Badlands National Park Management

Oglala Sioux Tribe member Chuck Jacobs is one of the members of the core planning team working with Badlands National Park officials on federal legislation that would turn management of the South Unit of the park over to the tribe.  If legislation is approved, the South Unit would become the first tribally-run national park in the country.  The proposal has sparked controversy on the reservation after tribal ranchers were notified last fall that their grassland leases were being revoked in preperation for the reintroduction of bison on the South Unit.  Earlier this week, Oglala Sioux Tribe Chief Judge Mary Wayne reserved three weeks beginning July 28th to consider two separate petitions from landowners asking her to stop the council from cancelling grazing leases and expanding the South Unit by condemnation.  Jacobs was joined on Dakota Midday by Badlands National Park Superintendent Eric Brunnemann.