PIERRE, S.D. (KELO AM) Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) on Monday urged a Special Session of the State Legislature to approve a compromise that will reopen dozens of lakes to recreational use.
"Let it be said that we came together, landowners and sportsmen, town and country, East River and West River, Republicans and Democrats, to finally, finally, solve this problem." declared the Governor in his speech to a joint session of lawmakers.
He said that the 'Open Waters Compromise' balances the rights of recreational use with the rights of property owners.
For decades, South Dakota has been dealing with the murky status of these non-meandered waters, lakes and ponds that were created by snowmelt, heavy rains, and seepage and then never went away. The State Supreme Court told the State Legislature to find a compromise and a special group of lawmakers met for months to come up with the bill.