Several day-use comfort stations and vault toilets will be closed at the Good Soldier Day Use Boat Ramp, North Shore Beach Day Use Boat Ramp, Old Fort Thompson and Left Tailrace in South Dakota. The Oahe Visitor Center and Fort Randall Visitor Centers will be fully closed and powerhouse tours are being suspended at Oahe, Big Bend and Fort Randall. (KCCR Radio)
If you have ever boated, fished, camped or hiked in our beautiful national forests or campgrounds, you know what vault toilets are. They are the usually well-maintained outdoor toilet stations in our recreation areas. This is happening nationwide just in time for our summer vacations and getaways.
In a state that measures tourism as one of its top five industries, its mind-boggling that our Republican congressional leaders have decimated the parks system budget. With 15 million visitors to South Dakota spending over $5 billion just last year, how is it that Thune, Rounds, and Johnson are mute on the proposed cut of over $1 billion for the national park system? It could result in more than a 75% reduction, wiping out budget and staffing for 350 national park units. (NPCA.org)
If thats not enough, how about our neighbors around the world who are planning vacations to the USA? Canadians, angered at Republican threats to make it our 51st state and impose tariffs on a trading partner, are boycotting travel to the U.S. Travel advisories issued by Germany, UK, and elsewhere in Europe could result in a $120 billion hit to the travel sector. These three countries accounted for 56 percent of the 77.7 million international tourist arrivals in 2024. (Newsweek)
Make no mistake, our republican congressional delegation is responsible. We only have three people representing our interests in Washington, D.C. Last year, international visitors contributed $81 million to South Dakotas economy.
Apparently, our delegation all agree that our communities, hotels, restaurants and retail dont need that money.
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