By Aberdeen Insider - October 23, 2025 in DANR SD WATER RIGHTS PROGRAM
NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING FIVE-YEAR REVIEW TO DETERMINE THE AVAILABILITY OF UNAPPROPRIATED WATER IN THE TULARE: WESTERN SPINK HITCHCOCK AQUIFER
The Water Management Board (Board) previously determined that the average annual withdrawal of water from the Tulare: Western Spink Hitchcock Aquifer is equal to the average estimated annual recharge and deemed the aquifer fully appropriated. A map showing the approximate boundary of the aquifer; this public notice; and a report prepared for the Board to review is available online at https://danr.sd.gov/OfficeOfWater/WaterRights/aquifer/.
Pursuant to statute, the Board held a hearing for the purpose of accepting applications for potential future appropriations from the aquifer and creating a priority list. That hearing was held on May 7, 2015. Twenty-eight applications were prioritized by the Board and were being held for possible future action. One application was withdrawn during a five-year review in October 2020 leaving twenty-seven held applications.
Pursuant to SDCL 46-2A-7.5, the Board is required to hold a public hearing reviewing the groundwater source, all permits appropriating water from that source, and all held applications at least once every five years to determine whether unappropriated water has become available for use. A five-year review is scheduled for 9:45 AM (Central Time), on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Floyd Matthew Training Center, Joe Foss Building, 523 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre SD. The Board is authorized to 1) determine that additional water is available for appropriation, 2) determine that no additional water is available for appropriation, or 3) defer action for further study. The hearing time is an estimate and may be delayed due to prior items on the agenda. Pursuant to SDCL 46-2-9, 46-2-11, and 46-2A-7.5, the Board has legal authority and jurisdiction to conduct this hearing. The hearing may be listened to at https://www.sd.net or, to participate remotely, visit the SD Boards and Commissions Portal and search for Water Management Board.
Notice is given to individuals with disabilities that the meeting is being held in a physically accessible location. Individuals requiring assistive technology or other services in order to participate in the meeting or materials in an alternate format should contact Brian Walsh, Nondiscrimination Coordinator, by calling (605) 773-5559 or by email at [email protected] as soon as possible but no later than two business days prior to the meeting in order to ensure accommodations are available.
Questions regarding the hearing may be directed to Amanda Dewell ([email protected]) or Ron Duvall ([email protected]), Water Rights Program at (605) 773-3352.
Published once on October 23, 2025, at the total approximate cost of $31.50 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com