Bill to ban new bars near Bear Butte considered

Friday, February 9, 2007  

A South Dakota House committee heard testimony on Thursday on a bill to ban new liquor licenses near sacred Bear Butte.

Tribal members testified in favor of the bill. They said noise from bars, and the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, disturbs their religious practices.

But the state Department of Revenue and Regulation opposes the measure. The state says local governments should decided issues such as liquor licenses.

The Meade County Commission did that twice last year, by approving licenses for two new bars near Bear Butte. Tribal members protested but the commissioners said their decision can't be put to a public vote or be reviewed.

The House Local Government Committee did not take a vote on the bill. The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-2 on January 31 to kill a related measure.

Get the Story:
A.I. Seek Limit On Booze Business (AP 2/9)
pwlat
County wants authority to decide liquor licenses (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/9)

Relevant Links:
Bear Butte International Alliance - http://matopaha.org/wp
Defenders of the Black Hills - http://www.defendblackhills.org

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