RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks was back before the Meade County Commission yesterday to discuss their controversial proposed shooting facility north of Rapid City.
The department is hoping to alleviate concerns by neighboring landowners regarding the facility.
After a bill that would have allocated more than $2 million for the shooting range from state funds was shut down in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee a few weeks ago, a similar bill surfaced in the senate.
Senate Bill 175 has been debated by Meade County residents over the last few days, and it would allocate $2.5 million to go along with the state’s funds of $5 million for the facility.
SDGF&P officials say they have already raised $2.5 million from private donations for the shooting range.
But, landowners have many concerns about the proposed shooting range.
They are worried about their section lines, the department’s plan for fire mitigation, noise cancellation, and the way they plan to use taxpayer dollars. They are also worried about the upkeep of a gravel road that would serve the facility.
The G.F. & P. says the firing range would benefit surrounding communities by offering them a place to shoot.
Senate Bill 175 is scheduled to be heard in the senate agriculture and natural recourses committee on Thursday in Pierre.
