US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Black Hills Future Uncertain Due to Long-Eared Bat

Black Hills Future Uncertain Due to Long-Eared Bat
By Senator John Thune

John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressHundreds of different wildlife species call the Black Hills National Forest home. Bison, deer, elk, coyotes, and antelope are all part of the vast array of wildlife that make the Black Hills a unique place to visit. Among the lesser-known wildlife species that call the Black Hills their home is the northern long-eared bat.

Unfortunately, northern long-eared bats are dying at alarming rates in parts of the country. Researchers have determined that the leading cause of death among northern long-eared bats is a disease in certain areas of the country known as white-nose syndrome. While this disease has been found in 22 states across the country, it has not been detected in South Dakota.

In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reached a secret sue-and-settle agreement with two radical environmental groups resulting in endangered species listing determinations for more than 250 species across the United States, including the northern long-eared bat. Despite the lack of evidence suggesting white nose syndrome exists in our state, if the FWS chooses to list the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) it would likely institute a number of restrictive measures in the Black Hills to “preserve” the long-eared bats’ habitat, including severely limiting active forest management.

Active forest management is critical to combating the spread of pine beetles, preventing forest fires, and cultivating a healthy forest in the Black Hills. Maintaining forest health isn’t just for the purpose of preserving the beauty and majesty of this treasured area of our state, but also represents an important sector of our state’s business interests. The FWS’s proposed forest management restrictions would significantly curtail the timber industry in the Black Hills at a cost of more than 1,500 jobs and $119 million in lost revenue to local economies. Additionally, widespread forest fires or pine beetle advances could jeopardize the state’s second largest industry, tourism; and ironically destroy the habitat of the species it is trying to protect under the listing.

After working closely with the Black Hills communities and timber industry, I introduced a bill on March 4 to prevent the FWS from listing the northern long-eared bat under the ESA. Since learning of the potential listing late last year, I have been actively engaging with the FWS and stakeholders to prevent these unintended consequences from impacting the Black Hills, including sending two separate letters calling on the FWS to stand down on its listing of the long-eared bat and resulting misguided forest management policies.

Limiting forest management practices due to listing the long-eared bat as endangered is unnecessary, reckless, and irresponsible. Rather than limiting active forest management in the Black Hills, the FWS should be focusing its efforts on eradicating white-nose syndrome. Over the past 10 years, no wildlife species has been listed by the FWS naming disease as a primary cause, which makes listing the long-eared bat even more questionable. I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate to stop the FWS’s ESA listing, and advocate for common-sense policies that protect the forest and the animals that call it home.

###

US Senator Mike Rounds’ Weekly Column: Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Threat

Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Threat
By Senator Mike Rounds
March 6, 2014

MikeRounds official SenateI recently had the opportunity to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a Joint Meeting of Congress. His speech to us focused on the important bond between the U.S. and Israel, as well as our shared goal of preventing Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons. I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister’s thoughts, especially as the Administration negotiates with Iran to eliminate their nuclear program.

Iran is a dangerous nation that threatens the security of the entire world.  This terrorist regime supports Bashar Al-Assad in Syria, the Houthi militia in Yemen, Hezbollah and Hamas – all of which have targeted or killed Americans. The country’s radical and hostile agenda, including plans to destroy Israel, must be opposed.

The administration’s deadline for laying out a framework of the agreement is the end of March. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his serious reservations about the administration’s approach to these negotiations. I hope the President will carefully consider the Prime Minister’s concerns. I believe the government of Iran is an enemy that cannot be trusted.

Previous nuclear talks with Iran have been unproductive, and the Administration has been unable to secure a long-term deal that would force Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment program.

I am a cosponsor of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, which would reimpose economic sanctions on Iran if an agreement is not reached. Imposing sanctions on Iran will demonstrate our resolve and encourage Iran to end their nuclear program. Iran’s weak economy would suffer immensely under more sanctions. The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act also requires that any agreement reached with Iran would be subject to Congressional approval.

