State Senator Troy Heinert (Left) and Governor Kristi Noem (Right)

CREDIT: SDLRC

An effort to block the merger of two state departments has failed.  
 
Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order in January proposing the merger of the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  
 
Democratic Sen. Troy Heinert, of Mission, tried to stop it. But his bill came up one vote short in the Senate. His attempt to have the bill reconsidered also failed.  
 
Supporters of the merger say it will cut red tape for farmers and ranchers. Opponents say it will lessen the state’s focus on environmental regulation.  
 
Heinert says it could also erode services for South Dakotans.  
 
“I think ag is important. Ag deserves its own department," Heinert said. "I also believe that DENR is equally as important, and it deserves to have its own department.”  
 
Without further legislative action, the merger will take effect next month, 90 days after Noem signed the executive order. 

To learn more about the history of South Dakota's Departments of Agriculture and Environment & Natural Resources, watch here: