Thune Introduces Bill to Prevent Reckless Prescribed Burns on Federal Lands

“It is reasonable to require federal agencies to collaborate with state governments and local fire officials before setting prescribed burns under these conditions, and that is exactly what my bill would do.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) last night introduced a bill that would require collaboration between federal and local officials before initiating a prescribed burn on federal lands when fire danger is high. Thune’s bill follows two prescribed burns in South Dakota in the past two years that have burned out-of-control, one set by the Forest Service (FS) in northwestern South Dakota known as the Pautre Fire and most recently one set by the National Park Service (NPS) on April 13, 2015, known as the Cold Brook Fire at Wind Cave National Park.

“Over the past two years, the federal government has twice exercised a complete disregard for imminent fire danger by starting prescribed burns under unsafe conditions in South Dakota,” said Thune. “The Pautre Fire caused extensive property losses and both fires required multiple firefighting units, equipment, and personnel to fight the out-of-control fires. It is reasonable to require federal agencies to collaborate with state governments and local fire officials before setting prescribed burns under these conditions, and that is exactly what my bill would do.”

Both prescribed burns in South Dakota were started under extremely dry conditions. Thune’s bill looks to address numerous issues that came about as a result of these fires. Under Thune’s bill, the Cold Brook Fire would not have been set due to the restrictions on prescribed burns during dry conditions unless state and local officials had consented. Additionally, if this bill had been enacted at the time of the Pautre Fire, individuals impacted by out-of-control burns would be reimbursed for their damages in a timely manner. Pautre fire victims still have not been reimbursed by the FS, nor has the FS accepted fault.

Thune’s bill, the Prescribed Burn Approval Act of 2015, would require the head of a federal agency to first collaborate and obtain approval from state government and local fire officials if the Grassland Fire Danger Index indicates a high, very high, or extreme fire danger or the FS has declared very high or extreme fire danger. Thune’s bill also stipulates that should a federal agency proceed with a prescribed burn that damages private property, it is liable for any damage to private property caused by the burn, with damages to be paid within 120 days of receipt of a substantiated claim.

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I know I’ve mentioned this every time I’ve written about it, but KELOland news is the first Mainstream Media source who is also noting that those cute chickens in your backyard who give you eggs could be bird-flu vectors:

Poultry producers across the country are losing their flocks to the bird flu. There are even two cases of backyard chickens getting bird flu in Montana.

Here in KELOLAND, urban chicken farming has been growing in popularity over the last few years.

Lisa Zandt raises chickens and turkeys just north of Sioux Falls at her home along the Big Sioux River.

“I feel it’s important to be as self-sustaining as possible and I like to know where my food comes from,” Zandt said.

But her food supply could be threatened by the bird flu.

Read it all here.

From Roll Call:

The government of Japan knows its way around K Street.

In the months leading up to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Washington this week, the country spent more than $1.2 million on lobbying, law and public relations firms, according to documents filed with the Justice Department.

As the country navigates numerous policy issues, including a massive trade deal with the United States, it relies on the hired help of such firms as Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Hogan Lovells and the Podesta Group. Japan enlisted the Daschle Group, the firm of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., just this month.

And…

On the other side, the Daschle firm’s registration for Japan, filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, said that the embassy of Japan had not yet signed a formal contract and did not disclose any fee arrangement. But Tom Daschle himself is registered to lobby for the government.

“The Daschle Group’s activities may include communications on behalf of the Embassy of Japan with officials in U.S. executive branch departments and agencies, with members and staff of the U.S. Congress, and with other individuals and organizations involved in governmental or public policy matters,” the FARA filing said.

Read it all here.

Remember when Tom “wasn’t a lobbyist?”

From KCCR News:

An industrial crop that is being imported from Canada on a daily basis, effectively denying South Dakota farmers an opportunity to compete and share in the profits of our neighbors to the north, might change if South Dakota Representative Elizabeth May has any say on the matter.

The production and cultivation of hemp may be coming before the full legislature next session.

May, who is a rancher near Kyle, says that farmers across the state have been asking her to allow them another rotational crop to grow…

Read it all here.

I’m thinking that one is destined for the 41st legislative day as soon as it’s introduced.

South Dakota Board of Geographic Names and Attorney General Jackley Caution of a Group Seeking Funds to Rename Harney Peak

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Geographic Names and Attorney General Marty Jackley are notifying South Dakota consumers about an organization that is asking for donations and holding itself out as the “Official and Authorized” site for the proposed renaming of Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak. This organization has no affiliation with the government in the State of South Dakota.

According to their website, Black Elk Development of Porcupine has claimed to be the “Only Official and Authorized” website for the renaming of Harney Peak, a geographic feature in Pennington County. This organization is not affiliated with the South Dakota Board of Geographic Names or the Board’s process regarding the replacement of offensive names for geographic features.

Black Elk Development’s Articles of Incorporation are not current with the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office. It is also not listed with the Internal Revenue Service as an Exempt Organization eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

The Board’s public involvement process is open to the public at no cost. There are no filing costs associated with the Board’s activities and the purpose of solicited funds by the organization is not known.

The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names was created by the 2009 Legislature to recommend replacements for offensive names for geographic features and to process requests from the public regarding names for geographic features. In some cases, this may be proposing a name for a currently unnamed feature or requesting renaming for a geographic feature. Those wishing to make public comment are encouraged to do so. Additional information about the Board and features under consideration can be found at http://www.sdbgn.sd.gov/.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division asks that consumers research all charities before giving. Knowing and understanding how much of your donation dollars will go to the actual cause is necessary in the decision making process. Before you give, visit such sites as www.charitynavigator.org or www.guidestar.org, to verify the legitimacy of the nonprofit organization as well as its nonprofit status.

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