South Dakota GFP Commission Holds September Meeting

Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations

The Commission added golden mussels to the current list of Aquatic Invasive Species. Currently, golden mussels have established populations in western North America and are spreading east. They have similar effects as zebra mussels. They are not in South Dakota at this time.

The Commission also excluded phragmites species from types of vegetation that can be used as blind material on boats when being launched or trailered. Phragmites can still be used as blind material, but cannot be transported from the waterbody.

Bait Regulations

The Commission removed the requirement to submit an annual summary of bait harvested for resident bait dealers. Resident bait dealers who trap their own bait are still be required to maintain daily records of bait trapped.

Muskellunge Limits

The Commission did not approve the daily and possession limit of muskellunge and northern-muskellunge (tiger) cross from catch and release to 1 daily, 2 in possession with a 45-inch minimum length limit for inland waters. Muskellunge fishing will remain catch and release for all sizes.

Fish Pathogens

The Commission updated the list of fish pathogens of regulatory concern used for fish importation permit requirements. This change reduces the regulatory burden on importers and suppliers by reducing the number of pathogens that must be tested for. The changes reflect current fish health standards and disease risk assessments while maintaining safeguards to prevent the introduction of significant fish pathogens into South Dakota waters.

Paddlefish Transportation

The Commission modified the transportation requirements for paddlefish harvested during the archery season below Gavins Point Dam to allow for harvested paddlefish to be cleaned, including removal of the head, skin and tail, prior to transport.

Endangered and Threatened Species

The Commission removed the Eskimo curlew and Least tern from the list of

endangered birds.

The Eskimo curlew is believed to be extinct throughout its range. The last confirmed

observation occurred in Barbados in 1963, and there are no records of the species in the South Dakota Nongame Conservation Database.

The Least tern was removed from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species in 2021. In South Dakota, Least terns have been monitored annually for more than 30 years, and recovery criteria have been met for multiple consecutive years, including the most recent monitoring period.

ACTION ITEMS

Custer State Park Concession Operator Recommendation

The Commission has selected Xanterra for the next concession operator of Custer State Park and authorized the Department to enter into final lease negotiations.

Lease negotiations and finalization will continue throughout the month of September and be presented for approval at the October Commission meeting in Pierre.

Custer State Parks Resorts includes operation of four major resort complexes with room and cabin lodging, food and beverage services, retail goods, wildlife viewing tours, horseback trail rides, chuckwagon suppers, and other guest services within Custer State Park.

Proposals were evaluated by a team, which included GFP staff, three GFP Commissioners, Travel South Dakota staff, and independent consultants. Proposals were evaluated based on a number of selection factors that ranged from maintaining resort facilities, enhancing the visitor experience, and the operators experience and background in management of resort operations. The evaluation process began in June and concluded in early September.

Final lease approval will take place at the October Commission meeting. The new lease would take effect February 1, 2027.

Public Comments Being Accepted

To hear the discussion on these topics, audio from the meeting is available through South Dakota Public Broadcasting and will soon be available on the GFP website as part of the meeting archive.

To see these topics in their entirety, visit gfp.sd.gov/commission/information.

To be included in the public record and to be considered by the Commission, comments must include a full name and city of residence and be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Oct 4.

The next GFP Commission meeting will be held in Pierre, at the State Library, Oct. 8-9.