Wind Cave Expansion

[L Roebuck]

Wind Cave expansion OK'd

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush signed legislation to authorize expansion of Wind Cave National Park on Wednesday.

The new law is only the first step in an attempt to add land to the park. The family that owns most of the desired land has not yet agreed to sell it to the government.

Brendan Casey has said his family will not sell the 5,550 acre property for the amount the government has offered. Milliron Ranches, owned by Casey's Rapid City family, is now on the market for $14 million. The government has appraised the land at less than half that.

National Park Service officials have said they would like to acquire the land because it includes a centuries-old buffalo jump where American Indians ran bison off a canyon cliff to kill them for food, clothing and other essentials.

The bill, which passed the Senate in July, would authorize the sale but does not stipulate an amount of money

Rapid City Journal
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/09/22/news/local/news03.txt

[L Roebuck]

Wind Cave expansion advances
By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer

The U.S House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill authorizing the expansion of Wind Cave National Park, a decision that moves the park a step closer to acquiring a 5,555-acre ranch adjoining the park.

The next step, however, could be as challenging as the five-year campaign to win approval for the bill approving park expansion. Park officials, or a conservation group working on their behalf, now must come to financial terms on a sale price for the ranch with the owners, the Casey family corporation of Rapid City.

"It could be a hurdle," Wind Cave superintendent Linda Stoll said, speaking of negotiations to reach a sales agreement. "It depends on how flexible the family is."

Family spokesman Brendan Casey has said on several occasions that the existing government appraisal of about $6 million for the property was far below the true market value. Casey said some discussions with potential buyers on the private real-estate market have been closer to $14 million.

But Casey also said the family hadn't ruled out a deal with the park, if a satisfactory sale price could be reached. The House action Tuesday sets the stage for that discussion to begin.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., introduced the House bill to authorize expansion of the park. The Senate previously passed identical language, sponsored by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. The bill, which authorizes expansion but does not appropriate funds for the purchase, is expected to be signed into law in coming days.

Two weeks ago, Herseth hosted Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., for a tour of the park and the adjoining Casey property.

"I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Wind Cave National Park with Rep. Herseth and witness its unique beauty firsthand," Walden said in a prepared statement released by Herseth's office. "I applaud the work the representative has done on this issue, which is so important to South Dakota, and I look forward to working with her in the future."

Walden is chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forestry. Stoll said she believed his support was crucial in winning approval for the expansion bill, which had died in the House in previous sessions.

"All of a sudden, we had the bill to the (House) floor, so I can't imagine it wasn't helpful," Stoll said of Walden's visit. "It was very insightful of Stephanie to do that."

Herseth said she was grateful to Walden, "who believes, as I do, that this is an appropriate way to expand the park and ensure that the additional acres are preserved as they have been for centuries."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@ rapidcityjournal.com

Rapid City Journal
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/09/14/news/local/news04.txt