Landowners, advocates make push for eminent domain special session

Hundreds of landowners attended a rally in the Capitol Rotunda Thursday

Mark Lapka addresses a landowners’ rights rally at the state Capitol, while Jerad Bossly stands by with petitions to deliver to Gov. Kristi Noem’s office asking her to call for a special session. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — Newly voiced support from Gov. Kristi Noem, along with calls for a special legislative session, have brought new fire to the anti-carbon pipeline movement.

That fire was on display Thursday at the South Dakota State Capitol, as roughly 500 pipeline opponents gathered to continue to push back against the use of eminent domain for the private project.

“These are the same landowners and families that have been here two or three hundred years in some cases,” said House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister. “To have a company come in now and say they are going to use eminent domain, I am sorry but that don’t cut it.” 

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