The amendment shifts the resolution from urging the South Dakota Conservancy District to file a specific application to reserve 500,000 acre feet of water per year, to a broader call for the Water Management Board to prioritize reviewing and approving water rights applications and future use reservations from public water systems generally. This change BROADENS the bill's scope from one targeted entity and specific water volume to a more general oversight directive affecting multiple applicants.
26.872.15 26.872.16 101st Legislative Session SCR606 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Concurrent Resolution 606 SENATE ENGROSSED Introduced by: Senator Hohn Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION encouraging the review and approval of water rights 1 applications and future use reservations from the Missouri River. 2 WHEREAS, under SDCL 46-1-1 to 46-1-4, inclusive, the people of South Dakota Conservancy District 1 have a 3 paramount interest in the use of all water within this state, which is declared to obtain be the 4 property of the people, and hold a future use permit of Missouri River the state shall ensure that water resources are developed for the long-2 term needs of this state. 3 5 greatest public benefit, put to beneficial use to the fullest extent possible, and not wasted or 6 used unreasonably; and 7 WHEREAS, the demand for water is increasing in many parts of the western United States; 4 8 and 5 9 WHEREAS, the Missouri River remains is the state's most crucial single source of substantial surface water in this state; 6 source; and 7 10 WHEREAS, SDCL 46-5-38 authorizes several certain entities to reserve water for contemplated 8 11 future needs upon a showing of availability of unappropriated water and future need pursuant 9 12 to the procedures set forth in chapter 46-2A; and 10 WHEREAS, no entity has yet filed a future use permit that looks to the long-term needs 11 of people of this state; and 12 13 WHEREAS, the South Dakota Conservancy District Water Management Board is a statewide organization, board, created by 13 the Legislature 14 for the purpose of planning, developing, and equitably managing the use and 14 conservation of water resources in of this state; 15 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the One Hundred First Legislature 16 of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that it is of 17 the utmost importance that the South Dakota Conservancy District file an application to Water Management Board prioritize the review and approval 18 reserve and hold not less than five hundred thousand acre feet of water per year rights applications and future use reservations from the 19 Missouri River submitted by 19 South Dakota's public water systems to address the future needs of the people of this state; and state. 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Conservancy District is strongly urged 21 to report to the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council, no later than November 22 30, 2026, on the status of the future use permit referenced herein. 23