Call to Action: Non-Meandered Waters Input Needed

Dear South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA) Members:

As you may know, a legislative summer study committee has met twice to discuss the issue of flooded private property. They are seeking to address the ambiguity that currently exists regarding the public’s right to public water over private property, specifically non-meandered water bodies (lakes that didn’t meet the criteria to be “meandered” during the original survey of the state). There is some discussion of a special legislative session in the coming days to address this issue, so time is of the essence in making our voices heard.

SDSA supports landowner’s property rights on flooded private property. We urge legislators to recognize and protect the rights of property owners of flooded private land in their effort to develop legislation that serves all interested parties. This is where we need your input. If you are in an area impacted by this issue, please complete the following survey.

You may also send your thoughts and responses on this issue to Adam Kask at the SDSA office no later than noon on Tuesday, May 23 so we may compile your responses and present them to the summer study committee the following day. Email your response to akask@sdsoybean.org, or call the office at 605.330.0278.

Thank you for your time and effort on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Jerry Schmitz
SDSA President, Vermillion SD

This blog post is brought to you by the South Dakota Soybean Association.