PIERRE - The South Dakota Legislature will decide if it should be illegal to sell alcohol in the shadow of Bear Butte, a mountain that is sacred to Native Americans.

A bill that has been introduced in the state House would prohibit the issuance of liquor and beer licenses within 1 mile of Bear Butte State Park.

HB1309 would make an exception, however, for any business within Sturgis city limits at the time the measure would become law.

Native Americans have long complained about biker bars and rowdy campgrounds that are increasingly encroaching upon Bear Butte to serve the hundreds of thousands who come each year for the Sturgis motorcycle rally.