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03/21/2006
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks News for 3-20-06 * Custer State Park Opens Visitor Center for the Season
Custer State Park Opens Visitor Center for the Season CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. - Park officials are opening the historic Peter Norbeck Visitor Center for the season on Friday, March 31. The hours of operation are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily and will continue through mid-May. The facility is located along Hwy 16A near the State Game Lodge and Grace Coolidge General Store. The visitor center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a history dating back to the mid-1930s. Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the building using native materials, such as logs and stones. Art students from around the country provided the early displays, and the facility was opened officially as the Park Museum in 1935. The displays have since changed to include interactive exhibits and several unique wildlife dioramas. The visitor center is home to a mounted bison bull in a prairie setting. Guests can also view an elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, mountain goat, prairie dogs, and a host of other smaller wildlife species. Also on display is a gold panner trying his luck in a Black Hills creek and a dorm room from the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). And finally, a large ponderosa pine tree ring, dating over 300 years is on hand for viewing. "The facility is perhaps one of the best interpretive centers in the Midwest," said Bradley Block, Chief of Interpretation for the park. "Not only is the architecture amazing, there are over 30 different displays providing educational insight into the park's natural and cultural resources." The non-profit Black Hills Parks and Forests Association manages a bookstore outlet within the visitor center. There are several identification guides on hand, musical CDs and tapes, and other items for sale to complement the visitor experience to the park. Several new titles are being added to the selection list in 2006, and visitors are encouraged to visit the bookstore during their time in the facility. The visitor center is open to the public. All vehicles require either an annual or temporary park entrance license. The temporary 7-day passes are currently available for only $2.50 per person or $6 per vehicle. On May 1, the passes return to full price at $5 per person and $12 per vehicle. For more information on the visitor center or Custer State Park, please contact the park at (605) 255-4464 or visit www.CusterStatePark.info. -GFP- July Fourth Weekend Camping Reservations in State Parks Open Soon PIERRE, S.D. - Campers making Fourth of July weekend plans can begin making camping reservations on April 1 for a Friday, June 30 arrival. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 710-CAMP (2267) or by going online to www.CampSD.com. "Mark your calendars so you're sure to get your reservations made," said Doug Hofer, state parks director. "Campsites are reserved well in advance, so plan ahead and make your reservations as soon as possible to get your favorite camping spot." A three-night stay is required during holiday weekends at all state parks, except Custer State Park. Reservations for campsites and camping cabins in South Dakota state parks can be made within 90 days of the arrival date. Reservations for the group lodges and all campsites at Custer State Park are currently being accepted. The telephone reservation center is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (CT). Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day. Reservations open at 7 a.m. on the first day of the 90-day window, both online and at the call center. There is a $5 per site non-refundable reservation fee (not applicable to South Dakota residents). Camping fees must be paid when the reservation is made and can be paid with credit card, money order or personal check. A daily or annual park entrance license is required of all vehicles entering the park. Entrance fees are in addition to camping fees. The free state parks' Making Camping Reservations brochure provides more detailed information on making reservations, including an abbreviated 90-day window calendar. Additionally, the 2006 SD Campground Mapbook aids campers in choosing the perfect campsite in the state park campgrounds. The mapbook is available for purchase online at www.sdgfp.info/Parks or through local park offices for $5 each (plus $1 shipping and handling). Individual campground maps are also available on the state parks website for free download. To receive a free copy of the reservation brochure, contact the Division of Parks and Recreation office at (605) 773-3391 or email ParkInfo@state.sd.us. More information on reservations, including a full 90-day window calendar, can also be found online at www.sdgfp.info/Parks. -GFP- Remember to License Your Boat PIERRE - A few hardy boaters have taken to area lakes in the past few weeks and Game, Fish and Parks conservation officers expect many more as Spring temperatures open more waters in the coming weeks. The advent of Spring should serve as a reminder to boaters that they should not get in a hurry; after all it is only March. Owners should be planning ahead for better weather to come, and last minute boating opportunities. Every year conservation officers encounter early season boaters who have forgotten to renew the validation stickers for their boat. This license violation may mean an $88 citation for not having a current license for the boat. That can be a bad start, or end a beautiful spring weekend. One problem is people get used to buying all of their vehicle licenses based on the first letter of the last name. Many forget that boat stickers all expire on December 31 each year. Boat licenses must be purchased from the County Treasurers office on an annual basis or for three years. Three-year licenses can be a convenience but owners may then be complacent thinking the long-term license is always current. Conservation officers cannot sell any licenses nor do they have "temporary" licenses. Bottom line is don't wait until 5:30 p.m. on a Friday to take the boat out of storage to look at the stickers. Also, inspect all of safety gear and make sure the boat's battery is fully charged and functional. -GFP- South Dakota Pallid Sturgeon Management Plan Available for Public Review PIERRE - The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is inviting the public to comment on the state management plan for the endangered pallid sturgeon, a prehistoric fish that lives in the Missouri River. The plan can be viewed by accessing the GFP web page at: http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/WildlifePlans/Index.htm; or can be obtained by writing to Game, Fish and Parks, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501; or by calling 605-773-3630. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, April 14. Written comments can be sent to the above address, faxed to (605) 773-6245 (please identify faxed comments by writing Pallid Sturgeon Comments at the beginning of your comments), or submitted at the management plan web-site listed above. Phone comments will not be considered during this comment period. In 1999, the Water Resources Development Act initiated the transfer or lease of just under 92,000 acres to South Dakota from the Army Corps of Engineers along the Missouri River. Along with this land transfer, South Dakota accepted greater responsibility for the four listed species that use the Missouri River; the pallid sturgeon, least tern, piping plover, and bald eagle. Pallid sturgeon is an ancient fish species well adapted to large river systems. Since dam construction, the flow regime, amount of sediment, water temperature, and in-water habitat have changed, all of which probably contributed to the species' decline. GFP is working with a number of partners to improve conditions for this species with the ultimate goal of removing the pallid sturgeon from the endangered species list. The plan emphasizes cooperation with other agencies to work on recovery actions such as collecting broodstock for reproduction, monitoring populations, and public outreach. GFP will also encourage the US Army Corps to manage the river to benefit pallid sturgeon. GFP has completed management plans for the least tern, piping plover, and bald eagle. These plans can also be viewed at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/WildlifePlans/Index.htm. -GFP- New State Competitive Grant Program PIERRE - South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks has set aside $225,000 of its State Wildlife Grants funds for fish and wildlife conservation proposals from outside the agency. State Wildlife Grants funding is provided annually to states to address the needs of certain animal species and their habitats. Proposals will be accepted until April 17, 2006. A variety of projects have been conducted in South Dakota since State Wildlife Grants funding became available in 2002. Project summaries can be viewed at: <http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/wcrp.pdf> The South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan Competitive Grants program is open to individuals, organizations, state and local entities, and educational facilities. Proposals must relate to South Dakota's Wildlife Action Plan, a recent comprehensive plan to address the needs of South Dakota's fish and wildlife. Projects will be evaluated on whether they meet the information, management, and recovery needs of species at risk and native habitats. The following website contains application materials and related information: <http://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/diversity/compgrants.htm>. If this information does not address your question about the program, contact Eileen Dowd Stukel at eileen.dowdstukel@state.sd.us or phone 605-773-4229.
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