PIERRE - A buffer zone to protect Bear Butte from noise and development was rejected Wednesday by a legislative committee.

Lakotas had proposed the zone, saying Bear Butte was held sacred by more than 30 tribes. Elder Joe American Horse told the House Commerce Committee, "We've got to somehow retain our culture and our way of life."

In recent years, campgrounds, bars and concert venues catering to the Sturgis motorcycle rally have encroached on Bear Butte.

HB1309 would have established a one-mile zone around Bear Butte State Park, in which no beer or liquor licenses would be sold. "Look at that little circle," said Rep. Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge, who sponsored the bill. "Look at all the land that's outside of that. There's plenty of Sturgis rally."

Bear Butte is a state park, and Bradford said the buffer zone would affect only a small amount of private property. He called the bill "a respect thing."

However, Meade County officials and business owners cited private-property rights.

Kirk Chaffee, director of equalization for Meade County, said a survey of local landowners showed that an overwhelming majority opposed the buffer zone.

Rod Woodruff, owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground, said establishing a buffer zone around Bear Butte would set a precedent for buffer zones around sacred sites throughout the Black Hills and even around the entire Black Hills, which the Lakota also consider sacred.

Rep. Brian Dreyer, R-Rapid City, said, "There's such a thing as landowner rights." He said people who wanted to create a buffer should buy the land to do it.

Rep. Dan Ahlers, D-Dell Rapids, offered an amendment to reduce the buffer to a half-mile. "It is about respect," he said.

The committee rejected the amendment and the bill, sending it to the 36th legislative day. In a 35-day session, that kills the measure.

Contact Bill Harlan at 394-8424 or bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com