South Dakota Board on Geographic Names Appointed

Press Release

South Dakota Board on Geographic Names Appointed

Gov. Mike Rounds today announced the appointment of five members to the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names, which was created by the 2009 Legislature to recommend revision of offensive names for geographic places.

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"The process of changing offensive geographic names began with legislation in 2001, but some names that are offensive to people in South Dakota still remain and need to be replaced," Gov. Rounds said. "This new board will continue those efforts."

The board will meet at least once a year to consider issues related to geographical place names and make recommendations to the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies. Recommendations made in 2001 to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names resulted in several changes of offensive place names in 2008, but other names identified in 2001 have not been renamed.

Geographic names, words, or phrases that are considered harmful and insulting will be replaced with new names that will be used by all state and local agencies in South Dakota in future publications, maps, or other reference materials.

State Sen. Jim Bradford and Rep. Larry Lucas were the prime sponsors of the legislation that calls for the new board. The measure became law July 1.

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