Local News

Shooting range near Bear Butte canceled

By Bill Cissell, Journal Staff Writer | Saturday, January 10, 2004

STURGIS — Sturgis Industrial Expansion won't be building a gun range near Bear Butte north of Sturgis.

In documents filed in federal court Friday, the development group and the city of Sturgis asked the court to dismiss lawsuits filed over the location of the shooting range.

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The proposed $900,000 Black Hills Sportsman's Complex came under fire, and the suits were filed by American Indian tribes and a grassroots group of citizens called the Defenders of the Black Hills.

The court documents say Sturgis Industrial Expansion voted at a special meeting Jan. 7 to abandon plans to build the shooting range.

The suits was filed by the tribes and the citizens group because they said the range, four miles north of Bear Butte State Park — a religious site for many Indian tribes — would disturb religious ceremonies that take place on Bear Butte.

The tribes and the citizens group also claimed that a $825,000 Community Development Block Grant given to the city and turned over to the development group didn't meet federal guidelines.

A separate investigation determined that allegation to be true, and the money was returned to the state.

Sturgis Mayor Mark Zeigler said that without the federal funds, the scope of the project might change. He said that the city and the development corporation might consider a world-class indoor range.

Contact Bill Cissell at 394-8412 or e-mail bill.cissell@rapidcityjournal.com

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