South Dakota Senate panel rejects rules on flooded private land

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota legislative panel has killed a bill regulating the use of waters that have flooded private land.

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously against the measure that passed the House last week.

It would have restricted access to flooded waters within 660 feet of a building or livestock.

The issue has pitted hunters and anglers against property owners who said the bill killed Tuesday would have violated their rights.

The sponsor described his bill as a common sense compromise because there currently are no protections for flooded private land.

Much of the state’s bodies of water are considered part of the public trust and open to public use.