A bill passed by the South Dakota legislature this year would have allowed buffer strips along most waterways in the state. Those type of strips, mostly grassland, help filter out silt and other contaminants from getting into those waters. The bill was vetoed by Governor Dennis Daugaard over how valuations and property taxes would be assessed.
Much of the pollution concerns were aimed at the Big Sioux River and its drainage area.

Jay Gilbertson is Manager of the East Dakota Water Development District in Brookings. He says they continue to research the effectiveness of buffer strips…..https://soundcloud.com/wnax-radio/jay-gilbertson-718a

Gilbertson says legislators appear to be willing to go along with the concept…..

Gilbertson says details of the bill need to be worked out before next year’s legislative session…..

Gilbertson says the benefits would outweigh any minimal loss of property taxes to the affected counties.