PIERRE — South Dakotans can now apply to receive riparian buffer strip property tax incentives, Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced Wednesday.
To aid prospective applicants, the Daugaard Administration has rolled out a new web map to help landowners determine which waters qualify under the new riparian buffer strip program.
“South Dakotans place a very high value on the water quality of our lakes and streams,” Gov. Daugaard said. “I expect many South Dakotans will choose to participate in this program to help improve water quality in our state, and this new map makes it easy to understand who qualifies.”

The web map, developed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, allows landowners and county directors of equalization to view and download maps of eligible lakes and streams. The map can also be used to estimate buffer strip lengths and acres. The interactive map database is located at denr.sd.gov/datagis.aspx.
Under the new law, eligible riparian buffer strips are assessed at 60 percent of the land’s agricultural income value. The bill specifies 575 lake listings and 11,000 miles of streams that are eligible. Only land within 120 feet of a listed lake, river or stream may be classified as a riparian buffer strip and grazing is prohibited from May 1 through Sept. 30.
Property owners with eligible riparian buffer strips have until Oct. 15 to apply for a property tax incentive. Applications must be submitted to the director of equalization in the county where the property is located. Eligible applicants will receive tax relief for their 2018 assessment for taxes payable in 2019. To obtain an application or learn more about the property tax incentive, visit dor.sd.gov/bufferstrips.aspx.

Photos:

The one map shows the lakes in Beadle County. The other shows the streams in Beadle County.