· Water Safety Issues on GFP Commission Agenda
· Remaining Ice-fishing Houses Must be Removed March 5
· Register for Becoming an Outdoor Family
Water Safety Issues on GFP Commission Agenda
PIERRE, S.D.—The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission will consider the addition or modification of public water safety zones in five counties when it meets at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre on Thursday, March 6.
At their January meeting, commissioners expressed some concerns about one of the proposals, the elimination of two no wake zones on Pactola Reservoir in Pennington County. The no wake zones are located in areas commonly referred to as Boarding House Gulch and Musekamp Draw.
The initial request to remove the two water safety zones came from the U.S. Forest Service which also has jurisdiction on the lake. Due to low water on the reservoir, the Forest Service is seeking to eliminate the required maintenance and periodic replacement of the buoys, a duty it shares with GFP.
Current low water levels mandate that boaters would need to travel at slower speeds in those areas even without a designated no wake zone. There are currently nine different water safety zones on Pactola Reservoir. Personnel from both agencies believe that public safety interests will still be properly addressed even if the two no wake zones are eliminated. While initially approving of the proposal, commissioners questioned if the issue might return when the water level on the reservoir rises.
Other recommended changes include:
· Modifying the boundaries of three public swimming zones on Lake Kampeska in Codington County and changing the designation of one of them to a no wake zone. These changes would help in the management of those areas and the enforcement of rules.
· Creating three no wake zones on McCook Lake in Union County. Those zones are designed for public safety and erosion control.
· Creating two no wake zones on Lewis and Clark Lake in Yankton County. An increase in the use of “boating beaches” necessitates the need for no wake zones in those areas as a public safety measure.
· Modifying the boundaries of the public swimming zone in American Creek Bay in Brule County. This modification amounts to only a clarification of the boundary of the public swimming area.
The public water zoning proposals up for finalization will be the topic of a public hearing at 2 p.m. on Thursday. A meeting agenda and the proposals that are up for public comment can be accessed at the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Commission/Meetings.htm.
Citizens who wish to provide written comments to the commission prior to the hearing can do so up until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. Comments should be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us. All comments must include the sender’s full name and address in order to become part of the official record. Comments may also be presented in person at the public hearing in Pierre.
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Remaining Ice-fishing Houses Must be Removed March 5
PIERRE, S.D.—March 5 is moving day in those few areas of South Dakota where the use of permanent ice-fishing houses is still allowed.
Permanent ice-fishing houses must be removed by midnight on March 5 on Deerfield Lake in Pennington County and on lakes in Day, Grant, Marshall and Roberts counties.
The date for the removal of ice-fishing houses on all other South Dakota waters was Feb. 25.
In addition to being removed from the lakes, the ice-fishing houses must be removed from public property including shores, state parks, recreation areas or lakeside use areas. Written permission from the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department is required for anyone seeking to leave ice-fishing houses in those areas for more than five days.
“Ice conditions can be unpredictable at this time of year,” said GFP Regional Supervisor Doug Alvine. “Anglers area advised to use caution when removing their ice-fishing houses.”
Some areas of the state may still have sufficient ice on lakes to support ice-fishing houses. Anglers may continue to use structures in those areas if they are removed from the ice daily.
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Register for Becoming an Outdoor Family
PIERRE, S.D. - Families interested in learning about outdoor cooking, fishing techniques, GPS units (Global Positioning System), canoeing and many other outdoor skills are encouraged to register for the Becoming an Outdoor Family weekend. This event will be hosted by the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation at the Chief Crane Recreation Area near Yankton on June 20 – 22.
"This is a great opportunity," said Visitor Services Coordinator Lynn Spomer, "for families to have fun, learning experiences in the outdoors." Families can participate as much or as little as they wish.
A potluck dinner will be held on Saturday night. Each family will be asked to make a dish over the fire to share with the group. Instructions and list of needed ingredients will be provided after registration is complete.
Lodging will be in campers or tents which are provided by participants. Camping will be on designated sites.
The $50 fee per family covers all sessions, program materials, use of equipment and a campsite for two nights. Those registering after May 20 pay $60 per family. A park entrance license is required.
For more information and to register, go online to www.SDparks.info and click on Outdoor Learning or call (605) 773-3391 to request an information packet.
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