Journal editorial, 4-6: Preserving Bear Butte

By The Journal Editorial Board | Thursday, April 06, 2006

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The Meade County Commission unanimously approved a beer license for a proposed Sturgis rally bar and campground near Bear Butte on Tuesday. In doing so, commissioners ignored hundreds of demonstrators who marched outside the Meade County Courthouse, urging the commission to preserve the sanctity of Bear Butte, which is considered sacred ground by about 60 American Indian tribes.

Tuesday's outcome was predictable. The commission had no reason to deny Allen a beer license because it has approved other license applications under similar circumstances.

Allen bought the land north of Bear Butte with the intention of developing it into a destination for rally goers. Meade County zoning laws allow Allen to build his proposed Sturgis County Line bar, campground and concert stage about two and one-half miles north of Bear Butte despite the fact that many Indian tribes consider the mountain to be a sacred site.

Dean Wink was the only commissioner who spoke at Tuesday's meeting. He said he didn't think Meade County needed another biker bar, but "I have a problem deviating from the standards we've set down."

The Bear Butte International Alliance opposes Allen's plans because it is too close to Bear Butte and has called on Meade County to refuse beer and liquor licenses within seven miles of Bear Butte.

One way to preserve Bear Butte as a sacred site is to buy nearby land with the intention of keeping it as open space. Individuals and groups who want to preserve the area surrounding Bear Butte State Park from encroaching development can raise money and buy the land adjacent to the park, including Allen's property.

It's not so far-fetched an idea. Conservation groups such as Nature Conservancy buy land to prevent development. And just last month the Northern Cheyenne tribe purchased 36 acres west of Bear Butte to preserve it. The tribe, in fact, has been purchasing land around Bear Butte and now owns more than 750 acres surrounding the park.

Encroachment on Bear Butte will continue to be an issue in the future. Based on the hundreds of people who peacefully demonstrated against Allen's license application, Meade County officials ought to consider enacting zoning that would limit commercial development near the state park and respect the sanctity of Bear Butte.

There is plenty of land near Sturgis for biker bars, campgrounds and concert venues that won't encroach on Bear Butte. However, Allen has a right to use his land in a manner consistent with existing zoning laws, and the county commission had no legal basis to deny Allen a beer license. If groups want to protect Bear Butte from Allen's proposed Sturgis County Line bar, they can raise money and make Allen an offer he won't refuse.