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South Dakota

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

South Dakota is the 16th largest state in the U.S. in land area, 5th smallest in population, and 5th least densely populated. Approximately 78 percent of South Dakota's population and jobs, and just under 100 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 98 percent of South Dakota's roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to 6 percent of the state's land area.

South Dakota is a slowly growing state, as measured by population, with a moderately growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs that are in the uniquely rural agriculture sector is more than most other states (16 percent) while the portion in the mining sector is small (1 percent). Most jobs in South Dakota's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (11 percent); manufacturing (10 percent); business & trade (25 percent); and services & government (37 percent).

Demographically, South Dakota's non-urban population is predominately white (90 percent) and Native American (8.3 percent). The proportion of South Dakota's non-urban adult population who did not graduate from high school ranks in the middle, compared to other states, while the proportion that did graduate from college is the 12th lowest. The 17 percent of South Dakota's non-urban population who are poor is larger than in most other states. About 46 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (31 percent 18 years or younger, and 16 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, South Dakota is complex. Although the state has 66 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states, it also has 309 municipalities and 956 towns or townships, for a total of 1,265 sub-county divisions. This is the 11th highest number of sub-county governments among all states. South Dakota also has nine federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 25 independent, special-purpose governments in South Dakota that have transportation responsibilities. This number is lower than in many other states. These special-purpose governments include 24 for highways and one for airports. South Dakota also has 17 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional eight organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

South Dakota has 5 regional councils that cover approximately 70 percent of the state, and 2 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments and play a role in rural transportation programs as described below.

Of South Dakota's 83,299 miles of roads, approximately 10 percent are state-controlled, while less than 3 percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 10 percent are state, 45 percent are county, 43 percent are township, and 2 percent are municipal and other. Although South Dakota's state controlled roads amount to 10 percent of the road mileage, these state roads carry 70 percent of the state's traffic.

Processes For Consultation And Cooperation With Local Officials In Non-Metropolitan Areas

Transportation planning by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is overseen by the State Transportation Commission. The state is divided into four transportation regions, with representatives from each region on the Commission. SDDOT prepares a Statewide Intermodal Long Range Plan, a 5-year STIP, and other corridor and modal plans. Planning for the long-range plan and the STIP is conducted together through a variety of formal and informal methods. Only minor changes had to be made to the old planning process to conform to ISTEA requirements.

Early in the yearly planning process, SDDOT receives input from many sources, including special meetings with transportation stakeholders. These stakeholders include, but are not limited to, local governments and elected officials, MPOs, BIA and Tribes, and federal agencies. Additionally, many stakeholders receive invitations to SDDOT's planning meetings, again including local elected officials as well as representatives of the Association of South Dakota Counties and the Municipal League, airport providers, rail interests, transit providers, and Tribes. During this process, opportunities, problems and issues are identified for action. As part of the yearly budget process, local elected officials provide SDDOT with a list of transportation needs and projects for systems under their jurisdiction. Planners or funds from SDDOT often assist counties and non-MPO municipalities to develop transportation plans; most local governments cannot afford to hire transportation planners.

Additionally, SDDOT meets with the five planning districts or councils of government that include much of the state. (Elected officials from rural areas within MPO boundaries serve on the MPO policy and advisory committees and participate in MPO meetings.) SDDOT also participates in the South Dakota Coordinated Transportation Initiative Task Force, which is the coordination group for state agencies dealing with transit. Coordination and communication with local governments are also conducted on an on-going, ad-hoc basis around specific issues.

After the various meetings and several other analysis (e.g. statewide interstate inspection and the staff review of resurfacing needs), SDDOT reviews funding availability and develops a tentative list of projects. This list is multi-modal and includes all projects to be implemented, assuming expected funding is obtained. The priorities on the state system are developed with the aid of a computer program that considers several factors in evaluating need. The local governments develop their priorities for projects under their jurisdiction. The order of the priorities can only be changed by the Transportation Commission, which must approve the tentative list.

After many informal meetings have occurred, formal public meetings are held to allow review and to receive comments on the project list. These meetings are held in each of the state's four transportation regions and again major stakeholders are invited, including local and Tribal governments, planning districts, MPOs, airport providers, rail interests, transit agencies, and public and private agencies. Once the public comment period is closed, the Transportation Commission meets to consider the comments, make changes, and approve the final project list.

The Statewide Intermodal Long Range Transportation Plan guides this process and every five years or so the plan is drafted, goes through public review, and is approved along with the STIP. The plan is also updated when sufficient change in the transportation system has occurred to warrant an update. Among other things, the long-range plan explains the coordination process for the modal plans, including air, rail, and transit. Throughout the process, land development and economic issues, especially highway access, are considered. SDDOT coordinates with local development corporations, chambers of commerce and booster groups. However, the state does not have jurisdiction over land use planning issues. Land use is controlled by local governments.

Rural transportation is financed through federal, state and local funds. A portion of STP funds, as well as bridge funds, is shared with the cities and counties and programmed by these local entities. The counties' share is based on a formula that includes land acreage, population and road miles. Of the STP funds, counties receive about 20 percent. In addition, the State sub-allocates fifty percent of its federal bridge funds to local governments. SDDOT replaces federal funds with state funds at a 90 percent exchange rate, at local government request, to make funding more flexible for local jurisdictions. Transportation fund sharing among governments is carefully studied and balanced by the state legislature.

South Dakota uses these practices:

State Processes to Compile Transportation Needs: Initial meetings with stakeholders seem to meet this definition. Also, local governments provide needs lists to SDDOT.
State Hearings: Five "meetings" are held statewide to obtain comments on the draft STIP and also on the existing long-range plan.
State Processes for Interactive Exchanges of Views with Local Officials: Coordination on specific issues is ongoing; the initial meetings may be informal enough to meet this criterion also.
Allocation of Transportation Funds and Responsibilities: Twenty percent of STP funds and fifty percent of the bridge funds are programmed at the county and city level.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: South Dakota Transportation Commission; South Dakota Coordinated Transportation Initiative Task Force, South Dakota State Railroad Board, South Dakota Aeronautics Commission.
Other Practices: Coordination and communication is ongoing around specific issues; stakeholders are invited to SDDOT planning meetings.

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