The provisions of chapter 1-26 notwithstanding, the chief engineer may, after appropriate investigation, issue an order to any person to shut off or limit the person’s use of surface or groundwater, or to plug or otherwise control a well. The order may be issued only to protect another user who has higher or earlier priority or to cause a user of water to discontinue the use of water to which the user has no legal right. Upon a refusal to obey the order, the chief engineer may request a court of proper jurisdiction to issue a temporary restraining order or injunction to effectuate the provisions of the order.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 46-2-18

  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.

Source: SL 1983, ch 314, § 33; SL 2011, ch 165, § 256.