The Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP) has sent out an action alert warning of a renewed danger facing Mato Paha, a sacred place of prayer to over thirty Indigenous Nations across the Plains.
Located eight miles southwest of Sturgis, South Dakota, Mato Paha is steadily being surrounded by bars, camping grounds and venues that will attract tens of thousands of people.
One of those venues, as you may already know, is the infamous Sturgis County Line, which runs adjacent to Mato Paha. The developer, one Mr. Jay Allen, once boasted that he plans to change the name to “Sacred Grounds,” and that he’ll provide “hundreds of acres to party… in a safe haven, free from a policed environment, that’s what I’m talking about! … over 150,000 s.f. of asphalt for semi-tractor trailors… 22,500 s.f. of… ice cold beer… kick-butt music & oh yea, hot hot women!”
After failing to obtain a liquor license for the venue – because of ‘character issues’ said the court – Sturgis County Line received a new owner. Target Logisitics, a multi-million dollar corporation.
Renaming it to the “Broken Spoke Campground”, the company recently announced they will be opening the location year-round, and plan to host biker events in June, July and August. They’ve also applied to the Meade County Commissioners for their own liquor license.
According to the action alert, which you will find below, the Meade County Commissioners will hold a hearing for the liquor license on Thursday, June 5th for the liquor license. Your letters are needed to help make sure the application NOT approved. Following the alert, there is a Sample letter you can send to the Commissioners.
For more information and updates on the Protection of Bear Butte, please visit www.ProtectBearButte.com or contact Tamra@ProtectSacredSites.org.
You can receive email updates for Bear Butte at info@ProtectBearButte.com – put “sign up for email updates” in the subject line.
The upcoming hearing for both NEW and renewal Malt Beverage applications will be held at Meade County Commissioners on Thursday, June 5th at 3:30 p.m.
We are requesting as many supporters as possible attend this hearing. It is important for both locals and Tribes with interest surrounding Bear Butte to attend this hearing, to voice your oppositions to this NEW license for Broken Spoke Campground, formally known as Sturgis County Line.
Many of you may already be aware, on April 14th, 2008 Jay Allen announced he was in the process of transferring Sturgis County Line, to Target Logistics Corporation dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC. Their new General Manager David Shoe has taken over the business. Target Logistics is a multi-million dollar corporation, that has the intent of expanding and further developing Broken Spoke Campground, adjacent to Bear Butte. They recently announced they would be opening the location year round, and will be hosting biker events in June, July and August.
This issue is more critical than ever, we need your support and your opposition letters!
Enclosed is a sample letter that can be sent to Meade County, just copy and paste it into a new email and send to the provided email address for Meade County. Or create your own letter, but PLEASE use the issues in bold as your focal points, suitability of location and character are the only two legal measures, for revocation or denial of new liquor licenses or renewals.
Please don’t forget to add your legal name and address in your emails, this will assure that your email is counted!
DEADLINE for letters is JUNE 4th at 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Here is a complete list of all renewals of establishments located directly around Bear Butte:
Iron Horse Campground, Richard Arneson, Tract D & E of BH Subdivision, lying in Tract W1/2 of Sec.
32, T6N, R6E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale;
Buffalo Chip Campground LLC. N1/2 NW1/4, NE1/4, Sec. 8, T5N, R6E, SW1/4, Sec.
4, T5N, R6E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale and Off-Sale SD Wine;
Bear Butte Creek Campground, Mary Hershey Lot 2 & 3, SE1/4NW1/4, S1/2NE1/4, less portion, Sec.
5, T5N, R6E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale;
Full Throttle Saloon & Campground LLC, Lot B of Brennon Subdivision of the NE1/4, Sec.
