Noem wants to bring back the July 4 fireworks on Mount Rushmore

Fireworks explode above the Mount Rushmore National Monument during an Independence Day event attended by President Donald Trump in Keystone, S.D., on July 3, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

While the skies over Mount Rushmore won’t be lit up with fireworks, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is optimistic for the next year.

The governor requested that the U.S. National Park Service refuse to grant his request the last two years. Noem stated, however that they would not be discouraged .”

“As Americans across the country prepare to celebrate Independence Day, no one has allowed them to attend Mount Rushmore National Memorial, our nation’s iconic symbol of freedom. Noem stated in a statement that they have submitted a request for 2023 and will continue to ask the Biden Administration to work with us to give people what they deserve. We have requested 2023 from the Biden Administration and we will keep asking them to help us give people the celebration .”

they deserve.

The NPS stated in a March Letter that fireworks could cause damage to the park and disrupt activities.

The light display also poses a danger to wildfire risk, NPS officials stated in a letter.

“Additionally a fireworks event would likely require dedicated transportation for the visitors, as occurred in 2020,” NPS officials said in their denial letter. In their denial letter, NPS officials stated that in the case of emergency evacuations would be difficult and could pose safety risks to participants. According to current trends, COVID has not been a reason for denying the permit. It remains a source of uncertainty.”

Officials stated that fireworks could also disrupt NPS programs.

The first fireworks in more than a decade happened at Mount Rushmore in 2020. Noem called Mount Rushmore the “best place in America for celebrating our nation’s birth” in March, and criticised President Joe Biden.

“Last Year, President Obama held a Washington, D.C. fireworks display while denying us our event.” The governor stated.

By Kim Jarrett