Latest news with #VanMeeteren
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Human remains banned at Bear Butte State Park
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — An old rule is being quietly restored that prohibits leaving human remains of any kind at Bear Butte State Park. South Dakota Parks Division director Jeff Van Meeteren presented it on Tuesday to the Legislature's Rules Review Committee. Delivery team saves mom from deadly complication Van Meeteren explained that the ban was originally adopted in 2002 at the request of tribal groups but was 'inadvertently' repealed in 2019. 'Bear Butte is a sacred worship area by the tribes. Leaving of human remains is not an acceptable thing in their culture,' he said. No one else spoke on Tuesday for or against the ban being put back into effect. But a lawmaker had an admittedly odd question. Republican Sen. Taffy Howard asked, 'Do we allow this in other state parks?' Van Meeteren replied, 'Yes, we do allow it.' He explained that people are required to get a burial permit and then seek permission from the landowner, which would be the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. 'But you can basically spread ashes on any state property in the state, as long as you technically do those two things,' Van Meeteren said. Democratic Rep. Erik Muckey said he appreciated that someone caught that the rule had been repealed. 'It's nice to be able to see good partnership with our tribal nations to make sure we're honoring their wishes and I'm glad we caught this, so thank you for bringing this to our attention,' Muckey said. Republican Rep. Roger DeGroot said he had the same question as Howard about whether people can leave remains like ashes. 'A lot of people go to their favorite lake and they put their ashes out,' DeGroot said. He added, 'I think it's far overdue to put this back in place.' Under state law, each rule is effective 20 days after filing with the South Dakota Secretary of State office. Street racing increased over last few years The panel also cleared rules proposed for: Raising camping fees at the State Fair. Creating a new foster licensure pathway for kinship foster homes. Changing various Wildlife Division regulations for waterfowl hunting, prairie elk hunting, mountain lion hunting and boating rules. Updating real estate appraisal certification rules. Expanding who can clear or replace logic boards in video-lottery terminals. Amending state Division of Insurance rules to reflect the 2025 Medicare Supplement coverage amounts set by the federal government. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ban on spreading human remains reinstated at Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte is near Sturgis in western South Dakota. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) Lawmakers reinstated a rule Tuesday to prohibit the spreading of human remains at Bear Butte State Park in western South Dakota. The rule was originally set in 2002 after tribal leaders worked with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to ban the practice. Bear Butte, called 'Mato Paha' in Lakota, is a spiritual site for Native American tribes. The 4,426-foot solitary mountain on the plains near Sturgis is a national historic landmark, and the area surrounding it became a state park in 1961. A ceremonial area and special campground are reserved for religious purposes, and visitors are asked to respect the area. The department and lawmakers inadvertently repealed the ban in 2019 when they changed several other rules simultaneously, said Jeff VanMeeteren, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation with the department. Tribal leaders requested the mistake be fixed, he said. 'Bear Butte is a sacred worship area by the tribes, and the leaving of human remains is just not an acceptable thing in their culture,' VanMeeteren said. South Dakotans can spread burial ashes at other state parks, VanMeeteren told lawmakers, as long as they get a burial permit and seek permission from the department. The legislative Rules Review Committee unanimously approved the change. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
