A bill that would change South Dakota’s current water district structure to one aligned with watershed basins has advanced to the floor of the Senate.

It would set up nine areas based on drainage areas of state rivers.

Dave Bartel (like startle) is manager of the James River Water Development District. He says they are still waiting for the final version of the bill…

 

Bartel says he thinks most of the push comes from counties that don’t want to handle drainage disputes…

 

Bartel says there are differences among the counties in the James River district…

 

Bartel spoke before the Yankton County Commission at their meeting yesterday.