National Park Service officials are working to see the Fourth of July fireworks display returned to Mount Rushmore National Memorial/NPS file
National Park Service officials are working to approve a plan to see the Fourth of July fireworks display return to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
The agency is seeking public reaction to the plan through March 20.
The event would include 15 to 30 minutes of fireworks and proximate pyrotechnics displays that would illuminate the sculpture’s carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Other types of performances would occur before the fireworks, such as music, speeches, and reenactments. A military flyover, depending on aircraft availability, may also occur.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt last May signed a memorandum with the governor of South Dakota to work together on returning the fireworks displays, which have not been conducted the past 11 years due to concerns they might spark wildfires in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest and the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.
"I share in President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt’s commitment to bringing back fireworks to this iconic American landmark,” said Rob Wallace, Interior's assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks. “We’re excited to continue working with the community and its leaders as we plan this celebration of our nation’s birth.”
Under the proposed action described in the environmental assessment, the NPS would permit the state’s Independence Day celebration, including a firework display and other entertainment, to be staged on July 3 at the memorial. Similar events could be permitted in future years if conditions remain the same and impacts are as described in the document.
Public information meetings will be held at the following times and locations:
Monday March 9, Rapid City Information Session
SDGFP (South Dakota Game/Fish/Parks) Outdoor Campus, West
4130 Adventure Trail, Rapid City, 57702
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10, Custer Information Session
Courthouse Annex, Pine Room, 420 Mount Rushmore Road, Custer SD 57730
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11, Keystone Information Session
Community Center Meeting Room, 1101 Madill St, Keystone SD 57751
4 p.m.– 6 p.m.
How to Comment
The preferred manner for providing comments is via an online form through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, used by the agency to manage official correspondence and analyze public comment in the planning process. From the project website (go.nps.gov/RushmoreFireworks), navigate the menu on the left-hand side of the page to “Open for Comment,” then open the “DO” folder. The green “Comment Now” button will take you to the online form.
Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
Superintendent
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 Highway 244, Building 31, Suite 1
Keystone, SD 57751
ATTN: Fireworks/EA
Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by March 30, 2020, to receive consideration.
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Comments
As usual, our Dear Leader's Administration ignores the science and the environment. Aside from the wildfire risk and the tremendous expense, (mostly Chinese) "fireworks create a toxic fog of fine particulates, poisonous aerosols and heavy metals":
https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2019/12/31/festive-fireworks-create-harmful-pall-of-pollution/#7c9061da2853
All for the boss I guess.
Are there adequate emergency exit routes and fire safety plans in the event that the fireworks get out of hand and the forest surrounding the park starts to catch fire? I know the actual area of Mount Rushmore isn't very condusive to a quick evacuation if it's jam packed full of people for the celebration.
Aren't there any adults left in the government to stop dangerous, bone-headed things such as this. You're putting the forest at risk and lives at risk. But what can you expect from the man who let coronavirus spread like wildfire in the United States where we now have 25% of the world's deaths from COVID-19 with only 4% of the world's population.
Andy Humm ---- I'm afraid your next opportunity for adult leadership will be in January.