Bars vs. Bear Butte

Our View:  Bear Butte deserves better[I]n these modern times, civilization inches toward Bear Butte and now likely will continue to eat up the available land surrounding it after the failure of House Bill 1275. The proposal would have provided about $250,000 in public money, to be matched with grants and private funds to accumulate about $1 million in purchasing power.

Money is only part of the argument. Opponents of the bill said that if the state purchases land around the mountain, it will harm private property rights and development of the area, especially for bars that may open during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

We feel there are enough bars and party spots available for the Sturgis rally. Adding more is jeopardizing Bear Butte’s solitude, its sacredness and the inspiring views from its summit.