HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1025

         A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION,  Requesting that the Governor of the State of South Dakota, along with the Legislature, continue to take appropriate fire prevention measures to address the catastrophic fire risk that exists on the federally-held national forests and state lands of South Dakota.

     WHEREAS,  the Governor of the State of South Dakota, along with the South Dakota State Legislature, has taken the steps of creating the position of Wildfire Coordinator through House Bill 1146, appropriating two million dollars for wildfire suppression through Senate Bill 221, and is currently working with the United States Forest Service to secure further funding and assistance to help thin underbrush within the state's national forests; and

     WHEREAS,  the Otero County, New Mexico, Board of County Commissioners has enacted an Emergency Declaration Resolution to address the risk of catastrophic fire on federal and New Mexico lands; and

     WHEREAS,  fire risk conditions resulting from the infrequent clearing of underbrush within the federally-held national forests and other state-held lands, along with other pest and noxious weed problems do exist in South Dakota; and

     WHEREAS,  the Meade County Board of County Commissioners has recognized the Otero County resolution to be an appropriate and effective remedy for the situation facing not only the people of New Mexico but also the people of South Dakota; and

     WHEREAS,  the Governor of the State of South Dakota along with the Legislature of the State of South Dakota has the same duty to protect the lives and property of their citizens as the county commissioners of Otero and Meade counties do:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,  by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-sixth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Governor of the State of South Dakota, along with the Legislature, is urged to continue to take the appropriate fire prevention and maintenance measures necessary to remove and control this threat to the citizens of this state.

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Adopted by the House of Representatives,
Concurred in by the Senate,

Scott Eccarius Speaker of the House	Karen Gerdes Chief Clerk of the House
Carole Hillard President of the Senate	Patricia Adam Secretary of the Senate