to download the Pipestone National Monument 75th Edition.

16 – PIPESTONE COUNTY STAR THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012ON THE HORIZONBy Debra FitzgeraldThe future of Pipestone NationalMonument, like all properties within theNational Park System (NPS), depends uponfederal budget allocations.As the Monument celebrates its 75thanniversary, NPS cuts are pending tohelp balance the country’s budget deficit,according to Glen Livermont, Monumentsuperintendent.Parks budget five years out and for 2017,their budgets must project a 5 percentdecrease, Livermont said. Maintaining thenine full-time employees the Monumentemploys remains a priority for him.“We’ll function with whatever they giveus,” he said.Dependent upon its federal allocation as itis, the Monument nevertheless could be andwill be impacted by future developmentson the global, national, regional and localhorizons that exist outside budgetaryrealms.Below are a handful of those issues heldon the Monument’s radar as it heads intothe future.-Hunting in National Parks – Houselegislation was introduced this year thatcould open up the park system to hunting.While that bill has not gained ground, theallowance could be a part of the NationalPark System’s future. If that were to happen,Livermont said the hunts would be statemanaged,as hunts are now, with thestate in consultation with the Monumentdetermining allowances and limits. Deer,pheasant, and possibly turkey would bethe only game to hunt locally if it were everallowed.-Wind power – If an opportunity openedup for more wind farms surrounding theMonument, it wouldn’t necessarily havea positive impact on the natural resource,as the Monument’s viewshed could benegatively impacted by nearby windturbines.-Global climate change – “The rest of thepark land is pretty finite as it is,” Livermontsaid. “What it is now, that’s what it’s goingto be.” Though the area of Monument landmay not change much in the future “Twentyfiveto 50 years from now, this (climate) willbe different and how will that impact thetall grass prairie,” Livermont said. In orderto gain some understanding of the climaticfuture, the Monument is in the process ofwriting a request to the NPS to fund a globalclimate change impact study.“That study will tell us how the prairiewill change,” Livermont said – andconsequently the plants American Indiansuse for spiritual and medicinal value; theaccess to the quarries American Indiansneed to mine pipestone; and the culturallegacy of American Indians derived fromboth of those things.“Ultimately, this will help us bettermanage the resources for the public andthe American Indians,” said Mark Calamia,Monument cultural resources programmanager and tribal liaison.-Former Pipestone Indian TrainingSchool Superintendent’s house – Thoughthe structure and its land on the outskirts ofMinnesota West Community and TechnicalCollege is privately owned, the Monumenthas taken on some responsibility for thestructure in the form of a programmaticagreement signed between it and the StateHistoric Preservation Office. Talks arealso to be held in the near future with theprivate owner, who has offered to donatethe structure to the Monument. Thoughhistorically significant to the Monument,the National Park Service will consider manyfactors before deciding whether to acceptthe gift, Livermont said. Chief among thoseis the anticipated high costs to renovate thedilapidated building.Interpreting Continued from page 15Monument Guest Speaker SeriesThe Monument kicked off this seriesin June by hosting a talk given by AdamFortunate Eagle Nordwall, a former studentof the Pipestone Indian Training School andauthor of “Pipestone: My life at an IndianBoarding School.”The frequency of future guest talks has notbeen established, but will target speakerswho can generate and provoke thoughtand understanding about the AmericanIndian interest in the community, the park,its history and other cultural interestssignificant to the Monument and region.Historic Archeological StudyOn the wish list for future projects isan Historic Archeological Study of what’sknown as the “Pipestone Indian SchoolTrash Grounds” – the area where the formerIndian Training School would throw itstrash. Located on land owned by U.S. Fishand Wildlife, managed by the MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources andadjacent to Monument land, the studycould yield historic artifacts pertinent toMonument history.The study is not currently funded. Futureavenues of funding could be provided bygrants, or if a university or college chose thesite as an archeological field school.75 YEARSWay to go!JOBWELLDONE!Thank Youfor a great75 Years!Congratulations!THANK YOUfor all youhave done!CropProductionServices (507)825-5403www.pipestonemndentist.com www.titanmachinery.comCULLIGAN WATER CONDITIONING www.culliganswmn.comJct. Hwys. 23 & 75Pipestone, MN 56164507-825-2008