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November 5 - 5:30 PM FBSR Board Meeting , Downtown Sioux Falls Library Conference Room
November 16 – 9:30 AM, East Dakota Water Development District Board Meeting Sioux Falls Water Purification Plant (2100 N. Minnesota)
December 6 - Big Sioux River Water Summit - 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn (Sioux Falls)
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First Dakota National Bank is located at 1110 E. Cherry St. in Sioux Falls, SD. Choose a local bank who supports your dreams. First Dakota National Bank offers you personal, business, or ag banking services. Since 1872, we’ve offered you the hometown touch, complete with unparalleled customer service. We know you, your family, and your dreams are the heart of your financial choices. Let’s dream together.
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An Open Letter to SD Voters
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Dear South Dakotans 18-years-of-age and older:
Each month, from planting native grasses to sweeping your sidewalks, we ask you to act in defense of your river. This month, our charge is simple: VOTE! At Friends of the Big Sioux River, we believe that all the time and money you invest in your community should be met by a government prepared to give you the support you deserve. If you mow your lawn a little bit higher or plant a rain garden because you care about clean water, you deserve a representative who would do the same. We can accomplish more together, and it is our duty to choose the candidates we think will work with us. Our elected officials are a reflection of our community and our values. Who do you want to speak for you? Who do you want to defend your river, your community, and your state? Who deserves the privilege of serving you? Vote for the values or change you want to see. We’ll see you at the polls!
Sincerely,
Your Friends of the Big Sioux River
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Governor Candidate Responses on Clean Water Policies
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Billie Sutton
"One of the primary responsibilities of a leader is to protect and preserve the great resources of our state to pass along to the next generations. In a democracy, many policies can be reversed, undone, or reprioritized, but our natural resources are one treasure that we cannot afford to misuse or destroy. As governor, I will put together a team of experts and stakeholders to study and address this water quality problem. The fact that this issue has gone unchecked so long is another example of the culture of complacency we’ve grown accustomed to in state government. We’ve been made to believe that we must choose between development and preservation, but there’s room for both. I’m going to do the hard work of bringing all voices to the table to find solutions and do better for everyone impacted."
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Kristi Noem
"Water quality is extremely important for all of our citizens, but represents a tremendous challenge in many areas of the state. Water is critical for our number one industry and clean water is a basic necessity of life. The State needs to facilitate communication, education, voluntary programs and regulation of water resources. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources plays an important role in restoring and protecting water quality, but we can do more with education and public/private partnerships.
"I've been a farmer, rancher, and hunter my whole life, so I understand the careful balance between production and conservation. In the U.S. House, I fought to expand the sodsaver program, incentivizing the protection of native grasslands - a meaningful tool for enhancing water quality. As governor, I have committed to expand voluntary conservation programs by improving landowner relationships.
"This is a massive and complex issue, meaning that addressing it will require a number of stakeholders - public and private - working together to arrive at reasonable and workable solutions."
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With the support of our members and community, FBSR is proud to have several projects underway. As the summer season draws to a close and a few of these projects begin a hibernation period, we are excited to offer you the following updates on three of our major projects.
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Big Sioux River Mapping Project
Led by FBSR Board Member Steven Dahlmeier, the BSR Mapping Project seeks to establish a record of land use along the river's banks. Dahlmeier and his team, with the assistance of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, completed mapping and verified use between Brookings and Flandreau. The team is currently working on mapping Sioux Falls to Canton. The goal is to have the river mapped from Brookings to Sioux City by early 2019!
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Water Quality Monitoring
Beginning in April, FBSR began testing local lakes and rivers to determine water quality. FBSR conducted over 70 tests, spanning over 136 miles from Oakwood Lakes to Akron, IA. Following processing from American Engineering Testing (AET), the results were posted to our water quality testing site to allow public access of our data. Testing parameters included E. coli, total suspended solids, and nitrates.
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In general, results show:
- Contaminant levels spiked following rainfall events; recreationists should avoid immersion recreation following heavy rainfall events.
- Absent rainfall events, Lake Alvin, Lake Lakota, and Wall Lake, which FBSR tested, are performing well in clarity; however, Lake Alvin still suffers from e-coli contamination. Wall Lake suffers from suspended algae in its otherwise clear water.
- Rivers and streams are regularly exceeding safe levels for e-coli.
- Falls Park and Skunk Creek at Marion Road sites also regularly exceed safe levels for e-coli.
- The Big Sioux River gets worse as it flows further south with the Akron, IA site consistently impaired with sediment, e-coli, and nitrates.
- Nitrate levels continue to rise but are still within safe levels at most locations.
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For more information, visit our website.
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Downtown Greenway Riparian Buffer Education Restoration Site
We experienced difficulties in getting our native grass riparian buffer started. Snows in late April delayed the planting. When the seedlings sprouted in late summer, the local goose population gobbled them up, leaving the center of the site much the same as previous years. Next season, we will reseed and erect goose barriers. Native grasses do take a long time to establish. This site will take extra work to the get the grasses established, but we know the work will be worth it!
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