If we allow Iran to maintain a nuclear program capable of creating nuclear weapons, other countries in the Middle East will certainly pursue nuclear weapon programs, ultimately creating a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.

I am pleased Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Joint Meeting of Congress on this important issue. The United States has no greater ally in the Middle East than Israel.

Israel has remained a steadfast ally, working with us to prevent the spread of violent extremism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region, especially in Iran. Our relationship with them transcends both time and political theater, and it is imperative we continue to work together to defeat our enemies who would destroy us. A nuclear Iran threatens the entire world. This cannot be tolerated.

Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Cherishing Freedom and Offering Hope

Cherishing Freedom and Offering Hope
By Rep. Kristi Noem
March 6, 2015

kristi noem headshot May 21 2014“America and Israel, we share a common destiny, the destiny of promised lands that cherish freedom and offer hope” – a resonant statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke to a joint meeting of Congress on March 3 about the consequences for his country – and ours – if a bad nuclear deal with Iran is finalized.  As I watched him speak from the House floor, I couldn’t help but think this was a speech the American people needed to hear – a speech we deserved to hear.

Nuclear talks with Iran have been ongoing for much of President Obama’s tenure.  They’ve been extended twice and under the current timeline, negotiators must agree on an outline of an accord by late-March with a detailed agreement due by the end of June.  Today, there are deep-seated and bipartisan concerns about the deal our administration is making with Iran.  Most notably, that it could fundamentally fail to stop Iran’s nuclear program.

I believe the administration vastly underestimates Iran and their intentions.  They assume that the Iranian regime will respond to diplomacy, but that assumption was and is wrong.  As the Prime Minister asserted in his speech: if Iran wants to be treated like a normal country, they ought to act like a normal country.

Iran has sent satellites into space, conducted numerous missile tests, and diversified their nuclear program, moving forward on the construction of a heavy water reactor and installing a new generation of faster centrifuges.  This could enable the country to very quickly produce bomb-grade materials in the near future.

Without question, the threats posed by Iran are immediate.  We cannot miscalculate their seriousness.

During his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu admitted that Israel may not get the agreement it wants in these talks, but Israel needs an agreement that it could live with – literally.  I believe America needs an agreement that would allow Israel to survive too.

The national security interests of Israel do not stop at Israel’s border, as those who seek to destroy Israel wish the same fate upon America.  Israel shares our common values of liberty and democracy.  They remain a key partner as we’ve worked to defeat the terrorism of ISIL, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and affiliate groups.  We have collaborated on improving stability in the region, behavioral screening techniques for airport security, and counterterrorism efforts that bring security benefits to both countries.  For these and many other reasons, Israel is our strongest ally in a region that greatly impacts American national security.  Their survival is critical.

Time and again, President Obama and his administration has reiterated that no deal with Iran is better than a bad deal, but Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed back in his address, saying:  “This is a bad deal.  It is a very bad deal…. We are being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That is just not true. The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal.”  I agree completely and would urge the President to negotiate a better deal – a deal that would prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and the consequences it would have on America and our allies.

We live in a dangerous world, but Israel lives in a dangerous neighborhood. America cannot turn our back on our ally in times of peace – and certainly, not in times of heightened threats.

The Prime Minister closed his remarks with this: “Moses led our people from slavery to the gates of the Promised Land.  And before the people of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave us a message that has steeled our resolve for thousands of years. I leave you with his message today.  ‘Be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them.’   My friends, may Israel and America always stand together, strong and resolute.  May we neither fear nor dread the challenges ahead. May we face the future with confidence, strength and hope.”

###

Governor Dennis Daugaard’s Weekly Column: Preserving A Way Of Life Through Ag Development

Preserving A Way Of Life Through Ag Development
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

DaugaardIn South Dakota, agriculture is more than just a sector of our economy. It’s a way of life. Whether it’s a small family farm, a sizeable cattle ranch or a dairy operation, all forms of agricultural businesses are important to that way of life.

In 2013, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) began offering counties a service called the County Site Analysis Program. This service helps counties use data to identify sites suitable for agriculture-related development, and to avoid sites which are not suitable.

