June 18, 2003

Dear Editor,

We write with concern about the Wilderness Designations proposed by the Sierra Club. The group claims they will be helping ranchers by declaring four areas in the National Grasslands "Wilderness" and by severely restricting the use of that land. We don’t remember a single incident that the Sierra Club has helped ranchers. We certainly don’t believe it’s going to happen this time.

History has shown that those involved in private industry are the best managers of capital. One needs only to drive through the Conata Basin to see the absolute devastation the prohibition on prairie dog control on federal lands has caused. The land is nearly void of grass, not to mention wildlife, and the topsoil drifts on windy days. This, in an area that used to showcase some of South Dakota’s most productive rangelands, in terms of both vegetation and wildlife.

Compare that to the well managed grasslands around Buffalo Gap and other places in the state. Healthy grass grows year after year. After all, what rancher in his right mind would destroy the one thing he needs to make a living: grass?

Ranchers are doing a good job of managing the grasslands. We challenge you to drive out and take a look. Even after one of the worst droughts in history, you will find that the land is in good condition - conducive to livestock production and a healthy wildlife population. You may have heard the saying: "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." Why does the Sierra Club want to put a special designation on these pieces of land that are already nearly as pristine and "wild" as any land in South Dakota? Because they are taking a backdoor approach at gaining control of the land. Sure, they’ll tell us now that nothing will change for the ranchers, that we can continue grazing as we have for years. We don’t believe it.

Livestock production supports many of the small and large communities in this state. It’s time that we wake up and realize that a healthy, viable population of South Dakotans is more important than satisfying a few radical environmentalists. South Dakota’s success is rooted in agriculture, specifically livestock production. Ft. Pierre Livestock reported a few weeks ago that $7 million changed hands in a 14 hour sale. That money will be invested and spent in hundreds of different places, keeping the community alive. We wonder how many of those cattle grazed on public lands?

We urge you to support the livestock industry and oppose the proposed Wilderness Designation. Helping ranchers and South Dakotans in general is the last thing from the Sierra Club’s agenda.

Thank you,

Bill Hutchinson Ken Knuppe

President Vice President