'Landowner Bill of Rights' included in latest pipeline compromise package

Top legislative leaders say proposal would make South Dakota nation's top protector of property rights

PIERRE — A “Landowner Bill of Rights” is the linchpin of the latest pipeline compromise package being rolled out by a bipartisan group of legislative leaders at the state Capitol.

Republican majority leaders in the South Dakota House and Senate Tuesday announced what would be the nation’s first Landowner Bill of Rights related to carbon dioxide pipeline projects, a proposal touted as making South Dakota the country’s top defender of landowner protections.

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A series of measures crafted by House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, and House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister establish annual compensation requirements for landowners, a linear foot tax for counties and landowners, and cap the length of easement agreements at 99 years.

The deal comes as Summit Carbon Solutions has faced heavy opposition to a planned pipeline project slated to cut through at least 18 South Dakota counties.

“This gives them a clear pathway to do that, but on our terms,” Mortenson told The Dakota Scout.

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