South Dakota's new ag program faces challenges

Monday, November 27, 2023

South Dakota launched a $3 million program designed to reduce agricultural pollution in the Big Sioux River. Despite the significant investment, the program has attracted only two sign-ups so far, leading to questions about its effectiveness and necessity.

Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, who introduced the bill for this funding, expressed concerns about the new program's approach, suggesting that the funds could have been better utilized in existing programs.

The state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, managed by spokesperson Brian Walsh, defends the program, emphasizing its unique coverage of the entire Big Sioux River watershed.

The Riparian Buffer Initiative, as the program is known, offers financial incentives to landowners for maintaining grass strips along the river, which help filter out pollutants. The initial payment offer proved insufficient, leading the department to increase the incentives substantially.

The program's slow start has raised questions about its impact and the state's strategy. It exists alongside at least three local initiatives with similar goals, sparking a debate about the necessity of this new state-level program.

These local initiatives have already seen significant participation, enrolling over 100 landowners and covering nearly 3,600 acres.

Concerns have also been raised about the new program's more stringent requirements, such as a decade-long commitment from landowners and restrictions on land use. These factors, along with the competition from existing programs, may be contributing to the low enrollment numbers.

Despite these challenges, the department is actively promoting the program and collaborating with various partners to increase awareness and participation. They hope that the revised payment structure and ongoing outreach efforts will lead to more sign-ups.

The program's success will be measured by its ability to effectively reduce pollution in the Big Sioux River, a critical waterway in South Dakota that suffers from contamination issues. The state's efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for sustainable agricultural practices to protect water quality and the environment.