State examines options after water connection for new prison denied

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – Harrisburg residents continue to debate the future of their water system after their city council voted against the state's request to connect to the system.

The state requested the water use for the Department of Corrections and its goal of building a new prison in Lincoln County.

The city council's decision to reject the water connection was unanimous and came following a board meeting.

An organization opposed to the prison hopes this could prompt the DOC to reconsider the location.

“Our ultimate goal, of course, would be for the state to decide that this is not an appropriate site. So that could be an option. Remember, there is still a court case going on that has not yet been decided whether the state has to go through the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Board and abide by the comprehensive plan. So that is an option,” said Michelle Jensen, board member and secretary of NOPE.

Jensen, of Neighbors Opposed to Prison Expansion (NOPE), believes residents may not be aware of the DOC's future plans.

“The state isn't exactly transparent about all of its information, but from what I know and what NOPE knows, the state contacted the Harrisburg commissioners around the beginning of August. So this wasn't really in the planning stages for very long. What else do they have planned? Who knows?” Jensen said.

Harrisburg Mayor Derick Wenck said the unanimous decision reflected that residents “are sticking to their stance that they don't want a prison.”

Regarding the lawsuit filed by NOPE against the state, a judge heard arguments in January, and now both sides are awaiting a decision.

A DOC spokesman said the vote was for sewerage. The state plans to build the prison on 160 acres. The DOC owns 320 acres and can use the additional 160 acres to build sewage ponds.

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