To the Editor:

We spent Feb 20-21, at the capitol in Pierre. We farm in eastern S.D., and as landowners, we were interested in Senate Bill 201.

We have been called a vocal minority, but as more residents realize the dire consequences these bills have on our state and our rights–the group is growing larger and louder. Some straight-shooting lawmakers are learning more and seeing what’s really going on here.

The arrival of Summit has had dire consequences and caused a rift among farmers. Advocacy groups don’t speak for all producers. Many legislators have lost credibility with constituents with antics that have gone on to prioritize the radical requests for one company over the rights and at the risk of the people of South Dakota.

We must tune into what’s going on in Pierre and the laws, powers and rights that are being sacrificed to give a false ‘certainty’ to a company that simply does not want to work within our current rules and regulations. What happened to S.D. values, where people have rights, local government has the power to plan and protect, and the people have a voice?

The Senate tried to pass a bill that would silence the voice of the people and their right to vote on it by using the emergency clause. While the emergency clause didn’t have the 2/3 vote to pass, it’s important for the voters to know the lengths and inappropriate uses of laws that are being used to prioritize a company at the expense of the people.

This bill is the first step in losing our rights to govern ourselves locally. Senate Bill 201 takes away all the authority of the county and townships in regards to all pipelines. Our local government is being threatened. What will they try to take away next?

Arny Erickson and Kay Burkhart
Valley Springs