By Monica Wepking, Editor The State of South Dakota has grant funding that will cover 89 percent of the cost of a tree belt according to Nick Stotz, Charles Mix County (CMC) Conservation District Manager. "Trees must be planted 150 feet from the center of a road," said Stotz. Stotz, who's office is located in the USDA Service Center in Lake Andes, was at the CMC Commission meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2009. He told the commissioners that this has been a tough year in that he hasn't been this low in trees in the 23 years he has been with the Conservation District. "Its not just this county, it's this way all over," said Stotz. He told the commissioners that he'll get an $18,000 grant next year through the Conservation Commission to cost share trees. In other county commission business the commissioners signed a letter written by Ron Gall, CMC Emergency Manager, to the Department of Public Safety regarding the upgrading of the South Dakota interoperable digital radio network. "We believe that the South Dakota Interoperable Digital Radio Network is a valuable asset to the communications of our county. It is used by law enforcement, ambulance services, and the fire departments. We understand that in 2015 there will no longer be support for the digital radio system." Presently Charles Mix County and Douglas County share a dispatch center located in Lake Andes. By a law passed in 2008, CMC is required to update the dispatch center with enhanced 911 equipment by July 1, 2010. If not, CMC will have to close the dispatch center. The cost of the enhanced 911 equipment is several hundred thousand dollars, according to Gall. Last week this newspaper announced that South Dakota Representative, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, announced that CMC 911 system would receive $100,000 for upgrades. After further checking this FY10 funding, which is included in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010, has only passed through the House of Representatives. The Senate has not approved the bill as of yet.