Two Indian lawmakers in South Dakota have introduced a bill aimed at protecting the sacred Bear Butte.

Paul Valandra, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and Jim Bradford, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, are sponsoring HB1233. The bill creates a four-mile buffer zone around Bear Butte where liquor licenses would not be issued.

The bill comes in response to a proposal to build a bar near Bear Butte. Jay Allen, an Arizona businessman, had planned to call it "Sacred Ground" but the idea immediately ran into opposition from tribal activists.

Valandra and Bradford, both Democrats, hope to work with other lawmakers and interested parties on the bill.

Get the Story:
Lawmakers want buffer to protect Bear Butte (The Rapid City Journal 1/27)

Relevant Links:
Defenders of the Black Hills - http://www.defendblackhills.org/defenders

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