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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 20, 2006
CONTACT: Mark Johnston, (605) 773-3212
Gov. Rounds Approves Black HillsLand Purchase
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds has approved the purchase of over 410 acres of land in the northern Black Hills that will be managed by the state as nature and park area.
Three parcels of land are being purchased for $2.7 million, money received in a court settlement in a Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration (NRDA) fund from Homestake Mining Company and Barrick Gold Corp., its parent company. In addition, The Department of Game, Fish and Parks will set up a $600,000 dedicated account from the NRDA Trust Fund for the future upkeep and restoration of the property. This will allow the public to enjoy these areas without having to pay an entrance or daily use fee.
The Spearfish Canyon Foundation also played a critical role in the funding needs for this acquisition. Their Board voted to support this effort by providing $250,000 toward the purchase of these lands. Susan Johnson, Spearfish Canyon Foundation President said, “These properties represent some of the most scenic and biologically important lands and waters in the State of South Dakota. We are proud to be a part of this Canyon acquisition effort and we thank Barrick for their decision to keep these areas in public trust.”
Expenditure of the NRDA funds were limited to the replacement and/or acquisition of natural resources that are considered equivalent to those lost due to actions from Homestake Mining operations in the area.
“Homestake has a tremendous history in South Dakota,” said Gov. Rounds “They have worked in close cooperation with the State on these properties and have gone out of their way to work out the details of this purchase. In addition, Barrick Gold Corporation agreed to sell us these properties at the Year 2000 appraised values. They have been committed to seeing that these natural areas are held in public trust and managed for generations of South Dakotans to view and enjoy.”
The three parcels of land include approximately 355 acres at the mouth of SpearfishCanyon, 38 acres along Little Spearfish Creek that includes RoughlockFalls, and 18 acres at the Savoy Intake on Spearfish Creek, just upstream from Savoy. Approximately 44 acres will be out-platted to the City of Spearfish for their management of the existing rifle range and for the parcels of land that adjoin their existing greenway locations at the mouth of the canyon.
Gov. Rounds also noted that an important part of the agreement is the transfer of a significant water right on a section of Spearfish Creek. The transfer was approved by the State Water Management Board in Pierre on July 12, 2006, and will insure a suitable instream flow for SpearfishCanyon and the City of Spearfish.
“This was not part of the original negotiations on this property,” said Gov. Rounds. “However, Homestake is dedicated to preserving the total natural beauty of the area. They brought this forward for discussion and agreed to transfer the water rights. We are very fortunate to be able to work with Barrick Gold, the Spearfish Canyon Foundation and the City of Spearfish in making this a successful partnership for future generations to enjoy.”
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