SDDOT Seeks Public Comment on Draft Section 4(f) De Minimis Evaluation for Proposed Project on U.S. Highway 385 in Lawrence County

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Contact:
Chad Babcock, Environmental Manager, at 605-773-3721

LAWRENCE COUNTY, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has proposed a project to reconstruct a horizontal curve on U.S. Highway 385 located four miles south of U.S. Highway 85 in Lawrence County. Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 303) requires a special effort be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. In accordance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) implementing regulations found at 23 CFR Part 774, comments are being solicited regarding the effects this project would have on the Strawberry Hill picnic area and fishing pond, managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

The Strawberry Hill picnic area is considered a section 4(f) property because it is a public recreation area with attributes and features including a picnic area, fishing pond, and campground. The project will include the acquisition of a minor amount permanent easement and temporary easement on the Strawberry Hill picnic area by SDDOT for the intended purpose of straightening the horizonal curve on Highway 385. This requires additional permanent right-of-way to maintain appropriate right-of-way clearance throughout the corridor. The temporary easement is necessary to realign the entrance to Strawberry Hill picnic area. The proposed project will result in approximately one-third acre of permanent incorporation of the Strawberry Hill picnic area into a transportation facility (Highway 385). The proposed project will also result in approximately three and one-quarter acres of temporary easement which will last for the duration of the project. The minor amount of permanent incorporation will not adversely affect the recreational use or attributes and features of the picnic area.

The following measures to minimize harm will be incorporated into the plans as plan notes and as environmental commitments in the environmental document:

The contractor shall be required to closely coordinate the construction schedule with SDDOT and the USFS prior to the start of construction activities; and
Access to Strawberry Hill picnic area shall always be maintained during construction activities via flagging operations.

The SDDOT and the FHWA intend to make a section 4(f) de minimis impact finding regarding the effects of the proposed Highway 385 project on the Strawberry Hill picnic area. This finding is based upon the following assessment:

All possible planning to minimize harm has been incorporated into project development;
The nature and magnitude of changes will not adversely affect the recreational activities, features, or attributes that qualify the property for Section 4(f) protection; and
Proposed measures to minimize harm and resulting mitigation, in regard to protecting the Section 4(f) property and maintaining access and safety, are considered to be reasonable and acceptable.

The public is invited to review materials and comment on the draft section 4(f) de minimis evaluation at https://dot.sd.gov/doing-business/environmental/public-involvement/.

Public comments will also be accepted via email to chad.babcock@state.sd.us or by postal service to Chad Babcock, Environmental Manager, South Dakota Department of Transportation 700 E. Broadway Ave. Pierre, SD 57501. Public comment will be received through Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

For further information, please contact Chad Babcock, SDDOT Environmental Manager, at 605-773-3721.

About the SDDOT:
The mission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation is to provide a safe and efficient public transportation system.

Read more about the innovative work of the SDDOT at https://dot.sd.gov.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

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