SDDOT Seeks Public Comment on Draft Section 4(f) De Minimis Evaluation for Proposed Project on S.D. Highway 28 in Hamlin County

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026

Contact:

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

HAMLIN COUNTY, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has proposed to reconstruct S.D. Highway 28 in Hamlin County from 192nd Street east of Lake Poinsett to 1.2 miles west of Estelline. 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 on the effects this project would have on the Almos and Outlet Addition Game Production Area.

To realign Highway 28 to the south and to reconfigure 192nd Street as a “T” intersection with Highway 28, the project would permanently incorporate approximately 1.53 acres of right-of-way and temporarily occupy approximately 3.40 acres under construction easements on the Almos and Outlet Addition Game Production Area (GPA). The GPA is approximately 88.74 acres, owned and managed by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).

The activities, features, and attributes that qualify the GPA for Section 4(f) protection include public hunting, boat ramp access to Lake Poinsett, and other recreation such as bird watching and photography.

FHWA intends to make a Section 4(f) de minimis impact finding regarding the effects of the proposed improvements on the Almos and Outlet Addition GPA.

The following measures to minimize harm will be incorporated into the project plans and environmental documentation:

• Approximately 0.75 acre of existing highway right-of-way adjacent to the Almos and Outlet Addition GPA on the north side of SD 28 would be abandoned and become part of the GPA. South Dakota Department of Transportation Better Lives Through Better Transportation

• The approach to the designated parking area located between Station 27+00 and 28+00 will be replaced in-kind, and the SDDOT Project Engineer will coordinate with the SDGFP Habitat Program Administrator during construction regarding the replacement of existing posts to demarcate the parking area.

SDGFP Habitat Program Administrator

Ryan Wendinger

605-362-2709

Ryan.Wendinger@state.sd.us

• Access to the Almos and Outlet Addition GPA will be maintained at all times during construction at either of the GPA’s access points located at North Lake Drive (Station 12+85R) and Station 27+40R. Signs will alert GPA users to construction activities, access restrictions, and closures.

• The staging and/or storage of construction equipment or materials shall not take place outside proposed construction limits that are within the defined boundaries of the 4(f) property.

The GPA and its recreational and wildlife attributes were examined during project development. All possible planning to minimize harm has been incorporated into the project, and these measures are expected to ensure no adverse effects on the protected activities, features, or attributes associated with the Almos and Outlet Addition GPA.

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 Wednesday, Nov. 18, 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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