Tuesday,  July 10, 2012 • Vol. 12--No. 362 • 22 of 34 •  Other Editions

(Continued from page 21)

likely will start early next year and take up to six months to complete, he said.
• The eight members of the appointed Game, Fish and Parks Commission also will submit their ideas.
• Glodt said he hopes the study will give the public trust and confidence that the Wildlife Division is doing a good job in researching and managing wildlife. The cost of the study depends on its scope, but a similar study in neighboring Wyoming cost between $100,000 and $150,000, he said. Funds from the Wildlife Division would likely be used to pay for the review, he said.
• Johnson noted that the Wildlife Division often deals with controversial issues that lead to a split in public opinion. He said Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Jeff Vonk suggested the study during a discussion with officials in the governor's office.
• With a growing population of mountain lions in the Black Hills in recent years, the

division has been under pressure to increase the number of hunting licenses for mountain lions because some hunters believe the cats are devastating the population of elk and deer. Other groups believe too many mountain lions are being shot.
• Chris Hesla, director of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation, which represents hunters and anglers, said he supports the study.
• "I think any review of any department is a good thing," Hesla said.
• Glodt said wildlife agencies in other states routinely go through such reviews, but no review has been done in South Dakota for about two decades.
• Barry Jensen, a commission member from White River, said businesses routinely analyze their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats they face, but he was unsure what the review of the Wildlife Division would include.
• "It seems a little cloudy to me where we're going," Jensen said.
• Johnson said the review's scope is purposely vague at this point because its focus will be set by issues the public identifies as important.
• Glodt said the results of the review will be made public.

Emergency rules allow sale of 85-octane gasoline

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota is allowing the sale of 85-octane gasoline under emergency rules implemented Monday by the state Department of Public Safety.
• Officials say a public hearing will be held July 20 to discuss permanent rules for sale of the product, which is illegal under state law.

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