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Custer State Park airport's future in question

Brent Duerre

The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission is looking for public comment on the future operation of the Custer State Park airport.

Custer State Park Airport is the only airport managed by Game, Fish and Parks and its future is in question.

GFP officials say the airport is not used by Wildland Fire, and offers no amenities typical of a municipal airport. That includes amenities like fuel, car rental, or on-site staff.

As a state property, the airport is not eligible for federal funding. That means the Department of Game, Fish and Parks would have to fund the project.

According to GFP, the airport would need a complete runway rebuild within seven years if improvements are not made soon.

The Custer County airport, which is 13 miles away, would continue to provide flight related services in its place.

South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks is seeking public input on the airport’s future for the next 60 days.

The public has until Sept. 29 to comment through the GFP public comment form. You can find that form here.

Evan Walton is an SDPB reporter based in Sioux Falls. Evan holds a Master’s in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 2015, where he served for five years as an infantryman.