ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

Month: November 2005

County Name: Brule

Largest City: Chamberlain

County Seat: Chamberlain

Population: 5,185

Founded: 1875

About Brule County:

Brule County, nestled along the Missouri River in central South Dakota, is home to the towns of Chamberlain, Kimball, and Pukwana. There are many legends about how the county got its name, but official records indicate that it was named after a band of Sioux Indians who lived in the region.

Brule County is also home to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, which is located in the town of Chamberlain. The Hall of Fame honors past and present outstanding South Dakotans in 15 different categories of recognition, including Athletics, Agriculture, Governmental Affairs, Historical, Indian Heritage, and Professional. South Dakotans inducted include well-known journalist, Tom Browkaw; Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart; artist Terry Redlin, who is known for his work depicting nature and American life; and Crazy Horse, the brave and generous Sioux Indian Warrior.

Brule County boasts several other interesting attractions, including the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, World Wildlife Adventures Museum and the Roam Free Park. With the Missouri River marking its western boundary, Brule County offers easy access for residents and visitors to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hunting, and fishing.

Tim���s Work for Brule County:

Tim recently visited Brule County to talk with local officials and community leaders in Chamberlain and Oacoma about economic development in the area and also to tour the communities. South Dakotans are Tim���s number one priority, and he greatly values hearing from and working with local community members and officials.

As South Dakota���s Senior Senator with a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tim is well-positioned to secure federal funding for projects that are important to the people of Brule County and across South Dakota. Several programs that Tim has helped secure funding for directly impact the lives of people in Brule County.

Missouri River Restoration

The Missouri River plays an important historical and present-day role in South Dakota, and especially in the counties that surround its banks. Throughout his time in Congress, Tim has worked to address health and safety issues with the river. Tim was able to help secure $500,000 in 2005 to address sedimentation issues and for restoration of the Missouri River.

Wildlife Control

Tim has helped provide federal funding for the Animal Damage Control Program within the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to continue to help South Dakotans offset the costs of damage associated with controlling predatory, nuisance, and diseased animals. The program provides vital assistance to South Dakotans who suffer damage to land, property, crops, or livestock cause by wildlife. This program is funded through a partnership involving county, state, and federal governments as well as license-buying sportsmen and women. The program received $750,000 from the federal government in both 2004 and 2005.

Enhancing Local Infrastructure

Tim helped secure $1.49 million in the 2005 Agriculture Appropriations bill, and $1.5 million in the 2004 bill for the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority, which helps coordinate transportation, infrastructure, and other projects that are important for economic development throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.

Keeping South Dakota Communities Safe

Technology plays an ever-greater role in the fight against crime, and radios, mobile data computers, and dash-mounted video cameras can help to negate the disadvantages that rural law enforcement officers often face. Tim helped secure $1.5 million for cities and counties in South Dakota to invest in the modern technology. In 2004, the South Dakota Sheriff���s Association and the South Dakota Police Chief���s Association requested funding to upgrade communications equipment, computers, and other crime-fighting technologies, and Tim helped get $250,000 for the project.