Chapter 245

(House Bill 1256)

An Act to make an appropriation for the cleanup of the Big Sioux watershed and River and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $3,000,000 to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for purposes of the cleanup and restoration of the Big Sioux watershed and River.

Section 2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall develop a plan to implement best management practices in the Big Sioux River watershed and improve surface water quality of the Big Sioux River with the funds appropriated in section 1 of this Act. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall confer with stakeholders, including water development districts, conservation districts, agricultural producer groups, local governments, other state agencies, and other interested entities to develop and implement the plan. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall provide public notice of the plan on the department's website for a period of thirty days before implementation of the plan.

Section 3. The secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

Section 4. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated by June 30, 2025, shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.

Section 5. This Act is repealed December 31, 2025.

Section 6. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.

Signed March 21, 2021