PIERRE — A waterfowl refuge near Pierre will not be expanding. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission followed a recommendation not to expand the Missouri River Waterfowl Refuge from Peoria Flats to the south tip of Farm Island last week. G-F and P Wildlife Director Tom Kirschenmann says expanding the refuge would limit hunting opportunities…
Commissioner Charles Spring of Union Center says expanding the refuge is a move in the wrong direction…
Commissioner Robert Whitmyre of Webster says the significant public testimony on the refuge surprised him…
Many on the Commission say the amount of public comment opposing the plan influenced their desire to reject the plan. The Commission unanimously rejected the petition to expand the refuge area.