Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today encouraged South Dakotans to participate in United States Postal Service surveys on reduced retail hours at certain post office locations. Last year, the Postal Service proposed closing a number of rural post offices, but has since revised its plan and instead plans to reduce hours. Surveys are being mailed to affected zip codes.

“Many South Dakotans rely on rural post offices for prescriptions and other important deliveries, and I was pleased the Postal Service announced their intention to keep them open,” said Rep. Noem. “The Postal Service will be sending surveys by mail to areas that could be impacted by the changes in retail hours, and I encourage South Dakotans who receive them to participate.”

The surveys are a part of the Postal Service’s two-year evaluation process of its proposal to reduce hours at 13,000 post office locations. The evaluation will consist of a customer survey and a public meeting. No changes will be made until the meetings are complete. Surveys will be mailed to affected zip codes and available at post offices.

A complete list of Post Offices affected by the proposal is available at: http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/welcome.htm