Who Is Dennis Daugaard? South Dakota Governor Passes Law Allowing Use Of Lakes On Private Land For Public Use

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed into law a bill, Monday, which allows public recreational use of non-meandered water bodies overlying in private property. The law opens up more than two dozen bodies of water to the public while giving the landowners the ability to restrict certain areas.

“I thank the Legislature for recognizing the urgency of passing the Open Waters Compromise,” said the Republican governor Daugaard, according to a press release on the website of South Dakota State News. “With the signing of this bill, we are opening up tens of thousands of acres of non-meandered waters to public recreation, while respecting the property rights of landowners.”

Non-meandered water bodies are something that were not "specially designated during government surveys in the late 1800s." Some private properties have since flooded, giving way to unofficial bodies of water and creating good fishing. However, these bodies have reduced farmland and pastures of the agricultural producers, reports said.

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Last week, Daugaard — who had been a supporter of Waters Compromise Bill — reportedly said that he would call lawmakers back to Pierre for a special legislative session to create a set of rules for outdoor enthusiasts who want to use lakes on private land for recreation. The issue has been a cause of concern among landowners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Daugaard is the 32nd governor of South Dakota, who was sworn in on Jan. 8, 2011 for the first term and again on Jan. 6, 2015, for his second term. He has been emphasizing on job creation, sound fiscal management, and efficient government operation. During his first year in office, he worked with the legislature to eliminate a $127 million structural deficit, without raising taxes.

In that same year, he was also involved in flood protection works; he worked to avoid catastrophic flooding along the Missouri River after the Army Corps of Engineers announced record-breaking water releases from Missouri River dams.

In 2013, the governor worked to reform the criminal justice system by conducting an inter-branch, bipartisan study of the system. Daugaard's efforts led to bipartisan passage of legislation related to increase public safety, hold offenders more accountable and control escalating costs, according to his biography on the website of National Governors Association.

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Daugaard has worked to bring about improvements in the field of education in 2015. He had assembled the Blue Ribbon Task Force to propose solutions to improve education. The task force highlighted recommendations, which Daugaard then introduced as legislation in the following session. The recommendations included increase in revenues for teachers, property tax relief provisions, among others. As a result of Daugaard's proposals, South Dakota’s average teacher salary increased by 11.9 percent for the 2016-2017 school year.

On Monday, Daugaard also proclaimed June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in South Dakota, according to a press release on the website of South Dakota State News.