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House backs study of Black Hills protection, concurs with forest-management resolution
Summary
The House adopted a resolution asking the Legislative Research Council to form an interim committee to study preservation and protection of the Black Hills and concurred with a Senate resolution urging active forest management; both measures passed after mixed debate over growth, mining and conservation.
The South Dakota House on Feb. 20 adopted House Concurrent Resolution 6,010, asking the Legislative Research Council executive board to create an interim legislative committee to study preserving and protecting the Black Hills, and concurred in Senate Concurrent Resolution 605, which urges active forest management and support for the forest products industry.
Supporters of HCR 6,010 said rapid population and development growth near the Black Hills has raised concerns among constituents about overdevelopment, open-pit mining and loss of solitude. Representative Scott Odenbach, the House sponsor, said the resolution is meant to "start" a statewide conversation about preserving the area "before it's too late." The measure passed by the House on a voice and recorded vote: ayes 60, nays 9, excused 1.
The House also concurred in SCR 605, sponsored in the Senate and presented in the House by Representative Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald said the resolution "promotes a resilient and healthy Black Hills forest through active forest management and retention of the current forest products industry," and invited federal, state and local partners to work together on forest health. Opponents, including Representative Emery, said increased sawmill productivity and active harvesting could harm tribal interests and conservation efforts. The concurrence passed, ayes 63, nays 6, excused 1.
Why it matters: Both measures are nonbinding requests that would prompt further study and intergovernmental conversations. HCR 6,010 directs the Legislative Research Council toward an interim committee process; SCR 605 signals legislative support for active forest management while also drawing public debate about the balance between conservation and industry.
Debate highlights included calls to ensure tribal sovereignty and historic-preservation interests are represented in any study and concern that emphasizing timber production could undermine conservation. Representative Yuri Balc and Representative Poyer each spoke in favor of the HCR, urging broad participation in any stakeholder process. Representative Emery warned SCR 605 could do the opposite of conservation and urged a no vote on concurrence; Fitzgerald responded by citing wildfire-risk concerns and the importance of maintenance.
The resolutions do not change law. They request study and intergovernmental coordination; any follow-up legislation would require separate introduction and votes.
Provenance: The HCR 6,010 discussion begins where the clerk introduces the resolution and Representative Odenbach opens remarks (transcript segment beginning 1389.895). The HCR adoption is recorded at the vote display (transcript segment beginning 1899.3049). The SCR 605 presentation begins at transcript segment 1920.0151 and the concurrence vote is recorded at 2152.75.
