Western South Dakota is blessed with some of the nation's unique and most treasured landscapes. In 2002, U.S.Forest Service under the Bush Administration recognized the value of areas of undisturbed prairie in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and recommended them for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. I believe it is time to move forward with what would be the country's first national grassland wilderness so that future generations can experience this area as it has been for hundreds of years.
Finding the right mix of public land management requires balance and careful consideration. I have already begun reaching out to those who are most closely tied to this area, and I look forward to working with the many stakeholders to shape sound legislation.
I expect the plan to include 40,000 to 50,000 acres in the Indian Creek, Red Shirt and Chalk Hills areas of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland based upon the Forest Service recommendation and the inclusion of some additional exceptional lands. I want to clarify from the outset that I intend to follow the Forest Service's recommendation to keep the six-mile long Indian Creek Road open by excluding it from the wilderness boundaries in order to preserve an important source of access to the area.
I have heard from a number of people regarding wilderness over the years. Sportsmen have contacted me describing the unparalleled experience of hunting in areas far from the reaches of modern civilization.
They talk of experiencing hunting as previous generations did and wanting to pass along that experience to their children and grandchildren. I have also heard from conservationists about the value of this area for native prairie plants and wildlife. Others have pointed to the potential economic benefits of wilderness, as these outstanding lands draw in travelers who in turn contribute to the regional economy.
In 2002, the Rapid City Journal editorialized in favor of wilderness, noting that within a couple hours drive of Rapid City would "offer a different experience for hikers and campers, who may be more used to mountains and trees than grass prairies and unrestricted vistas."
I've sometimes heard the criticism that wilderness keeps the public from using public land. I disagree. Wilderness offers unique opportunities for the public to enjoy, including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, recreational rock collecting and many others. By limiting road building, structures, and recreational motorized and mechanized use, wilderness protects the land's natural character and open space. Furthermore, the Forest Service retains the ability to combat fire, insects, invasive species and disease.
It's also important to understand that wilderness protects and preserves the rights of ranchers to use these lands for long-held livestock grazing purposes. The Wilderness Act and Congressional Grazing Guidelines clearly state that established grazing shall continue, with the reasonably necessary use of motorized vehicles to maintain it. This includes maintenance of stock ponds, fences, and other existing support facilities, as well as replacement of these facilities as necessary. To me, ranching is very much a compatible use to a healthy grassland ecosystem.
I believe that creating the first national grassland wilderness is an opportunity to safeguard an important part of our heritage and create a lasting legacy that South Dakotans can be proud of for generations to come.
