Members approve transfer of exploration notice No. 437 (EX9437) for site west of Custer

At a meeting streamed on South Dakota Public Broadcasting, members voted to approve the transfer of exploration notice of intent No. 437 (EX9437) from Mark Hughes to Harvey Bland and to release a surety bond and accept a replacement certificate of deposit, each in the amount of $4,469, a staff member said.

Miss Hudson, a staff member who presented the item, said Harvey Bland supplied a replacement reclamation bond on March 16 and the transfer application was received by the office on Feb. 23, 2026. "Harvey Bland has requested transfer of exploration notice of intent number 437 from Mark Hughes," Miss Hudson said, and added that the notice is generally located about 8 miles west of Custer, S.D. She told the board the required notice of transfer was published in the Custer County Chronicle on April 1, 2026, and an affidavit of publication was filed on April 7, 2026.

Miss Hudson cited South Dakota Codified Law §45‑6C‑53, saying the statute limits the board's ability to deny an exploration-notice transfer to cases where the operation cannot be brought into compliance with applicable law or the successor operator is in violation of state statutes, rules or permit conditions. She recommended the transfer be approved, that surety bond number 810009342 from Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company be released, and that replacement CD number 661016758 from First Interstate Bank in the amount of $4,469 be accepted.

Morris moved to approve the transfer and Ewing seconded the motion. Brenda (staff) called the roll; members recorded their votes and the motion carried.

The board handled routine agenda items earlier in the meeting, opened and closed a public comment period with no speakers, and noted the May hearing will be in Hot Springs. The meeting adjourned following the vote on the transfer.