Ag investments are vital, especially in rural South Dakota, but development must be done responsibly. Because not every new project is a good fit in every location, the program helps county commissioners and landowners determine where projects best fit.

Through the County Site Analysis Program, SDDA looks at local zoning ordinances, locations of roads, utilities and other infrastructure, as well as other local permitting requirements. This information is used to rate property locations on their suitability for things such as manufacturing, commodity processing or livestock-related enterprises.

This program respects local control, because local officials must initiate the process by a formal resolution, requesting SDDA assistance. County commissions, planning and zoning boards, and landowners can use the produced data to make well-informed decisions. Local leaders use the data in their comprehensive planning efforts; landowners have concrete information outlining options for their land; and agribusinesses learn where their investments will be welcomed.

Even though the County Site Analysis Program is fairly new, a majority of counties have already expressed interest in participating. Since the program’s launch, 49 counties have requested a site analysis, and SDDA has completed analyses in 15 counties.

In addition to this program, local governments may soon have another way to pave the road for economic development. There’s a proposal in the Legislature right now that would revise state law on conditional use permits. Conditional use permits are local zoning exceptions which allow property to be used for specific purposes. Cemeteries, churches, golf courses, gravel pits and livestock barns are some examples of projects that might require this kind of permit.

Under current state law, local governments must have a two-thirds majority to approve conditional use permits. House Bill 1201 would allow local governments to change that requirement to a majority vote, if they so choose. Like the County Site Analysis Program, this proposal respects local control. It does not mandate that local governments change the current supermajority requirement. It gives the option. This bill could make it easier to start an agribusiness in South Dakota within our counties and municipalities who invite those opportunities.

Agriculture’s preeminence in our state economy is not something that is inevitable. Local leaders understand this and they know they must be intentional about allowing for opportunities. The County Site Analysis Program and House Bill 1201 seek to broaden those opportunities.

By furthering ag development in our state, we’ll not only be maintaining our number one industry, but we’ll be preserving a way of life.

-30-

Stace Nelson slowly sliding out of exile, setting sights a little lower, and that pesky robocall lawsuit is still lingering.

This afternoon, I was sitting at my desk configuring my Raspberry Pi 2 for a project I thought could have some potential political applications.  And then my phone pops up with a message:

So, after a note praising Democrats on the now defunct Liberal Democrat website Madville Times, Stace Nelson’s next step as he decides to further venture out of his self-imposed exile is to poke at me on Twitter?  Really?

*Sigh* Why am I not thinking we’re getting back the likeable pre-2014 Stace, but the post 2013 attack-dog Stace who turned people off with a highly negative campaign?    I couldn’t resist just letting it go, so I replied. And received an even odder response:

I bring up Rick Weiland, and he replies with a quote about how he has to “stand with anybody who stands right?”

Yep. 2014 Stace is definitely the one poking his nose out of the burrow.

And that reminded me about the “Draft Stace Nelson for District 19 State Senate” effort that popped up about three weeks ago on facebook, as the second item of Stace Nelson news for the day:

draft_stace_watermarked

Well, if you go visit the page today – there have been some big changes in three weeks:

draft-nelson-for-something

Since we last noted it, the “Draft Stace” page has picked up “19 likes,” bringing it from 20 to 39.   And as opposed to running Stace specifically for State Senate…  Well, the bar is now being set a little lower, and instead of instigating a primary against Senator Bill Van Gerpen, they’re just trying to draft him for District 19 State Legislature in hopes of picking up one of the House seats.

And it must be a Stace Nelson lazy Saturday news day, as completing our troika is another news item that passed my way.

I’m told this afternoon that the South Dakota Supreme Court that the long, long lingering Daniel Willard supreme court appeal of his robocall conviction has officially been dismissed… because he failed to prosecute it.

What does that have to do with our erstwhile US Senate wannabe?  Apparently, resolving the issue of the Willard conviction was something that was needed to allow the Rushmore PAC Civil Court case against Daniel Willard and Stace Nelson to move forward.

