VIEWPOINT | We can’t let South Dakota’s public lands fall behind
Guest column by Carmen Schramm, Tourism Coalition of South Dakota
South Dakota’s identity is inseparable from its public lands. From the granite faces of Mount Rushmore to the rugged beauty of the Black Hills and the wide-open grasslands, these places define who we are. They power a tourism economy that supports communities across our state.
But the experience visitors expect, and our communities depend on, doesn’t happen by accident. It depends on well-maintained trails, safe roads, reliable water systems and preserved historic structures. And for too long, those essentials have been strained by a growing backlog of deferred maintenance.
