The Proposals That Never Passed — And What They Reveal

The Bradley Bill was not the last serious attempt to find a legislative path toward some form of Black Hills resolution.

Various proposals have been discussed at different points — some focused on transferring federal lands, some focused on a combination of monetary compensation and land, some focused on establishing some form of sovereignty or co-management arrangement over federally held lands in the Hills.

None has succeeded.

The obstacles are multiple and interrelated.

Political opposition in South Dakota has been consistent and intense.