An interim committee of the South Dakota legislature dealing with non-meandered waters will hold its first meeting in Pierre Thursday.

The committee was authorized by the Executive Board of the legislature after the Supreme Court ruled that state agencies can’t allow public access to lakes that have flooded over private land.

Landowners in Day County sued the Game, Fish and Parks Department over the issue. A number of the affected lakes have had public access closed.

Committee member, Senator Jason Frerichs of Wilmot says a delicate balance is at stake…..

There have been a couple of legislative attempts to deal with the issue in the past. Frerichs says it is clear a new approach is needed….

Frerichs says they need to clearly explain what any new legislation would do…..

Governor Dennis Daugaard has said he may call a special session of the legislature if the committee can come up with a workable bill.