This week in Ag Committee we had a report from Secretary Hepler, secretary of the Game Fish and Parks. He reported licenses from all hunting decreased in recent years. This is a nationwide trend that they are trying to address by providing from habitat, walk-in areas and game production areas. They have developed an online tracker for users of the programs.

He also addressed flooding at parks and recreational areas that destroyed bridges and a dam and damaged roads, trails, buildings and utilities. Flooding closed campsites and in 2020 the stage is set for additional flooding.

The GFP (Games, Fish and Parks Dept.) is working on the following items:

• Working aggressively in response to zebra mussel invading the Missouri River.

• GFP doing watercraft inspections and decontamination in the future.

• Emerald Ash Borer was detected in Sioux Falls in 2018. The education campaigns have been ramped up to reinforce the message to buy firewood where they burn it.

• Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk in more counties west of the Missouri River. New regulations have been adopted for both intrastate as well as interstate movement and disposal of carcasses for hunters processing facilities and taxidermists.

The good news is in 2019 the park system had 6.8 million visitations. 93% of the reviews rated theircamping experience as an “A”.

This past Thursday I was fortunate enough to have lunch with representatives from the Winner and Gregory papers. I would like to commend all the papers who provide information to constituents in District 21.

I visited with community support providers this week. I would like to note the favorable comments I have heard from fellow legislators regarding Community Connections. They are doing an outstanding job.

Several bills passed through the Senate this week, notably SB50 which will update the South Dakota laws to authorize CRNA’s to practice to the full extent of their education ad certification. This promotes anesthesia and chronic pain services in rural and underserved communities.

SB39 passed which establishes the South Dakota Jobs for America’s Graduates Program (JAG-SD). This has been a very successful with nearly 100% of the students who complete the program graduating from high school. Wagner School District has been using this program very successfully for the past 11 years. Todd County High School also has JAG program. There are businesses that wish to donate to help fund the program which is currently being funded by the individual schools with the program. The Dept. of Education will establish a fund and accept donations that will staff the program with a JAG director whose responsibility would be to coordinate and expand this very successful program.

I would also like to announce that I will be running for District 21 House or Representatives in 2020. Representative Qualm, Fink and myself will be conducting cracker barrels this Saturday, February 8. We will begin at Wagner Valley Pump from 9 to 10 a.m., 10:30 to 11:30 at Lake Andes Community Center, 1 to 2 p.m., at 44 Pizza in Platte, 3 to 4 p.m., at the Fire Hall in Burke and 5 to 6 p.m., at Statewide Ag in Winner.

I hope to see you at one of these meetings. Please call or email if you have any questions. District 21 Senator Rocky Blare rockyblare@gmail.com