By Watertown Current - March 19, 2026 in NOTICE OF APPLICATION NO. 9009-3 to Appropriate Water
Notice is given that Craig Arthur, 16116 456th Avenue, Watertown SD 57201, has filed an application for a water permit to appropriate 1.89 cubic feet of water per second from one well to be completed into the Prairie Coteau Aquifer (approximately 280 feet deep) located in the approximate center of the SW 1/4 Section 9 for irrigation of 255 acres located in the W 1/2 Section 9; all in T118N-R52W (located outside the former boundaries of the Lake Traverse Reservation). This site is located approximately eight miles north of Watertown SD.
Pursuant to SDCL 46-2A-2, the Acting Chief Engineer recommends APPROVAL of Application No. 9009-3 with qualifications because 1) unappropriated water is available, 2) existing domestic water uses and water rights will not be unlawfully impaired, 3) it is a beneficial use of water, and 4) it is in the public interest as it pertains to matters within the regulatory authority of the Water Management Board. The Acting Chief Engineer’s recommendation with qualifications, the application, and staff report are available at https://danr.sd.gov/public or contact Amanda Dewell for this information, or other information, at the Water Rights Program address provided below.
Any person interested in opposing this application or recommendation shall allege that the application, upon approval, will cause injury to the person that is unique from any injury suffered by the public in general. The injury must concern a matter either within the regulatory authority found in SDCL 46-2A-9 for approval or denial of the application, or other matter concerning the application within the regulatory authority of the board to act upon as defined by SDCL 46-2-9 and 46-2-11, or both. Any person meeting the petitioner requirements and wishing to be a party of record in a contested case hearing shall file a written petition to oppose the application with BOTH the applicant and Acting Chief Engineer. A petition opposing the application shall be filed on a form provided by the Acting Chief Engineer. The petition form is available online at https://danr.sd.gov/public or by contacting the Acting Chief Engineer. The Acting Chief Engineer’s address is “Water Rights Program, Foss Building, 523 E Capitol, Pierre SD 57501” or call (605) 773-3352. The applicant’s mailing address is given above. If contesting the Acting Chief Engineer’s recommendation, the applicant shall also file a petition. A petition filed by either an interested person or the applicant must be filed by March 30, 2026.
The petition shall include a statement describing the unique injury upon approval of the application on the petitioner, the petitioner’s reasons for opposing the application, and the name and mailing address of the petitioner or the petitioner’s legal counsel, if legal counsel is obtained.
Any interested person may file a comment on the application with the Acting Chief Engineer. The comment shall be filed on a form provided by the Acting Chief Engineer and is available online at https://danr.sd.gov/public or by calling (605) 773-3352 or writing the Acting Chief Engineer at the address provided above. Filing a comment does not make the commenter a party of record or a participant in any hearing that may be held. Any comment must be filed by March 30, 2026.
If the applicant does not contest the recommendation of the Acting Chief Engineer and no petition to oppose the application is received, the Acting Chief Engineer shall act on the application pursuant to the recommendation with no hearing held before the Water Management Board. If a petition opposing the application or contesting the recommendation is filed, then a hearing will be scheduled, and the Water Management Board will consider this application. Notice of the hearing will be given to the applicant and any person filing a petition.
Published once on March 19, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $38.22 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.