If it appears to the satisfaction of any department, board, or governing body charged with the duty of the maintenance of any highway in this state, that a nuisance as defined by § 31-32-16 exists along any highway in respect to which highway the department, board, or governing body has the duty of maintaining, the department, board, or governing body shall negotiate with the owner of the property on which the nuisance exists for the voluntary abatement of the nuisance.

Source: SL 1945, ch 123, § 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 28.0917; SL 2010, ch 145, § 179.