12, T5N, R5E, BHM, Meade County, SD, On-Off Sale;
Glencoe CampResort, Inc. d/b/a Double J Enterprises Glencoe Subtract B Lots 1 & 5, less 7 acres (2nd revision), Sec. 1, T5N, R5E, BHM; Lots 1 thru 5 S1/2NE1/4, Sec. 6, T5N, R6E, BHM; SE1/4NW1/4, less Tract A (2nd revision), Sec. 31, T6N, R6E, BHM; SE1/4SW1/4 Lot 4, Sec. 31, T6N, R6E, BHM; Lot 1 & 2, Sec. 36, T6N, R5E, BHM; less Govt. Lot 4; SE1/4 SW1/4, SW1/4 SE1/4, E1/2 NW1/4 SE1/4 of Sec. 31, T6N, R6E, BHM, E1/2 N1/2 of Govt. Lot 1 of Sec. 1, T5N, R5E, BHM, Govt. Lot 2 of Sec.
6, T5N, R6E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale;
Dragpipe Saloon LLC, N1/2SE1/4 Sec.
1, T6N, R5E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale;
Free Spirit Campground, LLC – W1/2SW1/4NE1/4 and N1/2NW1/4SE1/4, Section 18, Township 6 North, Range 6 East, BHM, Meade County, SD (retail on-off sale malt beverage).
Crazy Coyoteys LLC., Government Lot 6 in Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 5 East, of the BHM, Meade County, SD less Fritz Subdivision thereof.
– On-Off Sale;
Ride N Rest LLC., Lot 1 & Lot 2 BH Subdivision located in the SW1/4SW1/4 of Sec.
32, T6N, R6E, BHM, Meade County, SD – On-Off Sale;
Add Today’s Date: ____________
Attn: Meade County Auditor
Meade County Board of Commissioners
1425 Sherman Street
Sturgis, SD 67625
Via fax: 605-347-5925
via email: meade@meadecounty.orgDear County Commissioners:
I oppose the new application for a Malt Beverage liquor license application submitted by General Manager, David Shoe dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC. The proposed application is for a location that is unsuitable. I request that Meade County Commissioner’s deny the new application. Broken Spoken Campground, LLC formally known as Sturgis County Line, LLC lies within 2 miles North of the actual base of Bear Butte and threatens the natural and historic resources there.
The NEW Malt Beverage license application should be denied because the locations are not suitable. These large scale commercial developments invite noise and cumulative impacts of increased traffic and travel, which all stand to adversely impact the natural serenity and tranquility needed for cultural, ceremonial and other visitations to Bear Butte. They will also negatively impact the experience of people who enjoy the spiritual, cultural, and natural resources at Bear Butte.
The application should be denied on the basis that the applicants are not suitable characters to hold a beer and/or liquor license as proposed. The new application license for General Manager, David Shoe dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC should be denied based upon unsuitable character and misrepresentation. The new investors of Broken Spoke Campground, LLC, Target Logistics Corporation, have been made fully aware of the significance and protection for Bear Butte. Issues include, the unsuitability of this location, unacceptable noise and disturbance, that this location continues to cause, to those who travel to Bear Butte who need solitude and serenity. They fail to take into account local concerns of impacts to the spiritual, cultural, and natural resources at Bear Butte. Bear Butte is a place of prayer where the natural environment needs to be free from negative influences of alcohol that could affect religious beliefs and practices of those who travel from around the world to pray.
The new investors, Target Logistics Corporation, dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC have announced plans for additional development and expansions at Broken Spoke Campground. Their expansions include, opening all year round and hosting various rally events in June, July in addition to August. The loud noise and music from this location throughout the summer will directly effect, encroach upon and interfere with the experience of people who wish to pray and/or visit Bear Butte in seclusion. Many Native Nations and their member’s travel to Bear Butte to pray throughout the year. Bear Butte, a Historical Landmark and sacred site should be protected from the negative influences of beer, liquor and drugs.
I respectfully request for the Meade County Commissioners to DENY the new Malt Beverage license to General Manager, David Shoe and Broken Spoke Campground, LLC
Sincerely,
PLEASE INSERT YOUR full legal name
and address
Indigenous Peoples are putting their bodies on the line and it's our responsibility to make sure you know why. That takes time, expertise and resources - and we're up against a constant tide of misinformation and distorted coverage. By supporting IC you're empowering the kind of journalism we need, at the moment we need it most.
