Watershed law discussions ahead of task force

HURON -Farmers Union will host six meetings focused on local and state watershed laws. The meetings will provide an opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and local communities to discuss current regulations governing watershed management. In 2012, the Legislature created a Regional Watershed Task Force to look into the state’s water management laws and find solutions to problems plaguing many areas of the state. Farmers Union is hosting its own discussions ahead of the task force’s next meeting to gain a better understanding of what landowners want to see concerning water management laws.

“Watershed drainage and management issues are of the utmost importance for our members,” said South Dakota Farmers Union Legislative Director Mike Traxinger. “Water issues affect all areas of the state, including the northeast, which has been hit hard with flooding, loss of cropland, and damage to county and township infrastructure.”

South Dakota Farmers Union hopes these meetings will provide an opportunity for producers to share their thoughts and suggestions to assist the efforts of the task force.

The Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force is a three-year task force with its next meeting scheduled for July 1 in Aberdeen..

Below are the scheduled dates and locations for Farmers Union’s watershed meetings.

· Tuesday, June 18, Roberts County Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Community Center, 19 E Main Street, Rosholt.

· Wednesday, June 19, Brown County Meeting, 7:30 p.m., IHOP Restaurant, 2402 6th Avenue SE, Aberdeen.

· Thursday, June 20, Clark County Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, 120 N Commercial Street, Clark.

· Sunday, June 23, Day County Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Webster American Legion, 20 E 2nd Avenue, Webster.

· Monday, June 24, Kingsbury County Meeting, 7 p.m., Oxbow Restaurant, 102 US Highway 14 E, De Smet.

· Tuesday, June 25, Marshall County Meeting, 6 p.m., Norstar Federal Credit Union, 526 8th Street, Britton.