BLACKHAWK, S.D. – Meade County officials along with members of the Northdale Sanitation District (NSD), the governing entity for this subdivision, and the director of the Black Hills Council of Local Governments met with more than 100 residents of the area Friday evening at the Black Hawk Fire Station.
The NSD is having the area along East Daisy fenced off. Only residents will be allowed in to remove items from their evacuated homes. No trespassing signs have be erected and people trying to illegally enter this area or access the mine will be dealt with by the Meade Sheriff’s department. Law enforcement have said this area does not need people coming to see what is happening and putting added vehicle weight on the ground.
During the approximate two-hour meeting officials explained the many options explored and the negative results found.
The most promising possibility is for homeowners to apply under existing presidential disaster proclamations tied to the 2019 flooding in South Dakota for federal home buyouts. If this option proves possible, residents would have until July 31 to apply. It’s a lengthy process that would be aided by local governmental officials and could ultimately result in homeowners receiving 75 percent of the certified appraised value of their homes from the federal government.
It is hoped that additional information can be ascertained in time for the commission’s next meeting on May 12. This situation is the first agenda item and is slated for 9:15 a.m. The scope of the mining and resulting full impact of the tunneling is also expected to be known by this time.
Meade County is in the process of adjusting the assessments and resulting tax liability for homeowners in this area. The board will make this official as soon as all the data is formally presented by the equalization office.
The area along East Daisy is being fenced off and only residents will be allowed in to remove items from their evacuated homes.
No trespassing signs have be erected and people trying to illegally enter this area or access the mine will be dealt with by the Meade Sheriff’s department.
Meade County is going to have a separate link on its webpage, www.meadecounty.org, dedicated to information and resources tied to this situation.
Meade officials are in contact with state and Congressional offices seeking their assistance and other possible options for these homeowners.
