Latest news with #SouthDakotaDepartmentofAgricultureandNaturalResources
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dakota Gold taps Dakota Institute for mine study
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A company that intends to mine gold in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota wants a Sioux Falls firm to study the socioeconomic impacts associated with the project. State law requires the study as part of seeking a mining permit from the South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment. The board on Thursday approved the Dakota Gold Corp request for Sioux Falls-based Dakota Institute to perform the study. Dakota Gold, based in Lead and Vancouver, says it has 'high-caliber gold mineral properties' on more than 48,000 acres surrounding the old Homestake Mine at Lead. Impeaching judges 'unusual, unique' law school dean says The company has been test drilling at the Richmond Hill and Maitland project sites a few miles northwest of Lead. The Richmond Hill site is directly north of the Wharf Mine, which is the Black Hills' last remaining large-scale gold producer. At this point, there is no application yet from Dakota Gold, according to Ben Koisti, public affairs officer for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He said the socioeconomic study is part of the baseline work a mine permit applicant must do before applying for a mine permit. One of the state's board members, Bob Morris of Belle Fourche, asked Thursday whether there was any connection between Dakota Gold and Dakota Institute. 'To my knowledge there is no connection between the two companies,' replied Roberta Hudson, a scientist with the Minerals, Mining, and Superfund Program in the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dakota Gold environmental director Timm Comer said they aren't connected 'in any way.' Jerad McEntaffer, the institute's CEO and chief economist, likewise said there wasn't any connection. The state board's chair, Glenn Blumhardt of Bowdle, said he couldn't recall that Dakota Institute had performed any other socioeconomic study required by the board. 'That's correct. This is my first time before you guys,' McEntaffer said. Board member Doyle Karpen of Jefferson suggested a tour of the Dakota Gold proposed site later this year. Blumhardt had told board members at their January meeting that he wanted a meeting in the Black Hills for September 17-18. 'I think that's kind of the plan,' Blumhardt replied to Karpen on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Aberdeen GOP Sen. Carl Perry introduces bill to cap fluoride in water in South Dakota
Aberdeen GOP Sen. Carl Perry introduces bill to cap fluoride in water in South Dakota Show Caption Hide Caption The truth about fluoride Fluoride is present in dental products like toothpaste, protecting teeth from cavities and preventing bacteria in the mouth. It is also added to public water supplies. unbranded - Lifestyle A South Dakota bill, SB 133, would give municipalities control over fluoride levels in their drinking water. Proponents of the bill cite potential changes in federal fluoridation policy and concerns about excessive fluoride consumption. A bill that would make fluoridation of drinking water optional for South Dakota cities is headed to the Senate chamber. Cities add fluoride to tap water to prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth, in South Dakota and throughout the United States. Research shows that community water fluoridation reduces cavities by around 25%, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. Senate Bill 133, introduced by Aberdeen Republican Sen. Carl Perry, would allow municipalities controlling a public water supply or a person controlling a private water supply to determine the amount of fluoride in their drinking water. Currently, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources regulates fluoride levels and testing methods. The bill would cap water fluoridation at 4 milligrams per liter, the limit already imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. South Dakota cities would not be required to include any fluoride in the municipal drinking water, so some could discontinue the practice. Coming to historic Ward Hotel: LaRue's offers authentic French pastries, cuisine Skeptics of fluoridation benefits have raised concerns about excessive fluoride consumption for years. President Donald Trump tapped outspoken water fluoridation opponent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Senate has yet to confirm his nomination. Perry told lawmakers that the federal government could change fluoridation policy under Kennedy's influence, so South Dakota 'should be ahead of that.' Several dental and medical organizations opposed the bill, saying it would lead to more health problems in the state. South Dakota Municipal League, South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, South Dakota Department of Health, and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources also opposed the bill. Sub sandwiches, hot and cold: Jersey Mike's opens new sub shop in Aberdeen Ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water is the 'primary' public health initiative for the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said Mark Mayer, water director for the department. 'We feel that community water system fluoridation is one of the safest, most beneficial and cost effective ways to prevent tooth decay,' Mayer said. The legislation passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee 6-1 'without recommendation' after an attempt to defeat the bill failed. That means that a majority of senators must agree to place it on the calendar before it's debated, said Brookings Republican Sen. Tim Reed, otherwise the bill dies. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Dakota cities could stop fluoridating drinking water under bill passed by committee
Sen. Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen, speaks with lawmakers on the House floor during the governor's budget address on Dec. 3, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A bill that would make fluoridation of drinking water optional for South Dakota cities is headed to the Senate chamber. Cities add fluoride to tap water to prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth, in South Dakota and throughout the United States. Research shows that community water fluoridation reduces cavities by around 25%, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. Senate Bill 133, introduced by Aberdeen Republican Sen. Carl Perry, would allow municipalities controlling a public water supply or a person controlling a private water supply to determine the amount of fluoride in their drinking water. Currently, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources regulates fluoride levels and testing methods The bill would cap water fluoridation at 4 milligrams per liter, the limit already imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. South Dakota cities would not be required to include any fluoride in the municipal drinking water, so some could discontinue the practice. Skeptics of fluoridation benefits have raised concerns about excessive fluoride consumption for years. President Donald Trump tapped outspoken water fluoridation opponent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Senate has yet to confirm his nomination. Perry told lawmakers that the federal government could change fluoridation policy under Kennedy's influence, so South Dakota 'should be ahead of that.' Several dental and medical organizations opposed the bill, saying it would lead to more health problems in the state. South Dakota Municipal League, South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, South Dakota Department of Health, and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources also opposed the bill. Ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water is the 'primary' public health initiative for the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said Mark Mayer, water director for the department. 'We feel that community water system fluoridation is one of the safest, most beneficial and cost effective ways to prevent tooth decay,' Mayer said. The legislation passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee 6-1 'without recommendation' after an attempt to defeat the bill failed. That means that a majority of senators must agree to place it on the calendar before it's debated, said Brookings Republican Sen. Tim Reed, otherwise the bill dies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
