South Dakotans can now apply to receive riparian buffer strip property tax incentives, Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today.
To aid prospective applicants, the Governor’s office has rolled out a new web map to help landowners determine which waters qualify under the new riparian buffer strip program.
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.
The interactive map database is located at denr.sd.gov/datagis.aspx.