PIERRE, S.D. – With drought conditions a real possibility this summer in the Black Hills, Governor Kristi Noem is still trying to convince President Joe Biden to allow fireworks at Mount Rushmore.
The National Parks Service last month rejected a permit to have a fireworks show from the top of the memorial this year.
Noem sent a letter Tuesday to President Joe Biden advocating for the Fourth of July fireworks celebration, asking him to uphold the Memorandum of Agreement between NPS and South Dakota.
In the letter, the governor wrote:
“We are committed to hosting a Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration that is safe and responsible and working closely with the National Parks Service to do so,” Noem wrote. “I respectfully ask that you continue the hopeful message you shared earlier this year and uphold our Agreement to host the event this year.”
In the letter, Noem challenges concerns raised by the National Parks Service, including COVID-19 concerns, tribal concerns and environmental risks.
However, fire officials worry the Black Hills could be suffering drought conditions as forecasters say it’s possible the area could be in for a dry summer.
