PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — What to do about Lake Hiddenwood State Recreation Area north of Selby in north central South Dakota?

That was one of the topics the Joint Appropriations Committee dealt with Friday.

However, the committee decided not to provide any additional funding for the state recreation area despite a contingent of supporters coming to the hearing from Walworth County.

SB153 would have provided $3.75 million in state funds to improve and repair infrastructure at the recreation area.

A major flood hit the recreation area in 2018, removing the earthen dam and draining the lake. The location was closed until 2022. The state has not replaced the dam, and the lake remains unfilled.

The Lake Hiddenwood Foundation has raised and spent private funds to improve the park. An amendment that would have attempted to give the park to the foundation failed. Members from the foundation said most of them were over 60 years old and didn’t have the time or money to take on such a project.

One of the legislators said the department would not be able to give the site to the foundation but would have to sell it at market price. The amendment failed.

The committee voted 11 to 7 to send SB153 to the 41st legislative day, killing the measure.

So, for the 2024 legislative session, what to do about bringing Lake Hiddenwood State Recreation Area back to its former attributes will have to wait for at least another year.