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Feds propose drainage rules to protect wetlands in South Dakota and nearby states
June 12, 2023 By Joshua Haiar | South Dakota Searchlight
A government agency wants to keep water-draining equipment used by farmers away from federally protected wetlands in several states.
Drain tiles are underground perforated pipes buried in farmers’ fields. They are used to drain unwanted water – including some wetlands – allowing for more room to plant crops.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a process to determine how close drain tile can be installed to wetlands that are under the agency’s protection.
The regulations would apply to easements the agency has on privately owned wetlands, called Waterfowl Production Areas, and only in the Prairie Pothole region of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. | READ MORE
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