2018 South Dakota Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Prepared By Department of Game, Fish and Parks Division of Parks and Recreation South Dakota Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2018 Dennis Daugaard Governor Kelly Hepler Secretary Department of Game, Fish and Parks Katie Ceroll Director Division of Parks and Recreation Acknowledgements This report was made possible through the contributions of the following persons: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Al Nedved Assistant Director, Division of Parks and Recreation Nancy Hoines Division Staff Specialist, Division of Parks and Recreation Randy Kittle Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Coordinator, Division of Parks and Recreation Dr. Cynthia Longmire Human Dimensions Specialist, Division of Administration Nikholai O’Hara GIS Specialist, Division of Wildlife Tim Olson Wetlands Habitat Biologist, Division of Wildlife South Dakota State University (SDSU) Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences Hung-Ling (Stella) Liu, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Sport and Recreation Management Paige E. O’Farrell Undergraduate Research Assistant, Sport and Recreation Management Jason Mehlhaf Master’s Candidate, Sport and Recreation Studies A special thank you is extended to Dr. Liu and her students with the SDSU Sport and Recreation Management program for their diligent work in creating, distributing and analyzing the survey data vital to understanding the needs and priorities of both the providers of outdoor recreation and the members of the public who may participate in South Dakota outdoor recreation opportunities. Thank you, also, to the South Dakota Park and Recreation Association, the South Dakota Municipal League and the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners for their assistance in distributing the provider survey, and to the many cities, counties and other community organizations who both completed the provider survey and assisted in distributing the public survey to their residents. 2018 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... i.1 WHAT IS THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN? .......................................................................................................................................... i.1 WHAT IS THE HISTORY BEHIND THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND? ....... ..i.2 WHY IS OUTDOOR RECREATION IMPORTANT? .......................................................................... i.3 HOW WAS THE PUBLIC INVOLVED IN THE SCORP? .................................. .................................i.4 WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE SCORP INCLUDE?............................................... .......... .........i.6 CHAPTER 1 SOUTH DAKOTA OVERVIEW .................................................................................... 1.1 THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA .................................................................................................. 1.3 THE INDUSTRY OF SOUTH DAKOTA ............................................................................................. 1.7 THE LAND OF SOUTH DAKOTA .................................................................................................... 1.10 OUTDOOR RECREATION PROVIDERS ......................................................................................... 1.11 Federal Agencies .............................................................................................................................. 1.11 State Agencies .................................................................................................................................. 1.13 Tribal Governments .......................................................................................................................... 1.14 Municipal Governments ................................................................................................................... 1.14 County Governments ........................................................................................................................ 1.15 Institutional Providers ....................................................................................................................... 1.15 Private Providers and Outdoor Recreation Organizations ................................................................ 1.15 OUTDOOR RECREATION PREFERENCES .................................................................................... 1.16 Public Survey Respondent Data ....................................................................................................... 1.16 Provider Survey Respondent Data .................................................................................................... 1.39 Comparison Analysis: Providers vs. the Public ................................................................................. 1.45 CHAPTER 2 OUTDOOR RECREATION CHALLENGES ............................................................... 2.1 Challenge: Population Shifts .................................................................................................................. 2.3 Challenge: Elderly Population ............................................................................................................... 2.4 Challenge: Both Parents Working ......................................................................................................... 2.5 Challenge: Low Incomes ........................................................................................................................ 2.5 Challenge: High Obesity and Inactivity Rates ....................................................................................... 2.6 Challenge: Winter .................................................................................................................................. 2.7 Challenge: Technology........................................................................................................................... 2.7 Challenge: Fears of the Outdoors .......................................................................................................... 2.7 Challenge: Universal Accessibility ........................................................................................................ 2.8 Challenge: Time ..................................................................................................................................... 2.8 Challenge: The Need for More ............................................................................................................... 2.9 Challenge: Communication .................................................................................................................... 2.9 Challenge: Priorities and Funding ...................................................................................................... 2.10 CHAPTER 3 OUTDOOR RECREATION STRATEGIES ................................................................. 3.1 Strategy #1 – Provide and promote year around, diverse outdoor recreation opportunities for South Dakotans of all ages, interests, economic status and ability. ........................................... 3.4 Strategy #2 – Maintain and improve existing park and recreation areas, open spaces and facilities for outdoor recreation opportunities ...................................................................................... 3.7 Strategy #3 – Acquire and protect South Dakota's open space and natural resources for future outdoor recreation opportunities ................................................................................................... 3.8 Strategy #4– Protect and improve the state's fish and wildlife habitat for outdoor recreation opportunities .................................................................................................................... 3.9 Strategy #5– Educate, promote and improve communications related to outdoor recreation opportunities .................................................................................................................. 3.11 Strategy #6– Be a compelling voice for action when it comes to making outdoor recreation a priority in people's choices to improve their health and lifestyle.................................................... 3.12 CHAPTER 4 SOUTH DAKOTA WETLANDS COMPONENT ....................................................... 4.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 4.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE ....................................................................................................................... 4.4 AUTHORITY ......................................................................................................................................... 4.4 COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION ........................................................................................ 4.4 ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 4.4 Inventory ............................................................................................................................................. 4.4 Protection ...........................................................................................................................................