
Highlights:
- Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) provided formal testimony in opposition of South Dakota House Bill 1180 as it was heard in Committee.
- House Bill 1180 (HB 1180) would have required GFP to have legislative approval for all land purchases, crippling their ability to acquire lands in a timely manner when opportunities arise.
- HB 1180 was ultimately tabled during its hearing in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, safeguarding GFP’s ability to acquire lands as needed when opportunities become available.
Last week, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation submitted formal testimony to the South Dakota House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in opposition to House Bill 1180. HB 1180 sought to require all land purchases made by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP), which would have ultimately hindered GFP’s ability to quickly and efficiently take advantage of opportunities to acquire property from willing sellers, many of whom cherish the idea of knowing their lands will be used for the benefit of all South Dakotans.
For sportsmen and women, lack of access and increasing competition for limited public lands are widely cited as primary reasons that hunters and anglers no longer participate in these outdoor activities. With more than 80% of South Dakota’s lands in private ownership, GFP also relies on limited public lands for their fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation efforts for the benefit of all South Dakotans. By requiring GFP to receive legislative approval for the purchase of any land, the agency is likely to miss out on opportunities to make offers on quality land and increase public access for South Dakota’s sportsmen and women. Given the importance of outdoor recreation to the Mount Rushmore State’s economy, opportunities to increase public land access should be celebrated and efficiently facilitated, not stymied by additional layers of oversight and hurdles.
HB 1180 was tabled during its hearing in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and will no longer be considered during this legislative session. Because of this, GFP will continue to be able to make land purchases completed in coordination with willing sellers, and increase public land access opportunities, as well as increase their fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation efforts.
