A prolonged drought along the Missouri River is exposing burial grounds and sacred sites on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.

The tribe is trying to protect the sites from damage and looters. But Jim Picotte, the cultural preservation officer, says the lands around Lake Oahe are vulnerable.

It's a violation of federal law to disturb or remove artifacts and remains. But the Army Corps of Engineers says it will cost $77 million to comply with all historic preservation laws. The agency only has a $3 million budget for preservation.

In April, a group of tribes signed a historic preservation agreement with the Army Corps.

Get the Story:
S.D. drought adds urgency to preservation agreement (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/31)
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