2012  SDATAT LEGISLATIVE

DAY

Wednesday

February 8, 2012

MAKE PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.

·       We have a block of rooms reserved for the evening of February 08, 2012 at the Kings Inn in Pierre for a rate of $79.95 plus tax.  Block of rooms will be released on Jan. 24, 2012. 

     Phone:  605 224-5951

·       Ice cream reception for the Legislators in the Capitol: 1:30 – 3:30 pm

·       South Dakota Association of Towns and Townships Board of Directors will have a board meeting at 4:30 pm at McClelland’s located in Fort Pierre, SD on Hwy 1806 (902 Walleye Drive, Fort Pierre, SD 57501).

·       You are welcome to sit in on the board meeting and join us for a no host social/dinner with invited legislators.

·       We will order dinner (choice of walleye or sirloin steak) at 6:30 pm. 

Please promote this event and join SDATAT in Pierre to lobby on issues important to local government.

          SHOW UP… ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

         ATTENTION!!

The SD Association of Towns and Townships has recently become aware of a number of incidents where landowners are ditching and trenching through township roads and right of ways for drainage purposes without seeking authorization from the township.  State law makes it a criminal offense to damage a road or right of way.  Such action may result in criminal charges or civil penalties (or both) against the landowner.  Depending on the nature of the damage and circumstances, the criminal charges range from a Class 2 to a Class 1 Misdemeanor or even a Class 6 Felony.   In addition, civil penalties of two or three times greater the cost of repairing the damage can be imposed upon the landowner for damage. 

Furthermore,this unauthorized activity increases liability exposure for both the landowner and the township as extreme re-shaping of the ditch and trenching in the right of way creates a public hazard.  Nothing should be done by the landowner to drain water into or alter the township road and right of way, in any manner, without the expressed written authorization of the township.  Townships are also reminded that necessary permits from their county drainage boards and Army Corps of Engineers may also need to be obtained before authorizing such re-shaping or ditching. 

For more information, contact Diane Worrall, Executive Director of SD Association of Towns and Townships at 605 353-1439.