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5/27/2006
Rapid City Journal - Op-Ed; Protect once vast prairie
- Cheryl Warren

In the 34 years since the devastating effects of Rapid Creek's historic flood, the city has changed a great deal, largely for the better. Some probably miss the small-town feeling Rapid City used to have, but as demonstrated by cities like Billings, Bozeman and Missoula in Montana, and Bend, Ore., small towns with something special going for them don't stay small.

It is evident that people are drawn to our area. Rapid City's metropolitan population increased by more than 25 percent from 1980 to 2000, and this growth certainly isn't slowing down.

Primary among the attractions of the Black Hills area are our environmental quality and amenities, strikingly varied and fascinating landscapes, and abundant recreational opportunities on public lands. Studies have shown that communities closest to public lands are growing the fastest. A very pleasing quality of life is offered here, especially attractive to the influx of people seeking escape and relief from concentrated urban areas.

With this growth, increased recreational use on public lands is not a speculation; it's a fact now observable. Off-highway vehicle recreation, hiking and camping are becoming more and more popular and have created their own associated industries. The demand on public recreational resources will only become greater, not just on the national forest but also on public grasslands as the population spreads east onto the prairie.

That is one of the primary reasons the South Dakota Grassland Wilderness Coalition seeks to protect a few small areas on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and preserve their relatively undisturbed character from the impacts to come. No other national grassland has yet been thus protected for coming generations, and it's about time. South Dakota could be the first to claim such foresight.

One traditional user group of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland is rockhunters. The pleasure of discovering beautiful gems and minerals, enjoying the activity with family and friends, and gathering at events to share the wonders of their finds is understandably popular.

Some rockhunters are worried that a wilderness designation would cut them off from the pursuit they love, but this fear is unfounded. Motorized access to Indian Creek and Red Shirt is already quite limited, and rockhunting is done on foot. Leaving open the existing three-quarter-mile road into Red Shirt at French Creek now used, as well as the road from Cardiac Hill down to Indian Creek's first crossing are possibilities being discussed.

In that case, the only present legal access that would be withdrawn is the remainder of Indian Creek's road. This road crosses the creek multiple times, inflicting the damages of erosion, siltation and excessive disturbance to the streambed and banks.

The Lakota Fairburn Web site advises "respect for Mother Earth while exploring her beauty" - an appropriate attitude not only for rockhunters, but for all who enjoy using these lands, either for pleasure or livelihood.

The South Dakota Grasslands Coalition wants to make sure a little bit of our formerly vast prairie is protected for future generations to appreciate. In a collaborative spirit, our efforts address the interests of various groups who appreciate using this unique and fragile land.

Warren is manager of South Dakota Grasslands Wilderness Coalition.