The growing concern about wetland issues in South Dakota was evident with more than 400 farmers attending Wednesday’s Wetland Issues Public Forum in Aberdeen. Farmers aired their concerns about the growing backlog of wetlands determinations. NRCS State Conservationist Jeff Zimprich says it’s partially a function of the growing interest in tiling, as well as the technical process of making determinations.

Zimprich says it was evident farmers also want the determinations done technically accurate and they want some changes in the appeals process.

He says in many cases mitigation is the best option for farmers and its a procedure NRCS is developing as well.

Zimprich doesn’t think many farmers will be out of compliance under the rules of the new farm bill and lose their program payments or crop insurance support.