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Posts tagged as “water”

After Oil, Keystone XL May Drain Ogallala Aquifer

One of the major concerns about TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline is the possibility that it would contaminate the Ogallala aquifer as it crosses Nebraska. (And remember, Keystone XL is eight times more likely to damage the…

City Sees Surfeit of Water… in Residents’ Basement

Madison's new public works director, Fred Snoderly, must have brought some high-country libertarianism with him from Idaho. In one of his first major acts as a city employee, Snoderly has recommended lifting Madison's watering restrictions. Last night he told the…

Federal Grants Bring South Dakotans Books, Better Wastewater Systems

There goes big bad government again, ruining our lives with its wanton, tyrannical spending. Fresh from his big bike ride in the Hills (and almost making me late for my 1 p.m. job interview in Spearfish!), Governor Dennis Daugaard gets…

Water Management Board Approves Wells for 7000-Head Hanson County Dairy

State Agriculture Secretary Advocates Dairy, Despite Questionable Cluelessness About Local Concerns The DENR's Water Management Board met Wednesday, July 13, to discuss, among other things, Water Rights Application No. 7239-3 from Hanson County Dairy. Brookings County dairy entrepreneur Michael Crinion…

Balance of Power: County Drainage Board Can Veto State Highway Plan

Great civics class topic... and implications for Keystone XL? Flooding on Highway 81 north of Madison has brought up an interesting question of the local&ndashstate balance of power. As you'll know if you've tried to get from Watertown to Madison,…

Duck Boom in Eastern Dakotas: 127% Above Average!

Our friends at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just released their 2011 report on Trends in Duck Breeding Populations. If you like ducks, it's good news. Of the regions marked out in the FWS report, the Eastern Dakotas has…

Corps of Engineers Proposing Fees for Missouri Water Storage

Various commentators and former governors seeking elder statesman status are confusing flood control with flood elimination and blaming the Army Corps of Engineers for heavy snow and rain and houses built in a flood plain. If you'd like something you…

Larry Warned Us: Why Weren’t We Sandbagging Big Mo Sooner?

As we rush to sandbag homes in Pierre, Ft. Pierre, Yankton, and Dakota Dunes, and as some residents of those areas prepare for awful long-term evacuation, Tom Lawrence of the Mitchell Daily Republic wonders why we didn't take action sooner:…