Latest news with #FishandParksCommission
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GFP wants Purple Heart vets to use state parks for free
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Members of the U.S. armed forces who suffered wounds and received Purple Heart decorations may soon get into South Dakota state campgrounds and rec areas for free. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission on Thursday approved granting lifetime entrance permits to Purple Heart recipients. The commission also decided that Purple Heart recipients can stay at state campsites for half-price. The commission took the actions Thursday during a meeting in Aberdeen. The changes came at the request of Connie Stone, who filed a petition asking for them. She is coordinator for veteran services at South Dakota State University in Brookings. The South Dakota Legislature's Rules Review Committee will have final say on whether the rules take effect. The six lawmakers are scheduled to next meet on Tuesday, June 10 in Pierre. The commission's pending entrance rule states: 'A resident of this state who is a recipient of the Purple Heart is also entitled to a free lifetime park entrance license. The resident shall fill out a form provided by the Division of Parks and Recreation and mail it to the Pierre office with a photocopy of the Purple Heart citation or award certificate.' A companion pending rule would reduce the fee for camping. It states: 'A resident of this state who is a recipient of the Purple Heart is also entitled to purchase a camping permit, campsite electrical service, and camping cabin permit for one-half price upon completion of a form provided by the Division of Parks and Recreation accompanied by a photocopy of the Purple Heart citation or award certificate. These discounts are for the use of the recipient only, and are not transferable.' Al Nedved, deputy director for the state Division of Parks and Recreation, spoke in support of the proposed rules on Thursday. He said approximately 150 to 200 Purple Heart recipients currently live in South Dakota. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New work starting at Outdoor Campus East
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The Outdoor Campus East building in Sioux Falls is about to get bigger. Regional supervisor Kip Rounds briefed the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission on Friday about the expansion project. He said Peska Construction is ready to go. 'We expect them to get started in the next week or two,' Rounds said. Sunday Funday for Summit League Championships The building's footprint will be expanded to add space for 12 archery lanes for year-round shooting, as well as three classrooms that can be converted into a single area for larger meetings, and more storage. The 18-month construction plan points to completion in fall 2026. Rounds said the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks regional office at the campus will remain open. The expansion is the second phase of new work at the campus, which opened in 1997. A July 2024 groundbreaking marked the start of phase one's 12 outdoor archery lanes. Rounds said that part will be completed on March 12 and will open to the public 'very soon, as soon as the spring weather breaks.' Archers will face west, and the outdoor lanes include a baffle to deal with errant arrows and provide a sun shade for shooters. He noted that Harrisburg High School's construction class built the target holders. You can view a rendering of the building here. 'We're extremely happy about the way it turned out,' Rounds said. State Wildlife Division director Tom Kirschenmann said the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation reached its $3 million goal of donations for the overall project. Federal Pittman-Robertson funds also will be used, he said, along with some department revenue. State lawmakers are considering requiring GFP to get authority from the Legislature for any projects exceeding $2.5 million. Republican Sen. Chris Karr has specifically referred to projects such as the Outdoor East Campus expansion and the shooting range complex being built east of Rapid City as examples. The Senate voted 35-0 to add the requirement. The House is scheduled to debate it Monday. GFP Commission chair Stephanie Rissler, who often works in Sioux Falls, said Friday that she frequently visits Outdoor Campus East. 'It's full of people. It's full of families,' Rissler said. 'They do great work.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
