WSPC04680

• File Number: 8040.950
• Description: Section D General Studies-General Water Studies
• Date: 11/23/1983
• Title: Report on River Conservation Programs in the 50 States-Working Draft-Prepared for National Association of State River Conservation Programs
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

002.470

SOUTH DAKOTA

South rakota passed the water Resources hanagement Act in 1972, which
requires tra t the Sta te Ha ter Plan include procedures for establishing a sta te
system of wild, scenic, and recreational rivers. In the act, responsibility for
coordina ting tr,e program was assigned to the Eoard of Na tural Resource
Developmen t.

.

Volume I of the State .Iater Plan (1977) provides for three classes of
rivErs - Ilild, Scenic and Recreational. New structures and public works will
only be permitted if they are in keeping ,nth tbe objectives of the progra~, and
will have no adverse effects on tre values for which the rivers was included in
tne system.

'"

To date, there rave been no designations to the system and only one river
has been studied for possible inclusion. Volume IV of the State Water Plan
(1978), prepared by tne Department of llildlife, Parks and forestry, cites
several problems with tr,e program. Tne major problem addressed is that the
Board of Natural Resources Development is not the proper agency to coordinate
tne program. It is held that tne Board is responsible for developing natural
resources and tnerefore has inherent conflic t of interest "hen called upon to
preserve natural resources.

In addition, tee Water Resource hanagement Pet states that "...no flowing
body of water shall be considered a wild, scenic or recreational river unless it
bas a sufficient quantity of water to support a year-round game fish
population;..." (SCLL 46-171.-1(9)). Because alr-ost all rivers have a potential
for zero flow, strict interpretation of tre la~T could exclucie most rivers.

To date, these questions have not been resolved.

NATIOI:AL RIVERS

The Nissouri River was added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
in 1978.

CONTACT: hr. Douglas Hofer
Division of Parks & Recreation
Dept. of Game fish & Parks
l~derson Building
Pierre, SD 57501
[phone]

.

BIELIOGRAPEY

1. Ilater Resources Hanagement Act, Law of 1972,pp.2

.

2. State Water Plan, Volume I, Dept of Game, fisb and Parks, 1977, pp.9

3. State Water Plan, Volume 4, Dept. of Game, Fisc and ParKs, 1978, pp.,6.

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