Governor scales back Custer State Park campsite proposal

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has scaled back plans to expand campsites at Custer State Park after her initial proposal hit resistance in the Republican-controlled Legislature. The Republican governor’s office shared new plans on Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2022) with lawmakers that would halve the number of campsites from the more than 176 that were proposed, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. It would also cut the proposal to $5 million after an initial $10 million ask, as well as relocate the proposed campground away from the Wildlife Loop Road. Republican lawmakers had soured on the plan after privately-owned campgrounds in the area spoke out against it and conservation groups raised concerns about how wildlife would be affected.