So, at the same time he may be drafting for the State legislature…. He may also be answering the long ago charges of playing a major part in organizing robocall attacks against the Republican leadership of the State Legislature…. particularly the one he may be hoping to rejoin.

Dem drinking group moves because of “insensitive advertising.”

According to Johnathan Ellis, There’s a Democrat group of drinkers who quit their current drinking location because the bar also has a lingerie night:

Drinking Liberally, a Democratic group that often gets together on Fridays for adult beverages and political talk, is moving from Wiley’s to 18th Amendment starting this Friday. The reason for the move is because of “sexual insensitivity” regarding some of the promotional materials at Wiley’s.

Read it here.

So, drinking good, promotions for the businesses they drink in, bad.

They must also abandon libraries whenever the Sports illustrated swimsuit issue comes out. And television whenever it’s not turned to PBS.

Am I the only one doing an eye roll?

AFP S.D. Applauds Legislature On Stopping Penny Sales Tax

AFP S.D. Applauds Legislature On Stopping Penny Sales Tax

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Today, Americans for Prosperity South Dakota is applauding the State House Affairs Committee on their vote to stop the penny sales tax. Over the past few weeks AFP South Dakota has actively engaged the legislature on the issue, launching a major patch-through phone call campaign and mobilizing its network of in-state activists to contact legislators to stop what could have been the largest tax increase in state history.

AFP South Dakota State Director Ben Lee released the following statement:

“We congratulate the State House Affairs Committee on standing up for South Dakota middle class families everywhere and defeating the penny sales tax. If every city participated, it would have been the largest tax increase in state history. At a time when many South Dakota families are still struggling to make ends meet, a new sales tax just wouldn’t have been fair,” AFP South Dakota State Director Ben Lee said.

Thankfully, today legislators did the right thing for middle class workers across our great state. We thank the many activists who contacted their legislators to be sure South Dakota remains a beacon for freedom both here and around the country,” AFP South Dakota State Director Ben Lee said.

Legislators who voted to stop the bill have the appreciation of the chapter’s thousands of activists, staff and volunteers as well as the appreciation of other organizations speaking out against the measure.

House Bill 189 floor consideration blocked for now. But has nothing to do with SDEA spending. Nope. Nothing at all.

Senate Bill 189, An act “to provide a tax credit to insurance companies that contribute to an organization providing educational scholarships to certain students and instructional supply grants to certain teachers and parents.” has apparently run in to a roadblock in the House.

It failed in Committee 8-7…

SB 189, House Taxation, Do Pass

Bartling Nay Beal Yea Duvall Nay
Haggar (Don) Yea Killer Nay Kirschman Nay
Latterell Yea May Yea Novstrup (Al) Yea
Rasmussen Nay Russell Yea Wiik Yea
Willadsen Nay Rozum Nay Solum Nay

But was later sent to the floor without recommendation on an 8-7 vote:

SB 189, House Taxation, Report out of committee without recommendation

Bartling Nay Beal Yea Duvall Nay
Haggar (Don) Yea Killer Nay Kirschman Nay
Latterell Yea May Yea Novstrup (Al) Yea
Rasmussen Yea Russell Yea Wiik Yea
Willadsen Nay Rozum Nay Solum Nay

Today, a vote took place to calendar the measure (I’ll have the vote for you in a bit) which failed. Noting who voted for an against it left State Representative Lee Schoenbeck noting in an e-mail to colleagues:

From: Lee Schoenbeck
Date: March 6, 2015 at 2:23:09 PM CST
Subject: Re: SB 189

Wow. Every democrat voted NO. Block voted. Probably a coincidence, unrelated to 94% of SDEA’s cash going to Democrats in an effort to defeat us???? I bet SDEA won’t do that again

(I detect a little sarcasm in Lee’s comment about SDEA not supporting Democrats with 94% of their cash again.)   The House Dems block voted on a non-partisan bill which had Democrats sponsoring it?

So, does that make SDEA the Lobbying group of No?