This amendment converted HCR6003 from an introduced bill to its enrolled (final passed) version by removing formatting markers and line numbers, and adding official enactment language and signature blocks showing it was adopted by the House on January 22, 2026 and concurred by the Senate on January 26, 2026—no substantive changes were made to the resolution's content recognizing conservation practices in the Black Hills.
26.159.15 26.159.16 101st Legislative Session HCR6003 2026 South Dakota Legislature House Concurrent Resolution 6003 Introduced by: Representative Uhre‑Balk Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. ENROLLED AN ACT A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the importance of conservation and restoration 1 practices in addressing water shortages and forest fire mitigation in the Black Hills, 2 and commending the organizations engaged in this work. 3 WHEREAS, access to clean and reliable water resources is fundamental to the health, 4 livelihood, and prosperity of all South Dakotans; and 5 WHEREAS, the Black Hills region faces growing water shortages that threaten 6 communities, ecosystems, and future generations; and 7 WHEREAS, conservation and restoration practices, such as native vegetation restoration, 8 stream and riparian rehabilitation, beaver dam analogues, and other low-tech, process-based 9 methods, have been shown to spread, slow, and store water on the landscape, improving 10 both water quality and water availability; and 11 WHEREAS, these practices serve an important role in fire mitigation by breaking up fuel 12 continuity, increasing soil moisture, supporting green riparian corridors that act as natural 13 firebreaks, and helping landscapes recover more quickly after wildfires; and 14 WHEREAS, these practices not only enhance water resilience and reduce fire risks, but 15 also improve soil health, support wildlife habitat, reduce flooding, and strengthen local 16 ecosystems; and 17 WHEREAS, local conservation districts, watershed groups, landowners, tribal nations, 18 nonprofits, and state and federal partners, are working collaboratively in the Black Hills to 19 restore streams, wetlands, and riparian areas; and 20 WHEREAS, conservation and restoration are cost-effective, science-based tools to address 21 water shortages, mitigate wildfire risks, and create lasting ecological and community benefits; 22 26.159.15 26.159.16 2 HCR6003 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. HCR6003 ENROLLED NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the One Hundred 1 First Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that 2 conservation and restoration practices are recognized as critical strategies to address water 3 shortages and mitigate wildfire risk in the Black Hills; and 4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature commends the dedicated organizations in 5 the Black Hills Watershed Collaborative, landowners, and community members engaged in 6 this important work, and affirms its support for continued conservation and restoration efforts 7 that ensure resilient water resources, healthy forests, and safer communities for generations 8 to come. 9 26.159.16 3 HCR6003 HCR6003 ENROLLED Adopted by the House of Representatives, January 22, 2026 Concurred in by the Senate, January 26, 2026 _____________________ _____________________ Jon Hansen Patricia Miller Speaker of the House Chief Clerk of the House _____________________ _____________________ Chris Karr Peggy Laurenz President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate of the Senate