Sturgis business owner fights to save legacy trees - KOTA Territory News
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They're some of the oldest living things in the town of Sturgis and now those who live there say a multi-million dollar road resurfacing project is threatening to tear them down.
Now one business owner is taking on the department of transportation to save the trees on his property.
Sturgis Motor Company owner Faraz Farrokhi appreciates the patient beauty
of nature, especially as he's seen it everyday for 10 years on his own
property.
"It takes decades for a tree to reach maturity, and its simply not replaceable. You can't replant a tree and expect it to reach its
growth and maturity in your lifetime," said Farrokhi.
As part of a highway repaving project, the DOT has their sights set on tearing down Farrokhi's trees to make a centralized entrance to the business.
"As a property owner I'm offended the South Dakota Department
of Transportation wants to tear down
three 70 year old trees to move the drive way 30 feet," said Farrokhi.
"I think the traffic safety concerns are important, the question is at what cost," said Katie Thompson, a Sturgis Attorney.
Last year the DOT filed legal action against Farrokhi to get these trees torn down. They declined our request for a comment.
"Cutting them down and making it an approach that says-'We
really are a rally town, we don't' care about trees or beautification, make
it all asphalt!'" said Jay Fields, a Lazelle St business owner.
A Meade county Judge will decide the fate of these trees
next week, and people who live in Sturgis hope 70 years of nature's hard work
prevails.
"Its very upsetting to some people are around here, trees
help make the black hills beautiful,"said Thompson.
A hearing on the trees fate will be held on Thursday September 6th at the Meade county courthouse.
For more information, please visit: www.SayNOtoSDDOT.com
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518 St. Joseph St.
Telephone: 605.342.2000 
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