A reprieve for The Little Missouri River!

A few weeks ago we asked BCA members and friends to write Secretary of Transportation Chao to urge her to deny funding to Billings County for their ill-conceived bridge across The Little Missouri State Scenic River. You answered the call with compelling, personal appeals - and your letters made a difference! Today we got word that Secretary Chao denied funding for Billings County's BUILD grant application. It was an unprecedented effort - it is rare for DOT to receive even a single letter opposing a grant application, but you rallied and Secretary Chao received many dozen letters imploring her to deny funding and preserve the integrity of The Little Missouri River and this part of the Badlands.

Billings County has had their sights on this bridge across The Little Missouri State Scenic River for years, and we don't expect that their failure to obtain federal funds will cause them to give up. In fact, Billings County Commissioner Jim Arthaud recently told Adam Willis that Billings County may pay for the bridge themselves if they are not awarded federal funding. (Adam wrote a really informative piece - I encourage you to read it here.) One thing is for sure: we at Badlands Conservation Alliance will be watching and we will be sure to keep you updated and let you know when we next need you to use your voice to help protect our beloved Badlands.

Thank you for using your voice - it made a difference!