PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Executive Board of the South Dakota Legislature heard four Issue Memoranda this week on various topics requested by the Board.  One of those was an overview of water rights and management of the Missouri River in South Dakota.  Senior Research Analyst Anna Madsen says larger water projects need Legislative approval.

Madsen says there are 266 current and future water rights requests for the Missouri in South Dakota.

There is some concern about Missouri River water being diverted to, for example, the Colorado River to address low water levels in that river.  Lawmakers like Will Mortenson of Pierre were curious about what state law says about exporting H2O from the Mighty Mo.

Other issue memos focused on initiatives and referendums, the publication of legal notices and nuclear power.